by Laurel Veil
Recently, my mom had become psycho about the mail. She told me a million times that it was off-limits. I think it was because my dad used to take care of the bills; now everything was up to her, and it was stressing her out.
“Are you two still going out tonight?” She changed the subject and tried to smile.
“Bri’s going to pick me up later. We’re heading to the Road House like we talked about earlier. It’s the last weekend of summer. There should be a huge turnout.”
“OK,” she said with a sigh.
Oh, brother. Not this again. I hated whenever she did this.
“What is it, Mom?” I asked, feeling obligated to do so. “We already discussed this. You said I could go.”
“Just remember, you promised you’d stay out of the fairgrounds. It’s not safe for two girls to be out alone at night wandering around.”
“OK,” I said, even though I already knew Bri and I were going to the fairgrounds first. There was no way we were missing out on the carnival.
“Hold on just a second.” She quickly padded to her bedroom in her socks and returned with her wallet. She gave a quick smile to Chase, who now stood in the kitchen as well. She handed me a twenty. “I know it’s not much, but I want you to take it. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to take you and your brother anywhere for summer vacation. It’s the least I can do.”
We both knew it might as well have been a hundred-dollar bill. She couldn’t afford to give me either. But I knew how much it meant to her to be able to do something nice for me. I needed to accept her gift.
Reluctantly I reached out and took it. “Thanks,” I said.
She smiled. I turned to go to my room, and then I spun back around and put my arms around her. It had been a while. Thank God Chase had enough sense to return to the den and give us some privacy.
My eyes welled up. This can’t happen, I thought. “You know I’m not going to spend it tonight, don’t you?”
She smiled and dabbed at her eyes. “Let me guess—your schnoz fund?”
I smiled. “Exactly.” I recently had decided my nose could use some tweaking. I’m not shallow. In fact I never really put much thought into what I looked like until that wench Lacey had pointed out that it wouldn’t hurt if my nose was “a tad more perky.” Stupid witch! What did she know? But then there was that little voice inside me that said, She’s gorgeous. If anyone knows about beauty, it’s her.
“Oh, Ashley. What’s gotten in to you? Your nose is just fine. You’re beautiful. I wish you could see what I—and everyone else for that matter—sees.”
“I have to shower,” I told her. “Bri will be here soon.”
I loved my room. It was off to itself, the way I liked it to be, in the back of our little one-story house. It was an afterthought of the original owners. They’d added it on as a sunroom, so I had windows on three walls. Minus the fugly burglar bars my dad had installed right before he left, I had a great view of the fields and forest out back. When it was cool out, I lifted all the windows, and a nice, steady breeze blew through. It was like being outside, without the bugs. Sometimes I’d lie in bed and stare out for hours.
I was so grateful I had my own bathroom. My parents had added it when we moved in. I didn’t really see what the big deal was when I was eight, but now I didn’t know what I’d do without it.
French doors led to my own private patio. It was small, but it was big enough for me, my lounge chair, a small freestanding clay fireplace my dad had bought me one year for Christmas, and…a telescope. Yes, I’m a bit of a nerd.
It always took me forever to wash my hair. It was dark and curly, so I kept it long, almost to my waist. The weight helped my curls behave; otherwise I would have looked like Medusa when the humidity was high.
I hopped in and out of the shower pretty quickly. As I towel-dried my hair, tiny soft ringlets began to take shape down my back.
I carefully applied my makeup then scanned my closet and found my favorite pair of Miss Me faded capri jeans. The pockets sparkled beautifully.
I chose my white camisole because it made me look tanner than I really was, and Bri said it made my green eyes pop. I heard all the time that I looked like my mom did twenty years ago. I figured it would probably be a little chilly out, so I decided to wear the matching long-sleeve blouse-like jacket that went with it. I smiled. I was going to be both warm and fashionable.
My phone dinged with a text from Bri.
B there in 10!
I hid the twenty my mom gave me in my desk then grabbed my cell phone and a few bucks and shoved everything into my pocket. I latched my silver, floating heart necklace and clasped my charm bracelet to my wrist. I had put a new coat of polish on my fingernails yesterday. They were finally getting stronger and longer and made my rings look nice. I wore only one ring on each hand so I wouldn’t look gaudy. Finally I slid on a couple of toe rings and slipped my hot-pink toenails into my blingy sandals. One squirt of Tommy Girl, and I headed to the front porch to wait for Bri.
I thought I heard my mom in the kitchen, so I called out, “See ya M—”
I stopped midsentence when I realized it was Chase. He was pouring a glass of juice. He looked up. “Hey, Ashley.”
“Hey.” I didn’t try to make conversation. I almost asked where my mom was, though, when she stepped into the room.
“Are you heading out, sweetie? You look beautiful.” She smiled.
Honk! Honk! Honk!
“Gotta run,” I said.
“Hold on a sec,” Chase called out, as he reached for his back pocket. He pulled out a worn, brown-leather wallet. “I was hoping you’d let me give you a little something too.”
He handed me a twenty. I was stunned and not sure what to say. I stared motionless at the money.
Honk! Honk!
“Please,” he insisted, as he moved his hand closer to me. “It’ll make your mom—and me—feel better knowing you’re not going empty-handed.”
“Thanks.” I took it and made an attempt to return his smile. “I really have to go now.”
“Before you do,” my mom added, “put this in your pocket.” She handed me something that looked like a tube of lipstick. I looked at it closer and realized it was pepper spray! “I want you to put that in your purse as soon as you get home, young lady. Keep it with you always.” She smiled again. “Remember your curfew—midnight and not a minute later.”
“What? Am I going to turn into a pumpkin?”
“Don’t find out, OK?”
Oh, brother!
As I turned to go she added, “And always be aware of your surroundings. Stay together at all times, and don’t go to the restroom alone. Have fun!”
It’s one thing to be careful, but my mom was sooo going overboard.
II
20 %
“What’s the matter with you?” Bri asked as soon as I got in.
“Just drive,” I said, as I buckled my seat belt. The clouds from earlier had traveled on, and they’d left behind a beautiful starry night.
“You look cute,” said Bri. “So…what happened?”
“Chase just gave me twenty dollars.”
Bri made a shocked face. “That bastard!” She laughed. “Oh, come on. Admit it—he’s a pretty nice guy.”
I laughed too. “I know…I know. But you have to admit he can be annoying. I mean, the man is everywhere I turn. I can’t get away from him.”
Bri cranked up the radio, and we rode in silence for a couple of miles. She had the top up so our hair wouldn’t get windblown. On our way home, though, we’d cruise with it down. Sometimes that was the highlight of our night.
When we pulled up to the fairgrounds, the parking lot was packed. It looked like every high school student within a fifty-mile radius had shown up. Butterflies tickled my stomach.
Large carnival rides lit up the night. Music and laughter came at us from every direction. A fleeting summer breeze carried a swirling aroma of popcorn, cotton candy, and funnel cake. The medley of scents caused my
thoughts to drift.
Every summer that I could remember, my mom and dad had brought my brother Mike and me here. That felt like a lifetime ago.
Mike was older than me, and as far as brothers go, he was as good as it got. He had always looked out for me. He was smart and athletic and very cute. His hair was sandy like my dad’s, bur not as wavy and their eyes were the same color blue. Bri had always had a crush on him, and I hoped they’d one day marry and she’d become my sister-in-law.
My brother was busy living his own life now. He shared an apartment with two friends and was about to start his sophomore year at Texas A & M. My dad was MIA; my mom was making me crazy; and I was what was left of the Devoes.
“Hel-lo! Come on!” Bri squealed. “Let’s go! What do you want to do first? Ooh, I know. Let’s do some rides, and then let’s grab a snack. If I eat first then ride, I’ll blow chunks. Are you listening?”
“Yes.” I smiled.
“Then we can go sit at the Road House and relax while we listen to some good music. I saw a billboard as we pulled in—they’re having a battle of the bands tonight! Maybe we can dance some too and burn off all the calories we’re going to eat. Oh! And then we can go eat some more, ’cause it’ll be like we didn’t even eat anything!” Bri was breathless with anticipation.
She took me by the hand and pulled me along. We practically ran to the ticket booth. After we bought our tickets, we raced to the roller coaster then the fun house. The coaster was rickety; I felt like we were going to tip over at any moment, but it was awesome. I didn’t think the fun house was fun at all, though—just creepy. I don’t care for mirror mazes or clowns popping out at me and the attendant looked like he should be serving life at the Huntsville Penitentiary. I was concerned that he might follow us in and lock the door. I was glad I had the pepper spray in my pocket.
Next we headed to the Ferris wheel and handed over two tickets each. The operator closed us in and sent us on our way. It was a beautiful night, breezy and cool. Bri and I laughed as we looked out over the bright lights of the noisy fairgrounds.
When the Ferris wheel stopped to let another couple board, Bri crinkled her face. “I thought I smelled something,” she said. I followed her eyes.
Lacey’s bright blonde hair was easy to spot. She was playing a game with a group of kids from school. She was trying to win a bear. Who wears a miniskirt when it’s this chilly? I would have looked ridiculous, or at least felt ridiculous. But, she managed to pull it off with her fuzzy little sweater and boots.
“Want me to chuck my shoe at her?” Bri laughed.
“No sense in wasting a good shoe.”
Bri held her foot out slightly, where she could see it. “They are Coach, but you’re worth it,” she said with a devilish grin.
The Ferris wheel moved again, and we got off the ride as quickly as we could and ran in the opposite direction.
Bri treated herself to a corn dog and fries, and I got myself a lemon ice. I ate it slowly, trying to avoid a brain freeze.
I used the silence to think. My parents did their share of fighting. It was mostly about my dad’s job, though. He was a workaholic. His leaving was inevitable; I saw it peeking over the horizon for a while. I didn’t understand why he chose now to finally go; things had been worse plenty of times before.
I guess all those times had added up.
Now that Mike was gone, and I was older and busy with my own life, my dad probably figured I wouldn’t notice anyway.
I still thought there was a chance my parents could get back together. They weren’t divorced yet, and they hadn’t been separated that long- only a couple of months. I knew they still had feelings for each other, even if they were buried deep down.
“I’m going to run to the restroom. Wanna come?” Bri wiggled her greasy fingers at me.
My mom’s warning—Don’t go to the restroom alone—flashed through my mind.
“I’ll wait.” My mother was being overprotective. Bri shrugged and turned to go. I continued to people-watch as I chiseled away at my lemon ice.
Someone squeezed my shoulders.
“Long time no see.”
I looked up to see Blake Daniels peering down at me.
“Hey,” I said, careful not to sound overly friendly. I didn’t dare accidentally encourage him.
I scooted over when he sat down, too close, on the bench next to me. Blake was tall and actually kind of cute, but he was always doing stuff like squeezing my shoulders and sitting too close, and it made me very uncomfortable. We had gone to school together for a while but only really had gotten to know each other about six months ago, when Bri and I began working at the Star-Lite Theater with him. I’d grown fond of his gray eyes and wavy blond hair. He was very sweet but had no clue about personal space. Or maybe he did; he just didn’t seem to care whenever he was around me.
“So I guess Mack gave you and Bri some time off,” he said, trying to start a conversation.
“Yeah. We wanted to take a break to get some things done before school starts. It was pretty nice of him. I know it’s been really busy there lately.”
“I think Mack finds it hard to tell pretty girls no.” He smiled and raised his brows.
“Hi, Blake!” Bri said enthusiastically.
Oh, my gosh! She winked at him! Bri always had been a fan of Blake and thought I should go out with him.
“You ready to go listen to some music?” she asked me.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I said, happy to have an excuse to leave. I turned to Blake as I got up. “See ya later.”
“You can come with, if you want,” Bri told him.
I cut my eyes at her in a way that said, “I’m about to put my hands around your neck and squeeze as hard as I can!”
Thankfully a group of guys passed by and yelled for him to “Come on!” Blake smiled at Bri as he stood to leave. Then he took hold of my arm and pulled me closer. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Maybe we’ll meet up later.” His friends whistled and hollered suggestively, as if Blake were some kind of playa. He strutted over to them, grinning, and gave them all high fives. Puh-lease!
“Seriously, Ash, I don’t know what you have against that guy.”
I spun my head toward her with my jaw dropped. “You’re kidding, right?” I countered.
“He’s cute and funny and sooo sweet. You’ve had plenty of chances. I’m giving you fair warning—if you don’t do something ASAP, I’m moving in for the kill.”
“Have at it.”
The Road House was a large bar-slash-club next to the fairgrounds. There was never a cover charge, and minors were allowed in, but they had to get a waterproof stamp on their hand, indicating they couldn’t purchase alcohol. The crowd ranged in age from sixteen to twenty-something, and the music was diverse as well: pop, rock, and country. There was a stage against the back wall where bands performed, and there was always a DJ on hand. The dance floor was in the center and it was always packed. The building had several huge service doors, and they were raised that night, allowing cool air to drift in from off the lake out back.
“I think I could find this place with my eyes closed—just follow the vibrations!” I yelled. The band had their amps up as loud as they’d go.
“Yeah, really. Or you could follow the smell of cigarettes!” Bri added. She coughed dramatically and waved her hand back and forth in front of her face.
Bri and I got our hands stamped then made our way through the crowd to the long wooden counter and ordered sodas. The bartender handed us two small, clear, plastic cups that were filled mostly with ice.
Bri gave him a five and winked. “Keep the change, sweetie.”
“We’ve only been here a minute, and you’re already hitting on someone. That’s my Bri!” The guy was cute and very flirtatious. He winked so much at Bri, I began to think that maybe he had a nervous tick. I’m sure he made more in tips in one night than the both of us made in a week at the theater.
We stepped aside so the next people i
n line could get their drinks. We stood to the side of the bar and watched gyrating bodies bounce around the dance floor. Some I recognized from school, but must of them I didn’t. ACDC was screaming You Shook Me All Night Long and the atmosphere was charged. The mixture of the music and energy made my insides judder.
I put my glass to my lips but stopped midsip when I noticed a guy looking at me. I felt so self-conscious that I almost choked.
“Are you OK?” Bri asked when I started to cough.
“I’m fine,” I finally managed. I felt embarrassed. Was he even looking at me, or was it someone behind me?
I quickly glanced his way. He was looking down, shaking his head and smiling. Was he laughing at me? Great. Oh, well, he wasn’t that cute anyway. His nose looked like it had been broken a time or two, and his smile was crooked.
I waited a few seconds then turned my head slightly to sneak another peek. He placed his drink down and picked up his pool stick to take his turn.
His dark hair fell slightly into his eyes as he leaned down to take aim. He was wearing faded jeans and a snug-fitting T-shirt. The muscles in his tattooed forearm flexed as he struck the ball. His tattoo looked like tangled bolts of black lightning. The streaks traveled up his right arm, from his wrist to his bicep. I looked away before he could catch me staring.
I motioned with my head for Bri to follow me. The band had just finished playing, so we were able to find an empty table close to the stage. The next band wouldn’t play for a little while, which would give us a few minutes to talk.
We watched as stagehands worked quickly to set up equipment for the next band. I suddenly felt someone’s hand rest on my shoulder.
Bri smiled as Blake pulled up a chair. “How’s it going?” he asked.
“Fantastic!” Bri said, as bubbly as a glass of champagne.
We talked for a few minutes, and then Blake recognized a friend at the door. The guy never met a stranger. “Hey, Bri,” he said. “Come with me. I have someone I’d like you to meet.”