Fade to Us

by Julia Day

  “Not wasting time, I see.”

  “Not a single day.”

  “I have some things to do at the arts center in the morning, and I have a few errands to run for Mom, but I’ll be done by noon.”

  “All those words mean you’re free.”

  “Yeah. After lunch.”

  “I’ll have to ask my folks if I can have the car.”

  “We can take mine. So, what’ll we do?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “I’m going with yes.”

  He was so cute like this, all relieved and charming and … normal teen instead of epically awesome god. “Miniature golf?”

  “I’m not much into miniature golf.”

  “Movie?”

  “All drama-ed out.”

  “Are you being intentionally difficult?”

  He laughed. “No.”

  I’d only seen him act like this in small groups, and I loved having it directed at me. Playful Micah was irresistible. How could I get him to show up again tomorrow?

  I had to pick something fun and light, and I knew the perfect place. “Have you ever been to Pullen Park in Raleigh? It has a carousel, paddleboats, and beautiful gardens to stroll through. As an added bonus—amazing food.”

  “Sounds good. One o’clock?”

  I nodded.

  “I’m going now. See you in a few hours.”

  18

  Safe Topics

  Natalie stomped into the den Saturday morning with her backpack slung over both shoulders.

  I muted the TV and tried not to wince when Tigger kneaded my thigh. “Going somewhere?”

  “Norah invited our group to go swimming with her.”

  Wow. Norah was a saint. “Where?”

  “Laurel Lake.”

  “That can be good if it’s not crowded. So you’re going?”

  “Clearly, since you basically asked the same question twelve words ago and I confirmed that I was. In case you’re wondering, I asked Dad.”

  Keep the smile in place. She’s leaving soon. “I didn’t know you liked to swim.”

  “I don’t. I’ll take my bathing suit anyway.”

  “You could wear it under a T-shirt.”

  “I don’t like the sensation of bathing suit fabric against my skin.” She opened her backpack. It held a towel, suit, sunscreen, bug spray, bottled water, and snack pack of crackers.

  “You look ready. Do you need money?”

  “I have my card.”

  “The concession stand at Laurel Lake takes cash only.” I crawled down to the end of the couch, dislodging my cat, and rummaged in a drawer. “Here’s a ten.”

  She stuffed it into her pocket and left the den. The front door banged behind her. Another twenty minutes passed before a car crunched to a stop in front of the house. Seconds later, it was speeding away.

  Lucky for me. Natalie wouldn’t be home to ask questions when my friend got here.

  * * *

  Micah arrived promptly at one. I was at the curb before he had a chance to make it around the front of the car.

  “You look nice,” he said.

  “You do, too.” I gave him an exaggerated inspection. “I’ve never seen you in shorts before.”

  “Not wise for the theater.” He opened my door for me, then ran back to the driver’s side and slipped inside.

  “Do you need directions?”

  “I have it in GPS.”

  On the drive north to Raleigh, he steered the conversation to safe topics. The show, the backstage crew, the sound equipment. That was fine with me. I liked hearing him talk. Less than an hour later, we were pulling into the spillover lot at the park. Apparently, hundreds of other people had had the same idea as me.

  Micah went to the ticket booth and bought a strip of ride tickets. “What would you like to do first?”

  “The carousel.”

  “Lead on.”

  We did it all, at least everything that made sense for people our ages. We rode the carousel three times. The mini-train and the paddleboats once each. We listened to a country band in the amphitheater before hitting the snack bar. I loaded a tray and paid, while Micah found us an empty picnic table.

  “What do we have?” he asked when I slid onto the bench across from him.

  “Nachos, iced tea, and snickerdoodles.”

  “I approve of your choices.”

  “Thank you.” I let him tackle the nachos first because, hey, dessert. Initially, we focused on our personal food priorities in silence. But half a cookie later, I was ready to talk. “Are you game for an inquisition?”

  “Sure,” he mumbled around a chip.

  “What will you do after the show’s over?”

  He sipped his drink before responding. “I have a week off, then I’m heading to New York for a pre-college theater intensive.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Two weeks of high-intensity classes on different aspects of technical design, taught by Broadway professionals. My focus will be on sound.”

  “Wow. Did you have to audition?”

  He blushed. “Something like that.”

  “How many will be there with you?”

  “Twelve in this intensive. All rising seniors in high school.”

  Twelve? I wondered how many applied, but it would likely embarrass him if I asked. “Think of all the things you will have learned this summer.”

  “Not the least of which is how to power a paddleboat on my own.” He grinned.

  “Hey.” I tossed a cookie crumb at him. “I was pedaling.”

  “Sorry. Couldn’t tell. So how about you? What’s left of your summer?”

  “I’ve been working for my stepfather’s business. I’m hoping he’ll give me more hours when my current project runs out.”

  “No plans with your friends?”

  I developed a sudden interest in the nachos. “Nothing specific.”

  “Sounds like there’s more to the story.”

  “Not something I want to discuss.”

  “Okay.” He methodically began to collect his trash, his expression blank.

  What was wrong with me? He was being curious, and I’d just shut down the conversation. Maybe I wasn’t as ready to be friends as I thought.

  Around us, the crowds had begun to thin. Cranky little kids were strapped into strollers and pushed toward the parking lot. The park quieted. Couples had it to themselves.

  “Ready to go?” he asked after we’d finished cleaning up.

  “Can I show you one of my favorite spots first?”

  “Of course.”

  “There’s a garden on the far side of the lake and, above it, a hill with a great view. Come on.”

  I played tour-guide/botanist along the way. The gardeners had created a unique presentation of plants and flowers that shouldn’t have gone together but did. Different colors, heights, scents, and textures. Once we’d chosen a shady patch of lawn, Micah waited for me to sit and lowered himself beside me. A friendly distance away. We sat there in silence. It wasn’t awkward either. Just … comfortable. Like we’d agreed not to fill our time with empty words. Instead, we just took in the park.

  It was lovely at this hour, with the sun descending behind the huge oak trees and a light breeze swirling about us. Someone on the opposite side of the lake had brought a guitar and was strumming a mournful tune. I peeked at Micah, to see if he was enjoying it, too. He was leaning on his hands, head thrown back, eyes closed. It must be rare for him to have nothing to do. No responsibilities. No one asking him for anything. It felt good that he could be quiet with me.

  He must’ve felt my gaze, because his eyes opened. When he turned his head toward me, I caught something lonely in his expression.

  “Is everything okay, Micah?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m glad we did this. I like being here with you.”

  He closed his eyes briefly. “Thanks.” He stood and then helped me up. “We should be getting back.”

  We retrac
ed our path down the slope and onto the boardwalk around the lake, not saying anything until we reached the car. I checked my phone and found two missed texts from Kaylynn. The first had come in at two-thirty.

  Trying to plan something. Want to go?

  Of course, she had to ask today. When I was busy. Not that I would’ve canceled my time with Micah for any reason.

  The second text had arrived a few minutes later.

  Heading to Laurel Lake. You should come

  Too late now, but I liked that she’d tried.

  After Micah had merged onto the highway toward Azalea Springs, I made an attempt to talk. He answered in a quietly disinterested tone and flipped on the satellite radio. I gave up, looked out the window, and listened to his music.

  We’d barely left Raleigh behind when my phone buzzed. Another text from Kaylynn.

  We saw Natalie at the lake. Were you there?

  Of course they would cross paths.

  No. She went with friends

  We’re at Winston’s. Join us?

  I was curious about who was with her. If I’d been home, I would’ve gone to meet them. But I couldn’t make it today.

  Can’t. I’m in Raleigh

  K. Bye

  I tossed my phone into my purse.

  “Anything important?” Micah asked.

  “No, it was my friend Kaylynn. She asked me to hang out tonight, but we’ll have to do it another time.”

  When we got to my house, Micah parked at the curb and walked with me as far as the veranda. He wouldn’t look at me, though. Instead, he slipped his hands into his pockets. Pulled them out again. Crossed his arms.

  Were things about to get awkward? I would make it easy on him to say good-bye. Rocking back on my heels, I put some space between us. “Thanks for going with me today.”

  “Yeah. I had fun.”

  Was it the kind of fun that he’d want to repeat? Or a polite way to put me off without either of us being embarrassed? I wished I knew. As much as I wanted to schedule another event, I didn’t want to be shot down.

  We stood there, neither moving, each waiting for the other to speak up.

  Say something already.

  Guess I’d have to be the brave one again. I clasped my hands behind my back to hide their shaking. Not that he would see anyway. He was studying the veranda floor with ridiculous concentration. “Um, so maybe we could hang out another time.”

  “Okay.” He looked up, his expression more thoughtful than worried. “How about tomorrow?”

  “Yes,” I said before he finished the question.

  He grinned. “Sure you won’t take a minute to think about it?”

  “I’m good.” I grinned back. “What should we do?”

  “Hiking?”

  Hmm, he’d come prepared. Which was amazingly hopeful. Dirty, sweaty tramping through the woods would be a purely friendly thing to do, but if it meant I got to be with him, I would take it. “Yes. Can I choose where?”

  “This is your part of North Carolina.”

  “Raven Rock State Park. It’s not far.”

  “Good. Should I pick you up after breakfast?”

  “Afternoon would be better. The trails will be crammed with families in the morning. We won’t have to fight crowds in the afternoon. Want me to pack food?”

  “I’ll take care of everything.”

  “Okay.” I ran up the steps and hesitated by the door. “Good night.”

  “Later.” He jogged to his car and waved.

  Behind me, the front door opened. “What are you doing out there?” Natalie asked.

  I whipped around. Had she seen Micah? “Just got back.”

  “From where?”

  The sound of his car faded down the street. “I went to a park with a friend.”

  She shrugged and stomped up the stairs. I watched her go uneasily. It was doubtful she would be happy about any after-hours contact I had with Micah. Now wasn’t the right time to tell her.

  19

  The Friendly Line

  It was hard to know what the trigger could’ve been, but my stepsister was in a hideous mood Sunday morning. When my mother and I got home from church, Natalie had her door closed and locked. The three of us tried to coax her out, but had to give up after she snapped “Leave me alone” to every question.

  Jeff was tied up in knots. He’d had an outing planned for her, and it was in danger of being canceled. “Do you know what caused this?” he asked me as we were eating brunch.

  “No, sir.”

  “You can’t think of anything?”

  Mom sighed. “Brooke doesn’t know, and neither do I. As we’ve said.”

  His face tightened. He picked up his knife and fork and meticulously cut a slice of ham into squares.

  I tried to intervene before an argument escalated between them. “Maybe something happened at Laurel Lake. That’s out of her routine.”

  “How can we know for sure?”

  “I could call Norah.”

  Jeff considered that. “Maybe—”

  “That’s too much trouble,” Mom interrupted. “Natalie will calm down on her own.”

  Jeff exhaled loudly, placed his silverware on the table with extreme care, pushed to his feet, and left the house.

  “Mom, really. Do you have to speak to him like that?”

  “Leave it alone, Brooke. This isn’t your fight.”

  Yes, it was, if they made me a witness.

  The person I was really mad at was Natalie. I didn’t care if she wanted to sit in her room and sulk like a baby, but Jeff finally had some free time. He was disappointed that he wasn’t spending it with her, and I was going to make sure she understood, even if it meant getting into it with her. I raced upstairs and pounded on her door. “Natalie?”

  “Leave me alone.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Tell me what the problem is.”

  “I will not.”

  “Your dad is worried.”

  “He’ll get over it.”

  She was being an ungrateful brat. What could I do to blast her from her room? “If you don’t come out and tell me what your problem is, I will go in my room and turn One Direction on so loud you can’t avoid them.”

  “I hate One Direction.”

  “That would be the reason I chose them.”

  The door was wrenched open. “Don’t do it.”

  “Okay, then. Why are you pissed off?”

  “I’m not pissed off. I’m recovering.”

  “From what?”

  “Swimming.”

  “If it does this to you, don’t go again.”

  “I won’t.” She slammed the door shut, and the lock clicked.

  “Natalie, go and talk to your dad.”

  “That wasn’t part of the deal. You asked for a reason. I gave one. Now leave me alone.”

  Wow. She was right. She’d done exactly what I’d asked and no more. I had to change tactics. “It would be nice if you would explain things to Jeff,” I said in a quieter tone. “This is his day off, and he can’t enjoy it if he’s worried about you.” I added the magic phrase for her. “It isn’t fair.”

  Crickets. She wasn’t budging. Dragging my feet with noisy attitude, I went into my room and stood uncertainly in the middle. Micah wouldn’t be here for another three hours. That was enough time for something productive, but what?

  Natalie’s door opened. She ran past my room and down the stairs. A minute later, the shutting of the side door reverberated throughout the house.

  I flung myself belly-down across the bed and squealed into the quilt. Dealing with Natalie could be hard, but I’d won this round.

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes before Micah was due, I flung my backpack onto my bed and tossed in a water bottle and sunscreen. After zipping my phone into another pocket, I started out the bedroom door just as Natalie erupted from the bathroom.

  “Where are you going?”

  I hesitated. There was nothing to feel guilty about, and this might
be a good moment to ease into an explanation. “Hiking.”

  “Alone?”

  “With Micah.”

  Her eyes narrowed at me. “Why?”

  I smiled as guilelessly as possible. “Raven Rock State Park is nearby, and he’s never been there. I said I’d hike with him. Do you like to hike?”

  “No.” Her gaze flitted away and bounced restlessly about the landing as she processed what I’d said. She gave a soft snort, then rushed to her room, the door banging shut behind her.

  I’d told the truth—well, mostly—and she’d tolerated it. Since Micah only wanted to be friends, we’d be sticking to hanging out. Maybe everything would be okay after all.

  A car was pulling into the driveway, so I skipped down the stairs and out the front.

  “Hi,” I said as I got in.

  “Hey.” He smiled. “Ready?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let’s do it.” He backed out, and we were on our way.

  It wouldn’t take long to get there, but I planned to fill every second with conversation. “Tell me about your family.”

  “You know Mom. She was born in the U.S., but her parents are from Taiwan. My dad is white. Born and raised in North Carolina. They met in college.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s a farmer.”

  “A farmer?” Did not expect that.

  “Yeah. CSA. Community-supported agriculture.”

  “Which is?”

  “He grows organic produce. A cooperative of families and restaurants buy from him.”

  “Do you help?”

  “As little as possible.” He laughed. “I have two older brothers, Peter and Jude. Both in college. Your turn.”

  “I suspect you know everything about me.”

  “From Natalie’s perspective. Not yours.”

  “Okay. I was born in Wilmington. Mom and I moved here when I was ten…”

  The words flowed. Back and forth, we asked and answered. I hardly noticed our surroundings until he turned onto the lane leading to the park. After we’d found a shady parking place, we got out, slipped on our backpacks, and checked our water bottles. Then we made a detour to use the bathroom and study the park map.

  The trailhead was clearly marked. We walked, side by side, on the wide dirt trail toward the Cape Fear River, descending a sharp incline into a thick tunnel of trees. The only sounds were the call of birds and the bubbling of a nearby but unseen creek.