The Contract

by Jerry D. Young

  “I did not specifically ask you not to call my stepmother,” Jason said. “I thought I had better come back and ask you not to try to get her to interfere with Mr. Lawrence.”

  “That is Jason, is it not?” Abigail asked.

  “Yes,” Sara replied into the telephone receiver.

  “But I am too late, I take it,” Jason said, looking pointedly at the telephone in Sara’s hand.

  Sara shook her head.

  “He does not want me to interfere, Mrs. McKindrick,” Sara said, turning her eyes away from Jason’s.

  “He is a very headstrong young man,” replied Abigail. “He told me I did not need to come back. That he would accept what Lawrence decided to do.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. He told us all the same thing.”

  Abigail heard the sigh.

  “I think I should say good-bye. I am sorry I disturbed you, Mrs. McKindrick.”

  “Good-bye, Sara.”

  “That poor girl,” Abigail said, turning onto her stomach again. “She has no clue with what she has become involved. The McKindrick men, I have discovered, know what they want, and will find a way to attain it.”

  She grunted slightly as the massage therapist began working on Abigail again, not having understood a word Abigail had said.

  Sara hung up the telephone, then finally lifted her eyes to meet Jason’s. Suddenly they flashed. “I am not going to apologize!” she said. “You did not tell me not to call, just like you said.”

  “I know. I do not expect you to apologize. You are, always have been, and al-ways will be free to do as you wish. I am asking you not to call, not ordering you not. I do not have that right.”

  Sara nodded, her anger fading. Jason really was not upset.

  Seeing Sara’s nod, Jason left the study again.

  She had chores scheduled that weekend, so Sara did all of her homework, then read for some time before going up to the bedroom.

  Juliet noticed her going up and said, “I will be in to brush your hair in a few minutes, Miss Sara.”

  Sara did not object. She enjoyed the time, and having her long red hair brushed. Tonight, particularly, she welcomed the company.

  Jason had the lights out, except one in the bathroom. But it was not an unusual situation. Juliet and Sara talked quietly, with only the dressing table lighting on, when Juliet came in after Sara’s bath, knowing they were not disturbing Jason.

  When Sara slipped into bed she knew Jason was not asleep. “Why would you not let one of us talk to your stepmother about what Lawrence is doing?”

  Jason rolled onto his back. “If she has to revoke his guardianship she will have to come back. Ever since she was a little girl she wanted to make an around the world trip. To see the world. This is probably her only chance. I do not want to ruin it for her. Everyone has a dream of some kind. This is hers. There is no reason for me to ruin it for her. Honestly, this punishment is no big deal for me.

  “I do wish I could make it up to Kathy and Trinity. For whatever reason, it was important to them to go out with me. No doubt we can do it some other time. I just do not like not keeping my word.”

  “You did not break your word. It was broken for you.”

  “I know. And they will understand. I just do not like it very much.”

  Sara suddenly remembered her conversation with Trinity about kissing. The question just popped out.

  “Have you ever kissed a girl?”

  Jason rolled onto his side to look at Sara. Seeing the rather chagrinned look on her face he asked, “Is that an offer?”

  He smiled.

  “No. No… I do not know why I asked. I… uh…”

  “I think, perhaps you do,” Jason said gently. “It is okay if there is something you want to talk about.”

  Sara suddenly realized that Jason thought her thoughts had been about George.

  “I was not thinking about George,” Sara said, surprised that she was not angry. “It was something Trinity said the other day. She has never kissed anyone, either. Nor have I.”

  “My apologies,” Jason said, rolling to his back again. “Nor I,” he added. “And I doubt I will have the opportunity to get my first experience any time soon.”

  “What if someone just wanted to practice? Not kiss as boyfriend girlfriend. Just do it to try to learn how.”

  Jason chuckled. “Sounds like one of Trinity’s wild plans. And, like they usually turn out on comedy shows, it would probably be a disaster if two people tried it.”

  “That is essentially what I said,” Sara said, rolling onto her back as had Jason.

  “I think it would be much better to muddle through with someone real, than a practice partner. If there was any caring at all, even if one was more experienced than the other, the first attempts should still be more than acceptable.”

  Sara turned her head toward Jason, though she did not roll over. “Are you talking about someone… or some pair, in particular?”

  “No, not really,” Jason said. “But Trinity and Alan come to mind. So do you and George, now that you ask.”

  “What about you and Kathy? Or you and Trinity? If you were able to go out with either of them.”

  “I do not know,” Jason replied. “I think a casual kiss would be pleasant, with either of them. But…”

  Sara felt the bed move slightly and knew Jason had shrugged.

  “But… I just do not know. Trinity is a good friend. Kathy… Well, I told you about her. I really do not know. I will just have to wait to find out.”

  “Yeah. Me, too, I guess,” Sara said.

  “At the risk of receiving more punishment, I think that kissing you will be a pleasurable experience for any boy that gets that privilege. You have what I once heard described as very kissable lips.”

  “What exactly are kissable lips?” Sara asked. “And you are getting close to getting into trouble. But answer the question, first.”

  “Just… I do not know… Look in the mirror. I look at your lips, and think about being in a situation where it would be appropriate to kiss you. We are not, of course, I know. I am not trying to create one. The thought does cross my mind once in a while.”

  Sara was silent for a long time.

  Jason lay still when Sara got out of bed, went to the dressing table and turned on the light. “If you say one word…” Sara warned him, as she studied her lips in the mirror.

  When she turned off the lights and returned to the bed she said, “I think you are full of it. They are just lips.”

  “Of course. Just lips,” Jason said. “Good-night.”

  “Good-night,” replied Sara softly.

  Jason went to the Wilkenson’s and explained to Kathy why he had to cancel his date with her. And graciously received Kathy’s parents effusive thanks for helping their daughter.

  Jason did not have to go to Trinity’s to tell her. She was visiting Sara the next day and Jason joined them in the study.

  Trinity ranted and raved for a while about Jack Lawrence, but finally settled down. “Jason, have you ever kissed a girl?”

  “I will be leaving now,” Sara said.

  Trinity grinned. “Shy? Or Squeamish? I just want to get him to practice with me, like I was telling you the other day.” She turned back to Jason and opened her mouth to speak. She saw the look on Jason’s face.

  “Aw, come on Jason! You look upset! I just…” Her voice faded. “Jason? You really will not just let me get a practice kiss? Or two? I really want to kiss Alan. And he has already kissed a girl! I want to do it right.”

  “You will Trinity. Just go with your feelings. I think I will go out to the shop for a while.”

  “Sara, I thought he would take it as a joke! Even if he did not want to do it. I think I really upset him,” Trinity said.

  “I think it is partly my fault,” Sara said quietly. “I sort of brought up the sub-ject… I think he has been thinking about it some.”

  “You did not tell him I was going to ask him to practice with me!”

&nb
sp; “No. Not really. Not in so many words, Trinity. Honestly.”

  “Oh. Well, what happened?”

  “Just what he told you, more or less. We both think a person should just do it with a person they want to kiss.”

  “You and him…”

  Sara did not even bother to feign annoyance. “No, Trinity, we did not kiss. And of course he did say he would like to kiss me, if the right circumstance ever arose. It will not. Since I do not feel about him that way.”

  “Of course,” Trinity said with a grin.

  “Do your homework, Trinity.”

  “Maybe I should go talk to him…”

  “Trinity… The shop is kind of his refuge. Especially now. He spends most of his free time there, since Lawrence grounded him.”

  “I have heard him mention the shop,” Trinity said. “What does he do out there? Make stuff?”

  “I really do not know. I have never gone out. Mrs. MacDougal and the other staff say they have not been in it in years. Jason takes care of it. There is a phone and intercom. If we want or need him, we just buzz."

  “You are not curious?”

  “It is his place… I do not think I should ask, if he does not offer,” Sara replied.

  “He would never tell you no, if you asked,” Trinity said, watching Sara curiously.

  “Probably not. Maybe that is partly why I do not plan to ask. He does not do anything to make things difficult for me. I do not want to do anything, either.”

  “You two are something else,” Trinity said, shaking her head.

  Sara shrugged. “It really is no big deal.”

  “If you say so,” Trinity replied. “Have you heard anything about Rodney?”

  “According to what Sally told Jason, the congressman actually is getting Rodney some help. Jason did not say what, exactly. Just that Rodney would not be back to school this year. He let Kathy’s family know.”

  “That must be why she suddenly cheered up! She no longer has to keep looking over her shoulder.”

  “That is why Jason called, I think,” Sara said. “I wish he would call his step-mother. See if she will talk to Lawrence to get Jason’s punishment stopped.”

  Sara sighed. “He apologizes before and after every basketball game about missing it. He apologizes to Miss Murcheson almost every day at school about not being able to help with the play. Apologizes to me about having to miss the performance.”

  “Me, too,” Trinity said. “The date, and the games, and crewing for my dad… I want to cry when I think about him not going skiing with us. He cannot even make it down the bunny slope, but he always…”

  “I know,” Sara said softly. “He always makes things nice for everyone else.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I thought about canceling the trip… But it would just upset him,” Sara said. “The whole point was for me to go do something fun, without thinking of the expense or anything else. I always wanted to learn how to ski. It looks like so much fun…”

  “Oh, it is!” Trinity said. “I just do not understand why Jason is not good at it. On his roller blades he is a whiz.”

  She grinned over at Sara. “And sitting around the fireplace, nice mug of cocoa, leaning back in some football players arms… Man Oh Man!”

  “Alan does not play football,” Sara said.

  “George does!”

  Sara looked away. “I am not sure about asking George…”

  Trinity just looked at her expectantly.

  “What?” Sara asked.

  “I did not say anything,” replied Trinity.

  “That is the problem. You never do not say anything. Unless what you are not saying is going to be very, very annoying.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind. I just… I am just not sure about George going. That is all.”

  “Because he is tempting? Or because he is not?”

  “I knew you have to say something!” Sara said, managing a smile.

  “Well?”

  “I sleep with Jason almost every night. I am not tempted. Even if George wanted to do something I am not ready to do, I have found I am entirely capable of saying no, meaning it, and making sure the guy understands it.”

  “Yeah. Well?”

  Sara made a rather rude sound. “I am curious. But I am not sure the lodge is the place to find out just how curious.”

  “Wow!”

  “Do not start the wow thing! I just mean… I do not know what I mean. Just that I am not sure about George going.”

  Sara looked over at Trinity when she said nothing further.

  “No more comments?” Sara asked.

  “I was going to,” Trinity said with a smile. “Then I thought about Alan and me. I am a little unsure about things, too. The good-night kiss was fine. You and Jason were right. The other kisses… are nice. But now… I think of other things… Curiosity… I am not curious to the point of doing something… I just think about it sometimes…”

  “Exactly,” Sara said. “I do not want to think about it sometimes.”

  Both girls sighed.

  Several of Jason’s friends wanted to have a party to celebrate what they considered his freedom the following spring. He talked them out of it.

  Jack Lawrence had little time for Jason, as he was desperately trying to take advantage of the opportunities he thought Jason had given him.

  It became more or less common knowledge that Sara and Jason lived in the same house. Only a tiny handful knew of their actual living arrangements. Most simply considered the house a form of orphans home.

  Their senior year in high school was relatively uneventful. Jason only had to avoid Sara’s wrath once that year.

  “I still think we should do Singin’ in the Rain,” Jason said, when the subject of the stage production came up.

  “Jason, you know I would dearly love to direct that play. We do have the talent. But the rights are expensive. And the production… We just do not have the means to stage it. I do not think any of the people that would be involved would be satisfied with Christmas tinsel for rain. Plus the elaborate sets… The choreography… As much as I would love to do it, I do not see how we can. I did look into it. I talked to someone I know that has worked on Broadway…”

  “I think I can get donations to help with the production,” Jason said.

  “You certainly raised enough for the team uniforms two years ago,” Miss Murcheson replied. Everyone at the preliminary meeting could see the wistful look on her face. “ But it is not just the money,” she added.

  Everyone looked around when one of the doors to the gym opened and someone asked, “Is there a Miss Murcheson here?”

  As all eyes were on the man entering, none saw the satisfied smile on Jason’s face.

  “I understand this is a pre-production meeting for this year’s school play,” the man said when Miss Murcheson introduced herself.

  “Yes.” Miss Murcheson smiled. “A bit overstated, pre-production meeting, but we are discussing this year’s play.”

  “I am Calvin Rasmussen. I am taking a sabbatical here in the city, doing some studying, and thought I would volunteer. Your friend in New York suggested I stop by, if I felt up to it. You see, I had an accident last year… I have been recovering, and an not quite ready to go back on stage. But I miss being around it. She thought I might help out a little, and start getting back into shape.”

  “I am afraid I still do not understand. You are obviously involved with the stage, but…”

  “Oh, I act some. Direct some. Do a little choreography… Nancy said you were thinking about doing Singin’ in the Rain. I did a short run off Broadway. I would be glad to lend my limited expertise.”

  “I did talk to Nancy about the play, but that was over a year ago,” Miss Murcheson said.

  “That was about the time I was contacted,” Calvin said.

  “But how in the world did you just happen to come in today?”

  “I was contacted on Monday. Told that the meeting was today.
Have you talked to Nancy lately?”

  “Well, yes. We talked last week. I suppose I did mention I would be getting things organized. I am just surprised she would think to contact you.”

  “Oh, well, I am here. And I certainly would not mind getting back into the swing of things. Nancy said you were quite ecstatic about the talent available to you the next couple of years.”

  Miss Murcheson turned and looked directly at Sara.

  Looking back at Calvin, she replied. “There are several very talented people here. But I am afraid Singin’ in the Rain is out of our reach.”

  “Oh. That is too bad. It is a wonderful story. The singing is not extraordinary, but so many people expect to see something close to the movie that they expect the dancing to be remarkable.”

  “I do think the students have the talent,” Miss Murcheson said, rather defensively. “It is the expense. I am actually fairly good as director, but I really do not have a background in elaborate staging. Or dance.”

  “I can certainly help there. Not the expense, I am afraid. But staging and dance direction. Those I could help with.”

  Miss Murcheson looked over at Jason.

  “I am sure I can get enough donations to guarantee the rights and to get what we need to stage it, Miss Murcheson.”

  Everyone saw the hope in her face.

  “I will be glad to lend a hand,” Trinity’s father said.

  “Daddy! I did not know you were here,” Trinity exclaimed, turning when she heard her father’s voice.

  He smiled. “I am picking up Jason. He is crewing for me this afternoon.”

  Trinity frowned when she looked over at Jason, and said, “Oh.”

  Her eyes widened when Miss Murcheson said, “Mathew, I appreciate the offer, but…”

  Trinity whispered to Sara, “She used his first name! She always just says Mr. or Mrs. or whatever.”

  “Please, Miss Murcheson!” called Bootsi. “You know Sara could do a knock out job! And Roger is a good dancer… I do not know about the part of Cosmo… But it would be such fun!”

  There were more pleas to do the play, with Sara the lone dissenting voice. Not about doing the play, but about being the female lead.

  “I simply cannot commit to this,” Miss Murcheson said, finally quieting the group. “The school administration will have to agree.” She looked over at Jason. “Jason, I know your heart is in the right place. You have helped raise money before. But we are talking about a significant amount. And this is not like a commercial production. Even if we have a very good draw, the gate will probably not even cover the rights. This is an expensive play.”