“I could stay here with you forever,” Jon said.
Cordie smiled. “I could too, but I have to go.”
Jon did his fake frown face. Cordie laughed.
“Why must you go?” Jon asked.
“Well, my curfew is in twenty minutes, for one thing,” Cordie answered.
“Is there more than one thing?” Jon asked.
Cordie giggled. “I’ve had to pee for about an hour.”
Jon chuckled, pulling Cordie into a warm and meaningful embrace. She kissed him goodnight and ran back home. Once she reached the side of the house, she turned to take one more glance of him. But, he was gone.
She came into the front door, noticing Sadie and Jesse were still on the couch, eyes glued to the storm coverage.
“Well, Cordie, it’s twenty minutes before your curfew,” Sadie said, smiling.
“I was finished walking, and I have to get ready for bed,” Cordie smiled. “Good night, guys!”
“Good night!” Jesse and Sadie said in unison.
Cordie smiled as she walked up the stairs. She had gotten to spend a decent amount of time with Jon and make her guardians happy. It was all in a day’s work.
Cordie opened her closet to find her pajamas and noticed a dress bag hanging in the back. She pulled the zipper down slowly to reveal the lavender dress she had asked Jon to secure. She smiled, zipped the bag back and pulled out a nightgown.
Crawling into bed, she heard light rain hitting the tin roof. The smell of Jon was still on her. She drifted to sleep happy and content.
Chapter Twenty One
Maggie
Cordie was less aggressive as she walked into history class the next day. Cricket kept her head down and didn’t try to force any conversation. But, Cordie could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and red.
Cordie felt a bit bad for the way she had acted. But this wasn’t just some little secret. This was big time, throw you in the psyche ward, crazy secret. Cricket had to understand. Cordie decided to speak to her after class, but to never put her full trust in her again until she knew it was warranted. There was no way she would be made a fool of again. Plus, they had to do their history project together. Cordie decided she would put her on probation, a friendship timeout of sorts.
As history class ended, Cordie turned to look at Cricket. Cricket loaded her book into her bag and glanced up.
“Can we talk at lunch?” Cordie asked.
Cricket smiled, but didn’t speak. She just nodded, like she was grateful, which made Cordie feel worse.
“I was really angry. Let’s just try to talk it out,” Cordie suggested.
“Okay. I would like that. And I’m really sorry,” Cricket said.
Cordie nodded and the two left the class together.
The day rolled on and before she knew it, Cordie was in the lunch line with Cricket. They were both very quiet, as if they were getting to know each other again. With trays filled with what they found edible that day, the two made their way to the back, where they sat together.
As they began eating, Cordie started telling Cricket about the visit to the psychiatrist and told her that she was just going to have to take a step back from everything. “I just don’t know much about this stuff and with you and Petulia telling me it’s dangerous, I’m a bit on edge.”
“I don’t know that much about it either. I was just scared. Your breathing got really shallow, and I thought you might be dying. I didn’t know what to do…”
Cricket’s face fell as her eyes landed on someone behind Cordie.
“Did you two love birds make up?” Maggie McNeely said, smiling with faux excitement.
“Leave us alone,” Cordie said. “Go apply some more lip liner or something. The actual size of your tiny lips is starting to show.”
“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, skank?” Maggie shouted, as her craven lackeys took their places behind her.
Cordie stood up to face her attacker. “I am not a skank. I’m from New York. I’ve got better things to do than listen to the ramblings of some backwoods whore who has nothing better to do than bully people… poorly.”
Students throughout the cafeteria began to take notice of the conflict and gathered to get a closer look. With attention swarming, Maggie gave a slight smirk. She leaned forward, and poured her cup of tea down the front of Cordie’s shirt.
Gasps filled the air.
Cordie released an audible exhale as the cold liquid ran down into her bra and pants. Maggie looked around and laughed, which caused the other students to join in. They pointed and laughed at Cordie.
“That’s enough!” Cricket shouted.
“Do you want to be part of this, Cockroach?” Maggie asked. “Because I have plenty of money on my account for more tea… unlike poor trailer trash.”
With that, Cordie couldn’t take it anymore. Anger warmed her veins and a rage she had never known blinded her from any sense of right and wrong. This girl had sought them out to bully them. She had chosen to approach them, engage them in her senseless need for attention, and she had now gone too far.
Vengeance gleamed in Cordie’s eyes. She glared at her enemy, especially upset that she had said such horrible things to Cricket.
“What are you going to do? You gonna cry?” Maggie taunted Cricket who had returned to her seat.
“No, but you are,” Cordie said.
As Maggie turned around, Cordie punched her so hard in the face, she thought she had broken her hand. The cafeteria exploded into teenage reactions. Shouts and wild laughter filled the air as Maggie lay on the floor.
The principal reached Cordie, and took her arm, escorting her to the office. “Why would you do such a thing?” He asked as he pulled her towards the door. Cordie remained silent.
Once in his office, Cordie was left alone for quite some time. She held the ice pack on her hand, but the pain left sort of felt good. She had never stood up to a bully like that. She was actually pretty proud of herself.
Mr. Gardner entered the office. “Cordie, this is unacceptable.”
“I agree,” Cordie said.
“So, are you sorry you resorted to violence? Because at this point, you’ll be suspended for three days. I can probably get your detention down to a month after that if you show some remorse.”
“I’ve misunderstood you,” Cordie said. “I was agreeing that it is unacceptable for a girl, no matter how prominent her family is or how much money they have, to be allowed to bully random students for sport. I don’t agree that my actions were unacceptable. I defended myself and my friend.”
“You punched a girl in the face!” Mr. Gardner shouted.
“She poured tea down my shirt and called my best friend a poor cockroach!” Cordie yelled back.
Mr. Gardner looked at her. His brow was furrowed and it was obvious to Cordie that he was somewhat aware of how Maggie acted. He had just never had anyone actually stand up for themselves before.
“So, that’s why your shirt is wet?” Mr. Gardner asked.
“Unless there’s a contest I know nothing about…” Cordie remarked.
“Cordelia, that attitude is not helping your case.”
Cordie sat still for a moment as the principal reviewed the facts and made notes. A nurse came in briefly to tell him that Maggie was going to be okay, but she would probably have an impressive black eye. Cordie hid a grin.
“Okay, Cordelia, I have decided to suspend you for three days. During those days, I will allow you to make up your homework. You can get your friend, Cricket, to bring it to you. I usually don’t allow that, but since you were provoked and I have witnessed some of that behavior, I will let it slide.”
“So, I just don’t come tomorrow?” Cordie asked.
“No ma’am,” Mr. Gardner said. “You don’t come tomorrow, or two days after that, meaning you won’t return until Monday.”
“Understood,” Cordie said, standing.
“Wait,” Mr. Gardner said. “I have to call y
our guardians. You will be sent home for the remainder of the day.”
Cordie sighed.
“Too bad, kid,” he said. “You couldn’t have hid it from them anyway.”
Cordie pulled into the circle drive. There was a strange car in the drive. Probably someone to cart her off to military school. Her stomach churned at the thought of what this would do to Uncle Jesse and Aunt Sadie. They had just started getting along, and now, this. She just couldn’t catch a break.
She slowed her walk as she reached the steps. How can I explain this to them? They are going to think I’m violent. They aren’t going to let me go out to see Jon. They are going to take me back to the psychiatrist. Cordie’s mind raced as she thought.
She turned the doorknob slowly, enjoying every second of freedom she had until the proverbial hammer was brought down on her.
“Hey Rocky!!!” Uncle Jesse yelled as she entered.
Cordie was confused.
Jesse pulled her into the living where Sadie and Petulia laughed and chatted while Cricket sat quietly on the couch listening to their old stories. “Well, here she is!” Sadie said as she entered.
“I’m a little mystified,” Cordie laughed. “Am I not in trouble?”
Sadie laughed. “Well, Cricket got sent home early, just for today, for being involved in the altercation, as did all the other girls. She had Petulia bring her over so she could explain what happened.”
“Oh,” Cordie mumbled, unsure of what spin Cricket had put on the story.
“That was awful, those things that McNeely girl said to Cricket. I don’t condone violence, but it takes a big person to stand up for their friend,” Sadie said, smiling.
“Wow, I’m so glad I’m not in trouble,” Cordie said with a sigh of relief.
“I believe in a certain amount of southern hospitality,” Sadie said. “Then you get to that ‘bless her heart’ level… then sometimes you just have to roll in the mud.”
Petulia laughed. “Thank you for standing up for Cricket. It meant a lot to her, and to me.”
“It was no big deal,” Cordie smiled. “It actually felt pretty great.”
Laughter filled the room. Cricket looked at Cordie and winked. Cordie smiled back at her. They would definitely be able to mend their friendship… if she could just get her to understand her relationship with Jon.
Chapter Twenty Two
Compromise
Cordie met Cricket that night at the library to go over the homework from the first day of her detention. Cordie was glad to be out of the house, but wished she was with Jon. It had been almost two days without seeing, him and she missed him terribly. She wondered if he knew when she missed him. She wondered if he missed her. Cordie sat, basically blocking out Cricket’s lecture on math with her thoughts. She wondered if Jon always knew what she was doing. She questioned the way the entire thing worked… Could he see her when she couldn’t see him? Did he know when something had happened to her? She couldn’t wait to tell him about the fight, but part of her marveled at the fact that he might already know… and if he got a good chuckle out of it.
“Are you listening?” Cricket asked.
“I’m sorry!” Cordie said, suddenly sitting at attention. “My mind is going a million miles a minute, and none of it has to do with math.”
Cricket laughed. “We probably need to get out of here anyway. It’s really coming down out there.”
Cordie looked out the window at the torrential downpour. She obviously couldn’t step out for a walk tonight, but she longed to see Jon. She hoped she could find a way. But, she would settle for his harmonica’s favorite tune.
Cricket and Cordie both got picked up by the adults in their lives. Everyone seemed to be really worried about the storm. Cordie just couldn’t bring herself to worry about hard rain and winds. Driving safely should be enough of a safety precaution.
Uncle Jesse took every precaution. He drove all of 35 miles per hour on his way home. Cordie thought she would never get there. Once they arrived, she ran straight up the steps, calling “Good night” to her aunt and uncle. She was desperate to find a way to see Jon.
She slipped into her gown, just in case Aunt Sadie came to check on her, and went out onto the porch. Her bare feet scuffed the floor. “Jon?” she whispered. “I really, really, really want to see you.”
She looked towards the oak, but could barely make it out with the darkness of the storm. Disappointed, she decided to just sleep and walk over to Schelling House in the morning if the weather had improved. She had gone two days without seeing him. She could not go three.
As she turned to walk back inside, Jon startled her. A light chuckle rose from his throat as he tried to be quiet. It was the most adorable thing Cordie had ever seen.
She looked at him, trying not to smile, and tapped her foot as if he was in trouble. He tried to straighten his face, but had no luck.
“You summoned me?” he finally asked.
“Yes,” Cordie said. “I missed you terribly. Will you come lay down with me while I try to go to sleep.”
“Now, Cordelia,” Jon replied. “I do not think that is proper.”
Cordie loved how genteel Jon was with her. She always felt like a lady and always felt valued.
“A compromise?” she offered.
“Dare I ask?” Jon smiled.
“You on top of the covers, me under the covers, no kissing… I just want to be held until I fall asleep.” Cordie said, dropping her head.
Jon took her hand and began to kiss it. “This must be throbbing from the fight.”
She smiled. “It was totally worth it.”
She took his hand and led him inside. As she proposed, Cordie crawled into the covers and Jon lay on top of them. He wrapped his arms around her and snuggled into her hair. Cordie had never been so content. She was comfortable, relaxed and satisfied, all in the arms of her true, great love.
Chapter Twenty Three
Storm
The weather had yet to calm as Cordie raised up to look at her clock. It was ten o’clock and she couldn’t believe her aunt and uncle had let her sleep in. She grabbed her robe and went downstairs. A note rested on the counter top.
‘Gone out for some food and supplies. Hurricane Neal will be a category 5 when it reaches us. Stay inside. We will be back soon. Love, Aunt Sadie and Uncle Jesse ‘
Cordie looked out the window. Limbs had fallen from trees and the wind had really picked up speed. She couldn’t believe they had gone out in this. There was plenty of food.
She fixed herself some toast and watched television. Before she knew it, it was noon and her aunt and uncle had still not returned. She tried to use her cellphone but the tower must have been down. She was getting no signal.
Worried and overwhelmed with thoughts of her parent’s demise, Cordie decided to search for them. They could have been in an accident and nobody could contact her with her phone down.
She grabbed her rain boots and a hooded jacket. Driving about the same speed her uncle had the previous night, Cordie made her way to the end of their road. She wasn’t sure which was to go. They hadn’t left details in the note, so she didn’t know which market they would have gone to or how long they would have been there.
The storm made it look like nightfall, and she stopped to find her headlights. Without much to go on, she decided to take a right, and head towards Main Street. She drove through the country and took extra care with her driving. But, she was not the problem.
As Cordie turned left onto Weeping Willow Lane, a farm truck cut the corner short. Cordie swerved to miss getting hit and her truck fell into a ravine. The crash into the bottom shook her terribly and she fought to remain conscious. She look around. The truck sat cattycornered in the hole.
Cordie crawled back to the drivers side and rolled down the window. “HELP!” She screamed out the window. “HELP!” Over and over, she tried to yell for help, to no avail.
The driver of the farm truck hadn’t even stopped, and with the visi
bility at near zero, he probably didn’t even know she had been there. She screamed out the window a couple more times. She tried to open the driver’s side door, but it was jammed. The passenger door was pinned against ground.
Cordie decided to roll the window down all the way, and climb out. She crawled back to the other side and cranked the roller. It went about half way down and stopped. “NO!”
Cordie tried to force the window down, but remembered her Uncle Jesse telling her it gets stuck, just like the rear window. She was trapped with no hope of escape until someone noticed her. She kept calm and decided she would just lay on the horn until someone heard.
She sat back, took a deep breath and rested for a moment. When she heard a car start to pass by, Cordie would blow the horn. She did this several times, unable to get the attention of the passersby. Then she looked down at her feet. She had bigger problems. Water was up to her calf, and the ditch was filling quickly with rain water. She was going to drown.
An hour later, full on panic had set in. Cordie sat in water reaching her chest and went under, over and over, trying to get the window to go down more.
With luck evading her, she sat back to take a break. There was really nothing she could do at this point. She had tried kicking the windows, trying any and all escape methods but nothing was getting the attention of others. But, she had grown weary and was beginning to give up.
“At least this way, I will be able to be with Jon,” she mumbled aloud.
She closed her eyes and tried to focus all her thoughts on this man of her dreams. This man, who had so bizarrely became a part of her life and quickly became the focal point of her life.
“No ma’am,” she heard, in a distinctive voice.
Cordie opened her eyes to see Jon sitting beside her. “Are you here to take me?”
“You are quite insufferable sometimes, Cordelia,” Jon said, messing with the window. “But you will not die today.”
House at Whispering Oaks Page 10