Among the Stars

by Matthew Ellis

  Sylvia said, “Violence isn’t the answer, either.”

  Jenni said, “You’re one to talk about violence. You spend just as much time there as I do, and you imagine your dad on the targets.”

  Sylvia said, “That’s different. He’s proven himself to be a bastard. I’m just making sure I’m ready.”

  Jenni said, “I’m doing the same thing. All men are pigs and need to be put in their place.”

  Sylvia said, “I need to find some more positive friends.”

  Jenni said, “I’m sure you’re still my friend because there’s something you like about me.”

  Sylvia said, “I’m sure Brian’s different. I just wish I could find out for myself.”

  Jenni asked, “Why don’t you go ask him out?”

  Sylvia replied, “That’s not the right way. I should wait for him to ask me.”

  Jenni said, “Welcome to 1953. Maybe it’s time you accept the fact that girls can do anything boys can do. That includes asking boys out on dates.”

  Sylvia said, “I don’t know. I’m afraid he’ll say no.”

  Jenni said, “Stop being such a fucking pussy. I’m right here in case he says, ‘no.’ You’re never going to find out if you don’t fucking ask him.”

  Sylvia timidly asked, “Are you sure?”

  Jenni pushed Sylvia and said, “Yes, now go ask him.”

  Sylvia walked toward the pack of boys. She focused on Brian as she continued toward the pack. Every step she took made her nervous. She looked back at Jenni, and her friend mimicked a push with the back of her hand.

  Sylvia thought, “I can’t do this. This is stupid. He’s just going to say, ‘no,’ so why am I still moving toward him?”

  She was twenty yards from him, then fifteen. The pack of boys didn’t even notice her walking toward them. Sylvia hoped she wouldn’t be spotted until she was in the pack. Her hands were sweating and she could hear her heart beating in her ear. Her breath was heavy and labored. She took a deep breath as she arrived at the pack.

  She tapped Brian on the shoulder and asked, “Can I ask you something?”

  Brian answered, “Sure. What’s up?”

  Sylvia asked, “Can I talk to you away from your friends?”

  Brian asked, “Am I in some kind of trouble, whoever you are?”

  Sylvia introduced herself and asked for a private conversation again. Brian agreed, so they went outside.

  Sylvia said, “I know you don’t know me, but I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while.”

  Brian asked, “Are you a stalker?”

  Sylvia said, “No, I’m not a stalker. I don’t follow you around and I’m not a creep. I just really like what I’ve seen of you.”

  Brian said, “You should probably know something about me before you go any farther.”

  Sylvia interrupted, “You’re gay, aren’t you?”

  Brian said, “Kind of. I’m actually bisexual, so I like boys and girls. I just thought you should know that before you go any farther.”

  Sylvia said, “That’s fine with me. I just really want a chance to get to know you.”

  Brian said, “It might be awkward if we go somewhere together and a cute guy comes around. When we both turn around to check him out, it just might be weird.”

  Sylvia said, “I’m willing to take that chance. We’ll never know what might be until we give it a chance. So, do you want to do something with me?”

  Brian said, “I can’t think of a reason not to. I don’t have a girlfriend or a boyfriend. You’re really cute, and I like your boldness.”

  Sylvia said, “To be honest, I was terrified to ask you out. My friend had to pump me up before I came over to you.”

  Brian said, “But you did it. That took guts.”

  Brian gave Sylvia his cell phone, home phone, and work phone numbers. Sylvia gave Brian her cell number.

  Brian asked, “Why didn’t you give me your home number?”

  Sylvia answered, “Because I live in the 21st century. We don’t have a home phone; just cell phones.”

  Sylvia suddenly realized that she might have come across as being snarky. She quickly apologized.

  She said, “I didn’t mean that to be mean, I was just saying that we don’t see a point in home phones anymore.”

  Brian said, “No offense taken. I sometimes wonder why we haven’t moved on.”

  Sylvia took Brian’s numbers and put them in her pocket. Brian put Sylvia’s number in his phone and wondered why Sylvia wasn’t putting his number in her phone. Then the bell rang. Lunch was over and they had to go back to class.

  Brian thought, “That’s why she didn’t put my number in her phone. We didn’t really have time.”

  Later that day, Sylvia saw Brian in the hall on the way to the final class of the day. Brian walked to Sylvia and stopped her in the hall.

  He said, “Did you put my numbers in your phone yet?”

  He was careful not to sound like he expected her to obey him. He just wanted to know how serous she was about wanting to get to know him.

  Sylvia replied, “All three of them, and I set a special ringtone for when you call.”

  Brian said, “Cool. Should I call you tonight or do you want to call me first?”

  Sylvia said, “I asked you for your number, so I should be the first to call.”

  Brian said, “Okay. I look forward to it.”

  Sylvia said, “Hey, do mind if I hug you?”

  Brian said, “Hmmm…Do I mind if a really cute girl who likes me gives me a hug in public? Of course you can hug me. I was hoping you would.”

  Sylvia threw her arms around Brian. For a moment, she was the happiest girl on the Earth. She didn’t want to let go, but the warning bell rang. They had two minutes to get to class. She let go and ran to class. Brian ran to his class, which was in the opposite direction.

  For the rest of the day, Sylvia had trouble concentrating on her classes. She almost got in trouble for daydreaming in class when she was thinking of Brian.

  Jenni warned, “Sylvia, you’d better pay attention. Mrs. Dixon’s staring at you with her hate look.”

  Sylvia snapped to attention and whispered, “Thanks.”

  That night, Sylvia called Brian. They talked on the phone for four hours. They would’ve talked longer, but Mrs. Castellanes enforced Sylvia’s curfew.

  She ordered, “You have homework, and it had better get done. There’ll be plenty of time for boys once you graduate.”

  For the next week, they took turns calling each other. They spent hours on the phone every night until either Mrs. Castellanes or Brian’s mother put an end to the phone call.

  On Saturday, there were no curfews. Sylvia called Brian, and they talked for six hours. After the sixth hour, Sylvia hung up and went to talk to her mother.

  She asked, “Mom, can I use your car to go on a date with Brian?”

  Mrs. Castellanes asked, “How old is Brian?”

  Sylvia replied, “He’s 17, just a few months older than me.”

  Mrs. Castellanes asked, “Is all your homework done and all your chores?”

  Sylvia answered, “My chores were done before I even called him, and my homework was done yesterday.”

  Mrs. Castellanes said, “Then I guess it’s okay. Just don’t do anything stupid with him.”

  Sylvia said, “I’m not that kind of girl, mom. This is just a regular date.”

  Mrs. Castellanes said, “It better be. I don’t want to be a grandma before I’m 40.”

  Sylvia said, “There’s nothing to worry about. You should know by now that you can trust me.”

  Mrs. Castellanes said, “It’s not you I’m worried about.”

  Sylvia said, “That’s why I’m taking Jenni along.”

  Mrs. Castellanes said, “That’s a relief. I just hope she doesn’t shoot him.”

  Sylvia was excited as she dialed the phone. She had to take a deep breath before she dialed the number. She finished dialing and waited for Brian to answer.

>   Brian said, “Are we on for tonight?”

  Sylvia replied, “My mom said I had to take a chaperone, so my friend, Jenni, is coming. If that’s okay, I’ll be there for you in half an hour.”

  Brian said, “That’s okay with me. Is your friend cute, too?”

  Sylvia said, “She’s way prettier than I am, but I’m the one who asked for your number. Don’t forget that.”

  Brian said, “I was kidding anyway.”

  Sylvia said, “You’d better be. Just remember that we’re both expert markspersons.”

  Brian said, “I’m well aware of that fact. I’ll see you in a little while.”

  Sylvia hung up the phone, and went to Jenni’s house. She collected her friend and went to Brian’s house.

  Jenni asked, “Why do you want me to tag along?”

  Sylvia said, “My mom was uncomfortable, and I want someone who can end a conflict if things get out of hand.”

  Jenni said, “So I’m basically your enforcer.”

  Sylvia said, “Something like that. Just don’t let Brian know that. I really like him.”

  Jenni said, “I’ll try to control myself.”

  They stopped in front of Brian’s house and Sylvia called him. She told him to come out to the car, and he ran to them. Once he was in the car, they drove around the city without any destination.

  Brian asked, “Where are we going?”

  Sylvia answered, “I guess I forgot that part of the plan. We probably need to have a destination in mind. What do people usually do on dates?”

  Jenni said, “Most people go someplace to eat or see a movie.”

  Brian said, “If we go to a movie, we can’t talk. We should go eat somewhere.”

  Sylvia said, “I only have $40, so it can’t be anyplace too expensive.”

  Brian said, “I have some money, too. You don’t have to pay for everything.”

  Sylvia said, “I’m the one who asked you, so I should be the one paying.”

  Brian said, “Those are archaic rules. If I offer to do Dutch, we can share the cost.”

  Jenni said, “I didn’t realize that before. I didn’t bring any money.”

  Sylvia said, “I always planned on paying for you, Jenni.”

  Jenni said, “So, where do you two feel like going?”

  Sylvia said, “How about …”

  Sylvia wasn’t paying attention to the road while she thought about where to go. She didn’t notice that the light was red. She started to go through it when Jenni screamed.

  Jenni snapped, “The light’s red.”

  Sylvia slammed on the brake pedal. The car screeched and Sylvia lost control of the car. It spun in the intersection. There were no other cars on the road, but the car wouldn’t stop. Everything slowed down and it felt like slow motion to Sylvia.

  She thought, “This is how it always is before I feel like I’m going to die. Is this the end?”

  The car struck the traffic light pole on the driver’s side. The light fell on top of the car, which came to rest at the base of the pole.

  Jenni called 911 from her phone, which was in her bra. She was glad it hadn’t flown onto the floorboard when the car struck the pole.

  She said, “We just got into an accident. We’re at 3rd and Green. None of our doors will open, and I can see the engine glowing.”

  The car’s engine was getting very hot. Jenni unbuckled her seatbelt and turned the key to the off position. Sylvia was slumped in her seat, and Brian was trying desperately to revive her.

  He yelled, “Wake up, Sylvia! It can’t end this way!”

  The paramedics arrived a few moments after Jenni called for help. They opened the car and evacuated everyone from the vehicle. Jenni and Brian were taken to the hospital in one ambulance and Sylvia was taken in another. The ambulance they used for Sylvia was a better-equipped model for more serious emergencies.

  When Sylvia woke up, she was in the hospital. The first face she saw was Dr. Culling.

  Doctor Culling said, “We have to stop meeting like this.”

  Sylvia said, “It’s not like I’m trying to keep coming here. It seems like life keeps bringing me here.”

  Dr. Culling said, “This time it was your fault, though. I see that you ran a red light at 2nd and Green.”

  Sylvia said, “I thought it was third.”

  Dr. Culling said, “No, if it was third you’d be dead.”

  Sylvia asked, “So what happened?”

  Dr. Culling replied, “You ran the red light at 2nd and Green. There was a car coming, so you slammed on the brakes. You lost control of the car. Luckily, you missed the oncoming car and spun into the sidewalk. The car got crunched pretty badly, but everyone’s okay.”

  Sylvia wasn’t too sure about all the details because the accident happened so fast, but she remembered where she was when it happened.

  Sylvia said, “So Brian and Jenni are okay?”

  Dr. Culling said, “They just had minor cuts and bruises. Actually, your boyfriend wants to see you.”

  Sylvia said, “Send him in.”

  Brian came into the room holding a giant bear and a dozen roses. He put them on the table and stood over her.

  He said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t decide where to go faster, babe. I wasn’t a very good boyfriend.”

  Sylvia thought, “I don’t remember ever deciding that we were boyfriend and girlfriend. Maybe I forgot, but I’m going to go with it.”

  Dr. Culling said, “I’ll leave the two of you alone,” and he left the room.

  Sylvia said, “I don’t remember everything that happened. Can you tell me why I have a bruise on my neck?”

  Brian said, “That’s not a bruise. It’s the hickey I gave you when we parked at the range. You probably don’t remember, but we sent Jenni out to ask about me taking lessons. While she was in there, we made out and I gave you that hickey.”

  Sylvia said, “No, I don’t remember. I thought we weren’t going to do that for a while.”

  Brian said, “You wanted to try it, but you made it very clear that you didn’t want to go any farther.”

  Sylvia said, “I wish I could remember.”

  Brian said, “It’s probably because the accident was pretty bad. You hit your head on the steering wheel and passed out.”

  Sylvia said, “How’s Jenni?”

  Brian said, “She’s doing okay, but she’s terrified of cars now. She said she’ll never ride with you again.”

  Sylvia said, “That’s to be expected. I could’ve killed her. Does my mom know what happened?”

  Brian said, “She knows. She’s not happy about her car, but she’s glad you’re okay. She said she’ll be here after work.”

  Sylvia said, “I wonder why she didn’t just come here when she heard what happened.”

  Brian said, “She tried, but her boss wouldn’t let her go. He’s a real dickweed.”

  Sylvia said, “I know. I’ve met him.”

  Brain hugged Sylvia and kissed her on the cheek. He wanted to kiss her lips, but she turned her face from his kiss.

  He thought, “She’s hurting. I don’t want to make it worse.”

  He left the room and Sylvia started thinking. She was convinced that she was going crazy, but she didn’t want to say anything about it to anyone.

  She thought, “This is too much already. Why do I always remember traumatic shit wrong? I know I was at 3rd and Green. I remember seeing the traffic light pole. I should’ve died today, and it’s not the first time. What the fuck is going on?”

  She had to find answers to her questions, but she didn’t even know where to look. She would try and forget the accident and move on with her life, but it was always going to be in the back of her mind.

  Chapter Seven

  Work

  Sylvia needed to find a job to support her new habit. She wanted to spend a lot of time with her boyfriend, even if she didn’t remember them ever declaring the nature of the relationship. She wanted to apply at the gun range, but she wasn’
t old enough yet.

  The clerk told her, “If we didn’t have signed permission from your mother, you wouldn’t even be allowed to come in here until you turned 18. Besides, you have to be 21 to sell guns.”

  She looked at more age appropriate jobs, but she really didn’t want to work in fast food or a movie theatre. Her mother suggested she work with her, but Sylvia really didn’t want to work with her mom.

  She thought, “That’s just what I need. I’d be around you 24/7 with no escape. I’d go fucking crazier than I already am.”

  She needed money to keep putting gas in her mom’s car, and she knew that her mother would eventually get tired of letting Sylva use her car. Sylvia also needed money to get her own cell phone. Her mother made it clear that her high school graduation was the end of the free ride.

  Sylvia thought, “What the hell can I do? All the jobs I want require me to be older. I can’t wait until I’m 18 or 21 to get a fuckin’ job.”

  She was driving around town one day and she saw a sign at a convenience store. It said, “Now Hiring,” so she went into the store and asked for an application.

  The clerk asked, “Do you have any work experience?”

  Sylvia said, “No, I’m only 17. Is that going to be a problem?”

  The clerk said, “Let me call the manager. I think you might have to be 18 to work here.”

  The manager came out of her office and asked for Sylvia’s application. She read it for a while, which made Sylvia nervous.

  Sylvia thought, “Here we go again. She’s going to tell me to come back in a few months when I’m 18. How am I supposed to get a job if no one hires kids?”

  The manager said, “Do you mind if I call your parents to get their permission to interview you?”

  Sylvia said, “You can call my mom. She’s at work right now, but I listed her number in my emergency contact information.”

  The manager said, “I’ll be right back.”

  Sylvia was astonished. She was sure that the manager was going to send her away to get her out of the way.

  The clerk said, “Looks like she might make an exception for you.”

  Sylvia said, “Maybe, but that’s only one layer of the brick wall. She has to get my mom to agree, then she’ll call her boss. I’m sure the final decision isn’t hers alone.”