^^^February 7th^^^
"Hi, Jimmy," the voice on the phone said. "It's Peggy. Pam's sister."
"Oh, hi."
He sounded confused. He didn't know anyone named Peggy, and he wasn't sure who Pam was. He asked, "And Pam is..."
The voice on the phone said, "Pam is your brother's girlfriend."
She giggled like a teenager and said, "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm calling you. It's about St. Valentine's Day. Are you doing anything special?"
"Ah...Ah.." he stammered. The question surprised him.
She giggled and said, "That didn't come out right. I'm not asking you out on a date. My sister and your brother have been dating for eighteen months, and I'm afraid they may break up.
"I'd hate to see that happen. I think they are good for each other. Don't you?"
"I guess," he offered, being polite. He had no idea about the condition of his brother's relationship or the girl he was dating.
"They are at that point in a relationship where they get serious and commit to each other or break up. I'd hate to see them break up. They've invested a lot of time and effort, and with a little help from us, I think we can get them past this lull, remind them how happy they've been, and get them to commit and declare their undying love for one another."
"I see," he said. He chuckled at her audacity and asked, "What do you need from me?"
"Help me set up a super romantic St. Valentine's Evening for them. They will realize what a great match they are and live happily ever after."
"That's a tall order," Jimmy said. "Fairy tale endings rarely happen in real life."
"It'll be worth the effort when we see them march down the aisle as husband and wife. I'm walking toward your front door. Let's put our heads together and get this done."
Jimmy's phone went dead, and the doorbell rang.
"I guess there's no way out of this," he said. "I don't even like my brother."
He opened the door, and a cute, perky, young woman stuck her hand out and said, "Hi, Jimmy. I'm Peggy."
She grasped his hand firmly and pumped it up and down.
He looked at the young dark-haired, dark-eyed woman and asked, "Have we met?"
"No," she answered and walked into the house and headed toward the family room. She planted her small firm butt on the sofa and said, "Do you have any ideas?
"What? No. I just heard about this scheme seconds ago," he complained. "And my name is Jim, not Jimmy. I'm twenty-two, not twelve."
He sat on a chair across from her and said, "I'm not sure we should get involved in their love life."
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
"Are you quoting JFK?"
She giggled and said, "Yes. That's a good get. We covered the Cuban Missile Crisis and his presidency recently in History class. I was impressed with the man and his words."
"History class? Are you in high school? How old are you?"
"I turned eighteen a couple of months ago and will be graduating high school in four months," she said proudly. She toyed with her ponytail.
"What makes you think that butting into your sister's love life is something you should be doing?"
"I love my sister. I want her to be happy."
"And you think my ne'er do well brother is the answer?"
"He's nice looking, and they have a lot in common."
"Does this mean your sister also is a heavy drinker and likes to party?"
"I don't know how much she drinks. I live at home, and she's at college. I know she likes to go out and dance and be with her friends."
"You seem like a good kid," Jim said. "Take it from someone a little older. People don't appreciate being messed with and manipulated. Since you like quotes here's one for you from the singer Doris Day, "Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see".
He stood, signally their time together was over.
Peggy's hands balled up into fists, anger flashed in her eyes, and she said, "Don't treat me like a kid. The law says I'm an adult!"
She stood, got in his grill, and said, "If we won't look after our family, who will!"
Jim was stunned by her ferocity and stepped back.
She took a deep breath and said, "Sorry about that. You touched a nerve." She gently grabbed his hand and said, "Please hear me out."
Her hand was warm and soft. Jim looked at it and then at her and re-appraised her, thinking, "This young woman is fiery, passionate, and caring. She's spunky. I like spunky."
He sat and said, "Please, have a seat and tell me what you had in mind?"
They sat side-by-side on the sofa with their knees touching. She said softly, "I think they need a romantic night. Wine, a candlelight dinner, followed by a spa night or watching a good rom-com."
"That sounds nice."
"It wouldn't cost a lot. I can cook. We need a place..."
"We can do it here," Jim offered.
The love-struck teenager had won him over. He didn't want to be the one to tell her life isn't as she imagines and that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are make-believe.
"My parents will be out of town," Jim said. "I'll help you, and then we can make ourselves scarce and let them have a romantic evening."
"Thank you!" she shouted. She leaped into him. He felt her soft arms around his neck, her young firm breasts pressed against his chest, and her lips on his cheek as she kissed him.
^^^
Over the next couple of days, Peggy shared her vision of the perfect romantic night.
"I have been in touch with Johnny's and Pam's roommates. They are helping. I have them putting love notes in her purse and his knapsack and other places they will find them. The notes express their love and say that a special St. Valentine's evening is being prepared for them.
"Each thinks the other is planning it, and that they are supposed to be at your house at eight o'clock."
Jim said. "You are a wonderful sister. A wonderful person."
Jim was swept up by her enthusiasm, and he didn't have much else going on in his life. He bought flowers, scented candles, and a bath bomb. He washed the sheets and towels and cleaned the house after his parents left.
He and Peggy spoke every day. Jim looked forward to their chats. He found her giggle and zest for life cute and intoxicating.
On Friday, February 13th, Peggy came over. Jim opened the door and found her holding a casserole dish covered in tin foil. As usual, she was perky and smiling.
"Hi, Jim," she said warmly. She had on medium-high heels, a short jean skirt, and a denim bustier. The tapered top showed off her little waist and pushed her breast up.
She was showing more skin than usual.
Jim ogled her shapely legs and ample bosom.
"Wow!" Jim thought. "That's not the body of a kid."
He dismissed the thought and said, "Hello, Peggy. Let me give you a hand."
He took the dish from her hands, carried it into the kitchen, and put it in the fridge.
She said, "I made chicken cordon bleu. It's Pam's favorite dish. We can put a note on the door about the wine in the refrigerator and dinner in the oven. I'll set the table now, and everything will be ready for their special night."
They set the table and checked on Johnny's bedroom.
"This is great," Peggy said. "I love the flowers in the bedroom."
She playfully punched him in the arm and said, "You do have a romantic bone in your body, after all."
They laughed.
"The house is set," Jim said. "How about we celebrate by getting a bite to eat?"
"Sure."
"Pizza or seafood?"
"Definitely seafood."
Jim decided to treat the young woman, and they went to an upscale restaurant where they had a fine meal and enjoyable conversation.
Jim learned that Peggy wasn't a dopey kid. She was mature for her age and a caring person. She learned that he wasn't a boring old stick in the mud, and he wasn't dating anyone since a nasty break-up six months ago where the girl cheated on him, and he had a job he enjoyed.
After dinner, Jim walked her to her car and said, "I had a nice time tonight."
"Me too," she said with a smile.
They paused and looked at each other for a beat. She leaned forward.
At the same moment, he turned to go to his car.
"Oh," Jim said when he realized she wanted to kiss. He reversed direction and moved toward her.
By then, Peggy was getting in her car. Her face was red, and she said, "Oh, God. I'm so embarrassed."
He said, "I'm sorry."
She sat in the car, looking forward, and said, "Please let me go home." Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Jim stepped back, and she drove off.