"Yes, sir."
I waited until I heard the knob click. "I'm sorry but things might be a little, um, weird for a while. He thinks I did it because of you. I can't tell him the truth. It would hurt him to know."
"That ain't the truth? But I thought you were defendin' my honor?" He smiled, but it never reached his eyes.
"Very funny."
"Alright, I'm leavin'." He stood up and stretched. "Pick you up in the mornin'?"
"My dad's taking me to school. I can’t go anywhere with you for a while."
"Damn, he really is pissed.”
"It’s easier to blame you than to think his daughter beat the shit out of Ashley Cartwright for no apparent reason. He has to see her parents tomorrow, you know. There's only one building between the stores."
"Shit, I didn't think 'bout that.”
“I know. This place sucks.”
“It’s gonna be ok tomorrow.” He gave me a quick squeeze around the shoulders. “Night, Alex."
"Night, Jess."
The pipes fired up on his truck, but the dirt cloud trailed off in the opposite direction of home. Without even asking, I knew Jess drove out toward the old burned up stump; his thinking spot.
School was difficult. Everyone talked, just like I predicted. The rumors circulated, just like I knew they would about me. Conversations stopped whenever I rounded a corner in the hallway. My skin pricked up, hearing the whispers. All of it served as a different type of torment than the verbal assaults from Ashley.
A few days after the fight, I found a box sitting on the porch with a note. Lifting the lid, I stared at a pink set of boxing gloves. I opened the card to identify the sender of such an odd gift. A smile spread across my still swollen lips. I guess everyone didn’t hate me.
Hey Slugger, would you be my date to homecoming? – Gentry
Chapter 22
When I was sixteen…
On the back of the closet door, a store-bought mirror reflected the image of a person who seemed like a stranger. My glossy lips pursed into a frown as I turned to see the back of my creation. The pale, blue silk swirled into a flowing pool around my feet. I felt weird and out of place. Homecoming dances were not my thing.
Earlier this afternoon, I let an enthusiastic cosmetic worker apply a whole face worth of makeup. She decked out my eyelids in sparkly gold and blue shadow then outlined her work with a very itchy, dark brown pencil. This left my hair as the biggest self-styling obstacle. I liked wearing it up and rarely wore it down. It just was more practical. However, homecoming wasn’t about being practical, which I hated. I finally settled on curling my long red hair into loose ringlets.
“What do you think, Carrot?”
The little orange ball of fur sat watching me in fascination. I scratched the purring chin with my bare nails. In honor of tonight, I scraped off the black paint. My bracelets were gone too. I had to cut the braided strands after the fight because they were soaked in Ashley’s blood.
I took one more look in the mirror, making sure my chest stayed crushed under the strapless top. The last thing I needed was a wardrobe malfunction to add to my current notoriety. As I entered the living room, my father looked surprise. I noticed the camera gripped tightly in his hand.
“Really, Dad? Pictures?”
“I want to document the one time I know you purposely dressed this way. You look very beautiful.”
“You can take one picture. That’s it.”
“I also get two when your date gets here.”
“Dad! No, please don’t.”
Despite being grounded, my father agreed homecoming was technically a school activity, which gave the needed permission to attend the dance with Gentry. I think he was slightly relieved to see another boy in the picture besides Jess. After the fight, my father watched our interactions a little closer every time my childhood friend walked into the farmhouse. It was total nonsense, but what teenager could reason with her father.
I heard a knock at the front door. The butterflies fluttered through my chest as I pulled open the creaky, wooden frame. Gentry stood on the front porch, looking a little anxious. My eyes traced his jacket and tie all the way down to his shiny black cowboy boots. He looked cute tonight, like I wanted to kiss him kind of cute. I blushed at the thought.
“Alex, you look really awesome,” he said, flashing a big smile. “I mean, that dress is hot!”
“My dad is standing here.” I opened the door a little wider.
“Right…”he muttered. “Hi, Mr. Tanner.”
“Hello, Gentry.” They shook hands while I gave my father eye daggers not to mention the camera. “I’m going to get a few pictures if you don’t mind standing by the fireplace.”
At least two dozen pictures later, I followed Gentry out the door. I still didn’t know much about him. We talked a few times on the phone. He was an easy going guy who had moved to Arlis from El Paso. Gentry’s favorite food was barbeque ribs, and he thought the football team would make the playoffs. He planned to enlist with the Marines immediately after graduation. I figured this explained his buzzed, blond hair.
As we approached the entrance to the school gym, I heard music floating out into the parking lot. My stomach flipped around knowing the stares and whispers would come as soon as I got in the room. I clung to Gentry’s arm as he navigated through the crowed entry way.
“You wanna dance?”
I nodded yes.
Gentry and I two-stepped the first dance. We spent more time laughing instead of dancing. His tree trunk legs didn’t shuffle very well across the floor. Slow songs were a little more our speed. My fingers clung to his broad shoulders while his hands stayed in place around my waist. Staring into his green eyes, I decided I might actually like Gentry Jones. He was a sweet guy. I imagined what it would feel like, letting him kiss me, letting his hands touch my body. I think I wanted that with him.
“You wanna get somethin’ to drink?”
“Sure,” I blushed, feeling like he could read my thoughts.
As we walked toward the refreshment table, I kept my eyes downcast to avoid their stares. People were intrigued with the fact I came with Gentry. It just made the rumors about me a little more interesting.
Amidst the finger foods and very non-alcoholic punch, I found Jess looking annoyed with his equally enthusiastic date. When Jess told me that Natalie agreed to go to homecoming, I had to put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing in his face. He claimed the options were limited this late in the game. She said he deserved one favor for breaking up with Ashley.
“Well, hello to the cutest couple in the room.” I smiled at both of them.
Jess looked nice tonight. His normal shaggy hair was slicked back with gel, and the black jacket made his dark lashes standout around his blue eyes.
“Dance with me. Now!” he hissed. Jess laced his fingers through mine, tugging my arm out toward the dance floor.
“Sorry, Natalie,” I said over my shoulder. She frowned back.
Jess pulled me to a secluded area in the corner, which blocked at least a few people from gawking at us. I placed my arms loosely around his shoulders leaving some space. The soft music intro changed to the slow sway of a guitar. I recognized the song by Gary Allan. Jess had played it all summer on repeat, driving me insane.
I glanced up to find him watching me with an amused grin. “What?”
Jess shook his head a little and laughed, “I didn’t know if you’d go through with it, you know…the dress and all the makeup stuff.”
“I know. I want to claw my eyes out. They won’t stop itching.”
“Hmmm,” his lips puckered up. “I’m confused. You’re not any taller.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jess let go of my waist and forced my body into a spin. He pulled the hem of my dress up close to my knees, exposing the gray canvas shoes.
“Stop!” I yanked it out of his hand. He smiled just to torment me. “You’re terrible, you know. The heels pinched my toes
. I didn’t think anyone would notice since it was so long.”
“I’m sorry, Al.” Jess put his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his chest. He leaned into my ear, “Are you wearin’ perfume too?”
“Really? You’re going to do this?”
“I’m not tryin’ to make you mad.”
“Suuure.”
“I’m bein’ serious. You look pretty tonight.” He reached up, running a finger through my hair. “But I always think you look pretty.”
“Shh…don’t say that.”
“I like your hair like this too.” He fiddled with a curl then dropped it.
“Thank you. You look nice too,” I answered, rolling my eyes.
He smiled sweetly and put his hand back on my waist. The music played around us. My dress swooshed against his cowboy boots as we slowly rotated to the sound of the gravelly voice on the speakers.
“You havin’ fun?” he whispered in my ear.
“Yeah.”
“I just want you to be happy tonight.”
“I told you. I’m good.”
It was a convincing statement that was about seventy-five percent truthful. Ashley remained exposed, but the Arlis grapevine kept the story rolling, even if it was the wrong story. Right now, people watched Jess and I talking. They noted exactly where he put his hand on my back. They calculated just how long I gazed into those blue eyes. Everyone waited to see if his lips touched my body. I frowned, feeling the anger fester. It was none of their damn business.
“Al, what’s wrong?” His boots stopped moving.
“It’s fine.”
“You don’t look fine. Screw ‘em, Alex. Screw every single one of ‘em.” His hand left my waist and gestured toward the people just a few steps away. “I was the one who brought ‘em into our lives. I’ll take ‘em out. I’ll even quit football. We don’t need anyone else.”
“Jess…” I slipped my hands on each side of his warm cheeks, looking into his troubled eyes.
“Yeah.”
“You’re getting all worked up again.”
His hands wrapped around mine as they cupped his face. “I just want you to be ok.”
“I know.” I smiled at him. “So dance with me.”
“You hate this song.”
“But I know you like it.”
Jess pulled my hands up around his neck. His boots started to move again, swaying slowly to the music. Even though I knew people were watching, I rested my head against his shoulder. Jess wrapped his arms around my back, holding me tight against his chest. I tucked my nose close to his neck.
“I like dancing with you,” he whispered next to my cheek.
“Me too.”
I relaxed against his body and it felt good. I closed my eyes and pulled in a deep breath, smelling the familiar cologne coming from somewhere around his neck. Dancing in the corner with my best friend, the stares and whispers faded away. I let myself enjoy the moment with him; a moment free from the problems circulating around us.
When the song ended, I felt sad. I wanted to dance with him again, but I knew I should get back to Gentry. Natalie may have scared him right out the door.
“Well…that’s my cue, I guess.” Jess stepped away but left his hands on my waist.
“You, um, want to dance again later?”
“No, it’s ok. Go find your date.”
“Ok, but um, would you do something for me?”
“Sure,” he grinned.
“Dance with Natalie, please?”
“She just had to get her lip pierced before homecomin’. I’m glad she got all freaky just for me.”
“Be nice.”
“Fine, I will for you.”
In the shadows, he looked like a sullen boy who was being punished. I pulled his hands from my waist and gave them a little squeeze. “Thank you for dancing with me. It made me feel happy, Jess.”
“If anyone says anything tonight,” he glanced back toward the floor. “If they…”
“I will find you. I promise.”
“Ok.”
Jess disappeared into the crowd as I left in search of my blonde haired date. To my right, a group of people ogled, like a line of paparazzi taking down notes. I noticed Katie Rae with them. She leaned over and kissed Buzz full on the mouth. I was surprised to see them together. However, Ashley didn’t come tonight since she was still recovering from nose surgery.
Gentry came up from behind and slipped an arm around my waist. Leaning over, he whispered something funny in my ear. His breath felt warm on my neck. I blushed at the way it made my skin tingle. Gentry pulled me out on the floor for another dance. I smiled, feeling happy.
After a ride home in his Tahoe, Gentry walked me up the wooden porch steps of my quiet house. I wondered if my dad was asleep or secretly peering out one of the curtains. Leave it to good old Henry to pop out with his camera.
“You’re a lot of fun, Alex,” he said, bringing my attention back to the porch.
“You have some um, mean moves out there.”
“I never claimed to be a good dancer when I asked you to go.”
“No, I guess you didn’t,” I said back quietly, as we stood facing each other. The butterflies circled through my stomach. It was a little overwhelming processing all this girl stuff.
In the shadows, I saw his green eyes get a little nervous. I knew it was the pinnacle moment of the evening; if he would just go for it. I took a deep breath, and smiled, trying to let him know it was ok, even though I was nervous too.
Gentry leaned forward slightly bumping my nose. His pink lips tasted salty from the platefuls of chips consumed at the party. He kissed the way he did most other things. It was very nice and sweet. Gentry turned the slight peck into a deeper kiss, using his lips to pull open mine. He was definitely much better at this than dancing.
After Gentry left, I tiptoed through the dark house to my bedroom trying not to wake up my father. I was surprised he wasn’t sitting in the living room waiting for me. Flipping on the lamp, I slapped a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming.
“What are you doing here?” I whispered, seeing Jess sitting on my bed.
“I was… a just makin’ sure you got home.”
“Shhh…”
“Sorry,” he whispered. Jess had his tie off and the white shirt unbuttoned at the throat. He grinned at me as I came over to stand in front of him.
“You need to go. My dad will kill you if he comes in here.”
“Ok.” He stumbled a little getting off the bed.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Just a little,” he grinned close to my face. I smelled beer on each word that left his pink lips.
“Did you drive here?”
“No, I um, parked about half mile away on the four-wheeler.”
“Ok.”
As I walked Jess to the window, his arm went around my back holding on to me. He leaned over to my ear and whispered, “Did you kiss him?”
“That’s none of your business.” I looked into his blue eyes trying to figure out just how drunk he was tonight. “Can you find your way back home?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” he smiled again. Reaching up to my cheek, he pushed a red curl behind my ear. “You really do look pretty tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “Goodnight, Jess.”
He climbed outside and stumbled before landing on both feet. I watched until he disappeared into the dark shadows of our yard. That boy really was a crazy mess sometimes.
Chapter 23
Today, 12:13 p.m.
I watch the pretty face of the beauty queen as she dabs my bare skin with the fluffy towel. She wraps it around my body and tucks it between my breasts like a toga. “I’ll be back with your clothes.”
I bit my lip hard, tasting the metallic blood. Alone for the first time in hours, I feel the weight crash back down on my shoulders. Maybe this was a dream. A terrible nightmare of a dream conjured up from watching a horror movie before falling into the comfort of my bed. Af
ter all, it had everything needed for it. A beauty queen and a bloody scene called Hospital Massacre from Hell.
She returns with a mysterious bundle of clothes. Someone had gone through the drawers in my bedroom and picked out an outfit. I put my hands on her shoulders as she slides a fresh pair of panties up my long legs. Removing the towel, I keep my eyes on the ceiling while she hooks my bra around my back.
The fresh t-shirt slides over my damp hair. I hold on to her shoulders again as she pulls the worn jeans up to my hips. My head spins a little and I clasp a hand to my stomach, feeling the nausea. The beauty queen puts an arm around my waist as we walk back to the room.
“Do you want back on the bed or in the chair?”
“Why are you helping me?”
She hesitates and finally says, “It’s my job.”
“But why are you helping me?”
“Because I want to help you, Alex. I just want to do somethin’.”
I hear footsteps. Twisting around, I see my father walk back through the door. He holds a plastic container. The smell of chicken noodle soup wafts through the room. Bile rises up in my throat. He hands the container in my direction. “Sit in the chair and try to eat this.”
“I told you, I’m not hungry.”
“When did you last eat?”
“I…ate lunch, I guess. I had pizza.”
“You threw that up, Pumpkin,” his voice is soft, “hours ago.”
“I…I…can’t eat.” I close my eyes, trying to find composure. The beauty queen leads me to the chair and I fall into the plastic seat.
“You have to try to keep something down.”
My fingers dig into the palm of my hand. “I will try to eat if you let me go. I want to talk to Dr. Mason, myself.”
“Ok.” His jaw clenches a little on the words. “I’ll go see what I can do. Just try to eat while I’m gone.”
Chapter 24
When I was eighteen…
The days of summer swept across the meadow faster than I could blink. Graduation seemed like yesterday, but that terrifying night was two months ago. A person worthy of the academic title of valedictorian should not be subjected to giving a speech. Valedictorians are people focused on grades and tests and homework. They are not the social ones who like talking to large audiences. Despite my nervous stomach, I survived that wretched night and wished everyone the best, or so I said in my prepared speech. I could not, in good faith, wish everyone the best.
The Mason List Page 14