Floorboard Infatuation

I bought a fixer-upper as my first home. It needed some pretty serious renovations, but I had a lot of construction background and didn’t mind roughing it for a bit while I rehabilitated the old place.

The home was a 1970’s contemporary. It had a sunken living room with a cathedral style -ceiling. There was an open floor plan to the kitchen and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. It was going to need a lot of work.

One day, as I removed the wood paneling from my future office, I found an old letter that had been stuffed through a crack in the paneling. It was a little crumpled, but fully intact. I opened it up.

~

June 26th, 1984

Beloved Ralph,

My sister got engaged last week and I asked her what it felt like to be in love. She told me that she knew right away he was the one because her heart beat a little harder when she saw him. When she looked into his eyes she could see an infinite universe.

The moment I saw you on screen I felt an explosion larger than Mount Saint Helens. My heart beat out of my chest. Your pupils, like little black holes, pulled me into the pools of your brown eyes.

I wish I had a Mr. Miyagi teaching me Karate. I could really use it when I run into girls like Jenny Kemp and Tori Lane. I was at the Pteetneet Gateway Outlet food court and they threw the chewed up sticks from their Hotdog on a Stick at me. Some of the cheese got stuck in my hair.

Maybe you can teach me some of the karate that Mr. Miyagi taught you? I’ve already got wax on and wax off down! I’ve been practicing my crane stance too.

Do you like music? I have Michael Jackson’s Thriller on cassette. I could teach you the dance. Then we can go to the arcade, they have a new game called Mario Bros. It’s pretty rad.

Anyway, I know we haven’t met yet, but when we do I know you will feel what I do. I imagine you’ll want to kiss me right away, which is why I always carry a pack of Clove chewing gum.

I’ve been to your movie twice now and I am going to go again this weekend. I can’t wait to see you. You’re the best around!

All my love,

Jessica Jane Simmons

Jessica Jane Macchio

~

A few days later I was working on some of the floorboards in the master bathroom. My plan was to remove the pea green cast iron alcove tub and install a free-standing acrylic tub in its place, but the plumbing was a nightmare, and I’d need to rip it all out first.

Stuffed in a crack to the side of the alcove I found another letter. This one had some moisture damage, but it was still readable.

~

July 9th, 1985

Sweetheart Michael,

I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before, but you are the perfect example of what a man should be. I keep playing the scene out in the car where your mom kisses you, but when I do it you kiss me back and I run my hands through your perfect hair.

I know you’re a big family man. My mom tried to throw away the TV Guide with your picture on it, but I think you have a really nice smile. I think they should’ve let you be in the center instead of Tina Yothers though.

I know we haven’t met yet, but it’s pretty clear that there is a strong love bond between us. I love that you are learning to play the guitar. I have been learning to play my Yamaha DX7 and I think I’m pretty good. I can play along with Total Eclipse of the Heart when Bonnie Tyler’s video comes on MTV. (I’ve dedicated it to our love.)

You’re also Canadian and I love maple syrup!

There is going to be a big concert in Philadelphia in a few days with Madonna and the Beach Boys. It’s called Live Aid or something. I know that’s really far away, but I only got my learner’s permit this year and mom won’t let me drive that far (Lame!) It would be fun to go to it together. I could give you the matching friendship bracelets I made for us to represent our love.

Our love will be timeless, even beyond 88 miles per hour.

All my love,

Jessica J. Fox

~

I found another letter while working in the master bedroom. There was a loose floorboard that I removed to find the dusty letter below along with two slap bracelets, a pack of clove gum, and a broken cassette tape.

~

May 10th, 1986

Dearest Jonathan,

I had to talk my mom into buying your album. She said that I’m not allowed to play the record backward and if there is anything satanic about the music then she would throw it away, but I have been playing it on repeat on the record player in the living room and I think she’s been humming along. At least, until my dad came home and told me to shut it off or he’d “blow it up like Chernobyl.” He’s been really buggin’ lately.

My school booked your band for the end-of-year dance. A lot of the girls haven’t heard of you, but I plan on knowing all of your songs by heart so that when you see me you know how serious I am about you.

When you see me I’ll be wearing Butterick pattern 3742 Jumpsuit in pink and white stripes. I made it myself in Ms. Wilson’s homeroom sewing class. Mom is going to take me to the salon to get my hair feathered too.

I heard Oprah say, “I don't want anyone who doesn't want me.” She’s right and that’s why I am going to make sure you want me because I am down, I wanna be loved by you too, and I’ll always treat you right.

Your girl,

Mrs. Jessica Knight

~

By the time I finished the house it really was my perfect dream home. I had settled in well and became a regular friendly face in my neighborhood.

One night I was enjoying a cup of tea on my porch when a beautiful woman pulled up and parked against the curb. She hesitantly stepped out of her car and walked halfway up my drive.

“Excuse me,” she said warily, “do you live here?”

“Yes,” I said, "I'm kind of the new guy on the block."

“It looks like a very lovely home,” she said.

“Thank you, it was pretty run down when I bought it.”

“You fixed it up yourself?”

“I did.”

She started to relax and approached the porch. She ran a finger along the stair railing and avoided catching my eye.

“I was worried it would be demolished. I grew up in this house; my parents didn't take the best care of it.”

“That must make you... Jessica,” I smiled.

A look of shock crossed her face as her mouth gaped open, unsure if to smile from flattery or scream in horror, as she twisted her eyebrows in thought.

“How did you…”

“I just don’t know if it is Mrs. Macchio, Mrs. Fox, or Mrs. Knight.”

Realization seeped over Jessica as she threw her head back and let out a short hearty laugh. She leaned forward and extended her hand.

“It’s currently Ms. Simmons, but you can call me Jane. No one has called me Jessica since the 80’s.”

I set down my tea, leaned forward, and shook her hand. Her grip was soft, but firm.

“I’m disappointed I don’t get to meet you with that feathered hair, but I’m happy to offer you some clove tea,” I said.

“You found them,” she said. Her smile was genuine, with a crook to one side. She glanced down and grinned wider.

“I kept them," I said and looked her deep in the eyes. My heart beat a little harder. I could see an infinite universe.

We were married later that year on October 21st, 2015.

The End