Flip the Bird

by Kym Brunner

I shrugged. “I don’t care what you do. Hopefully Maddie won’t babble through the whole thing.”

  I got out of the car, expecting Lincoln to follow, but instead he said, “Later, dude. Catch your own ride home.”

  “You’re cutting?” I asked, jealous. “But they’ll call Mom and Dad to ask where you are.”

  “I got it covered. Just keep your mouth shut and I’ll be fine.” I slammed the door and he peeled out, tires squealing. I didn’t ask where he was going. I didn’t want to know, especially if it involved spending time with a certain bimbo named Zola.

  When I saw Lucy during a passing period, I rested my hand on her back a second while I said hello. She turned and gave me one of those blue ribbon smiles. I cruised along on happy mode for a good two hours.

  At lunch, though, I still hadn’t the courage to talk to her about the whole no-meat thing. Every day, Reed and Charlie bought whatever meat product they wanted, ate at the table next to ours, and then joined us when they were done eating, despite Haley’s decree. I’d actually become a Veggie Girl, I realized with disgust.

  “Hello, friends.” Charlie set his rump on the bench between Haley and Jeanette, opposite Lucy and me. Reed sat down next to me. I’d gotten smart, figuring out that if I sat in the middle of the bench, Reed couldn’t make a move on my girl.

  Haley moved over, making space between her and Charlie. “Gross. I can smell roast beef on your breath. I think we should take a vote about kicking out members who don’t follow our rules.”

  Charlie raised his hand. “Sounds good. I vote no.”

  Haley shot Charlie a look of exasperation. “Your vote doesn’t count.”

  “Okay then. I vote no,” I said, deciding that if things went well with Lucy that night, I’d be joining the MEAT (Men Eat All Types) crew on Monday.

  Jeanette tossed a potato chip at Haley. “Come on. Don’t kick them out, Haley. They both said they’d help us at the car wash next week. We need some guys too, you know.”

  “I suppose . . .” Haley picked up the chip and placed it in her brown lunch bag.

  “Really?” I asked, surprised by this news. I knew Charlie liked Jeanette and would happily spend time with her, but Reed volunteered to help too? I glanced at the two of them, looking for some sort of response.

  Charlie grinned wickedly, raising his one evil eyebrow. “They said if it was nice out, they’d wear bikini tops. What can I say?”

  Reed cleared his throat. “My family got both of our dogs at that animal shelter. Seems like a nice place.”

  Knowing that Lucy would be there with Reed made me clench my fists under the table. I hoped the weather for the car wash would be fifty degrees with a chance of thunderstorms so Lucy would have to wear a raincoat and waders. Better yet, a blizzard. Then it’d be canceled altogether and save me a lot of grief.

  “Not that keeping dogs in cages is cool, but at least they don’t murder them after a week,” Haley said in her usual Little Miss Sunshine way. “So how’s everyone getting to the movies tonight?”

  Jeanette tugged on a green strand of hair, twirling it around her finger. “I could ask my parents if they could drive us girls.”

  “My parents are out of town for the weekend, but I can ask Lincoln for a lift,” I added, knowing he wouldn’t be up for driving around and picking up the others, though.

  Reed said, “I might be able to drive too. Not sure yet.”

  All five heads turned toward Reed, shocked by his announcement. “Wait. You’re sixteen?” Lucy sounded a little more amazed at that news than I would have liked.

  “Yeah. My parents had me repeat kindergarten,” he lied, but I didn’t call him on it. Probably too embarrassing to say he’d flunked. “Anyway, my dad and I have been working on my birthday present for months.” Reed smiled. “If we finish the carb replacement on my Mustang after school today, I’ll have my own wheels by tonight.”

  “You will?” I asked, astonished. I mean, Reed’s not the most talkative guy, but I thought he would have told me that. Of course, I had been kind of avoiding him lately.

  “A Mustang? Cool! One of my top five muscle cars. What are its stats?” Lucy asked, taking me aback with her grease monkey lingo. She said she hadn’t taken Driver’s Ed yet, so I would’ve guessed she wasn’t very familiar with automotive stuff.

  Reed’s head jerked toward her as if he’d been face-masked. “It’s a five-year-old midnight black ’Stang with a black leather interior and a twin turbo engine. Only fifty-eight thousand.”

  “Dollars?” I asked, my mouth open.

  “No, stupid. Miles!” Reed said, twisting up his face at me, making me realize I’d said the most ridiculous thing ever.

  Lucy laughed. “I’m sure he was kidding, Reed. It’ll have a ton of pickup, that’s for sure.”

  I swallowed hard, embarrassed that Lucy knew more about cars than I did. Whenever I had trouble with my ATV, I just told Reed about it and he fixed it. I never paid much attention. “Speaking of pickup, maybe can you pick me up for the movie tonight then, Reed?” I hoped to curtail any more car talk, and even more important, sway things in my favor. If things went well tonight, I’d slide my arm around Lucy’s shoulder in the back of his car and try to sneak in a kiss or two.

  “Maybe, but don’t count on it.” Reed shrugged. “Like I said, it depends if we get it done in time.”

  “It’s settled then,” Charlie declared. “After you get Mercer, you can pick me up. I’m very good at map reading.” He grabbed Jeanette’s hand. “Oh, and palm reading too.” He examined her palm closely, before closing his eyes and raising her hand to his forehead. “I foretell that you will meet a very handsome stranger in the next two seconds.” He opened his eyes. “Oh, will you look at that? My prediction for you came true.”

  I laughed, turning to Reed. “Text me if your car is fixed before six thirty. The movie starts at seven, so we need to meet outside the theater around six forty-five. Is that okay with everyone?”

  “Um, one problem. My dad can’t see you there, Mercer, remember?” Lucy frowned, looking at me. “Do you mind if we all meet by the popcorn counter instead?”

  Reed sat up straighter, leaning forward to see Lucy. “Why can’t your dad see Mercer?”

  Why do you care, Reed? Just meet at the popcorn counter and move on. I shifted slightly forward, hoping to block him out a bit.

  Lucy tilted her head, as if surprised by Reed’s question. “It’s because of his mom, you know, being a researcher.”

  “Oh, that.” Reed made a face, but at least he didn’t mention Flip.

  Still. I’d have to tell him to stop his righteous crap. I’d tell Lucy about falconry when I was good and ready.

  The rest of the day dragged endlessly while I waited for the bell to ring. When it was over, I rushed home, sprinting to the rehab center to get my apprentice chores done. As I was feeding the birds, I started thinking more about Reed’s comment. Was he trying to screw things up between me and Lucy so he could swoop in and steal her away from me—​maybe at the car wash? I hoped it wasn’t that, because it’d sure be hard to compete with a Greek god.

  Still pondering Reed’s actions, I sped to Bullet’s mews and administered his meds, glad that he seemed to be doing better.

  With still two hours to kill before I had to leave, I brought Flip outside, hoping to make the time fly along with my bird. If nature could ease someone’s worries, that day would have been the perfect cure. The sky had a pinkish hue with wisps of cotton candy clouds tucked here and there, while a downward breeze crossed the field at a steady clip. I gave Flip the command to take off and he spread his wings, the chocolate brown tips contrasting sharply with the sky. He soared across to the other side of the pond and back, seemingly without effort.

  I thought about one of the articles Haley had read to us about the poor mental health of caged animals. Did Flip enjoy our partnership, or would he rather be off in the wilderness without me? I shrugged it off. If Flip didn’t like it, he had been given plenty of
chances to fly off, and he chose not to.

  Flip did so well at snatching the lure that I now felt confident he’d secure my reputation as a talented falconer next weekend at the hunt. I just hoped things would go as smoothly tonight with Lucy. How soon could I safely tell her about my falconry apprenticeship without having her hate me? Was it unreasonable that she might actually think it was cool?

  Some desperate herking sounds emanated from Monocle’s mews. I yelled, “Sorry, girl, but I’ve got a hot date. Don’t wait up for me.” Although Monocle was, by far, my favorite feathered female, I had only forty minutes until I had to leave for my date with destiny. I raced into the house, excited but anxious.

  Before hopping into the shower, I texted Charlie and Reed to ask about a ride. By the time I was drying off, Reed hadn’t answered, so he was either still under the hood, covered in grease, or getting cleaned up. Charlie had texted to say that his mom was dropping him off, since he hadn’t heard from Reed. I guessed I’d have to take Lincoln up on his offer to drive me.

  After exhausting every possible grooming technique I could think of, I was ready thirty minutes later. I did a quick mirror check. My hair was still a little damp but was drying just the way I liked it, and both my jeans and black button-down shirt were clean. I even slapped a few drops of Intimidate on my face. When six thirty came and went, still without word from Reed, I grabbed my jacket and ran downstairs to tell Lincoln it was time to go.

  Lauren, Lincoln, and Maddie were all sitting on the couch watching TV, cans of pop and a bowl of pretzels spread out on the coffee table in front of them. Lincoln whistled when he saw me. “Trying to take after your big bro, eh?”

  “We’ll see,” I said, wishing I had one-tenth of Lincoln’s swagger.

  “You look really nice, Mercer,” Lauren added. I hoped Lucy would think the same.

  “Yeah, Mr. Hottie Pants,” Maddie said, giggling.

  As we drove toward town, Lincoln changed the radio station while I busied myself with picking lint off my shirt. He asked, “So did you tell her you hunt yet?”

  I sighed. “Not yet. I opted for the coward’s way out by avoiding the topic altogether. I’m a little worried what’ll happen when she finds out.”

  He laughed. “I hear you. I was too embarrassed to tell Lauren that I was a stock boy until our fourth date.” He turned onto Main Street, now only two blocks from the theater. I flipped down the mirror and checked my teeth as a huge fluttering of nerves started up in my gut. He continued, “Well if it ever comes up, don’t say you’re a hunter, just say you’re a falconer. Nine out of ten people have no idea what that is. That way you’re not lying.”

  “Like you never lie to girls?” I teased. “Did you tell Lauren about Zola?”

  “No way.” He spun to face me. “And I’m not going to either. Neither are you.”

  “Duh,” I said, irritated that he felt the need to tell me that.

  Lincoln dropped me off in front of the theater and told me to text him when I wanted to be picked up. I thanked him and hurried to the end of the ticket line, trying to shield my face from any cars that drove up. If Lucy’s dad saw me, he’d zoom away with his daughter in tow. I caught a glimpse of headlights turning into the parking lot and risked a peek. An older model black Mustang—​exactly like Reed’s dad’s old car. He must have gotten it fixed in time, after all!

  I watched him drive toward me, thrilled that he had received the ultimate birthday gift for every sixteen-year-old. Man, this was going to be great. He could drive us to school, the ATV shop, the electronics store—​heck, anywhere we wanted. When the car got closer, I saw a second head in the front seat. Why hadn’t he called me? Disappointment changed to anger when I homed in on the laughing passenger.

  Lucy.

  TWENTY-ONE

  SO REED HAD GONE BEHIND MY BACK AND PICKED LUCY UP? What a backstabbing maggot! The realization that he was trying to steal her right before my eyes hit me like a bucket of cold water to the face. I didn’t know if I was angrier at Reed for calling her or at Lucy for saying yes. I felt like punching something.

  “Next customer, please,” the old man in the ticket window called out.

  I stepped forward, flicking the hair out of my eyes, my thoughts racing. Should I even go now? Is Lucy more interested in Reed than in me? I stalled, taking my time removing my wallet from my pocket.

  “What show, please?” he persisted.

  I grumbled, “One for Flight of the Living Dead.” We exchanged money and I went inside, not bothering to turn around. Had I read Lucy’s intentions that badly, or had she simply changed her mind? A horrible thought rushed to my brain, making a chill run through my body.

  Had Reed told her I hunted and she decided she wanted nothing to do with me?

  I headed straight to the john to sort things out. I washed my hands and then stood at the hand dryer, weighing my options: leave and walk home, or stay and act as if nothing was wrong. Fat chance of pulling that off. If I left now before anyone saw me, I could say I got sick. As the warm air blew over my hands, a voice in my head suggested an alternative. Could there have been a good reason for Reed to bring Lucy here? Maybe her dad’s car had broken down on the side of the road and Reed just happened to see them and—​stop! Reed called her and she said yes, and that was that. This wasn’t one of Maddie’s teenybopper shows where everyone had good intentions. This was two guys both liking the same amazing girl.

  “There you are, dude,” Reed said, catching me by surprise. “I saw you in line. Why didn’t you come out and see my car?”

  “Because I saw Lucy in it, you jagoff,” I snapped. “Couldn’t you have at least waited until I struck out before trying to hit on her?”

  “Hit on her?” Reed’s face contorted into an angry mess. “What the hell, Mercer? My dad and I just finished fixing my car a half-hour ago! I called you to see if you wanted a ride, but you didn’t answer your cell. When I called your house, Maddie said you’d already left.”

  “What—​so you called Lucy up and asked her if she wanted a ride instead?” I asked, not backing down. He knew I was supposed to be her date. The hand dryer stopped, and I hit the button for a second round so I’d have something to do with my hands that didn’t involve choking my friend.

  “You know what? Lucy’s dad ended up having to work late, so she didn’t have a lift. She told me she tried your cell, but you didn’t answer, so she called me, figuring you’d be coming with us anyway. So get it straight—​she called and asked me to pick her up, not the other way around. Who’s the jagoff now?” He strode toward the door.

  I glanced at my phone. Two missed calls from Lucy and one from Reed. Whoops.

  “Sorry, Reed. I didn’t know, man.”

  “Eat me.” He walked out and I followed, mad at myself for acting so jealously.

  I caught up to him and grabbed his arm. “Seriously. I’m sorry, dude.”

  He wrenched out of my grasp and marched ahead of me into the lobby. Beads of sweat sprouted on my forehead as I replayed my mistake. I knew eventually he’d forgive me—​I just hoped it was before we all went out to eat after the movie. Sitting across the table from someone who is pissed at you is no fun.

  Charlie, Haley, Jeanette, and Lucy stood in the concession line chatting as I edged toward them, feeling out of sorts. But when Lucy smiled and waved me over, the black cloud lifted. “Mercer! There you are! You want to go in on some popcorn?”

  “Nope,” I told her. When she looked confused, I announced, “Because it’s my treat.”

  “Aw . . . thanks!” She grinned at me, smoothing her hair as if worried it was out of place. Like that mattered? Not only was her summer-blond hair straight and shiny, her jeans fit tight in all the right places, and she wore a pretty blue top that showed some cleavage. Was all of this for me? I couldn’t stop smiling at the possibility.

  I listened as she told me the story that Reed had already explained. I glanced over at him, but he avoided eye contact. Haley chatted about a few H
ALT protests coming up while I paid for Value Package Number 3 for Lucy and me to split: a bucket of popcorn with extra butter, two large drinks, and a box of Junior Mints.

  Some value—​it cost me seventeen bucks.

  By the time we walked into the theater, the previews had already started, so we had to scramble to find six seats together. I wished Lucy and I could sneak off to our own row, but short of dragging her by the hair like the caveman that I was, there was no way I could ask her to do that. Jeanette and Charlie went into the aisle first, followed by Reed, Haley, Lucy, and then me.

  The beginning of the movie was slow, like most horror movies, setting you up for the scary parts later on. I had fun screaming, “Don’t get on the plane!” and “He’s hiding a knife inside his artificial limb!” which made Lucy crack up. Who cared if the usher came over and told me that I had to quiet down or leave? I was having the best night of my life.

  At one point our hands touched reaching into the bag at the same time, so I slapped her hand away. She forced it into the bag and threw popcorn at my face.

  Haley hissed, “Shhh!”

  “Yeah, Lucy. Shhh!” I joked. “Keep it down, will ya?”

  She hit me and I laughed, and the tension in the movie increased as the plane finally got in the air with a mass murderer aboard. I set the popcorn on the floor next to my feet and reached across Lucy, grabbing a napkin from the other cup holder. That’s when she leaned forward and gave me an unexpected kiss on my cheek.

  I grinned at her, happier than the serial killer on his plane full of victims. “I think I’m going to need a lot of napkins tonight,” I whispered in her ear, making her giggle. I wiped my hands before sliding my arm around her shoulders. When she snuggled in closer, the rest of the movie became a blur. It was official—​she really did want to be with me, not with Reed. Within the next two hours, I discovered a lot of things about Lucy that I didn’t know before—​that her earlobes flared out a teeny bit at the bottom, that her hair smelled like newly bloomed lilacs, and that she sucked on the edge of her thumbnail when she got nervous.