Angelica & Jacob
by Steve Eberling
Angelica turns sixteen and blows out all her candles. She was adopted when three but cannot remember it much, stuck without hope when doctor Chinn and wife Mai Lynn become present. Not that being rich had anything to do with it and pleasant for her growing up but every coin has two sides. Dad is a respiratory doctor and mom is vice president of a bank. Beginning this story thought to make Angelica tall and thin with complexion not being the case and quite opposite. Angelica fills out nicely often the talk around town. With black hair it would be simple for her to say “I am the daughter of Chinn and Mai”. Angelica’s honey brown eyes tell another story. Not easy being beautiful going to school in a red Porsche. She must do the best not to be available prey. Cheerleading seems a probable answer. She cannot do that well at hoops but baseball is another matter. That girl can throw baseball, base hits as well and isn’t long before she becomes pitcher.
David Chinn is to some extent hard to figure out because he did not recently come to the United Sates. Chinn families go way back to rich farmers from Korea where they had it made. Thomas Jefferson became president back then and went all out. “Equality amongst people and liberty for all.” This new country based on different human principles demanded attention. Some were all for it and the Chinn family sold the farm and hopped on a boat. Let’s get it straight, not for political reasons. Communism and Capitalism are yet to come to blows and by oxen China is a long way from Korea. This conflict will happen later. The Chinn family settled in Pennsylvania, confusing considering others weren’t so fortunate to pay for property thought sufficient; again the Chinn families have a knack for curing illness. Maybe at first with ginseng roots and green tea brought from Korea but when these ran out converted to conventional methods of surgery. They are very good at it given speculation of antibiotics.
Probably want me to get on with the story. David Chinn has a convention in Denver regarding respiratory disease. Cigarette companies became big business but because these can cause cancer quite a bit of money is also associated with this argument perplexity. David doesn’t argue, but with growing pollution conjectures those who smoke could be better prepared for some calamity. Wild fires add to the problem not to mention global warming. What are people thinking? Nothing like a good soak.
So how does Angelica come into the story? Chinn and Mai assist orphanage children with asthma and can’t help falling in love with her there. Basketball is not really Angelica’s gig and that game between Virginia is tough. Sally knows what she’s doing and takes the ball from Angelica right down the middle to score. Montpelier is playing tough. Sally’s turn again and has it wrapped up when Cheryl runs with her blond hair and blue eyes making a tough block to tie. After the basketball game the girls shower up. Football amidst guys of Pennsylvania and Ohio are still going at it so the gals jump in the red car hoping to make it in time before that game finishes. Not Angelica’s idea since Mai is very particular about the Porsche however Cheryl has her eye on Curt and they are there for the fumble. Sally’s not about to let Kevin get by either.
Jacob turned seventeen in August which for some reason reminds him of his tenth birthday as if it just occurred. His older brother Sam and sister Susan recall it likewise. The two younger ones are Ben and Kate and are also great to be around. “Happy Birthday Jacob”, patting him on the back having him blow out ten candles and open presents they spent their last dime to buy. Dad and mom smile glad to have all their children together enjoying the fun. Jacob remembers his brothers’ and sisters’ birthdays as well. Not sure what to get Sam the oldest doubting what he wants anyway. He gets Sue paper flowers aware she will like them and receives a big hug and kiss from her. Ben and Kate seem excited with anything he can think of. Good times and now feels different, maybe because he is noticing pretty girls. Obviously Sam and Sue are aware of their attraction and possibly seem distant these days because Ben and Kate are growing up requiring more attention. Sam and Sue pretend to push Jacob out of the way for affections of the younger ones. Oh well, mom and dad are pleased. If you’d like to meet them their names are Don and Barbara pushing fifty with considerable life to live.
Easily to say Sam and Sue left the farm in Pennsylvania but that’s not the case. Farming is difficult considering many thousands of dollars on the books at the mercy of crops and weather. They are married now with babies on the way. Bet you’re going to think Jacob has something to say about that. Jacob is used to farming life up before dawn and lucky to get to bed early. Farming is major business hardly possible without his older siblings. Barb and Don hold the deed. So there you go. Shouldn’t mention Jacob is somewhat awkward at seventeen being from a farm in Pennsylvania. Maybe a little skinny but that boy can play football.
So what’s the big deal? A football game comes up on Saturday against Ohio. Fairly unusual Ohio playing Pennsylvania but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Jacob doesn’t particularly want to be quarterback on the high school team. More pressure now against formidable opponents. Crowds fill the bleachers under a clear blue sky. The coin is tossed making Jacob’s team receiving cumbersome to see the kick as if coming from the end zone but he doesn’t have to position much to catch it. What a line up, might as well be against the Bears. Never thought he can run that fast with players everywhere and makes it to touchdown! Second scene, good kick way out of sight and caught. Let the game resume. Kevin’s running when Jacob holds back looking like he might throw when Curt comes out and blocks. The match goes back and forth.
You know how the sun can be gleaming gold and amber; appears to daze us for a bit. Jacob catches sight of Angelica and Curt is of Cheryl when the ball fumbles Kevin quickly recovers to touchdown and win the competition. Sally likes that. Not long after Angelica’s with Jacob in his 4X4 diesel pick-up truck.
It might sound strange considering a young girl wants me to tell the tale. Sally and Kevin have complexion. The picture becomes complicated with colors some quite possibly alien to our perception. Do dandelions have a say in their existence being yellow and green seeming to flourish in abundance? Jessie asked me to write the story; a rose by any other name is still a rose.
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