Viva Vermont!

by Melody Carlson

  Once she was deck side, she held out her hand to shake Haley’s, almost expecting to be rejected, but to her surprise, Haley shook her hand. She gave DJ a small smile. Sure, it was forced, but it was better than nothing.

  “Good race,” said Haley quietly.

  As the meet progressed, DJ thought that Haley shouldn’t feel too badly since she was cleaning up in the diving competition. Not that there was much competition, since Haley was far and above the best diver.

  But then it came time for the relays, and DJ could see that Haley and her friends were feeling nervous. In fact, DJ felt nervous too. But she tried to appear confident as she huddled with her relay team, each of them encouraging the others to do their best.

  “Go for it!” said Kara. And then they went over to line up at the starting box. DJ made sure to keep her eyes on her own team, her own lane, and simply focus on her own swim—the last leg of the relay, and the same leg as Haley. She knew it was unlikely that her team would beat Haley’s, but the truth was she hoped that they would. And why shouldn’t she? She was an athlete. This was a competition. It was natural to want to win.

  Her leg of the medley was, of course, crawl stroke, and she once again felt like everything was working, like she was giving this event her best effort and she would have no regrets. And, once again, she didn’t allow herself to look into the other lanes, especially Haley’s. She simply swam as if she were the only one in the pool, and going for her own personal record.

  At the end, she looked up, and her teammates were all grinning and reaching down to pull her out of the water. Then they were slapping her on the back and announcing that they had just taken first place.

  “That was awesome,” said Kara.

  DJ glanced over to where Haley’s team was now helping her out of the water. “We really beat them?” DJ asked Kara quietly.

  “Oh, yeah …” Kara nodded happily.

  Haley looked unhappy as she toweled off her face, and DJ considered doing the handshake thing again. But due to the icy looks she was getting from Bethany, she decided it might not be such a good idea this time.

  As it turned out, Crescent Cove High won the entire meet, and everyone on the team, or almost, was ecstatic.

  “We’ve turned a corner,” said Coach Reynolds as he gathered everyone for a little victory party, complete with snacks and some sparkling apple juice and plastic champagne glasses all ready to toast. “Here’s to finishing the season strong.”

  DJ quickly lifted her glass, drinking to the toast. And just as quickly, she excused herself, hurrying to the locker room. It was already past six, and Conner was waiting on the sidelines. She was eager to get on the road. She hurried to shower, dress, and partially dry her hair, managing to get out of there before the others began trickling in.

  “Wow,” said Conner. “That was quick.”

  She laughed as she threw her duffle into his cab. “Record breaking all around.”

  “Yeah, you were something out there, DJ. Really great meet.”

  “Thanks.”

  He grinned and started the engine. “And you don’t look too bad in your swimsuit either.”

  She punched his arm playfully. “Thanks, I think.”

  “Did Haley say anything to you?”

  “Not exactly. I mean, she said good race when I shook her hand, but it was kind of like she had to … you know … with people looking.”

  “Gotta be a good sport.”

  DJ sighed. “I actually felt kind of bad when I beat her in backstroke and then again in the relay.”

  “But kind of good too?”

  “I guess. I don’t mean the beating her part. Not really. But it did feel good to win.”

  “I think Haley kind of beat herself today.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Well, I was trying not to be too obvious, but I was watching her. She was really uptight. I mean, I’ve seen her at other meets, back when we were together, and she was more relaxed. More in charge, you know?”

  “Yeah, I remember watching her with the team … back when I was ‘the handicapped girl’ swimming laps in the handicapped lane, as Bethany called it.”

  “She said that?”

  “Well, not until after you broke up with Haley and I became the number-one target on their hit list. Anyway, I do remember thinking that Haley was kind of like Queen of the Swim Team. Seriously, it was like she ruled.”

  “Now you’re dethroning her.”

  “No, that’s not true. She still rules in the diving pool. And she did take first in butterfly, if you were watching.”

  “But it’s not the same, is it?”

  “Is that bad?” asked DJ. “I mean, am I wrong to have joined the—”

  “No, of course not. That’s not what I’m saying. I actually think it’s good for Haley to figure this stuff out. Obviously, she can’t rule everything forever. She needs to learn to be a gracious loser.”

  “I guess …”

  “Well, can you believe it?”

  “What?”

  “We’re on our way to Vermont.”

  “Yay!” Now DJ’s stomach growled. “But not until we get something to eat.”

  “I hear ya!”

  The cab of the pickup was warm and cozy. After a big meal and a tiring day, DJ knew she couldn’t keep her eyes open. “Do you mind if I take a little nap?” she asked Conner after they’d been on the road about an hour.

  “Go ahead. It’s a nice clear night … perfect for driving. We should be there just a little after ten.”

  “The general’s motor home is probably already there now.” She felt a slight twinge of envy as she considered how the other girls were traveling in such comfort and style. Still, she wouldn’t have traded it for anything. Participating in the meet and getting to ride with Conner, well, that made up for luxury.

  She settled her duffle bag like a pillow between them, curled up, and placed her head on top. Sure, it smelled like chlorine and was slightly damp from the pool, but in no time she was asleep.

  DJ awoke suddenly. All was quiet, and Conner was gently tapping her on the shoulder. “Wake up.”

  “What?” She sat up and blinked in the darkness, trying to figure out where she was, and then realizing she was still in the pickup.

  “Are we there?”

  “No.” Conner sounded slightly worried.

  “Huh?”

  “It’s the pickup.”

  She frowned. “Out of gas?”

  “No, I filled the tank in town.”

  “What then?”

  “I’m not sure. But there was this loud noise and this grinding sound, and I knew I’d better stop before it got worse.”

  “You mean we’re broken down?” DJ felt a small rush of fear. “Out here in the middle of nowhere?”

  “That’s what it looks like.”

  14

  “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA what’s wrong with the truck?” DJ asked in a small voice. “Like if you can fix it or not?” She knew that Conner was pretty mechanical. He and his dad had worked together to restore the pickup.

  “I don’t know. It was a pretty loud noise. Like something big might’ve broke. I’m surprised it didn’t wake you.”

  “I was totally zonked.” She glanced around now to see the outlines of trees in the darkness. They were in the wilderness. “Where are we anyway?”

  “Well, based on the time, I’d guess we’re about halfway to the lodge. Maybe better.”

  “Oh.” She pulled out her cell phone. “Did you call anyone yet?”

  “My phone’s out of range. How about yours?”

  She turned it on and waited, almost expecting to see another hateful text message. “Oh, it’s out of range too.”

  Conner let out a loud sigh.

  “What do we do?”

  “For starters, I’ve got the emergency lights on. But I’ll take a look under the hood too. Not that I think I can fix this. But you never know. Will you be warm enough?”

  She shrugged. “I
guess.”

  But as soon as he opened and then closed the door, she wished she’d brought her bags with her warm parka. She could use it now. She dug into her duffle to find a slightly damp hoody, which she wrapped around her shoulders. Not much, but better than nothing. While Conner poked around under the hood, a couple of cars drove past. She couldn’t believe that they didn’t stop to offer help. But then again, she knew if she was driving out on a dark country road, she probably wouldn’t stop to help someone. Fortunately, Conner had a flashlight. That was something. Maybe he was getting it fixed. But after a while, he came back and got into the cab and rubbed his hands together.

  “Man, it’s cold out there.”

  “And in here too.”

  “It’s a few degrees warmer in here,” he pointed out. “But not for long.”

  Just then another car whipped past.

  “You’d think someone would stop,” he said. “I’ve got the hood up.”

  “Maybe we should get out where they can see us,” she suggested. “So that they’ll know we look harmless and in need of help.”

  “We could sit in the back with the flashlight,” he said. “We could bundle up in some of my ski clothes.”

  “Let’s go for it.”

  So they layered on some of Conner’s things and climbed into the back of the pickup to wait for the next car. After what seemed like hours, DJ was getting worried. “What if no one else comes down this road?”

  “I guess we could start walking … but I don’t know how far it is to the next town. The last one was too far to walk back.”

  “I see lights,” said DJ hopefully. She stood in the back of the pickup and began to wave frantically as Conner held the flashlight to illuminate both of them. “Dear God,” she cried out loud. “Please, send help now!”

  “The car’s slowing down,” said Conner hopefully.

  DJ was jumping up and down now, waving her hands and smiling. And, sure enough, an old station wagon pulled up behind them and an old man with long gray hair slowly climbed out.

  “What are you kids doing out here in the middle of the night?” he demanded. Conner quickly filled him in about his truck and how their phones weren’t working.

  “Well, I can take you on to Everett Falls, but that’s as far as I’ll go and that’s out of my way as it is.”

  “How far is that?” asked DJ.

  “About fifteen miles.”

  “Is there a mechanic there?” asked Conner.

  “There’s a Shell station.” The old guy frowned. “But it’s getting late. Can’t promise that they’ll be open.”

  “But at least they’ll have a phone,” said DJ hopefully.

  So they got into the old station wagon, which smelled like a herd of wet dogs had been riding in the back, and the old dude slowly—very slowly—drove them toward town.

  “Got cataracts,” he told them as he leaned forward to see out the windshield. “Can’t see worth a darn at night. I wouldn’t be out, except’n my dogs were outta food.”

  “I could drive for you,” offered Conner.

  The old guy laughed. “Not on your life, young man. You already destroyed one vehicle tonight. Don’t ya think that’s enough?”

  Conner glanced nervously at DJ, and suddenly she wondered if they might’ve gotten into the car of a deranged psychotic or serial killer. She began to silently pray. If the clock on the dusty old dashboard was correct, it was already close to ten. Any hopes of making it to the lodge, even before midnight, were starting to fade.

  Finally the lights of what appeared to be a very small town came into view, and DJ breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this nightmare was about to end. But when the old guy dropped them out in front of a darkened gas station with no one around, she wasn’t so sure.

  “It looks closed to me,” said Conner while the passenger door was still open.

  “Just go knock on the door of the building next to it,” their driver told them. “Hank should be there.”

  “Hank?”

  “Hank’s the one who owns the Shell station.” Then, even before Conner could shut the door, the old guy stepped on the gas, pulling out so fast that his tires spit gravel and the passenger door slammed closed.

  “Okay then …” Conner tossed DJ a worried look. “I guess I’ll just go and knock on the door.”

  “I’ll go check out that café across the street,” she said.

  “I think it’s a bar.”

  “Yeah, well, it looks like it’s the only thing open, and maybe I can use the phone.”

  “Good idea.”

  Of course, as DJ went across the street, she wondered who she should call. It’s not as if Grandmother could hop down here to get them. And no one else had a car.

  “Hello,” said a middle-aged woman as DJ entered the bar. She expected to be carded, but no one seemed to notice her age. Or maybe they didn’t care. Well, it wasn’t as if she was ordering a beer.

  “Is there a phone?”

  “Pay phone’s back by the john,” the woman told her.

  This bar smelled musty and nasty and it got even worse back by the tiny hallway next to the bathroom. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to touch the phone. Then she realized she would need some change.

  “Can I get some change?” she asked the woman as she held out a twenty.

  “Sure, if you buy a drink.”

  DJ considered this. “I’ll have a Coke.”

  The woman frowned as she grabbed a none-too-clean-looking glass, put some ice in it, and then filled it with Coke. She thunked it down in front of DJ and then went to get her change. DJ waited impatiently. After the woman set her change on the table, DJ left a dollar behind. Maybe that would keep the bartender from asking for ID. A dollar tip for a Coke. Sheesh.

  Back in the smelly hallway, DJ braced herself as she picked up the receiver and dropped a handful of change into the appropriate slots. She couldn’t even remember if she’d actually used a pay phone before. Maybe back when she was in middle school and didn’t have a cell phone. Or maybe she’d seen it in a movie. Anyway, she started to dial the numbers that she knew, beginning with Rhiannon’s. But her phone was either turned off or out of range. Next DJ tried Casey’s. But same thing. Finally, she decided to try Taylor’s, and to DJ’s surprise, Taylor answered with a groggy sounding “hey.”

  “Taylor, it’s me, DJ,” she said with relief. “Did I wake you?”

  Taylor laughed. “Oh sure, like I was asleep. It’s not even eleven. Where are you?”

  So DJ quickly filled her in on the breakdown story.

  “Well, that’s too bad, but what do you want me to do?” Taylor’s voice turned less than interested now. Almost as if DJ was disturbing her evening.

  “I thought maybe you could give me one of the guy’s numbers, and we could get him to—”

  “I can do better than that,” said Taylor. “I’m at Harry’s place right now, and the guys are all here. Here you go.”

  “Hey, wha’s up?” asked a slurred male voice. “Who is this?”

  “This is Harry, babe, who is this?”

  “This is DJ. Are you drinking, Harry?”

  “Not at the moment, but I think I’ve got one on the way.”

  “You sound wasted.” She felt angry and disgusted. “Is there anyone there who hasn’t been drinking?”

  “Now what kind of party would that be?”

  “How about Bradford?”

  “Bradford … Bradford? Hmm …” There was a long pause with lots of background noise, and DJ began to wonder if Harry had set the phone down and forgotten all about her. She didn’t know whether to hang up or just scream.

  “No …” he finally said. “Bradford and Rhiannon must’ve stepped out. Or maybe they weren’t here in the first place. I really don’t recall.”

  “DJ, this is Taylor again.”

  “What am I going to do?”

  “I don’t know. But I can tell you this. None of these guys are in good driving condition.”

&nbs
p; “What about the general?”

  “Seriously, DJ. I’m sure he’s gone to bed. Do you want me to go wake him and see if he—”

  “No, no …”

  “Your grandmother’s gone to bed too. That’s how we sneaked out. There’s no way I’m going to wake her. Not that she could help you. Just call a cab.”

  “A cab?”

  “Yes. It might be pricey. But they can bring you up here, and you guys can figure out the mechanical things tomorrow.”

  DJ considered this. “I guess that makes sense.”

  “Of course it makes sense. Goodnight!”

  DJ hung up and went back to the woman at the bar. At least the woman looked halfway friendly now. “Want another Coke?”

  DJ shook her head. “No. I want a cab.”

  “A cab?” The woman threw back her head and laughed. “This girl thinks she can get a cab in Everett Falls.”

  The few patrons scattered around the bar laughed too.

  The woman leaned forward and peered curiously at DJ. “Man, are you lost.”

  “We broke down on the highway,” DJ explained. “We’re on our way up to Ashton Peak for the weekend. If we can just get up there tonight, we could deal with the pickup tomorrow.”

  “That’s all nice and good,” said the woman, “but there ain’t no cabs or taxis or buses here in Everett Falls.” She glanced around the smoky room. “And even if one of these dudes offered to drive you up there, I wouldn’t recommend it.” She lowered her voice. “They’re barely fit to make it home, and most of them are on foot, if you know what I mean.”

  “DJ,” called Conner from the door. He was waving to her in a way that gave her hope.

  “Hank is going to tow my truck into town, and he thinks he can get it fixed.”

  “No way!” She felt like cheering.

  “Yeah. I’ll go up with him. You might as well stay here.” He peered around the room. “I mean, if you feel safe and everything.”

  She shrugged. “I’m fine. You get going.”

  So he took off, and she went back to the bar and sat on a stool across from the woman. “Do you have any coffee?” asked DJ.

  The woman held up a glass pot filled with a dark thick liquid that looked like it had been sitting on the hotplate for several days, and DJ just nodded. Maybe she could doctor it up with cream and sugar.