Hope's River

by McHeyzer , Margaret

  She stops bouncing and looks down at her knee length, bright flowery dress and smiles. “Thank you. My name is Rose and I’m eight years old, how old are you?”

  Oh, okay then. “I’m twenty-five. And I love your name; it’s as pretty as your dress.”

  “My Mommy and Daddy were talking about you. They said you bought Old Roger’s house. Mommy said Old Roger was nice to kids. He’d save the best candy for them on Halloween.”

  “Rose, come on,” I hear a lady call from the side.

  “Sorry, I have to go. Mommy’s calling me.”

  “Okay, well nice meeting you, Rose.”

  “Bye.” She gives me a wave as she bounces her way over to the side of the castle, then jumps into her mom’s arms. Her mom gives me a smile, and a small wave.

  “Everyone here is super friendly,” I say to Elle. “I’m not sure I know how to take that. It’s kind of overwhelming.”

  “When I first came here, I had all these people talking to me, asking if I needed anything, offering everything from a home-cooked meal, to a place to stay, even money to help me. This is really a small town, and if you think for one moment you can keep something you’re doing a secret, then you have another thing coming.”

  “So I’m gathering.”

  Elle jokingly pushes me, and I topple backward, one leg going in one direction, the other in the complete opposite way. It’s at that moment I hear my jeans rip.

  “Shit,” I say as I stand and look for where they’ve ripped. I can’t see anything, so I try to see if the butt seam has torn open. This is where Elle is doubling over because she’s laughing hysterically. “No! Please tell me it hasn’t split?” I instantly move my hands to find, that I have indeed split the seam. “Crap.”

  Elle can barely stand from all the laughter. I move along the wall, using it as a barrier so no one can see. “Your ass is hanging out.” She points, before collapsing on the castle floor from laughter.

  “Elle. I’m not wearing underwear!”

  “I know! I saw your butt. It’s as white as snow.”

  My face has its own heartbeat because of how red it’s become. “I’ve got to go. Help me.”

  Elle’s laughing so hard but she manages to come over to me. “I’ll stand behind you as you walk. I live across the road from the café, and I’m sure I have a pair of shorts you can borrow.” She tilts her head to the side. “You’re going commando, so, you know what, keep them. I don’t want them back.”

  “This is so embarrassing. I can’t believe this happened.”

  “Why aren’t you wearing underwear?” Elle asks as she slides her shoes on. Crap, I have to put mine on too. This is going to be fun. I try to wedge my foot in while I use the castle to hide my wardrobe malfunction.

  “Because I haven’t had a moment to do laundry, and I only brought enough clothes to last a few days.”

  Elle wipes at her cheeks, and bursts into laughter again.

  “Hi Elle, Hi Hope,” some woman says.

  You have got to be kidding. Can y’all stop saying hello to me! “Hi,” I say trying to remain as nice as possible. But the air my butt is getting makes it a bit hard to keep a smile on my face.

  “Don’t mind her, she split her pants,” Elle says as she points to me.

  “Elle!” I shriek. “Why would you say that?” I say through gritted teeth, while trying to hold my butt seam together.

  “Trust me, by the time we get back to Gran, she’ll be laughing so hard.” She flicks her hand. “Now, walk ahead of me, and I’ll stick to your rear.” She bursts into laughter again. “This is priceless.”

  “Not for me,” I grunt as I start walking toward where May’s sitting, which is apparently close to where Elle lives. Oh no. No. No. No. Who do I see walking toward me but River. Why? “Shit,” I say as I duck my face, hoping he hasn’t seen me.

  “Hope?” He stops walking to talk to me.

  “Hey,” I say as I look behind me at Elle giving her the ‘please help me’ eyes. “How are you?” Shit, why did I ask? I need to get out of here, and quickly.

  “I’m great. I didn’t know you’d be coming to the festival.” River looks to me, and his eyes dart behind me. “Elle,” he says, acknowledging her.

  “Hey, River.”

  Great, a reunion. This is not what I need right now. “So,” River says, dragging out the “o.”

  Even better, an awkward reunion.

  Clenching my butt cheeks together, I can feel the air nipping at the skin. I move my hand as discreetly as I can to cover the giant hole in my jeans showcasing my ass to the entire world. This is super uncomfortable, I have to get out of here.

  “Are you okay?” he asks looking between Elle and me.

  “Yeah, but I’ve got to go.” I point behind him.

  “Hope, remember we’ve got to do that thing?” Elle says trying to save me. But her words are so rigid, that I can’t help and turn and give her a what-the-fuck, look. She narrows her eyes at me.

  “Okay, then. Don’t let me stop you two ladies from doing that thing,” River says. He steps closer to me, and I stiffen. His warm breath touches my cheek before his lips do. He slowly kisses my cheek. “Bye.”

  “Bye,” I say with a voice crack. River walks away, and I relax my shoulders and let out a long sigh. What a terribly uncomfortable encounter. I know he was being nice, but I was rigid as hell trying to hide my lily-white ass from the greater population of Hope River.

  “Whoa, have you two got history or something?” Elle asks. “And my flat is up there.” She points ahead on the left.

  “Something,” I say.

  “Oh, tell me. What happened between you and River? I can’t believe…oh my God!” she shrieks excitedly. “How cool. You’re Hope, and he’s River, and you’re both in Hope River.”

  “May said the same thing.”

  “Stop here.” Elle takes a set of keys from her pocket and opens the door, indicating for me to enter first. “I’ve already seen your ass once, one more time won’t hurt. Top of the stairs, the apartment on the right.” I get to the top of the stairs, and wait at the landing. Elle comes up behind me, unlocks the door, and steps in. “You have a cute butt, Hope. I was thinking of pinching your cheeks, but thought I’d better not.”

  “Can we pretend this never happened? Please?” I beg as I follow her into her apartment. Looking around, I notice how quaint and cozy it is. “This is cute.”

  “Come into the bedroom.” We walk down a short corridor that opens up to a fairly spacious eat-in kitchen and a living room with a small balcony. I go to look outside, where Elle has a view of Main Street. I can see River walking up the street a fair distance away. But I’d recognize his stride anywhere. “Hey, ass girl. My bedroom is back here.”

  “Sorry.” I come back in, and go to Elle’s bedroom. “Wow, I love this.” She has fairy lights hanging up in her room, and a dream catcher positioned over her headboard. “Not what I expected,” I say honestly.

  “You thought I was more conservative?” she laughs.

  “You got me. I thought I’d see a room filled with religious artifacts.”

  She rummages around in her closet. “Dress? Pants? Skirt?” she calls.

  “Whatever you can bear to part with,” I say, chuckling at my own pun.

  She walks out holding a flowery dress, or a pair of black cargo pants that I normally live in. “Which one?” She looks at the dress and shakes her head. “I’ll put the dress back. You’re not wearing underwear, and I’m not giving you any of mine. You really need to do laundry, Hope. Here.” She throws the cargo pants at me. “Bathroom is over there.” She signals to a door on the left.

  “Thank you,” I call as I enter the bathroom. I slide my jeans down, and pick them up once they’re off. “Holy shit,” I say as I smile to myself. I can see the humor. This hole is massive. I thought it was smaller. I slide on the cargos, and find they’re a bit big for me. But hey, beggars can’t be choosers. I fold the jeans, and come out of Elle’s bathroom. “T
hank you; you’re a life saver. Here, let me pay you for these.” I take some money out of the pocket of my jeans.

  “Not necessary. Consider it a favor, and one day you can pay it back.”

  “But when? Once this house is flipped, I’ll be leaving.”

  “Who knows when we’ll cross paths again. Anyway, it’s all good.” She holds a hand up. “Should we head back down to the festival? Oh, and River. You were going to tell me about you two.”

  It’s not exactly something I want to relive, so I try and redirect the conversation. “You know what I need?”

  “What?”

  “I need a drink.”

  We head down the stairs again. “Hope River doesn’t really have much of a nightlife. But there’s a few nice places about twenty minutes from here. I’m sure you can find something there.”

  When I’m through, we head back down to the festival. May’s still sitting at the table, and we join her. “Hi,” we both say together.

  “Do you want another coffee, Gran?” Elle asks.

  “No.” May looks at the jeans neatly folded on my lap. “Why did you change?” She then looks at the pants I’m wearing. “And why are you wearing Elle’s pants?”

  I look around me, checking no one is too close. Leaning in, I whisper, “I split my jeans in the bouncy castle.”

  I wait for May’s reaction. She stares at me, her face emotionless. Until she bursts into laughter. “Please tell me no one saw your underwear?” she says between fits of laughter.

  “Oh, no, this one gets better, Gran. She’s not wearing any,” Elle laughs.

  May stops laughing, and swings her head around so quickly to look at me. “Why weren’t you wearing undergarments, girly?” I’m so embarrassed. “Were you waiting to get lucky? That only works if you wear dresses with no panties under it.”

  “Gran!” Elle says loudly.

  “Pants aren’t easy access. Trust me, I know.”

  I lower my head, and bring my hand up to hide my blistering face. “I wasn’t trying to get some action, May. I haven’t had time to do laundry, that’s all.”

  “Oh hush, you haven’t had time. You haven’t even started on Old Roger’s house yet, you’ve got plenty of time,” she scolds.

  She’s kinda right. I’ve had the time to do laundry, I just haven’t wanted to. “Fine, I’ll do laundry tomorrow.”

  “Why not tonight?” May is certainly a pushy old lady. But so damn cool.

  “I’d like to go out for a drink tonight.”

  “Nowhere here to drink. There are a few places not far from here. You’re not going to drink and drive, are you?” she asks.

  “No, I’ll catch a cab.” Both Elle and May make a groaning sound. “What?” I ask looking between the two of them.

  “You may have trouble finding a cab any time we have festivals,” Elle answers.

  “Why?”

  “We don’t have a lot of cabs here. No one really needs them.”

  I chuckle to myself. Charlie called Hope River, Hicksville. Now I see, it kinda is. “Aha.”

  “What time are you going?” May asks, looking at Elle first, then me.

  “Oh, um. I’m not sure Hope wanted me to go with her,” Elle says. I can tell she’s embarrassed May has even suggested it.

  “I was hoping you would,” I say.

  “Yes! I haven’t been out in such a long time. Between everything I do, I never have time to let loose.”

  “So it’s settled. I’ll take you both, and come pick you up,” May says.

  “Wait, what just happened?” I ask looking between a smirking May, and a surprised Elle.

  “Girly, you have to learn. In a small town, we all rely on each other. So, when we get home, you get ready, and I’ll take you. Elle, it makes sense if you get your things and come back to my house to get ready. That way I’m not driving all over the place. When you’ve finished drinking, I’ll come and collect you both. That way I know you’re both safe.”

  “Thanks, Gran.” Elle jumps up and gives May a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Um, thank you,” I say. But I can’t really expect May to wait until we’re ready to come home to come and get us.

  The next two hours is spent walking around, eating way too much food, and talking to people I’ve never met or seen before, but who all know my name.

  “Another Long Island iced tea,” Elle says as she signals the bartender.

  “Elle, I think you need to slow down on these,” I caution her.

  “Huh.” She slouches in her seat, before looking at me and blinking rapidly. “Oh!” she slurs. “You should marry Rivrrrr.” She starts laughing.

  I blink a few times trying to see one of Elle, not two. “What? Why?”

  She starts laughing, and garbles some noises. She leans over, and places her hand on my leg. “Cause you can be married in Hope Rivrrrr, bwahahaha. Hope and Rivrrrr. Rivrrrr. You can swim in the Rivrrrr. Bwahahahaha.”

  “Bartender!” I call. “Another White Russian.” I hold my empty glass up to him.

  “Hello, ladies. How are you tonight?” some guy says to us.

  Elle looks at me, and starts laughing again. “We’re gay,” she announces.

  “We’re gay,” I echo.

  “Can I watch?” the guy asks as he leans on the bar and gives us a sleazy smirk.

  Elle looks at me, I look at Elle, and we burst into laughter again. “We’re gay for each otha,” I slur. “You’re not gay.” I waggle my finger in his face.

  “But I’m okay to watch, if you are.” He winks at us. He sends a creepy vibe through me.

  “You two ladies have had enough. Last drinks,” the bartender says to us as he places our Long Island iced tea and White Russian down in front of us.

  “Here.” I throw a twenty at him.

  “No! Don’t take hers, take mine!” Elle snatches my twenty back, chucking it at me, and shoves her twenty at him.

  “Take mine, I was faster.” I push mine to him.

  He looks bored. He rings up our drinks, then comes back and places the change on the bar. “Last ones,” he says again sternly.

  “I’ll get you both home,” says the creepy guy who’s still lurking.

  “Nah, we don’t like men,” Elle says. “Shoo.” She flicks her hand at him, and we both continue laughing.

  I’m not even sure what happens to him, but when I look around I realize there aren’t many people left in here. “Hey, Elle. What time is it?”

  Elle’s holding her drink in her hand, and tips it all over herself when she looks at her wrist. “My drink!” she yells. She grabs her shirt, and tries to suck the drink off of it.

  I’m laughing so hard I nearly fall off my bar stool. I drink my White Russian fast, and look at the empty glass. “What happened to my drink?” I look around for the culprit who drank it.

  “You just drank it.”

  “Did I?”

  “Bartender!” I call. He walks over to us, and stands, staring at us with his arms crossed across his chest. “One Russian who’s white.” I hold up three fingers, laughing. “And she’ll have an iced tea from short island.” I’m absolutely losing it.

  “I told you, you’re both cut off. No more.”

  “Can I have a Russian who’s pink then? And a leaf from the short island?”

  “No more.” He shakes his head, but smiles.

  “A yellow Russian? Or even just a Russian? And a drop from the island?” I beg.

  “Do you want me to call someone to come get you?” he asks with a smile.

  “Hey, Hope. We should walk home. Can you walk?” Elle asks as she stumbles toward the doors. “It’s not that far.” She leans into me, and we both nearly topple.

  “You two are too drunk to walk anywhere. I’m calling someone for you,” the bartender says. “Who am I calling?”

  “What time is it?” I squint, trying to focus on my phone. “Shit!”

  “What?” Elle asks.

  “It’s three in the morning. Is it three?” I
ask the bartender.

  “It is.”

  I point to him. “I love you. You’re looking after us.” Elle staggers back to me, and drapes her arm over my shoulders. “I love you too.”

  “I love you, man,” she responds.

  “I love you.” I hug her tight.

  “I love you,” she says, her head nestling into my shoulder.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you both, but now it’s time to go home and sleep it off,” the bartender says to us. “Who am I calling?”

  “Sheriff!” Elle screams way too loud and runs out the front door on unsteady legs.

  “I love you,” I say again to the bartender as I follow Elle. The moment the night air hits me, my head begins to spin. “Oh, I don’t feel good,” I say. Looking around, I see Elle double over in the bushes, vomiting. “Elle.” I wobble over to hold her vibrant red hair back as she vomits in the bushes. “Elle.”

  “I feel sick.” She looks up at me, smiles, then vomits again.

  The sounds of her throwing up makes me dry retch.

  Bluch.

  Hold it together, Hope.

  Bluch.

  I try to focus on making the world to stop spinning, and see a car driving toward us. The red and blue lights twirling around make me wobblier than I was only a few seconds ago.

  “Hope?” I hear the deep voice call.

  I look around, trying to figure out where the voice is coming from.

  “Elle?” the voice breaks.

  “God?” I look up, trying to stare at the sky. “Is that you?”

  “Hope!” The voice is beside me now. I look to see the sheriff, and startle back when I notice him standing beside me. “What are you two doing here?”

  I start tapping on Elle, hitting her repeatedly. “What?” Elle says once she lifts her head from the bushes. “Oh.” Her eyes light up, and she smiles. “Hi there, Sheriff.”

  “What are you two doing out this late?” he asks looking between us.

  “She was doing White Russians. I was doing long tea…islands. I think?”

  “Were you just throwing up in the bushes?” The Sheriff looks over Elle’s shoulder, rolls his eyes then shakes his head.