Lumen Cove

by Dianne Frost

  “Tomorrow,” Kelsey whispered as she settled down next to him on her elbow, a hand moving to rest against his forehead. “Everything will be better tomorrow.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  There were only two topics of conversation at Lambency High when students came back from Thanksgiving break: who was taking who to Cotillion and what happened to Mr. Danvers. Kelsey had found herself suddenly very popular, everyone so sure she would have the inside scoop on how his nose got broken and why his knuckles were so busted up. The questions dwindled after first period and had stopped all together by lunch, most students hearing it from someone who’d heard it from the man himself. Break-in. It looked worse than it was. Didn’t lose anything important.

  Still Kelsey felt uneasy throughout the day, keeping her hair draped over the left side of her face even though her concealer and foundation hid the bruise extremely well. She had taken her clothes into a bathroom stall to change for PE, the handprint across her breast a myriad of blacks, blues and purples, same as the ones on her arms and she didn’t want any questions. Wearing a sports bra for the duration of the class period had been excruciating.

  The hall was abuzz with gossip as it had been all day as Kelsey and Reva, Logan and Elliot pushed their way through the crowd, Kelsey holding her Physics book against her chest to keep from being bumped. The classroom was unusually hushed as they stepped inside, the kind of talk you hear at a wake. Kelsey steeled herself as her eyes fell on Alex, his back to the classroom, writing carefully in the chalk board with stiff fingers. His eyes met hers briefly, as if he sensed she was there and he gave the slightest nod of his head before turning back to his writing. I’m fine.

  She’d been with him every day since the attack but the sight of his bruised and battered face still stabbed her every time she saw it. He didn’t let her fret over him all day, forced her to go home, work on her space debris project, read the book she was supposed to read for his class which he refused to read with her as that would be cheating.

  “Alright,” Alex said and what little hushed chatter had been buzzing snuffed out immediately. “As you can see I had my face…ah… rearranged over break.”

  Kelsey watched as he walked carefully around his desk and leaned against the front of it. His eyes didn’t meet hers but she could see he was worn out, the tight set of his jaw the same as it was whenever she cleaned his cuts and helped him swap out the packing in his nose. “I want to emphasize that I am perfectly fine. There was a break-in at my condo and I surprised them. Aside from a broken sliding glass door and a broken nose.” He gestured to his face. “Nothing of import was damaged or taken.”

  “Did you fight back?”

  It was Logan from the back of the room and it was so quiet Kelsey could hear Reva breathing next to her.

  Alex pressed his lips together, “Yes,” he said finally and crossed his arms over his chest as if hiding his battered knuckles.

  “Does he look worse than you?” one of the other football guys in the back asked and there was a snigger that followed from the group.

  Alex gave his signature smile. “I wouldn’t know, Mr. Arkow, I haven’t seen him since. Now, if you would all turn your attention to the board, I’ve written out some tricky sentences to mimic the structure some of you are struggling with in your papers…”

  That was the end of the discussion. Kelsey kept her eyes trained on him as he maneuvered over to the low bookshelves by the windows and leaned against them. He didn’t move from the spot all period, conducting class from the wings instead of center stage like he normally did. When the bell rang he stood slowly as students stood and gathered their things, the conversation back to its normal volume. Kelsey took her time, dumping her bag “on accident” so that all her pencils and loose items scattered on the floor.

  “I’ve got it Reva you go on,” Kelsey said as her friend bent to help her gather her things.

  “We’re going dress shopping,” she said and Kelsey looked at her for a moment before continuing to stuff items back into her bag. “You didn’t forget did you?” Reva asked, less a question and more an accusation.

  “No of course not,” Kelsey replied with a huff. “I have to stop back home anyway to get my other card. Mr. Luden said I could use the other account for a large purchase.”

  “Man,” Reva said with a sigh, shaking her head, “What I wouldn’t give for permission to be as extravagant as I want for Cotillion.” She stood then so she didn’t see the shocked and hurt look on Kelsey’s face. Kelsey closed her mouth and stood, blinking at Reva who still didn’t seem to connect the fact that she implied she wouldn’t mind losing someone she loved if it meant she could spend whatever on a stupid dress she’d wear once.

  “I have to talk to Al-er Mr. Danvers for a sec. I’ll meet you back at the Cove.”

  Reva snorted a laugh while raising an eyebrow. “Okay, tell him I said hi,” she teased and turned to leave the room, Kelsey and Alex the only two left.

  Alex was standing behind his desk, sorting some paperwork when she approached him, her bag slung over her shoulder, lip caught between her teeth. He flicked his eyes up at her and then looked back to what he was doing.

  “How can I help you Miss Charming?” he asked and Kelsey winced.

  “I just… wanted to ask… how you’re feeling?” She stumbled; he looked up at her then, his blue eyes softening despite his best efforts to remain formal.

  “I’m well, thank you,” he said inclining his head towards her and giving her a warning look.

  “Reva and I are going shopping for Cotillion dresses this afternoon in Fairhope,” Kelsey said and he looked at her. “So I can’t stay today, but I’m free tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Is your paper finished?” Alex asked and she sighed, the look on her face clear that she was hoping he’d forgotten. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling.

  “Here,” she said digging it out of her bag and handing it to him. He glanced down at it and nodded.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then, Miss Charming,” he said with a half-smile and she saw the glint of humor in his eyes.

  “Maybe sooner?” She ventured, biting her lip and leaning against the font of his desk ever so slightly and he pursed his lips as if in displeasure but his eyes were still sparkling.

  “Perha-”

  “Mr. Danvers I’m sorry to interrupt…”

  Kelsey leaned back immediately, turning her head and finding, of all people, Sheriff Lockheed standing in the doorway. Her eyes whipped to Alex who was looking at her as well, a line of worry drawn between his eyebrows before he quickly looked away again.

  “Sheriff, this is a surprise,” he said and Kelsey looked at the floor, her hand closing around the strap of her bag tightly. “That will be all for today Miss Charming, thank you.”

  She looked at him, worry in her eyes but he gave her that almost imperceptible nod of his head - I’m fine - and she relented turning to leave. She gave the sheriff a shy smile as she nudged past him with a soft “Sheriff.” And then she was gone. Alex moved to bite his lip and winced as his teeth dug into the split, a shock of pain startling him.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure, Sheriff Lockheed?” Alex asked, pulling out his chair and slowly lowering himself into it. “There’s a chair next to the door there if you want to sit.”

  “Don’t mind if I do,” The Sheriff said, hooking his hand under the back of a sturdy wooden chair and carrying it over, planting it next to Alex’s desk so that his back was to the classroom. He removed his hat before sitting down.

  “So… I hear you had a break-in?”

  Alex blinked at him, his face staying perfectly smooth but inside he felt a thin trickle of panic. He hadn’t thought of that. Of course the sheriff would want to question him about a break-in in Lambency, especially one that produced a face like Alex’s.

  “Oh… yes,” Alex said and the sheriff eyed him.

  “We generally like to hear about those kinds of things.”

  Alex
chuckled. “Um, yes… sorry Sheriff,” Alex swallowed hard. “I uh… well nothing was taken…”

  The sheriff leaned over in his seat and eyed Alex with suspicious disbelief. “Son, have you looked in a mirror lately?”

  Alex actually laughed at this. “Yes, sir. They weren’t expecting me to be home. I’m fine.”

  The sheriff leaned back in his seat and regarded Alex critically. “Probably didn’t expect you to be a decorated Marine either.”

  Alex blinked at him in shock. “How did you-”

  “I know everything that happens in my town,” The Sheriff mused, leaning back and pulling one leg up to balance it on his thigh and hanging his hat on his knee. “Spent some years away when I was young. Did most of my beat cop days in Atlanta, made it up to Lieutenant. But I always wanted to spend my retirement here.” He sighed with nostalgia. “You know why?”

  “The weather?” Alex guessed and the sheriff gave him a bland smile.

  “It’s quiet. You get some drunk and disorderliness in the summer from the tourists, somebody robs somebody else, somebody starts breaking into cars, etccetera. But that’s all summer folk.” The Sheriff eyed him hard. “It’s not summer, Mr. Danvers.”

  “Sir-”

  “Where’s your brother?”

  Alex snapped his mouth shut. The silence stretched. Sheriff Lockheed leaned slightly forward and lowered his voice.

  “Where’s your brother, Alex?”

  “I… I don’t know,” he said and the sheriff nodded. “I haven’t seen him in a week or so.”

  “I know everything that happens in my town,” Sheriff Lockheed said again with a thoughtful nod. “I knew you were a Marine, awarded the Silver Star for classified heroics in the field,” Alex shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “You had a bit of trouble at your last school but I’ve kept a close eye on you and I agree those accusations were unfounded. You’re pretty much a straight arrow.” Alex ran his tongue inside his lip, his dark indigo eyes trained on the sheriff’s watery blues. “Your brother however…”

  “Has Drew done something?” Alex asked, his tone sharp, his brows drawing. “I swear to God-”

  “No, no,” The Sheriff said with a chuckle, waving his gnarled hands at Alex, “No, I was just wondering if you boys maybe got in a tussle…”

  “Oh,” Alex said with astonishment and blinked. Why hadn’t he thought of that? “No… just… just a random break in.”

  “Random…” The Sheriff said with a nod, regarding Alex with interest and it was beginning to make him uncomfortable. “There any particular reason you’ve been trying to get your hands on eight thousand dollars these past few days?”

  Alex’s eyes bugged before he could stop himself and he let out an embarrassed laugh, feeling sweat break out on his upper lip. He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.

  “That’s… that’s personal, Sheriff,” he said and the sheriff nodded, squinting at him.

  “Tried at Lambency Regional, where you withdrew the balance of your savings, about 12k, tried for a loan at the Bank of America over in Fairhope too.” Alex could feel the blood draining from his face but kept his expression neutral. “Hell, you even went over to Donny at the payday loan place. I understand he threatened you with a shotgun. He’s sorry about that. Your brother borrowed from him and well… you do share a face.”

  Alex snorted, something that caused him immense pain, his eyes watering from it. He blinked the tears away and frowned. “How did you-?”

  “Alex what’s got you so desperate for eight grand that you’d pay Donny Wallman twenty-nine percent interest on it?”

  “I’m not desperate,” Alex insisted and then took a deep breath. “Sheriff, I really don’t want to discuss this with you-” He stopped speaking as the sheriff lifted his hand.

  “If your brother is in some kind of trouble, financial trouble, law trouble, whatever. The best solution is to ask for help.”

  Alex swallowed hard and looked down at his scabbed and bruised hand that was sitting on the desk in front of him. He looked back up at the sheriff, who stared at him steadily.

  “Thank you Sheriff, but honestly there’s nothing I need help with. The money was for…just…stuff for the Echo Delta.”

  Sheriff Lockheed pursed his lips and Alex felt a pang of regret at the disappointment in the older man’s eyes. He was worried for a moment that the sheriff was going to continue to grill him but he merely sat back in his chair and took a deep breath, let it out, his eyes wandering around the room.

  “How’s the Charming girl doing?”

  Alex’s hand jerked and he tried to hide the movement by slipping into his lap under the desk. “Um…well… pretty well.”

  “Her grandmother and I… well…” The Sheriff gave him a look. “We had our time, back before she met Sam.” The old man sighed wistfully, gazing out the windows. “Kelsey’s growing up right well.”

  Alex shifted uncomfortably. “She’s a hard worker.”

  “I imagine she was real interested to hear about you and your brother,” The Sheriff said with a grin and Alex’s brow crinkled in confusion, “On account of ya’ll being twins.” Alex still looked confused. “When Kelsey was younger she was obsessed with twins. Something about genetics not being a factor…” Sheriff Lockheed waved a hand. “She came down to the station when she was about ten years old and told me if I ever had twins as suspects she wanted to to help me figure out which one done it. As a science experiment, she said.” The Sheriff chuckled. “Precocious. Like Eleanor.”

  Sheriff Lockheed lifted his hat from his knee and settled it back onto his head before he hauled himself to his feet. Alex stood as well, his aching ribs protesting but he managed not to grimace. The sheriff extended his hand and Alex took it expecting a brutal squeeze but the older man seemed to take into account his battered knuckles and gave only a light shake.

  “If you need anything, you know where I am,” The Sheriff said, giving Alex one last suspicious look before he ambled his way out the classroom.

  “I still think the one with the ruffles on the back looked better,” Reva said as they strolled down the boardwalk, each with a garment bag slung over an arm.

  “It looked too much like a wedding dress,” Kelsey said again and thought if she had to say it one more time her head was going to explode.

  “Are you going to get in trouble for showing your ankles?” Reva teased, nudging Kelsey with her elbow and Kelsey giggled nudging her back.

  “I dunno are you gonna get in trouble for showing your middriff?”

  Reva looked at her scandalized, giving her a playful shove. “Excuse me, my midriff is covered,” she replied haughtily. The saree is a traditional Indian garment and I am choosing to wear it in the traditional way.” Reva bowed her head and for a moment she looked most regal, her long neck tilted down at a subservient angle, her long lashes fanning against her cheekbones.

  “Traditional Sarees had gold sequins?” Kelsey asked her voice skeptical and Reva righted herself again.

  “Yes!” She exclaimed and shook her head, “You are some basic white girl sometimes Kels.”

  “Sorry,” she replied with a shrug glancing to right at the sunset on the water, the sky stained red, orange and pink, a perfect reflection in the water below.

  “Hey let’s get ice cream,” Reva said as they approached Scoops by the Sea and Kelsey grinned nodding.

  Kelsey had been spending so much time with Alex lately she’d almost forgotten how much fun it was to hang out just her and Reva. They drove to Fairhope, mainly for Reva who wanted to look at the Indian shop there. Kelsey wasn’t sure how Ezio would react to what his daughter brought home. A two piece dress with a long white skirt and beige sculpted top that showed the slightest hint of midriff which, would have scandalized the old Italian in and of itself but it was also nearly the same color as Reva’s skin, giving the illusion that underneath the cream netted sequined Saree she was topless. The gold sequins curved in a most beautiful way, curling and curving so Rev
a looked covered but scandalously so. It really did look good on her.

  Kelsey had found her dress on the boardwalk in Lambency where she knew she would. She wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone but she’d had her eye on a particular dress since the beginning of the school year when the shops started putting their white dresses in the windows. It was a tea length ball gown, the Queen Anne neckline doing just enough to give the illusion of cleavage without making her feel self-conscious. The thing she loved the most was the open keyhole back. She could imagine feeling Alex’s hand splayed across her skin as they danced closely, the only two people on the floor. There was also a nostalgic familiarity to the allover lace pattern and the eyelash hem that she would later come to realize looked much like the dress Gram wore in 1965 on her wedding day.

  They nudged their way into Scoops by the Sea, seeing a group of Bellengrath girls at one of the tables and promptly ignored them to peruse the flavors, trying a few even though they knew exactly what flavors they were going to get. The sophomore behind the counter humored them, eyeing Reva as she sucked the little plastic tasting spoon into her mouth with a lot more relish than was necessary. In the end Reva got frozen hot chocolate, a Lambency winter staple and a local favorite, and Kelsey ordered a scoop of mint chocolate chip.

  “Are you going with Elliot to pick out his tux?” Reva asked as they draped their garment bags over the backs of two of the chairs at a four top table and then each sat in one of the others.

  “No,” Kelsey said licking at her cone and then stopped. “Why? Should I?”

  Reva snorted. “Only if you want him to look good.” Kelsey frowned. “I’m going with Logan on Saturday I’ll make sure Elliot comes too.”

  “Who’s Logan taking?” Kelsey asked and Reva blinked at her.

  “Uh… me?”

  “What!” Kelsey exclaimed with a laugh and Reva rolled her eyes.

  “Look don’t make a big deal out of it okay? He’s my Etiquette partner it makes sense.” Reva averted her eyes as she sucked at the side of her ice cream cone.