Alternate ending for Keeping Up With the Joneses by AprilW

Chapter 18 (replacing the epilogue)

Katie held on to Rick’s arm as she made her way up the aisle. Soon, she would be Mrs. Katje Jones. Somehow, that thought did not please her.

"Are you sure about this?" her former boss whispered as they made their way up the aisle to the preacher. "It’s not too late to bolt."

Katie bit her lip. Memories of a happy wedding flooded her mind. Not for one minute did she ever have doubts about marrying Win. That day, she had walked up the aisle with confidence and determination that she was doing the right thing.

Katie glanced at the people standing in the front of the church. Jonesy stood, slightly stoop-shouldered, with the preacher. He nervously slicked back his hair. Katie grimaced, just thinking about running her fingers through it. If only it was thick and red, she thought.

Katie glimpsed around the church. She had wanted to be married in the courthouse, but Jonesy had insisted that they "do things right". He made the arrangements at the church, hired a florist, decorator, and even caterers for the reception. He begged her to allow him to purchase a white wedding dress for her to wear, although this was her second marriage.

Now, dressed in the simple white gown, Katie felt uncomfortable. The lace was itchy, the material was too hot, and it was a struggle not to trip on her dress tail. She had felt like a princess on her wedding day to Win. But, today was different. Instead of a wedding, it felt as if she was going to a funeral.

Katie took a deep cleansing breath. She tried to focus her attention to the man who would become her groom. She was sure of Jonesy’s love. She knew in her heart that she did not love him in return, but she hoped to someday love him, as well. Jonesy had on an expensive tuxedo, but it did not flatter him. It only seemed to accentuate how stooped his shoulders were. I wonder why I never noticed that before, she thought. Win would have filled it out just right. His shoulders were so broad…

Hastily, she removed all thoughts of her beloved first husband out of her mind. You can’t think of one man when you’re marrying another! Katie tried to return her thoughts to the man who was waiting at the altar for her.

Katie looked up and nervously smiled at Jonesy. When he smiled back, all Katie could think about was how yellow his teeth were. The thought of kissing him at the end of the ceremony sickened her. And what about after the ceremony, on our honeymoon? she thought distastefully. What am I going to do? She clung to Rick’s arm, slowing their progress down considerably.

Katie glanced at the front once more. She spied her nine-year-old son there, looking handsome in his tuxedo. Katie smiled at Jim, but she noticed that he looked unhappy. He tried to muster one of his lopsided grins, but Katie could tell it was a struggle.

When Jonesy saw that Katie was looking at Jim, he nonchalantly put his arm around Jim. Katie noticed that Jim stiffened at Jonesy’s touch. She saw a look of absolute repulsion on Jim’s face. She also observed the look that Jonesy gave Jim. Jonesy glanced at Jim with total hatred.

At that moment, Katie and Rick reached the front. Rick lifted her veil and kissed her cheek. As he leaned over to her, he whispered, "It’s not too late. There’s a car waiting outside if you change your mind."

Katie smiled weakly at him. Rick took his seat, and the dashingly handsome minister J began the service.

"Dearly, beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Jacobson Jones and Katje Frayne. Marriage is an institution of divine appointment and is commended as honorable among all men. It is the most important step in life and should not therefore be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but discreetly and soberly.

"I solemnly require and blah, blah, blah…"

The words were beginning to rush together in Katie’s mind. The room started spinning. Leave, Katie! Leave! Win’s voice shouted in her ear. Don’t do this! This is wrong! You can’t marry Jonesy! You don’t love him!

Katie looked up when she heard the minister say her name.

"And do Katie, take this man to be your awful, er, I mean lawful wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses that you will love, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others keep thee only unto him so long as you both shall live?"

"I-I…I don’t!" Katie looked at Jonesy with tears in her eyes. "I’m so sorry, but I can’t."

Jonesy looked at her, too stunned to say a word. Jim jumped jubilantly in the air, repeating "Yes!" over and over again. He hopped down off the platform to make his way to his mother.

Before he could reach her, however, Jonesy grabbed his arm. "This is all yer fault, you little brat!" he hissed at Jim. He raised his hand to slap Jim.

Suddenly, all Katie’s strength returned to her. Filled with righteous anger, she grabbed Jonesy’s arm before he could hit Jim. "If you ever lay a hand on my son, you’ll be singing soprano. Permanately!" Then she kicked him in the groin with her pointy toed shoe to give him a sample of her threat.

As Jonesy was doubled over, Jim ran to his mother’s arms. "I’m so glad you didn’t marry him, Mom!" he cried.

"Me too, Jimmy! Now let’s get out of here."

"You can’t just leave," Jonesy whined, the pain making it difficult to talk.

"Just watch us!" Jim hooted, landing a skillful right hook on Jonesy’s nose. However, being an honorable gentleman, Jim tossed Jonesy his handkerchief to sop up the blood streaming from his rapidly swelling, crooked nose.

 

Chapter 19

Katie and Jim pulled into the driveway at Ten Acres. At first, they were both shocked by the condition of their uncle’s property. But with a smile and a shrug, Katie opened the truck door. "Looks like we have our work cut out for us, Jimmy."

Uncle James hobbled out of the house. He was extremely thin and his clothes were ragged, but he looked ecstatic to see his relatives.

"Katie, is that you!" he called, holding his arms out. "I was so happy when you called and said you’d be coming here to Sleepyside."

Katie embraced her uncle tenderly. The fact that he was related to her only by marriage was of no importance. Katie dearly loved this man who so reminded her of her late husband. She was determined to take care of him and get him and his property back into pristine condition.

"And this must be little Jim!" Uncle James replied, tears pooling in his green eyes. Jim eagerly hugged his great uncle.

"It’s good to see you again, Uncle James," Jim politely answered. "It sure is swell of you letting us move here."

"Oh, pashaw!" Uncle James said, flipping his hand in an exasperated manner. "That’s what family is for. Besides, I’ve been so lonely here since Nell died."

"Don’t you have some neighbors nearby that you could visit with?" Katie asked. "Does anyone live in that beautiful estate on the hill?"

Uncle James shook his head. "Nobody has lived in the Manor House for years. I guess no one from these parts can afford such a house. It’s a bit ostentatious, if you ask me."

"Aren’t there any other neighbors?"

Uncle James snorted. "Just those dad-blame Beldens. Trying to take my land!" Uncle James waved his feeble fist. "That nincompoop judge ruled against me, and Peter Belden got that patch of woods."

Katie had heard about the boundary dispute. She and Jim smiled at each other. Uncle James certainly had a large dose of that Frayne temper.

"Now, Uncle James, we’ve seen your deed, and that did belong to the Beldens," Katie soothed. "Besides, what do you want with that little patch of woods when you already have ten lovely acres? You should just let bygones be bygones."

Uncle James grumbled under his breath.

"Do the Beldens have any kids?" Jim asked. "It would be fun to have some friends to play with."

"Well, now, they have two boys about your age. And I think Mrs. Belden had another boy a year or so ago." Uncle James snorted. "And they got a harum scarum daughter, as she’s known around these parts. She and her brothers are constantly chasing their puppy on my property."

Jim smiled at the description of the Belden girl. "Maybe I’ll run into them sometime."

"Knowing Beatrix Belden, she’ll run into you!" Uncle James scoffed.

 

Chapter 20

Katie and Jim worked hard cleaning Uncle James’ mansion. It would take a great deal more work, but Katie enjoyed it. It helped take her mind off of her grief. In fact, she hadn’t felt this well since before Win died.

"Jim, you’ve worked hard all day. Why don’t you play outside while I fix dinner?" his mother suggested.

Jim wanted to help his mother, but some unknown force was drawing him outside. "Okay, Mom. I would like to explore a little."

Jim went outside and looked around his great uncle’s property. He was getting ready to check out an old dilapidated summerhouse, when he heard yelling.

"Reddy! Come back here!" a young voice shouted.

Before Jim could move, he was knocked over by a hyper puppy and a sturdy blonde. Dazed, Jim looked up into the bluest eyes he had ever seen.

"Gleeps! Sorry about that!" the blonde girl said, holding out her hand to help him up. "I had to catch my puppy before he went on the miser’s property. Reddy likes to chase his chickens."

Jim smiled and touched the little girl’s hand. He jumped at the instant electricity he felt. "Who are you?"

The blonde smiled and tossed her unruly curls. "I’m Trixie Belden. I live over there at Crabapple Farm. What’s your name?"

"I’m Jim Frayne. My mom and I just moved here from Rochester. We’re living with my uncle. The miser." Jim said his last two words in a teasing tone.

Trixie blushed to the roots of her sandy curls. "Golly, Jim! I’m sorry! I didn’t know he was your uncle. I’m always putting my foot in my mouth."

Jim smiled. "It’s all right. I know how Uncle James can be."

"Did you fi…" the new voice stopped at the sight of the redheaded boy. "Hey, who are you?"

Jim stared at the dark-haired boy now standing before him. A blonde boy quickly caught up to him, who was lagging behind because of the large doughnut he was eating.

"I’m Jim Frayne, and I just moved here. Glad to meet you."

"I’m Brian Belden," the older boy answered.

"Amb I’m Marm," the blonde boy garbled, his mouth full of food.

Trixie rolled her eyes. "In case you couldn’t understand, his name is Mart."

"It sure is swell that you all live nearby," Jim said. "Maybe we can go hunting or fishing together sometime."

"That would be great!" Brian exclaimed. "We got a friend named Tom that takes us to all the best hunting and fishing spots. I bet he’d take you, too! He works at the Cameo at night, but he’s free all day."

"That would be great! Do you like to hunt and fish, Trixie?" Jim asked, studying the blonde headed girl.

Trixie shrugged and picked at a grass stain on her jeans. "Usually I’m too busy helping Moms with Bobby. He’s our brother and just started walking, so he’s into everything."

Jim grinned. "I’ll have to meet him sometime." He admired Trixie’s curls that framed her face. There was one curl, right in the middle of her forehead, which reminded him of a nursery rhyme his mother used to say to him. Jim longed to tug on that corkscrew strand of hair.

"I’m sure Moms would let you come over to dinner sometime," Trixie offered. "She’s a great cook."

"I’d like that."

"Where were you heading to before Beatrix knocked you off your feet?" Mart asked, wiping the doughnut crumbs from his chin.

Jim shrugged. "There’s an old summerhouse over there. I thought I might check it out."

"Gleeps! I love exploring!" Trixie said, her china blue eyes shining. "Maybe we could help you clean it up!"

"It would be a neat place for a fort," Brian commented. "Or maybe a clubhouse."

"Boy, it sure would be fun to have a club," Jim told them. "Hey, maybe we could start one."

The Belden kids agreed in unison.

"Well, we better get home," Brian said.

"Yeah, it’s dinnertime," Mart added. "I’m starved."

"See ya, Jim," Trixie called, flashing a dimpled smile at the redheaded boy.

"Bye!" Jim called to his new friends. Jim smiled and headed back to his new home, truly for the first time in a long while. He had been dreaming of living in the country again and having some good friends.

"Sometimes," he decided, "dreams really do come true!"

The End

Thank you all for reading!

 TBH Main