by Amity Hope
Mason and Clara greeted each other with the friendly, yet cool reserve that they always did.
“Oh, hey!” Mason said. “I didn’t realize they had snacks here. That’s new.”
I looked in the direction he pointed. A small specialty food truck already had a line forming in front of it.
“Popcorn!” Clara’s eyes lit up with her smile. “Do you think they have chocolate covered raisins, too? I love to dump them in the popcorn bucket.”
“Really?” Mason looked skeptical.
Clara arched an eyebrow. “Have you tried it?” He shook his head. “Then you’re missing out.”
“Should we get some?” Mason asked. “I’ll walk over there with you.”
Clara glanced at me.
“Go. Eric and I will pick out a spot and get the blanket spread out.”
“Okay. We’ll be back,” she said.
“Did you hear that Mr. Fogleson won’t be teaching Advanced Physics this year?” Mason asked Clara.
She gasped in indignation. “Why? Who’s going to teach it? Wait? Who cares about that? Who’s going to oversee Honor Society?! We have to have an Honor Society!”
“Right? And what about…”
Their voices faded off as they walked away.
“See? Two little peas in a pod,” I said with a smile.
He laughed as he watched the two of them, obviously in the midst of an intense conversation regarding some fashion of academia.
“Are you in Honor Society too?” he wondered as we started walking to an open piece of ground.
“Oh, no. Not even close. My grades took a nosedive the last year my dad was sick. Clara really helped me out last year. But I’m nowhere near Honor Society worthy,” I explained.
He nodded in understanding.
We wove our way around clusters of people who had gotten here before us. A few of the faces were familiar, but not many. It was almost dusk. The movie was scheduled to start shortly after the sun went down. We probably had just enough time to get settled in, and for Clara and Mason to get back, before the movie started.
These evenings weren’t geared toward families so there were no children milling around. It was surprisingly packed all the same. If many more people arrived, they’d have to sit way back, near the edge of the parking lot.
“How’s this spot?” I asked.
We were off to the side so our view was a little off. However, the blanket Mom had given me was pretty big. Big enough to accommodate the four of us comfortably. There really wasn’t anywhere else nearby that would work.
“It’s good,” Eric said.
He took the blanket that I had tucked under my arm. He shook it out of the tightly folded bundle and then whipped it into the air. It floated to the ground, covering a big patch of earth. He leaned over to straighten out the edges.
I took a step back to get out of his way.
“Hey! Watch it!”
I felt a trickle of something cold splash across my neck and slide down my shirt.
I turned around, ready to apologize, and found myself staring into Jace’s all too familiar face.
The irate expression he wore slowly faded. He looked truly surprised to see me.
“Oh. EmLynn. Hey. You okay?” He readjusted the extra large drink he held and the bag of popcorn that was tucked into his chest.
“I’m fine. Sorry, I should’ve looked where I was going.”
His eyes drifted past me as he ignored my apology. His lips curved into a sneer at the site of Eric.
“You still with him? Aren’t you tired of hanging out with a loser?” Jace asked.
I felt Eric stiffen beside me. He took a step toward Jace. “Aren’t you tired of being an ass?”
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Mason asked.
He handed me the two enormous bags of popcorn he held and stepped in between Jace and Eric.
“Hey, Mason. What’s up?” Jace asked.
“Just hanging out with my friends,” Mason said.
Jace’s eyes darted around our group. “These guys?”
“Something wrong with that?” Mason wondered.
Clara and I shared a look.
Mason was a hybrid combination of brainiac and jock. The guy truly did seem to have everything going for him. To top that off, he was, as Clara had pointed out before, a legitimately nice guy. He was in Honor Society, on the debate team, and he played both football and baseball. Trying to pad his college applications had left him well-rounded. And well-liked.
“Nothing,” Jace said. “Nothing at all.”
“So, hey,” Mason said as he played dumb. “Have you met my friend Eric? We work together.”
“We’ve met,” Eric said, his tone flat.
“Yeah,” Jace agreed.
“Okay, well, see you around then?” Mason’s friendly comment was clearly a dismissal.
Jace said nothing as he turned and walked away. I was disappointed to see that he didn’t go far. He dropped down on a blanket next to Marci. She gave me the blank look she always gave me. As if I wasn’t even worthy of being smirked at.
I quickly spun around.
“So this is fun, huh?” I said.
My sarcasm lightened the mood just a bit.
“It will be,” Clara said assuredly. For the first time I realized she held several cans of soda and a wide assortment of chocolate.
The speakers crackled, signaling that the movie was going to start soon. The four of us, and all of our snacks, got settled in, ready for the movie to start. I wiggled over so that I was right next to Eric. He looped an arm around me. I nestled in close. Now that the sun had slipped away the temp had dropped. Eric was nice and warm.
Clara and Mason sat side by side, a popcorn bag of distance between them.
“See?” Clara whispered into my ear once the movie started. “He’s everywhere you go.”
I gave her a subtle shake of my head. “No, he looked really surprised to see me.”
She didn’t look convinced even though this was one time I was sure Jace hadn’t intended to track me down.
The movie was a loud, action filled film. It did a good job of holding my attention, despite the fact that I was sure I could feel Jace glaring daggers into my back.
* * *
“He’s so amazing,” Clara said.
“What? Wait! Did you two…kiss?!” I channeled my little sisters. My tone came out high, giggly, and teasing.
She swatted my arm and leaned back in the booth.
A large, gooey, cinnamon roll sat—mostly devoured—between the two of us. We each had our usual large vanilla lattes beside us.
It was the next day. I’d given Eric a smug smile when Mason had offered to bring Clara home. He said it was because her house was on the way. Whether it was or wasn’t, I didn’t care. It was on Eric’s way home as well. But I kept that little snippet of information to myself. I realized Clara hadn’t been in a hurry to volunteer it either.
“No! We talked. There was no kissing. What kind of girl do you think I am? That wasn’t even a date!” She looked appalled that I had the audacity to even ask. “He happens to have some amazing views on the Pearl Harbor conspiracy theory. You know I got kicked out of American History last year. I got sent to the office.” She grinned, proud of her rebellion. I nodded. “Because I told Mr. George that I believed FDR allowed the bombing. He did, you know. He wanted us to join the war. It’s perfectly clear when you take a look at the dialogue between FDR and Churchill, prior to the war. He just wasn’t ballsy enough to jump in when he should have. Instead, he let our men get slaughtered. That way the country was raring for a fight.”
I nodded and pretended I was following along.
“How did you two even start up a conversation like that?” I couldn’t help but wonder about the machinations of my best friend’s mind. “It’s summer vacation. There should be no discussions of history class taking place.”
“Oh. Well, in the movie they were blowing up starships, which got me thin
king about battleships. And then I thought about Battleship Row. And the battleships being blown up because they were all sitting ducks and from there—”
“Got it,” I said as I cut her off.
“Regardless, Mason agrees with me one hundred percent. He has some very interesting insight on—”
“Okay!” I said as I held my hand up to cut her off. “As much as I’m enjoying this mini-history lesson, can we refocus on Mason?” I knew from experience that once Clara got running on some crazy intellectual tangent, she was likely to keep going with it until someone reined her in.
She blinked at me. “What about him?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I had this silly little hope that you two would hit it off. Start dating. You know?”
“Nope. Didn’t know that,” she said.
“Well, you should.”
“I think he’s too busy to date,” Clara said. “I mean, the guy is in so many extracurricular activities it’s unreal.”
“Or maybe he just hasn’t met a girl that can hold his interest,” I pointed out. “I mean think about it, Clara. Could you see Marci McFadden, or one of her minions, keeping up with him for two seconds if he brought up conspiracy theories? Or do you think she would care if there was no Honor Society?”
She laced her fingers around her drink and tilted her head to the side. Finally she said, “You do make a good point. A relationship needs more than just physical attraction. It’s important that there is a modicum of intellectual spark.”
“Right,” I agreed with a smile. “What you said.”
“Well, I’m not going to push it. I’m probably not his type. I’m not really any boys’ type,” she said.
“That’s not true. I think you have the same issue that Mason has. You want someone you can really talk to.” I shook my head. “Sometimes I’m amazed you keep me around for a friend. You must have to dumb down your conversations for me.”
She nearly choked on her sip of coffee. “I do not. Besides, it’s different with boys. I have a hard time talking to them. It just helps if we have common interests. With you it’s easy. We just talk about anything.
“Enough about me,” she said as she abruptly redirected the conversation. “I’m glad last night worked out. I’m excited I finally got to meet Eric.”
“And…?” I gave her a hopeful look.
She smiled. “I like him. I’m also kind of impressed that he was able to keep his cool around Jace. After everything that happened at the country club, he could’ve totally gone after Jace last night. I have no doubt Eric could’ve kicked his butt.”
I smiled. I thought so too. “I think Eric’s trying really hard to stay out of trouble. He doesn’t want to disappoint his foster parents.”
I cringed as I realized what a disaster last night could’ve turned into. There could’ve been a fistfight, blood, police intervention, a ruined movie experience for all of those people.
“I’m really glad Mason was there. He did a great job diffusing the situation,” I said.
“He did, didn’t he?” She smiled as she thought that over. She started jiggling discreetly in her seat and I heard her foot tapping against the floor. “Maybe we could do it again? Go out as a group, I mean?”
I nodded and tried not to show too much enthusiasm. I didn’t want to scare her off.
“That’s a great idea. Mom and Phillip have some social engagements coming up. Maybe we could all hang out at my house? Grill some burgers? Hang out at the pool?” I suggested.
She nodded and a smile fought its way onto her lips. “I think that sounds fun. I’ll call Mason and let him know.”
Chapter 14
“I have an enormous favor to ask of you,” Mom said as she breezed into the pool house. Her insanely high stilettos clacked against the tile floor. Her evening gown probably cost more than my first car. The one that I sold when I moved here.
“Mom,” I grumbled.
Eric had just walked in my door. We were two minutes into a conversation, trying to decide what we should do for the evening.
“Well, hello. You must be Eric,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am.” Eric gave her a polite nod.
She smiled at him, blinked, and then turned back to me.
“Sweetheart, I hate to ask. I know you have plans for tonight. But I’m in a bit of a bind.” Her tone was already pleading.
“What?” I hesitantly asked. I knew it had to be something big if she’d bothered herself with traipsing down here in all of her elegant glory.
“You know that we have the fundraiser for the new library tonight,” she started.
I nodded, hoping she wasn’t going to insist at the last moment that I tag along. It would be just like her to try to sabotage my night with Eric. “I know.”
“The sitter canceled on us. Just now!” she exclaimed. “Apparently she has the flu. She said it came on suddenly. I suppose I should be glad she didn’t become ill while she was here. It does cause a dilemma though. It’s too late to try to find someone decent. Phillip and I really ought to be walking out the door at any moment.”
She looked at me imploringly.
I groaned. “Mom.”
“Just this once?” she asked. “Just this once would you please watch the twins?”
“Just this once?” I parroted. “I watch them all the time!”
“This is different,” Mom argued. “I’ve never asked you to watch them during the evening before. Besides, you were just planning on sticking around the house tonight anyway, weren’t you?”
I shook my head. “We haven’t decided what we’re doing yet.”
“Perfect!” She said, as though the matter were suddenly settled. “I realize you have your…friend over. But maybe you could reschedule?” she asked hopefully. She looked to Eric. “You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
As if he would refute her, especially when he was completely put on the spot like that. It was this attribute of my mother’s that I hated the most. The way she sounded as though she were asking how you feel, when really, it was clear that she was telling you how to feel.
Before he could answer, I cut in. “If I watch the girls, Eric is staying.” I turned to him and frowned. “If you want to, I mean. You don’t have to stay. Or I really don’t have to watch them at all. We did have plans.”
“I don’t mind,” he said quietly. I tried to read any hint of hesitation on his face, a nonverbal cue that my mother would miss. All I saw was his easy-going smile.
I raised my eyebrows in silent question. He reached out and squeezed my hand. “It’s fine. Really.”
“Be up to the house in two minutes,” Mom said. “Phillip and I need to get a move on.”
She was out the door without a thank you. Not that I needed one, but I would’ve appreciated it if she’d given that acknowledgement to Eric.
“You’re positive you don’t mind?”
He shook his head but grimaced a bit. “I doubt I’ll be a lot of help. I’ve never been around kids before.”
I laughed. “Oh, trust me. They won’t care. But don’t worry. I’ll watch them, you can just hang out. We better get up there. Don’t want to upset the tyrant.”
“Aw,” Eric said lightly, “she wasn’t that bad.”
I made a face at him and he just smiled and shrugged.
By the time we reached the house, Mom was bustling around, her high heels assaulting the tile floor. She was giving last minute instructions to the twins about their bedtime and their behavior.
“Nice to see you again,” Phillip said as we slipped into the foyer.
“You too, sir,” Eric replied.
“EmLynn, Eric, we truly appreciate you putting your date on hold for this. I have to give a speech tonight, or I would just skip it altogether,” Phillip explained.
“It’s fine,” I assured him.
“We need to go!” Mom said as she hurried to the door.
Phillip pulled it open for her. She slipped out.
He hesitated a momen
t, “Oh, I almost forgot. I took the liberty of ordering a pizza for dinner. It should be here soon. The girls haven’t eaten yet. I left money on the kitchen counter.”
“Sounds good,” I said. “You two have fun.”
The girls shrieked in the other room.
“Yes, you too,” Phillip said with a grin.
A grumbling of thunder rumbled across the sky. Phillip let out a sigh. “Your mother is going to be furious if it starts to rain and she ruins her dress.”
“Good luck with that,” I said with a grin.
“I’ll need it,” he assured me.
“Phillip!?” my mother shouted.
He gave us a quick wave and was gone.
The girls’ laughter floated down the hallway.
“What’s going on in here?” I asked as I marched into the den, hands on hips, stern look on my face.
They both froze, mid-bounce on the sofa, and then they toppled down onto the cushions.
“Madison. Natalie,” I said firmly. “You both know better than that. No jumping on the couch.”
“Sorry,” Natalie said as she hung her head in shame.
Madison said nothing. She was too busy eyeing Eric up. “I know you!” she finally said. “Em gave you a ride one day.”
“She did,” Eric agreed. “My name is Eric. What’s your name?”
“I’m Madison. That’s my sister, Natalie,” she said as she poked a finger in our sister’s direction. “I’m the big sister,” she informed him.
“By eleven minutes,” I clarified.
The doorbell rang.
“Oh, I bet that’s that pizza. Do you mind watching them for like, two minutes?” I asked Eric.
“Go ahead,” he said as he warily eyed the girls.
I gave his arm a squeeze. “Don’t worry. They don’t bite. I’ll hurry.”
I scurried out of the room. I could’ve had Eric pay but I realized he didn’t know where the kitchen was. I answered the door and apologized when I had to ask the delivery man to hold on for a minute. I scampered off to the kitchen, found the money that Phillip had left and hurried back.