“Yeah, go to school. I’m not going to let a couple minor injuries keep me at home.” Aimee scooted her legs out from around Zonker’s warm body. Her bladder reminded her she hadn’t been to the bathroom in a while. Her dad instantly encircled her waist with his arm to help her. “OUCH…OUch…Ouch …ouch,” Aimee muttered through gritted teeth. She straightened up and shuffled slowly down the hall. It actually felt good to be up and moving.
After examining herself in the mirror, Aimee decided she needed more than a toilet break. Her hair was still caked with dried blood around the scalp, and her torso had dark bruising spread across it in various shades of purple and blue. A long, hot shower and some fresh clothes would help bring some strength back to her sore muscles. Twenty minutes later the hot water ran out and Aimee gingerly dried and swathed herself in loose sweats. Her stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten in almost a day so she headed to the kitchen following the scent of fresh coffee and Dad’s famous blueberry pancakes. Aimee sat down slowly and Dad set a plate of piping hot pancakes and a cup of coffee in front of her. He dropped into his chair. While stirring the cream into his cup of coffee, he watched Aimee eat.
“What are we gonna do about your car?” he finally asked after he slurped down a mouthful of steamy brew.
“Don’t know. We only have liability, right?” she asked, then took a bite of the syrupy treat.
“Yep.”
“Well, it was my fault, so I’ll pay to have it fixed, unless it’s beyond repair.” Aimee looked at his face trying to determine if he had stored some latent anger.
After a long moment, and a few more sips of his coffee, he finally said, “Well, it’s definitely beyond repair. I was thinking that you’re graduating in a couple months, and going off to Eugene in the fall. I know how much you love that Bug, but I want to get you a newer, and bigger, car for your graduation.”
He had a grin spread from ear to ear, and Aimee jumped up out of her chair momentarily forgetting her injuries. She stifled a scream, then wrapped her arms around Dad’s neck and started to cry tears of joy and pain.
“Thank you, Dad. You’re the best!”
“You’re welcome. I love you, too. Now sit down and finish your breakfast before it gets cold.”
After getting his royal treatment of breakfast and washing the dishes, Aimee thanked her dad and crept off to her room to get ready for school. She opened the blinds and looked out to see what the weather held for the day. The clouds had rose colored hues spread against multiple shades of gray. The sun hung low in the horizon, and was trying to peek out from behind one of the wispy puffs blanketing the eastern sky. Aimee watched while God colored the sky with his magical paintbrush. Totally awesome day to be alive, she thought, her mind suddenly drifting back to the journey from the previous day.
Before shutting the blinds she noticed a black Lexus cruise slowly past their driveway, stop briefly, then continue down the street before stopping several houses down. No one got out of the car, and the windows were too shaded to tell who was in it. Aimee hadn’t noticed this vehicle in their neighborhood before. Hmmm. Maybe Dr. Nguyen got a new car, she decided as she twisted the blinds close. I’ll be getting my own new car soon. Maybe I should ask Dad for a Lexus.
While she cautiously slid her foot into a boot, Aimee's phone rang loudly in her backpack. She grabbed it quickly before it could ring again and noticed DT on the screen.
She tried her best to disguise any hint of pain. “Good morning!” she greeted.
“Hey, good morning back. You sound too chipper to be so messed up. How are you really feeling?”
“I’m a little sore, but it’s a tad easier to breathe today. Dad keeps trying to push the pain medicine, but I’m gonna suck it up and be tough. Are you coming by shortly for me?”
“You’re going to school?!”
“You sound just like Dad. I thought I better try to. If I start hurting I’ll have Dad come after me.”
“Well okay, but I think you’re being ridiculous. You should take at least a day off. I would if I had your excuse. I’ll even be glad to take the day off and be your personal nurse.”
“Dylan, I’m not gonna miss school. I really appreciate your concern, and offer. Spending the day with you would be awesome, but not when we can’t do anything fun. Actually, I’m not gonna let this make me miss anything. We’re still on for this weekend, right?”
“Snowboarding?!”
“Yeah.”
“No way, Aimee. You can’t go snowboarding until you heal.”
“I’m not, silly, but you, James, and Sacha shouldn’t miss the fun just because I can’t get on the slopes. Besides, I’ll have almost as much fun watching you bobble down the runs,” she teased.
“Does your brother know about your accident?”
“Nope, and I’m not telling him. And unless Dad forgets his promise to not say anything to him, James doesn’t need to know until he gets here Friday. I don’t wanna ruin anyone’s fun this weekend. So that’s that. We’re going. I have the weekend off at work and I’m not about to mess it up staying home and being bored out of my friggin’ mind when I can at least tag along and watch you have fun.”
“Okay. Sure. But if you even whimper once come Saturday, we’re not going. I know you’re hurting. You’re trying to act all cool, and worrying about everyone else but yourself.”
“All right. I promise you won’t hear a whimper. So, are you coming?”
Dylan dropped his lecturing after Aimee wouldn’t budge about Saturday’s plans. “Okay. I’ll see you in a few.”
She stuffed her phone back in her pack and zipped it shut, then stood up and looked into the full length mirror. Her eyes unexpectedly caught the blurred image of a moving shadow behind her and she jerked around forgetting momentarily about her injury. She moaned at the same time her heart jumped into her throat. Zonker popped up his head at Aimee's abrupt movement, and watched her curiously. “Geez, Z Boy. I must be losing it. I could have sworn I saw someone, or something move behind me,” she muttered nervously while she scratched the soft fuzz under his chin. “Those pills make me way too wacky.”
A few minutes later Zonker flew from the bed out of the room barking at the same time Aimee heard Dylan’s FJ pull up in the driveway.
“Dad,” yelled Aimee while heading down the hall, “I’m leaving. I’ll call if I need you to pick me up.”
He came out of his bedroom. “You sure you don’t want to take the day off and mend a bit? You know the doctor said you should take it easy for a couple days.”
“Thanks, Dad, for caring so much. You and Dylan are worrying too much over me. I’ll be fine. Just remember if you talk to James, Mum’s the word. Okay?”
“Okay. But I’m not happy about you going this weekend.”
Aimee kissed his cheek. “I know, but I’m a big girl, and I’m fine. Hey,” she continued, “is that my new car I saw stopped in front of the driveway this morning?”
“What new car?”
“The sweet black Lexus I saw cruise by here about thirty minutes ago.”
Her dad walked with Aimee to the front door, toting her pack. As usual, Aimee opened the door with Dylan’s finger a couple inches from the doorbell.
He laughed. “Man, Aimee, you do that to me all the time.” Dad handed Dylan the pack, and then strolled out onto the porch behind them. Aimee pointed towards the Nguyen’s.
“Well, it’s gone now, but it came by earlier, then stopped at their house. Maybe Dr. Nguyen got a new car. I thought you might have run out and got me one last night to surprise me. Now I’m disappointed.” She narrowed her lips into a playful frown, and then walked out to Dylan’s SUV with his arm gently touching her back.
Dad said, “It may not be that new and that nice, but it will definitely be better than your Bug.” He stood watching Dylan buckle Aimee in before they drove off.
Dylan stopped at the intersection, leaned over and pressed his lips urgently into Aimee's. His passion caught Aimee by surprise and she felt
a light tingle whip through her body. He held his lips there for a brief moment before he pulled back and looked at her with smoldering eyes.
Surprised, Aimee asked, “Wow, what brought that on?”
“I don’t know. You scared the hell out of me yesterday. I had a hard time sleeping last night. I guess when you really love someone you realize how much it hurts you to see them hurt.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. A horn beeped impatiently from behind, and they looked up and noticed the light had turned green.
The day was long and trying. A hundred times Aimee had to repeat the story to different people, some who had already heard details of the accident online. She was lucky to be alive, the way the story had evolved in less than twenty-four hours. Benny came up to her at least three times in the hallway and apologized. By the time the final bell buzzed its metallic tune, Aimee was ready to tear out of class to escape so she wouldn’t have to tell one more person the sordid details of her little mishap. Each time she retold her story it reminded Aimee of the real reason she had her battered body, and the ghostly image of Jack haunted her. She hadn’t had time since her dream to give his advice any thought, but she knew she couldn’t get away from it for long. She would have another journey, ready or not, and Aimee surely wanted to be prepared so she wouldn’t have another failed mission. As soon as she rounded the corner of the main building, Aimee ran right into Dylan. The anguished look on his face told her he was unhappy about something.
Aimee delicately asked, “Bad day?”
“Crazy bitch,” he hissed through his clenched teeth. He took her pack, and then tersely wrapped his arm around her waist while they walked towards his FJ.
“Dylan, ouch…” she cried as the ache in her side gave way to a sharp throb.
Dylan stopped abruptly, dropped his arm, and took her hand into his. “I’m so sorry, babe. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
She relaxed once his rigid grasp left her side. “No, I’m okay now.”
“No, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t let her get to me like that.”
“What did she do this time?”
“She cornered me in the hall before I left the building. She just won’t let this go. Keeps trying to get to me. I lost my temper when she started in accusing you of breaking us up.”
“Well, I can imagine how she must feel. I’m sure I would feel the same way if it was me.”
Dylan stopped at his SUV and looked at Aimee with an inquisitive stare. “You know, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met.”
Aimee rolled her eyes. “No, I’m not.”
Dylan rubbed his fingers across her cheek and smiled. “You just don’t know how lucky I am.” He hesitated for a second staring far into her eyes, and then his lips touched hers. Aimee felt a toasty tinge in her cheeks. His tongue touched hers and Aimee instantly forgot they were standing in the parking lot with students cruising by them. Travis Denton and Logan Whitney shouted a couple lewd comments at them when they wandered past. Dylan stopped, spun around, and muttered something crude at the two. Trent shot him the finger and Travis just shook his head and smirked, then they walked off. Dylan opened the passenger door and helped Aimee into the seat. “Let’s get you home before someone else pisses me off,” he said, then slammed the door.
The next day was a repeat of Wednesday, except the stitches had started to pull and itch slightly. Chelsea called Aimee a dozen times making sure she was following her advice on what car to ask for, how to deal with Dylan’s ex, and how to wear her hair so the stitches wouldn’t show. Chels also eagerly provided gossip updates about Aimee and Dylan she was following online. It was a bit creepy how much Brandi seemed to know about them. Dylan felt positive she was harmless. Aimee's gut told her otherwise. It didn’t seem like Brandi was getting over him at all.
Dad called to let Aimee know he was bringing home her favorite veggie pizza, and a large double meat supreme for him and Dylan, which meant Aimee had another night reprieve from cooking. She stretched out on the bed and slid the soft quilt over her legs while Dylan booted up the PC to check out the gossip Chelsea reported was running rampant. After a few minutes of watching him her eyes slowly closed, but Aimee could still hear him humming and his fingers stroking the keyboard. Another couple minutes went by and the comforting background sounds disappeared. Before Aimee could look up she felt the quilt lift up, and then Dylan gently slid in behind her. He rested his hand on her hips and his chin snuggled against the back of her neck. It took every bit of restraint she had to keep from flipping over and latching on to him. Every ounce of her frame tingled with excitement when she felt his hot breath on her shoulders. She reached down and covered his hand with hers, and slowly guided it up her waist tracing the contour of her side. Aimee could feel their breathing speeding up together. His hand stopped inches from her injured rib, and then suddenly he picked up her shirt. She felt him scrutinizing her from behind. Despite the immense soreness, Aimee turned over.
“Nasty, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Not too bad. Kinda looks like a few football injuries I’ve had. But, you are so totally gorgeous it takes every ounce of my self-control to keep my hands off of you. I’m not hurting you, am I?”
She said, “Nope, not at all. Don’t stop.”
“Oh, babe, you don’t know how much I don’t want to stop, but not today. This will be more enjoyable for both of us when I don’t have to worry about hurting you.” He twisted his fingers into Aimee's, slid them up to his mouth, and kissed each fingertip. Then he reached up to her impatient lips and pressed his lips into hers. His kiss excited her. Aimee's heart wanted to continue, but her battered body told her otherwise. She pulled back for a moment to catch her breath.
Aimee groaned, “Damn broken rib.”
Dylan chuckled. “Behave. If I can, so can you.”
Zonker started barking at the backdoor when Dad pulled into the driveway. Within a minute they smelled the yummy aroma of meat, roasted vegetables, and cheese seeping under her door. Dad’s voice rang out from the kitchen to announce his arrival. Dylan peeled his body from Aimee's, and got up beside the bed with his hand out to her. Aimee smiled, straightened her shirt and messy hair, and then grabbed his hand to let him help her up.
Dad greeted both when they walked into the kitchen. Dylan made himself at home and found three plates and glasses. Aimee sat down at the table. Dylan handed her a plate with a piece of veggie pizza and a glass of water, then he and Dad sat down with their plates stacked high. Zonker scooted over to sit next to Dylan.
Aimee looked down at Zonker with his eyes frozen on Dylan’s face. “Traitor,” she muttered.
Dad laughed, and then said, “So, are you free Sunday afternoon? Thought we could go car hunting.”
“Sure, Dad, sounds great. Are you and Mel going flying Saturday?” Aimee asked before taking another bite. Dad and Dylan both had mouthfuls of pizza.
Dad swallowed, then replied, “Actually, I’m going flying Saturday, but I have a new partner since you won’t be here.”
Aimee stopped chewing and looked up at Dad. He ignored her stare and kept eating. “Okay, you have my interest. So, who is this mystery copilot?” she asked while she studied his emotionless face.
“She’s someone I met a while back,” he answered nonchalantly, then deliberately took a long moment to chew his last bite.
“She?!” exclaimed Aimee. Her mouth dropped open while she gaped at him.
He pushed his chair back and moved towards the counter. “Another piece, Dylan?” He paid no attention to Aimee's flabbergasted look. “Aimee?” he asked, lifting a piece towards her.
“No, thank you,” she said briskly. “Dad, you didn’t tell me you were dating someone.”
“Well, you don’t tell me everything either.”
“So, are you going to leave me hanging, or do we get to know who this other woman is?” She should have been happy Dad was finally dating someone, but for some reason she felt a tad jealous, like she was being replac
ed, only he hadn’t bothered to tell her. They had been exclusive flying buddies since they started going up together. Aimee looked at Dylan and he shrugged, then smiled. Dad sat back down with a couple pieces piled on his plate. Dylan got up and took their plates to the sink, and then started washing.
“You already know her,” Dad finally said as he picked off a small piece of meat and tossed it to Zonker.
Aimee glowered at him, her lips pursed tightly, waiting impatiently for him to chew and swallow. He plopped the last gigantic bite into his mouth and kept chewing.
“I know her, huh? So, do I have to guess?” She could feel the heat rise up her neck, searing her cheeks. She was growing progressively irritated with his stalling.
Dad looked up at her and sighed. “All right, before you have a tantrum I’ll tell you. I’m taking Hannah Morris.”
Dylan reeled around almost dropping the dish he was washing, and both of them gawked at Aimee's dad.
“What’s wrong with you two?” he asked after reading the same expression on their faces.
“Dr. Morris, our economics teacher?!” Aimee's voice rose an octave and stammered on the last three words.
Dad paused, intentionally, when he got up to take his plate to the sink. He winked at Dylan. He seemed to be enjoying the suspense. “Yep, I think that’s her.”
“DAD!” Aimee shrieked. “How could you date my economics teacher? And just how long have you been dating her?” She wanted answers. Dating behind my back is one thing, but dating one of my teachers, well…that totally sucks!
“You know, I’m old enough to date who I want,” he snapped, “and I don’t need your approval. But it would be nice if you were happy for your old man, seeing that you have your own life now and will be moving off to school soon. Just thought it was time for me to get a life of my own.” He leaned against the counter, his arms folded tightly across his chest.
They glared at each other for a long moment. The images of her dad as a teenager with his arms wrapped around her mom’s waist in her treasured framed photo flew through Aimee's thoughts. Part of her was insanely ticked that Mom could be replaced with another woman, one of her teachers at that, but the other side of her knew that she wasn’t being fair. Dad had always been there for her and James. They had his undivided attention, and she should be happy that he was finally moving on with his life. Aimee looked at Dylan. A grin spread slowly across his face. She frowned as one eyebrow rose slightly. She knew just how amazingly happy she had become in the short time she had been with Dylan. She should want Dad to feel the same happiness as she and Dylan, or James and Sacha. Aimee smiled limply back at Dylan, and then slowly eased out of her chair and walked over to Dad.
The Weird Travels of Aimee Schmidt: The Curse of the Gifted Page 15