Last Train Home

by Megan Nugen Isbell

“I’m sorry,” he smiled as he took my hand.

  “I just don’t want to have to deal with her. I mean, I hardly know you and I’m getting insulted in the bathroom for going out on one date with you. I’m not sure I want to have to put up with that every day.”

  He took my other hand so he was holding them both softly and then he smiled.

  “Hey, I’m sorry she did that to you. I’ll talk with her and tell her to lay off.”

  “No! I don’t want you to talk to her. Like I told you, I don’t care what she thinks.”

  “Then what do you want me to do if I can’t talk to her?” he said with a confused look on his face.

  “I don’t know,” I confessed, because I really didn’t know what I wanted him to do about it. I knew that I didn’t want Adrienne to think she’d gotten to me, but I also didn’t want to be stalked by his crazy ex.

  “Just don’t worry about her, okay? We broke up so long ago, I don’t know why she still thinks she’s got some claim to me, but believe me, she doesn’t.”

  “I just don’t wanna waste my time with you, Alex, because I’m gonna tell you right now, I’m not going to.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to, but don’t walk away yet, because you’ll regret it,” he said with a smirk.

  “Oh I would?”

  “Definitely.”

  “We’ll see about that,” I said smirking back.

  “I’ll prove it to you, just wait and see.”

  I stared up into his brown eyes and was amazed at his confidence. He was so sure of himself, yet he still seemed so sweet, like I could believe whatever he said.

  “Saturday afternoon, I’ll prove it to you. You’re coming to my house and we’re going horseback riding.”

  I burst out laughing at his suggestion.

  “I’ve never been on a horse in my life! What’s up with this place? First I go four wheeling at Jesse’s and now you’ve got me riding around on a horse. It’s like another world.”

  “It’ll be fun. C’mon.”

  I looked at him and raised an eyebrow, but then finally nodded in agreement.

  ****

  “Feelin’ better?” Jesse asked as we walked to English together at the end of the day.

  “Yeah, I’m totally fine. I’m really not worried about Adrienne. I’m more annoyed than anything.”

  “I’m glad you’re not worried, because she really is…” he said and then I cut him off.

  “She’s a bitch,” I said, finishing his sentence.

  “I was trying to be nice,” he laughed.

  “I’m just calling a spade a spade. There’s no sugarcoating it.”

  “Well, in that case, you’re right,” he said and then changed the subject, which I was grateful for. “We’re going to need to get started on our project for Constitution. Wanna get together this weekend?”

  “Yeah, but I can’t do it Saturday because I’m going to Alex’s to ride horses.”

  He started chuckling at this revelation.

  “You find that funny?”

  “Actually I do. Did you ride horses much in Boston?”

  “All the time!”

  “Well, just try not to get yourself killed. I don’t want to have to do this project alone.”

  “It’s nice that you’re so concerned about me…oh wait…you’re only concerned about your grade.”

  “True. So when do you want to get together then?”

  “Sunday okay?” I asked and he nodded.

  “Your place or mine?”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Let’s meet at your place. I don’t want you to have to drive all the way out to my house,” he suggested.

  “Okay. Why don’t you come over around one o’clock or so?”

  “Sounds good. Now you should probably go.”

  “Why? We’re going to English,” I said confused.

  “He’s waiting for you,” Jesse said, leaning in and whispering in my ear. I glanced up and saw Alex smiling at me as he stood against a locker near our classroom. Jesse nudged me and then sped up, leaving me behind.

  Chapter Nine

  Adrienne didn’t bother me for the rest of the week, although I did catch her glaring at me on occasion. I just ignored her though and was grateful when the weekend came. It pained me to admit it, but I was starting to like it in Kansas and I thought Alex played a big role in that. I was excited for our date, but I was also nervous about making a fool of myself on the back of a horse.

  “So this guy’s taking you horseback riding?” Natasha laughed when I told her about Alex. I was laying on my bed, my cell phone to my ear while I stared at the ceiling, looking for designs in the plaster, something I often found myself doing.

  “Yeah, he is.”

  “Wow. It’s all so Little House on the Prairie.”

  “C’mon, it’s not that bad and you’ve gotta admit, it’s kinda cute.”

  “I thought you hated it there.”

  “Oh, I still hate it, and I can’t wait to get back to Boston, but I’m trying to make the best of this Midwestern Bastille. You’d understand if you saw Alex.”

  “When do I get to see a picture of him?” she asked eagerly. “I keep checking your Facebook page to see if you’ve posted one of him.”

  “I’m not sure we’re at that stage yet. He’d probably freak him out if I posted pictures of him, but I will, as soon as I can,” I assured her and then I looked over to my clock. “Oh hey, Tash, I gotta go. I didn’t realize how late it was. I’ve gotta get ready.”

  “Okay, Annie Oakley. Have fun,” she said and I started laughing.

  I was still laughing and shaking my head when there was a knock on my door.

  “What?” I grumbled and was not surprised when it opened and my mother walked in. I was still lying on my bed, but I turned my head to look at her and was annoyed when she smiled like everything was okay between us.

  “I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

  “And what would that be?” I asked, laying the snottiness on extra thick to emphasize how much she was annoying me. If it registered, she didn’t let on.

  “Can you go to the grocery store for me? I’m making chicken parmesan for dinner tonight and I forgot the bread crumbs. I’d go myself, but I’m right in the middle of making a cheesecake.”

  “Cheesecake? What’s the big occasion?”

  “Mike and Debbie are coming over for dinner.”

  “Sorry. I can’t.”

  “Can’t what?”

  “Can’t go to the grocery store.”

  “And why not? You’re just laying on your bed,” she said and I could tell I was getting to her now.

  “I’ve got to get ready to go,” I said, swinging my legs over the mattress and pulling myself to my feet.

  “Where’re you going?” she asked quickly.

  “Out,” I said walking over to the mirror and pretending to examine myself in it, when what I was really doing was trying to ignore her so she’d go away.

  “So, you’ll be missing dinner with the family again?” She was annoyed now, I could tell.

  “Yeah. I’m going to Alex’s house.”

  I heard her sigh and I turned to stare at her.

  “Were you going to bother asking permission? You are still a child, you know.”

  “Oh, you mean like how you asked permission to move us here? And, by the way, I’m hardly a child.”

  “Riley, we are not doing this again!” she said with a raised voice and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself at the satisfaction I felt watching the anger wash over her face. “You need to grow up and realize the world doesn’t revolve around you. You come and go as you please. You never ask me or even bother to tell me your plans so I can make plans, and I’ve been pretty tolerant of your attitude because I know you’re upset and I know you’re hurt and yes…I know you’re mad at me. But your disrespect is going to stop right now because you’re not going out with Alex tonight.”

  “What?” I shrieked. She wa
s not seriously threatening me. “I am going out with Alex tonight.”

  “No, you’re not. If you can’t even run to the store to help me out, you certainly can’t go out with Alex.”

  “Fine! I’ll go get your stupid bread crumbs.”

  I grabbed my keys and brushed past her. I stomped down the stairs and flung the door open so hard the screen practically flew off and then slammed shut with a loud bang. I got into my car and screeched out of the front yard. I flipped on the stereo and turned up the volume so loud the entire car was thumping. My mom made me so angry! Why did she care who I went out with or if I missed a family dinner? She hadn’t cared about forging a relationship with my relatives in Kansas when we still lived in Boston. If she’d cared, we would’ve visited more, we would’ve talked more. But, we didn’t. We never had, but now that she’d uprooted me, she expected me to pretend like we’d always been one big happy family, when the fact was we weren’t and we never had been. Why couldn’t she just leave me alone and let me bide my time in Carver the way I wanted to? If I wanted to hang out with Alex, why did I have to tell her? It wasn’t like I was off doing drugs and getting drunk and sleeping around. I just wanted to hang out with Alex, the one bright spot in my otherwise dismal life.

  I was still fuming when I pulled into the supermarket parking lot. I quickly composed myself though and went into the store, paid for the breadcrumbs, and returned to the car. By the time I got back home, I was calm again. I knew I had to control myself if I wanted to see Alex. My mom had been lenient, but I knew her patience was running thin and she was going to set me straight, or try to anyway.

  When I walked into the house, I gently opened the screen door I’d abused on my way out. My mom was in the kitchen finishing her cheesecake and I set the breadcrumbs on the counter. She looked up, but didn’t smile.

  “Thank you,” she said curtly.

  “I’m sorry for my attitude earlier,” I said and I saw her face soften a little, but not too much, because I knew she was doubtful about the sincerity of my apology. “Can I please go over to Alex’s?”

  “I should say no. You know that, don’t you?” she said, looking back down to the cheesecake.

  “Yes, I know that.”

  She was quiet and she was glaring slightly at me. I knew she was mad. I’d given her all the fodder she needed to be justifiably angry with me.

  “I want you to start treating me with respect, regardless of how you currently feel about me.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” I said, crossing my fingers in hope she’d let me go.

  She continued to focus on the cheesecake and ignored me.

  “Can I go to Alex’s?” I asked again.

  “Yes,” she finally replied.

  “Thank you,” I said, turning to head up to my room.

  “You can go after you have dinner with the family,” she added and I stopped in my tracks.

  “What?” I asked flatly as I turned to face her again.

  “I said you can go after you have dinner with the family.”

  “I heard you, but Alex is going to be here soon.”

  “Then he can join us.”

  “But Mom…” I stammered.

  “Take it or leave it. You’re not going to waltz around here saying and doing whatever you want anymore. And I want to know your plans from now on.”

  If I wanted to hang out with Alex tonight, I knew I’d have to agree to her terms, whether I liked them or not.

  “Okay,” I said quietly and then to get on her good side, I decided I would tell her about my plans with Jesse tomorrow. “Just so you know, Jesse is coming over tomorrow so we can work on a project for school.”

  “Thank you for telling me,” she said and I laughed inside at how business-like we were being and then headed upstairs to get ready.

  Chapter Ten

  Alex’s house was away from the city, if Carver could even be called a city, but it wasn’t far from my grandma’s. Dinner hadn’t been nearly as torturous as I’d expected and we left after we finished doing the dishes, which was Alex’s idea. He said I needed to earn brownie points with my mom, so he washed while I dried.

  We’d only been driving for fifteen minutes when we pulled up to a large yellow house that sat by itself. It was a beautiful house that seemed out of place in Carver. It looked too modern and put together. Trees lined the walkway to the door and it reminded me a little of southern plantations I’d seen on TV.

  Alex pulled into the driveway next to a black Cadillac Escalade sitting outside.

  “Nice place,” I said as I unbuckled and got out of the car.

  “Yeah, it’s alright.”

  “Just alright? It’s like a mansion compared to the rest of the houses in Carver and I didn’t think anyone here would even know what an Escalade was.”

  “Yup, us hicks ain’t never heard of ‘em,” he said in an incredibly thick southern drawl, making him sound like a complete moron.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t mean to sound like a snob…again,” I said, realizing my constant comparisons between Boston and Carver were starting to get annoying and condescending. “I’m sorry.”

  “No worries.”

  “I don’t mean to keep coming across like such a brat.”

  “Well, you’re not doing a very good job.” Alex smiled at me and then took my hand. “C’mon,” he said, leading me away from the house.

  “Wait, don’t you want to introduce me to your parents?”

  “They’re not here. They went to Wichita for the day. Believe me, it’s better this way.”

  Alex led me past the house and into the back. There was a barn with stables in the distance and two horses were grazing. When we got to the fence keeping the horses in, Alex let go of my hand and then hopped over it. I just stared at him as he stood on the other side looking at me.

  “What are you waiting for?” he asked.

  “You want me to climb over?”

  “Well, yeah. Unless you wanna walk all the way to the barn and go through there.”

  I just shook my head and put my foot on the first rung of the fence and hoisted myself over. I landed with a loud thud and then tripped into Alex’s arms.

  “Wow…graceful much?” he laughed as he steadied me and I flushed with embarrassment. “Actually, I think it’s cute.”

  “Yeah, so cute,” I said, pushing a piece of hair that had escaped from my ponytail behind my ear.

  “Well, you may not believe me, but it’s my opinion and I’m usually right,” he said and then stepped slowly towards me as my body was taken over with nervous anticipation. He reached up and touched my cheek and began leaning in towards me. I was dying for him to kiss me again, but just as I thought he was going to, he smiled and pulled away. He’d done it on purpose. He’d reeled me in and then cast me off at the last moment, leaving me wanting more. I was having none of that though. Surprising even myself, I reached up and grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him to me. I couldn’t help but notice the startled look on his face right before I kissed him.

  When I let him go, he pulled back and straightened his shirt and then he looked at me with that half-smile and my earlier confidence vanished as I felt my face flush bright red from what I’d done.

  “Alright then,” he laughed and gently took my hand, leading me towards the stables. The horses seemed to stare at us for a second before they turned their attention back to the grass they were eating.

  Alex opened the stable door. We walked inside and I was taken aback by the smell. I felt my nose curl up. Alex must’ve noticed too.

  “That’s just the smell of horses. You get used to it.”

  “I don’t know how anyone could get used to this smell.”

  “Ah…c’mon. It’s not that bad.”

  He took my hand again and we walked towards the stalls. There were two horses standing in their pins, looking at us.

  “This is Pepsi,” Alex said, patting the nose of a large brown horse. “And this is Midnight,” he add
ed, looking over to a towering black one.

  “And which one will I be riding?” I asked nervously, looking between both of the horses.

  “Pepsi. She’s a little more laid back.”

  He walked over and picked up a saddle.

  “Can you grab one of those blankets?” He nodded towards a stack of what I assumed were blankets that went under the saddle. I grabbed the first one and followed Alex into Pepsi’s stall.

  “Just throw that over her back,” he said.

  I flung the blanket onto Pepsi and straightened it before Alex hoisted the saddle over her back. He buckled and tightened some straps before connecting the bridle. When Pepsi was all set, we did the same for Midnight and then led both horses out of the stables. The clip-clop of their feet seemed to echo behind us and I couldn’t help think they might get spooked and trample me. I tried not to seem nervous though as we left the stables and stepped out into the afternoon air.

  “When you get on Pepsi, just remember you are in control. She’ll sense if you’re scared and she’ll try and take advantage of you.”

  “That’s reassuring,” I mumbled.

  “Don’t be scared.”

  “I’m not scared,” I lied. “Just a little nervous.”

  “You’ll be fine. I’ve been riding on Pepsi since I was eight and she’s never done anything.”

  “There’s always a first time for everything.”

  “Just relax.”

  He let go of Midnight’s reigns and came over to me.

  “Now, to get on, just grab the horn on the saddle, put your left foot in the stirrup and pull yourself up while flinging your right leg over her back.”

  “You didn’t tell me I had to be a gymnast to ride a horse,” I laughed as I stood at Pepsi’s side and grabbed onto the saddle.

  “You’ll be fine. I’m right behind you to help,” he said and I realized suddenly how uncomfortable I was, knowing that in a second I’d have my butt right in his face.

  “Okay…here goes,” I said hesitantly as I placed my foot in the stirrup. I tried pulling myself up, but I was struggling and then I felt Alex’s hand on my hips helping me over. I wanted to die of embarrassment, but finally I got my leg over and stared down at Alex, who was smiling up at me.