(author's note: it has been at least 15 years since the drinking age in the midwest was 19)
My cousin, Joshua Phillip. Aka JP. The golden boy of the family. Everyone thought he was perfect, including me. "Joshua Phillip!" his mom would say when she was really angry with him. I called him "Joshua Phillip" a few times, and I think he liked it.
The first time I really noticed JP, he was 12 and I was 11. The whole family was at Grandma's house. Dad & Mom, our family, Dad's five brothers and their families; We were all at Grandma's to help her pack. She was finally selling her house and had decided to move to the Midwest to be with Dad & Mom. It was always fun visiting Grandma in California and this trip was no different. Running around the big backyard, hollering and fighting, all of us cousins trying to stay out the way, not wanting to help with the packing and cleaning.
It was pretty dark when we all decided to head in. The sun had already gone over the horizon, and the moon had not come up yet. I was quiet going into the house. JP and I had been cutting each other down all afternoon, and he had gotten the best of me. There were 10 cousins in all and we all tried to squeeze onto the twin bed that doubled as a couch in the TV room. Insults were flying, and there was a loud argument about which TV show we would watch. I managed to get into my favorite spot, the far corner of the bed, my back up against the wall. JP shoved his sister out of the way to sit by me, and started poking me in the side.
"Knock it off, JP," I grumbled. "I'm done playin."
Poke. "Awww, come on, Annie-girl," he breathed. "You know ya like it."
Shove. "I said KNOCK IT OFF," I threatened.
"Alright," JP groaned. He leaned in closer and kissed me. "You're looking good, Annie-girl."
Even in the darkness, I could feel my face turn 5 shades of red. I mean, he had ~kissed~ me! My glorious, blond, blue-eyed, oh-so-handsome cousin had kissed me.
I continued to think about that kiss. I thought about it on the flight home. (Dad drove the rental truck with all of Grandma's stuff.) I thought about it the following year when JP and his family had their summer vacation with us. I was still thinking about that kiss when I finally moved to California 8 years later.
Once I found an apartment and had gotten settled, I started calling the family.
"Hey, guess what? Yeah, I finally made it!" I quickly got in touch with everyone, and Uncle Doug, JP's dad, said we could use his house for a family party.
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. You just gotta love California weather. It was sunny and beautiful, just a few clouds, and the temperature was in the mid 80's.
Uncle Doug's house was bursting with people. Cousins, aunts and uncles I hadn't seen in years. It was great to be with family again.
There was a commotion at the front door. "Oh yeah! JP's home!" his sister shouted. JP was coming home for the weekend, visiting from UC Davis.
He walked into the room, and I felt all the air leave my lungs. I was sure everyone heard me sigh. JP, all tan and blond, bright blue eyes shining, muscles rippling, self-assured and confident, strode across the room and picked me up in a big bear hug, swinging me around and around.
"You're looking good, Annie-girl," he breathed into my ear. And he kissed me. This time, I managed not to blush.
"Put me down, you…you….dumbass!" I tried hard to sound mad.
"Annie-girl, you are SO midwestern!" he laughed. "And you STILL can't come up with a good put-down."
The party was great. Reminiscing with family, good food, lots of laughs. It was about 1 am when I decided it was time to go home.
"Who wants to come see my new apartment?" I wanted to share my new life with whoever wanted to see it.
"Yeah, I'll go!" said Lauren.
"Me too," Micki agreed.
"I guess I'll tag along, and keep you girls out of trouble," JP announced.
Lauren and Micki's parents had something to say about that.
"No, you girls can't go. We are going home ourselves, and you have to come with us."
"Awww, Dad, do we HAVE to?" The girls started to pout.
"I can bring them home, Uncle Eric," I volunteered. "Your house isn't that far from my apartment."
"No, but thanks anyway, Annie," Uncle Eric said. "Maybe some other time."
"Ok," I agreed, disappointed.
We all said our goodnites, and I told JP that he didn't have to tag along now.
"There isn't going to be anyone getting into trouble, so you don't need to go," I said.
"Oh? We'll see about that," he smirked.
I heard Aunt Lisa mumble, "That's why you girls aren't going," as she walked out the door. I hugged Uncle Eric, made him promise to bring the girls over, and then gave Uncle Doug a big kiss and thanked him for having the party.
"Well, if you're ready, let's go, JP," I said, and I walked to my car.