Into Each Life

by Shelia E. Bell

  “What are you going to do after you graduate from school, Teary?” Skyler asked her before shoving a handful of popcorn in his mouth.

  “I’m going to college and major in English or journalism. I love to write.

  “You never told me that you liked writing.”

  “I guess it never came up. Anyway, I want to see how far I can go with it. I’m not sure if I’ll go out of town to college, or if I’m going to stay here and go to the University. I guess I’ll have to make my decision soon, huh?”

  “I think you should. It takes a while to get everything together for college”

  “I’ve been accepted at a couple of universities including Broknfield.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I’m always talking about my dreams and stuff. There’s still a lot about you that I don’t know, but can I assume one thing?”

  “It depends on what it is you want to assume?” she said meekly, taking a sip of her soda.

  “Can I assume that you like me?”

  Her eyes met his. She was quiet for a moment before revealing her answer to him.

  “I think it’s safe to assume that,” she said softly and smiled.

  When he tilted her chin toward him, she met his kiss without resistance. His broad lips were sweet like the taste of bubblegum. He wasn’t forceful or overpowering. She liked that about Skyler. His hands traveled along the course of her tiny waist, but not once did he try to invade her body. She hoped he would never find out that she wasn’t a virgin and definitely not the innocent girl he seemed to think she was. She wanted their relationship to be different. The movie credits were rolling by the time their lips parted.

  Skyler looked at the screen and pointed. “Can you believe that we sat here all this time and now look. The movie’s over and we have no idea how it ended. I guess we have to sit through the whole thing again so we can see the end.”

  “Oh, no. I can’t take another blood curdling scream or see another person get butchered by Jason the fourth, fifth, or whatever Jason he is,” Teary laughed.

  “What now? We can go and get something to eat.”

  “No, I don’t think I can eat another bite,” Teary rubbed her stomach and shook her head.

  “I tell you what. Do you want to go and see where I lay my head? I promise I won’t try anything out of line. Making a v-shape with his two fingers he said, “Scout’s honor.”

  “So, you were a Boy Scout, huh?”

  “Not exactly. I learned that from some of my scout friends. Surely, that counts for something.” He poked out his mouth and gave her a pleading look

  “Oh, all right. Since you put it like that, I guess my answer is yes. We can go by there for a minute; I’d like to see your bachelor’s pad,” she giggled. They left the drive-in, talking all the way to Skyler’s apartment.

  Skyler pulled into the apartment complex and drove all the way to the back, pulling up at the last unit. Opening the door for Teary, he reached for her hand and led her to the second door of the downstairs units. Entering the two-bedroom apartment, Teary was quiet and reserved. It was sparsely furnished with a chocolate brown love seat, sofa and recliner in the living room A deck of cards was sprawled across the table along with a few of Skyler’s school books. Teary viewed the kitchen from the front room and didn’t spot a single dish in the sink.

  “Come on, I want you to see where I spend my lonely days and nights,” Skyler said as he grabbed her by the hand again like she was a little schoolgirl.

  “Of course, why not,” she remarked as he led her to his bedroom She zeroed in on her surroundings. The queen sized bed was expertly made. Books about physical therapy and anatomy rested on a bookshelf in the corner of his bedroom. Scented candles were on his dresser, along with several video cartridges and pictures.

  Picking up one of the pictures she asked, “Your parents?”

  “Yep.”

  “They live here?”

  “I’m actually from Charlotte. And to answer your question, no, my parents don’t live here. They were killed when I was sixteen.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, Skyler. What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “No, I don’t mind. A drunk driver ran a red light and hit them head on. My little brother and sister were in the car, too. They had just dropped me off at a friend’s house and were on their way home when it happened. There’s a picture of my sister and brother over there on the other side of the dresser.”

  Teary held the picture of his brother and sister and stared at their innocent looking faces. She was reeling from what he had just told her.

  “Skyler, that’s awful. Who took care of you?”

  “Basically, I’ve been taking care of myself every since it happened. My momma and daddy didn’t have sisters or brothers. My maternal grandparents died when I was a four years old, and my daddy’s parents aren’t in the best of health. The reason I’m in Broknfield is because of my roommate, Johnny. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten. That’s whose house I was over when the accident happened. They’re like a second family to me.”

  “How did you end up in Broknfield?”

  “Johnny’s daddy is from here. When Johnny’s grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, his parents decided to move back here to take care of him. They asked me to come along. So, here I am.”

  Her heart overflowed with compassion for him. This was a part of Skyler she didn’t know. She wished she could do something to help him. Teary sat the pictures back down on the dresser and walked into his arms and kissed him passionately. He returned her kiss with an urgency of his own before forcefully pushing her away from him.

  Looking bewildered and lost she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “We’d better go before things get out of hand. Plus, it’s late and I don’t want to mess up with your people, especially on our first date. It won’t be long before you’re eighteen. We can wait. I want you to be sure about us.”

  Teary sulked, but she didn’t say a word. She walked slowly back into the living room and picked up her jacket. Skyler was indeed different. That was one thing she was sure of.

  Reluctantly she said, “I’m ready.”

  He led the way to the door without saying a word.

  Man, what am I thinking? I can’t believe I’m doing this. Bad as I want this girl, he thought to himself.

  The drive home was filled with silence. She nestled closely to him, resting her head on his shoulder while he drove. She felt safe and secure with him and believed this time around things would be different.

  chapter 12

  Time to Move On

  Teary was about to let the cordless phone ring one more time before hanging up when Prodigal picked up the other end.

  “Hello, whuzzup witch ya?’ Prodigal said into the phone receiver.

  “It’s about time you answered the phone. I want to know if you and Faith are still going with me and Skyler to Chili’s after our Commencement.”

  “What’s going on at Chili’s?”

  “I told you, yesterday that we were going to go somewhere and celebrate. It’s not every day we march down the aisle to receive our high school diploma. Can you believe it?” Teary hadn’t given him a chance to respond to her initial question.

  “Girl, slow down. You’re talking a mile a minute. I can’t be hanging around with you too long 'cause I don’t want to be around dude, you know that.”

  Teary was determined to keep things up beat on their graduation night. “Prodigal, we’ve come a long way to get to this day, so please lay your ill feelings for my man aside just for tonight. Shucks, we actually made it, Prodigal.” She laughed out loud and said, “I’m sure glad Faith came into your mixed up, messed up life and saved you.”

  “You’re saying it like it’s a joke, but I’m serious when I say I’m glad she did too. There’s not a girl out there who can out do her,” he said rather proudly. “Not even you, Teary Fullalove; now what do you have to say about that?” He teased.

  “Boy, please
. Whatever! Just answer my question. Are you two going or not?” She asked him while prancing around in her bedroom.

  He pushed his bifocals back up against the bridge of his narrow nose while he responded, “Probably, but let me check with Faith. I’ll call you back, but I bet she’s going to say yes.”

  “Okay, but if you don’t call me back in a few minutes, I’ll just see you at the Convention Center and you can let me know what you’re going to do then. You’re still riding with your family, right? Or do you need to catch a ride with me?”

  “No, I’m cool. The king of the Runsome household is riding with the ladies, Momma, Fantasia and Hope. My royal subjects.” Prodigal laughed.

  “Funny, Prodigal. You wish you were somebody’s king. But seriously though, remember to bring everything you’re supposed to have,” Teary emphasized. You know how forgetful you are, especially since you’re so in luv,” she teased.

  He rambled off the list of things he was supposed to take with him to the Convention Center. “Let’s see. I have my gown, my tassel, my cap and uh, uh, and that’s it. Right?”

  “Yeah, that sounds like everything.”

  “And as for being in love, you can’t talk because if anyone’s sprung, it’s you. I haven’t seen you this crazy about anyone since that bum, Langston.” Nothingness traveled between the lines. Prodigal visualized her on the other end with an awkward expression on her face. “Sorry about that, Teary. I didn’t mean to drudge up bad memories. But now as for the present, I can say that Mr. Jenkins, even though I don’t particularly like him, he has your nose so wide open, a train could run straight through it.” Both of them were laughing hard by this time. “But seriously, Teary, thanks for looking out for me. I have everything and I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  “Bye, boy. I’ll talk to you later.”

  After hanging up the phone, Prodigal leaned back on his bed, thinking about all he and Teary had gone through over the years. He reminisced about the fun times they shared when they were little kids. Pulling her pigtails, riding our bikes to Willow Lake, exchanging blood vows. Those were some good times. But I have Faith and she’s completely different from Teary, and I’m crazy about her. But Teary will always be my special girl. If only she knew just how special she really is to me. I’ve never been able to tell her how I feel. Now here we are, on the verge of being adults. We’re high school seniors preparing to march down the aisle and into our futures—together yet apart. She’s got her life with her new boyfriend and I have Faith. Maybe it’s best this way.

  The sound of his mother’s voice startled him, breaking into his private thoughts. “Prodigal, are you getting your things ready? It won’t be long before it’s time for us to leave. You don’t want to be late for your own graduation do you?” Ruth asked from his bedroom doorway.

  “Yes, ma’am. I mean, no, ma’am. I don’t want to be late. I’m going to start getting ready shortly.”

  After an hour or so of daydreaming, Prodigal called Faith to tell her he would see her at the Convention Center. They talked for a few minutes then he hung and started getting ready. He could hear Fantasia and Hope downstairs shuffling around. It felt like old times with all of them in the house. If only his daddy was here to share this day with them, then the family would be complete.

  Ruth looked at the wall clock in the kitchen. She yelled upstairs telling Prodigal it was time to leave. He rushed downstairs with his gown draped over his arm. At that moment, Ruth had to fight back the tears. He looked just like Solumum. Most of the time people told her that Prodigal was the spitting image of her, but not today. Today, however, she saw a replica of Solumun Runsome bolting down the stairs. She managed to smile as Prodigal walked straight into her arms and hugged her, as if he could read her thoughts. Fantasia and Hope interrupted the mother and son moment not a minute too soon because Ruth didn’t know if she could hold her tears back much longer.

  “You look so handsome,” Hope told her brother.

  “He does, doesn’t he?” Fantasia added, surveying Prodigal from head to toe.

  “Well, time to go,” Ruth said. Doing a final check to assure that Prodigal hadn’t forgotten anything, Ruth hurried everyone to the car. They pulled up at the front of the Convention Center and Prodigal jumped out of the car. Ruth proceeded to the parking garage.

  Proud parents and boasting relatives were quickly filing into the Broknfield Convention Center. The Runsome and Fullalove families boldly claimed seats front row and center. Ruth was quite proud of all her children. She remembered when Fantasia walked across the same stage as valedictorian of her class.

  The program got under way. Prodigal’s chest was bursting with excitement as he looked out at the crowd. He beamed when he saw his family on the front row. A sense of accomplishment and pride consumed him.

  The moment had arrived for them to pass out the diplomas, and not a minute too soon for Prodigal. He looked at Teary the same time she was looking back at him. The two of them smiled at each other. Prodigal’s heart fluttered.

  Name after name was called. Prodigal clapped as hard as he could when he heard them say, “Teary Fullalove.” Teary held her head high when her name was called and strolled confidently across the stage. She reached out and shook Principal King’s hand, and with her other hand she reached for the piece of paper that symbolized her freedom to move forward to the next stage in her life. The Fullalove clan, including Sara and Aunt Vashti who’d flown in from Seattle the night before, clapped their hands loudly and screamed as Teary pranced across the stage. Aunt Vashti held on to Sara’s little boy, Andrew, while he tried unsuccessfully to ease himself out of her lap.

  Teary nervously peeked out in the audience. Her eyes scoped the crowd like a radar screen for Skyler. He has to be here. He promised he would, she thought.

  In the back of her mind, she heard Principal King calling the other students’ names - Debra Mason - Faith Meadows - Chelsia Patterson - Prodigal Runsome.

  She looked up from her daydream just in time to see Prodigal strolling proudly across the stage. She joined in on the clapping and yelling. She felt especially happy for him, the one person who had been, and was, her dearest and closest friend. She thought of their futures. What would happen to them now? Prodigal and Faith would probably one day get married. She and Skyler had their own plans, too. But what would life hold for their friendship? She couldn’t stand the thought of Prodigal not being part of her life. Even though he didn’t like Skyler, she hoped that it wouldn’t destroy the love and friendship she and Prodigal had for one another. She could make it in life without a lot of things and a lot of people, but Prodigal Runsome wasn’t one of them.

  ♦

  “Teary,” Prodigal said.

  “What?” she answered.

  “Faith said that Chili’s sounds fine to her.”

  “Good, it’s settled. Come on. Let’s get out of these gowns.” Teary took Prodigal by the hand, pulling him along.

  Faith stood off to the side and saw Prodigal hand in hand with Teary, leaving the area that had been reserved for the graduates. She couldn’t help but feel somewhat jealous. Instead of seeking her out, as usual, it was always Teary that Prodigal put first. Faith trailed several feet behind them to see where they were going.

  Faith continued watching as the two of them turned in their gowns at the designated drop off and proceeded down the corridor leading out of the auditorium.

  “Teary, I can’t stay at Chili’s too long. Fantasia has to leave tomorrow, so I really want to spend some time with her.”

  “As long as you remember that midnight tonight, I’m going to be eighteen years old,” she squealed and jumped up and down. “Can you believe it? I graduated today and tomorrow I’ll officially become an adult. Can it get any better than that?” She screamed again.

  “Hold it down, crazy girl. I know tomorrow is your birthday. We’re going to do something special, just you and me. Teary, all I’m saying is that it won’t be tonight. I have to go to Faith’s house later
this evening. Her parents are having her a get together. You know you’re welcome to come. Faith told me that she invited you.”

  Faith stood quietly behind a wall at the end of the corridor so they wouldn’t see her. She listened as they talked innocently about the plans they had for later that evening, so she walked off and went to find her parents and relatives. She began to feel stupid for being jealous and distrustful of Prodigal. One day she was going to be Mrs. Prodigal Runsome, so she convinced herself there was nothing for her to be concerned about – nothing at all.

  “Prodigal, you’re right. Faith did invite me. But I can’t come tonight. After we leave Chili’s, Skyler and I are going to hang out and celebrate my birthday.”

  “That’s cool.” He hesitated before he continued. “Teary, there’s something I want to say and since I don’t know when we’ll have the chance to be alone again, I want to say it now.”

  “Prodigal, if it’s about Skyler, don’t worry about me. Things are going to be fine. You’ll see.”

  “This has nothing to do with him. This has to do with us. Come on,” Prodigal said grabbing hold of her shoulders and giving her a push into the empty dressing room.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, uncertain as to why Prodigal was being so serious.

  “Will you be quiet for a minute and listen?” he commanded. He reached inside his pant pocket and pulled out a silver box.

  “What is that? Is it something for Faith.” Teary asked.

  “No. It’s something for you,” Prodigal interjected, opening the box revealing a sterling silver bracelet with break-away heart charms dangling from it. “Happy birthday, Teary.”

  Teary was speechless. She shifted her glistening eyes to the bracelet, pulling it out of its box. Holding it in her hands, she saw the dangling broken hearts. One half of the heart had the initial ‘P’ engraved on it. The other half of the heart had the initial ‘T’ engraved on it.

  “Oh, Prodigal, it’s beautiful,” she told him. “I love it.”