by cross, kali
Undeterred she continues, pulling out her materials from the school, “The school takes some scholarship students, but only a few. It’s very expensive and quite exclusive. Austin is a college town, only about eight hundred thousand people. Maybe Tommy can elaborate. Tommy, what’s it like to live here?” My Aunt asks smiling, blinking her eyes at the driver. My God! I think she bat her eyelashes at him. I want to crawl under the seat.
“That sounds about right, Ma’am.” Tommy confirms. “Downtown is fun, sixth street has some great music. Lots of good restaurants. That’s not all there is to the town though. We have quite a few lakes, and some springs. Skiing and boating on the lakes. Trails for motorcross and riding are everywhere, if you like that sort of thing.” His lips curve into a knowing grin. “But I like it. I grew up here. There’s a quiet gentleness to the outskirts of town, especially on the lake, surprises most folks.” He shrugs.
“How long have you been a chauffeur?” My aunt asks.
“Just helpin’ out, really.” His crooked smile seems almost mischievous. “I’m a musician by trade. My dad has a ranch outside of town. He fell and broke his hip, and I’ve been helping him out until he gets back on his feet. After that, I’ll be heading back to Nashville.”
“A musician? Really?” My aunt says, nudging my arm. “What instruments do you play?”
I shoot her a dagger stare in hopes she’ll stop. What is she doing? She glances at me, oblivious. The smile lilts across her lips.
“I play guitar, and I sing. I’ve been in Nashville for about three years, mostly playing local bars, some studio and demo work. Since I’ve been back in Austin, I’ve been working at the ranch during the day and playing at night here and there.”
“Impressive. With all of that, how do you find time to be a driver as well?” She asks, her smile beaming too brightly.
“Aunt Patty, seriously? Don’t you think you have grilled him enough?” I am so embarrassed. I shoot a scalding look her way.
“Oh, it’s no problem, Ms. Turner.” He adds, “Talking makes the time pass faster, don’t ya think?” He grins at me broadly, his eyes crinkling at the corners behind his shades. “Ms. Chadwick is a family friend, and she asked me to help her out over the next few days after she lost her old driver. I couldn’t say no…damsel in distress and all.”
“Well, that is sweet of you.” My aunt smiles.
“It’s no problem at all. I enjoyed meeting y’all.” His devilish smile fails miserably to match his gracious words. “I’ll drop you at the hotel so they can check you in, and drive you over to the school so Ms. Turner can settle in.”
The car pulls up to the hotel in downtown. Tommy gets out, crosses around to open the door for us, and I notice several hundred people crowding along a bridge. “That’s strange. What are they doing?” I ask. “It’s too early for fireworks.” Staring up at the sky, the sun is beginning to set as a dark cloud slowly descends from underneath the bridge. “What are they? Are those birds?” Thousands upon thousands of some kind of bird fly for several minutes from underneath the bridge, a black ribbon set against a blue and orange sky.
Tommy chuckles. “Nope… bats.” His twinkling smirk is all the response we get to our shocked expressions.
“Bats? Are you kidding?” My aunt asks.
“That is the coolest thing I have ever seen,” I mumble to myself, forgetting to continue the bratty behavior I have used as a shield all day. Staring at the bridge in awe, I’m mesmerized by the sea of black, and the shocks of the tiny bat cries. “There’s thousands. Have they always been here?”
Slipping off his glasses, Tommy takes a moment to watch this spectacular sight. Looking down at me, his crystal blue eyes shine. Wow, his eyes are fucking dazzling. A boyish glee lights his face, politely waiting for a few moments as I stand fascinated. “The bats have been coming here since I was a boy. They fly in formation. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Yeah.” I breathe. “Do you miss living here when you’re in Nashville?” I smile up at him as he towers over me.
“I miss my family, sure. And, there’s a lot of good music being made here. But, I like Nashville, too. Its pure country and I’ve made some good friends.” His face clouds over with a wistful look. “Do you miss Chicago?” He stares at me with an intense interest.
I can’t help but blush at his attention. I scoot my boot through the grass. How can I answer that? I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear about all my crap. I’m not used to guys this hot, hell any guys, paying me any attention. I feel his eyes on me, and I can’t think. I glance up, and our eyes lock. He smiles at me as his eyes twinkle. He’s so out of my league. Look at those eyes. His mouth curves into an impish grin. “Uh, I’m sorry – what?”
He leans in closer, making an exaggerated show of speaking louder so I can hear him. “Do…you…miss…Chicago?” He smells like fresh air, hay, and soap. I want to nuzzle in closer so I can inhale.
Blushing, I chuckle, “Sure, my whole family is there.” My eyes trail back up to the bats in a vain attempt to keep from rolling my eyes at the lie. I can’t get into the whole why of what brought me here.
“Why do I get the feeling there is more to that story.” His eyes narrow as his mouth curves into a skeptical smirk.
“Nah, I’m an open book.” The retort pops out before I can think. Open mouth insert fucking foot, Amber. God, that was so lame. I glance around and murmur, “Well, I guess we better get going.”
“Sure, let me take your aunt’s bags over to check-in, and I’ll drive y’all out to the college.” He smiles, apparently choosing to put me at ease and not press me for info. Grabbing my aunt’s bags, he rolls them over to the valet, handing them off to the hotel staff. “Did you ladies want to head up to the room or grab a bite in the restaurant before I head you over to the college?” Waiting expectantly, He clasps his hands in front of him.
“I’d like to head over to the college,” I say. Glancing at Aunt Patty, her face drops as I squash yet another opportunity for us to talk.
As Tommy holds open the door, I climb in, I look back to see his eyes not-so-discreetly checking out my ass. Settling in, I laugh and give him my best “busted” look.
“I am merely a great admirer of beautiful things,” he drawls with a sly wink. Closing the door, he climbs into the driver’s seat, flashing me a wicked grin. My stomach clenches as I feel my mouth involuntarily drop. My God, he’s so hot. I turn away, searching out the window so I can hide the heated blush crawling up my face.
The school is nestled down a winding road outside of town. Luxurious lawns and flowers cover every inch of campus. The college consists of an administrative tower, several classroom buildings, and dorms. An athletic field is on the edge of campus with a swimming pool. It is quite impressive for such a small college.
Tommy stops the car in front of the dorm and circles around to open the car door. My aunt climbs out. Placing her hand on his chest, she looks up demurely, “Thanks, Tommy.” Her hand pushes money in his palm. Fighting the urge to throw up in my mouth, I roll my eyes and place my hand on her elbow, attempting to pull her to the entrance of the dorm.
“Thanks, Ma’am. But I can’t accept this…against school policy.” His smile is friendly as he hands money back to her.
Aunt Patty’s disappointment covers her face. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Kennedy. Ms. Chadwick would have my hide. She’s serious about the rules at Texas College. She’s quite the stickler. But…thank you. I enjoyed the ride.” He nods politely to her and turning to me, he grins. “Ms. Turner, you let me know if you need any information on the local trails. If you aren’t having your motorcycle shipped here, I can certainly arrange for you to use one. Just let me know.”
“It’s Amber.” I glance up shyly. “Thanks...I will.”
Pulling off his shades to gesture to the hills, he says, “You can open up a bike and ride for hours, lots of open road. You can go for miles and hardly pass even one person the whole way.” He turns to me, an
d I get my second look at his deep blue eyes. Wow. “Let me know if you’re interested in a ride. I would love to show you around.”
My mouth gapes open, and I feel the blush rush over my cheeks. “Thanks.” Glancing at my feet, I smile. Shit! Speak, Amber, speak. Ugh. What’s the point? Most definitely too cute for me. He’s not serious, I’m sure. I turn, taking my bag.
As we walk in to the entrance of the dorm, Aunt Patty glances back, whispering, “He’s watching us.” Giggling like a girl half her age.
Rolling my eyes, I say, “I doubt it. He’s making sure we get inside.” I so want this conversation to be over.
“Bye.” Aunt Patty waves and whispers conspiratorially, “You should take him up on his offer. You might as well have some fun while you’re here. He’s really dreamy.”
“Can we just get inside?”
The girl at the front desk greets us, and I explain that I’m here to check in. She shows us to the top floor. My room is at the end of the hall.
The hallway is quiet, but I’m only cautiously optimistic that will continue after classes let out. Most dorms are boisterous, loud, and buzzing with constant activity. The two person suite is larger than I expected while still being a typical dorm room. At least I’ll get to decorate it myself since Aunt Patty would be the only one venturing down here to see me. As I swing my bag onto the bed, the bag sinks into the mattress as it lands, and a fresh linen scent drifts upward. That’s my idea of the perfect bed, cool and inviting. I’m so tired, it practically calls to me. It’s a double at least, bigger than what you would expect in a dorm.
“Am I sharing a suite?” I ask gesturing to the other bed.
“Not at this time, but sometimes girls ask for reassignment so that could change,” she says. Walking to the bathroom, she continues with her guided tour. “This suite has its own bathroom. No tub, but the shower is bigger than a traditional single stall.”
Thank God for that. After so many boarding schools, I am totally over the communal bathrooms. Its standard white with a shower and a cute pedestal sink with a cabinet against the opposite wall. The shower has a door with scalloped glass and swirls etched in the glass. The whole bathroom shines and sparkles with a hint of lemon in the air. It’s much prettier than I would expect in a dorm.
“Let’s see.” She refers to her iPad. “Amber is scheduled to see Ms. Chadwick later today at three o’clock. Amber, you can either stay here tonight or out in town…your choice.”
“I’ll stay in the dorm. If you can call her a cab to take her back to the hotel, I would appreciate it,” I reply, noticing out of the corner of my eye, the completely dejected look on Aunt Patty’s face. A slight pang of guilt hits. Straightening defiantly, I grimace, silently imploring the chick to get on with it before my aunt makes a scene. Aunt Patty turns to face me and says briskly, “Your mother insisted that I meet Ms. Chadwick.” Turning back to our guide, she says, “I’ll stop at the front desk when I am ready to leave. Thank you.”
“Certainly. Amber, I’ll leave your orientation packet here. If you have any questions, you can call the front desk or speak with your resident director, Ms. Maria Gonzalez. She’s in room 352.”
“Thanks,” I say with a polite smile. The resident attendant leaves, closing the door behind her.
Turning to my aunt, I say curtly, “Really, Aunt Patty? What am I twelve? You’re going to escort me to the meeting with the ‘School Principal’?” Using air quotes to drive my point home.
Aunt Patty grimaces but stands her ground. “It’s what your mother wants. I am responsible for you now. If you screw up, they are going to call me.” She sneers with a sigh. “Then Amber, I will have to deal with your mother. Believe me when I say, I don’t like dealing with your mother...ever. In fact, I try hard…not to ‘deal’ with your mother.” Giving me air quotes with more than a slight sarcasm tone, “So, why don’t you get over this spoiled brat routine? Give it a rest, ok?”
“Now you have a fucking backbone? Now. Seriously. With me?” I say in disbelief. “You know I don’t deserve to be shipped off again. I did nothing wrong. Where is that backbone when you deal with Mom? She treats you like shit, and you ask for more. For once, couldn’t you stand up to her and back me up?” My body feels jittery with all my pent up frustration.
“You know why…Like it or not, she’s your mother.” Her pale green eyes well with tears. “When she started making noises about kicking you out, I couldn’t let her put you in a position like she put me in. You deserve better than that.” A quiet rage settles into her features. Her sea green eyes flash as she clenches her fists. “Your mother took everything from me. She worked at getting our mother’s favor…and the inheritance. It was an added bonus. When she called me to ask me to look into a college for you, I jumped at the opportunity to get you away from her.”
“But I am an adult. Why do I need a guardian? I’m nineteen years old…I’m not a child. Isn’t that against the law since I’m over eighteen?” I ask, pleading for some type of help, some way I won’t be under her thumb. I sink onto the bed.
Sitting beside me, she sighs. Her eyes weary. “Nothing is impossible if you have a good lawyer, Amber.”
“So she wins again?” I ask snidely. “And, you go along with whatever she asks.”
Resting her hand on mine to reassure me, she says, “I was trying to protect you the only way I could think of….I found you a school, one that was far away from her, with a strong music department. I offered to take care of everything. I still can’t believe your mother agreed to it.” Shaking her head in disgust, she narrows her sharp eyes as she says, “But, that’s your mom! Why do any of the heavy lifting when you can always hire someone to do your dirty work, right?”
She’s right. Elise raised me, not her. She couldn’t be bothered.
With a deep breath, she pats my hand, and “Suzy Sunshine” is back. “I’m not going to hound your ass like she did.” Her face lights, her eyes bright and enthusiastic. “You can, finally, be a kid. Do what you want! Make sure your grades are acceptable and keep me in the loop. That’s all I ask.”
She seems so sincere. I am tempted to believe her. That she actually cares about me.
“I trusted you once, and you told her everything.” I purse my lips in an unforgiving glare. “Do you know what kind of shit storm she rained down on me after she found out about Angela?”
“I know I screwed up. I was chatting with her and before I knew it, I opened my big mouth. I was actually happy for you…that you had someone. I had no idea your mother was going to react that way.”
“Have you met my mother?” I ask sarcastically, my brows pop up. She is so naive.
“I know…I know. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Her exasperated eyes stare back at me.
I smirk, saying, “What makes you think my mother, of all people, would be happy her daughter was hanging out with a girl from the projects?”
“I know it was stupid,” she says with a sad expression. “I’m so sorry.”
I say nothing and glance around the room, ignoring her apology.
She grips my hand, her face bright. “This is a new start for you.” My aunt’s impish green eyes sparkle as her mischievous grin breaks free, like a small child gleefully devising a plan. “I’ll sell it to your mother. The perfect daughter, one who has turned her life around, an excellent student, is making all the right connections.” With a broad smile, she says, “Consider your life, as of today…your own. A new beginning! You are a smart girl. I know you can make the grades, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Her eyes filled with hope. “Have fun…this is college!”
“Yeah, it’s just a new location but nothing else has changed. I’m alone and I don’t know anyone. No friends, no family, and I still don’t measure up. Sounds like the same old shit, different day.”
“This is about protecting you,” she says. “My mother didn’t approve of my choices so she cut me off. Trust me. I realize it’s going to take time for you to believe me…to trust
me again. I get it. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t regret that conversation. I love you, kiddo, more than you’ll ever know,” she says, as a single tear trickles down her cheek. Her voice is haunting and filled with pain.
What the fuck is that all about?
***
Aunt Patty “went to get some air” after our big blowout. I was thankful, really. I need a rest from the drama of the last two days. While I unpack, I make a mental note of what I need to get to decorate the room. It’s pretty cool. All my other schools wouldn’t let you decorate. In boarding school, they gave you a bulletin board but nothing could go on the walls. I scan the room, getting excited about the blank space.
A soft knock on my door shakes me out of my daydream. “Come in.” I call.
A redheaded girl with Clark Kent style glasses peaks her head in shyly. “Hi, you must be Amber. I don’t mean to disturb you but I’m Karen. I wanted to stick my head in and introduce myself. I live down the hall.”
“Hi, Karen. It’s nice to meet you. Would you like to come in?” I curse inwardly at my lame introduction. I guess old habits die hard…my mom insisted I repeat any new acquaintance’s name to make sure I remember it. I am such a dork.
“Sure.” Karen walks in, plopping onto the bed opposite mine, looking around. “Are you settling in ok?” She smiles as she pushes her glasses up her nose.
“Yeah. I got in today. I’m from Chicago. Where are you from?”
“Ah, another Midwesterner. Cool. I’m from Kansas City.” Spying my only picture, she lifts it from the nightstand and studies it for a moment saying, “Cool picture. Where was it taken?”
Careful to keep my eyes down, I say, “It was taken at a Heart concert I went to over the summer. It was such a blast – they were amazing – Ann Wilson rocks.”
She smiles. “Oh, I love them!”
“Yeah me, too. My girlfriend, Angela, got the tickets as a surprise for my birthday. We rode up early on her motorcycle and spent the entire day at the festival.” I smile sadly, my voice quivering. “It was a great birthday.” Damn it. Don’t’ cry. Don’t cry in front of a total stranger.