by D. A. Young
“You are such a complete pain—”
Graham was saved a tongue lashing by the arrival of their server. “Good evening; my name is Sam. Please allow me to tell you about today’s specials…”
Annabelle ordered Singapore style fire-grilled pork jerky and the rainbow sushi platter while Graham decided on stir-fried salt and pepper calamari with broccoli, red chili flakes and spring onions over balsamic rice.
“We’re sharing,” she declared after oohing and aahing over the brightly colored sushi and the mouthwatering aroma of Graham’s dish when the food was delivered.
“I have no say?” Graham joked as he scooped up a forkful and fed Annabelle. “You know I got you, Doc.”
“Mmmm, that’s good.” Annabelle slowly chewed, doing a happy wiggle in her seat. “Smart choice, Mr. Carlton. I would have hated to be stingy with sharing certain things of mine as well. Have some sushi.”
“That’s cold, even for you, woman.” Graham picked up the chopsticks and expertly used them to grab a piece of yellowtail. “Now, that’s good sushi. I haven’t had it like this since I left Japan three years ago.”
“Was it for business or pleasure?” Images of beautiful Geisha girls tempting him irritated the hell out of Annabelle, causing her to viciously stab a succulent piece of calamari. “Tell me. I want to know everything there is to know about you, Graham. The happy, the sad, and the in between.”
“Are you going to return the favor?” Graham challenged her. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. My story ain’t flowers and chocolate, but it’s me.”
She clasped her hand around his. “That’s good to know because I’ve been gifted with enough flowers wrapped in thorns and poison-filled chocolate that I should have been dead by now and would have been if it wasn’t for Edith.”
“Were you in love with Fowler?”
Annabelle looked out at the ocean, listening to the lull of the waves. “I now know that I was dazzled and fascinated by the idea of him. He was my first crush, and we didn’t move in the same circles. My family didn’t come from money like the Fowlers. It was a struggle to make ends meet with Gas ‘N’ Go, our family convenience store. When it belonged to my grandparents, the store turned a healthy profit, but times were simpler then. The convenience store was the only one for miles around. Then came the arrival of more stores with fancier gadgets and car washes that Gas ‘N’ Go couldn’t compete with.
My parents fought all the time. The lack of money caused a terrible strain in our household. My mother wanted to do upgrades in the store to compete, but my father was adamant in keeping everything as my grandad did. Not that it mattered because they weren’t approved by the bank for a loan anyway. She was very materialistic and tired of having to make do.” Annabelle gripped her chopsticks so hard, Graham thought they’d snap. Gently, he pried them from her fingers and set them aside.
“I love animals. Growing up, I had a hamster, then a puppy, goldfish, and finally, a garden snake. Animals are so simple; that’s what I love most about them. Shit doesn’t work out for them, they go about their business or kill one another. One or the other; it’s as simple as that. There’s no lingering and trying to hang on to shit that’s not working, draining all the energy out of each other, wasting their lives away only to find reprieve in death.
It was my love of animals that allowed me to escape my parents’ war zone. Farmer Jennings allowed me to help out at the farm with the animals, and he even recommended me to the animal hospital as a volunteer. He was a good man, and I miss him. I was so glad that the farm passed to Max because he’s just as passionate about Cinnamon Farms as his uncle was. Did you ever get to meet Mr. Walter?”
“Once and it was very brief. You weren’t even born yet. It was me and Eliza, our big sister,” Graham replied. “We came to stay for a brief time, and I liked it alright. But then we had to leave and go back to Las Vegas.”
“Is that where your homebase is? I remember how anxious Georgie was to leave Baymoor and go back to Las Vegas.”
“Nah; I left Vegas when I was eighteen and had no intentions of going back, but I returned earlier this year to help Georgie pack and get the hell up outta there for good,” Graham said cynically before changing the subject. “Continue your story, Doc.”
Annabelle skewered him with a look, warning Graham that she wouldn’t forget his evasiveness when it came to telling his story. “Between the farm, school, and the hospital, I was hardly at home, which is how I liked it. I loved my parents, but trying to keep the peace in the house was exhausting. I was so tired when I came home that I just crashed, missing out on all of the drama. I studied night and day, dreaming about graduating from high school and going away to college, far away from my parents. My dream was to become a veterinarian and eventually open my own practice.”
Annabelle’s expression became closed off. “I’d known Davis since I was in kindergarten and always had a crush on him. He caught my eye because he didn’t seem to have a care in the world. He was so handsome and confident in who he was. Davis had no worries or problems. Why should he? He was a Fowler, therefore, he had it made. It was understood that he would follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and take over the animal hospital when Brenton retired from the board, so it made sense for him to be at the hospital observing whenever he wasn’t off in his sports car or with a pretty girl on his arm.”
Graham steepled his fingers, pressing them tightly together, focusing on the pressure as he listened to Annabelle speak of Fowler. They both knew that Fowler was a piece of shit and that Doc was no longer enamored of the maggot, but it made Graham physically ill to discuss him with her, knowing what she’d suffered. He knew they were only skimming the surface.
“Growing up, I never had issues with my confidence or looks. I knew I didn’t look like a mainstream model nor would my size ever drop below two digits. I didn’t care about wearing makeup and could barely be bothered to style my hair in anything other than a ponytail. Do you get what I’m saying? I liked me for who I was, and I wanted Davis to notice and like me that way as well. I was determined not to change for anyone but myself.
So, I stopped wishing for him to notice me, and he finally did. I saved his ass in a play my junior year of high school, and after the play, Brenton invited me to have dinner at his home. Edith was horrible to me. At the time, I thought she hated me from the way she treated me, but I know better now. She was only trying to save me.” Annabelle’s rueful laugh was tinged with sadness. “If she only knew how stubborn and determined I was to prove that I could fit in. That’s where everything changed for me.”
Chapter Thirteen
Past
“Can’t you make it straighter? Like bone straight, Chelsea. Please?” Annabelle begged as she fidgeted on her vanity stool. “Guys, which lip gloss? The nude one? I like the one with the peach shimmer. How much longer will it be, Chelse? Davis said he’d be here at six, and he’s always prompt. I don’t want to keep him or his family waiting.”
“Annabelle, do I look like I care if ‘King Dick’ has to wait for anything?” Kenya sucked her teeth as she, Chelsea, and Georgie howled with laughter. She and Georgie were laying on Annabelle’s bed looking through her new jewelry case.
“Can I borrow these earrings?” Kenya held up a pair of diamond studs.
Chelsea glanced over her shoulder. “Annabelle, did they come in a smaller version? I need one for my nose.”
“You’re getting a nose ring? What about your parents? They will lose their minds on you!” Kenya informed her.
“Hell yeah, I’m getting one and when I turn eighteen, I’m getting tattoos as well,” Chelsea bragged.
“Annabelle, if you say yes to Kenya, then I want to borrow your purple flats with the plaid bows on them,” Georgie spoke up, jumping from the bed to grab a shoebox from the stack by the closet door. “I saw them in a magazine last week, but I haven’t saved up enough of my allowance to buy them.”
“Ladies, borrow whatever; go for it! I forgo
t I even had the jewelry, and those shoes are nowhere on my radar,” Annabelle replied airily. She was so busy applying nail polish over a chipped fingernail that she missed the concerned look her friends exchanged.
“I stopped by the Gas ‘N’ Go, and it was packed. I’m really digging the new snow cone machine,” Georgie offered. “Business must be doing well.”
“Yeah, very well. The bank approved their request for a loan. There was a little extra to do renovations on the house, so they had it repainted and got rid of all the old furniture,” Annabelle smiled with genuine happiness. “I’m so glad things are working out. My parents don’t argue anymore, and they have never been happier.”
“And you finally got Davis as a boyfriend, and the two of you are going strong,” Kenya added sarcastically. “Whoopty-doo!”
“Kenny, chill with that!” Chelsea warned.
“What’s your problem, Kenya?” Annabelle snapped. “Ever since Davis and I started dating, you’ve been acting like a bitch about it. Did he do something to you that I should know about?”
“Davis hasn’t done anything but be his normal self-centered douchebag self. He’s not the problem. You are.”
Annabelle jumped up as did Kenya, getting in each other’s faces while Georgina and Chelsea stood on opposite sides, monitoring the tense situation. “I’m the problem?! You come to my house, acting like you can’t stand for me to be happy, and I’m the problem? Heffa, how?!”
Kenya swept her hand dismissively over Annabelle. “Look in the mirror, lil’ ‘Ms. Take Me As I Am’! What happened to you not changing for nobody? Now, you stay in the mirror and act like every day is a big fashion show! You’ve changed and you don’t even see it.”
“So, you’re mad that I got a steady boyfriend, new look, and am still maintaining my 4.0 GPA when yours falls every single time you get a new crush?” Annabelle scoffed. “Puhleez!”
“You used to be so fun, and now, all you do is wait for Davis to call or come home on breaks from college, like you’re married or somethin’,” Kenya jeered. “Are you supposed to spend senior year committed to some fool who’s probably out getting laid as we speak? Quit being stupid, Annabelle! The only thing Davis wants is to get in your panties.”
The silence was deafening as the face-off continued.
“Let’s take a step back, guys,” Georgina encouraged them. “This ain’t us right, Chelsea?”
“We’ve been friends way too long to butt heads over a guy,” Chelsea agreed. “Kiss and make up.”
“Why do you sound so excited by that idea?”
“No, I don’t!” Chelsea blustered, a crimson blush infusing her cheeks. “You’re nuts!”
Annabelle stepped back and Kenya smiled victoriously. Finally, Annabelle would see that she was right about Davis. It baffled her that her friend couldn’t see him for the dickhead that he was.
Kenya’s relief turned to confusion when Annabelle walked over to her bedroom door. Confusion turned to shock when she opened it and spat, “Get out!”
Kenya’s mouth fell open, as did Georgina and Chelsea’s. They were just as shocked by their normally calm friend’s out-of-character behavior. “Say what?”
“Get your jealous, ignorant ass outta my house!” Annabelle seethed. “NOW.”
“Annabelle! You don’t mean that!” Kenya sputtered. “We’re best friends!”
Annabelle slammed the bedroom door so hard, a family picture fell off the wall. “Then act like it! Act like you’re happy instead of putting me down and picking fights! Be happy for me!”
There was a knock on the bedroom door before Samantha Gaines stuck her head in. “I heard yelling and then the door slammed. Everything alright, ladies?”
Although her question was directed to the group, her gaze remained focus on Annabelle who appeared visibly upset. “Annabelle?”
Before she could respond, the doorbell rang. Her mother smiled. “That will be Davis. It would be tacky to keep him waiting, Annabelle. Let’s go, girls. I’ll drive you home.”
***
“Davis, stop.” Annabelle evaded Davis’s lips and gently pushed against his shoulders. “Let’s take a breather.”
“Why?” Davis kissed her jaw then her neck as his hand crept up her thigh and pulled the hem of her dress with it. “We’re having a good time, and I’m trying to make it better. Stop thinking so much, Annabelle. Just chill.”
Her legs slammed shut, and she pulled her dress down. “I’m not having that great a time, Davis! Stop it.”
This was the only thing wrong with their relationship. Annabelle liked Davis and his hugs and kisses, but she wasn’t interested in going any further than that. She was focused on her future and told him from the beginning. Annabelle thought Davis understood when he said that he respected her choice, but he’d become more persistent with each date.
Davis fell back on the sofa and threw his arm across his eyes. “What the fuck is your problem, Annabelle? We’ve been dating for five months, and I can’t get past first base with you! I’ve been faithful and haven’t messed around on you. Gimme somethin’!”
Anger rising, Annabelle shifted to face Davis. “You want to be rewarded for doing what a good boyfriend is supposed to do?! Listen, if being in a relationship with me is too much for you, then let’s forget it! I’m not going to be doing anything of a sexual nature any time soon. Especially not while I’m in high school. Not everything is about sex! Maybe we should take a break.”
Davis threw his hands up with a relieved expression. “So, what you breaking up with me now? I’m cool with that. Being with you is like kissing an ice cube. You can’t ever relax. Always tensing up and shit when I touch you. Maybe you should be happy someone can get their arms around you. You’re not exactly on the skinny side. You got a cute face, but so do a lot of girls that are skinnier.”
“That’s because I can’t relax and enjoy it when I know I have to watch for your hands!” Annabelle snapped back, stung by his harsh words. It was the first time he’d ever commented on her being a size fourteen, and despite what Edith had said, Annabelle thought he was different. She jumped up. “Don’t bother seeing me out. We’re done.”
“Fine by me. Don’t let the door hit your fat ass on the way out.”
Annabelle rushed out of the room, hot tears blurring her vision, and ran smack into Brenton. “Easy, young lady! Where’s the fire?”
Mortified, Annabelle stepped back, dropping her gaze. “Sorry, Mr. Fowler. If you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”
But Brenton blocked her way. Fatherly concern was heavy in his words. “What’s wrong, Annabelle? Did you and Davis have a disagreement? What did he say to upset you?”
“We’ve decided to break up.” Her lips pressed tightly together. “Apparently, he’s used to skinnier girls who will be more accommodating and receptive to his advances.”
Sensing she was being watched, Annabelle looked up to see Edith standing on the stair landing with an inscrutable expression. “I’m not about that. If that’s what he wants, he’s more than welcome to find it with someone else.”
Something dark and unreadable flashed in Brenton’s eyes before disappearing. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry you experienced any discomfort. Please accept my apologies on Davis’s behalf. I will speak with him tonight about his boorish manners. Let me drive you home. I’ll be right back.”
On the ride to Annabelle’s house, Brenton brought up the animal hospital. “I was wondering if you’d like to observe the urethral blockage procedure Dr. Hanes will be performing on Mrs. Laurent’s tabby, Jingles, tomorrow.” He pointed to the back seat. “I hope you don’t mind, but I also took the liberty of bringing some of my father’s medical journals for you. Thought you might like to read through them.”
Annabelle was speechless and flattered. “I-I would love to! Thank you and yes, I’d love to observe if you don’t mind.”
Brenton smiled warmly at her. “Not in the least. I’ve got my eye on your future. You are going to do great thin
gs, Annabelle. I’m counting on you to bring the animal hospital into the future. I won’t be around forever.”
Annabelle glowed under his praise. “I can’t wait to join the team.”
They arrived at the house, and Annabelle was surprised to see her parents standing on the front porch.
Samantha smiled brightly and took her hand. “Hi, sweetie. You’re home early. Let’s go upstairs and you can tell me about your date.”
Thomas smiled at daughter, but it was tense and didn’t reach his eyes. “Hey, Annabelle. Go inside with your mother.” To Brenton, he extended his hand and the two men shook hands. “Good to see you, Brenton.”
Upstairs, Annabelle filled her mother in on Davis’s rude behavior. “I never want to see him again!”
Samantha picked up the dress her daughter had discarded on the bed and studied it. The fabric was high quality with bright tropical flowers on a white background. Samantha knew the moment she saw it in Macy’s that it would look amazing on Annabelle and had to get it for her. She missed having nice things and was frustrated that Annabelle was missing out on the finer things as well, not that she’d ever complained. Sometimes, her marriage to Thomas felt like an ordeal more than a partnership. There were so many sacrifices that had to be made financially, that Samantha constantly lived in a stressed and unhappy state. She missed their old life before Thomas got it in his head to run the store to make his old man happy, instead of selling it. Her sister Chandra insisted that Samantha find another line of work, but she was determined to be her own boss and have it all.
All Annabelle cared about were animals. She didn’t even realize the magnitude of the opportunity that was right in front of her with a boy from one of the wealthiest families in town. But Samantha did and all the opportunities a match between them could bring. Not just to Annabelle, but to her and Thomas as well.
“Davis was being foolish, allowing his hormones to lead him like that. I’m sure that by tomorrow morning, he’ll have seen the error of his ways.”