Jess came from a small farm town in Michigan, an only child of a Vietnam War Veteran Dennis Young and his third wife Sherry. They were a lower middle class family. As long as she could remember, her parents had bounced around from job to job, barely making ends meet. But their number one goal was to make Jess a happy and a healthy little girl. Luckily, Jess was blessed with "her momma's beauty and brains", as her daddy always told her. She was even accepted into the local public school's kindergarten program a year early.
It was there that Jess met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Jeff Walker; on their first day of kindergarten. Jeff was already 6 years old whereas Jess was just barely 5 years old. Their friendship grew on through their grade school years. All the other kids would laugh and tease that Jeff was going to get the 'cooties'. But Jeff didn't care. He knew from a very early age, that he was going to marry that girl one day.
Shortly after the events that took place on September 11th, 2001, Jess' world was turned upside down. Dennis' PTSD from his days in Vietnam, resurfaced. It was so intense that the fear of not being able to protect his family while at work, made him quit his job. The family lost their only form of a stable income. Sherry quickly stepped up, taking a cashier position at a department store in the next town over.
The night of their 6th grade graduation Jeff's mom, Karen, invited Jess to go out with them for pizza and ice cream at the best pizza place in town. "Of course Jess can go with you," Sherry agreed. After a couple of hours of eating pizza and playing every single arcade game in the game room, Karen called them, "Alright you guys, let's get our ice cream and get Jess home."
Timmy, Jeff, and Jess picked out the flavor they wanted before heading out the door. Jeff stopped at one of the gumball machines near the door, smiling as he put his last quarter into the machine. He turned the knob, and placed the capsule that came out in his pocket before running to catch up with the others.
After climbing into the back seat of his mom's SUV, they were on their way to Jess' house. Jeff pulled out the little capsule and opened it. He smiled as he pulled out an adjustable costume jewelry ring, with a huge pink heart on it. Looking at Jess, he smiled, and reached over to take her hand.
"Jess, I know we are only going into Junior High. But I know that guys are going to try to make you their girl soon. So I want to beat them to it!" he said as he handed the ring to Jess.
"Here I want you to wear this as a promise to be my girl for now and for the rest of our lives!" He smiled nervously and added quickly, "That is if you want to."
Jess took the ring with a grin and replied "Jeff, I kind of already thought I was your girl!" His smile grew bigger, "Well, will you accept this ring and promise to be my girl forever?"
She nodded letting him slide the ring on her left ring finger.
Over the next couple of years, Jess developed into the beauty, she would be famous for in the future. Naturally, she had no shortage of guys, challenging Jeff and attempting to win her attention away from him. But it was always Jeff's sincerity that would keep her love. Along with the fact that Jess just could not stand the thought of any other girl with her Jeff!
Jeff was becoming quite a handsome young man himself. Work on his Uncle's farm and the football team had helped him develop an athletic build. This got him all the right attention from the fairer sex at school. While a couple of girls tried their luck with him, Jess was always his one and only.
By the time they reached high school, Jeff and Jess were pretty much locked in. They were the ideal couple. As was expected, they were nominated and won homecoming prince and princess, in their Junior year of high school.
After accepting their crowns and dealing with multiple photo sessions, Jeff took Jess' hand as they snuck out. They made their way through the football field and into his beat up old pickup in the parking lot. They drove to their favorite spot that looked over the small town. They spread out some blankets and pillows into the bed of the truck, and snuggled into each other's arms, enjoying the feeling of being together.
Jeff took a deep breath and asked, "Babe? I hate to ruin this moment. But everyone around us, is starting to ask about the future. I mean you are getting that academic scholarship... and I'm... just going to be some farmer which just isn't going to make our life the easiest. Unless... I make some big decisions... and fast!
"Babe, I'm seriously considering the military."
He flinched as Jess instantly shot her head up.
She cried, "Are you freaking serious? Tell me you're joking! You have seen what the military did to my dad!"
He shook his head urgently, "No! Babe that is the only way I can give you a future that you and our future kids deserve, They have a great MP program. I'll go through that and then we can get married! We will have our little family and wherever you end up working, I'll join the police force of that city. Baby it's perfect!"
Jess slowly nodded with some skepticism as she replied, "Yeah, I guess if that is what you think would be best. And I am sure by the time we graduate high school next year, the whole thing overseas will be cleared up. I just don't want you to get hurt"
A cool night breeze had begun to blow on the hillside, causing Jess to start shivering. So she reached in through the cab's rear window, to retrieve his hoodie to pull over her. As she did so, her hand hit something hard. She grabbed and pulled a green Army folder that was underneath the hoodie.
Looking confused, she asked, "Babe. Why is there an Army folder in the truck?"
Jeff quickly sat up, "Babe that is just the information packet, they gave me when I checked in at the recruitment center."
She smiled and nodded, "oh.. ok." She pulled the folder closer and began to open it.
Jeff tried to take it was from her, but she resisted, "Hey, I just want to see what it all entails!" she exclaimed.
Jeff watched in horror, as she extracted a copy of a signed early enlistment contract. She glared at Jeff, who nervously ran his hand through his hair.
He tried to explain, "Babe just listen.."
But almost instantly he was cut off by Jess. "No I don't want to hear it... Take me home NOW!" she yelled furiously.
She jumped from the bed and climbed into the passenger seat, where she sat silently. Jeff cursed himself and got up to join her in the cab. On the ride back to her house, he tried to hold her hand, talk to her and reassure her of his plan. But she sat there quietly staring out the window, and pulled away from him each and every time he tried to touch her. He pulled into her dirt driveway. As soon as he came to a stop, she jumped out and headed into the house. She was inside with door slammed shut, even before he had the chance to put the truck into park.
Over the next couple of weeks, he tried to talk to Jess at school, made calls. He even showed up multiple times at her house. But Jess had shut him out. Jeff started to isolate himself from the rest of the world. His routine now took him from home to school, then his job at his uncle's farm. He did not feel like going out anymore.
Karen was particularly worried about him. She had heard about his fight with Jess. She knew from her conversation with Sherry, as to how miserable Jess was. But she could see the toll this was taking on her son. She knew she had to do something. So she got some of his friends from the football team to drop in. Between their persuading and his mother's coaxing, Jeff was given no choice. He had pulled on his jeans and a well worn grey hoodie, and went out to the annual winter carnival with the guys.
As they walked through the front gate, he spotted Jess. She was already there with some friends, having been kicked out of the house for the evening by her mother. She was wearing a pair of dark wash blue jeans that hugged her every curve. On, top, she wore her favorite black hooded sweatshirt, proudly supporting her favorite band with a silver Metallica logo across the back.
Jeff realized he needed to fix this and now, before he left at the end of the month. He walked up to her and said hi to Jess' friends as he pulled Jess aside. He twirled her around to face him, looking determined.
"Jess, come on! This isn't us. I mean I realize you have every right to be pissed, because I didn't tell you I was going for early enlistment. I should have told you instantly, I'm sorry babe! And I can't leave for basic training with you pissed," he said almost breathlessly. "We are not leaving this carnival until we sit down and talk this out!"
She exhaled "FINE!". She glared at her friends, who were trying to act casual. She had a feeling that her meeting Jeff at the carnival was not a coincident. They walked toward the bench near the hot chocolate concession stand, and sat down. She stared at the ground.
