Ain't Nothin' To Get Hung 'Bout

"Why we here?" Jonah asked impatiently.

"Shhh, don't talk." I hushed.

There we were, the three of us: Jonah, me and Paul. The sun was just starting to set, leaving a pinkish, blue tint in the sky. We were behind Ol' Ms. Kate's farmhouse, just a ways out into the field.

"We gonna get in trouble!" Jonah muttered a half whisper.

"Be quiet. No we ain't. Paul's here, ain't he?" I whispered back rhetorically; as if Jonah would know exactly what I was talking about. He clearly did not. "Paul ain't gonna let nothin' happen. Now sit."

I sat in the middle of the field, making sure my dress was layed out just right. It was pink with a floral pattern on it. I wasn't too fond of pink; I thought it was a little too girlish for me. But my clothes were growing worn, so I had to make do with what I had.
Jonah sat down slowly, a puzzled look on his face.

"Why you always talkin' 'bout this Paul person? You gonna marry him o'somethin'?"

I stuck my tongue out toward Jonah and made a face and giggled. I began pulling long blades of grass from the ground, bunched them up in my hands and attempted to throw them in his face.

"Maybe," I replied, throwing the grass into the sunset air.

"Oh..." Jonah's voice trailed off as he looked down at a hole in his trousers.

I sighed and lied down in the tall grass, completely unaware of Jonah's letdown.

"I-I'll...I'll give you another flower...if you want." Jonah suggested.

I proceeded to ramble to my liking, taking no interest in Jonah's request.

"Isn't it beautiful out tonight, Paul?" I swooned.

Jonah sat up abruptly. "PAUL AIN'T HERE!" He yelled and stood up. "And if he was, I'd kick him in the shin...I'm goin' home." Jonah made his way through the fields, fiercely brushing the tall grass out of his way.

Now I, was not about to take that. No one, not even my best friend talks about Paul McCartney like that. No one.

"You'll be sorry Jonah Henry Busby!" I exclaimed. "Or..or I'll-"

"You'll what? Have Paul come wack me upside the head wit a guitar?" Jonah covered both his hands over his mouth, trying not to reveal his smile. He just couldn't help it. He began laughing so hard, he tugged a little at his curly black hair.

I smirked a little. It was kind of funny. Just picture it: Paul McCartney chasing my silly little friend with a guitar through a field. But I could feel my chin quivering and I buried my head in my grass-stained hands. Jonah's laughing quickly faded.

"Aw, c'mon, don't cry." He pleaded. "Pepper, please don't..."

"I wanted tonight to be special," I explained. "Jus' you and me and Paul, together, in the field of strawberries. It was suppose to be magical."

Jonah raised his eyebrows. "Field of what? There ain't no-" He paused, looking down again. "I'm sorry. I don't got another flower but here's-"

I stopped him. I took my hat off, revealing the wilted dandelion tucked behind my left ear. "I kept it."

"Why? It looks like a little dead worm. Girls don't like worms...do they?" He asked.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Cause you gave it to me, silly. And it is kinda...pretty." I held it on one end between my index finger and my thumb.

Jonah's face beamed. He took my hand. "Let's go. I think Ms. Kate's got supper on the table."

"Race ya there?" I suggested, not waiting for an answer. I took off running, exclaiming, "Last one there's a dead catfish!!!"