Bittersweet Sixteen (A Dodie Jenks Novel)

by Lexi Witcher

“No, she didn’t.”

  “Is it a problem?” Sasha asked.

  I shook my head. “No. No. It’s fine. I just…I mean come on up and I’ll show you where you can hang your things in the closet if you want to unpack.”

  “This house is amazing,” Sasha said as I led the way up the stairs.

  Halfway up I looked over my shoulder and Leopold waved before heading back toward the kitchen.

  Brody pushed past us and carried Sasha’s bag to my room, dumping it on my bed. “Be nice,” he warned, glaring at me as we came into the room.

  Sasha poked him in the center of the chest with her index finger. “You’re the one that needs to be nice. Dodie and I will be just fine. But I don’t know about you toward Leopold.”

  Brody grunted and left us.

  Sasha shut my door and smiled sheepishly at me. “This is an awesome room. You’ve got a really great set up here. And some nice guy candy to boot.”

  “You think so?” My ego really enjoyed her continued praise like I’d accomplished something by having Leopold here. If she only knew the real reason he was around, but we weren’t that close and I didn’t feel safe sharing details with her. It would be hard enough dealing with the thousand and one questions Callie and Lisa would be asking next weekend.

  “So where should I stow my stuff?”

  I walked over to the closet doors and opened them up. “I’ll make room for you on this end.”

  “Oh my word. Look at all those clothes. Did you go on a major shopping spree?”

  I laughed, handing her a few hangers to use. “No. Actually my grandmother bought this before we even came for our first visit. She said it was a surprise for me. And I’ve been trying the last few weeks to wear as much of it as I can.”

  “I love these boots.” She picked up the black and tan heeled pair. “These are Stuart Wietzman. I’d give up cheerleading to have a pair of these. What’s wrong with you? They don’t even look like they’ve been worn.”

  “They haven’t. I don’t wear heels so I’ve been afraid I’ll fall and break my neck.”

  Sasha giggled. “We’re going to change that. Take off those flats and put these on.”

  “No way.”

  “Yes way. Come on. Aren’t you dying to put these on? This is calf skin leather; it’s soft as butter.”

  I blew out a breath and took the boots from her.

  “And if you’re going to wear those boots, you might as well change clothes too. How about this wrap around skirt, it looks like it should fall just below the knee on you.”

  “Sasha, I don’t want to look like I’m trying to impress anyone. Everyone else is dressed casual. It’s a family dinner.”

  “I’ll change too and I’ll make Brody. Leopold is already dressed up.”

  “But he always dresses that way.”

  “He does?”

  I nodded.

  “Don’t you find that odd?” she asked.

  “No. I like it.”

  “Brody says he’s eighteen, but that he’s already graduated college because he’s that smart.”

  “Yeah.”

  “How’d you meet him?” She ducked into my closet.

  I thought about how to answer that question as I slipped out of my clothes and changed into the wrap around skirt and light weight knit sweater, before pulling on the boots. “Grandma was introduced to him by a professor of languages at the university in Dover.”

  “I see.”

  I heard rustling coming from inside of my closet and wondered what Sash had found. I took a step forward and wobbled a little, but righted myself.

  “What’s this?” she asked, holding up my blue dress.

  “That’s my dress for my sweet sixteen party next weekend. Don’t you just love it?”

  “Oh yes. I bet you look awesome in it. The color is definitely you.”

  “What will you be wearing?”

  “Nothing as spectacular as your dress,” she said. “I thought I’d wear the dress I wore to my junior prom, but I’m going to make a few modifications so no one will know I’m reusing a dress. You’ll keep my secret, won’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  “How do the boots feel?”

  “Like I’m wearing a glove on my feet.”

  “See. That’s what expensive shoes do. They make your feet feel wonderful.” She disappeared back into my closet and put away my dress. “Now, let’s see how you do walking in them.”

  I took a few steps forward, finding I could walk easily in them as long as I focused on what I was doing.

  “Now turn, slowly.”

  I pivoted to my right and did an about face, surprised I did not stumble and land on my derriere. But there was something about walking in these boots that made it feel like I was wearing flats.

  “I don’t get it. I’ve been afraid to try these on because of the three and a half inch heels and yet I can walk in them just fine.”

  Sasha giggled and grabbed a pair of heels from my closet. “See these heels? They’re the same height, but the difference is these are pencil width while those heels are more of a slender one inch width. So it gives you more support like wedges do. You might try wedges and see how they do for you. It’s time you stop being afraid of heels.”

  I slowly nodded and went into the bathroom to look at my hair. I brushed it and then touched up my makeup, adding a little more eye shadow and blush. Then I applied lipstick.

  “You really have blossomed in the last few weeks, Dodie. You’ve transformed from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. No wonder Brody has been fuming over Leopold living here.”

  “He has?” I asked.

  She nodded. “Now it’s time for me to change, but first, I’m going to call Brody.”

  She pulled out her cell and immediately began to speak softly to my brother. I tried to not listen as I hung my clothes back up and straightened the comforter on my bed where I’d sat earlier.

  “Just do it for me, Brody.” Sasha hit the end button on her phone and smiled, picking up a pretty dress she was going to wear to dinner. “It’s all taken care of.”

  I waited until she went into my bathroom and then I practiced walking in the boots some more. For no other reason than to reassure myself that I could walk in them without falling. I did not want to leave anything to chance when we went down to dinner and end up tumbling down the stairs.

  A knock at my door stopped me from finishing my trek across the room. I opened the door and found Leopold standing there. He took in my appearance and smiled. “I was wondering if you were okay. I kept getting mixed signals as if you couldn’t make up your mind. We really need to work on your ability to shield.”

  I smiled and shrugged, pointing down at my boots. “I guess because I’m trying to walk in these.”

  “Oh. And you’re afraid you’ll fall. I see now. Don’t worry.” He slid his hand up the base of my neck underneath my hair and pulled me forward, kissing my forehead. “I have all the confidence in your ability to make it down the stairs without falling.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded, dropping his arm and taking hold of my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Dinner is almost ready. Don’t be long.”

  “Okay.”

  I went back into my room just in time to see Sasha emerge from the bathroom. She’d somehow transformed herself from beautiful to stunning in a matter of minutes. No wonder Brody liked her. She wasn’t just pretty on the outside but beautiful on the inside too.

  “Dinner’s almost ready. Shall we go down?”

  “Sure.”

  A knock came at my door again and I opened it to find Brody standing there. He gaped at me for a moment then shook himself before clearing his throat. “I—I’m here to escort you down to dinner.”

  I smiled. “Really?”

  He looked pained as he offered me his arm, but nodded.

  “Thank you.” I slipped my arm through his and he offered his other to Sasha. The three of us made an odd trio as we walked
down the hallway to the stairs.

  I stopped abruptly at the top and looked all the way down. Leopold has assured me I’d make it down in one piece. I had the railing on one side and Brody on the other. Surely if I faltered he’d catch me.

  “Go ahead, Dodie. You can do it,” Sasha urged.

  I took a deep breath and nodded. I could do it. I took a step and they did as well, then another and another without losing my footing. Everything was fine until we got to the bottom and I stepped onto the polished hardwood floor. Brody let go of my arm and I slid, lunging forward, face first into the marble entry table.

  Leopold, who’d been putting a dish of food on the table must have seen me from the corner of his eye, because within a split second he was there catching me before I hit the table.

  He held me in his arms and I clutched him tight, breathing hard as my heart thudded within my chest. I’d been so afraid to wear heels and maybe I’d been right. Taking a chance like this wasn’t worth it.

  “Brody.” Sasha smacked him on the upper arm. “I told you to hold on to her. Why’d you let go of her once we got downstairs?”

  “I thought you only wanted me to make sure she didn’t fall on the stairs.”

  “Boys!” Sasha crossed her arms over her chest, clearly upset with my brother. Then she took one look at me and she came over, hugging me and Leopold. “Dodie, I’m so sorry. I talked you into wearing the boots.”

  My dad came out of the downstairs bathroom looked confused. “What’s going on?”

  We broke apart and Brody explained what had happened, “Dodie’s foot slipped and she about did a Hail Mary into the entry table, but Leopold caught her.”

  “Are you all right, honey?” he asked, showing more concern than my brother.

  “Yeah.” I looked down at the boots and really liked the way they looked on my feet. Perhaps I could give them one more try.

  Mom appeared in the doorway. “Food is on the table. Let’s eat.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Everyone ate way too much food at dinner. Dad, Brody and even Leopold retired to the living room after dinner to watch a football game. Sasha and I helped Mom and Grandma clear the table, put away leftovers and load the dishwasher. Then we all went to Grandma’s studio and she showed us some of her latest paintings.

  I’d seen a few of these already, but she had a small room off from the studio that contained nothing but her paintings. A few hung on the walls and others were held in racks on the floor.

  “You really should contact a few art galleries and see if they’d be interested in your work,” Mom told her.

  “It’s a hobby, Glynis. Just a hobby that helps me pass the time.”

  “It may be, but you are talented, Cherie. It will be a shame if you are discovered posthumously.”

  Grandma pursed her lips together and frowned, then she sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Good.” Mom wrapped her arm around my shoulders as we walked out of the studio and down the hallway at the back of the house.

  “What’s in this room?” Sasha asked, pointing to the closed door.

  “That’s Leopold’s room. It’s the only bedroom downstairs and belonged to my parents when I was a child. My studio was my mother’s private parlor where she would receive her friends and have afternoon tea.”

  “And the room where you keep your paintings?” Sasha asked.

  “The nursery when we were babes and then later on our playroom. After we were grown and my mother passed away, my father closed up the upstairs rooms and lived downstairs until he passed on. My older brothers had no desire to return here and I had my life elsewhere. Therefore the house stayed empty for many years until I decided to return and restore it to its former glory.”

  “I’m so glad you did. I love it here,” I told her. “I never want to leave.”

  “Dodie!” Mom said, clearly surprised by my announcement.

  I bit my lower lip, knowing I’d opened the can of worms and needed to close it. “Sorry. I know you and daddy want me to come home soon, but I don’t want to. I like living here and studying with Ms. Pritz and Leopold.”

  Mom looked pained by my confession. “The decision isn’t up to you, Dodie. You will come home. Whether you want to or not.”

  I nodded, unable to say anything.

  “I’d love to have you stay here with me, Dodie, but your mom is right. You need to go back home with them when the time comes.”

  I looked at Grandma, not believing she’d side with my parents on this, but then I wondered if she was only saying it when she didn’t really mean it. Hadn’t we cried over it Monday after having those delicious cinnamon rolls Leopold had made?

  “When will Dodie be coming home?” Sasha asked. “Brody seems unclear about that.”

  “Soon.” Mom said and walked ahead of us to the living room. She took a seat on the loveseat with my dad to watch the rest of the game.

  “Did I say something wrong?” Sasha asked.

  “No. I did. I shouldn’t have said I didn’t want to go home with them.”

  “But you did and there is nothing you can do to take it back,” Grandma said, putting her hands on my shoulders and looking me in the eye. She leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “I don’t want you to leave, but they have given you to me for these last few days, and if we do break the curse, you will have to go home with them until we can get you back here.”

  “I know.”

  “Your parents seem great, Dodie. You have a good home. Going back can’t be all bad,” Sasha said. “My parents are divorced. Dad travels all the time with his job so I rarely get to see him and Mom’s a nurse, always picking up extra shifts to cover the bills. That’s why I’m here, because Brody didn’t want me spending another Thanksgiving alone eating a frozen microwave dinner.”

  I looked at Sasha, stunned at what she’d said. I never imagined she came from a broken home. She appeared so put together and strong, but I guess she had to be.

  “Well we’re glad you’re here, honey,” Grandma said, hugging her.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Brody asked, coming into the foyer where we were.

  “Girl talk,” I said.

  “Yeah…well…okay. I’m going to get a snack. You want anything?”

  “There’s plenty of food in the kitchen,” Grandma said, following him to the kitchen. “We put the fruitcake back in the cellar. I can show you where.”

  I turned to Sasha. “I need to get out of these boots. You want to come up and listen to some music, maybe plan a playlist for the party?”

  “That sounds great.”

  Sasha took a few steps up the stairs and I was about to follow her when Leopold came out of the living room.

  “Hey Dodie, Sasha,” he said.

  “Tired of watching football?” I asked.

  He nodded.

  “We’re going to pick out music for Dodie’s party. Want to join us?” Sasha asked.

  He smiled. “Don’t you think Brody will object?”

  “Leave him to me,” she said and went on up the stairs.

  “You should join us if you want. I’m going to change into something more suited to lounging.”

  “Okay. I’ll be up in a few. You want anything to drink?”

  “That would be great. I think I saw some canned sodas in the back of the refrigerator.”

  “You got it.”

  By the time I got up to my room Sasha had already changed out of her dress and had on a pair of knee-length young pants and a t-shirt. She’d pulled her hair up in a ponytail and was digging in her bag, sitting crossed legged on the floor.

  “You change fast.”

  “It’s a learned trait. When you go to cheerleading camp and competitions you have to be fast about everything. So is Leopold coming up?”

  “Yeah. He’s going to change and grab us some drinks.”

  “Great.”

  I shut the door and sat down in my desk chair to remove the boots, then I walked to my closet, going insid
e to change into my version of Sasha’s outfit.

  “Rats!”

  “What is it?” I asked pulling the t-shirt over my head.

  “I can’t find my iPod. Brody said you listen to classical so I know you don’t have a good dance mix already picked out.”

  “Maybe he has his with him.”

  “You can’t be serious, Dodie. His playlists consist of music from Pink Floyd, Def Lepard, ZZ Top, Montley Crew. Not really what you want for your dance music.”

  A knock came at the door and Sasha jumped up, going to answer it.

  Leopold and Brody stood there together looking like they’d each consumed a bag of sour patch kids.

  “Dodie needs a playlist of dance music and I can’t find my iPod,” Sasha announced. “We have to do something, Brody.”

  “Maybe you left it in the car. I’ll go check,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she called after him and pulled Leopold into the room.

  “What kind of music do you suggest be played?” he asked.

  “A mix of current pop and classic songs. She’ll also want to have a special song for her first dance with her date.” Sasha turned to me. “You do have a date, don’t you?”

  I looked at Leopold expectantly. I’d kinda assumed it would be him, but what if…”

  “Yes she does.” He looked at me and grinned.

  Sasha winked at me and gave a quick thumbs up behind his back. “Perfect. So what song will you dance to?”

  “A Goo Goo Dolls song.”

  She looked surprised that I knew the group. “Okay. What other kinds of music do you like?”

  I gave her my iPod and started the playlist I’d been listening to lately.

  “Bon Jovi, Letters to Cleo, Justin Timberlake, One Republic. You do listen to more than classical. Brody doesn’t know you as well as he thinks.”

  I shrugged.

  Brody returned. “I didn’t find it.”

  “We’ll have to create one from scratch then, but I think we can manage.”

  The four of us actually worked together listening to songs and creating a shuffle that had a good mixture of dance music that represented the present all the way to the eighties to make Brody happy.

  When we went downstairs the house was quiet. The adults had already turned in even though it was still early. Mom and Grandma were going shopping to take advantage of Black Friday sales. And dad was reading.