Skateboard Blues

by Sydell Voeller

  He frowned. "Hmmm, I guess we'll have to call another meeting. See what we can do next."

  I spread my hands wide. "Wait a minute! We've barely recovered from tonight." The eternal optimist. Sometimes I wanted to strangle him.

  He tweaked my cheek, then took me by the hand. "Okay, okay. We'll talk about it later. Let's go into the dining room. I, for one, don't want to be stuck here in the kitchen when your sister announces the raffle winners."

  Al, Pete, and Megan followed us to the back of the room. I suspected Megan had shared with them my predictions, because they were all looking pretty glum.

  Al sighed. "When are we--?"

  "Shhh!"I interrupted. "Angie's ready to start."

  "The first winner is. . ." Her voice squeaked as she stood before a big podium and dipped her hand into the box". . . the winner is Dennis Staatz."

  A kid from the front table whooped. In seconds he was sprinting up towards Angie to claim his skateboard, decorated in patterns of purple, white, and red.

  The second and third winners were two of Angie's classmates from the middle school. Her face flushed as one of them kissed her on the cheek, reached for his skateboard, and sauntered back to his seat.

  I swallowed hard to keep from giggling. Maybe my sister was finally on her way to getting a boyfriend!

  The people began talking and putting on their coats.

  "Thank goodness, it's time to go home," I murmured to Cam. "It's been a long night."

  He elbowed me. "Haven't you forgotten something?"

  I sucked in my breath. "Gosh, you're right!" As PR chairman, I'd planned to sign off with a quick thank-you speech. I dashed to the podium and held up my hand.

  "Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention, please?" The din in the room fell silent. A sea of expectant faces turned to me. "On behalf of the kids who've sponsored this spaghetti feed, I'd like to express my appreciation for your support." I paused, thinking back to last fall. Then, I'd never dreamed the people in Preston would do anything to support the skateboarders. "I'd also like to thank all the parents who've so generously helped us out," I continued. "Without them, this dinner wouldn't have been possible." I smiled at my parents who were seated three tables away. "Good night and thanks for coming—"

  "Hold on, everyone! The evening's not over!"

  My mouth dropped open as Mr. Crosham sprang up from his chair and hurried to the podium. His steely gray eyes darted around the room. "I, too, want to put in my two cents' worth. These kids—the ones I used to call good-for-nothing punks—are some of the hardest working young people I've seen. Last winter when some real good-for-nothing punks defaced the outside of my empty store, not once but three times, these kids proved their worth by agreeing to clean up the damage. Then last month, not only did they present a dandy proposal for a skateboard park, they pitched in to raise the money."

  He hesitated, wiped his brow with a handkerchief, and pulled a plain white envelope out of his pants pocket. "I would like to do my part in helping reward their efforts." He turned and handed me the envelope. "Miss Williams, please accept my donation."

  * * *

  "Twenty thousand dollars! I don't believe it!" I stared down at the check one more time, making sure there wasn't a mistake. The streetlight cast a dim glow in the parking lot where we'd gathered after we were done cleaning up. "Mr. Crosham's the last person on earth I thought would give us that much money."

  "It's awesome, all right," Andy agreed. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Twenty grand. I always heard he had more money than he knew what do with. I also heard he hated kids and never shared a cent of his dough."

  "Well, I guess you were wrong," I put in. "We all were."

  "So now what?" Al asked me. "How much money do we still have to cough up?"

  I scratched my head. "I'm not sure, but we're definitely getting close."

  "After tonight, anything's possible!" Pete said from over my shoulder.

  "Ditto!" Andy said.

  "I second it!" Megan exclaimed.

  Cam's face was wreathed in a smile as he gave me a high-five.

  We all began talking at once. It was too good to be true! Now all the planning and sweat and—yes, even the discouragement was worth it.

  Hugging my arms to my chest, I exhaled slowly, then gazed up at the stars. They glittered like millions of silvery sequins.

  "I'm so stoked! And this calls for a party!" Andy exclaimed. "Come over to my house. I've already asked my folks, and they said it's fine." He darted a look at some of the new skaters who'd stayed late to help us clean up. "Everyone's invited."

  A bus slowed, then rumbled by. The smell of exhaust assaulted my nostrils.

  "I'll bring three six-packs of Coke," Nick said. "Cam, how about picking up some chips?"

  Cam slipped his arm over my shoulder. "Sorry, dudes. Count me out." He smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on my face. "I haven't seen Jessie for days. We want to be alone."

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cam and I wandered away from the crowd to call Fr. O'Riley. We simply had to share our good news! It didn't matter that the time on my cell phone read nearly ten—he'd probably still be up reading one of his favorite mystery novels like he often did when he lived in Preston.

  The priest answered my call right away. "Splendid!" he exclaimed after I'd blurted out the evening's events. "So ol' Harry came through, did he? He's given sizeable donations to my discretionary fund more than once in the past. Just slipped in a little something extra, as he so often put it." He chuckled. "Is Cam there with you, Jessie?"

  "Uh-huh! Wanna talk with him?"

  "Right. Put the lad on."

  While they chatted for the next couple of minutes, I stared at the blinking neon signs across the street. The muted sounds of traffic faded into my thoughts. It didn't make sense. Months earlier when I'd first met Cam, I'd give anything to hear him tell his friends he wanted to be alone with me. Now, though, while I should be ecstatic, a big gray cloud seemed to hover over my head.

  What was the matter with me? Maybe I really did need that trip to the beach over spring break.

  Cam ended the call and took my hand. It felt strong and warm wrapped around mine.

  "I have more good news. You'll like it!"

  "What?"

  "Fr. O'Riley told me he has a month's vacation in July. He wants to drive up and help build the skate park. He says we should have the biggest part done before he has to head back home."

  "You're kidding!"

  "No, I'm not! Won't that be rad? We'll get to see him for a whole month again."

  "Yes! I've missed him more than I ever expected to. Why, if it weren't for Fr. O'Riley and Mr. Crosham and all our parents and kids who'd turned out to help and lots of the business owners in town—" I broke off. The list was growing. Were these people the same ones I'd been so quick to criticize in the past? Had they changed somehow? Or had I changed instead?

  Later, after we'd eaten hamburgers and French fries inside Gumbo's and then cruised around for a while, Cam parked the Mercedes in my driveway.

  "Wanna come in?" I asked. I gazed cautiously at the dim light shining in my sister's room. Angie had invited Priscilla to sleep-over and, though it was past midnight, I suspected they were still up talking. My sis was probably carrying on that very moment about the kid who'd kissed her cheek.

  Cam's lips lifted in a half smile as he followed my gaze. "Hmm, maybe we'd be better off staying out here."

  "Okay, but I'm cold." I shivered. Through the windshield, I could see a light April frost that had dusted our front lawn. Blades of grass shimmered in the full moonlight.

  I snuggled closer, drinking in Cam's magnetic nearness. I felt his heart beating, heard his soft breathing. Why did he have to keep me on this crazy roller-coaster ride?

  "So much as happened since we moved to Oregon," he said.

  "For sure." I yearned to let him know how much I loved him. About all the new feelings that had blossomed inside of me. But for now, I'd have to be
satisfied to keep them to myself. There was too much uncertainty looming between us.

  Cam wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "And now we're really going to get our skate park," he murmured, staring straight ahead.

  "And then what—what happens after it's done?" I couldn't resist testing him, seeing whether he'd still have time for me.

  "Then everyone will live happily ever after," he replied, tweaking my cheek. "Heck, Jessie. What do you expect?"

  I averted my gaze and stammered. "I...I just meant, what else will you be doing this summer?" This sounded ridiculous. I wasn't getting anywhere.

  His arm tightened around me. Then he took my chin in his hand, tilting it up so I was forced to look straight into his eyes. "I'll be skating, working, and spending every spare minute with you. So what's on your mind?"

  His mellow voice brought my defenses tumbling down. "Uh, nothing." I wanted him to kiss me and wipe away all my dark, ugly doubts. Why didn't he love me the way I loved him? The aching inside of me twisted deeper. "Nothing's wrong."

  "Then why are you asking these dumb questions? After all this time, you should know me practically as well as I do."

  "I...I just." I threw up my hands. "Oh, forget it! How should I know why I ask dumb questions? How should I know why I do anything? If only—"

  He drew me close and silenced me with a long, slow kiss. Images of Mandy floated to the surface of my mind. I wanted to die. Is this how he kissed her too?

  I eased away. "Megan's invited me to go with her family to the beach over spring break. I've decided to do it."

  "Cool."

  "B...but...but don't you even care? I mean, doesn't it matter that I'll be gone for almost a whole week?" My throat burned with unreleased tears.

  "Jessie, I don't own you. You can do anything you want—well, almost anything—over spring break. And I will miss you. A lot."

  I wasn't convinced. Of course, he didn't own me. And why should he? Now that the skate park was nearly a sure thing, the girl he really wanted was Mandy.

  * * *

  Saturday at last, the first day of spring break! As I picked my way through the mound of clothes on my bedroom floor, I plopped my empty suitcase on the bed. April on the Oregon coast could be a weather forecaster's disaster! Of course, I'd need shorts and T-shirts and my two best swim suits if the weather stayed sunny. But I should also pack at least one pair of jeans and sweatshirts and maybe even my rain jacket in case of spring storms. The only way I could decide was to yank most all of my clothes out of the closet where I'd be able to get a better look.

  The chiming of our grandfather clock in the hall told me it was eleven. I'd better hurry. Megan's family would be stopping by to pick me up shortly after noon.

  I stacked my clothes inside the suitcase, threw in my make-up bag and curling iron. Now what else? Hands on hips, I surveyed my room.

  Angie burst through my door without even knocking first, but I pushed my annoyance aside. "Have you seen my library book? The one about the girl who became a model?" Lately she'd been walking around the house balancing books on her head.

  "Umm...no, I don't think so. Is it from your school library or the city library?"

  "The city library. Mom wrote me a note before she left for work this morning. She said I'd better find it and give it back before I run up a big fine."

  "That shouldn't be a problem for you. You've got lots of money," I teased. It no longer upset me that she'd kept me from buying my new skateboard. The important thing was we were starting to get along.

  Angie's eyes widened. "That's not the point. Mom's going to be home on her lunch break any minute now, and she said I'd better have that book in my hot little hands. If I don't, I'll have to take it back later myself."

  My ringtone sounded from across the bedroom, and I hurried to answer my cell. "Jessie! You won't believe this!" Megan's voice sounded as if she'd just been grounded for an entire year.

  "What's wrong?"

  "It's my aunt Mildred in Seattle. She's real sick, and they don't know what's wrong. The ambulance rushed her to the hospital a couple of hours ago."

  "Oh, that's terrible!" As I talked, I watched Angie wander over to my bedroom window and open my curtains. It appeared she was staring at something across the street.

  "Yeah, it is pretty awful. But that's not all. Mom says we've got to go there instead of the beach. Aunt Mildred practically raised her, you know, and Mom feels responsible." She paused. "I'm sorry. I was so excited about our plans."

  "Me too." Disappointment washed over me. "I understand though," I added sincerely. "I hope your aunt gets better. Real soon."

  After we'd chatted a minute longer and Megan promised to call when they came back home, we said good-bye. I shook my head, my gaze fixed on my suitcase.

  "What's the matter?" my sister asked.

  I told her the entire depressing story, then glanced at the mess in my room. If Mom came home before I straightened it up, Angie wouldn't be the only one in trouble. "Help me pick up these clothes, okay?" I pleaded. "Who knows? Maybe your book is buried somewhere beneath them."

  A dejected look shadowed her face. "Oh, okay—but what would my book be doing in your room?"

  I ignored her last question and focused on the task at hand. All-the-while, I silently reminded myself that by staying home I'd still be near Cam. Mixed emotions tumbled inside of me. Love. Fear. Jealousy. Envy. How much longer could I go on like this?

  "This is stupid." Angie stomped her foot. "I'll never find my book here! I'm going to look downstairs now." She scowled, then flounced out of the room.

  Heading towards my closet, a pile of clothes heaped in my arms, I glanced across the street. A yellow car with a white license plate was parked in Cam's driveway. I zeroed in on it and blinked. A California license plate! Outside Cam's house, a middle-aged couple stood talking with his parents.

  I threw open my window. The man, who was nearly bald and wearing dark blue Levis, said something I couldn't hear. Everyone laughed. In seconds, they disappeared inside the house.

  Then I caught sight of Cam sauntering out through the side door, skateboard in hand. My heart stopped. A petite blonde emerged beside him, talking animatedly. Mandy! It had to be Mandy! Appearing even cuter than I'd imagined her, she wore hot pink shorts and a white T-shirt with a splashy pattern that looked as if it'd been silkscreened.

  So he couldn't wait till summer! I silently stormed. Mandy was here to visit now. How convenient for him, especially when he'd thought I'd be gone.

  Biting my lip, I wondered whether Angie had also spotted him. A tear coursed down my flaming cheek, splashing onto my hand. Through a watery haze, I saw Cam jump onto the board and whizz down the street. Twisting in mid-air, he turned, ground the curb and flipped onto the sidewalk.

  "Perfect!" the blonde yelled.

  I couldn't hear his answer, but he nodded and tucked the board under his arm again. Slowly they strode back inside the house.

  I had to sit down. My head throbbed. My legs felt like Jell-O. This was it! The proof I'd been dreading.

  We were definitely through.

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Your dinner's getting cold." Mom's voice sounded from outside my closed bedroom door. "It's your favorite, taco salad."

  "I'm not hungry. Go ahead and eat without me." Buried beneath my covers, I drew my knees up to my chest and prayed she'd go away.

  "But dear, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing. I just want to get some sleep."

  "What's the matter? Aren't you feeling well? You never go to bed at seven in the evening."

  "I think it's just a touch of the flu," I answered, giving a fake cough. "But believe me, I'm fine. I just need some rest now." How could I face my family at a time like this?

  "All right then. Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"

  "Thanks, I will."

  "Good-night, Jessie."

  "'Night."

  As I listened to her footsteps retreating down the hall, I squeez
ed my eyes shut. A fresh onslaught of tears coursed down my cheeks, splashing onto my pillow. In time, my eyes grew heavy. I felt all cried out. Seeing Cam with Mandy had really messed with my mind. The last thing I remembered before I drifted off to sleep was the evening song of the sparrows in the oak tree next to the house.

  Down, down. The wind whipped by me. My wheels rattled. Then suddenly, like a bird in flight, I soared back up the half-pipe. The sky and the clouds rushed forward to meet me. I let out a whoop. I'd done it! I'd "dropped in" for the very first time.

  "Jessie, Jessie, get up!"

  I awakened with a start. Had I just imagined Angie calling me? Daylight flooded my room through the half-closed shutters. I glanced at my bedside clock. Ten-thirty!

  "I said it's time to get up!" My sister's voice came through loud and clear from the other side of my door. "What's the matter? Are you still sick? Are you gonna sleep all day?"

  "I'm awake. How could I not be after all your racket? And no, I'm not still sick." I rolled over and sighed. So it had only been a dream—a fabulous dream--and my sis, of course, had interrupted that too. I'd dreamed about opening day at the Preston City Skate Park, and the place had been packed. Yet I hadn't been able to find Cam anywhere. How I'd longed for him to be there for my big moment. . .

  "May I come in?"

  "Okay." I gritted my teeth.

  Angie pushed open my door a crack and popped her head inside. "Cam's waiting downstairs." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "What should I tell him? That you'll be right down?"

  "Tell him to go away. Tell him not to ever come back. Tell him I've come down with the world's worst case of leprosy."

  "Huh?" Her jaw dropped. "Jessie, how could you? After all the trouble I went through."

  I pushed aside my tangled hair and eyed her suspiciously. "After all your trouble? What are you talking about?"

  She sat down at the end of my bed. I felt the mattress shift a little. "Look, I'm no dummy," she said. "I saw Cam and that girl outside his house yesterday, just like you saw them. Last night when you wouldn't come down for dinner, I knew why." Her voice rose a pitch. "Get up! Don't keep him waiting."