Magnolia Lake

by Emily Paige Skeen

I walked slowly to the door, thinking I must look hideous, and stopped. Catching my breath and trying to play it cool, I opened the door to his handsome face. His features were impeccable. He had the most dazzling sea-blue eyes, a jaw line that would intimidate any male model, and a smile that could stop traffic.

  “Hey. Um, can I help you with somethin’?”

  “Hi. My family just moved in across the street, and I thought I should come by and introduce myself. I’m Rex,” he replied in a deep voice.

  I had to steady myself all over again when I heard him. This guy probably could’ve said he wanted to rob us, and I would’ve led him straight to the valuables. “Well, that’s very, um…thoughtful of you, Rex,” I stammered. “I’m Cora Stephens and, um, sorry I’m such a mess…I was just at the pool and wasn’t expectin’ company.”

  He grinned—I melted all over again—and winked. “Well, I’ve never seen a prettier mess, if that’s what you’re calling yourself.”

  I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks, but he didn’t seem to notice. His eyes strayed up and down my bikini-clad body once, quickly, and then landed on my face again.

  “I’m so sorry, Rex. How rude of me. Please, come in. Would you like somethin’ to drink?”

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  “Great!” I said—a little too enthusiastically. “We’ve got sweet tea, lemonade, or Coke.”

  “Tea’s perfect.”

  “Okay. You can have a seat. I’ll be right back.” As I poured the tea in the kitchen, I snuck a sideways glance at him sitting on the couch. My head was spinning, and I noticed my hands shaking. Calm down, Cora, for goodness’ sake! Don’t let some stranger have this kind of effect on you.

  I walked back over to the couch and handed him his tea. Our hands brushed ever so lightly as he took the drink from me. My pulse raced. I thought my heart was going to jump right out of my chest. The immediate spark I felt took me by surprise. I didn’t even know this guy!

  Looking into his eyes, I chewed my bottom lip. He stared back at me with a strange expression. He must have felt it too. “Um, can I get you anything else?” I asked.

  “No, thanks. I’m fine. Could we just sit and chat for a while? I’d love to get to know you.”

  “Sure,” I said quickly, blushing again. “Please stay as long as you want.”

  And he did. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing. I’d never before felt so drawn to someone in such a short amount of time. I was already imagining what it would feel like to kiss him.

  Those were the fastest three hours of my life. When five o’clock rolled around, he mentioned that he needed to get home for supper. My parents would be home soon, too, so we stood up to say our goodbyes.

  “I had a great time.” He hesitated in the doorway, fidgeting with the handle.

  “Me, too. So…will I see you around? At school, I mean?” I asked.

  “I’m not in school right now. I graduated last year.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment washed over me.

  “But…if you’re free tomorrow, maybe we could do it again?” He seemed nervous. I almost laughed out loud at the thought of him being nervous to ask me out.

  “I’ll be here,” I said, my spirits lifted.

  His shoulders relaxed. “Cool. Same time?”

  “That’ll be perfect.” I kept my eyes on his and we stood for a moment, gazing at each other. “I had a great time too, Rex.”

  He reached up, hesitated briefly, and then brushed a hair away from my face. “I’ll be counting the hours.”

  I stood there, a little stunned, and watched him walk back across the street. My heart thudded, and I seemed to be planted in one place. My feet wouldn’t move; my legs were Jell-O. Closing my eyes, I breathed a long, slow sigh. When I opened them again, Rex was staring at me from across the street. He waved and I waved back, embarrassed that he’d witnessed my awe-struck moment. I quickly turned and went back into the house, where I collapsed on the couch.

  “Wow.” What just happened? It was almost the end of the school year, and I’d be leaving for New York in the fall. The last thing I needed was to start a new fling, especially after being burned by Jeff.

  I was looking forward to moving on with my life and leaving everything behind. But after one unexpected afternoon, I began to rethink all of that. This person had magically come into my life, and I was already anticipating when I’d see him again. I’m in trouble.

  As I climbed the stairs to go to my room, I thought about his eyes—his blue, intense eyes. Then I thought about his full, inviting lips. Finally, my mind drifted to his toned body. Even through his t-shirt, I could tell he worked out.

  I was still fixated on Rex when I got to my bedroom and was horrified when I looked into the mirror to find that I still had on nothing more than my bright pink bikini. How had I forgotten to excuse myself and change clothes? Embarrassment washed over me as I thought about how close Rex had sat to me all afternoon. Who knows what he’d thought? Great.

  With a sigh, I searched for something to wear. Now that I knew what was right across the street, I needed to look my best at all times…just in case. So I pulled open my dresser drawer and got out my nicest—and shortest—pair of shorts. They were a light blue, dressy material. I put on a white tank top rimmed with lace and stared at myself in the mirror. Not too bad, I thought. Tanning the past couple of afternoons had paid off. The pale colors of the clothes complimented my skin.

  I smiled at my reflection, secretly hoping he would just happen to spend the evening outside. I slipped on a pair of white wedge sandals and headed back downstairs, just in time to hear my mother’s car pull in the driveway. She’d been out shopping with my aunt all afternoon. I knew my father would be home soon because Mama always gave herself enough time to have supper started when Daddy walked through the door each night. I respected her loyalty and diligence as a housewife but swore I’d never live that way, arranging my every move around a man.

  “Cora?” Mama called out as she opened the front door.

  “I’m comin’.” I jogged the rest of the way down the steps and met her in the living room. “Hey, Mama,” I said as she leaned in to kiss my cheek.

  “Well, don’t you look spiffy,” she exclaimed with a surprised look. “Do you have plans tonight?”

  “Um, nope, no plans. Just felt like lookin’ nice today.” I knew it was pointless to lie. She’d see right through me.

  “Mm-hmm.” She grinned. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with that new family that just moved in across the street, would it? I hear they have a son about your age.”

  “Mama,” I exclaimed, “don’t be silly! Why would I get all dressed up for some boy I don’t even know?”

  My mother just stared at me with that knowing look she always got when she could tell I wasn’t giving her the whole story.

  “Okay, okay.” I sighed. “His name’s Rex. He stopped by this afternoon to introduce himself. I invited him in for somethin’ to drink and we talked for a few hours.”

  Mama chuckled but then quickly put on her all-business, mothering face. “I hope you two behaved yourselves. Not sure I like the idea of you bein’ all alone here with a boy for that long.”

  I rolled me eyes but couldn’t stop grinning. “We just sat on the couch and talked. Before I knew it, it was almost five o ‘clock. Mama, he’s gorgeous. And funny and polite…” I didn’t mention how inviting I found his lips.

  “Now, Cora. Don’t go gettin’ yourself wrapped up in some boy. I know a summer romance might seem like fun right now, but I don’t want you gettin’ your heart broken just a few months before you leave for college. I especially don’t want you goin’ through another situation like the one with Jeff.”

  “Oh, Mama. I’m not sayin’ I wanna marry the guy. All I’m sayin’ is he’s really cute and nice. You don’t need to worry.”

  “Just promise me you won’t get in too deep,” she said with a stern look. “Besides, you’ve been spendin’ an awful lot of time
with Landon lately. You need to be careful not to spread yourself too thin. And, remember, it’s my job to worry. So do me a favor and guard your heart. Promise me, Cora.”

  “Promise.” Too late, I thought even as I said the word. I was already in too deep and I’d only spent one day with Rex. “So what’s for supper?” I asked to change the subject.

  “Well, your daddy wants chicken and rice. Is that okay with you?”

  “Sure, whatever y’all want is fine.” I smiled, relieved that the subject of Rex was closed, but suddenly there was a cloud over my sunny mood. The mention of Landon gave me a nagging feeling.

  Twenty minutes later, my father walked through the front door. “There’s my two favorite girls!” He leaned in to kiss Mama and then hugged my neck.

  “Hey, Daddy. How was work?” I asked, hoping my mother wouldn’t mention anything about our new neighbors.

  “It was fine. Won my case today.”

  “The one you’ve been workin’ on for so long? That’s great!” Daddy was an attorney at the most prominent law firm in Davis.

  “Yep, that’s the one.” He looked at me, eyebrows raised. “What are you all fancied up for?”

  Oh, great, here we go again. “Geez, can’t a girl look nice sometimes without gettin’ interrogated?” I laughed, hoping he would let it go.

  “Sure she can, and a father can interrogate,” he answered with a chuckle.

  “She’s goin’ to Valerie’s,” Mama said.

  I glanced at her with wide eyes, shocked at the lie, but quickly relaxed my face before turning to Daddy. “Yep, goin’ to Val’s. We were thinking about grabbin’ a quick bite to eat and then seein’ a movie.” I couldn’t believe my conservative, no-nonsense mother was scheming for me.

  “Okay, well don’t be out past midnight. And be careful. All kinds a’ things can happen to two young girls goin’ out at night alone,” Daddy replied.

  “You worry too much. We’ll be fine,” I said, relieved that Rex wouldn’t be mentioned again. My father sighed and shook his head, mumbling something about dangerous people as he walked out of the room. I looked at Mama. “What was that all about? I haven’t even talked to Val today.”

  “We’re not gonna bother your daddy about some boy you just think is ‘cute and nice.’ You know how he is. He’ll constantly worry about leavin’ you alone with that Rex right across the street.”

  “Oh. Well, thanks, Mama.” I was surprised that she would hide anything from my father. They were always so open with each other. Normally, I couldn’t tell her anything I didn’t want him to know. I hugged her. “Guess I’ll go call Valerie and see if she wants to go out.”

  Mama nodded. “That’s probably a good idea.”

  I headed to my bedroom, where I could make the call in private. After securely closing the door, I picked up my cell phone. Because I knew Valerie well, I assumed she wouldn’t have her cell nearby—she was constantly losing it. So, to be on the safe side, I dialed her home number. It rang twice before Val’s mom picked up. “Hey, Ms. Laura,” I greeted her. “This is Cora.”

  “Oh, Cora! How are you, honey?” she crooned. Laura was a stay-at-home mom, like mine. They were both true southern women. They baked, cleaned…the whole nine yards. They’d been friends since before Valerie and I were born. And Laura always called people “honey.”

  “I’m fine. Is Val there?”

  “Sure, hang on just a sec,” she answered before I heard her call for Valerie.

  “Hey, Cora. What’s up?” Valerie’s voice sounded strange, almost nervous.

  “Well, it’s kind of a long story, but you and I need to go see a movie tonight.”

  “Oh, a movie. That’s great! I was afraid…Anyway, why do we need to see a movie?”

  “Because that’s what Mama told Daddy I was doin’ so he wouldn’t know about the hot guy I met today.” I knew my friend well. As soon as I mentioned a guy, she was all ears.

  “What hot guy? Explain!” she demanded.

  “I’ll tell you everything, but you have to go to the movies with me, or at least get me out of the house. And then I’ll give you all the juicy details.” I laughed.

  “It’s a deal! Want me to pick you up or meet there?”

  “I’ll drive over to your house so we can ride together. I need to get away from here now before I get another lecture from my mother about the importance of guardin’ my heart.”

  Val chuckled. “I know how that is. Okay, see ya in a few!”

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” I hung up the phone and grabbed my purse. Stopping in front of the mirror, I decided to put on a little more makeup, just in case Rex was outside and wanted to chat. I finished primping and ran down the stairs. “I’m gone!” I called out.

  “Okay, have fun, Cora,” Mama replied. “Wait, here’s thirty dollars. Pay for Valerie’s ticket, too.”

  “Thanks, Mama. Love you.” I was out the door in a hurry. I jumped in my car and cranked her up. Just as I started to back out, I caught a glimpse of Rex in the rearview mirror. He was pushing a young girl, whom I assumed was his little sister, on their swing. I waved as I turned onto the street and he watched me drive away.

  A short ten minutes later, I pulled onto Valerie’s driveway. She was already waiting for me on the front porch. “Let’s go.” She hurried me back toward the car before I even made it to the porch steps.

  “What’s the rush? I was gonna go say hey to your mom.”

  “No, don’t worry about that. I wanna hear all about this guy. Besides, Mama’s doin’ her yoga.”

  I laughed. “Okay, then, I guess we’ll go.” We jumped in my car and I threw it in reverse. “Girls’ night!”

  Chapter Six

  “So…start from the beginning.” Valerie was being extra pushy about this Rex thing.

  “Okay, but first tell me why in the world you’re bein’ so bossy,” I joked. “There’s no rush. We have all night.”

  “Cor.” She sighed, suddenly serious. “I didn’t want to tell you this. In fact, I’ve been goin’ back and forth about it all day.”

  I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. “What is it? Is somethin’ wrong?”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s not a good idea to tell you now. Maybe I should wait till after the movie. So, tell me about this guy you met today! Where did you meet him? What’s he look like? How old is he? What color—”

  “Val!” I interrupted. “You’re kinda freakin’ me out. What is goin’ on? Tell me now or I’ll pull this car over right here!” I almost laughed out loud—that sounded just like my mother.

  But something in Val’s eyes made me stop short.

  She hesitated. It felt like an eternity before she said anything else. I sensed she was debating, weighing the pros and cons, so I gave her a minute. We were only a mile away from the movie theater when she finally spoke.

  “Lacy called me this morning.”

  I gasped, whipped my head around to gawk at her, and involuntarily slammed on the brakes. It’s a good thing no one was behind us. I glanced in the rear-view mirror and pulled to the side of the road. “What…what’d she say?”

  “She said…” Val gnawed on her bottom lip, eyebrows drawn. “Jeff proposed to her.”

  I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I definitely couldn’t drive. I simply sat, staring at the road in front of us. I don’t know how long we stayed that way.

  A million emotions raced through me. The first was rage.

  How dare he do this to me! Why her? He knew she used to be my friend. And Lacy! What a friend she turned out to be. Why would she even tell Valerie, when she knew Valerie would never keep a secret from me?

  Then the disbelief set in. They’re only eighteen! There was no way his parents would approve of him getting married. We hadn’t even graduated high school yet.

  The last—but strongest—emotion I felt was pain. Horrific, physically disabling pain. My breathing got heavy and I felt like vomiting. I closed my eyes and to
ok a deep breath, which came out in a rush.

  “Cor?” Valerie eyed me carefully. “Are you okay? You look like…you look sick.”

  “I am sick, Val,” I managed to whisper. “He was supposed to marry me.” And then the sobbing started. “We were supposed to graduate, go to college together, and get married! Now he’s gonna marry her. And they’re only eighteen! I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Shhh, it’s okay.” Valerie put her arms around me and patted my hair, trying to comfort me. “You’re so much better than him, Cora. You deserve someone who’ll cherish you. Ya know, worship the ground you walk on. He’s nothin’ but scum. It’s a good thing this happened now if you think about it. I mean, what if y’all had gone through a year of college together, and then he did somethin’ idiotic like this? You’d be stuck in the same town with him for the rest of your college career. At least now you can get away from him. Get him—and her—out of your head once and for all.”

  I leaned away from Valerie, slowly opening my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. “You’re right,” I said. “This is ridiculous. I’ve already wasted too much time and too many tears on him. Let’s go see that movie.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Valerie asked. “We don’t have to do this. We can go back to my house if you want. I’ve got ice cream.”

  “No, Val, I’m fine.” Or at least I’ll pretend to be. “Besides, a movie’s the perfect way to get my mind off this. I need to escape my thoughts for a while.” I put the car in drive and inched back onto the road.

  “Okay, if that’s what you wanna do.”

  Valerie still looked doubtful, but I drove to the theater anyway. I had to do something. I couldn’t sit around and talk about it, or even think about it.

  The movie didn’t help much. We’d picked a romantic comedy because I’d been in the mood for romance after meeting Rex. But as it was, I sunk into a deep depression during the movie. I kept thinking about the sweet things Jeff used to do for me and how perfect our relationship had been before Lacy wrecked it. By the time the lights came on, I was past depression. I was numb, a zombie walking back to the car outside the theater. Valerie asked if she should drive and I said yes.