Life Happens on the Stairs

by Amy J. Markstahler

  “Are you fucking nuts?” Zach said. “Her mom cleans for your wicked grandmother?”

  The word ‘wicked’ helped. He’d evidently met the woman.

  “Who cares?” Tyler said with a long drawl. “She can kiss my ass. I think she’s hired someone to follow me again.”

  “Seriously? I told you she’s crazy.” Zach looked at me. “She had us followed one summer... for what, a month?” His eyes darted to Tyler. Tyler nodded. “It was creepy, but once we figured it out, we had a blast messing with the guy.” They both laughed. “Tyler walked in the triple-x shop up on First Street to see if it would get back to her. I thought I’d die laughing.”

  “I’d heard there was a back door the pervs used to sneak out,” Tyler said. “I was freaking out, trying to get out of there. The place was nasty.”

  “Why is she having you followed all the time?” I asked.

  “‘Cause Tyler likes to beat people’s asses at random.”

  “Whatever,” Tyler said, with an annoyed glance. “She thought I was doing drugs or something. It made for a long summer. I finally told Dad, and the guy stopped coming around.”

  “Have you met her?” Zach asked me.

  “Unfortunately.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “I did last Christmas. She’s nuts.”

  I giggled. Thank God he felt the same way.

  “She was exceptionally crazy that day,” Tyler said, bobbing in the middle of the pool. “She had her meds all screwed up.”

  I pushed across the water toward the shallow end. The boys went silent as I walked up the steps. My nerves spiked. I had to get out of the water, my skin was pruning. I quickly grabbed a towel and covered my soaked body.

  “Your grandma’s always crazy,” Zach finally said. “She insists on calling me ‘Zachary.’”

  I spun around. “I know, right? She told me, she prefers ‘Elizabeth.’”

  “I can’t stand it when people call me by my full name,” Zach said, shaking his head.

  I sat down in a chair next to him. “At least it isn’t just me.”

  Tyler swam in circles, then he dove under the water, did a flip, and swam away.

  “Is he always this energetic?” I asked.

  “I don’t think the guy sleeps, to be honest,” Zach said. “I used to jog with him. We’d run over ten miles, but when we’d get back home, he’d just wave and keep going. He’s a freak.”

  Tyler re-emerged from under the water and wiped his face. “You know how she found out about us?” he asked. I shook my head, no. “The guard who kicked us out the other night? He’s worked there forever. He lives in Savannah. I bet he told her.”

  Tyler smirked at his epiphany, swam to the edge, and looked up at me. His eyes were breathtaking. They’d turned a burnt umber with flecks of emerald green outlining the iris. I shook my head and refocused on what he’d said.

  “That’s not the guy in the Cadillac,” I said.

  “I know. I’m just saying, he told Nana, and then she hired someone to go out there.”

  “I can draw him.”

  “What do you mean?” Zach asked.

  “You’ll see,” Tyler said. “Run inside and grab some paper and a pencil, you know where everything’s at.”

  Zach pulled his feet out of the water and stood up. “Where are your parents?”

  “They’re already in bed.”

  Zach waved and walked away.

  “Tyler, this kind of freaks me out,” I said. “Why would she have us followed?”

  “She’s nosy, that’s all. The guard probably told her he saw me with a girl, and she’s been snooping around ever since. Hell, she’s probably read my journal, too.” He shook his head. “I’m going to have to hide it.”

  “Leaving it on the nightstand makes it too tempting. Are you going to say something to her when we get back?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I’ll talk to Dad if I have to.”

  Zach returned and handed me a notepad and pencil. He sat on the edge of the pool and stuck his feet back in the water. I started sketching the square-faced man in the Cadillac.

  “So, you’re just going to draw the guy?” Zach asked me “No photo or nothing?”

  “Yep,” I said.

  I worked on the man’s beady eyes, then started on his overstated nose.

  “Are you transferring come January?” Zach asked Tyler.

  “Yeah, I have to choose something,” he said.

  “Man, it’s going to suck when you leave. Are we getting our own place this semester? I can’t do the dorm thing again.”

  “Allen said he’s moving out. Thank God. So yes, you can have his room.”

  “Sweet. I hate the dorm. Way too many crazy people.”

  “This is roughly what he looks like.”

  I held up the paper. Tyler winced.

  “What the hell? That’s my uncle!”

  “Wow, that’s good,” Zach said, then he laughed. “That’s your uncle?”

  “Yeah, my dad’s older brother, Ron.”

  “He doesn’t look like you guys,” I said. “Not even close.”

  “He looks like one of Nana’s brothers. Damn it. I’ll have to go visit him when we get back. He lives in Crump, probably broke again.”

  “Who needs money in your family?” Zach asked.

  “Uncle Ron. He’s the only one of Nana’s kids that didn’t go to Vanderbilt. She can make him do anything for a buck.”

  “Well, it makes me feel better that you know him,” I said. “It’s still creepy, but at least you can do something about it.”

  “I guess. I don’t really like the guy. He’s a sleazy used-car salesman.”

  Zach raised his hand with big, round eyes like a little boy who needed to speak.

  “Do me, do me!”

  I laughed. “What?”

  “Draw me,” he said with a cheesy smile.

  “Okay. Give me a minute.”

  Zach reminded me of the cartoon character Jimmy Neutron. Instead of an accurate sketch, I drew a caricature, exaggerating the size of his head and round cheeks, attaching him to a tiny body with little feet dangling in water. I made his eyes fill three-quarters of his face, added a round nose between them with puffy, overstated lips above a square chin.

  Tyler pushed off the wall and started swimming in circles.

  “Are you going to your graduation?” Zach asked.

  “I’ll have to go back in May if I want to. I’m not sure.”

  “Why wouldn’t you? You’ll be the youngest person there. You’ll get all kinds of awards.”

  “I don’t care about that,” he said, swimming to the edge of the pool again. “My plans have kind of changed... as of late.”

  “What?” Zach’s voice cracked. “Are you two that serious?”

  “I am,” Tyler said.

  I glanced up and smiled.

  “But I haven’t given my approval yet,” Zach protested. “Well, I guess I did say that you’re hot. You passed the first part. But do you have substance? This guy needs substance. Obviously, you have talent. Let me see that.” He reached out. I handed him the notepad. He burst out laughing. “Check this out, man!”

  Tyler laughed. “Looks right to me.”

  “You’re good,” Zach said, setting the notepad aside. “So anyway, as I was saying... Do you know, he has no tolerance for anyone who whines, or most of all, anyone who interrupts?”

  “No,” I said. “I did not know that.”

  “She wouldn’t,” Tyler said. “She doesn’t interrupt me like some people I know.”

  “What about whining?” Zach asked.

  “She doesn’t whine, either,” Tyler said. “Unlike you.”

  “Not to you,” I said. “Mom would totally disagree.”

  “Okay. So far so good. Do you come from money?”

  Tyler sighed and pushed off the edge of the pool.

  “My mom cleans at his grandmother’s,” I said, slowly to emphasize my point. “No. It seems to be an issue,
though.”

  “Not for us,” Zach said.

  “Us?” Tyler countered, as he swam back to the edge.

  “I said, I have to approve. How old are you? Are you going to have him arrested?”

  “Zach, she has no reason to have me arrested. You and Luke are the only ones who date fifteen-year-olds posing as adults.”

  “That wasn’t cool. Those girls did not look that young. Anyway, you’re the only virgin I know, who can get laid at any given moment, and won’t.”

  “Thanks, Zach,” I said. “That’s comforting.”

  “Shut the fuck up,” Tyler said, pushing out of the pool.

  He walked to the chair and grabbed a towel. Zach looked at me with an ornery grin.

  “Your boy, here, doesn’t chill. Ever. He’s too busy being Mr. Athlete and Einstein.”

  “No one forced you to come to Vanderbilt, you know.” Tyler pulled a chair beside me and sat down. “I won’t apologize for making you look bad.”

  “Shit. When it comes to grades, you’ve always made me look bad. I thought I had you with the girls, but you’ve trumped me again.”

  “I have standards, that’s all.” Tyler nudged me. “He’s found a few crazies over the years.”

  “Only one.” Zach spun on the concrete, pulling his legs out of the water. Tyler threw his towel at him. He caught it and started drying his legs. “How can I tell if a girl’s crazy or not? I have to take some chances. I’m sure you’ve seen a hint of crazy. No?” He eyeballed me.

  “Elsie’s solid,” Tyler said, grabbing my hand. “No crazy here.”

  I smiled, lacing my fingers with his.

  “What the hell, Tyler? Sorry, Elsie, just roll with this for a second.” He looked at Tyler. “You’re telling me you went to your Nana’s, for a summer trip you hate every year, and now... look at you. You’re never this happy.” Zach squinted at me and pooched out his lips. “What have you done with my friend?”

  Tyler slouched in the chair with a shy smile.

  I shrugged. “All I know is this guy.”

  “Well, believe me,” Zach said, “that isn’t the normal Tyler.”

  We laughed Zach’s interrogation off and talked a little more, then realized it was after midnight. Zach headed home, and we went back to Tyler’s room. I shucked off my wet clothes, laying them over the edge of the bathtub, and slipped on my yoga pants and a T-shirt.

  A few minutes later, I was snuggled next to Tyler on the couch. He wrapped his arms around me, and we watched Sports Center. After the baseball highlights, he changed the channel, and we chatted through several reruns of Frazier.

  “I hope you know, you’re lying in the arms of a total geek,” he said. “I’ve just been able to hide it from you until now.”

  “You don’t look like one. That helps immensely.”

  “Whatever,” he said under his breath.

  “Well, it’s true. You’re a star athlete, as well as extremely smart, and gorgeous. That disqualifies you from being a geek. You’re more of a... smart jock.”

  He laughed.

  “Your parents are great, and I really liked Zach. I’m sorry I was so freaked out when we left. It’s been a very nice evening. Thank you.”

  “It’s all good,” he whispered. “I get it.”

  He rubbed my back with one hand, his other arm holding me tight. So warm and comfy, his embrace was the last thing I remembered before dozing off.

  Chapter 20

  I woke up on Tyler’s bed, covered in a plush, navy blanket. Stretching out, I inhaled the scent of his pillow. Utopia. I looked around the room. Where was he? Readjusting my clothes, I saw the time. Six-eleven. I gasped! Mr. Smith’s.

  I grabbed my bag and rushed into the bathroom. When I flipped on the lights, I cringed at my reflection. I looked a hot mess, hair piled everywhere, mouth mucky and dry.

  After my rituals, I repacked my bag, then followed the aroma of breakfast downstairs. Katherine was speaking to Tyler over the sound of sizzling bacon as I came down the hall.

  “You told me you’d sleep in separate rooms,” she said.

  “We did,” Tyler said. “I slept in the spare room.”

  “You two haven’t gone that far, have you? She’s only seventeen.”

  I stopped outside the doorway. Oh, my gosh. Sex? I can’t walk in there, yet.

  “Mom. That’s exactly why we haven’t gone that far.”

  “So... you would if she was older?”

  He sighed. “Not necessarily. You know, I’m not like that.”

  “Sorry. I just worry about you. Don’t risk your future over a girl.”

  “Elsie is my future, Mom.”

  Sizzling bacon filled the silence. I took a deep breath and stepped in sight.

  “Good morning,” Tyler said, relaxing back in his chair.

  Katherine turned around with a bright smile.

  “Good morning,” she said. “Would you like some bacon and eggs?”

  “Yes, I’d love some. Thank you.”

  Tyler sat at the head of the kitchen table with a stack of papers in front of him. I sat down next to him and glanced at the letterhead. Yale’s acceptance letter was at the top of the pile.

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

  “Yes. I can’t believe I crashed that fast,” I whispered. “When did you move me?”

  “Not long after you fell asleep. You barely noticed.”

  Katherine set a plate of bacon and scrambled eggs in front of me.

  “Thank you,” I said. “Looks delicious.”

  “Do you like coffee?” she asked. “I have orange juice, too.”

  “Coffee’s great. Thanks. ”

  She returned to the counter.

  “Well, Mom, there’s no way I’m going East,” He pushed the papers away. “I don’t want to live out there for two years.”

  “You could still hear from Duke. It’s east, but it’s in the South.”

  “Okay, Nana.”

  “That’s awfully rude.” She grinned. “So, Elsie, Tyler tells me you’re an artist.”

  I nodded, taking a bite of bacon. They must’ve had quite the conversation about me.

  “I find that interesting,” she said.

  Tyler immediately asked, “Why?”

  Ignoring him, she leaned against the counter.

  “Tyler’s extremely selective when it comes to art. Don’t let him fool you, he’ll try, but he’s quite particular.” She raised her eyebrows at him, and then she looked back at me. “That tells me you must have an amazing talent, or he wouldn’t have mentioned it.”

  Tyler shifted in his seat. She walked to the table and sat down.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  I glanced at Tyler. He drew his lower lip between his teeth, dark eyes assaulting my composure. I shyly smiled and refocused on Katherine.

  “Where do you want to go to school?” she asked.

  “I’ve thought about Memphis College of Art, but with Dad’s condition, I don’t know.”

  “Oh, no,” she said. “You can’t let that stop you. MCA is a great school.”

  “She’s going,” Tyler said. “She’s too talented to blow it off.”

  “Tyler told me about the festival,” she said. “That must’ve been scary.”

  “It was. Thank God, he was there.”

  “Is your dad improving?” she asked.

  “No. They’re sending him home.”

  By her look, I could tell she understood the implications.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. “Your mom just told us last week.”

  “I know. She’s very private about her life.”

  “I’ve never met her, but she has done a fantastic job at the house. If she hadn’t, believe me, we’d hear about it.”

  “Mrs. Vaughn’s not real thrilled I’m working for her this week.”

  Katherine waved her hand. “Oh, just ignore her.”

  “That’s what I said,” Tyler interjected.

  I nodded and too
k a bite of the eggs.

  “I let Greg deal with her, and try to keep my mouth shut when we’re there.” She gave Tyler a suspicious glance. “Does she know about you two?”

  Tyler sighed. “I think she’s having me followed again. So yes. I’m pretty sure.”

  “Again? Jeez, the woman’s crazy. I’ll talk to your dad.”

  “Thanks,” Tyler said.

  The verdict was unanimous about Mrs. Vaughn, but I had to warn Katherine about Mom.

  “My mom doesn’t know we’re seeing each other, though.”

  “Oh, so this is a secret?” She smiled, looking back and forth between us. “Well, I feel special y’all let me in on it.”

  “She’s going to tell Claire soon.” Tyler looked at me. “Right?”

  “Yes.” I pulled in a nervous breath. “She’s just under a lot of stress right now.”

  “Understandable,” Katherine said, then she cringed. “I hope it doesn’t affect her job.”

  My stomach flipped. “Exactly why I haven’t told her, yet.”

  “Mildred’s ridiculously controlling. Be careful.” Katherine looked at Tyler. “Your father’s already doing damage control because of your choice of graduate school. The woman won’t let it go.”

  “Why does she care where I get my Master’s?” Tyler asked. “It’s stupid. She isn’t even paying for it.”

  “That’s why,” Katherine said. “She hates it that she can’t hold it over your head.”

  “She’s definitely proud of how smart Tyler is,” I said. “I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.”

  “He wasn’t always this driven.”

  “Mom... ”

  “Well, you weren’t. I’m just glad it worked out. Elsie, I worried about him all the time. After his grandpa died, I’d never seen him so angry.”

  “He told me a little about it.”

  “Thank God he only had cuts and bruises.”

  “Mom. I’m sitting right here,” he said in a dry tone.

  “I know, honey, but that’s why you lashed out like you did. It’s bad enough you were in a car accident, but it’s horrible to lose someone you were so close to. At least you dove into your studies.” She looked at me. “When he started school on his own, I couldn’t keep enough work in front of him. I knew he was smart, but I had no idea.”

  “Tell me about it,” I said. “A thirty-six? I only scored a twenty-three.”