Unexpected Attraction
Page 24
Jake surprised her with a fierce hug. “You made the right decision. This is about Shannon and what is going on in her life.” He kissed her, a fleeting kiss that made her want more. “Let’s go find a seat.”
“Right in the front row so Shannon can see me, if you don’t mind.”
“Can we sit with you?” Jake asked as Kyle approached.
“Awesome. How many are you?” Kyle asked.
“Just the two of us and Gina,” said Andrea.
“Cool,” Kyle said, waving to more of his friends, who were seated at the front.
Settling into the front row with Gina, Kyle and Jake, Andrea waited anxiously for the principal to begin, crossing her fingers that Shannon would be okay once she started to speak.
With Jake sitting so close to her, she found it hard not to remember the evening at his place... A flash of insight caught her by surprise. She cared more for Jake than she had cared for any man in her life. What he’d done for her a few minutes ago—letting her come to her own conclusion about speaking up—proved that he was with her, in her corner, and that meant everything to her. More than that, Jake knew her, her strengths, her weaknesses, and still he cared about her.
She watched him surreptitiously, remembering how good his arms felt. She hoped that they would spend time together later this evening. She didn’t care where they were or what they did, only that they were with each other.
She watched him talking to Kyle, leaning across her to joke with Gina, and all she really wanted was to be there beside him.
She was suddenly aware that Jake was looking at her, his warm smile capturing her as his body leaned closer to hers. She imagined him kissing her...
“How’s it going?” he asked.
“Okay, I guess. I’m so glad I’m not going to be up there at the podium. You were right—”
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. My name is Mike Hanson, and I’m the principal of Cambridge High School.” He gazed around at the crowd of people. “We’ve invited you here to talk about one of the major issues in our school today. Bullying has caused many students, boys and girls, so much heartache and unhappiness, has damaged self-esteem and, in some cases, caused physical harm. Unfortunately, we’ve had a very serious incident of bullying that has finally been resolved with the expulsion of one student and the suspension of another.”
Sounds of surprise reverberated around the auditorium.
“They expelled Stuart?” Jake asked.
“I believe so,” Andrea whispered, her eyes on the principal.
“About time,” he whispered back.
“This afternoon we have with us one of our guidance counselors, who was instrumental in beginning the process of intervention, Mrs. Chapman, along with our school psychologist, Mark Jenkins, our vice principal, Carmen Banks, and Shannon Taylor, a young woman who is willing to speak up about being bullied.” The principal indicated those who were seated on the stage.
“I’ve asked Mrs. Chapman to lead off with how an incident of bullying is being handled by the school. Mr. Jenkins and Mrs. Banks will offer their insights into how bullying damages not only the students being bullied, but also the student population in general. Shannon will be the final speaker, and she will talk about her personal experience with being bullied. Without further comment, I’d like to introduce Mrs. Chapman.”
Each member of the school faculty spoke, to the undivided attention of the audience, about their role in addressing the issues around bullying.
Andrea held her breath in a state of fearful anticipation as Shannon approached the podium. Andrea wanted to rescue her child from this situation, and take her home where she would be safe and loved.
“Are you okay?” Jake whispered, his hand sliding into hers.
Andrea nodded, taking comfort from his touch.
On stage, Shannon looked so much more relaxed than she had weeks ago. Before she began, she smiled at her mother and winked at Kyle.
Andrea relaxed a little, her pride in her daughter filling her heart.
“My name is Shannon Taylor. I am a junior at Cambridge High School.” She glanced at Andrea and smiled again. “I have the best mom in the world. She has always done everything a mom could do, including listening to me when I needed her to listen, and being there for me when I need her advice. That doesn’t mean I always took her advice, but I knew her heart was in the right place and that she loved me.” Shannon turned a page and looked out over the audience. “The truth is I’m gay, and because I am gay, I was bullied.”
The audience hushed. How would these people take Shannon’s declaration? Andrea resisted the urge to glance around, choosing instead to focus on her daughter’s face.
“The bullying started when I was leaving the locker room after volleyball practice a few weeks ago. At first I couldn’t believe it was happening, that two of my classmates were determined to hurt me because I’m gay. I don’t know how they found out, but I couldn’t deny the truth. They said other things, other words that were nasty and hurtful. I felt afraid and somehow ashamed that I’d been found out. And most of all, I was afraid of what they’d do next.”
Andrea glanced at Kyle, who was leaning forward, smiling his encouragement. She loved that young man for his support of her daughter.
“Then a couple of the boys in my class knocked me off the sidewalk near the school, and I had to go to the hospital.”
A few quiet gasps sounded.
“If it hadn’t been for my friend and his support, I don’t know what I would have done. My mom was so worried, and I worried her more by not telling her what was going on. I was afraid to tell her, and a little ashamed, that my classmates, kids I’d grown up with, were so mean about something I had no control over. I can’t change who I am no matter how much I’m bullied. I wish that everyone here could understand what it is like to be gay in our world. I didn’t choose to be gay. Being gay is not a temporary state of mind, or an affectation, it’s a fact of life. A fact of my life.”
Andrea listened intently, aware that Shannon was saying publicly what so many people struggled with privately. Yet she felt embarassed by her daughter’s words, a response she wasn’t proud of but could not deny.
Jake squeezed her hand. “She’s doing great, don’t you think?”
She nodded, her anxiety for her daughter growing. Now that everyone knew, what would Shannon’s life be like? Would people accept her? Or would they avoid her? And would the bullying continue? Shannon had so much to look forward to as she continued with her education. But would people like Stuart Jameson continue to harass her, make her life difficult?
“When three members of my class nearly drove my mother off the road, I was terrified. Even though I’d finally confessed to my mom that I was being bullied, I had no idea the bullies would attack my mom.
“This was serious stuff, and I had to do something to stop them. I was ashamed, convinced that somehow I was to blame for these people wanting to hurt me, and now my mother. That somehow I’d done something wrong. I didn’t want to involve my mom, because I thought I could fix this on my own. I’m here to tell you that no one person can stop a bully. It takes a lot of people willing to stand up and say enough. When I told my mother what was going on, she was shocked and worried, and I felt terrible that I’d kept it from her. But she was awesome. With her encouragement, I decided to speak to Mrs. Chapman. I was really afraid that no one would believe me because the people involved in the bullying were from good families and popular in the school.”
Shannon cleared her throat and continued. “But Mrs. Chapman took action immediately, and I can honestly say that Cambridge High School and its staff supported me in every way they could. I’m glad that it’s all out in the open now.”
There was a smattering of applause.
“The point I want to make here is that although I was being bullie
d because I’m gay, you can be bullied about anything, and in any relationship, not just in school. The only one who can stop the bullying is you. You stop it by seeking help and support from your friends and family. And if you’re a bystander in a bullying situation, you have to speak out. To not speak out is to condone bullying.”
Shannon glanced at Andrea, holding her gaze. “Before I finish, I’d like to thank my mom and those who stood by me during all this. My courage to speak out came from you, Mom,” Shannon said.
Andrea fought back tears at her daughter’s brave words. Shannon had done something today that many students could not or would not do. A daughter any mother would be proud of.
“That’s all I have to say. Thank you for listening.” Shannon stepped away from the podium. The room was strangely quiet. Someone coughed, another sniffled.
What now? Andrea worried. She couldn’t leave her daughter waiting there for a response, for some kind of acceptance or validation. She loved Shannon more than life itself. Her daughter had decided to take a stand, and she deserved the support of everyone in this auditorium.
Andrea rose and began to clap. Jake stood with her, followed quickly by Kyle and Gina. From behind her she heard sporadic clapping from other rows in the auditorium. A deep voice from somewhere behind her yelled, “Bravo!”
Suddenly the entire audience was on its feet, clapping and whistling. Two of the students seated in the row across from her ran onto the stage—Kyle joined them—and surrounded Shannon in a group hug.
Bursting with pride for her daughter, Andrea followed them.
Shannon stepped away from the students and came toward her. “Mom, how did I do?”
“You were great.” She hugged Shannon tight, vowing to never lose faith in her daughter. “You set a great example.”
Tears shone in Shannon’s eyes. “Do you suppose Gram would have liked it?”
“I know she would. She would be proud of who you are and what you did this afternoon.”
“I asked Gram to come but she said that it was my day to shine, that she’d wait to hear all about it when I came over to walk Butch this evening.”
Kyle rejoined them. “Wow! Shannon, I thought you’d never shut up,” he teased, giving her another hug.
“You’re the one who helped me write the words. If I talked too long, you have to share the blame,” she countered, giving him a high five.
“We’re all getting together at Martin’s house,” Kyle said.
“Who’s Martin?” Jake asked, exchanging glances with Andrea.
“He’s the head of the student council and he wants Shannon to run. We’ve decided that Shannon’s got a brilliant political future ahead of her,” Kyle said smugly.
Suddenly students wanting to speak to Shannon surrounded them, and Andrea could see she wanted to be with her friends. “I’ll see you at home,” Andrea said, giving her daughter one last hug.
“You bet.” Kyle reached for Jake, wrapping him in a bear hug. “Shannon and I want to know that you two won’t stay out too late this evening.”
“That’s my line. You have a good time, and enjoy your friends,” Andrea said as memories flashed and spiraled through her mind—of trips to the library, days spent making cookies, evenings in front of the TV watching movies. All good memories.
Andrea followed Jake off the stage to where Gina was waiting. “Shannon was fantastic,” Gina said.
“She was.” Andrea hugged Gina, all the while acutely aware that Jake hadn’t left her side. She turned to him. “Since Shannon wants to be with her friends, would you like to go out and celebrate with Gina and me?”
He looked at her, a smile teasing his lips and his eyes alight with awareness. “That would be nice.”
“Thanks for being here.” She clasped his hand as she fought the urge to pull him close, to feel his body next to hers. That would come later when they were alone. “And thanks for getting me to see what was right in front of me.”
He raised his eyebrows in question.
“Remember you’re the one who got me to see Scott was bullying me. And remember how I didn’t want to believe you, because that would make me one of the dumbest women on the planet?”
“You just freed yourself from a bully—don’t start bullying yourself.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is that how you see it?”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to lecture you.”
“Apology accepted.”
“So, where would you like to go?” he asked, tucking his hand beneath her elbow as they followed Gina toward the rear of the auditorium.
“Let’s see,” she said, hugging his arm as they walked, feeling a wave of pleasure at being with him. “Anywhere we can talk.”
“What about Bogart’s?” he asked.
“Should we ask Gina?” Andrea said.
“Where is Gina?” Jake asked, his eyes searching the corridor outside the auditorium.
Surprised, Andrea glanced around. “I don’t know. She was here a second ago, walking ahead of us.”
Jake scanned the milling crowd. “Try her cell phone.”
Andrea called, and Gina answered on the first ring. “I hope you’re with Jake.”
“You know I am. Is that why you disappeared?”
Gina gave a low laugh. “Shannon and I decided we had to take action or the two of you would never get together. Have fun, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Andrea put her phone away. “Gina has decided to go home.”
“She wouldn’t be playing matchmaker, would she?”
“It seems she would. Along with Shannon.” Seeing the smile in his eyes, her body warmed and her cheeks grew hot. If everything went the way she hoped, she would be in for a wonderful evening with the man who made her happier than she’d ever been in her whole life.
“I have a confession to make.” He stopped to kiss her. “I’m pleased that I’ll have you to myself tonight.”
Her head whirling, her heart beating hard and fast, she asked, “Is this an official date, a follow-up to dinner at your house?”
“It most certainly is.”
Jostled by the crowd making their way out to the school parking lot, he asked, “Your car or mine?”
Andrea looked startled and then gave a triumphant smile. “That sneaky woman.”
“What?”
“Shannon and I came here in Gina’s car. She knew that without a car, I would ask you to drive me home.”
“Do you mind?” he asked, opening the car door for her.
“Mind? I have no intention of letting you out of my sight this evening, regardless of how Jericho and Lazarus behave. You’re an amazing woman,” he said, a compliment that made her feel wonderful.
She waited while he got into the driver’s seat and closed the door. “What are you grinning about?” she asked, turning her face to his.
“I’m happy. For the first time in years, I’m really, really happy.”
His words chased away all her doubts. “Me, too,” she murmured around a throat suddenly tight with emotion.
He placed his hands on her cheeks then kissed her gently. “To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings, and to a little celebration—dinner—just the two of us.”
“We are entitled to more than dinner. A lot more,” he said, his mouth covering hers. It was the best feeling in the world.
His hand shifted to the back of her head, holding her lips on his. She felt the heat of his touch as overwhelming feelings of love settled close to her heart. Eager for more, yet content to remain here, she poured her emotions into the kiss, hoping he’d feel what she hadn’t yet said.
“I think I love you,” he whispered.
She focused all her attention on him, treasuring this moment. “You think you love me?”
Andrea’s head felt light. She’d teased him a little because she thought he’d said the words in the heat of the moment. It would be so easy to do. They’d both been through an exhilarating experience that could lead to saying something on impulse.
She couldn’t risk being hurt by love again. Because of that she’d hung back, hiding her feelings, wanting to take things slow. Yet here he was, saying the words she so wanted to hear. But was it real?
“Is love that easy?” she asked, searching his face for an explanation, hoping that he had spoken the truth to her.
“My love is,” he whispered.
All the days and months alone without someone who loved her. All the times she wished she had someone to love. Every moment leading up to now. She was grateful for all of it. But especially for the man sitting across the console from her, a man who had the courage to say the words she most wanted to hear.
The morning after they made love at his place, she’d known she loved him. Yet she’d kept it to herself, afraid that she’d make a fool of herself over him. And now as her eyes met his, she knew that for her there was no going back. If she said the words...
“I never imagined that you’d be the one. When you came into Melody’s office that day, all I could think of was how much I despised you.”
The look on his face said she’d shocked him. “You had to know that. I was angry, but you taught me to let go of my anger, to see life differently. You showed me how much you’d been hurt, how much you wanted a second chance, just as I did. And in the past few days, I’ve realized that I can’t live without you. I don’t want to live without you ever again. I love you.”
His arms went around her, his kisses raining down on her. “You will never, ever regret saying those words. I promise you.”
She clung to him, to his strength and his love. There would never be another moment like this one. “I am so glad you came back into my life.”
His smile embraced her. “We are really going to have a celebration this evening. There is so much I want to tell you. We’ll start with dinner at my place.”