Chasing His Fox

by Debra Kayn

  "None," she said.

  "Wise, girl, wise." Hazel kicked her feet, taking them toward the bank to miss the rocks. "I'd pick Scott, Las Vegas, and two. A boy and girl. Twins."

  "Are you having sex with him already?" She glanced at her sister, who had explained the three-date rule earlier that year.

  "I will be tonight."

  "Too much information." She waved her hands, looking behind her. "How far have we gone? I'm starving."

  "We're near Gulch crossing." Hazel opened the bag. "Let's eat slowly and make it last."

  Earlier, she'd made sandwiches for both of them and added a sandwich bag of cookies her mom brought home from the store because the bag was ripped and it was against the rules to sell opened containers.

  Food always tasted better away from home and on the river. She'd eat a cold hotdog and warm pop if she had them. Hazel was the same way, which was cool.

  Though Hazel was eight years older than her, she loved spending time with her. They always got along. Kids at school always talked about how much they fought with their siblings, but they were closer in age than her and Hazel. For her, she missed having her sister at the house. Most of the time, it felt like she was an only child. Just her and her mom.

  "We need to put suntan lotion on after we eat. I don't want to be burnt tonight," said Hazel.

  "I wish we could use Baby Oil like everyone else." Scarlett looked at her pale arms and chest. "I saw Amelia G. at the store last week, and she's so tan. I wish I could look like that."

  "It'll never happen. We're both cursed. You can thank our mother." Hazel handed her a wrapped sandwich. "Your cheeks are already pink."

  She opened the baggy. "Great. More freckles."

  Thanks to her mother's genes, both her sister and her were burdened with red hair and freckles. They could work on getting a tan, but they'd both burn first. The end result was darker freckles and the illusion of a tan.

  From what their mom told them about their real dads. Hazel's father had blond hair, giving Hazel a nice strawberry blond with fewer freckles. Somehow, the brown hair of Scarlett's dad only gave her auburn hair and a massive amount of spots that weren't only on her face and arms, but her legs, her back, and even the tops of her feet. The only places that were left alone were her stomach and the palms of her hands.

  Neither one of their dads had stuck around after finding out about their mom's pregnancies. When it came to men, her mom had the worst luck.

  Not that she wanted her mom to get married again. She liked it when there was no Chuck or Curt or Tom around. The Harris women bonded and grew stronger alone.

  That was proven three times through each divorce.

  "Floaters coming up," mumbled Hazel through a mouthful of bread.

  Scarlett careened her neck. "Four of them."

  "They caught up fast."

  "They're not tied together." She squinted. "That looks like Brady and Max."

  "Who?"

  "You know Brady. He plays football. Number 34. He's in my grade. Max moved here from Boise this year. I don't recognize the other two." She wiped her mouth off with her hand. "Should we keep going or stop and let them pass?"

  "The river is wide enough for them to get by without us getting off the tubes." Her sister squirted a glob of white suntan lotion on her thigh and then passed her the bottle.

  As she finished rubbing the front of her shin, the last spot of her body not covered with the highest SPF, Brady called her name. She raised her head and her hand.

  "How far are you going?" Brady leaned over his tube and paddled toward her.

  Max and the other two guys followed him. She looked ahead. "The first stop. We're going to ride the bus back to the car. What about you guys?"

  "All the way, baby." Brady held up a can of beer.

  She wasn't so much shocked that a sixteen-year-old was drinking on the river but that for the next six hours, he'd be drinking and not eating. He'd be lucky if he was able to walk when he finally stopped floating.

  Brady had broken up with Cora the last week of school. Everyone suspected he wanted to be free to fool around on summer break. It kind of surprised her that he was with other boys and no girl was with him.

  "Where have you been hiding all summer?" Brady stretched out on the tube and eyed Scarlett's sister.

  She rolled her eyes. Brady was a player with anything that had boobs. He'd even flirted up her mom when he came over to sell pepperoni sticks for the football team.

  "Working." She shrugged. "Just hanging."

  Brady looked at Hazel, eagerly waiting for her answer. Hazel tilted her head back and closed her eyes.

  Scarlett almost laughed at the rejection on Brady's face. He was a kid compared to her sister.

  "Come on. Let's go." One of the other boys opened another beer.

  "Maybe we'll see you later." Brady used Scarlett's innertube to push off. "Taylor's having a party tonight. You should come."

  She shook her head. "Busy."

  The boys floated away. She waited until they were out of earshot, and the noise of the river would protect her conversation and said, "They're the reason why I don't date boys in school."

  "You don't date, period." Hazel peeked at her before closing her eyes again. "One on one, the boys are probably more mature than they act when they're with a group of kids."

  "I doubt it." She looked in the distance, past the boys, and studied the black dots on the side of the river.

  After a few minutes, the objects moved. "Hey, look at that."

  "What?" Hazel lifted her head. "Where?"

  "At the bend." Remembering what Nelson told her about a bike rally, the shadows took shape. "I think it's the bikers that Nelson told us would be at the river."

  "Great," mumbled Hazel. "Get ready for the whistles and lewd shouts."

  "They probably won't even notice us. It looks like they have a fire going. I even see some tents over by the trees."

  The closer they got to the biker gathering, the men started congregating on the river bank. Scarlett looked at her sister. Hazel shielded her eyes with her hand and frowned in their direction. Nelson's warning to stay away from the river made her nervous.

  Hazel, obviously, felt uncomfortable, too.

  "Use your hand to paddle." Hazel leaned toward the side.

  Scarlett shifted and dug her hand in the water, helping them go faster. The river narrowed at the bend. If any part of the river was too low to float, it would be at Shoshone Canyon.

  The area was popular to gather in because people could walk out and sit on the rocks without getting thoroughly wet. There was a lot of partying that went on out of reach of the police in town.

  "Hey, girls. Come have a drink with us," yelled a man.

  Others joined in, shouting their invites. Scarlett dug her hand down deeper in the water, trying to make them go faster.

  "Shit." Hazel stilled.

  Scarlett followed her sister's gaze. One of the biker's strode toward the river, not stopping at the bank but striding forward right into the water.

  Recognizing the determined movements, she exhaled in soft relief. "It's Nelson."

  "Are you sure?" Her sister glanced at her. "He was working today."

  "Of course, I'm sure." She waved, sticking her feet in the water to slow their speed. "He must've changed his mind. Though, he could've come with us instead of bailing when I asked him."

  Nelson kept walking as if the rocks weren't slimy under his boots, ignoring the water getting deeper on his jeans. By the time he grabbed onto her sister's innertube, stopping them both, the river hit him at thigh level.

  "Why didn't you tell me you were going to be here when I asked you to come with us?" She pushed up on the innertube, trying to sit up straight.

  Nelson's gaze intensified. "It was a stupid idea to float today."

  She shook her head. "Nobody owns the river."

  The men at the bank stopped shouting at them. She wished he'd come with them.

  "If I wasn't here.
.." His jaw hardened. "Keep floating. Nobody will bother you."

  "Duh." She sank back in the tube, her butt breaking the surface of the water. "I can't believe you wore your boots and clothes in the water. Since you're already wet, you might as well come with us."

  "Scarlett." Hazel's gaze narrowed. "He's with the bikers. Leave him alone."

  "But—"

  "Stop." Hazel glanced at the bank, then at Nelson. "Thanks. We'll keep going."

  He dipped his chin, giving their tied innertubes a shove back to the middle of the river. Scarlett exhaled loudly, glaring at Nelson. He remained in the water, watching her float away. She wished he'd hang out with her and Hazel. He needed a day off and to relax.

  "For once, I'm glad Nelson was here." Hazel sighed and grabbed Scarlett's hand. "Promise me, you'll stay away from the bikers if you ever see them around Missoula."

  Nelson had given her the same speech when she'd walked over to Steel Mechanics when he had his friends around. Why would Hazel think she wanted to hang around bikers? Her sister knew her better than that.

  "Nelson wouldn't let anyone hurt me." She glanced behind her, unable to see Nelson's face, only able to see him continuing to stand in the river with all his clothes on.

  No matter what anyone said about Nelson, he watched out for her. Her stomach fluttered. He cared.

  Chapter 8

  Scarlett

  May 1986

  "SOFTLY." NELSON BRACED his hand on the dash of the car. "Yet, firm. Don't be afraid."

  Scarlett's palms sweated. Her heart raced. What if she did everything wrong?

  "Go ahead. Easy now," murmured Nelson.

  "Right now?" She gripped the steering wheel.

  "Yeah."

  She pressed her foot on the brake. The car's sudden stop jerked the seatbelt against her chest.

  Groaning, she sagged against the seat. "This is too hard."

  "No, it's not. You're not treating it like a machine. The car doesn't drive you. You drive the car." Nelson circled his finger in the air. "Do it again."

  Biting her lip, she looked forward, making sure she had enough room in the lot behind Steel Mechanics. Then, she took her foot off the brake and accelerated the car to a crawl.

  "When you reach the green Ford stop," said Nelson.

  She found the car at the end of the lot. Before she got to the spot, she softly put pressure on the brake, controlling the speed, and stopped perfectly.

  "Yes." She smiled at Nelson. "That was better, right?"

  "Good. Drive around the building and stop before you get to the street." He lowered his hand to his lap. "Plan for your stop, exactly like that. Then, I don't have to tell you. You drive. I don't drive you. The car doesn't drive you."

  Turning the corner slowly, she navigated around the parked cars and pulled to a stop before entering the street. The second the car no longer moved, she grinned. "I did so much better."

  "Okay, pull out and go left when there's no traffic."

  "On the street?" She gawked at him. "I've only driven in the school parking lot where there are cones and curbs and things that don't matter if I crash into them. What if I hit a car or Mrs. Philamin pulls out of her driveway? You know, she drives like a crazy, old lady."

  "You're ready. Just keep your speed at twenty-five miles per hour and stay in your lane."

  She blew out her breath. "What if I hit something or someone?"

  "You won't." He looked down the street. "And, if you did, I'd fix their car for them. For free."

  Nelson had more confidence in her driving abilities than her. Mr. Hanover told all Driver's Ed students they needed forty hours of drive time by the end of the semester. With her mom's work schedule, she wasn't home until dark. Hazel promised to help, but she worked day shift, too.

  She was behind and had to catch up, or she'd have to wait longer to get her driver's license. So, she'd asked Nelson for help.

  She pulled out on the street. Sitting straight to see over the dash, she tried to ignore the pounding of her heart. Driving was scary.

  The street was different than a parking lot at school or behind Steel Mechanics. Her hands vibrated. She gripped the steering wheel harder.

  "Spot the stop sign." Nelson hung his arm out the window. "You know the area. Hell, you've ridden your bike around the block more times than I can count."

  Prepared to brake, she kept herself from sending them both through the windshield. Excited at not making them both pitch forward, she looked to Nelson for approval.

  He pointed. "Make your turn when there are no cars coming from your left, and put your turn signal on."

  "Oh." She flipped the stick to the left of the steering wheel. "I forgot."

  "You'll remember next time."

  She pulled out, keeping close to the curb and turning. It was hard to gain speed before it was time to stop again. Confident she wouldn't pitch them forward, she turned on the blinker.

  "Good." He pointed his finger. "Same thing. Go right when it's clear."

  By the time she rounded the corner by Mrs. Pilamin's house, pulled into the parking lot in front of the garage, she was sure she could've ridden her bicycle around the block faster. She put the car in park and let her arms drop.

  "I'm slow."

  "Yeah." He chuckled. "You'll get faster."

  "Thanks for helping me. I really want to get my license."

  "What's the hurry?"

  "Babysitting isn't the best paying job in the summer. Mom thinks I can get on at the store with her and Hazel once I have my license. They need stockers part-time. It would mean driving myself there and back, and buying a car since Mom works a longer shift." She pulled out the key and handed the keyring to Nelson. "I better let you get back to work."

  Mr. Steel glared from inside the garage. Over the years, Nelson's dad never got any easier to deal with. He still got into physical fights with Nelson, and he still hated her being on the property.

  Outside the car, she walked toward the rear of the vehicle and stood in front of him. The sunlight shined on his face and she reached up and scratched his jaw. "Your whiskers are growing."

  He chuckled. "Should I grow it out?"

  She tilted her head, studying him. "I like it smooth, but since I haven't felt your face all hairy before, you should let it grow a little more."

  His eyes lit up in amusement. She rocked on her feet and blew him a kiss. "Thanks again for helping me learn how to drive. You're the best, Nelson."

  "Yep." He watched her walk out to the sidewalk.

  Not wanting to cut through the property and go under the fence with Nelson's dad watching her, she tucked her hands into the back pockets of her painter jeans and walked away.

  "I don't want you letting that little bitch drive one of my cars," yelled Mr. Steel.

  Scarlett's skin prickled, and she turned around. She wouldn't want Nelson to get in a fight because of her. If Mr. Steel wouldn't let her borrow one of the cars, then she wouldn't ask Nelson to help her anymore.

  Nelson stood in front of his dad. She couldn't hear what he said. Concerned that trouble would start, she stayed on the sidewalk in case Nelson needed her.

  He walked away from Mr. Steel and disappeared out of sight. She exhaled in relief. The way Nelson dealt with his dad depended on what kind of mood he was in when the conflict started.

  Most of the time, he avoided fighting with his dad. Mr. Steel would mouth off, throw something, or hit him. She'd seen Nelson turn his back and walk away when his dad deserved to get his butt kicked.

  But sometimes, Mr. Steel never gave him a chance to avoid a fight, and Nelson got beat up. It was during those times, Scarlett wished he'd fight back.

  "What the hell are you staring at?" yelled Mr. Steel, staring at her.

  She jolted and walked faster, away from Steel Mechanics. She hated that man.

  Nelson's life would be so much better if his dad wasn't around.

  Chapter 9

  Nelson

  July 1986

 
THE BOY WITH SCARLETT had his arm on the back of the booth near the window of the Pancake House, making an attempt at touching her. Nelson sat at the counter, sipping his coffee and keeping an eye on her. The night hadn't gone how he'd planned.

  When he stopped at the end of the street, heading toward the Tarkio MC clubhouse to hang with the members, he'd noticed Scarlett walking down the driveway and getting into the boy's car. He knew her mom was working a double shift because Scarlett had told him earlier in the day that she'd be alone at the house.

  What she hadn't told him was that she had a date. A fucking date.

  It was her first, and she'd decided to keep that secret to herself, instead of sharing that with him.

  Angered at not knowing, and believing she told him everything—important and unimportant, he followed the car. First, the dating couple went to see the movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in which he sat outside the theater, waiting the hour and forty-five minutes for them to walk out. Then, they headed to the Pancake House.

  He wasn't invading their date. A man had to eat. He was hungry. But it wouldn't hurt Scarlett if there was an extra pair of eyes on the boy, making sure she stayed safe.

  With her mom working tonight, her sister living away from home, and no father in the picture, someone needed to watch over her.

  Scarlett leaned closer to the boy, talking and moving her hands on the table as if describing something to him. The boy moved his arm down over her shoulders. She never even noticed him touching her.

  He swigged back the rest of the coffee. The waitress arrived and filled his cup without stopping her progress down the counter.

  Scarlett scooted out of the booth, followed by the boy. Nelson turned and drank from the mug, burning his tongue. She continued to talk. He caught certain words as she passed behind him.

  Mr. Hanover.

  Driving.

  Book.

  He set down the mug. The conversation was innocent enough. He recognized her Driver's Ed teacher's name, so she was obviously talking about school.

  Giving them time to get in the car, he paid for his food and left a tip for the waitress. Hesitating at the door, he caught the taillights of the older four-door Dodge pulling out of the parking lot. Not wasting time, he went outside, started his Harley, and followed them.