The Devil and Danna Webster

by Jacqueline Seewald

  I blinked. It had to be some sort of magic trick. “That’s pretty impressive, but you shouldn’t smoke in here.”

  He nodded and the cigar simply disappeared.

  “How did you manage that?”

  He gave me an enigmatic smile. “Do ask Kevin. He’ll explain it to you. Until we meet again, Ms. Webster.” He squeezed my hand.

  “Got some good stuff here,” Kevin said, returning. I took the plate he held out to me. When I looked around, I saw that the stranger had gone. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen. He’d simply vanished. The room was suddenly noisy again. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Kevin, who was that guy? Is he a relative of yours?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” Kevin’s words were clipped and strained. “Come on, try some of this quiche.”

  “If you’ll have some too.”

  “Fine. You know real men don’t eat that kind of stuff.” He managed a weak smile.

  I tried sampling some of the food he’d brought. I guess it was good, but for some reason, it tasted like dust in my mouth.

  Kevin looked pretty tense too.

  “Do you think your mother would mind if we left now?”

  Kevin shook his head. “I was thinking the same thing. We should get out of here.”

  Kevin drove back to New Jersey at breakneck speed. I didn't have the nerve to say anything about the dark man because Kevin seemed so upset. He didn't go directly to my house either. Instead, he drove over to the ocean, and we sat together in silence for a while.

  "I really feel awful about this evening," he finally said, “I know you were looking forward to it and I ruined the whole thing for you. You look so beautiful too."

  I touched his hand. "I don't really care. It doesn't matter. I'm sorry it was so miserable for you."

  We sat in the car and listened to the sounds of the ocean for a while which I found soothing.

  “That man was so creepy,” I said, “I mean, totally weird.”

  “Yeah, I know. I want to apologize for that too.” He looked sincere.

  "Want to take a walk on the beach?" I asked. "It always makes me feel better when I'm upset. The rhythm of the ocean is calming."

  He put his arm around me. "I’m fine sitting here with you. You're what I need. Just being with you makes me feel better.” He kissed me gently on the lips. "I love you." He kissed me again — this time with much more feeling, and I found myself responding. We held each other, kissing and hugging for quite a while. When we finally came apart, we were both breathless, and the car windows were fogged. Kevin noticed it too and traced a heart on the driver's side. He put our initials in it.

  "I wish I could say that kissing and holding you was enough for me."

  "Isn't it?" I felt bewildered.

  He touched my cheek as if I were a small child. "I feel so much for you. It's frustrating not to be able to express my feelings fully. I know this is all new to you. I never want to take advantage of you. You know that, don't you? But I think we can give each other more. Think about what I'm saying, and let me know if we can have a real relationship, a mature one. I'd never hurt you. I have true feelings for you."

  He had taken me by surprise. I couldn't answer him. After a while, he started the car again and drove me home. Instead of kissing me goodnight on the lips, as if to emphasize his point that we didn't yet have a grown-up relationship, he kissed me on the forehead, just the way my mother had done earlier. When he left me standing on the porch, I felt miserable and confused.

  My mother was sleeping in front of the television set when I came in. As I shut it off, she woke up.

  "Good, you're home," she said in a sleepy voice. "How was your party?" I told her it had been okay, but I didn't elaborate. "Just okay? I thought this would be the best party of your life."

  I shook my head. "Maybe I expected too much. I built it up in my mind.”

  Mom appeared alert now. “There’s something you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”

  I shrugged. “Kevin got into an argument with his father, and we ended up leaving early."

  My mother straightened on the sofa. "I see. You want to talk about it?"

  "Let's just go to sleep. I don’t feel much like talking right now. What I feel is exhaustion."

  My mother glanced at me sideways, and I could tell she knew that something more was bothering me. I was relieved that she didn't insist on discussing it just then. I did not want to talk about the strange man at the party or what Kevin had said to me in his car later. Both were just too upsetting.

  ****

  The next morning, Kevin called early. He said he wanted to get together, but I put him off, telling him I had schoolwork to do, and that was no lie. Joyce came over later in the afternoon, and as we walked along the beach, she told me about her date with Tom the night before.

  "Tom wasn't asked to Caron Moore's party. I don’t think she likes him, but we had a good time anyway."

  "Probably a lot better than mine."

  "Why, what happened?"

  I debated telling her the truth and decided to confide in Joyce. I told her about my evening with Kevin and Joyce listened attentively.

  "So he wants to have sex with you? Dani, you wouldn't seriously consider it, would you? I knew all along that was what he was after!"

  Now I regretted confiding in my friend. "It's not like that. Kevin really does care about me."

  "Please! He's just got a smoother line than most. You really have to be careful around that character. He'll bring you nothing but grief."

  I was furious. Why had I told Joyce what Kevin had said? She was just like my parents. Maybe she was even jealous.

  "Just forget it. I should have known you wouldn't understand!"

  “Fine. Tell your mother then. See what she thinks."

  "My mother? Are you crazy? I can't discuss something like that with her. You know what she'd say. And she'd tell my stepdad. Then he'll forbid me to see Kevin anymore."

  "Would that be so bad?"

  I didn't answer.

  "All right, then just say no to the guy and see what happens."

  "Maybe I want to say yes!"

  Joyce got to her feet. "I can't believe this is you talking. He must have really gotten to you. Use your brains," she shouted at me

  "Maybe you use yours too much," I shouted back at her.

  Joyce shook her head. "You’re becoming an emotional mess. Maybe I ought to tell your mother for your own sake."

  We faced each other, both angry.

  "You tell her and I swear I will never forgive you! What kind of friend are you?”

  "A better one than you deserve. Grow up, Dani! It's because I am your friend that I'm telling you the truth. Sorry you don’t like hearing it."

  We parted then. We didn't speak another word on the way back to the house. After Joyce left, I shut myself in my room and cried. It's not easy losing the person who has been your best friend all through school.

  That night, I didn't sleep well. I kept having bad dreams. I was at Caron’s party again. The dark man showed up. I started running away. I kept running with him chasing me, calling out my name, and then I fell over a huge cliff and I was falling down and down and down. I woke up in the middle of the night, sweating, my heart racing. The nightmare had been so real, so horrifying.

  In the morning, my mother went to work, and my father had a doctor’s appointment. Our school was closed for Columbus Day. I moped around for a while not knowing what to do. I really wasn’t in the mood for doing homework. Then the phone rang.

  It was Kevin. He wanted us to spend the afternoon together. At first, I turned him down, but he was persistent and I finally caved.

  He picked me up at noon and we went out for burgers in the mall. He then asked if I minded dropping by his house. "My mother's car is in the shop and I promised to run a few errands for her. Hope you don't object."

  "Of course not. I like your mother."

  As it turned out, his mother and sister were bo
th at home. Caron had Alicia Connelly over, and Mrs. Moore looked as if she were waiting to go out.

  "So glad you arrived, Kevin. The mechanic says my car won't be ready until tomorrow afternoon. There are a few things I simply must do, and I need to be dropped at the beauty parlor. My hair is frightful."

  "Anywhere for you, Sheila," he responded with a teasing smile. Then he kissed her on the hand.

  She patted his cheek. "Isn't he wonderful? And the way he stood up to his father the other night, such courage!"

  “I think he embarrassed our entire family,” Caron said, glaring at her brother.

  "Let's not go there," Kevin said. "Sheila, if you're ready, let's leave."

  "Wait! Why don't you let Danna stay with us?" Caron suggested. "Since the two of you are dating, we ought to get better acquainted."

  Kevin narrowed his eyes. “What are you up to?”

  “Brother dearest, Danna and I should get to know each other. Stop eyeing me with distrust.”

  “I don’t think it’s such a good idea,” Kevin said.

  “You’re wrong.” Caron, intent on having her own way, shoved Kevin toward the door.

  For a moment, the thought ran through my mind I was like a toy being pulled back and forth between two spoiled children. Finally, Kevin left with Mrs. Moore, and I had the dubious pleasure of joining Caron and Alicia. Kevin’s sister was suddenly going out of her way to be nice to me, although I had no idea why. Alicia seemed just as puzzled. She, at least, didn't bother being charming. Caron tried to draw me out in conversation, but I spoke with reserve, not sure that I could trust her.

  "I overheard Kevin tell our mother he cares about you, Danna."

  Alicia frowned but didn’t speak. I thought it best not to comment either.

  "I wonder." Caron tapped a long, blood-red fingernail against an end table.

  "What are you wondering?" I asked, realizing I sounded defensive.

  "Oh, why you in particular. Not to hurt your feelings, but he is awfully attractive. He can have any girl he wants. All he has to do is snap his fingers.” She demonstrated. “You're not exactly his type."

  "What is his type?"

  "Well, Alicia, for example."

  Alicia gave a knowing smile.

  "Maybe he's an art lover," I responded in a flat voice.

  "Could be, at that," Caron agreed.

  I began to suspect that her invitation was motivated by curiosity. She wanted details about my relationship with Kevin. She probably intended to mock me. Well, I wasn't foolish enough to discuss him with her.

  The phone rang and distracted Caron from further questioning. When she returned, she said, "I just got a call to remind me about the Halloween Dance. We need to do some additional posters to hang around the school. I know what! Danna, you could help us. We need someone who's artistic. Say you'll help."

  I told her that I would and she was pleased.

  "What are you coming as?"

  I told her that I had no plans to go.

  "Of course you'll go," she said, as if there weren't any doubt about it. "I'll talk to Kevin later. It's going to be great fun. You'll come with us. Don't let Kevin always take you out alone. There's so much more fun in a group and you'll fit in well with us. Hey, suppose I teach you how to apply makeup the way models do? Come on, don’t look so doubtful. You’ll enjoy learning. I'll make you look glamorous. When Kevin comes back, he'll be dazzled. He’ll love it."

  I was hesitant. But at the continued urging of Caron and Alicia, I finally agreed. Caron really seemed to enjoy working with makeup and showing Alicia and me how to apply it. She was very professional. I was impressed with her knowledge.

  “You’re easy to work with,” Caron said. She studied me. “Good bone structure. This is going well. Now we’ll work on your hair. You have good hair, nice and thick.” When she finished, a beautiful girl looked back at me from the mirror. I blinked. It wasn't me, but I confess I loved looking like a glamorous movie actress.

  "Perfect," Caron pronounced, "except you ought to wear something that goes with your new look." She went to her enormous closet, dragging me in her wake, and began looking through her things. "Here's a dress I never wear. It's just a tad large on me, but I think it will fit you perfectly."

  "I couldn't."

  "Try it on at least!" I took off my slacks and shirt and pulled on the clinging knit dress. I really did look sophisticated and mature with the dress and full makeover.

  "Great," Caron said. "The dress fits you and it emphasizes your curves. I have just the right belt for it too.” She rummaged in a dresser drawer and brought out a silver belt in the shape of a snake. She clasped it around my waist and stood back. “Lovely. My best creation. I can't wait for Kevin to see you!"

  We didn't have long to wait. Kevin returned shortly, and as I answered the door, I held my breath in anticipation.

  Chapter Ten

  Kevin's first reaction was one of shock. Then his face clouded with anger.

  "Don’t you love what I've done with her?" Caron asked.

  "Turning her into another Caron Moore?” he said, pointing an accusing finger in his sister’s direction. Then he turned back to me. “Go wash your face!" he shouted at me. "And take off that dress. It makes you look cheap.”

  I ran from the room because I didn't want to let any of them see that I was crying. I felt humiliated. How could Kevin have spoken that way to me? And in front of his sister and her friend! It was totally demeaning. I could barely manage to take the dress off; my hands were shaking that hard. I went to the adjoining bathroom and washed my face, then took a couple of deep breaths. I sat down on Caron’s bed and gathered my scattered thoughts together.

  Something wasn’t right here. Before I denounced anyone, I needed to find out why Kevin had reacted the way he did. Had his sister played him? To her, embarrassing me might just be her form of amusement for the day. No, I wasn’t going to let them have the satisfaction of seeing how this had gotten to me.

  "Thank heaven," Kevin said when I returned, dressed in my own clothes again.

  "Please take me home," I said coldly to Kevin. I walked over to Caron. “Thanks, it was nice being glamorous if only for a moment."

  “I’m glad you liked it.” Caron threw an accusatory look at her brother.

  "I'm sorry," Kevin said, once we were out of earshot and walking to his car. "I didn't mean to behave that way. I shouldn't have lost my temper. But I hated you looking like that! It was rotten of her to cause trouble between us. She knows the buttons to push. She knew how I would react. She did it on purpose."

  "You really don't make a lot of sense sometimes. I thought you'd be pleased." I was bewildered by Kevin’s attitude.

  He put his arms around me. "I love the way you really are. Don't let Caron or anyone like her influence you to change. Don’t let her recreate you as her clone. She’ll corrupt you if you let her. You just be my angel. Okay?"

  He put his arms around me and pulled me to him. Then he held my hand tightly as we walked to his car. I didn't know what to think. When I was with Kevin, I always became confused. I had a feeling of being swallowed whole and I began to feel claustrophobic. I pulled away from him.

  "You're really angry with me, aren't you?" he asked.

  "You're domineering. I don’t like it when you behave that way. I need to be free. Stop being a control freak."

  He reached for my hand again, but this time I withheld it. "Forgive me, Dani. I just don't want you to become anything like Caron. Maybe we're alike, she and I. I don't know, but I'd like to think we're not. Caron can be charming when she chooses to be. I don’t want you to fall under her spell. She and her friends are not nice people. Don’t let her get her claws into you. Promise me you’ll be careful around her. Look, let's go somewhere together. Do you really have to go home right away?"

  "I do. I still have to work on my geometry tonight."

  He let out a deep sigh. "I guess I wouldn't feel the way I do about you if you weren't such a good perso
n." He mussed my hair affectionately. "What can I do to get you to forgive me?" He got down on his knees raising his hands in a gesture of supplication.

  I started to laugh because he really did look foolish. "Just say it won't happen again and please stand up!"

  "Okay," he replied standing. "I'll take you home."

  As we drove along, I remembered what Caron had said about the Halloween Dance. "It's the Sophomore Class dance for this year and I'd like to go."

  He moaned. "I hate those things. Dances are bad enough, but costumes too? Ugh! So childish."

  "You did say you'd do anything to be forgiven," I cajoled.

  "All right, we'll go, but not with Caron and her friends. Understood?

  I quickly agreed. I wasn’t eager for any more nasty scenes either.

  The dance was still on my mind when Kevin dropped me off at home. What was I going to wear? I didn’t want to waste money buying a Halloween costume, but I would need a costume and I didn't sew. Mom was pretty good except she was so busy with work. I knew it wasn't fair to ask for her help. Then I remembered there had to be a bunch of vintage clothes in the attic trunk. I ran up the stairs at full speed. Mom didn't like me being there because she said some of the floorboards were rotten and needed fixing. When I was little, I sometimes used to sneak up there to play, but she'd be cross when she found me.

  The attic was musty and dark, full of cobwebs too. I raised the shade on the window and began looking around. An old trunk sat in a corner like a sturdy boulder on the beach. I tried to open it, only to discover that it was locked. Why locked? I searched around the entire attic and finally found some ancient keys hanging on a peg over in one corner. I tried each in turn and discovered one that opened the chest.

  My heart started pounding with excitement as I opened it. I felt like an old seaman discovering a pirate's chest. Would there be any treasure inside?

  My first treasure was a bridal gown, a beautiful satin one with hand-stitched antique lace. How lovely it was! Much too fine to wear for a Halloween dance. I set it aside with care. I think I’d seen a photo of my grandmother wearing that gown on her wedding day. There were all sorts of odds and ends but nothing I could put together to wear to a dance. I was disappointed and just about to close the trunk when I noticed an old leather album. I glanced idly through it. There were pictures of my grandparents with their three children. Mom was really pretty and her older brother wasn't bad-looking either. The third child was still little in that picture. My grandparents looked old even then. But I remembered my mother telling me that they had married late in life.