Finding Hope in Texas

by Ryan T. Petty

  “Leave that to me,” I said, not sure I could get them together, but I was on a roll. She gave me another hug.

  “Can I help you with moving the antiques out of your store?”

  “That’s nice, but I think it’s going to take more than our scrawny arms to move all that stuff.”

  “No, no. I didn’t mean us. I can get Dad’s company to do it.”

  “He has a moving company too?”

  She smiled. “He has done very well with his drug trades too.”

  “Well, if you would do that, it would be awesome. And I will work on Brad for you.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  We gave another smile and a hug, sending each other away with different assignments and what was hopefully the beginning of a new friendship. Still, I was scared that this was still just some elegant ruse. Jody could use her powers for good or for bad. I was going to have to check out a few moving companies for myself.

  Mr. Peet was back to his old form again during class, bouncing off the walls, joking and smiling, and acting like he was having the time of his life during his lecture. I couldn’t help but think that it was a little because of me, and while it was good to see him smile, it also scared me a little that I was looking at my future. Mr. Peet had only found solace in his sarcasm, his emptiness filled with the love of his daughter and the bitterness from the rest of the world, his frustration only worked out on imaginary battlefields across east Texas. Was that my future? The only way to know was to live it and that wasn’t going to change.

  At lunch, Lizzy played back that Saturday like I hadn’t even been there, but she was so sweet that I just nodded and grinned at her performance. She was happy and I couldn’t help but be happy for her.

  “And all of this is because of you, Hope. I mean, if it wasn’t for you, Dad would’ve never let me go to prom with Hunter. Heck, he probably wouldn’t have let me go next year without him being my date. Thank you so much.”

  “No problem.” I smiled. “Lizzy, are you sure you’re okay with your dad and my aunt doing...well, doing whatever they’re going to do?” She grinned at me.

  “I think Mags makes my dad happy. He needs that in his life.” She put her hand on mine. “We all do. In fact, I haven’t seen Jason this happy since he returned home from the war.”

  God, really? I didn’t know whether to smile or cry. “I need him, Lizzy. He’s about the only person that I feel somewhat normal around.”

  “It’s not my place to say, but I think the feeling is mutual.”

  She patted my hand as the bell rang and we started towards music class. When we got there, Jody met me at the door and told us that her father’s workers would be moving all the antiques tomorrow. Boy, when she wants something she really goes after it. I couldn’t help but give her a hug, much to the chagrin of Lizzy. It’s funny that they had been going to school for years together and yet never knew each other. Their cliques never intersected. Their only real link was me, and I ended up introducing them to each other. It wasn’t as if we were about to be invited to the cool table or that Jody had been disowned to ours, but it was at least an olive branch of understanding, of peace amongst high schoolers, that no matter who you were, you could get along with others who were the complete opposite of you.

  After class, I texted the good news to Mags, but that also meant I had to come up with a way to get Brad to speak with Jody again. But how? I didn’t want to play matchmaker. They already seemed the perfect match to me; two good looking people who only thought about themselves. Then again, if I did this, Jody would be sure to come through on the movers and maybe even live up to her apology. I just might welcome her back into the human race. Computer technology flew by and when the bell sounded, I grabbed Jody by the arm and walked with her down the hall.

  “Where is he?” I questioned with not a moment to spare.

  “Who? Brad? He’s usually out at the gym.”

  “Then let’s go talk to him.”

  “No,” she pulled away just a bit. “He won’t talk to me after all the horrible things I’ve done.”

  “But, he’ll talk to me,” I insisted, “and if we’re together it will show that we’re done with this feud.”

  She thought about it for a moment and finally nodded. We were off.

  We skipped dressing out, so what if we were going to be a little late. A few minutes wouldn’t turn us into fat, lazy Americans, would it? It didn’t take long to find Brad sitting alone up in the stands of the vacant old gym. If I hadn’t been in such a hurry to get this over with, I probably would’ve taken a better look at the dejected expression on his face, like a young child who’d learned that his favorite toy had been thrown away by mistake. We startled him when we approached, his eyes panning back and forth as we stood in front of him. Jeez, how was I supposed to do this?

  “Brad, we need to talk.”

  “Okay.”

  I sat beside him and Jody continued to stand. “Let me just say, and Jody will agree with me, that we have worked out our problems with each other, and it’s all because of you.”

  “Because of me? What do you mean?”

  “Well, funny enough...” Oh, just tell him. “...all this started because Jody thought I was flirting with you on my first day here. And after that, things just soured into an all-out war.”

  He looked up at Jody and she nodded.

  “But it’s over now. The only reason Jody hated me was because she really likes you, and she was trying so hard to keep you that she lost you instead.” Did that make any sense? I guessed in teenage talk it did because he looked up at her with caring eyes once again.

  “Why do you have to be such a bully sometimes?”

  “I don’t like to be, it’s just that...” Jody trailed off, not knowing what to say. “Brad, I do love you, and I’m sorry for what I did to Hope. She really is a good person. I just went crazy.”

  “But who’s next? Don’t you trust me enough to think that I care so much for you that I wouldn’t go after other girls?”

  Man, didn’t I say that right before Jody punched me in the eye so many weeks ago?

  Jody must’ve remembered, too, because she gave me a you-were-right glance. Still, I couldn’t let the conversation get sidetracked about how Jody probably needed to be on meds.

  “The fact is, Jody has apologized for everything she’s done to me and I’ve accepted it. And now she has come to apologize to you as well.” I gave her a look to tell her to sit down and work her magic on him, which she did. In a few minutes, they were smiling, with Brad running his fingers through her golden locks.

  Ahh, teenage love, it’s probably the stupidest roller coaster ride out there. But what could I say? If it was Jason and me, I would have probably felt the same desperation.

  With my job apparently done, I slid away and went down the steps, leaving the two lovebirds, smiling about the good deed that I had just accomplished for the day. I also skipped the rest of P.E., figuring it was better to be given an unexcused absence than showing up halfway through class to get in trouble by some female coach that wanted to be there about as much as I did. Instead, I snuck into the little concession stand and waited for the bell. I was getting pretty good at this bad girl routine.

  Hey! I texted Jason. Did you mean it when you said you would go to the prom with me? It was a few minutes before I got a reply. Time seemed to slow down waiting on a text.

  Of course, sweetie. I served in Iraq. I’m sure I can handle a high school prom.

  I smiled at the comparison. There was no telling what kind of devastation he hadn’t told me about, what he’d witnessed firsthand—the war, the destruction, the death. Was prom like a war? Probably. Kids wore fancy clothes and hired limos, spending too much of their parents’ money so they could look just right, then playing out their drama on the dance floor, making a public fiasco of themselves. It sounded wonderful.

  Like the comparison, lol.

  You know what I mean. Would love to take you – didn’t go to mi
ne.

  Oh? Didn’t he have enough money? With his looks, he could have asked any girl to go. My poor Tom Sawyer. Okay, let’s do this.

  Then you’ll have to take me. ;-)

  Thank you.

  LOL, I should be thanking you.

  Not just for prom, sweetie. Thank you for helping me find my way back.

  Aww! How could a silly little text be so powerful? Now I wanted to cry.

  And no crying after that one. ;-)

  Man, he already knew me too well.

  Ok, you caught me, then a-proming we shall go.

  Wonderful, but proming is not a word, silly head.

  Me, silly? Only for him.

  True, talk to you this evening?

  Can’t wait till then.

  Even his texts made me smile. Yep, I was on the road to being a redheaded Jody and didn’t give a crap.

  Mags picked me up after a while and I spilled the beans about why her store was being torn down in the first place, but then told her the good news, that Jody was going to make good on her promise to move all the antiques for us. Even though she was upset that her livelihood had been the near-casualty of a teenage drama fest, she was thrilled that the next day there would be moving trucks out in front of the old store, with men gingerly taking away all the antiques and placing them neatly in the new location. Even though Jody had caused all this trouble to begin with, she was going to come through when we needed her.

  “I can’t believe this is really happening. Our own store, Hope. Can you believe it?”

  Her happiness was contagious. No, I really couldn’t believe it, and if we survived the first year, I was going to be floored.

  “There is still so much to do. We need to advertise in the newspapers, plan for a big grand opening, and send out postcards to the neighborhood. Oh, and what was that name you had thought of?” She looked at me with anticipation.

  Crap, I’d forgotten all about a name.

  “Um, I was thinking. How about Valued Times Antique Mall?” The name bounced around the Ford POS like a brick. In my brain, it didn’t sound as bad as it did coming out of my mouth. As Mags took it in, she slowly began to smile.

  “I think that’s a wonderful name for an antique store.” She began to tell me how she would have the words displayed on the sign to hang on the front of the old building. “We can get that ordered soon, I hope.” I nodded, thinking that Jody had saved me from going over budget, so making a better sign and putting out more advertisement would be that much easier.

  “Now, we probably want to open up on a weekend, but what can we do to get the customers to show up?”

  “Why don’t you ask your new boyfriend?”

  Mags gave me a tense glare. “Hope, are you still mad that I kissed your teacher?”

  “No. I only meant that you should ask him to get his Civil War reenactors to come out and put on a show. They could set up a couple tents in that open lot next to the store and show off their equipment while you handed out 10% off coupons to everyone.”

  “You think he would do that?”

  “For you, most definitely. Plus, they like to put on their little shows for the public. It’s how they pick up new recruits.”

  “Sounds like they got one out of you.”

  I thought about that for a moment. Would I go back to a Civil War reenactment? Probably, even if it was just to have the entire weekend to hang out with my Tom Sawyer. Heck, just call me Scarlett O’Hara.

  That evening, Mags used her sweetest voice on the phone with Mr. Peet to coerce him into the advertising gimmick. He didn’t need much persuasion though, thinking it was a great idea and that he was sure he could get four or five other guys to come out for the Saturday. I knew one that would be willing as well and called Jason.

  “That sounds like fun. When is it going to be?”

  “Um, I’m not sure yet. But you would be willing to come?”

  “Sweetie, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  A giddy smile streaked across my face.

  “But you have to wear a hoopskirt.”

  “Wait a moment, who said that was in the deal?”

  “I did. You will be 1860s beautiful.”

  Yes, yes I would, all for you, soldier boy. “Only for you,” I replied, nearly being able to see his smile through the phone.

  Like clockwork, the company trucks owned by Jody’s father pulled into the parking lot of the old building. The men meticulously moved the antiques out of the building and hauled them to the new site without one scratch. Everything was done within the day and Mags texted me throughout, keeping me abreast of the progress. I relayed the news to Jody herself.

  “How can we ever repay you for doing this for us?” I asked.

  “Hope, it’s the least I could do. Besides, I got what I wanted.” She looked across the room and caught a glimpse of Brad. “I should be the one thanking you. You know he asked me to go to prom with him in April.” She gleamed. “Are you going?”

  “Um, I think so. I mean, I have a date for it, so yeah, I’m going.”

  “Well, good. Maybe we could get a limo together or something?”

  “Yeah, that’d be nice.” Was I a hypocrite or what? Oh well, it was supposed to be the night of my life, right?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Two weeks is a lifetime in a teenager’s life, but it wasn’t enough time to get ready for the opening of Mags’ store, especially for two people who were new at the whole entrepreneurship thing. Mags actually went with the name I picked out, why I don’t know, and we had a large sign created that we hung on the front of the building. Another smaller, but just as vivid sign read “GRAND OPENING” and listed the date. We had purchased advertising in the local newspapers and printed postcards to place in neighborhood mailboxes. With any luck, we’d actually get a little business.

  When the date rolled around, Mr. Peet and a few other reenactors, including Lizzy, Hunter, Mike, and Daniel, dressed up in their blues and grays and showed off for the stream of customers that made their way in and out of the store. Jason and I were there too, him in his dingy gray and me in my ball gown. Yes, people referred to me as Scarlett O’Hara a few times, and more than that, took our picture together, telling us what a beautiful couple we were. So I guess overall, I couldn’t complain. I was mostly happy to see that people were actually attending the opening of the store and was even more ecstatic to know that we wouldn’t be putting up an “Out of Business” sign on the door any time soon. My expectations were already surpassed. After all these years, Dad’s final investment in his sister might just be the one that paid off.

  Mr. Peet, Hunter, and Lizzy joined Mags, Jason and I back at home after the big day. We were all foot-sore, but happy that things had gone so well and ready to get back into some regular clothing. Mags found a package addressed to me sitting by the door as we entered. It was from Richard and I immediately opened it, finding a note from him and a DVD inside. The note read:

  Dear Hope,

  I hope Texas is treating you well. I’m sorry this is the wrong time, because I really don’t know how you’ll take it so soon after the accident, but your father was videotaping Tyler’s game the night he died and I feel strongly that you should have it. Much of the original footage was distorted in the crash, but I felt it was right for you to see the part we were able to retrieve from the camera. Hope, as always, if you need anything from me, please do not hesitate to ask.

  Sincerely,

  Richard

  Kilpatrick, Sneed, and Scott Attorneys at Law

  I looked at Mags and Jason after reading the note, handing it to them, but not sure what I should do. In my hand, I held the last few precious moments of my family’s lives. I could feel my heart vaulting to my throat and tears begin to sting my eyes. Seeing their happy, jovial selves one last time was all I’d ever wanted. But now that the sudden chance had come true, I wasn’t sure I could do it. Mags spoke first in the nicest voice possible, but all she could muster was, “Oh, honey.” A fe
w more moments passed before anyone spoke. This time it was Jason, who grabbed my hand and held it tightly.

  “Hope, I can’t make this decision for you, but whatever you want to do, I’m going to be right beside you the entire time.” I looked at him as the first tear began to stream down my face. Everyone else in the room gave me reassuring smiles.

  “Would y’all like to meet my family?” I finally said, handing the DVD to Mags, who popped it into the player. She sat down on the other side of me and also gripped my hand.

  At first, there were some grainy scenes of the basketball game with a few cheers from the crowd, but nothing you could make out distinctively. Everything went dark for a moment until a clear shot of the empty gym floor showed what we all waited silently to see. The camera wheeled around quickly to Tyler’s smiling face as he stood there in his jersey, but it was my dad’s voice behind the camera that I heard first.

  “Hey, Tyler, tell Hope how many points you scored.”

  “Eighteen, Sis, with a double-double in rebounds, just like you asked for.”

  “And where are you going tomorrow?”

  Tyler rolled his eyes. “To your Christmas musical thing.”

  Dad chuckled. “Alright, tell her bye.”

  “Bye, Sis. Tigers rule!” He got close to the camera and held up one finger with a silly grin on his face, which made me smile through the tears.

  “Alright,” Dad said as the camera strolled around and found my Mom, sitting in the bleachers, but looking away. “And here is your beautiful mother in all her shyness.” She smiled, but I could tell she was miffed.

  “John, put that away,” she said and looked up.

  “Okay, but say hi to your daughter before you do.”

  “Hi, Hope. I hoped you enjoyed having the house to yourself tonight,” she quipped. “We will see you soon as your dad gets done playing with his toy.” The camera whipped around quickly, back to Tyler for a second, who struck a pose that made us all laugh for a moment. Then it spun around again, now directly looking at my father, his eyes bearing into mine as they had done so many times before. He gave a quick smile to the camera as I felt Mags’ hand tighten around mine. This was her brother, my father, the man who was the epitome of all that was great, all that was right with the world, and this would be the last time I ever saw him.