by Lesley Crewe
Matt arrived at the door a few moments later and looked handsome in his tuxedo—more a man than a kid. Matt and Ashley together were quite a sight as they posed for even more pictures. When they were ready to go, Tansy spoke up.
“Matt, why don’t you take Ashley to the prom in my car?”
Matt’s eyes got big. “Are you serious?”
“Sure, why not?”
Bay frowned. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I’m sure he’ll be careful with it.” Tansy went to pass him the keys but Ashley grabbed them out of her hand. “Wait a minute. Why can’t I drive it? You’re my aunt, not his.”
“That’ll look stupid,” Matt said. “The guy is supposed to drive.”
“Who says?”
“I say.”
“Tough bananas.”
Tansy laughed. “Shall we do rock, paper, scissors?”
Both Ashley and Matt put their hands out in front of them. Bay counted. “One, two, three.”
Matt held out a fist and Ashley had her palm flat. “I win! Paper covers rock!”
Matt made a face as Ashley shook the keys in victory.
Bay kissed them both. “Okay, you better get going. We’ll see you at the grand march.”
The three women hurried out to the front step to watch Ashley and Matt run to Tansy’s car, but they didn’t get far; Flo and the neighbours were out on the lawn and they insisted on getting a few pictures. Matt and Ashley happily obliged.
Flo shouted, “God, girl, I can’t believe it. Your nana would be so proud.”
Ashley and Matt saw their relatives in the bleachers of the County Arena as they slowly marched with their classmates, a parade of lovely young men and women showing off their finery. Every time Ashley looked up to where her mother sat, flashbulbs went off. She chuckled; Gertie was a camera freak. She’d have a hundred pictures taken by the time the march ended.
Then came the announcement Ashley had been dreading—a dance with their parents. Boys would dance with their mothers, and girls with their fathers. Obviously Matt had to go and find his mother. He gave her a quick kiss and a sympathetic look and left her standing alone. Without a father, grandfather, or uncle, she knew she’d have to step to the side until it was over. Families crowded the arena floor to take pictures. Her mother, Tansy, and Gertie descended from on high and surrounded her.
“I’ll dance with you,” her mother said.
“Mom, that’ll look dumb.” The look of distress on her mom’s face didn’t help matters, but at that moment Ashley’s best friend Maribeth zoomed towards them, her father in tow. “I’ve danced half of my dance with Dad, and now my grandfather wants a turn.”
Mr. Munroe held out his hand. “Ashley, would you care to dance? I feel as if you’re my daughter after all these years.”
Ashley smiled and took his hand. She tried not to look at her mother and aunt as he pulled her into his arms and slowly waltzed with her. More flashbulbs, more snivelling, more tissue passed around.
The music ended and Mr. Munroe gave her a kiss. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.”
Mr. Munroe walked over to Bay. “You must be proud of her, Bay. What a wonderful girl.”
Bay took his hand. “Thank you for dancing with her. You’ve made her night.”
“I don’t know about that. If I recall my own prom, the night didn’t start until the parents left.”
They all laughed.
And so the grand march was over. Parents swarmed their children once more, warning them about being careful, no drinking and driving, don’t do anything foolish, and finally, have a good time.
They promised they would and gave a big sigh of relief when the adults departed.
The prom was on.
The sun came up and bright rays filtered in through the old curtains of the bungalow where Matt and Ashley spent the night. It belonged to Matt’s uncle, who lived in Toronto and never used it until August. It wasn’t hard to find the key in his mother’s junk drawer.
They finally slept a little, blissfully happy in each other’s arms.
Matt was awake and looking at her when Ashley opened her eyes. “Hi.”
“Good morning.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
She turned on her side and snuggled up to him. “I want to stay here forever.”
“Let’s do it.”
She laughed. “Okay.”
They were quiet for a few moments before Ashley suddenly leapt out of bed.
“What’s wrong?”
She couldn’t answer him as she pushed the doorway curtain aside and ran to the toilet, lifting the lid just before she threw up.
Matt got out of bed and hurried to the bathroom doorway. “You didn’t have anything to drink. What’s the matter?”
“Go for a minute.”
“But—”
“Please.” She shut the door, flushed the toilet, and turned on the cold-water tap, rinsing her face over and over, and then washed her mouth out. Grabbing a towel, she rubbed her face raw as she glanced in the mirror.
Her reflection showed a girl who looked frightened, and then she noticed something else. Something she hadn’t seen before, because she hadn’t wanted to look. Her breasts were bigger, with fine blue veins running along the surface of her milky skin. She’d read in a magazine once that that was a sign.
Oh my God.
Ashley had hoped she was late because of the excitement about the prom. It had happened before. Her periods were never regular, which ticked her off; Maribeth always got them like clockwork.
But Ashley was never this late.
Her hand found its way to her belly. “Oh, no.”
She was in there so long that Matt called out, “What’s wrong, Ashley? You have to tell me.”
Ashley took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. Matt put his hands on her shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“I don’t feel good.” She began to shiver.
Matt gathered her in his arms. “It’s okay. I’ll take you home.”
“Yes,” she said faintly. “I need to go home.”
It was eight in the morning when he dropped her off. He exchanged cars in the driveway. She gathered up her prom dress, shoes, and change of clothes.
“I’ll see you soon,” Matt said.
“Yes.”
He tried to kiss her, but she turned her head. “You don’t want my germs.”
“I can hug you.” He did, whispering, “I had the best night of my life last night. I love you so much.”
“Me too.” She turned and ran towards the backyard.
“Feel better. I’ll call you later.”
Ashley didn’t answer him as she disappeared around the corner of the house. She ran up the back steps and through the screen door. Merlin greeted her first. Her mom would be up early, and sure enough, there she was making porridge. The smell made her sick.
“Hi, honey. How was your night? Was it fun?”
Ashley nodded but didn’t open her mouth. The look on her mother’s face changed.
“What’s the matter? You look dreadful. Please say you didn’t get drunk.”
“No, I think I’m sick. I feel really bad.”
Her mother felt her head. “Why didn’t you come home sooner? You should be tucked up in bed.”
Ashley dropped her things and hung onto her mother. Bay held her close. “What is it, sweetheart? What’s wrong?”
She kept her face hidden in her mother’s bathrobe. Ashley wanted desperately to tell her, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t do it to her.
Her mom stroked her hair. “You can tell me anything. That’s what I’m here for.”
Ashley shook her head. Her life, as she knew it, was over.
Gertie stayed away from the Gillis household for a while after Bay called her to say that Ashley had the flu or maybe even mono. She wasn’t herself. Gertie couldn’t afford to get sick and miss work, so she spent her evenings alone. Tansy continued to show up at
the crack of dawn to drag Gertie’s butt up and down Main Street, but she wasn’t very good company, and eventually Gertie told her so.
“Who put the burr under your saddle?”
Tansy didn’t break her stride. “What are you talking about?”
“Why are you so damn cranky? I’m the one who’s dying here. I can’t breathe.”
“Stop bellyaching, Gertie.”
Gertie stopped to mop her brow. “You see? If you’re this unhappy, why are you here?”
Tansy stopped and put her hands on her hips. “You know what? I have no clue.”
Gertie bent forward as far as she could and put her hands on her knees. She took deep breaths in and out. “Let me rest for a minute.”
Tansy crossed her arms and put her weight on one foot. She looked out over the water. “Can I ask you something?”
Gertie straightened up and reached into her pocket for more tissue. “Sure, as long as it doesn’t involve running or doing sit-ups.”
“What’s going on between Bay and Dermot?”
Gertie blew her nose and started to walk. Tansy joined her. “Nothing, that’s the problem.”
“And why’s that?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I think Bay feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy.”
“Would Dermot make her happy?”
“Everyone knows he thinks the world of her.”
Tansy cleared her throat. “That doesn’t mean he’s right for her.”
Gertie stood still. “You’re joking. He’s a great-looking guy who runs his own business, has his own home, is unattached, isn’t gay, and he’s mad about her. I mean, come on.”
“I think she can do better.”
“Like you, you mean?”
Tansy stopped. “Sorry?”
“Are you married with a great husband and lots of kids? Do you have it figured out?”
Tansy glared at her but didn’t say anything.
Gertie pointed her finger. “You’re as messed up as the rest of us, so don’t pretend like you’re not.”
Tansy walked away.
“I’m sorry,” Gertie sighed. “I didn’t mean that.”
Tansy looked over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow, Gertie.”
“Yeah, see you.”
Gertie walked home with a limp. She had a bad blister and the Band-aid she covered it up with had obviously shifted to a different position. Drat and darn that Tansy for making her life miserable. She finally made it up her front steps and into the house. Jeffrey was there to welcome her.
“Don’t even ask, Jeff. I’ve had it with that woman.”
She pried off her sneakers with her toes and headed for the fridge to get some water. While she was there she reached in and grabbed a leftover piece of pie. Then she put it back. Then she took it out. This went on for a minute before Gertie screamed and threw the pie in the garbage, plate and all.
She marched over to the computer to distract herself. Not that she dared hope she’d have any email. She hadn’t told anyone that she’d joined a Big and Beautiful dating service. It was more of a lark than anything. That’s what she told herself, anyway, but her heart skipped a beat when she logged on and there were five letters in her inbox, all from B & B. Holy cow.
Bay was worried about Ashley. She spent three or four days in bed but refused to go to the doctor; said it was a waste of time, she was tired, that’s all. She didn’t even want to talk to Matt when he called.
Bay was at work telling Marjorie Scott about it. Marjorie was a small, feisty woman who had eight kids. She’d seen it all.
“She won’t go to the doctor.”
Marjorie rolled her eyes as she filled out her money order. “Of course not, she might have to show an inch of skin. They don’t mind showing it to every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the school bus, mind you, but God forbid the doctor take a peek at ’em.”
“She’s not eating and she’s pale as a ghost.”
“She’s pale because she’s not eating. Give her a good dose of cod liver oil. That’ll set her to rights.”
“Cod liver oil? Yuck, I remember that stuff.”
“Listen, honey, all them new fangled packages of expensive purple and pink pills don’t do a thing when it comes down to it. There ain’t nothing that cod liver oil, goose grease, and a blazin’ hot poultice can’t cure in a jiffy.”
Bay felt sorry for Marjorie’s kids.
She was so preoccupied she didn’t see Dermot approaching the building. She glanced up and gave a start when he came to the counter.
“Hi, Bay.”
Bay stammered for something to say. She hadn’t thought of a clever way to seem more aloof. Fretting about Ashley was the only thing on her mind. Tansy’s words, make him wait, ran through her head.
“Hi…how are you feeling?”
Dermot smiled. “I’m fine now.” He looked behind him to make sure no one was around and leaned closer to the counter. She couldn’t help noticing the green flecks in his brown eyes, and the way his dimple deepened when he smiled.
“I’ve missed you.”
She cleared her throat and straightened up. “Is that so?”
Dermot looked puzzled. “I thought maybe you missed me too. I can’t stop thinking about that day in my office.”
He waited for her to speak.
Stay cool. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Really?”
Now he straightened up. “Yes, really. Has something happened? Has someone said something to you?”
She wrinkled up her face. “Like who?”
“I don’t know. You don’t seem the same.”
“I’m worried about Ashley.”
Dermot looked relieved. “Oh, is that all?”
“What do you mean, ‘Is that all’? It’s not easy to be worried about your child.”
He put his hands up in front of him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It sure sounded like it.”
“Forgive me. Is she sick?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. That’s the problem; I’m not sure what’s going on.”
They were interrupted then by Wendell Bonaparte, who crashed through the door and kept coming. If Dermot hadn’t caught him, he’d have careened right into the counter.
“For pity’s sake, man!” Dermot shouted. “You’ll break your neck one of these days.” He pulled Wendell upright by his coat lapels. “Now stay still for a minute.”
Wendell gave him a salute. “Aye aye, Captain Kirk. Spock, reporting for duty.”
Dermot and Bay laughed, which was all Wendell needed. He pushed his thumbs behind his suspenders and held them out like a clown. “I can’t hold on, Jim. I don’t have the powa!”
Dermot shook his head. “You look exactly like Stan Laurel when you do that, Wendell.”
“I know that bugger. He’s me cousin.”
They sobered up quickly when Bay spied the United Church minister coming up the walk. “It’s the reverend. Be on your best behaviour, Wendell.”
“Lord tunderin’ jesus. That fella will have me in detox quicker than a snake bite. I gotta get outta here.”
“Go out the back door.” Bay pointed the way. Wendell tipped his cap and staggered out.
The reverend opened the front door, checked his box, and gave them a wave. “Morning.”
“Good morning,” Bay and Dermot said together.
The good man went back out just in time to see Wendell hightailing it up the street. He gave chase, waving his mail in the air, trying to flag Wendell down.
Bay and Dermot looked at each other and smiled, the awkwardness between them forgotten. He reached out his hand and took hers. “I want you to be with me.”
Bay looked at her hand. “I know, but I don’t think we should rush into anything.”
He looked up. “What?”
“I think we went overboard the other day. I’m not that kind of girl, you know.”
“What kind of girl are you talking about? Are we in high school?”
Bay yanked her hand away. “Don’t make fun of me. I don’t want you to think I’m cheap and easy.”
“I’d never think that in a million years. Who put this foolishness in your head? Was it your sister?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I have a mind of my own.”
“Well, one minute you want me and the next you’re brushing me off. Something’s changed, and blowing hot and cold gets tiresome very quickly, Bay.”
“Is that so?” Bay spied someone else coming up the walk. “Look, we can’t talk now. You’d better go.”
“Fine.” Dermot turned around and walked towards the door.
“Dermot…”
He was gone.
Dermot got into his truck and slammed his hand on the steering wheel. He had no doubt that Tansy was behind this “good girl, bad girl” stuff.
It was too dangerous to go near Bay’s house. Flo would squawk the minute Bay got home, so he drove back to the garage and called her number, hoping against hope that Tansy would answer instead of Ashley.
She did. “Hello?”
“Tansy, it’s Dermot.”
“Well, well. How are you, Dermot?”
“I’d be better if you kept your nose out of my business.”
“I have no interest in running a gas station.”
“What?”
“I could break a nail—or worse, a sweat.”
“Stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Trying to make me laugh.”
“Sorry.”
“I’m annoyed with you.”
“Whatever for?”
“You’ve been talking to Bay.”
“I’m allowed to talk to her. She’s my sister.”
“Suddenly she’s not talking to me. I wonder who put that idea in her head.”
“I don’t have a clue. Why don’t I come over and have a chat in your garage office. Isn’t that where you take your women?”
He slammed down the phone.
Ashley lay in bed with her arms wrapped around the panda bear Matt won for her at the circus. Here she was, about to be a mother herself, and she still needed to sleep with stuffed animals. That’s when the misery of her situation overwhelmed her. She sat up and looked at the things in her room: pink walls, movie posters, ballet slippers, a basketball shoved in the corner, her skating ribbons, her collection of Winnie the Pooh figurines.