Wings and Beyond

by Joy Redmond

  Mandy was getting ready for the party and she was giddy, but very embarrassed by having to wear a skirt and sweater, knowing the other girls would have on peddle-pushers or jeans, unless they came in costume. Then, she had an idea. She took her shoulder strap purse from the top shelf of the closet. She emptied the contents of her clutch bag into it, then took out a pair of jeans from the chest of drawers. She rolled them as tightly as possible and stuffed them into her purse. She pulled on a green sweater, which made her eyes look greener. Her penny loafers would be fine.

  Atta girl. You’re old enough to have fun. You’re almost eighteen and you need to be treated like an adult. They’ll never know. Nikko giggled.

  When she came downstairs, she was wearing a skirt, sweater, and a pair of socks with her loafers. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail with tiny wisps of hair hanging in front of her ears and on her forehead.

  Iris looked her over. “You look very pretty. Have fun but don’t get cozy with any boy. I sure hope Patsy’s parents keep a close eye on you kids.”

  “I’m sure they will, Mother.” Mandy glanced at the grandfather clock. It was 7:30. Shelly would be pulling into the driveway at any minute. She sat down on the couch and watched the hand on the clock tick off the minutes. By 7:45, Shelly still hadn’t arrived. Mandy’s palms were sweating and she wiped them on her skirt. At 8:05 she started twirling the ends of her ponytail. She’s not going to pick me up. I guess she changed her mind about having to leave the party early and bring me home. Well, you could have called, you little snot!

  By 8:30, she headed upstairs. Just as she walked across the floor, she saw headlights as a car pulled into the driveway. She wanted to grab her jacket and run out the door, but she knew that Iris would yell at her to have a seat until Shelly came inside.

  Iris walked over to the front door, unlocked and opened it. “Come on in, Shelly. Mandy is ready.”

  Shelly stepped across the doorsill. “I’m sorry I’m late. Daddy’s car had a flat and he had a hard time getting it changed.” She was out of breath as she came into the living room. She turned in circles as if she were wondering if she was supposed to have a seat and wait for Iris’ instructions.

  Mandy grabbed her purse, slung it over her shoulder and said, “Let’s go!”

  She and Shelly were out the door before Iris could say anything. They ran to the car, giggling. When they were on the road, Mandy unzipped her skirt and slipped it down over her hips and on to the floorboard. She kicked off the penny loafers and pulled off her socks.

  “What the heck are you doing?” Shelly asked, and laughed.

  “I’m undressing and redressing in the car. Just keep your eyes on the road— we don’t need to clean out any ditches.” She laughed as she pulled the jeans out of her purse and slipped them up to her hips. She laughed harder as she hoisted her butt into the air and pulled the jeans up to her waistline, zipped and buttoned them. As she slipped her bare feet back into her loafers, she said, “Did you bring any makeup?”

  Shelly laughed. “I never leave home without it! It’s in my makeup bag inside my purse. Girl, you’re crazy! But I love it! Help yourself.”

  Mandy turned on the dome light, then she applied eye shadow, mascara, blush and bright red lipstick. “How do I look?”

  “My God, girl! You’re beautiful! Well, you always are but that mascara makes your eyes standout like nobody’s business. I love the red lipstick on you too. I don’t think anybody will recognize you. You’ll be the prettiest girl there. I might be a little jealous.” Shelly laughed and patted Mandy’s arm. “Now get that light out before I do clean out a few ditches. It’s blinding.”

  Mandy felt beautiful and she felt like a normal teenager with jeans and makeup on. She glowed with happiness as they drove on down the road.

  They were late getting to the party, and though Mandy only had a few hours before she was to be back home, her insides quivered with excitement.

  She and Shelly knocked on the front door. Patsy’s mother opened the door, took their coats, then she ushered them through the kitchen and to the steps that led to the basement. Mandy could hear the music and she was anxious to dance. Iris would sure enough shit and fall back in it, if she were to see you doing the jitterbug, Nikko whispered to Mandy.

  Mandy and Shelly entered the large room in the basement, and Patsy hurried over to them. “I’m so glad you two made it. I was beginning to wonder. Here, let me take your purses and I’ll put them on the purse table. They’ll be safe.”

  Mandy handed Patsy her purse and Shelly walked across the room and started talking to a cute boy. Mandy stood, not sure what she was supposed to do. Then her eyes met with a pair of brown eyes that seemed to be looking straight through her. She didn’t know him, but she thought he was the most handsome boy she had ever seen. Her heart began to race as he made his way toward her, smiling broadly.

  “May I have this dance?” he asked.

  Mandy extended her hand and he led her to the middle of the crowd. He put his arms around her, and drew her close as they slow danced. This night is starting out good, she thought.

  When the dance was over, the guy stepped back, gave Mandy the onceover, licked his lips and said, “You’re the most beautiful girl that I’ve ever laid my eyes on. My name is Jack Walker.”

  Mandy felt her face redden. “Nice to meet you, Jack. I’m Mandy Hodge. Do you attend County High?”

  “No, I graduated from City High, five years ago.”

  “Oh, I thought you were a senior.” She quickly did the math in her head. He has to be twenty-two or twenty-three. I bet he has a string of girlfriends.

  “Are you a senior?” Jack asked.

  “Yes, I am. And I can tell you that I’ll be glad when I graduate. I’m so tired of school and studying all the time. My brain feels like mush by the end of every school year.” Since all I’m allowed to do is study.

  “I got a job as soon as I graduated. I work at Dewey Chemical Plant. I just bought me a brand new 61’ red and white Ford Fairlane. Straight off the assembly line. Would you like to go outside and see it?”

  Before Mandy could answer, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around. Then she sucked in a deep breath as if she had taken her last.

  “Hi, Mandy. I wasn’t expecting to see you. You sure look different from the last time I saw you. And you’re even more beautiful!”

  Mandy took a step back. “Hi, Donnie. I’m sure nobody was expecting to see me, but here I am! And since it’s been two years since you’ve seen me, I guess I have changed. And for the better, don’t ya think?” Eat your heart out. You couldn’t wait for me, could you? Well, too late now, Mr. College Hotshot.

  “Nice seeing you again,” Donnie said as a girl walked up beside him.

  “Yeah. Nice seeing you,” Mandy answered, giving him and the girl a sweet smile.

  Just as Donnie and his girl walked away the jukebox started playing Rockin’ Robin by the Hollies. Mandy turned back to Jack, who had not left her side. “I love to dance. How about we do a jitterbug?”

  “I love to dance too. I’m the jitterbug king!”

  “Well, I’m the jitterbug queen. Let’s show them how it’s done!”

  When the dance was over, Mandy said, “We’re good dancing partners. I’m thirsty. Do you mind to get us a Coke?”

  Just as Jack walked away, Mandy felt a tap to the back of her head. She quickly turned around. Nobody was within reaching distance of her. She was about to walk across the floor and say something to Shelly, but before she could take a step, a harder tap hit the back of her head, and her body lunged forward. She regained her balance and turned around, again. Nobody was near her.

  What the heck, Nikko? Who’s tapping us? What are they trying to tell us?

  I was about to ask you the same thing.

  Chapter Twelve

  For the rest of the night, Jack didn’t leave Mandy’s side. They talked and laughed, and Mandy was smitten by his handsome face, sexy smile, and the way he
tenderly held her as they slow danced. She had a crush on him and every time he held her in his arms, little electric shocks ran through her body and she snuggled closer.

  At ten-thirty, Mandy told Jack she hated to leave so early but her curfew was eleven and it was a twenty minute drive to Cross Pointe. She turned her head in all directions, looking for Shelly, hoping that Shelly wouldn’t get an attitude.

  Jack turned her around to face her and said, “I know where Cross Pointe is. I used to have a friend who lived out there. When he graduated, he took off for Chicago, and I haven’t seen him since.” Jack laughed. “I’ve always wondered how a country bumpkin like him was going to make it in a big city.”

  “I’m a country bumpkin. I think I’d do quite well in a big city. Someday, I hope to have the chance to give it a try. Have you got something against country people?” Mandy flashed him one of her rare full smiles and he seemed to be dumb struck at her beauty.

  “Of course not,” Jack answered, giving her a wink. “Well, if you have to go, could I please have your phone number? I’d like to take you out on a date if you’re interested.”

  “Oh, yes, I’m interested,” she answered, hoping she hadn’t sounded too excited. But she was. The thought of going out with him gave her butterflies in her stomach. “I don’t have a piece of paper.”

  Jack took a matchbook out of his pocket. “Write it on the back cover,” he said, and his eyes seemed to twinkle.

  Mandy quickly wrote down her number and handed it to him.

  Please don’t say I can’t go, Iris. Don’t ruin this for me, she silently begged.

  The next day, Mandy was cleaning her room when the phone rang. She wasn’t allowed to answer the phone but her heart began to pound. I hope that’s Jack calling. I hope Mother won’t be rude.

  Iris called from the bottom of the staircase. “The phone is for you. It’s a boy. You know you only have ten minutes to talk,” said Iris with disgust in her voice.

  Mandy bounded the steps, waiting for Iris to scold, but she couldn’t control her feet. “I know I was running, sorry Mother,” Mandy said, as she ran for the phone, her heart pounding faster. Her voice quivered a bit as she said, “Hello.”

  “Hello, beautiful,” Jack said. “I was wondering if you’d like to go see a movie tonight. The Alamo, starring John Wayne is playing at the theatre.”

  “Hang on. Let me ask Mother.”

  Iris was standing behind Mandy as she still listened to any conversation when a boy called.

  Mandy, covered the mouthpiece. “Is it okay if I go to a movie?”

  Iris merely nodded, yes. Then she walked away, wiping tears.

  For the next two weeks, Mandy was allowed to go on dates with Jack every weekend, both Friday and Saturday nights, and to her amazement, Iris and Otis let her spend Sunday afternoons with him.

  The weekend after Mandy turned eighteen, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. “We made it! We’re an adult according to law. And we’ve found the perfect boyfriend. Life is looking up. Jack said he had a special night planned. I’m wondering what he has in mind. I hope this day passes quickly.”

  Nikko said, You’re infatuated with all the flattery. You know you can’t stand the way he kisses. He’s handsome but he’s no gentleman. He never opens a door for you. He never pulls out a chair for you. And when he chews gum, he looks like a piranha on amphetamines. I didn’t know a human jaw could move that fast. Do you remember how embarrassing it was when we were at the movie and he shook popcorn in his hand then threw the kernels into his mouth as if he was throwing a basketball toward a hoop? Beyond that face there’s a lot to be desired.

  “I’ll get used to it, Nikko. Be happy for me. At least I’m able to go out on Friday and Saturdays and even Sunday afternoons. I feel like I get out of jail on the weekends. Besides, he makes me feel special and I like that feeling.”

  Yeah, but the interrogation you get after every date is unbearable. And Otis stays in a huff. It’s like they can’t stand to see you happy, Nikko answered.

  “I know. I don’t know how much more I can stand.”

  When Jack picked Mandy up that night, he said, “I want to take you to meet my family. Mama has heard so much about you, she said it was about time I brought you over for some of her good cooking, and for you to get to know everybody.”

  Surprised but overjoyed, Mandy answered, keeping her voice normal, “Oh. That sounds great. I’d like to meet your family.”

  Jack lived on the North end of Bon Harbor, the elite section. However, when he pulled into the driveway, Mandy noticed the house was small, old, and didn’t seem to fit in the neighborhood. “Mama and Daddy bought this house long before this location became a sub-division. Then all these fancy houses were built around here.”

  Mandy didn’t answer him, she was too nervous to speak. Jack got out of the car and stood while Mandy opened the passenger door. What a gentleman you are, Nikko said. Shut up, Nikko, I’m plenty capable of opening a door for myself.

  As they headed inside, Jack reached for her hand, held it tenderly, and it helped her relax, somewhat. A tall, hefty woman in slacks and a blouse greeted them at the door, “Well, hello, Mandy. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Let me take your coat, then we’ll go into the dining room. Everybody is waiting to meet you.”

  Looking at his mother, Mandy saw where Jack got his dark brown eyes and high cheekbones from. The aroma of baked goods wafted through the house. Mandy’s taste buds stood up and said howdy to her mouth. Sweets were only allowed at home on holidays and mostly at Christmas time only.

  Mandy and Jack followed his mother into the dining room. The rest of the family was sitting around the table, and smiling. Mandy’s eyes bugged when she spied a cake in the middle of the table. Happy Birthday, Mandy, was written on the top. “Oh, my. That’s beautiful. Thank you.” Mandy’s heart swelled, and she knew happiness beyond reason.

  “You’re welcome, dear. Let me introduce you to the family,” She pointed to her husband, “This is Mr. Walker.” Mandy smiled to a handsome man who seemed too young to have a son Jack’s age, and Jack was close to being a spitting image of the man who sired him, except for his brown eyes and high cheek bones. Those were definitely from his mother.

  “Hello,” he said in a deep baritone voice. “Nice to finally meet you.”

  Mandy’s attention was drawn away from him as she was introduced to the rest of the family. “This is my only daughter, Allison. These are my other two sons, Albert, but we call him Al, and this is Andrew, but we call him, Andy.”

  Her eyes took in all the beauty these family members had and she joyfully sighed. They were the perfect family.

  “So nice to meet you,” Mandy said as she looked into their eyes.

  Each of them said, “Nice to meet you, Mandy.”

  Mrs. Walker picked up the cake. “I’ll put this back in the kitchen, then I’ll bring in the food. Just have a seat.”

  Jack led Mandy around the table and they took a seat side by side.

  As they all sat around the table for the evening meal, Mandy looked around the long table. The kind of family I’ve always wanted. They’re all so nice, funny, and they make me feel as if I fit. His parents seem to be so much in love. But she thought the man of the house was supposed to sit at the head of the table. Mrs. Walker sat at the head and Mr. Walker sat to her right. Throughout the meal, Mrs. Walker was up and down from the chair many times bringing in more bowls of food and pitchers of ice tea. The family seem to empty both as quickly as she filled them. So that’s why she sits at the head. She has to jump up and down so many times. These people can put away the food. That’s why they are all on the plump side, except Jack and his dad. Mr. Walker was very thin.

  After the meal, Mrs. Walker told everybody to go into the living room while she’d clear the table, then she’d do the dishes later. “I want us to enjoy our company,” she said, and motioned them to leave with a hand wave.

  A few minutes later, Mrs. Walker came into the
living room and said, “Who’s up for a game of Rook? We love to play cards, Mandy. Do you like to play?”

  “Well, I’ve never played Rook, but I’m sure willing to learn,” Mandy answered, hoping they didn’t think she was weird.

  “We’ll be glad to teach you, won’t we Lester?” she said, looking toward her husband.

  “That we will, Pearl,” he answered as he looked at his wife with love in his eyes.

  So their names are Lester and Pearl.

  Mandy caught on to the game quickly, and she and Jack were partners. Pearl laughed and acted silly through the whole game. Lester said little, but he smiled and seemed to cling to everything that Pearl said.

  Mandy was giddy with happiness by the time she had spent a few hours with Jack’s family. They are all so wonderful.

  After they had played a few hands of Rook, Pearl said, “I think it’s time for cake. Come on back to the dining room and we’ll put a hurtin' on it.”

  Pearl brought the cake into the dining room and she had put 18 candles on it. As she placed the cake near the edge of the table, she said, “Let me get the candles lit, then you blow and make a wish, Mandy.”

  Mandy stood as if she had taken root as Pearl struck a long stem match on the side of the match box, then lit the candles. When Pearl stood back, everybody started singing, Happy Birthday. When the song was over, Pearl said, “Blow, Mandy!”

  Mandy sucked in a deep breath, then blew with all her might and managed to blow out all the candles.

  The family clapped and Pearl said, “Now your wish will come true.” She started pulling the candles out of the cake. The family pulled out chairs and took a seat while Pearl cut pieces of cake, placed them on small plates and handed everybody a fork. “Dig in. I think we can wipe the whole cake out. That’s what I call puttin' a hurtin' on it.” Everybody laughed.

  That’s when Mandy realized that the family seemed to laugh on cue when Pearl made a statement. But the Walkers were different than what she was used to and she figured that many things would seem strange to her. She had entered another world and she wasn’t sure how to respond to it.