by Jo Gibson
“How do you like our new outfits?” Tanya turned around to talk to Amy and Colleen.
“Very nice.” Amy put on a smile. It wasn’t in her nature to be unfriendly, even though she really didn’t like Tanya. “That color looks very good on you, Tanya.”
“That’s why I picked it.” Tanya looked smug. “Daddy told me I could order anything I wanted.”
Amy nodded. She’d already guessed that Tanya had chosen the cheerleader outfits. They made the other girls look less attractive. The extremely short skirt emphasized Jessica’s heavy thighs, the bright green washed out Gail’s pale coloring, and the turtleneck flopped around Michele’s neck. The only cheerleader who looked really good in her new outfit was Tanya.
“Why did your father tell you to pick out the outfits?” Colleen looked puzzled.
“Because he paid for them.” Tanya smiled. “They cost a fortune, but Daddy said he wanted me to have the best.”
Colleen nodded. “I see. Did he pick up the bill for your pants, too?”
“Of course. And the crowd loved it! Did you hear all the stomping and whistling when I did my back flips?”
“We heard.” Amy tried to think of something nice to say, but absolutely nothing occurred to her. She was saved from an embarrassing silence when the other girls came rushing back.
“Here’s your bag, Tanya.” Michele handed Tanya her expensive leather sports bag. “Why don’t you show Amy and Colleen the cards you found in your locker? Maybe they can figure out who sent them.”
“I think they already know.” Tanya frowned as she pulled three red envelopes from her gym bag. “Somebody thinks these dumb little poems are really cute. You write poetry, don’t you, Amy?”
Amy nodded. “Sometimes. But I haven’t written anything in a long time.”
“These are signed by somebody named Cat.” Tanya was frowning as she stared at Amy.
“Cat?” Amy was thoroughly puzzled. “Who’s that?”
“Isn’t your middle name Katherine?”
“One of them is, but . . .”
“And isn’t Cat a nickname for Katherine?”
“I guess so.” Amy shrugged. “But I never use my middle name, and nobody’s ever called me Cat.”
“Just listen and see if you recognize this poem.” Tanya was still frowning as she opened the envelope and pulled out the Valentine card inside. “It says, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue. A queen should be kind, faithful and true.’ ”
Amy smiled. “That’s kind of cute. But I didn’t write it, Tanya.”
“I didn’t expect you to admit it. And I suppose you didn’t write this one, either.” Tanya opened the second envelope. “This one says, ‘Roses are red, violets are blue. Pass my test and the queen could be you.’ ”
“Look, Tanya.” Amy was beginning to get exasperated. “I didn’t write those poems, and I didn’t send you any cards!”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure!” Amy sighed. “My poetry is all blank verse.”
“What’s that?” Tanya looked confused.
“That’s poetry that doesn’t rhyme.” Colleen answered the question. “And Amy’s poetry is very good, not at all like the stuff you just read.”
“Well . . . okay.” Tanya opened the third card and handed it to Amy. “Here. You read this one. I just found it at halftime.”
Amy opened the envelope and took out the card. The message was printed, and she shivered as she scanned it quickly. The third poem was chilling.
“Read it, Amy,” Colleen urged.
Amy swallowed hard. And then she read the poem. “It says, ‘Violets are blue, roses are red. An unworthy queen is better off dead.’ And it’s signed by Cat, just like the others.”
“That’s scary!” Gail shivered.
“It sure is!” Michele nodded. “Aren’t you nervous, Tanya?”
“Of course not.” Tanya gave a little laugh, and then she stared straight at Amy. “These are probably from a girl who’s jealous because I’m so popular. Maybe this girl even wishes she could be pretty enough to date Brett. Right, Amy?”
Before Amy had time to reply, the warning buzzer sounded, and the cheerleaders left the bench to do one last cheer before the start of the second half. Amy sighed in pure frustration. She’d denied sending the cards, but it was clear that Tanya still thought she was Cat.
Amy was standing at the concession line, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She whirled around and found herself face-to-face with Danny.
“Hey . . . Amy.” Danny gave her a lazy grin. “Can I buy you a beer?”
“Sure. I’ll have whatever they’ve got on tap which is probably root beer.” Amy grinned up at him. She knew Danny was joking. No alcoholic beverages were sold on the school grounds.
“So what are you really having? I’ll get it.”
“Just a Diet Coke.” Amy smiled at him. “All this cheering is making me thirsty.’ ”
“A Diet Coke?” Danny raised his eyebrows as he moved up to join her in line. “You don’t have to be on a diet, Amy. You look perfect to me.”
“That’s because I drink Diet Coke.” Amy laughed, but she felt a blush rise to her cheeks. She’d never been comfortable accepting compliments.
“Good game, huh?”
“Only if we end up winning.” Amy glanced at the scoreboard where the score was still tied. “I thought you were the one who said that the Tigers always fall apart in the second half.”
Danny shrugged. “That’s what I was told.”
“By the coach’s daughter?”
“Right.” Danny looked slightly embarrassed. “That’ll teach me never to believe a woman. She was probably saying what she thought I wanted to hear. I guess all women do that, huh?”
Amy shook her head. “This one doesn’t.”
“Really?” Danny was still grinning. “Let’s try it and see. What do you think of my date?”
Amy drew a deep breath. She’d practically promised to be honest. “I think she’s gorgeous. And you’re handsome. You make a very attractive couple.”
“Okay.” Danny grinned. “Do you think I should get involved with her?”
“No way. Megan’s pretty and she’s probably a lot of fun, but she’s not smart enough for you.”
“You think I’m smart?”
Amy nodded. “Absolutely. You’re one of the brightest guys I know. I think you’d be bored with Megan in less than a month. Then you’d break up, and both of you would wind up getting hurt.”
“Come on, Amy . . . how bright can a guy be if he drops out of school to start a rock band?”
Amy raised her eyebrows. “You’ve got a point, but that doesn’t mean you’re not bright. It just means you did a stupid thing a couple of years ago. Now you’re working to correct your mistake, and that shows some real intelligence.”
“So you think I’m smart, and you said I was handsome. Are you coming on to me, Amy?”
Amy’s cheeks began to feel hot, and she knew she was blushing. Was she coming on to Danny? She had to be honest. “I . . . I really don’t know if I am or not, but I don’t think so. I think I just like you.”
“And you like me because I’m Colleen’s brother?”
“That’s part of it.” Amy nodded. “But I also like you, because you’re you.”
Danny began to grin again, and he slipped his arm around Amy’s shoulders. “Amy, Amy, Amy. You’re going to get in trouble being so honest. Some guy might just take advantage of you.”
Amy nodded. “I know. But you wouldn’t, would you?”
“Well . . .” Danny smiled his lazy smile, the one that was rumored to make girls feel faint. But then he shook his head. “No, Amy. I’d do my absolute best not to take advantage of you.”
Amy smiled back at him, not quite sure whether she was disappointed in his answer, or not. Danny was a very handsome guy, and he was terribly sexy. His arm felt very good around her shoulders, and she had the surprising urge to nestle her head against his chest to feel the cri
sp, starched material of his shirt on her heated cheeks. But she didn’t. That wouldn’t have been appropriate. And Amy was always very careful to behave appropriately.
“One Diet Coke, a big orange, and a ginger ale.” Danny gave his order, and then he turned to Amy. “Does Colleen want something, too?”
“No. She got a giant Slurpy about ten minutes ago.” Amy watched as Danny pulled out his billfold and put a ten-dollar bill on the counter. “Are you sure I can’t pay you back?”
“You can get the next one.” Danny handed Amy her drink. “Are you two girls going down to the Hungry Burger after the game?”
“I guess so. How about you?”
“I’ll be there about ten-thirty. I have to drop Megan off at Tom-Tom’s first. She’s working all night. Will you save me a place next to you?”
Amy nodded, and turned to go. She knew she was blushing again. She was sure the phrase Save me a place next to you didn’t constitute a date, but it was the best offer she’d gotten all year!
“By the way, Amy . . .” Danny stopped Amy with a hand on her arm. “I traded in my Harley for a car. Do you think that means I’m trying to be respectable?”
“No. It’s winter, and I think it means you’re trying to be warm!”
Amy grinned as she walked back into the gym. Danny was fun and she enjoyed talking to him. She was glad that he was Colleen’s brother, because she could see him more often that way. Of course, it wouldn’t be right to tell Danny that. Then he really would think that she was trying to pick up on him!
“What took you so long?” Colleen looked curious as Amy came back to her seat. “And why are you blushing like that?”
Amy sat down, and took a big gulp of her Diet Coke. There was no way she’d tell Colleen that her blush was a reaction to the things Danny had said. “I’m not blushing, Colleen. I’m just hot. It’s very warm in here.”
The referee blew his whistle, and to Amy’s relief, Colleen turned her attention back to the game. “Oh, look! They’re sending Brett in!”
“It’s about time!” Amy watched as Brett ran out on the floor. “Let’s just hope he can win the game for us.”
For the next two minutes, Amy sat on the edge of her seat as the score went back and forth. The Hamilton High Chargers would make a basket and pull ahead by two points, and then the Bonnerville Tigers would shoot to even the score. The score was tied, and there were only twenty-three seconds left on the clock, when the referee blew his whistle.
“Oh-oh! I think it’s a foul against Brett!” Amy turned to Colleen in alarm as the referee pointed to Brett. Brett raised his arm and both girls winced. It was a personal foul, and the Tigers had two shots at the free-throw line.
“It’s okay.” Colleen tried to stay calm. “They won’t make it. Just watch.”
The first free throw bounced against the rim, but it toppled in. Amy groaned, along with all the other Hamilton High students. Now the Tigers were up by one point.
“They can’t make it two in a row.” Amy tried to sound confident, but she clasped her hands tightly together as the ball arced up in the air. She held her breath as it hit the rim again, but this time it didn’t bounce in. “Thank God! Now all we have to do is . . . oh, no!”
Amy gasped as the Tigers recovered the rebound, and the ball flew through the air again, clearing the net with a swish. Now the Tigers were ahead by three points. It would take two baskets to catch up, and there were only fifteen seconds left on the clock. Without really realizing she was doing it, Amy jumped to her feet with the rest of the crowd, and joined in the cheer that was bouncing off the walls of the gym.
“Go Chargers, go! Go Chargers, go! Go Chargers, go Chargers, go Chargers, go!”
The cheer seemed to lend new energy to the team. Neal Carpenter dribbled down the court and passed the ball to Brett. Brett looked very determined, but there was little he could do since the Tigers were double-guarding him. But Brett was a team player, and he knew he didn’t dare risk a shot when there was no opening. He passed the ball to Neal, and Neal took an off-balance shot. But somehow the ball rimmed the basket, and toppled in.
“Do it again! Do it again! Do it again!”
The crowd roared, and Amy glanced at the clock. Only ten seconds left, and the Tigers had the ball. Naturally, they tried to stall to run out the clock, but somehow, Neal managed to steal the ball.
“Oh, my God!” Amy jumped up and down as Neal passed the ball to Brett. There was only one second left, and Brett was almost a full court away from their basket. One more step and Brett released the ball, just as the buzzer for the end of the game sounded. And then there was complete silence as hundreds of pairs of eyes watched the ball fly through the air.
Amy was frozen in place, her mouth open and her hands clasped together as the ball approached the basket. It looked good. Very good. It hit the rim, hesitated there for a split second, and then it dropped down, through the net.
“Oh, my God!” Amy reached out to hug Colleen, and they both jumped up and down. “I can’t believe it! We won!”
The crowd couldn’t seem to believe it either, and it was a full second before everyone started to scream and whistle and stomp their feet on the bleachers. The cheerleaders rushed out to do a final cheer, but the crowd was too excited to pay any attention.
After the excitement died down, and the team went off to the showers, Colleen turned to Amy. “You’re going to do it tonight, aren’t you?”
“Do what?”
“Ask Brett to the dance. Tanya always goes home after the game to change her clothes and do her hair. Brett’ll come down to the Hungry Burger with the team, and it’ll be at least half an hour before Tanya shows.”
Amy swallowed hard. She’d rather wait a few days, to work up her nerve, but she wasn’t about to admit that to Colleen. “Maybe Brett won’t come in with the team. He could be driving Tanya home.”
“No. Tanya drove her own car. I saw it in the lot. This is your big chance to get Brett alone. Don’t blow it, Amy.”
“Right.” Amy nodded, and got up to follow Colleen out of the gym. She’d promised to ask Brett and she would. But she wasn’t quite sure how to do it. She didn’t have any trouble talking to Brett at school. They were always kidding back and forth and comparing notes on their assignments. Why was it so easy to talk to a guy about everything else except what you really wanted to ask him?
Five
Tanya swore as she slipped on a rut in the parking lot and icy slush soaked into her tennis shoes. It hadn’t been snowing when she’d left for the game, and she’d left her boots at home. Now she’d have to drive home with wet shoes, and the heater in her little red Miata wasn’t working right. Her father would pay to have it fixed. Daddy always came through with money. But that meant her Miata would be in the garage for several days, and there was no way Tanya wanted to be stuck in this hick little town without her car.
Winter was a royal pain. Tanya unlocked the driver’s door and reached inside to pull out her scraper, a foot-long wooden pole, slightly thinner than a broom handle, with a wedge-shaped piece of plastic at one end and a brush at the other. The name stamped on the handle had worn partially off with use, but Tanya could still read it. It said, Ice Begone, Compliments of Ford’s Hardware, serving the Clearwater community since 1932. Jessica’s father owned a hardware store, and he’d let her give them out as Christmas presents this year.
Tanya thought about Jessica as she brushed the snow from her windshield. Jessica’s grandfather had built the hardware store, and he’d raised his family in a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor. When he’d died, Jessica’s father had taken over the store, and that’s where Jessica had lived all her life. Jessica helped out in the store on weekends and during the summer, and her father had promised that the business would be hers, someday. It seemed like a fate worse than death to Tanya. Jessica would be staying in Clearwater, running the family hardware store, and living in the second-floor apartment for the rest of her life.
“
Why didn’t we stay in California?” Tanya grumbled as she brushed the snow from her car. Her hands felt like they were frozen, and she rubbed them together to warm them before she tackled the ice on her windshield. She should have worn her fur-lined gloves; but it hadn’t been this cold when she’d left the condo, and she’d left them behind with her boots.
It took some muscle, but Tanya finally managed to scrape all the ice from her windshield. At least she wouldn’t have to scrape her windows again tonight. When she got to the underground condo garage, the rest of the ice would melt while she was getting dressed. And Brett would be very sweet about scraping her windshield for her when she left the Hungry Burger to go home.
She pulled her jacket down carefully before she slid behind the wheel, but the seat was still icy cold. Tanya shivered as she started the engine, and waited for it to warm. There was no heat, but at least the tape deck was working.
Tanya slipped a jazz tape into the deck and smiled. She loved jazz, but no one else in Clearwater was sophisticated enough to enjoy it. Brett liked Country Western, and that’s all they listened to when they were together. Tanya hated it, but she pretended to like it when she was with him.
Brett was on her mind as Tanya put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. He wasn’t the man of her dreams; but he was the best there was in Clearwater, and that meant he’d just have to do, for now. When spring came and the roads were clear, she’d drive up to Madison and check out the college guys. They were bound to be more interesting, especially since the university attracted students from all over the country. Guys from New York or California would be much more cosmopolitan, and she wouldn’t have to listen to conversations about cows, or corn, or cheese making. In the meantime there was Brett, and it was a status symbol to date the best jock at Hamilton High.
As she turned down Elm Street, Tanya glanced at her watch in the light from the dash. It was already nine forty-five, and she’d promised to meet Brett at the Hungry Burger in less than an hour. She had to hurry, or she’d be late.
Tanya pumped her brakes cautiously when she came to the stop sign on Fourth Avenue. The first time she’d driven on the icy winter streets, she’d locked her brakes and gone into a skid, almost hitting a parked car. Since that frightening moment, Brett had given her some winter driving lessons, and she’d learned to be very careful when she drove around corners or stopped for stop signs.