by Carla Rossi
Within minutes they were piling cookies on a plastic tray .
Marti stood at the window and looked for signs their visitors were coming down the street. Joy blossomed in her heart. Turns out the highlight of her new chair-spinning and towel-folding career was the daily visits from the girls in the youth group--and nothing surprised her more .
Melissa was the first through the door, followed by Sara, and two girls Marti hadn’t met .
Hey, Marti, I’m glad you’re here today. Melissa slid her heavy backpack off her shoulder and knelt to the floor to dig inside. I brought my calculus book. Will you still help me?
Boy, will I!
She tried not to smile so big. Of course, she said casually. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea to let on how much she loved math. It wasn’t natural. Might freak the kid out. Grab us some Oreos, and let’s sit over here and take a look.
They sat side-by-side under two dryer hoods along the wall. Melissa pushed her dark brown hair away from her face and handed Marti a pencil with the top chewed off. Her chipped magenta fingernails glided down the pages in search of the menacing equations .
Here it is, Melissa said, and handed Marti a pile of crumpled notebook paper. These problems are supposed to be the review for our test, but the teacher didn’t go over them in class. I don’t know if I’m doing it right.
When’s the test?
Tomorrow.
Then the best thing for us to do is work through them and see if we agree on the answers. If we both come up with the same thing, we’re probably correct.
Melissa shoved an Oreo between her two highly-glossed lips. I’m gonna fail anyway. The teacher hates me.
Marti tucked one leg underneath her and worked the splintered pencil through her fingers. Why would you say that?
I have a C in that class. If I don’t pass this test, I’ll drop to a D--or worse--and my dad’ll kill me.
But if we work through these problems, and you feel good about them, you’ll pass the test and not have to worry. Besides, Marti shrugged. Whether the teacher likes you or not is not the issue.
But she hates me. She doesn’t help me when I raise my hand, and she didn’t let me turn my last assignment in late. She gave me a zero.
Did she let anyone turn the assignment in late?
Melissa dipped her head. No-a.
Marti smiled at the way she turned no into a two syllable word. Well, imagine that. She slapped her thigh. A teacher who sets a standard and follows her own rules. That’s terrible, she teased. We should call the school board.
Melissa cracked a tight smile that soon blossomed to a full grin, complete with Oreo crumbs between her gorgeous front teeth. Okay, I get it. Can we just get this over with?
Sure, but I want you to remember something. Math is exact. One and one always makes two, a half and a half always make a whole, and the square root of one hundred forty-four is always twelve. Some day in college you might really have a difficult teacher, but if you do the work, no one can argue with the result.
I don’t know if I’m going to college.
Marti clasped her chest in exaggerated distress. Not go to college? Look here, Missy, if you’re in calculus as a high school junior, you’re definitely college material. But we’ll save that conversation ‘til next time.
Peals of high-pitched screams and giggles pierced the air. Kimmie and Sara were dancing around, trying to avoid the spray of water coming from a loose hose in the shampoo bowl .
Marti nudged her new study partner. What the heck are they doing? And who is that other girl?
Oh, that’s Tabitha. Everyone calls her Tabby. But the one with her head in the suds is Beth Ann. They tried to chemically relax her hair last week, then color it. They turned it into straw. Kim almost had a coronary. She’s told us a million times not to mess with our hair unless we checked with her first. She’s been putting special shampoo and conditioner on it every couple days. She can’t even try to fix the color ‘cause her hair might break off or fall out.
I thought it looked a little orangey-green.
Yeah, we almost took her up for special prayer in church last Sunday. Pastor James saw her right after it happened and told us he would pray God would either fix it or make it grow really fast.
Marti imagined Jim confronted with that prayer request. That’s hilarious. She reached for a fresh piece of paper. Well, let’s get this done so we can join the party.
It took an hour to finish the problems .
Was that the last one? Melissa rummaged through the stack of paper on her lap and between them. Are we done?
Marti stood up to stretch. Oreo crumbs fell like rain. Yep. I knew it wouldn’t take long once we really started to focus. Do you understand it a little better?
Melissa gathered her things. I think I’m ready. Hey, how is Miss Rose?
She’s getting better every day. She comes home day after tomorrow.
They headed for the others. Whoa, Melissa whispered. I didn’t see her come in.
Who? Marti scanned the group and sucked in a deep breath. Lily Woodruff .
It’s Lily. She hasn’t been around much since she got a new boyfriend.
Marti remembered Mystery Guy. What’s he look like?
Don’t know for sure. She won’t bring him to youth group. I think they hang out a lot at the coffee house.
Bingo. Same guy. What’s his name?
She says it’s Dakota. But we don’t know if that’s his real name or if that’s what he told her ‘cause it sounds cool or something.
You don’t sound like you like the guy.
Melissa shoved her bracelets up on her forearm and pulled her shirt down to cover her belly. Don’t know. She hasn’t come around with him.
Marti studied Melissa’s face. She’d made a friend, no doubt about it. But if Melissa had an opinion or any information about Lily and Dakota, she wasn’t ready to share .
They made their way to the crowd.
It’s about time, Beth Ann teased. We thought you’d do math all day.
Hardly, Melissa snorted. Are there any cookies left?
Nope.
Kimmie tossed her magazine aside. Marti, I think you met Sara the other day when you met Melissa, but I don’t think you’ve met Tabby, Beth Ann, or Lily.
Marti’s shyness started to creep up on her. The one-on-one with Melissa was okay - they spoke the universal language of math. She didn’t know if she could find common ground with the rest of them, even though it was her heart’s desire to do so. She fought the urge to curl up and disappear. Hello.
A chorus of heys and how’s it goin’ filled the shop .
Lily sat down at a shampoo bowl while Kimmie deftly whipped Tabby’s hair into a French braid.
My hair won’t stay like that, Beth Ann lamented .
You’re hair won’t do much of anything right now, Sara snickered. It’s still in shock.
Ha, Ha, Beth Ann answered. At least I didn’t try to color my eyebrows like Tabby said I should.
Melissa took a twirl in the chair. Hey, speaking of hair tragedies, remember that time Lily tried to use hair remover under her arms and gave herself a chemical burn?
Lily bolted up and shot daggers at her. You said we would never mention that again.
Marti had to know. How did that happen? Were you allergic?
No, just brain dead, she shrugged. I rubbed it on, then sat down to watch country music television and forgot about it. By the time I remembered, it had taken the hair off, all right. That and the top layer of skin.
Ouch.
Yeah, she had to hold her arms up for a week, Sara added .
Now they were all laughing. Even Lily. A beautiful child, she lit up the room with her broad smile and twinkling eyes. Marti wondered if she looked like her mother. She sure didn’t resemble Preston Woodruff .
Lily leaned her head back into the bowl. Is it my turn for a shampoo?
No way, Sara snapped .
Yeah, Beth Ann added, we’re just getting
dry from the last one.
Marti looked at the mass of blonde, unruly curls, much like her own. I can do it for you if you don’t mind, Lily. Kimmie taught me how to do a first class scalp massage yesterday.
Go for it. She scooted further back in the chair .
Marti went to the back and returned with a handful of packets. I found these yesterday and tried them. They’re samples that Kimmie forgot about. I love the way they make my hair smell and feel.
Maybe it’ll help, Lily shouted over the running water. I can’t get my hair to do anything.
Marti smiled and worked her fingers into Lily’s scalp. Your hair’s like mine - long, coarse, and wavy, and there’s a lot of it. Most days it’s a wild mess no matter how hard I try to beat it into submission.
Lily laughed. I know how you feel.
While the others chatted and laughed around them, Marti finished Lily’s hair and scooped it up in a towel. C’mon over here, and I’ll comb it out for you. I think you’ll like this conditioner.
Lily sat in the chair and pulled off the brown gauzy shirt that covered her tank top underneath. I think this is wet.
Marti bit her lip. Sorry. I’m not very good at this. Let me get another towel for your shoulders.
It’s all right.
Marti started with one long strand at a time, smoothing out the hair and methodically moving on. She let the first half drop across Lily’s left shoulder. That’s when she spotted the bruise. A series of four nearly identical purplish-blue ovals dotted her upper arm. Marti looked away and tried not to react to the perfect imprint of someone’s fingers pressed into the girl’s delicate flesh. Maybe she and Preston had a typical knock-down drag-out teenaged fight and he yanked her by the arm. Then her stomach bottomed out .
Dakota .
How’d you get that bruise? she asked in the same way she might ask if she wanted a diet cola .
Lily instinctively jerked her left arm, but then froze. Bruise?
Yeah, that bruise on your arm.
Lily rubbed the spot and even made a show of trying to twist her arm around to see it. Humph. Don’t know. Must’ve run into something.
Marti caught Lily’s gaze in the mirror as she continued through her curls. I had a bruise like that one time.
Really?
Yeah. With four fingerprints just like that.
Lily fell silent and turned her gaze toward the window .
I was with my mom and dad in Japan and we were in one of their famous gardens. I think I was six or seven. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I stepped right off the side of a bridge. The drop wasn’t far, but the ground below was covered with sharp decorative rocks. My dad reached out and the only thing he could grab was that soft tender part of my arm. I screamed because I was scared and because it hurt so bad. I think I only hung there for a second before he got his other arm around me, but it was long enough to set the imprint of his fingers and thumb into my arm for about two months.
Lily’s gaze returned to Marti’s. Where are your parents now?
They’re missionaries in Central America. I’m hoping to hear from them soon so I can tell them about my grandma.
Lily nodded. I have to get home to my homework.
Marti stepped back. Sure. We’re done. Your hair looks great. She pulled the towel away. It was nice talking with you, Lily. We need to swap stories again soon. Marti prayed she would accept the offer .
She nodded again. Are you coming to the potluck tomorrow night?
By now all the girls had gathered their things and were heading out .
Yeah, Marti, Melissa added. You comin’? The youth are supposed to be doing something. We all have to be there.
She’d said no to Jim, Kimmie, Danny, Grandma Rose and Susan Curry .
She couldn’t possibly say no to Lily Woodruff .
Of course I’ll be there.
****
Marti whipped Ruby into a shady parking space beneath a maple tree in the hospital parking lot. She entered through a side entrance and followed her well-worn path to her grandma’s floor. After six days, she hoped the doctors would keep their word and let Grandma Rose come home tomorrow .
The daytime nurse that had cared for her for the entire time met Marti at her grandmother’s door .
Your grandmother has requested no visitors today, Marti. Sorry.
Marti dropped her keys even as her knees started to buckle. Oh, no. What’s happened? She started to push through the door .
Nurse Kelley held out a firm but gentle hand. She’s fine, she assured her. She just doesn’t want any visitors today.
Hurt and speechless, Marti blinked in confusion with her mouth hanging open. She finally managed a stilted What ?
Nurse Kelley stood firm in the doorway. Don’t worry. She handed her a piece of paper from a yellow legal pad. Here. She worked with the occupational therapist all morning. She was making her practice writing. She wrote you a note.
Marti snatched the paper from her hand. She recognized the familiar scrawl. Dear Martha, she read out loud, can’t talk today. Have a lot of work to do so I can come home tomorrow. Besides, you have to get ready for the... She narrowed her eyes and clenched the paper tighter. ...get ready for the potluck. What are you taking? She crumpled the paper. Get ready for the potluck? She screeched at the nurse who appeared to have no idea what the problem was. She won’t see me because she thinks I need to cook for the potluck?
Calm down, Marti and lower your voice. Nurse Kelley patted her arm. Your grandma’s trying to rest.
Oh, she’s not doing any such thing. I need to see her.
I’m afraid that’s not possible. She requested no visitors today. Nurse Kelley’s lips curved into a tiny smile. But I can take her a message. She wants to know what you’re taking to the potluck tonight.
You’re in on this, aren’t you? She put you up to this.
Nurse Kelley tried to remain stoic, but her sweet face just couldn’t enforce her grandma’s evil scheme. What do you want me to tell her?
Tell her I’m going to the grocery store to pick up a frozen lasagna or something.
Without taking her hand off the door or opening it any further, Nurse Kelley poked her head inside and relayed the message. A lot of mumbling followed .
She says if you take a store-bought anything to that potluck, she’ll have another stroke. She said she just might not survive it.
Marti crossed her arms and tapped an impatient lime-green sandal on the tile floor. Then ask her what I’m supposed to do. She knows I don’t cook.
Nurse Kelley’s head disappeared, then reemerged. She says to make a fruit salad. She says it’s cut up fresh fruit in a bowl. Anybody can do it.
I know what fruit salad is. Marti growled. Tell her she’s in big, big trouble. Huge trouble.
More conversing in the doorway.
She says she’s been through a lot this week and you don’t scare her. She’ll see you tomorrow when you come to pick her up.
Marti’s jaws clenched to the point of pain. If she didn’t relax them soon, she’d have a headache to go along with everything else. Tell her okay, she answered sweetly. I’ll see her tomorrow. She headed for the elevator .
Oh, and Marti? Nurse Kelley called after her. She says if you try to come back before tomorrow, she’ll call security.
Marti was still growling when she got to the car. You know, Ruby, I have half a mind to go back to that medical supply store today and see what other contraptions I can bring home. Perhaps something from their medieval collection.
Her cell phone vibrated and trilled in the seat beside her. She didn’t even look at the number .
Yes?
I just called to see what time I can pick you up for dinner tonight.
Who is this? She knew full well it was Jim .
His laugh was low and appealing on the other end. You know who this is. What time can I pick you up?
I haven’t decided if I’m coming.
You’re coming. Beth Ann and Sara to
ld me so.
When?
Just now. They’re here getting ready for tonight.
Already?
Yeah, they’re putting on a slide show during dinner. The youth are trying to raise money for a mission trip this summer and a ski trip over the Christmas holidays.
Where are they going to ski?
Colorado. You should sign on as a chaperone. It’s gonna be a great trip.
Marti imagined herself careening down the side of an icy mountain, followed by a road trip home with her leg in a cast. Uh...I don’t think so.
So what time?
Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ll get there on my own when I finish up at home.
When I saw your grandma today, she said she was pretty sure they’d let her come home tomorrow.
She almost slammed on the brakes. You saw her today?
Yeah, about an hour ago. I wanted to check on her before the potluck.
Wait a minute...she saw you but she wouldn’t see me ?
I don’t follow.
Don’t worry about it. She’s just in big trouble, that’s all.
Are you sure I can’t give you a ride?
I’m sure.
Would you consider doing something with me afterward?
Gee, I don’t know. There’s just so much to do in this town late at night. Especially after a rip-roarin’ dinner like the one we’re gonna have.
He laughed again. Well, listen to Little Miss Feisty. You better watch it; I might think you like me enough to tease me.
She dropped the phone .
Luckily, she was still driving around the hospital parking lot, so she just gave up and stopped. She could hear him calling her name as she patted the floor under her seat.
I’m here. I dropped the phone.
You’re not driving and talking are you?
No. Not now anyway. Nice of him to care, but she could do two things at once if she wanted to .
I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing. Talk to you tonight.
She flipped her phone closed and rested her forehead on the steering wheel.
Oh, Lord, I need some help here. I need your guidance in what to do about Grandma Rose, Lily and a job. And Jim. I like him, but there’s no way I’m right for him. I can’t even begin to imagine what he’d think of me if he knew about Philip .