Return to Paradise

by Simone Elkeles

Page 29

 

  The Re-START program really brought home the fact that accidents affect so many people . . . theyre like avalanches, affecting everyone and everything in their wake.

  I look over at Lou. "Im sorry. I didnt mean to upset her. "

  "I know. I think itll take a while to sink in. Give her some time and shell come around. " Lou turns to Caleb. "You were brave to come back here. "

  "I dont feel brave right now. My home life is kind of a mess, and I have two guys staying at my parents with me cause theyre dealing with the same kind of fallout Im dealing with. "

  Lou pauses for a moment, then smiles. "I have a proposition for you," he says to Caleb. "My mothers house is vacant. If you and your friends want to stay there for a while, and pay enough rent to cover the utilities and taxes on the property, its yours. "

  "Are you serious, sir?" Caleb asks, totally shocked.

  Lou nods. "I know my mother thought you were a good kid and wanted to help you. I figure this is fate; its the way my mom would want it. What do you say?"

  Caleb shakes Lous hand vigorously. "Id say youve got yourself a deal. "

  When Im walking with Caleb back to his house so we can spend time with Leah and give the good news to Lenny and Julio, Caleb says, "Lous a good guy. "

  "I know. I hope my mom gets over her fear of loving someone other than my dad. "

  "What are your fears?" he asks. "About us, I mean. "

  "After today I have none, because"-I give him the honest answer, which Ive held in for way too long-"because I love you. "

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  Caleb

  t felt incredible hearing Maggie tell me she loved me yesterday. But now I feel as helpless as the day judge Farkus handed down his sentence to me. Im sitting at the police station in a remote lobby with my sister, my dad, my mom, Maggie, Julio, and even Lenny, who said he wanted to come because he already feels like part of our family. (Of course that was before he met my mom, who told him to sit straight and cut his hair or he wouldnt be invited to Thanksgiving dinner, which is over three months away. )

  My cousin Heath is a lawyer, and hes here too. Hell be in the room with Leah when she confesses to hitting Maggie.

  "You ready, Leah?" Damon asks as he kneels in front of my sister. He came to our house this morning and very calmly explained that the easiest way would be to make a sworn statement at the police station. Then Leah will be processed into the system. Damon stressed that its all up to the state prosecutor to decide whether or not to go ahead and formally charge Leah, since the accident is still within the three-year statute of limitations. My record will be wiped clean, regardless.

  My knee is shaking.

  I look over at Maggie, who looks equally nervous. She didnt have to come, but she did. Hell, if I were her Id probably be demanding that Leah be locked up for at least as long as I was, if not more.

  But Maggies not me. Shes got a good, forgiving spirit. Just being around her makes me strive to be a better person.

  Damon told my parents and me to write letters in support of Leah, vouching for her character. He said hell attach it to the confession, so the state prosecutor or the judge assigned to the case will take it into consideration when deciding her sentence.

  "Im ready," Leah says with a weak smile. This cant be easy for her, thats for sure. But shes stronger than I ever gave her credit for. This morning when she walked down the stairs, she didnt have anything black on. Shes wearing white pants and a yellow shirt. She looks so different, so . . . bright.

  "Good morning, sunshine," my dad had said after taking one look at her.

  I thought wed all be somber and crying, but weve held it together so far. When my mom called last night and said she wanted to leave rehab and come with us to the police station, I felt like the Beckers were starting to heal.

  We just have to get over this one last hurdle.

  Heath and Damon gesture to my sister to follow them.

  "Wait," Damon says, stopping. "Do you have those letters I can attach to her statement?"

  After we hand them over, Maggie pulls a piece of paper out of her purse and hands it to him. "Leah, I know youre not doing this for me, but . . . thanks. "

  Its a hugfest now, all of us hoping to transfer our strength to Leah before her confession. Even Lenny gets up to hug my sister, then turns and hugs me.

  "I owed you one," he says to me. "I owe you more than one, actually. You gave me a family, something I havent had in a long time. "

  I nod. Believe it or not, Lennys grown on me.

  Leah is still hugging Maggie. "I never meant to hurt you, you know that, right?"

  "Youve apologized about a million times," Maggie says, with tears in her eyes. "You never have to say it again, okay? I forgive you. It happened, it was a mistake. "

  They hug again, and then my sister heads for the heavy metal door. On the other side of that door shell confess. Then shell be booked, complete with fingerprints and a mug shot.

  "Hey, Leah," Julio barks out.

  Leah turns around.

  "Remember what I said," he says, then winks at her.

  She holds her head up high and smiles at him. Then she nods to Heath and Damon. "Lets do this. "

  When shes gone, its eerily quiet. Until Lenny turns to my dad and says, "Pull my finger. "

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Maggie

  ive exhausting hours later were back at home. They released Leah on a five thousand dollar bond, so were all together. I was so worried about Leah today, but she seemed okay about everything. She actually said finally telling the truth made her feel free, which is weird because she might have to serve jail time. Damon said he was going to talk to the prosecutor, and try to convince him not to charge Leah.

  Calebs mom decided to come back home, so everyone is happy but definitely on edge.

  Caleb, Lenny, and Julio are moving into Mrs. Reynolds house at the end of the week. Caleb and the guys are going to work for Calebs uncle, who owns a construction company. He said hell get his GED and get his life back on track.

  The night before I leave for Spain, Caleb and I walk to the park and stand under the big oak tree. Our time together is ticking down by the minute, and Im nervous.

  "I wish you could come with me. "

  He gives a short laugh. "Me too. "

  "Before you leave, I gotta get something off my chest. " He steps back, brushes a hand through his hair, and starts pacing. "Listen, Im really fucking scared about you leaving. Im sorry for cussing, but its true. While I know I can go on without you, dammit, I dont want to. Ive gotten used to having you in my life, and it just wont be the same without you. "

  My heart is beating fast and I reach out to hold his hand. "What are you saying?"

  "Im saying that I love you, Maggie. " He looks at me through crystal clear eyes. "I was holding back and didnt want to say it, because I didnt want you to think I said it as some ploy to make you not date other guys while youre in Spain. "

  "I dont want to date other guys. "

  "Thats what they all say, until some good-looking Spanish dude comes up to you and whispers some romantic Spanish shit in your ear and asks you out. "

  I laugh. "I dont see that happening. "

  "What if it does? What if you meet some guy and decide to stay in Spain forever?"

  "I can say the same thing, Caleb. Not the staying in Spain thing, but what if you meet some girl while Im gone?"

  "Not gonna happen," he says, repeating my words.

  I know he doesnt want to force me to make a commitment to him. The truth is, I want him to be free this next year. If we can make it through this, I know well be strong enough to last forever if we want. "I propose this," I say. "We promise not to go looking for someone else, but if it happens it happens and we have to be honest with each other about it. "

  "Deal. Now lets stop talking about it before I decide to convince you to stay in Paradise. "

  "What do you want to do?" I ask. "Kiss?
"

  "Oh, yeah. I want to kiss. "

  He pulls me toward him and I feel his warm body against mine. Caleb makes me feel happy and protected and loved all at the same time. He kisses me, his full soft lips making my body shudder with excitement. I cant imagine anything feeling this good. "This is perfect," I tell him.

  He gently swipes his lips across mine. "Its pretty damn close. "

  Nine Months Later

  elcome to Chicagos OHare International Airport. Please wait until the aircraft has come to a complete stop before deplaning. "

  My heart is beating so furiously in my chest Im surprised the other passengers cant hear it. I gather my backpack when the plane stops and quickly limp toward the baggage claim, ignoring the pain in my stiff leg.

  Calebs not here. My mom is, though. She rushes up to me and hugs me tight. Lou is with her, so I hope thats a good sign. Shes not wearing his ring, but the last time I talked to her she asked me what I thought of winter weddings. My dad visited me in Spain for New Years, and we hashed out a lot of issues. I think were on the mend, and even though hell never be a doting father, Im glad weve started to work things out.

  "Did you have a nice flight?" Lou asks. "I bet youre hungry for some good of American food. "

  "Im definitely hungry for one of Irinas pies from the diner," I tell him, and get a smile in response. Everyone loves Irinas pies, and Ive been her taste tester ever since my mom started working there.

  When we have my luggage and are driving back to Paradise, my mom drills me on how my leg is holding up. I answer her, but the entire time all I can think is, where is Caleb?

  The last email I got from him said hed meet me right when I got home. That was almost three weeks ago, though. A lot could have changed in three weeks.

  I tell myself Im over-thinking things. Ugh, I cant take the suspense.

  "Have you heard from Caleb?" I ask, trying not to sound like Im desperate to hear the answer.

  "He came by this afternoon and left you a note in your room, my mom says.

  A note. Notes are bad. Notes cant be good.

  "Did he say anything when he left the note?"

  My mom shakes her head. "No. He just asked if he could leave a note and I said it was okay. He was in the house less than two minutes. "

  I wish the ride home didnt take over an hour. The entire plane ride, Id imagined hundreds of different scenarios of our reunion. None of them included a note.

  At my house, I get out of the car and head inside after Lou insists on bringing my luggage up.

  Upstairs, my bedroom is the same as I left it. My bed is made and on top of my big comforter is an envelope. On the front, one word is written in Calebs handwriting: Maggie.

  I pick up the envelope with trembling fingers and rip open the seal. I unfold the note slowly. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then I open them and read what it says:

  Do you remember the old oak tree? Go there, and wait for me.

  Huh? The old oak at Paradise Park?

  I tell my mom Ill be back later. She doesnt argue, probably because Im practically out the door before I even finish my sentence.

  Its dusk now, but the park isnt far away. I head for the oak tree. Nobody is here, except for a little squirrel running across the grass.