Tuesday after school, I confronted Mom about my California trip.
“Holly, I’m not interested in having this conversation now.” She was sitting at the dining room table, sipping her peppermint tea, trying to unwind. “Let’s talk about it later, okay?”
I asked her again, during supper. I was actually enjoying supper for a change, minus Mr. Tate.
“Holly, you’re starting to bug me about this,” Mom said.
“But you said we’d talk later,” I whined. “It’s important to me.”
She sighed. “Your father’s lifestyle is much different from ours.”
“How do you know?” I put my fork down, eager for an answer.
“I keep in touch with Grandma Meredith. She’s told me she’s concerned that he’s still not a Christian.”
“Well, I’m concerned, too, but I don’t see why I can’t visit him just because of that.”
Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Los Angeles isn’t exactly the best place for a young girl to spend the summer.”
“I won’t be in L.A. Daddy’s house is on the beach west of there.”
“Well, blame it on the beach crowd, then,” she said as she reached for the basket of rolls. “Your father will be gone at work most of the time. Who knows what could happen?”
“You don’t trust me, is that it?”
“Why don’t you do something for me, Holly?” she said, buttering her roll. “Think about your decision for the next month or so. Maybe by then you’ll feel differently.”
Change my mind? She had to be kidding.
“Aren’t you just hoping I’ll forget about this?” I demanded.
“Of course not.” But she avoided meeting my eyes and started fussing over Carrie not having had enough to eat.
“Uh-huh,” I muttered. “Right.”
Mom was wrong to put me off this way. It was a lousy scheme to delay my all-important decision. A month or so, she said? Well, in thirty days I’d be back with zillions of reasons why I should go. At least that many.
Wednesday night, Andie and I did homework at her house. Andie called it the great Tate-break, even though Mr. Tate was at his own house taking care of Zachary. The kid was on some new medicine. Maybe he was allergic to penicillin, like Andie’s twin brothers. Mom didn’t say much about it. We had sort of an unspoken pact going: She wouldn’t talk about Mr. Tate and Zachary around me, and I wouldn’t talk about Dad and going to California around her.
At Andie’s, I helped her with plot ideas for the creative writing assignment in English. She decided to go with my suggestion: the raft trip. While she started her first draft, I multiplied twenty-four hours times the days remaining till Friday. Skate night.
After school the next day, Jared was still scrounging for a girl to meet him at the skating party. Poor, pitiful thing.
Andie baited him. “What about asking the Miller twins? You do know Paula and Kayla, don’t you?”
Jared’s eyes lit up.
“They moved here from Philadelphia. Same place my uncle and cousins live,” I said.
“I heard their dad was stressed out back East and quit his executive job to live in our small town,” Andie added.
“That’s right,” I said. “Uncle Jack suggested they move to our peaceful, stress-free ski village.”
“How old are these girls?” Jared asked.
“Eighth grade,” I said. “Think they’d want to hang around a lowly sevey like you?”
Jared leaned on my locker. “I could make them forget my school grade,” he said, grinning.
“Fat chance,” Andie said.
“So which one of you wants to introduce me?” he asked.
Andie whispered behind my locker door, “He doesn’t have a chance! I already filled them in on him.”
“Andie, you’re wicked,” I said, straightening the books in my locker.
“Says who?” She slammed her locker shut.
Jared shifted his books. “Girls, I’m waiting.”
“Give up,” Andie said. “You’re on your own.” We turned away, leaving Jared in the dust.
At last, Friday night arrived. The kids in the youth group met at the church and divided up for transportation. Danny rode to the skating rink with Pastor Rob in one of the church vans. Jared, Billy Hill—from school—and four other guys rode along. Andie and I rode with her dad.
Inside the skating rink, Danny waited for me near the pop machine. “Soda?” he asked, pulling some change out of his jeans pocket.
“Sure, thanks.” I watched as he selected my favorite soda pop. His light green sweat shirt made the green in his eyes sparkle.
While I picked out some ice skates, Danny grabbed his and laced them up. Then he helped with my left foot, which wouldn’t budge. It was stuck partway inside the skate. I guess it would’ve been embarrassing with any other guy, but not with Danny.
The music swelled as we stepped onto the ice. The rink was crowded. Beginners claimed the middle areas, while speed skaters and show-offs zipped past us on the outer rink.
Danny and I circled the ice. “You’re good,” he said, smiling down into my eyes.
“Thanks.” Butterflies swirled inside me.
After three more times around, Andie grabbed my hand and called for the others to join us in crack the whip. We got real rowdy then, especially the second time with short little Andie at the tail end. Hanging on for dear life, she flew across the ice, screaming at the top of her lungs.
Soon more church kids crowded in, and the guys speed skated together. Andie and I stayed with the girls, but secretly, I watched Danny. His long legs made swift, sure strokes on the ice. Some of the other guys were more reckless and crazy, but he was always in control. And fast. He passed up the other guys without even trying.
Andie went off toward Billy Hill, and I circled the ice a few times with the girls. Then the loudspeaker crackled. “Couples only.”
Out of nowhere, Jared zoomed up behind me. Before I knew it, he was whirling me toward center ice.
“Let go of me,” I demanded, pushing away from him. I turned around and skated toward the snack bar to catch my breath.
Jared followed. “You’re great, Holly. Let’s try it again,” he said, bowing low like a matador ready for the bullfight.
“Once was too much,” I said, turning to look for Danny. Had he missed Jared’s skating stunt? I could only hope so.
I spotted Andie eating ice cream with Billy Hill. They waved me over to their table. Uninvited, Jared tagged along.
“Lookin’ good out there,” Billy said, fumbling for an extra chair.
I glanced at Jared. “Wasn’t my idea.”
Andie held her cone up for me to lick.
“It’s good you came, Billy,” Jared said.
Billy nodded. “Danny’s been asking me to come to these things for about a year. Thought I’d give it a try.”
“You’ll like our church group,” I said.
I should’ve known Billy was Danny’s guest. Perfectly wonderful Danny—witnessing, praying in public, making all the right moves.
Andie bit into her cone, staring at Jared like he wasn’t welcome. “That was some sneaky action out there on the ice,” she sneered.
“Are you Holly’s bodyguard, or what?” Jared snapped back. Billy looked uncomfortable. Jared glared at Andie. Then he got up and went to the snack counter.
“Want to help teach Billy how to skate?” Andie asked, obviously glad to see Jared gone.
I smiled. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope,” Billy said. “It’s my first time.”
“Well, you’re so fabulous on the basketball court,” I said, meaning it. “There’s no way you’ll have any trouble skating.”
“Hey, how can I go wrong with the two of you teaching me?” he replied.
We headed for the ice, laughing as we went. Halfway around, Billy took off skating by himself.
“Would you look at that?” Andie said. “He doesn’t need our help.”
“Maybe not on the ice,” I said.
“You’re right,” Andie said. “Might feel kinda weird hanging out with a bunch of Christian kids.”
She had a point. “Wait for me,” I said, skating with her.
“Holly.” I turned to see Danny coming at full speed. He skidded to a stop. “Want to skate?” he asked.
Sailing on ice next to Danny, I was oblivious to the flurry of activity around us. We slowed to a comfortable pace, our legs pushing off in the same rhythm. I couldn’t believe this was me—Holly Meredith—skating around the rink with Danny Myers. I wanted this moment to last forever.
Then the music stopped.
“Are you hungry?” Danny asked.
“Are you?”
“Let’s grab something,” he said.
At the snack bar he ordered two hot dogs, chips, and pop. He even paid. Was this his big-brother routine again?
We found a table. I was so excited sitting there with him, I worried that he could hear my heart pounding.
“Mustard?” he asked.
I nodded. “Thanks.”
“Chips?”
“Sure.” I felt really bashful.
He opened the minibag and we shared them. Our fingers touched.
All of a sudden, things got really bizarre between us. During choir tour, Danny and I could talk about almost anything. Now all I could do was mumble stupid stuff about relishes and hot dogs.
“Something bothering you, Holly?” he asked.
“Why?” I asked sheepishly.
“You seem quiet tonight.”
I looked into Danny’s sincere face. When he smiled, I knew suddenly that I could trust him. I sighed. “I’ve been thinking about my mom lately. She’s starting to date again, and it bugs me.”
“I thought there was something wrong.” He reached for another chip.
“There’s more,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Mom won’t let me go to California this summer to see my dad.”
“Why not?”
“She doesn’t approve of Dad’s lifestyle. He’s not a believer.”
Danny took a swig of pop. “What if you go for only a couple weeks?” he said. “Can you convince her that she doesn’t have to worry about you then?”
“Maybe, but Mom has this idea that California is a thrill-a-minute place and that it’ll spoil me.” I paused. “Or maybe it’s Daddy who will.”
Danny looked at me. “What do you think, Holly?”
“All I know is that I’m dying to get to know my father better.”
“That should be good enough for your mom,” he said.
Funny, I thought so, too. I smiled at him. It was nice having Danny Myers on my side—even though it wouldn’t help convince my mom to let me go. At least it proved I wasn’t so off base after all. Maybe…
Danny crinkled up his hot dog wrapper and aimed at the trash can. Bull’s-eye! “Ready to skate again?” he asked, grinning.
I returned his smile. “Definitely!”
SECRET SUMMER DREAMS
Chapter 8
Slowly, April blossomed into May. Mr. Tate was still showing up at our house. Fixing, repairing, sometimes cooking. Always hovering. Zachary came, too. Mom never said anything about why he was still throwing up. Or why she put up with it. Personally, I’d never heard of the flu lasting this long!
The final weeks of May inched toward summer like an old tortoise. And California called to me every waking minute. Carrie was beginning to bug me with her crying spells every time I even mentioned my trip out West. And Andie—well, she was as set against the idea as ever.
Then there was Mom. “I haven’t decided yet,” she would say when I tried to bring up the subject. Even though it looked pretty hopeless, I refused to give up.
Finally it was Friday, May 28—the last day of school. I was cleaning out my locker when Danny stopped by. “Did you pack up your smile?” he asked, eyeing a box filled with my junk. I was throwing things in, helter-skelter.
“No,” I said, but I didn’t smile.
“What’s wrong?”
I explained my problem. “Mom still won’t talk about California. I’m afraid if I keep bugging her, she’ll say no, once and for all.”
“Try looking at things her way. Dressel Hills isn’t exactly the best place to prepare for big city life, you know,” Danny said, laughing. “Who knows what evils may be lurking in L.A.”
“I’m serious, Danny. There’s so much I don’t know about my father. I don’t want to wait forever to see him again.”
“Have you prayed about it?” he asked, taking a more serious approach now.
“Every single day,” I said, thinking of my secret list of prayers. Danny Myers was on it, too. Not for the same reason as Daddy, though.
Danny picked up my box of things, and we strolled down the deserted hallway. The Miller twins waved at us from the drinking fountain. They waited to talk to Danny. They had been in his Algebra class last semester.
“What activities are happening this summer with the youth group?” Kayla asked Danny, ignoring me.
“You’ve heard about the gondola ride up Copper Mountain, right?” Danny asked them. “It’s tomorrow.” He gave them all the details.
“Psst!” It was Andie, sneaking up behind me. Pulling me away from Danny, she whispered, “Look what’s happening here. Still want to chance being gone this summer?”
“Danny’s not a flirt like Jared,” I said, sticking up for Danny.
“Oh, but Danny doesn’t have to flirt, now, does he?” she said. “They’re doing all of it.”
I watched the brown-eyed beauties. My box of junk was tottering under Danny’s arm. Their conversation was lasting longer than I cared to admit, but it wasn’t as if I had any special claim on Danny. We were just good friends.
Danny called to me. “Holly, you know Paula and Kayla, don’t you?” he asked. “They moved here from Pennsylvania a couple months ago.”
“Yes, we’ve met. Their dad used to work in the same company as my uncle Jack.” I mustered up a smile.
Kayla told Danny, “Holly’s uncle was the one who told our dad about Dressel Hills.” She turned to me. “Did you know my dad’s trying to get him to move out here, too, away from the rat race?”
“Uncle Jack? That’ll be the day,” I said, wishing he and my cousins did live closer.
“Well, have a good summer,” Paula said.
“See you at the sky ride tomorrow,” Kayla said to us. Both twins waved good-bye to Andie and me, then grinned at Danny. He and I turned and headed toward the door while Andie walked a few feet behind.
Outdoors, Andie waited beside the bike racks while Danny and I talked about tomorrow’s gondola ride up Copper Mountain.
“It’ll be fun,” Danny said. “Maybe we’ll end up sharing a gondola.”
Before I could say more, he glanced at his watch. “Gotta get going,” he said. “See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.” I waved. He headed down the tree-lined street, and I wanted to dance for joy. So much for Paula and Kayla. I was the one he wanted to ride up the mountain with.
Andie asked, “What was that all about?”
“Nothing,” I said airily, glancing over my shoulder at Danny. He was nearly at the end of the street. From this angle, he practically looked like a grown-up. Acted grown-up, too. Never acted weird or embarrassed anyone. Danny was one of those super mature guys every girl dreams of.
But I was only thirteen. And even though Andie and I bordered on maturity, every now and then it was fun to act like ten-year-olds. So we skipped all the way to the library.
Inside, we came close to bumping into Billy Hill. His arms were piled high with books.
“Whatcha doing?” Andie asked.
“Reading some books Danny gave me.”
“Like what?” I asked.
He held up one. It was about being a Christian without being weird.
“Looks good,” I said.
“Danny liked it. What do
you think?” he asked Andie.
“Hey, Danny should know. He’s the preacher-man,” Andie said.
I didn’t like the tone of her voice. It was like she was putting Danny down.
“He’s not a preacher,” I said. “He just knows the Bible better than any of us. And he’s not embarrassed to talk about God.”
“You got that right,” Billy said, heading for the street.
Watching Billy leave, I felt proud to be Danny’s friend. If he could get through to Billy Hill, maybe he could give me some pointers about witnessing. I would need them this summer when I talked to Daddy about God. If I could ever get Mom to let me go.
At home, I wrote a note and posted it on the refrigerator. Mom: Can we talk? Love, Holly.
Mom had no choice but to see the note there. Strange, making an appointment with my own mother. Not the way it used to be. Before Tate.
Upstairs, I went to spy on Carrie. She was supposed to be cleaning the junk out from under her bed. Instead, she sat in the middle of the floor, inspecting each item before tossing it in the trash or another pile on the floor.
“Hey,” I said, pushing the door open wider. “Some girls at school said their dad’s trying to talk Uncle Jack and our cousins into coming out here. Wouldn’t that be cool?”
“Mom says they might move here,” she answered.
“When was this discussed?”
Carrie said, “It wasn’t discussed. Not really.”
“So how do you know?”
“Grandma Meredith called when you were out. She’s been calling Mom a lot lately.”
“Really?” I sat down next to her on the floor. “I wonder why.”
“I think she’s trying to talk Mom into letting you go to California this summer.”
I was overjoyed. Someone was finally on my side!
“That’s fabulous,” I said. “She knows how much I miss Daddy.”
And she did, too. Grandpa and Grandma Meredith had stuck by us even though Daddy was their son. They never seemed to be able to put the divorce behind them. Said we were their granddaughters, no matter what.
“Does your daddy know how much you miss him?” Carrie asked. Her voice sounded strange.
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