Being Diane

by Dennis Adkins

  Chapter 21

  The people put me on a bus that went to Memphis the next morning. “I know that you lost a son to the cruelty of the juvenile system. I want you to know that I appreciate your kindness while I stayed at your home.” and I hugged them both. The man started crying and his wife had to pull him away.

  I got on the bus and rode to Memphis. When the bus pulled into the station, I saw Mr. and Mrs. Givens waiting in the station. I got off the bus and she grabbed me up and hugged me. Mr. Givens gave me a big hug and took me to the car. They didn't ask any questions about how I got away and I didn't offer any information about it. They drove me to Ms. Givens home and when we got there, she was waiting for me.

  I almost got knocked down by her when she ran up to me and threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. We both just stood there and cried in each-other’s arms. I had missed her so much. Then the Chief walked up and patted me on the back. “Uh Dennis. I need to question you about how you got away.” and he flicked his head back toward two women in business clothes who were carrying brief cases and these big shoulder bags that the police called shop lifters bags.

  “I'm Mrs. Merrill from the Department of Human Services. I'm afraid that you will need to go with me we have some questions for you.” she said rather snootily.

  “Mam Dennis isn't going anywhere with you and if you try I will arrest you for violating a restraining order. Do you understand.” said the chief very menacingly. Then he leaned in close and told them “Go ahead make my day.”

  “Officer if you interfere I will call and have you fired.” she threatened.

  “Go ahead. I have already talked to the mayor and he said for me to enforce the restraining order which by the way I have a copy of right here. It says you may not have any contact with Dennis Allen without the presence of his attorney or the issuing judge. If you come any closer I will be more than glad to let you call whoever you want from the county lockup.” growled the chief. “Now leave!” The two of them got in their car and left pronto. “You know it was a peculiar thing that happened the other day. Every deputy in three counties all got busy at the same time and the Trooper’s car ran out of gas down south so no one could help them. Be at work on time for a change. You were two minutes late the other day and my wife was hopping mad. Oh and the mayor said you can wear anything you want.” Then he tipped his hat and left. I had a lot of respect for that man from then on. I hated it when the State Police called and put him on the force.

  “I have missed you all so much.” I said. “Especially you Julie. They didn't try to fire you because I took off out the back door did they?”

  “Come on in and I will tell you what happened.” she said while walking me into the house. We sat down at the kitchen table and Defiance came running up to me and jumped on me. He ran all over me until I caught him and held him gently in my hand.

  Annie and Sally came running into the house and hugged me. Both were asking me about a dozen questions a minute and Julie had to stop them. Ms. Givens asked, “Would anybody like something to drink before I tell my story?” and she got a resounding No! From us all.

  “So what happened.” I asked.

  “Well it seems as though Mr. Alverez called the president of the school board and was told that I would not be fired under any circumstances and the state board said the same thing. As a matter of a fact, they took great offense to a teacher being accused of such things by a pervert like Johnson. The Governor got involved and made it clear that they couldn't go around threatening people just because they didn't get their way. Mr. Killibrew and Mr. Rosenthal both have gotten the State Attorney General’s office to agree to investigate the DHS. So I don't think that they will be a problem anymore.” She informed us.

  I stayed there as long as I could stand it and asked if I could go home. I really missed Smokey and wanted to see him. Mr. Givens said he would take me. Ms. Givens gave me some clean clothes to take with me so I would be nice in the morning. I gave her a big hug and Mr. Givens took me home.

  “Diane, I really wish you would consider letting us adopt you and come live with us. I miss having kids in the house and I miss you. I know you love that farm and want to stay on it but please give our offer some consideration.” he said.

  “I will.” I said.

  “By the way your latest stock pick exploded.” he said.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “That penny stock and the other one have both tripled in value and you now are worth over forty thousand dollars. You are the best investment I have ever made.” he said.

  At the house, Smokey came running up to the car barking. I got out and he jumped up and I caught him in my arms. I had forgotten that he was too big for that and the two of us fell to the ground. He licked my face all over and we rolled on the ground for a few seconds. I was so happy to see him again.

  “You know, I see now why you needed to come home. There's nothing like having a friend like him.” exclaimed Mr. Givens with a smile. Then Smokey let him pet him. I was really afraid that he was going to bite him but he didn't.

  I thanked Mr. Givens and took Smokey and went to the barn. Mr. Givens asked to see the barn. So I showed it to him. He seemed impressed with the work that I had done. He also seemed real interested in the construction of the barn. He said he had to go and hugged me good bye.

  A few days later, a man showed up and asked to measure the barn and take some pictures. I didn't see why not. So I let him. He said he was an architect student and he wanted to study the construction of the barn. I thought it odd though when he wanted to know where the farm well was.

  The next day I got up and left for school early and took a shower in the gym. I pulled out the clothes that Ms. Givens had given me and found that there was a pretty blue blouse and a pair of bell bottom jeans along with a pair of ankle socks and under wear. I put them on and was putting my stuff from my other clothes in the pockets and found a note in the back pocket.

  “Diane I saw these and thought of how cute you would look in them.” Love Miranda.

  That was the nicest thing she could have done for me. To leave that note where I would find it. She was wonderful. I teared up for a minute overcome with happiness to have a friend like her. I was standing there looking at the note not paying attention to the fact that someone had walked in.

  “Hey girl, I didn't know you were in here.” said Amy.

  I hadn't put my jeans on yet and was standing there in my panties. Amy came up to me and reached down while I was trying to get the jeans on and she felt my bottom. “I love those panties. Does the bra match?” she asked.

  “Yes they are the same color and pattern.” I said. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I have to get the gym open we are going to have a special practice this morning. Oh and you have to be here. It's during the lunch period. So don't forget.” and she went on and took care of whatever she was here for.

  I brushed my hair and put it up in a ponytail. It was about time for class so I put my dirty clothes in my back pack and started to leave when I heard heavy breathing coming from around the corner. I peeked and saw Amy and her boyfriend doing some really heavy petting. I didn't say anything and left quietly. I met Sally and Annie outside the building and we talked about the practice that we were having. Carey came up and told us that our sponsor had gotten us a spot in a cheering competition and that we were going to have to learn a dance for it. She looked at me and asked, “You do know how to dance don't you?”

  “I have never danced before.” I admitted.

  “Well don't worry we will teach you.” she said.

  Mr. Alverez was standing by the door as we filed in to go to class. “Diane you look lovely today.” He said. Annie and Sally giggled at that.

 

  “Can you believe he called you by your girl name. I like it. Now we just have to get you a cheer skirt to go with the top.” She said.

  At lunch Carey told the rest of us what was going on. She also said th
at the three guys would need a lot of work learning how to dance for the contest. She also said that if we won we would have a chance to go to a three state competition in Memphis. I could tell she really wanted to go to it. She set up a practice schedule for three times a week and then as the competition got, closer it was going to be a four day schedule.

  I was already busy enough, what with filling in the cracks in the walls and floors of the barn and working on the weekends and having to do extra work two times a week. I was starting to think that I was going to be a little overloaded. I was reminded that this week was Thanksgiving and we were going to be off Thursday through Sunday. Carey though had scheduled a practice session on Thursday evening and on Friday evening. I wasn't going with Ms. Givens so I knew I would be able to go to them. I wasn't doing anything on either day anyway so it really wasn't a problem. That afternoon I stayed in town and asked Ms. Givens if I could use her telephone to talk to Mr. Washington. When I talked to him, he asked me if everything was going ok and that he needed to see me one day soon. I told him I wasn't going to be with Ms. Givens for the holiday, but I would make arrangements to try to come up the next weekend on Saturday for the day. I explained that I had a weekend job that kept me in food and basics. That was when he told me he could cash out some of my stocks and send the money to me the next day I thought about it for a second and agreed to take a thousand dollars out. He told me to go to the bank tomorrow and pick up the money. I told him I wanted him to sell and put the proceeds on two other stocks that I had been watching. One was a biomedical company and the other was a banking firm. He questioned me about it, but said he would do it.

  “Thank you for letting me use the phone to call Mr. Washington.” I said.

  She walked up to me and hugged me close. “I am so glad you are back. I was worried about you so much.” she said. Instead of letting me go, she just continued to hug me and stroke my hair. The she let go and said. “Why don't you go to the grocery store with me. I would love the company. I don't have to pick up a lot since I'm not going to be here this week end, but I need some things.”

  “I'm sorry I have to go and make sure that I am still scheduled for this weekend.” I really wanted to go with Julie, but I had to take care of business first.

  “I understand, but I want you to be careful up there.” she said.

  “I promise. I won't get in to any fights or anything like that.” I said. She tweaked my nose and I left to go check the schedule.

  I met the chief at the police department and he looked unhappy. “Dennis the mayor got a phone call from our insurance carrier today and I'm afraid that I am going to have to let you go. They say that you aren't old enough to be doing dispatch work. I'm sorry. I fought it hard but they wouldn't budge on the issue.”

  So I had been fired. Now I was going to have to find another job to live on. Well at least I could go to Memphis and meet with Mr. Washington and find out what he needed. I was walking out of town and met Sally walking down the street.

  “Hello. Good looking. You looking for a date?” she said.

  “Well I wouldn't mind hooking up with a really wild chick.”

  “You found one. I have been known to do three at a time.” she joked.

  “Well then let's go.” I said.

  “Great let's go to Amy's house. That's where I was going anyway. She wants to work on some clothes.” she said.

  “I guess that is better than working on her boyfriend.” I said.

  “And what does that mean?” asked Sally.

  “I caught the two of them just about to do 'it' the other day in the gym. She doesn't know I saw her.” I said. “I can't for the life of me see why she would take such a risk right there in school. What if one of the coaches had caught her. They would have suspended both of them.”

  “Well, ya'll talk about me being boy crazy but she is really crazy. I caught her with one of the seventh graders last year. And she wasn't being very ladylike at all. Don't say anything about that she doesn’t think anyone knows. Speaking of not thinking anyone knows, I saw Clement and Rory making out this afternoon between classes. Rory had Clement backed up in the corner by the home economics building and had his hand in Clements pants. It was so gross to see.”

  “Eeewwwhh!!! That's so nasty.” I said. “I can't believe that Clement is gay. I thought he was dating Sylvia?” I said.

  “He was. That was what has me blown away, but I can tell you that he was enjoying it just as much as Rory. I always figured that Rory was gay but Clement. Naw couldn't be. You don't think he is like Ted and just doesn't know what he is do you?”

  “Could be. Or maybe he just hasn't met the right girl.” I said.

  “What are you?” asked Sally.

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Are you gay”

  “I don't know. I know I absolutely love it when you hold my hand or kiss me. Although I am so confused. I know I am growing up to be a woman and so are you, so what does that make us? I am so afraid that I am going to hurt you and I don't want to. This has been the worst year I have ever had. My grandfather died, I was almost beaten to death and I have killed two men. Oh and not to mention being accused of having sex with my teacher and my friends for money. Now I am wondering if I am gay and I don't know how to find out. Shoot I don't want to find out. I would just as soon as not have sex, than to have it and be wrong.” I said.

  Sally took my hand with her warm soft hand. I was enthralled by her touch and by her smell. The way she looked with her hair blowing around her face. I still got the feeling like I was going to faint just by something as simple as holding my hand. I still saw the face of an angel every time I saw her. I still melted when she smiled at me.

  “Have you been over to Ms. G.'s.” she asked.

  “Yeah I had to use the phone and she let me use hers she asked me if I wanted to go to the grocery store with her. I needed to find out if I was on the schedule so I went by the station and the chief told me I couldn't work there anymore because the insurance company says I am too young. So I'm back to trying to find a way to live again.” I said. For some reason I just couldn't put the money that I was getting with money that I could use to live on. It was like I had a block about using it to live on.

  Amy was so glad to see me. She invited us both in and took us into her bedroom. She had several things laid out on the bed and asked us to help her pick out what to wear to the sports banquet in Charlestown on Saturday night. She said that Jerry, her boyfriend was in the group that was being honored by the local sports writers and it was supposed to be a big shindig. She picked out a really short dress that left very little to the imagination and started stripping right then and there to try it on. I eased out the door to let her change. More to protect me than her. I knew that even though I was looking like a girl and acting like one, I was still considered a boy and it wouldn't look good for me to be around a naked teenage girl. Amy put the dress on and I went back in to see what it looked like.

  To be honest I was appalled by it. It was red and slinky, rather tight and showed a lot of leg and cleavage. She looked like a whore on the street. I just knew she was going to ask me what I thought of it and I was going to hurt her feelings when I answered honestly. I had to think of a way to make her understand that it was not the thing to wear to a banquet especially one that carried such importance for Jerry.

  I had asked around about Jerry and found out that his parents were very conservative and being with someone dressed like that would make them very uncomfortable and possibly would make them call a halt to the relationship. I was saved once again by Sally who practically ordered her to take it off. The ensuing argument got pretty heated for a few minutes.

  “Sally, you are just jealous because you can't go to the banquet too. I mean Diane isn't a football player and you can't go.” said Amy.

  “That is not the reason and you know it.” exclaimed Sally. “You look like a tramp in that thing. What are you wanting to do have sex on the table in the middl
e of the banquet? Because that's the message you're giving out.”

  “Diane what do you think. Do I look like a tramp?” asked Amy.

  I didn't know what to do so I took her hands in mine and looked into her eyes and said, “Amy I know you want to have sex with Jerry and he knows it, but there is no need in making it look like you are wanting to screw every boy in town. And I don't think he will appreciate you looking like you do. I know you have a knock out body and a wonderful personality that I love, but I wish you would reconsider your choice in dresses. Do you think his parents will approve of it and do you think they would let him see you anymore if they saw you out in public dressed like that. Please reconsider.”

  “She started crying. I put my arms around her and held her tight and Sally joined in. “Amy I am so sorry I said what I said. Please forgive me.” she said.

  “I do.” Amy said.

  “Now can we find you something a little more appropriate?” said Sally.

  “Yes let’s do.” said Amy.

  We looked through everything she had and nothing looked good enough. I was thinking that this might be a dead end when I remembered one of the dresses that Mrs. Givens had sent to me. “Can you dry your eyes long enough to walk up to Ms. Givens house for a few minutes. Even though you look rather hot with raccoon eyes from your make up being smeared.”

  She smacked me on the arm and gave me a bite me look. So I did. Not hard just a little nip on the nose. “What did you do that for?” she demanded.

  “You gave me a bite me look so I did. And I might add you taste good.” I smirked. I got smacked again but this time by Sally who crossed her arms and patted her foot. “Uh, come on let’s get you into something else. Before I need an ambulance.” I said.

  Before I could say anything else, Amy said. “The only way I will go with you is if you let me dress you up first. Now strip.” She said and Sally nodded her head in agreement and giggled.

  “Now wait a minute this isn’t exactly appropriate. What if your Mom or Dad come in?” I said trying to get out of it.

  “Mom knows about you and Dad is at work so strip or we will do it for you.” Amy said.

  Sally joined in. “Oh never mind let’s do it for him anyway.” And reached out to start unbuttoning my shirt.

  “I’ll do it, but at least let me get undressed in the bathroom.” I pleaded.

  I took off my shirt and pants in the bathroom and Amy pulled out a cheerleader outfit that had a skirt instead of pants and I took it through the door. I put it on and knew it was too short for casual use but just right for cheering after I put it on she put on a pair of pants and a top. Then she and Sally fixed my hair by putting Blue and White ribbons in my hair and a little eye makeup and declared that they were ready to go. Then Amy stopped me and put on some lipstick on me. I was thinking that this was getting out of hand. We were going out the door and Carey met us on the side walk. She stopped and stared at me. Then she threw her arms around my neck and said. “This has just solved my problem.”

  We looked at each other in confusion. “What problem?” I asked.

  “Marian had to quit today because her parents are leaving town to take a job out west. You can take her place without any problem. You look great in that dress. What do we call you.” said Carey.

  Sally spoke up and said. “Cary meet Diane.”

  Carey covered her mouth in surprise at the realization that I had been using that name for a while. “I kind of thought that you were turning into a girl this year but now my suspicions have been confirmed. Welcome to girlhood sweetheart. So why are you wearing that right now?”

  Amy told her the story and asked her to come along with us. I was surprised that Carey accepted me so readily. I really thought that she would be the one that I would have the most trouble with. As it was, she was the most accepting of them all. She seemed overjoyed for me. She also seemed to be the most informed on the subject. She told me that before her parents had moved here she knew a boy who was going through the same problems as I. She said his parents sent him to a church camp that had shaved his head and he lost all of his beautiful long blond hair and that they had beaten him daily and made him stand up in front of all the others and declare that he was a sinner. He had said that there were about twenty guys about his age who were gay or wanting to change their sex or into drugs. They were all kept there for about six months at a time and had a tough time of it. She said he got out and started letting his hair grow out again and began to dress again and then one day he ran away. She had gotten a letter from him one day from San Francisco and he was doing a lot better living on the streets as a prostitute than he ever did at home. He asked that she destroy the letter so his parents wouldn't know where to find him.

  “I can relate to his misery. I am very lucky to have friends like you that care for me and protect me when I need it. You don't know how much better I am since I have come to know all of you.” I said.

  “Diane, I personally don't see a problem with you. You aren't doing it to attract attention to yourself and I don't believe that you are doing it to have sex with Sally.” and Carey grinned. “Although, I don't think you would have a lot of problems getting it.” Sally gave her a dirty look for that. “But you have to know some people are very unhappy with you right now. For instance, I overheard one of the busybodies in the church my parents make me go to talking about you and it wasn't very Christian like. She said you needed to be driven out of town because you were a pervert who screwed little boys in the butt and used the dress as a disguise to be able to lure girls into immoral relations. I got mad and told her she was full of shit and I got a spanking for that. Not for telling her off, but saying the word shit.”

  “Let me guess it was Mrs. Carmichal. She has been saying some rather nasty things about me lately.” I said.

  “Yes that's her. The Bitch! She walks around with that Bible acting all sweet and innocent ,when she is really a demon.” said Carey. “Dad has already had a run in with her that got pretty heated because she thought my dress was entirely to revealing and she demanded that he make me wear something? Conservative? Dad told her to and I quote “suck his dick.”

  “I like your dad.” I said.

  “He would like you too. He likes independent people who speak their minds. I think he was a beat nick in college. A free spirit who wrote poetry and drank a lot of coffee. Mom is just like him. When she found out what happened, Dad had to keep her from going out and beating the crap out of her. Since then when Mrs. Carmichal tries to suck up to Mom, my Mom gives her the finger and walks away. The funny thing is that I have seen some of the other ladies in the church doing the same thing.” said Carey.

  We turned the corner to Ms. Givens house and speak of the devil Mrs. Carmichal came up behind us and stopped the car. “Girls just what do you think you are doing out at this time of the evening walking without a parent. Do your parents know where you are?” We just glared at her and didn't say a word. “Well answer me!”

  Carey was the first. She held up the middle finger of her right hand and the rest of us did the same. I thought Mrs. Carmichal was going to have a stroke. She turned red and started huffing and blowing and drove off. We all laughed hard over that.

  Ms. Givens invited us in and commented on the cheerleader outfit looking good on me. I asked if I could show Amy one of the dresses that her mother had sent. “Why of course you can they belong to you.”

  “How long have you known about Diane?” asked Carey.

  “I discovered it, but I don't tell anybody. I have found out that it‘s better if the fewer know the better. I couldn't help notice that Mrs. Carmichal stopped and talked to you down the street. I was getting my coat to come and get you away from her. She is a mean and hateful woman and you have to be careful around her. She is full of righteous indignation and she doesn't mind causing anybody trouble if she can, even if she is wrong. She will twist it and turn it until it looks like she is right. So what is the dress for.

  “It’s for
a banquet and dance in Charlestown where Jerry is going to be given a football award by the local sports writers.” said Amy.

  “OOOO, I heard about that today. He's getting player of the year or something like that isn't he?” said Ms. Givens.

  “Yeah something like that and I need a dress.” said Amy.

  “Take her into your room and show her the dress that Mother sent.” said Ms. Givens.

  I took them into the spare bed room, I had never heard it called my room before. That was a surprise. I pulled out a party dress that was stunning. It was an ivory colored ankle length dress that had what looked like a sparkly material and it was a sheath dress that had a collar with a keyhole opening in the front and was sleeveless. A matching purse was with it. I just loved it and knew that it would look great on Amy especially since she had the body for it. She didn't need any augmentation anywhere to make it look great. I told her to try it on. She pulled her top off and dropped her pants and stepped out of them she took the dress and pulled it on, Carey zipped up the back. She walked out to the hall where the full length mirror was. She looked great and with her hair up, she would look five years older and very much a lady. Someone that anybody would love to be seen with.

  She took the dress and she and Carey carried it back home with them. I stayed behind with Sally and changed back into my blouse and pants. I hung up the cheerleader outfit and Ms. Givens offered to fix us something to eat but Sally said she had to go home her mother would be looking for her. I told her I would walk her home since it was getting dark. Sally wanted me to meet her parents. I remembered that I had makeup on and didn't think it was such a good idea. I asked to do it another time but she wouldn't hear of it. So in I went. Sally stopped me and had me to take off my shoes and put on a pair of slippers that they kept by the door. I thought that was kind of strange, but I found out why in a few minutes. Her mother, got up and hugged me and her sister gave me a hug also. Her father wasn't home yet so I don't know how he would have reacted. Sally told her about Mrs. Carmichal and about how rude she was. Sally's Mother thanked me for walking Sally home and then she asked me to wait right there for a minute.

  We heard her mother giving Mrs. Carmichal a good cussing and she told her that the next time she spoke to Sally or Liz she was going to call the police, and she slammed the telephone down on her.

  She came back in and announced that she felt better now than she had in a while. She was a hoot and I really liked her. Sally wanted me to see her bedroom and her Mother had now objections to it. Sally practically drug me down the hall into her room.

  I thought Ms. Givens room was neat, but Sally’s room was the neatest and cleanest room I had ever been in in my life. She had dolls lined up on the shelves and they were put there in order of size with a small one in the middle and they progressed to each end to the biggest. She had books of all type lined up on shelves on one side of the room and had a desk next to the window that had all of her school supplies neatly placed on it. I saw magazines that were arranged according to name and they were alphabetized. Her bed was made up and had a comforter and dust ruffle on it that matched the color of the walls and two big fluffy pillows. This was a far cry from what I saw at school where her books were stuffed with papers and her shoe was untied on occasion. “My Mom is a neat freak.” She said.

  I just nodded and stared at it.

  “I drive her crazy sometimes, because I won’t make up my bed or put my dirty clothes in the hamper. Still it makes it a lot easier to find things because of the way they are organized. Watch this.” And she sat on the bed and patted the bed next to her. I sat down and she wiggled around for a second and then she got up and pulled me up. I started to smooth out the wrinkles, but Sally stopped me and called for her Mom.

  Her Mom came in to see what she wanted and Sally said. “Never mind I found it.” Her Mother immediately went to the bed and smoothed out the wrinkles and made sure that the comforter and dust ruffle were the proper height from the floor.

  Her Mom stopped and looked at me and walked over and pulled a stray thread from my collar. “There all better.” And she left.

  “See what I mean.” Sally said. “Dad says she has an obsessive-compulsive disorder and has her see a doctor for it. I don’t mind though because I love her anyway.”

  I just nodded. I was so amazed at what I had just seen I couldn’t speak. I was afraid to sit down anywhere because of it. I was afraid she would come and make me sit a certain way and make sure I didn’t wrinkle anything. “So does she get violent or anything with this?”

  “No, but she and Dad have to have a talk every now and then to get her back on track. Now you see why I don’t bring many of my friends over, it’s kind of embarrassing really. When she is really bad, she will straighten your clothes and ask to clean your shoes. Right now she is doing pretty good.”

  “So does she do this out in public?” I asked.

  “Sometimes when we go to the grocery store she will arrange the cans on the shelf or the fruits and vegetables to make them look prettier. The store manager used to get really angry about it, but Dad went and talked to him about it and now he just smiles at her and does his best to get her to not focus on the arrangement, but on what she needs and it helps. Would you stay and have supper with us? Please.” Sally begged.

  “Do you think it is alright? I mean I won’t upset her will I?”

  “No if that was going to happen then it would have already happened. When she hugged you, I knew that she liked you. You see she has touching issues that are part of her condition and she doesn’t like to be touched. I really think it would help if you stayed. We don’t get a lot of company.” Sally looked sad.

  I realized that it was the first time I had ever seen her sad and I couldn’t help myself, I reached out and pulled her to me and gave her a hug. “Sure, but can we offer to help cook or clean up afterward?” I said while holding her to me. She looked up at me with those big blue eyes of hers and just stared at me.

  “I think that would be great. Thanks for holding me. I needed it right now.” She said.

  We went into the kitchen where her Mom was and Sally asked if I could stay for dinner. Her Mom looked at me with a scared look then as suddenly as it appeared it disappeared and she smiled. “You know I think that is a wonderful idea. Diane do you like macaroni and cheese?”

  “Yes mam I do, but would let us fix it for you so we can visit while we cook?” I asked.

  “I will. I you need any help just call.” Her Mom said.

  We went into the kitchen and we heard her Mom on the phone talking to her Dad telling him that he needed to be on time since they had company tonight and that we were making dinner. Then she went into the living room and turned on the TV and left us alone. Sally’s sister came in and asked what we were doing.

  “We are making macaroni and cheese for dinner and you can make the salad and the tea.” Sally said.

  “Does Mom know about this?” Liz asked.

  “As a matter of a fact she does and she agreed to it.” Sally answered. “I think that this a day for a celebration, how about if we make some green beans and creamed corn to go with it.”

  Liz looked at her and smiled. “I would love some creamed corn. Diane are you staying for supper?”

  “Yes, I am.” I answered.

  “Yes, then I want to talk to you.” Liz announced.

  “Oh no you don’t.” Sally said.

  “Oh yes I do. Tell me Diane have you kissed Sally?” Liz persisted. Sally turned red and started toward her sister with mayhem in her eyes.

  I grabbed Sally’s hand and prevented her from killing her sister. Sally turned and looked at me and I looked into her eyes and said. “I won’t tell.” I said to Liz. “I think your sister is the best friend I have and I love her for it.” Sally smiled and turned back to the preparations.

  We had a great time at Sally’s house and I found out that just because you have a problem it doesn’t have to take over your whole life. Her Mom I could
tell was having anxiety issues about me being there and letting us cook and clean the kitchen, but she seemed to relax and enjoy the evening. Sally told me that she was more relaxed than she had ever seen her and wanted me to come back as soon as I could. Her father was amazed that she would even let us in her kitchen and seemed to be happier because had done it. He thanked me for coming and when I went to leave Liz walked out with Sally and I.

  Liz turned to me and with tears in her eyes said. “I don’t want you to leave. Mom is acting like a normal person with you around. I mean I love her and all, but it is so nice now she is talking and laughing and enjoying herself. Usually she is up cleaning or something like that. Please don’t go.” And she suddenly grabbed me and hugged me tight.

  “Liz, I didn’t do anything. She obviously realized that it was time the two of you took a bigger role in helping around the house. So don’t cry.” I said and held her.

  She looked up at me and sniffled and said. “I don’t believe that and you don’t either, but I want you to promise to come back.”

  “I promise.” I said and held out my pinky finger and she hooked it with hers. Then she really surprised me by kissing me on the lips and taking off for the door. She stopped and said. “Sally is right you do have the softest lips.”

  I looked at Sally and she said. “I may have told her about kissing you.” And she tried to look away.

  I got tickled and started to laugh and she finally put her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder and said. “Thank you, she is right, Mom is acting better tonight than I can remember in a long time.”

  We stood there on her porch like that for a few minutes and then she kissed me not like a quick peck on the lips, but a real kiss and then she turned from me and ran back into the house. Leaving me confused and dazed at the events that had just transpired.

  I left and walked home. Thank goodness, I had my coat on because it was a clear night and the wind was picking up out of the west making it a lot cooler since the sun had gone down. When I got home Smokey was waiting on me. He seemed agitated about something though and didn't want me to go into the barn. As I walked in, I saw that the door to the loft that I had built over the stairs was ajar. I backed out and hid in the grease shed. I waited about an hour when three figures walked out and headed down the lane to the orchard. I followed them staying in the shadows out of sight. They got to their car and I recognized it. It was the women from the DHS and they had a really big man with them wearing a blue uniform and a badge. I recognized him as the State Trooper that gave me a ride home the other night.

  “He's got to come back sooner or later. I say we wait a little while and go back up there and try to catch him then.” said one of the women.

  “I agree. Don't you officer?” said the other.

  “I'm just here to make sure that the law is obeyed.” he said and I could tell from the tone in his voice that he really didn't want to be there.

  “Now if we approach and that viscous dog comes a running again I demand that you dispatch it with your revolver. That is an order.” The first woman said.

  “I told you I am not shooting the dog and that is final and don't even think about trying to get me into trouble over that. Period!” he said and walked away into the darkness. He walked right up to me and stood looking away from me. He looked around and then he whispered, “Leave quietly and take the dog with you. Go call your attorney. These two battle axes want to take you away. Now go.” and he walked away.

  “I took Smokey and walked to Uncle Will's house and told him what was going on. He called Mr. Rosenthal who apparently got pretty stirred up over it and then he told me to stay put and called the Sheriff. Then he took off in his truck with Will and George. A little while later, he came back. George said, “You should have seen Daddy. He told them to get the hell off his property and don't come back. Those women tried to say they were conducting an investigation and that there wasn't anything he could do. But that State Trooper told them that technically if he told them to leave then they had to go. Those two battle axes were mad as hell but the Trooper told them to get in the car and leave. The Sheriff showed up and lit into them and said that he was going to put them in jail for kidnapping if they showed up again without a warrant. He wasn't playing. Then one of the women said that the restraining order had been lifted and that she could take you anytime she wanted. The Sheriff said he would still arrest her for kidnapping if she tried. Then the Trooper pushed them both into the car, but when he turned to get into the car he looked at us, smiled and winked.”

  “Dennis I want you to stay here tonight. You can sleep on the couch. And you,” he addressed Smokey. “don't get too comfortable I am letting you stay for one night. That's all.” Then he petted Smokey on the head.

  I stayed there that night and Smokey slept behind my legs, by the morning he had pushed me onto the floor and took the blanket. I got up early like always and took off for school. When I got there I took a shower like usual and walked out to tell Sally what had happened. She wasn't too keen on me staying out there at night, but I didn't really have any choice. It was my home and I was improving it all the time. I had to figure out how to get those two bulldogs from DHS off me though. I thought I would ask Ms. Givens for a ride to Charlestown to see Mr. Rosenthal. This had to be resolved. Well, I didn't have to go to Charlestown that afternoon instead Mr. Rosenthal called and asked me to call him that day at lunch.

  I called like he asked and he told me that he saw the judge that day and got the judge to issue the emancipation order to stop the DHS people from bothering me. Although he told me to lay low for a few days until he could get the order in writing for to me to carry around with me. I asked and got permission to leave school for a few minutes to run up to the bank to see if Mr. Washington had actually done what he said he was going to do. I went into the bank and asked if I had something there. The bank president came out and took me into his office. He pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. Inside was a check for one thousand dollars. I almost fainted. I had never seen a check for that much ever. “Dennis I would like for you to consider a checking account for that money since it can be dangerous to carry that much around with you.” said the banker. I agreed and he opened one for me. I asked for twenty or thirty dollars to live on in the meantime. He gave me some counter checks and told me to write my account number on them when I needed to write one. He also told me to be careful with my money and that it was a great responsibility to have a checking account. I thanked him and went on back to school.

  Ms. Givens gave me the afternoon off. I caught the bus home and found Smokey waiting for me. I took him and we went to Uncle Will's. I asked him if we could go and look at that truck that Sylvia's dad had. He thought it would be a good idea. Will and George went with us. I was sitting next to Uncle Will in the truck and he liked to poke anyone sitting next to him with his elbows when he turned the steering wheel and just laugh about it. I really made him laugh because he poked me a bunch of times pretending to avoid things in the road that weren’t there. Will and George didn’t help and thought it was hilarious too.

  When we pulled up into Sylvia's yard. We saw her father talking to someone else and they got into their truck and drove off. We walked out to where he was, “Hey Will if you are here to look at the truck I just sold it. Sorry. But I do have an old ford tuck that I would like to sell.” he said.

  I noticed that he had several vehicles in the lot behind his house. Some were pretty nice and some were junk. I saw a big truck sitting toward the back and went to look at it while they were talking about a 65 Ford F100 for Will. I looked at a big ole truck it was a 65 Chevy C-10 four-wheel drive. It had a 327 V-8 and a four speed transmission in it. I asked how much he wanted for it and he said that the motor was shot and it had been wrecked in the back. George and I looked under it and found that the frame was straight and undamaged. The bed was really messed up though but we could put another bed on it for a small amount. He said he would take two hundred doll
ars for it. Uncle Will said that he could put another motor in it for about a hundred dollars. Sylvia's dad said he had a 350 that he would throw in for fifty dollars more and it ran. I cranked the old truck and he was right the motor was in pretty bad shape but the new one would give it a new life. The clutch was good and the brakes fair. The tires were brand new on it. Uncle Will said he would go to the bank to get a loan on it tomorrow.

  I tugged on Uncle Will's sleeve. He leaned down and I told him I had the money to pay for it right then. He wanted to know where I had gotten that much money. I knew I had to tell him sooner or later so I decided to go ahead and tell him.

  “Ms. Givens father set up a stock account for me to learn on and now I have forty two thousand dollars in it that is mine.” I said.

  “No shit. I mean no joke.” He said shocked, then he said with a stern voice. “Do not tell your Aunt that I said a cuss word she will hit the ceiling and me. Then pay the man.”

  “So I thought I was the only one that got in trouble for cussing.” Sylvia’s Dad said and just laughed. “So do you want the Chevy?”

  “Instead what kind of deal can you do with both trucks, the Ford and the Chevy, if I write the check right now?” I said.

  We wrangled around there for a while and finally came to a price of five hundred dollars for both trucks and the extra motor. Uncle Will thought it was a good deal so we took it. Sylvia's Dad gave me the keys to the trucks and I gave the ones to the Ford to Will and told him it was his graduation present. He tried to refuse, but I wouldn't hear of it so he took it. It was a solid truck and it would serve him well.

  We took the trucks back to Uncle Will's and George pulled the Chevy in to the shop in the back and it didn't take him long to pull the old engine out and to put the other one in. George was a mechanical genius it seemed to me. He got it running by ten o'clock. I thanked him and told him he could drive it anytime he wanted. Uncle Will told me I had to get insurance on it tomorrow and he was going to get tags on it in my name tomorrow. I got in and eased it into gear and took off for the house with Smokey sitting next to me on the seat. He rode in the truck better than he ever had in a car going to get his shots.

  I called the insurance company in town at lunch the next day and they set up liability insurance on it. Ms. Givens was excited to see me with some form of transportation but she asked if I was going to be able to get a driving license to drive it legally. I didn't know about that. I hadn't even thought about it, however I knew who to ask.

  That evening Ms. Givens rode with me to see the Chief who told me I could get a hardship license without any trouble on the first and second Tuesday of the month right there. Then something hit me and I asked. “Chief did you work for the juvenile authorities at one time?”

  He looked at me like a cornered cat. “Yes I did. I was a guard at the juvenile detention center for about two years before I got this job. I saw a lot and learned to hate the DHS people there. They don't do what they are supposed to do. Which is to protect the kids from abuse and mistreatment. I wish they would clean that snakes den out and bring in new people who obey the law and do what they are supposed to do. The Sheriff has had a lot of bad experiences with them also here in the county. I know that on two occasions, he has had to make them go and get the appropriate paper work to take kids away from their parents and the judge refused to do it. I know that there are occasions when parents abuse their kids and there is a need for them to be removed. Although in your case, you are able to live on your own and be a productive part of the community. I need to warn you though, there are some in town that want you run out because you are turning into a girl. These people are being so nice in your face and when you turn around, they have been stabbing you in the back. They are saying you are a sexual deviate. I don’t believe it for a minute, you have been the most polite and nice young person I have ever dealt with.”

  “Who are they so she can avoid them.” inquired Ms. Givens.

  “I would really rather not say, but they have the ears of the community.” he said.

  Later I came back and got him to tell me who they were. I had not met a single one of them and didn't know them. I decided to find out though. I would ask Uncle Will about them.

  He gave me a driver’s manual to study and the forms to fill out for the hardship license and told me how to fill them out. Then we left and went back to Ms. Givens house where I dropped her off. She asked me to go with her once again to her Mother’s and said that she wasn't going to stay all weekend just until Friday or Saturday night. That should give me plenty of time to see Mr. Washington and to make her mother happy. I agreed if she let me take the truck back to Uncle Will's house and give the keys to George. We went back to her house where she had me to get cleaned up and put on something nice. I packed a bag and we took off.

  The ride was peaceful with a beautiful sunset. I looked at Ms. Givens as she was driving and thought how lucky I was to have a friend like her. She saw me looking at her and she made me scoot over to the middle and she put her arm around me. I laid my head on her shoulder and was happy for the time being. Things could go wrong tomorrow but right now I was with my Sis and everything was right.