Saving Georgia

by Kristin Flynn

  Never had I been more embarrassed in my life. Oh my gosh, he just saw me naked! Naked! I scampered to get dressed as fast as possible. I threw on some shorts and a tank top. I found my old flip flops and a camo John Deere hat. That’ll do.

  I ran down the stairs and out into the truck. I hopped in next to Shane and was bound and determined to keep my eyes forward, while Jenn slid in next to me.

  “Dalton, let’s go.” I said, trying to keep my cool.

  “Kay.” He said, turning the engine over.

  “What’s your beef?” Jenn asked.

  “Nothing,” Shane and I said in unison.

  “Yeah, uh huh, not buying it.” Jen said, looking out the window. She knows when I’m being elusive even when she can’t see my face.

  “Drop it Jenn.” I asked.

  “Yeah, let’s just not talk about it.” Shane said. “Ever.” As he looked at me, head to toe.

  “Eyes on the road, partner.” I scold him, turning bright red again. Butterflies started swarming in my stomach.

  Jenn whipped her head around and got real sassy “He saw you naked.” She accosted me. “You saw her naked, didn’t you? You saw her when she was coming out the shower?” Jenn accuses Shane.

  “No, well…” I started.

  “Yeah, I definitely saw her naked.” Shane admits, with a stupid boy smile on his face.

  “I knew it!” Jenn says, throwing her hands in the air. “Oh that’s hilarious!”

  “Jenn!” I shout, throwing my hands in the air in disgust. “I know it was an accident but dang it, I am still mad as fire!”

  “I’m sorry Georgia. I promise it won’t change anything.” Shane says, looking me in the face this time.

  “Better not, Shane.” I hiss.

  “Simmer your butt down, everything is all cool. Besides, what is a little nudity between friends? We used to take baths together when we were kids!” Shane assures me

  “That was before.” I mutter between pouted lips.

  “Before what?” Shane asks as if it’s a completely ridiculous question.

  “Puberty!” I blurt out.

  “Oh yeah, that.” Shane laughs. “So? You had the birds and the bees talk right?” Shane laughs. For some reason this is hilarious to both Shane and Jenn. Am I the only one not finding this humorous?

  “Jenn, it’s over and done with, just move past it. It’s all good.” Jenn tells me, patting me on the leg.

  “Alright, fine. I’m still not happy but I’ll move past it.”

  Once we got into Clayton, the Shiny Dinner is only a mile or two in. We finally got there and thankfully the place wasn’t too busy. We got a booth in the back and the woman who knows Mrs. Hyde was even working. The waitress greets us and takes our orders.

  Our breakfast was full of great food, laughter and nostalgia. The walk down memory lane was amazing, and I hadn’t felt so free, and happy like this in a while.

  “I have the best idea!” Shane calls out in between mouthfuls of eggs and bacon. “Let’s drive up to White Lake.”

  “Oh that does sound like fun! I have a date later, but he can pick me up from there.” Jenn says.

  “A date?” I ask

  “Football player I met last night.” Jenn says, looking at Shane. “He is nice, thank you.”

  “Whoa whoa whoa!” I call out, “you didn’t tell me any of this yet.” I rant, staring her right in the face.

  “You weren’t ready to talk yet.” She says in a cowardly voice.

  “OK, fair point well made.” I say, backing down. “But OK, so… White Lake?”

  White Lake is a decent sized lake in North Carolina, located in Bladen County. It’s about an hour drive. The town itself is only about 2.5 miles long. It has a beach and a pier, but that’s about it. It looks almost magical, there are tons of trees, and cottages around the area. There’s also a water park that’s fun, but the real fun is in the lake. The water is so beautiful and welcoming.

  The drive was fun and carefree. Everyone was laughing, including me, and it was such a welcomed distraction. Once we got there, the first thing we did was put our toes in the water. I was so glad I decided to go with shorts. We played Frisbee for a good bit, just the three of us. We walked a good portion of the shoreline, and when it came time for lunch, we found this little place that had fried chicken and catfish. We got a to-go bag and sat on the pier and ate.

  “Jenn, was that my phone that just went off?” I asked her.

  “I don’t know, maybe?” She says, shrugging her shoulders.

  “Where is it?” I ask. I hadn’t seen it since the party last night.

  “Ummm,” Jenn starts, with her mouth full. “In my purse?” She says, like it’s more of a question than an answer.

  “Can I have it please?” I ask.

  “Georgia, I don’t know.” Jenn says, looking hurt and sincere.

  “What? Why?” I ask her, angry and frustrated. Why couldn’t I have my phone?

  “He’s been calling you all day. And texting.” She starts. “I just don’t know if you’re ready for all of that.”

  “OK. You’re right. I’m definitely not ready for that yet.” I confess. “Just put it up in Shane’s truck will you? I don’t want to keep hearing it.” I ask, and without any restraint she gets up and heads out to the truck.

  “It’s unlocked Jenn. Just shove it in the glove box.” Shane calls out behind her. “Are you going to talk to him?” Shane asks.

  “I don’t know. I just don’t think it’s worth it. I mean, it was fun and I do like what little I do know about him, but the extra baggage…” I start, “like I am one to talk, I know. I just have enough of my own that I don’t need to deal with Harper Kelly anymore in my life than what is necessary.” I confess.

  “I think that’s smart. But, is that what your heart is telling you?” He asks me, without looking at me, as if he is ashamed of something.

  “I’ve stopped listening to that a long time ago, Shane.” I admit, staring at my feet, dangling in the water.

  “Georgia, you need to always listen to your heart if you ever want to get out of this slump.” He says, inching closer to me and draping his arm around my shoulders. “What is your heart telling you?” He asks, looking down at my feet in the water, he grasps my hand with his free arm “Just listen, what does it say?”

  “I don’t even know my heart and I speak the same language. I don’t know Shane. I want to see if I could love someone, if I could love him and that would be nice, but even if I could where does that lead me down the line? What about college? I’m going to ECU and I have no idea where he is going or what we would do then? I would like to get married one day, but I don’t know if he does, or if he wants kids! I don’t even know if I want kids.” I ramble, trying to make sense of all of this.

  “Don’t worry about all that, that will sort itself out. What do you want now?” Shane asks, looking me straight in the eye.

  “Ice cream,” I say.

  “Ice cream?” Shane asks, confused.

  “That is what I want, right this moment.” I say, looking at him in the face. I know he hates the idea of me and Jason together, and I don’t even know how I feel about it either, but it is my decision. Maybe I should give Jason the benefit of the doubt, but then I could be opening myself up for more heartache and pain which I cannot afford to withstand. Why must things be so gosh darn complicated?

  “Ice cream it is,” Shane says lifting himself up onto the pier and offers me his hand to help me up.

  “Where are y’all going?” Jenn asks, as she sees us heading to the truck.

  “Georgia wants ice cream,” Shane says, looking straight ahead, without even losing a step.

  “And here we go.” Jenn says, falling suit behind us.

  We went to some fast food joint and each got a cone. We sat outside because the weather is just that nice.

  “Why do I always get thirsty after ice cream?” I wondered out loud.

  “There’s salt in it,” Shane laughs.
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br />   “I thought you knew that Georgy?” Jenn asks me.

  “Oh like you knew!” I joke with her, and we both laugh.

  “We hadn’t hung out like this in a long time.” Jenn says, smiling to herself.

  “Well, that’s because you’ve always been with Harper Kelly.” I answered with a quickness.

  “Yeah, I don’t think that is going to be happening anymore.” Jenn says, sounding almost too pleased with herself.

  “Violence isn’t the answer.”

  “I know. You’re right. She just had no right to do what she did. She hurt you, and she hurt Jason in the process.”

  “How did she hurt Jason?” I asked. I felt a small pit in my stomach.

  “Jenn…” Shane said, almost as if trying to make her proceed with caution.

  “She just jumped on him and all that other stuff to get you mad. Obviously it worked, but he didn’t want any part of it.”

  “Seriously?” I ask eagerly, this could change my mindset.

  “Georgy, would I lie to you?” Jenn asked me, with a stern look.

  “No, I don’t think you would.” I said, under my breath.

  “Calm down, Georgia.” Shane says, resting his arm on my hips.

  “Hey, I’m cool.” I said, defensively. “You relax, butt munch.” I said, shoving a gentle elbow into his side. Shane pretends to be hurt and grabs his side.

  “So lady like,” Shane quips, with a gentle laugh.

  “He at least deserves for you to hear him out.” Jenn says, reaching her hand out for mine. “Just make sure you know what you really want first.”

  “Yeah, I still need to figure that out first.” I roll my eyes in slight exasperation.

  “Let’s go swimming. There’s a beach shop on the main strip, I’ll buy.” Jenn jumps up, eager to get into the water.

  “Your generosity precedes you. You ever going to let me foot the bill?” I ask Jenn.

  “Sure, when I’m dead.” Jenn says, laughing. “Let’s go! The water is calling my name!”

  We make our way down to the beach shop on the waterfront. We got in and started looking around, and in pure Jenn and Shane fashion, they tried on every silly hat they could find. I found a cheap pink, full bottomed bikini, and as I was going to try it on, I pulled back the curtain to a dressing room and there, in all his boy glory is Shane butt naked, and laughing.

  “Shane Allen Dalton!” I shriek, laughing uncontrollably. I fell to my knees in the dressing room, bent over gasping for air from laughing so hard. Quickly he put on a pair of swim trunks, and lifted me to my feet. “You caught me so off guard.” I force out in mid laugh.

  “Now we’re even.” He said, laughing and holding me up. “Are we cool now?” He asks me.

  “Yes, now can I change? Alone?” I ask.

  “Yes ma’am. I’ll step outside and make sure no one gets by.” He says, picking up his clothes and steps out the dressing room.

  I have never changed clothes as fast as I am now. I had the bathing suit on in 30 seconds flat, and I counted to prove it.

  “That was mighty fast, ma’am.” Shane said, as I emerged from behind the curtain like the Wizard of Oz.

  “Pipe it Shane, and lose the ma’am. I’m just 18, not a mother or barren old lady.” I chide him, and shove him gently with my arm against his side.

  “Y’all ready?” Jenn asks, standing in the middle of the store in a white bikini, and some big Jackie O sunglasses.

  “Yeah, let’s go.” I say, tossing a fluffy towel over my shoulder.

  We made our way across the street, and laid our blankets in the soft, white stone sand.

  “Race ya’” Shane says, looking at me and giving me a wink with an excited grin plastered across that stupid country-handsome face of his.

  “You’re on,” I laugh, giving my smile right back to him. Who does he think he is?

  “OK. I’ll judge, let me get down in the water.” Jenn says, making a dash out to the shore line.

  “Ready to eat my dust?”, Shane says in a runner’s stance, ready for battle.

  “Oh put it in your pipe and smoke it, Shane.” I say, ready to kick dust in his face. I crouch down and wait for Jenn to give the signal. Once her arms drop, we take off! Shane had a good head start but I caught up and was able to dust him for a bit. Suddenly I felt his arms around me, taking me down in the shallows, and he steps ahead of me, declaring his victory. I got to my feet as quickly as I could, and jumped on his back,trying to bring him down into the water with me. We were like savage dogs wrestling for the last bit of meat on a tiny bone. Jenn couldn’t help but bust straight out laughing, and she tied her hair up so it wouldn’t get wet or caught as a casualty in warfare.

  “Shane Dalton, you cheater!” I scream, still perched on his back, trying to dunk him. He is just laughing, and he shakes me off. I try to pummel his chest, and he still just laughs, and brings me into a hug. “You suck, Shane.” I lash out against the damp chest and I see it as my prime opportunity. I swing one of my legs around his, and push against the back of his knee with my foot, and I push with my whole body and bring that towering 6’2” man down under water. Victory is mine!

  Jenn shrieked with excitement and came splashing over to us, and Shane rose instantly out the water.

  “OK, even. We’re even.” Shane says, shaking the lake water out his hair.

  “She got you. She got you good.” Jenn says, all smiles and pointing a finger at Shane.

  “Yeah she did.” Shane laughs.

  “Fine, we’re even. No more dunking, splashing or anything okay? Let’s just chill.”

  For the next few hours, it was us in and around the water, just talking and enjoying each other’s company. This day is radically epic.

  “Crap, Nick should be here in a minute.” Jenn says, looking over at the time on her phone.

  “OK, I understand. It’s cool. Dry off, you look great with some sun-kissed skin.” I tell her, and frankly she looks great in anything. She could wear a burlap sack and the guys would all hoot ‘n holler.

  “You think?” Jenn asks, feeling self-conscious for some reason I reckon.

  “Nick don’t care about any of that mess, Jenn. Just relax.” Shane assures her, while putting sunscreen on.

  Jenn hikes up her denim skirt and throws her button down top over her swimsuit, and starts packing her stuff up, just in time.

  This decently tall guy starts strolling on over to us, and he is pretty handsome too. I am sure I’ve seen this kid around school. I remember seeing him with Shane from time to time.

  “Hey Nick,” Jenn calls out and waves like a giddy school girl. It’s nice to see her so happy.

  “Hey! Hey!” He calls out to her. “You ready?” He asks, walking up and shoving his hands in his pocket. I wonder if that’s a nervous thing. “Shane, what’s up?” Nick says, giving Shane a nod.

  “Hanging out, man,” Shane says, running a hand threw his hair.

  “Cool.” Nick says, looking over at Jenn. “Ready to roll?”

  “Yeah, let’s go.” Jenn says, smiling at Nick. “See you at home, Georgy?” Jenn says, looking at me.”

  “You bet. Later.” I say, smiling at her, while shielding my eyes from the sun.

  Nick and Jenn walked off the shoreline, and Shane glanced at me, and asked “You don’t want to head back yet, do you?”

  “Heck no, I’m loving this.” I say, tilting my face up to the warm and inviting sun.

  “Good, I don’t want to go home either.” Shane says, lying down on a towel.

  We lay down for a while, sun tanning and before we knew it, dusk was rolling in upon us. Suddenly Shane breaks the silence, and I think we both may have fallen asleep.

  “Let’s go for a dip before it’s too late.” Shane says, rolling over on his elbow.

  “OK” I smile, looking up at him.

  We walked down to the water and waded in the shallow. The warm, tepid lake water feels so cool on my heated skin, and it gave me goose bumps.

  “Th
is feels awesome, doesn't it?” Shane asks, wiggling his arms in the crystal clear water.

  “Most definitely.” I agree. “Look” I said, nodding to the other side of the lake. “Sun is setting.” I smile.

  “Well, ain’t that something?” Shane says looking at the sunset. The sky was filled with pinks, and hues of purples, the light blues turning to a brilliant navy.

  “I’m starting to get cold, but I don’t want to get out yet.” I said, under my breath.

  “Well here,” Shane says, gliding across the water to where I am, by the pier. “Wrap your legs around my waist, and I’ll keep you warm.” He wraps his arms around my waist.

  “OK” I comply, flinging my arms around his neck.

  “This better?”Shane asks , looking straight at me.

  “Yes thank you.” I smile.

  “Hey Georgia, is there anything I could do that you wouldn’t forgive me for?” Shane asks me, without breaking eye contact.

  “Like, if you kill someone or something” I ask.

  “Anything, anything at all” Shane continues. “From small things to big things, is there anything you wouldn’t forgive me for?”

  “Hurting people is kind of a big thing for me.” I confess.

  “OK good.”

  “Why?” I ask, wondering what is this guy up to. Is he going to make Jason or Harper disappear? Is he going to paint the water tower or something?

  “I want to make sure you forgive me for what I am about to do.” He says, closing his eyes.

  Oh this must be big! Oh dear, what is going to happen. My body starts to shake, freaking out that he is going to get hurt or something it going to tear him apart from me.

  “What…. What are you about to…” and before I could finish my question, Shane’s hand is holding the back of my head, and his lips are on mine, pushing against my open l mouth. Butterflies fill my stomach and I feel a pull in the deepest part of my belly. I’m so taken aback and surprised I can’t move, then suddenly I am kissing him back. My hands pulling his gorgeous brown hair, my legs wrapping tighter around his waist, and my mouth is hungrily searching for his. My skin is a million sensations; cold from the water, and slightly burned, but tantalized by the sensation of Shane touching me. My chest rises and falls with such bravado in my heady need for affection. I’m beguiled in this transaction of kisses and tongues. He lifts me from my bottom, wades out the water and lays me down on a towel. The beach is empty for all but us, and I feel the weight of my best friend on top of me. He puts his knees between mine, and moves my hair from my face; looking down at me he smiles and kisses me ever so gently.