Iris Rainbow

by Ilona Fridl

  Teri winced. As she absentmindedly ran her finger down the frosty side of the bottle, Teri mused, “I don’t really think of it that way, Evie. Something inside me had to be with him. I’ve never felt that way before and I can’t explain it. I can’t be without him.”

  “You never felt that way with David?” Evie glanced at her with an unreadable look.

  Teri grimaced at the mention of his name. “Not like this. I liked David, and I suppose I even loved him, in a way, but this feeling for Tim is so different. I do feel guilty about what I did to David on graduation night. I could have been a little kinder.”

  “Ken says David is still hurt and angry, especially when we heard you moved in with Tim.” Evie stared steadily at her. “Are you sure that Tim feels the same way about you?”

  “I hope so. I mean, he’s never said he loves me, but he seems happy to have me here. Tim does many things for me. He’s very thoughtful…” Her voice trailed off. “Evie, I’m so confused. I want it to be worth all the pain and hurt I caused. I wish I could give you an answer to your questions, but I can’t.”

  Evie shook her head sadly. “Are you going to start college?”

  She felt a pang, because she’d always wanted to become a teacher. “No, I thought I would put it off. My life is in such a whirl right now, I know I couldn’t put my mind to school work.”

  “I was hoping we could share a dorm room, but I guess we won’t. I’m going to miss you.”

  “We’ll stay in touch. I need you.” They held on to each other, and Teri knew that this was a person she could always trust.

  The girls went on to other topics during the sunny afternoon. Soon it was almost five o’clock and Evie had to leave. As the girls were heading for the door, they heard the garage open and they met Tim coming up the stairs with a pizza box.

  He grinned and kissed Teri. “Hi, babe! I thought I’d bring dinner home tonight.” Noticing Evie standing behind her, he put out his hand. “Evie, it’s good to see you again.”

  She took a breath. “You remembered me?”

  “Sure, you were with Teri at the press party. And besides, she always talks about you and Ken. Both of you are welcome here anytime.”

  Evie nodded. “Thank you, Tim.” She put her arms around Teri. “See ya. Take care of yourself.” She glanced at Tim. “Bye, Tim.”

  Both waved as Evie got into her car, and she waved back. Tim kissed Teri again as they went inside.

  Putting the box in the dining room, he helped Teri clear the empty bottles off the coffee table. “What would you like to drink?” she called back as she went into the kitchen.

  “Beer will be fine,” he said as he opened the box.

  Teri went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of beer. Instinctively, she reached for a bottle of Coke, then stopped. I like beer. Well, why not?

  Teri smelled the warm pepperoni-and-cheese aroma as she carried in the two bottles of beer and a couple of paper plates. “How did the recording session go? You’re home earlier than usual.” Lifting a gooey wedge of pizza, she put it on her plate.

  “The production panel blew a tube and they didn’t have a spare one. It should be repaired by tomorrow morning.” Tim chewed slowly. “I got a call from my mother today, and she invited me this Sunday for dinner.”

  “Oh? And?” Teri looked expectantly at him.

  “And you’re invited, too.”

  “She knows about me? How does she feel about us living together?”

  “She said she doesn’t agree with it, but she doesn’t hold it against you, either. She wants to meet you.”

  Teri took a drink. “Tell me about your family.”

  “Well, my mother and father are Eileen and Dan Olson. My father owns a service station in Encino. I’m the oldest and have a brother and sister, Michael and Colleen. Just a normal, run-of-the-mill, working-class family.” He paused a moment. “A lot like yours.”

  “Evie told me my father blames himself for driving me into your arms and thinks now we’re living in sin. I feel guilty about it, because everything I was taught tells me I’m morally wrong, but I’ve never been happier than since I moved in. How do you feel?”

  He seemed to gather his thoughts. “Teri, I have to be honest with you. In my late teens and early twenties, I fooled around with a lot of girls. I really didn’t have an emotional connection with any one girl. You could even say I used them, but since you’ve been here, I haven’t wanted anyone else...although I’m not ready to get married yet.”

  Thinking about her conversation with Evie, she ventured, “Tim, I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  Taking a deep breath and glancing down, he responded, “I’m not sure I know what love is, but I know I’m happy having you with me.”

  Teri would take that for now, but it bothered her that he couldn’t say he loved her. She tugged at a piece of pepperoni, pulling it from its cheesy prison. Popping it in his mouth, she kissed his cheek. “I’m here for as long as you want me.”

  Tim blew a greasy kiss her way. “Oh, by the way, I have some fresh joints for this evening while we watch TV.”

  Clearing the leftovers from the table, she put them in the fridge, then went to the couch in the living room and snuggled next to Tim. Lighting up in front of the blue glow of the TV set, they settled in for the evening.

  ****

  Sunday afternoon, the pair pulled up at Tim’s parents’ house, a modest two-story with white siding and green shutters in a quiet neighborhood. Teri sighed and wrung her hands as Tim turned off the motor.

  “Come on, Teri.” Tim grinned. “My parents haven’t been known to shoot anyone yet.”

  Teri opened the car door. “Not funny, Tim.”

  They walked the white concrete path to the front. As they arrived at the two steps, the door opened and they were greeted by an attractive lady with emerald green eyes and dark brown hair lightly streaked with gray.

  Well, I see who he looks like.

  The lady stepped out of the house and hugged Tim. “Hi, honey, it’s good to see you.”

  Turning, Tim took Teri’s arm. “Mom, I want you to meet Teri Darden. Teri, this is my mother, Eileen Olson.”

  Teri rubbed her palm on her skirt before she offered it. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Olson.” She smiled as pleasantly as she could.

  Mrs. Olson smiled back and took the offered hand. “Come in, you two.” As they went into a small hallway next to a living room, a tall well-built man with thinning blond hair and blue eyes rose from an easy chair. “I’m going into the kitchen to work on dinner,” Mrs. Olson called as she disappeared through a door.

  “Dad!” Tim led Teri over. “This is Teri Darden. Teri, this is my father, Dan Olson.”

  “Hello, Mr. Olson.” Teri offered her hand again.

  Mr. Olson studied her critically before he took it. “Hello, Teri.” Shuffling his feet a little bit, he and Tim glanced at each other, then at Teri.

  Teri sidled to the door of the kitchen. “Um—I think I’ll see if your mother needs some help.” She quickly exited the room.

  Mrs. Olson stood by the sink, rinsing lettuce, and Teri swallowed her nervousness. “Uh, Mrs. Olson, can I help you with anything?”

  She eyed Teri over her shoulder. “You can cut up the cantaloupe into wedges for me.”

  Going to the kitchen table where the melon, a knife, and a paper plate waited, Teri looked around. “What would you like me to put the wedges on?”

  Setting down a bowl, Tim’s mother directed Teri, “Put them in here. I’m going to put the cantaloupe on the lettuce to serve.” Teri started her task. “Where are you from?”

  “I’m from Alhambra.” Teri didn’t look up from her job.

  “Do your parents know where you are?”

  “They know I’m living with Tim, if that’s what you mean.” Oh, god, am I going to fight both sides? First my parents, now his. Will we ever get any peace?

  “How do they feel about that?”

  Glancing up, she found Mr
s. Olson watching her. “Not good. They don’t agree with what we’re doing.”

  “Then why did you decide to move in with Tim?”

  Teri chewed on her lower lip. “My dad didn’t want me to be with Tim because he was so much older. But I love your son, Mrs. Olson.”

  “Does he return your love?”

  Teri’s frustration pounded in her heart. “He’s never said so, but he’s very kind and thoughtful to me. He told me he didn’t know if he was in love or not.”

  “Teri, you seem like a wise and sensitive girl. I think Tim is caught up in sudden riches and fame, and I don’t know if he’s thinking clearly. I don’t agree with this living arrangement, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it, but please think about what I’ve said.”

  Teri lowered her eyes. “I will, Mrs. Olson.” Finished cutting the soft orange wedges, Teri put the paper plate with the rind into the garbage can.

  “Help me take the food in.” A delicious-smelling pot roast, with roasted vegetables and gravy, was transferred to a platter. On the side, in addition to the cantaloupe wedges, were piping hot rolls and butter. Everything looked wonderful as Teri set the dishes on the table.

  The four of them sat and Teri glanced at Tim, who looked a little flushed, but he smiled at her. They started eating in silence and Teri tried to break the tension. “Tim told me he has a brother and sister.”

  “Mike has been working as an intern at UCLA, and Colleen is on vacation with some of her friends,” Mr. Olson said, not looking up.

  “Oh. I’d like to meet them sometime.” Teri tried to mask how uncomfortable she felt.

  “By the way, Tim,” Mrs. Olson said, glancing at him, “Dana called yesterday asking about you.” Tim paled visibly. “I told her you were coming to dinner tonight with your girlfriend.”

  “Dana?” Teri stared at Tim. Do I have a rival?

  “Old girlfriend.” Tim squirmed a little. A smattering of short conversation went around the table for the rest of the meal. After Teri helped carry the dishes to the kitchen, Tim said, “We should be going.”

  Teri hesitated. “Maybe I should help your mother with the dishes.”

  Mrs. Olson shook her head. “No, that’s all right. Dan can help me. Thank you for your help.” Unexpectedly, she hugged Teri. “I do like you.”

  “I like you, too. Thank you for a wonderful dinner.”

  Mrs. Olson nodded. “You’re welcome.” She hugged her son next. “I love you, Tim.”

  “Love you, too, Mom.” He turned to Teri. “Come on, let’s go.”

  Mr. Olson walked them to the front door and said to Teri, “I’m sorry about the tension at dinner, but I’m not comfortable with this living arrangement. You seem to be a lovely girl. I hope you understand.”

  “I do. Thank you, Mr. Olson.”

  As he slapped Tim on the back, he said, “Good luck, son.”

  “Bye, Dad.” They went to the car, where Tim opened the door for her. After they’d traveled a few blocks, he took a deep breath. “This bothers my dad especially because you’re the same age as my sister. He asked how I would feel if Colleen was living with her boyfriend.”

  “Is that what you and your dad talked about?”

  Glancing at her with an “ouch” expression, he answered, “To put it mildly. I got the ‘where did you leave your brain’ talk. He agrees with your father that we are living in sin.”

  “Have you changed your mind about us living together?”

  “Oh, Teri, no. I can’t stand the thought of us not being together. Please stay with me.” He snuck another glance.

  “I can’t seem to refuse you anything.”

  Almost back to the apartment, Tim looked into the rearview mirror. “That’s odd.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I might be mistaken, but I think the same car has been behind us all the way.”

  Feeling a flare of concern, she watched as they pulled into the driveway and saw the car go slowly by. It was too dark to make out any details, then Tim shook his head. “Must be mistaken about that. Come on, babe, let’s go in.”

  Going down the steps into the living room, Tim turned on the TV to The Ed Sullivan Show. “Who’s Dana?” Teri asked, snuggling up beside him.

  Putting his arm around her, he lifted her chin. “She was a girl I dated in high school and for a little while after. We had a very nasty breakup.”

  “I thought you said you never had a connection with any one girl.”

  “I’m not proud of how I toyed with her. I never really loved her, but I liked her and strung her along. She wanted to get married, but I blew her off, and that’s when we had a fight. In a lot of ways, Dana is very spoiled. If she doesn’t get her way, she loses her temper.”

  “Did you lose yours?”

  “I’m afraid I made it worse by acting like it was up to her to wait for me to make up my mind about marriage.”

  “Oh.” Still feeling troubled about Dana, Teri settled down and didn’t say any more.

  The next morning, Teri was still uneasy about that car. Tim was leaving for the studio as she got ready for work. “Be careful, Tim, in case that was a stalker last night.” She kissed him goodbye.

  “Don’t worry, babe. I don’t think that was anything. See you tonight.” He left the bedroom and she listened for the Corvette engine to start, going to the window and watching him pull out. As the car entered the street, she looked to see if there was anyone following. Not seeing any other cars, she breathed a sigh of relief. Tim must have been right, there was nothing to worry about.

  Teri finished getting ready for work and locked up the apartment. As she drove past the first cross street, a white car turned in behind her. Traveling the mile and a half to the bank, she noticed the car followed hers the whole time. As Teri turned into the parking lot, the tailing car went past the bank. Teri, you’re getting paranoid. Stop imagining things.

  Later, Teri returned from lunch and was back at her teller’s window. An attractive brunette came up to her. “Hello. I just opened a new account and would like to put some money in.”

  Teri took out a money receipt. “Do you have your new account number?” She showed Teri one of her temporary checks and Teri copied the number. “Your name?”

  “Danielle Stanley. And I have a hundred dollars in cash to deposit.”

  Writing it up, Teri counted the cash. “Here’s your receipt. Thank you for opening an account with us.”

  “You’re welcome.” Flashing a smile, she walked toward the door.

  When Teri drove back to the apartment that evening, she watched to see if any cars followed her, but she saw nothing suspicious. Tim reported that he wasn’t tailed either, and the incident was quickly forgotten.

  Soon, Virgin Ram released their first two singles from the album they were working on. Both songs hit the top ten Billboard charts within a week and the group were appearing on local and national television.

  At work, Teri had a new employee to train. Her boss, Carmen Costello, introduced her to Barb Adams. “Let Barb watch you with the customers today, and help her out the rest of the week.”

  “Sure.” Teri turned to smile at the black-haired, brown-eyed woman. “If you have any questions, be sure to ask me after the customers leave, all right?”

  “I understand.”

  As the days went by, Teri got to know her co-worker. Barb was a big Virgin Ram fan and had a huge crush on Luke Knoll. Struggling over whether or not to tell that she knew the band, Teri decided to keep her mouth shut. She didn’t want a fuss made over it. Anyway, she didn’t know Barb well enough to give up that information and trust Barb would keep it to herself.

  That was the case, until one evening when Teri hurried into the bank after leaving for her car. Barb was clearing up and getting her things together when Teri picked up the phone. “Tim, I went out to the car and turned the key. Nothing happened. Do you think your dad would help me out?”

  “No sense dragging him down here. I can do that.”
/>   “You know how to work on cars?”

  Tim laughed. “I worked at my dad’s service station all through high school. I have tools and car parts in my trunk just in case. Look, I can get away from the studio because we’re basically finished for today, so I’ll be over in a few minutes.”

  Teri hung up and found Barb watching her. “Did you get help for the car?”

  “Yes, my boyfriend is going to be here in a few minutes.”

  “Teri, I’ll stay with you until he comes.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Barb. You can go home. Thanks anyway.”

  Barb finished clearing off her teller’s desk and retrieved her purse from the locked drawer. By then, Teri saw the red Corvette pull up next to her Ford. Tim raised the hood on her car and Teri was heading out when Barb grabbed her arm. “That looks like Tim Olson of Virgin Ram.” A rasp was in her voice.

  “It is.”

  Barb’s mouth flew open. “Why didn’t you tell me he was your boyfriend?”

  “I don’t broadcast it, for various reasons. Would you like to meet him?”

  A strange expression crossed Barb’s face. “Oh, no, I can’t—I mean, I’m too shy.” Grabbing her purse, Barb ran to her car, not looking in Tim’s direction, and tore out of the parking lot.

  How odd. Teri crossed to her car, and Tim glanced up. “Hey, babe, try to start it.” He motioned to the driver’s door. Sliding in, she turned the ignition key and it fired right up. Climbing out, she went to where Tim stood watching the engine run.

  “What was wrong with it?”

  Tim held up an old piece of wire. “Starter wire broke apart. I replaced it.”

  Rubbing a dirty smudge off his face, she kissed him. “My hero. Let’s go home.”

  That evening, Tim played the upright piano while Teri cleaned the dinner dishes. “Teri, come in here when you’re finished. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  “What is it?” She sat beside him on the bench.

  “Listen to this.” And he started to play a melody and sing:

  I didn’t realize when I saw you that day, Beloved.

  That you would steal my heart away, Beloved.

  I swear I never knew

  Any girl quite like you.