Stepping into the Sky: Jump When Ready, Book 3 Read online

  Stepping into the Sky

  Jump When Ready, Book 3

  David Pandolfe

  PRAISE FOR JUMP WHEN READY

  “Whether you’re 14 or 24, this book is a fun read with endearing characters and a quick-moving plot. Jump When Ready is not a book to miss.” -Portland Book Review

  "An engaging, poignant book that stayed with me long after I read the last word." - Tracy E. Banghart, author of Rebel Wing

  “JUMP WHEN READY combines charm and suspense in a sweet way that leaves the reader completely believing this imagined in-between world.” -Indie Reader

  “The combination of coming-of-age, philosophical and thriller story comes together to make a fascinating and engaging book.” - The Real Bookshelves of Room 918

  “It impacted my thoughts in a serious way, and I will most likely spend the next few days going over it, and over it, in my head.” - Bound by Words

  “There are few books out there that have characters that make you wish you had friends like them.” - Book Nerds

  “This was a great story. I personally have never read anything like it.” - Reading is Better than Real Life

  “I loved this book and am looking forward to seeing what the author will come up with next!” - A Little Shelf of Heaven

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  1

  A House Full of Memories

  Rose could see that her grandmother wasn’t in the best of moods, which seemed nearly impossible on such a spectacular morning. They sat on the terrace, the sun shining in an azure sky where just a few stray clouds drifted past. A mild breeze carried the scent of blooms from the garden. At the cliff’s edge fifty yards distant, gulls rode currents of air, every so often swooping and calling out, while beyond them the ocean glimmered. It had been a long, rainy winter and in a few months it might be too hot to sit out here, but right now the world couldn’t have been more perfect.

  “Honestly, I think they’re absurd,” her grandmother said. “I know all of you kids love them but it’s little more than noise. And the hair! Who ever heard of boys wearing their hair like that?”

  Despite her words, Rose knew it wasn’t the Beatles hair styles or music bothering her grandmother this morning. After all, Rose had been listening to the Beatles for almost a year now and she’d more than once observed her grandmother tapping her foot against the kitchen floor as she’d unconsciously kept rhythm. The only reason Olivia had even brought them up was due to the Teen Screen magazine Rose had been reading while they’d had their coffee. Once again, the glorious Fab Four was featured on the cover. The fact was, Olivia had always been a worrier and she’d been even more worried lately. Although, to her credit, she kept her concerns to herself most of the time. Rose knew that Olivia had mostly resigned herself to the situation—the same situation Rose wouldn’t dream of changing in a million years.

  At the same time, the wedding date was drawing near and sooner or later Olivia would have to verbalize what she’d only signaled with body language and sighs so far—the simple fact that she didn’t truly like Joseph. She never had. Still, it seemed a shame to cast a shadow over this perfect morning.

  Besides, it wasn’t Rose’s nature to invite discomfort or confrontation. Instead, she’d open the door and leave the rest up to Olivia. “Is it really almost ten?” she said, checking her watch. “Joseph was supposed to have called by now.”

  As always, Olivia’s brow creased at the mention of Joseph’s name. “What did you two have planned for today?”

  “Checking on the flower arrangements one more time just to be sure.” Rose laughed. “As you can imagine, Joseph was only so interested.”

  Not surprisingly, Olivia didn’t comment. She nodded and glanced out across the yard.

  “He doesn’t think those sorts of things are all that important,” Rose said. “Understandably. He is a man, after all.”

  Olivia sighed, which Rose half-expected. Olivia didn’t consider Joseph to be a man. Not truly. Just as she still considered Rose to be a girl. That part, Rose understood. After all, they were fairly young to be getting married. Rose had just turned eighteen a few months ago and Joseph had just celebrated his twenty-first birthday in March. Still, it felt like it had taken him a hundred years to come along.

  Despite the beautiful day, Rose wondered if she should open the door a little further. Eventually, they had to lay their cards on the table. “Joseph also has plenty on his mind these days. You know, with work and all.”

  In Olivia’s steady gaze, Rose saw a message she’d seen many times since her parents had died. I’m worried about you. I want to protect you from any more harm. It’s a hard world out there and you weren’t raised in it. But couldn’t Olivia see she didn’t need protecting any longer?

  Rose loved her grandmother dearly. In fact, at one time Olivia had been the only person in her life. Rose understood that it couldn’t be easy for her now that she was getting married. And it broke her heart imagining Olivia on her own in this big house once she was gone. This house full of memories and sadness—a house in which Olivia had ended up playing the role of parent to an orphaned child after suffering her own crippling loss.

  “Has he actually started working yet?” Olivia said.

  “Mr. Hanson’s been showing him how he’ll manage things.”

  “And how much can there be to managing the sale of cars?”

  It wasn’t Olivia’s words as much as her tone that once again reinforced what Rose had long suspected. Olivia considered the Hansons to be common. She’d never used that word but she didn’t have to.

  “Grandmother, it’s not like they stand in the lots themselves haggling with customers. Mr. Hanson owns dealerships throughout the state. It’s something of an empire. At least, that’s how Joseph describes it.” Rose smiled, thinking about Joseph’s pride in his family’s business. “Okay, maybe empire is a bit of an exaggeration but they’ve done quite well for themselves.”

  Surely, Olivia had to know this. The Hansons might not live on the Cliffs as did Rose, Olivia and much of Woolridge’s elite but they owned an impressive home of their own overlooking Pegoty bay. Not to mention their second home in Castle Beach, where Joseph’s parents were right now preparing to host next weekend’s wedding reception.

  Olivia reached for her cigarette case. She withdrew a Virginia Slim and once again Rose wondered at the pretense of using the case, at least while they were home. Cigarettes came in boxes of their own, after all.

  Olivia puffed out a light stream of smoke and fanned it away. She parted her lips to speak, hesitated, then said, “My understanding is that Mr. Hanson has quite a bit of competition these days.”

  Leave it to Olivia to know the lay of the land financially. Although she’d never had to worry about money, she still kept her eye on the markets and trends in order to protect her family’s wealth.

  “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about,” Rose said. “Besides, we’ll have my money.”

  Olivia tapped her cigarette against the ashtray. “That’s part of what I’m worried about.”

  Silence followed as Rose digested the meaning of her grandmother’s words. She understood that Olivia found Joseph silly at times and even immature. Rose, on the other hand, adored Joseph’s exuberant boyishness. Either way, she’d never imagined Olivia suspected Joseph’s motives in any way.

  Rose felt the blo
od rise to her face but reminded herself that her grandmother was just being overprotective. As always. Enough for today, though.

  “I wonder what’s keeping him.” Rose checked her watch again. She imagined Joseph had probably stayed up late drinking and playing cards with his friends. Not that she’d ever mention that possibility in front of Olivia.

  “I’m sure he’ll call,” Olivia said. “He doesn’t usually stay away from you for very long.”

  It was hard to be sure from the way she said it but Rose decided to take that as a compliment rather than a dig at her fiancé.

  Olivia stubbed out her cigarette having barely smoked it. She leaned in toward Rose and spoke softly. “Honey, you know I want only the best for you.”

  Rose nodded. “I know, Grandmother.”

  “When your parents died, it became my responsibility to do everything I could to ensure your happiness. I realize, under the circumstances, finding happiness hasn’t been easy.”

  Olivia almost never alluded to the fact that she’d lost her own daughter in that horrible crash. She’d always prioritized the fact that Rose had lost her parents.

  Rose’s eyes started to fill. “I’ve been happy, Grandmother. At least for these last few years. I’ve had you. And Linda.”

  “It’s true. Linda’s been a very good friend to you.”

  Rose reached out and took hold of Olivia’s hand, which had grown slightly more frail lately. “You have too, Grandmother. You really have.”

  “Thank you, dear. It means so much to hear you say that.” Olivia’s eyes brimmed too, and she dabbed at their corners with her napkin. “How is Linda doing? Is she excited about being in your wedding?”

  Rose felt her spirits rise again. “Yes, very! She’s convinced it will be the event of the season.”

  A moment passed before Olivia said, “I’m sure it will be a lovely day for you.”

  Rose checked her watch once more. “Okay, well, we’re going to be late.” She got up from the table. “I’ll just pop over there to see what’s keeping him. If Joseph calls, tell him I’m on my way.”

  ~~~

  Rose pulled out of the driveway in her convertible Thunderbird, her hair blowing in the sea breeze. As she took the corner, she glanced through the bars of the gate in front of the Morgan’s Tudor, which she’d heard had finally sold after remaining empty since Mrs. Morgan passed away last winter. Her husband had died a few years before, although Rose couldn’t say she’d known either one of them very well. They’d kept to themselves, but they’d seemed nice enough on the few occasions she’d met them.

  She’d heard that a newly married couple had bought the house and she wondered if the rumor was true. It seemed such an imposing place to start a new life together with all those halls and rooms to ramble through. She supposed someone’s family must have bought it for them. Hopefully, they’d throw all those curtains open soon and let light into a house that had sat dark too long.

  Rose cruised the winding, wooded road that traversed the town, enjoying the sunlight as it flickering through arched branches overhead. The few drivers passing in the other direction waved from open windows. That was one thing Rose particularly loved about driving her convertible, the sense that she was no longer solitary, that she was becoming part of the world again. In many ways, hers had been a lonely life but she felt sure things were finally going to change. Soon, she’d be part of Joseph’s family too. She’d liked his parents from the start. They struck her as honest, straight-forward people without pretension. They weren’t afraid to laugh or raise their voices as they gestured and told stories. In the future, who could say what might happen? She envisioned holidays spent together, maybe some sailing and travelling at first. Down the road? Children, definitely. Joseph had avoided the subject the few times Rose had ventured there but that was understandable. She herself wouldn’t be ready for years. Still, she could imagine children in their future. Joseph would make a wonderful father someday, she felt sure.

  This was the future Rose imagined and she held these fantasies dear already, suspecting—no, knowing—that in some not too distant future her wishes would become reality. After all, it wasn’t much to ask for. A family of her own again. Olivia had done her best and Rose would never tell her, ever, but she’d longed to have more people in her life for as long as she could remember.

  A few minutes later, Rose drove into Joseph’s neighborhood and noticed from a distance that he’d left his car parked in their circular drive. That was unusual for him and she knew his parents preferred that he park in the garage. Oh, but they’re out of town, she thought. Of course. She chuckled softly at this minor sign of rebellion. No doubt he’d come home late after spending the night laughing and talking with his friends. He was still a boy, in so many ways.

  Rose parked behind Joseph’s gleaming, red Camaro and approached the front door. She was about to ring the bell but then stopped, imagining how nice it would be to quietly slip into bed next to him. She’d nudge him softly out of sleep with a few kisses. Almost certainly then more would happen and she felt a tingle of excitement. Yes, they’d be even later for their appointment but it wasn’t the end of the world.

  Sure enough, he’d left the door unlocked and Rose stepped inside. The house was quiet, as she’d imagined. Rose listened again to be sure, gazing at family photos lining the hallway—pictures of this smiling family who’d soon welcome her into their lives. When she felt sure she hadn’t been heard, Rose climbed the stairs, barely pressing her weight against the runner so the boards beneath didn’t creak.

  She stopped again at the top landing, listening, her excitement building. Within moments, she’d be wrapped in his arms. She was about to take a step but paused, for one moment thinking she’d heard a voice. Rose remained where she stood, her hand resting lightly on the newel post. Then she heard it again. A hushed murmuring followed by the sound of someone sighing. But Joseph was alone, she reminded herself. She smiled, remembering that sometimes he talked to himself when he thought no one was listening. Maybe he’d heard her pull in and was just now climbing out of bed.

  Rose took a few steps toward his bedroom, then froze. She heard laughter, the trill of a woman’s amusement.

  A moment later, Joseph’s voice carried down the hall. “Seriously? Already? We just finished.”

  Again, she laughed, whoever she was. Rose heard her murmur something but couldn’t make out the words.

  Joseph’s laughed too. “God, you’re unbelievable!”

  Sheets rustled and the bed creaked, followed by total silence for a few moments. Then, Joseph’s voice rose in panic. “Hang on, what time is it? Shit! I’m supposed to be there already.”

  Rose stood rooted to the floor, her heart hammering in her chest. She wrung her skirt at her thighs, bunching fabric in trembling hands. This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t be real. She wanted to run down the stairs and out of the house. She wanted to be home waiting for him. She knew that if she was there, right now, he’d pull into the driveway honking. He’d be at her front door smiling, his eyes warmly meeting hers. That was real. That’s what was supposed to be happening.

  Footsteps sounded against the floor and the bedroom door opened. Rose saw flesh. His first, then hers. She sat on the bed yawning and stretching. Rose wanted to clench her eyes shut but they wouldn’t obey her command. Instead, they widened, first as Joseph’s eyes, then Linda’s, met hers.

  Joseph’s mouth dropped open. In his shock, he didn’t even attempt covering himself. Behind him, Linda drew up sheets and dropped her head, a curtain of red hair hiding her face.

  “I was… I was just—” Joseph stared at her, his eyes bulging.

  Rose recovered control and turned before he finished the sentence. Her feet came unstuck and she ran down the hall.

  “I was on my way! Just now, I was—”

  Rose’s feet pounded the same steps she’d silently climbed moments ago.

  “Rose, hang on!” Joseph’s voice echoed above her, reverberating
through the hall as she fled. “It’s not what you think!”

  Then she was in her car, starting the engine, pulling out into the street. Her tires squealed and she drove blindly. She wiped her forearm across her face, wishing she’d worn something with sleeves so she could dry her eyes.

  She raced out of the neighborhood and pointed her car home. She sped back along the winding road that rose toward the cliffs, telling herself she should slow down. But she didn’t. What did it matter if she slowed down? How could it possibly matter?

  She took a sharp curve, tires screeching, and continued to climb. She careened again, fishtailing as an oncoming car swerved. The other driver leaned on his horn. Rose sobbed and gasped for breath. She stomped on the brakes and her Thunderbird skidded before lurching to a stop. She held her face in her hands as she wept. Soon, a truck approached, its engine rumbling as it slowed, the driver spotting her idling in the middle of the road.

  Rose had no choice but to move. She shifted into drive again and climbed, the truck behind her, the noise of its churning engine tearing into her brain. Ahead, she saw the lookout point and pulled in, letting the truck pass. She gazed blankly past the semi-circular stone wall and out at the whitecaps, the gulls laughing above.

  Rose got out of her car and walked toward the stone wall. She swung her legs over it and sat staring out, feeling numb, seeing only within herself another tragedy she couldn’t have imagined possible. She thought of barely remembered faces. She reached back through time, trying to recover their expressions, their gazes, their embrace. She waited, hoping to feel the love of her lost parents surrounding her. A cloud passed over the sun, leaving her in more darkness.

  Then she heard it in the distance—the throaty roar of Joseph’s Camaro as it raced up the incline.

  Was he coming for her? Part of her wanted it to be true.