by Jewel Allen
“Pick a song,” he said, giving her a quarter.
Her eyes lit up. She’d only seen a few jukeboxes in person and this one, with its gold-plated finish, was beautiful. She recognized Elvis songs and picked Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.” Putting the coin in, she watched the machine pick up a record and plop it down onto a turntable. The song came on and their eyes met, something like an electric current passing between them.
When that song finished, she held out her hand and he gave her another quarter. His amused eyes never left her face.
Afterwards, they went back to their table, where the server had left the tab. He pulled out his wallet and poked around, counting out bills.
His face turned red. “You don’t suppose you could spare a couple dollars, for a tip?”
“I didn’t bring money,” she said, feeling bad about the jukebox. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I guess I just won’t tip.” He winked. “It was lousy service anyway.”
She smiled weakly at his joke.
In the car, he turned to her. “I was kinda hoping we’d have some money leftover from dinner for a movie or something.”
“It’s okay.” She shrugged. “It’s getting late anyway.”
He looked at his watch. “Eight-thirty. Right. You sure you don’t wanna go do something else? Go drive around? Knit a sweater?”
She smiled. “Maybe in the winter.”
“So.” His tawny brown eyes studied her. “Just take you home then?”
They could go out for a drive. It could be so pretty. But then it would get dark soon and her mom would want her to go home. “Yes, please,” Madison said.
“Okeydoke.” He pulled the car away from the curb. She noticed there were traces of black grease under his fingernails.
“You have a job somewhere?” she asked.
“Yup, at the junkyard.”
She pictured him working under the sun and moving around heavy pieces of metal. His shirt and muscles all sweaty. And a pitbull, barking at his heels all day.
“Do you?” he asked.
“No,” she said. “Between music lessons and school, there’s no time.”
He cut the engine to a sputtering stop in front of her house. There was still a bit of spring sun out but the lights over the porch and in the living room were already on. Her mom was probably watching from the window.
Luke put his arm behind her arm rest and turned so he faced her. His eyes glimmered. “That was a fun date.”
“It went better than I expected,” she admitted.
“Ouch.”
“Well,” she retorted, “you did trip me in English.”
He grinned. “Sorry, I just didn’t know what else to do to get your attention.”
“How about, ‘Hi, I’m Luke.’”
“I could have, huh?” He looked out his streaked windshield. “You know, I’ve never dated a girl like you.”
In her mind, she inventoried the few guys she’d dated in high school: most of them cowboys, one of them an artist. Nobody remotely approaching the rebel type. “I’ve never gone out with a guy like you either.”
His eyes returned to her face. With his rough-cut stubble and chiseled jaw, he was beautiful in a raw way, like some fallen angel visiting her on earth. He reached over and traced her cheek with a callused finger. Something mysteriously delicious thrummed through her body.
“Why’d you go out with me?” he asked.
She hesitated. “I felt sorry for you. You’re new, so I figured, you needed a friend.” Well, that was a good cover. He was also smoking hot, but she didn’t want to admit it, even to herself.
He gave her a lopsided smile. “D’you take in puppies and kittens, too?”
“I tried sneaking in a kitten, once. But my dad is allergic.”
His laugh rumbled in his chest. “Ah, Madison,” he said, “you’re wonderful.”
***
Luke walked Madison to her front porch. The time of day turned everything golden, even Madison. He knew for as long as he lived, he would remember how she looked, her blue eyes and blonde hair striking against that caramel skin.
“I’d invite you in,” she said, “but Daddy’s probably already resting.”
“No biggie.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “How long does your old man have to live?”
She looked sucker-punched, and he felt bad asking. But she said, “One, maybe two months.” She paused. “He hopes to see me graduate.”
“Yeah, that would be cool, wouldn’t it?”
She nodded, looking brave. Then a half-cry, half-laugh escaped from her throat. And just like that, bam, she was crying.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Geez, um...”
“No…it’s…its okay,” she stammered, taking a deep breath and wiping her tears away with her fingers. She attempted a smile, but the tears kept coming.
He glanced at the front door, worried. What if her mom sprang in on them, thought he was doing something bad and called the cops on him?
What was a guy to do? He pulled her close and let her drench his shirt.
Normally, if a girl started going all emotional on him, he was like, see ya later, but he couldn’t do nothing like that with Madison. The girl needed someone. Gently, he caressed her back.
With a broken sigh, Madison settled in his arms.
He actually kinda liked it.
He ran his fingers through her hair and pushed it away from her cheek. She cocked her head and gave him a lopsided sad smile, making his heart lurch.
When his head inched forward, she didn’t move away. So he planted a little experimental kiss on her lips. And another. With a little sigh, she reached up and pulled his head down, or maybe he pulled her, for a different sort of kiss—deeper, more insistent. Suddenly, he couldn’t get enough of Madison. She was sweet and soft and amazing…
The porch light flashed multiple times, making them jump apart. She raised trembling fingers to her lips.
He chuckled shakily. “I guess that means I gotta go?” he said, even though all he wanted to do was to kiss her again.
“I guess,” she murmured.
She moved away from him to the door and looked back. She was achingly beautiful in the light of the setting sun. He wished she would stay out longer.
“Good night,” she said, her eyes shining. “Thanks for a wonderful evening.” Then she went inside.
“Good night,” he whispered as the door clicked shut, wondering what the heck just happened.
***
Luke thought about her all night and all of the next day, leading up to the talent show.
He ran into Madison in the hallway at school but she was with friends so they just waved at each other, walking backwards with goofy smiles until the other turned a corner. At the talent show, he sat in the back of the auditorium. There were other numbers before Madison. Finally, it was Madison’s turn and a hush fell over the crowd.
“This is dedicated to my Daddy,” she said.
She sang in a low voice about taking one more day. It was a sad song full of longing, but also offered hope in the end. When she was done, the crowd clapped like crazy. Luke stood up and wolf whistled. After the show, he made his way to the stage wing. She was just twenty feet from him holding her guitar, but it took her a long time to make it past everyone who wanted to talk to her.
“Hey, cowgirl,” he said.
Her face glowed. “Howdy.”
“You were great,” he said.
“I couldn’t see you out there.”
“I sat in the back. I was the loudest one cheering for you.”
She grinned. “Thanks.”
No one else was around. Everyone had gone back to class, like Luke and Madison should. But they just stood there, close enough to kiss. He reached for a strand of her long blond hair and twirled it around his finger. “I wanted to call you,” he admitted.
“Why didn’t you?” she asked, sounding breathless.
“I didn’t have your number.”
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They laughed.
“Yeah, that makes it tough,” she said.
He let her hair go. She stood stock still, watching him, as he plucked the guitar from her hand and set it against the wall. Neither one moved for a long moment. And then both did, at the same time, him opening his arms and her walking into them, for a kiss.
CHAPTER FOUR
Two months later
Madison splayed her hand on Luke’s shirt as they snuggled on a hammock in the Kays’ backyard.
It was the perfect summer day. Not too warm. Her legs were bare, draped casually over his jean-clad legs. He stroked her hair and his eyes were closed. He looked relaxed and heartbreakingly handsome. As usual, his nose peeled from a sunburn.
She traced his lips with her fingers. Without opening his eyes, he smiled and kissed them. In public, he acted like the rebel. In private, he could be the sweetest, mushiest guy.
They’d only been together for a short time, but she felt like she’d known him forever. He'd been with her through graduation. And especially through the day when her dad passed, no longer suffering here on this earth, and the funeral.
Her hand returned to his shirt. “When can I meet your parents?” she asked.
His eyes fluttered open and zoned in on her face. “My folks?”
“Yes.” She tapped his chest lightly. “Who else?”
His eyes darkened. “You’ll never meet them, if it were up to me.”
She pulled away, hurt by his response. “Never, as in you wouldn’t want to take me home to them?”
“You know what I mean, babe. I’m kinda embarrassed by them, to be honest.”
“Well, you shouldn’t worry on my account.”
“Really, it’s okay if you don’t meet them.”
“But I want to,” she said softly.
“No.” His face shut down.
Tears stung Madison’s eyes. She sat up and swung her legs off the hammock. The contraption shook with her movement.
“Babe, wait.” His arm circled her waist.
She waited.
“You know I love you,” he said.
Mutely, she nodded.
“But my parents are kind of rough around the edges. They’ll say mean things.”
“Come on, Luke, you know I’m not such a fragile flower.”
His hold tightened. “Sorry, I just want to protect you. I don’t want them to drive you away. You’re the only one I got.”
She nodded, but still felt a little let down.
“Come ‘ere,” he said.
She allowed him to coax her back into the hammock, into a sweet kiss. He raised his head and kissed the tip of her nose. Her heart squeezed with love for this guy.
“Okay,” he said, to her pleasant surprise. “You win. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
***
Madison dressed carefully for the occasion. She knew this was an important meeting, something that would set the tone for their relationship the rest of their lives. She wanted to make a good impression on her potential in-laws, while not alienating them by coming off as a rich girl.
She finally settled on a jean skirt and a simple cream blouse that echoed the color of her hair and brought out the blues of her eyes.
“Hey, beautiful,” Luke said when she came to the door. Before they even went to his truck, he had to kiss her three times.
They held hands as he drove down Main Street. His skin felt clammy and she realized he was nervous. She was touched that he cared so much about the outcome of this event.
He drove to a trailer park that was a little rundown at the entrance, with overgrown weeds and pink flamingos whose legs were missing. The speed limit was ten mph, so Madison had the luxury of seeing everything pass as though in slow motion: paint chipping off trailer walls, weedy flower beds, piles of junk in driveways, unlicensed vehicles, a basketball hoop repurposed from one that had seen fancier days.
None of these bothered her. She loved Luke, not the place he lived. Besides, these were just humble, down-to-earth people, who were trying to live life on their own terms.
Luke pulled up at the side of a trailer. It was white with faded green trim. A basket of fake red geraniums hung from the crooked front porch. Some carpet had been tossed out, weather-stained. A skinny dog slunk towards them from under the trailer, his tail tucked between his legs.
“This is Hobo,” Luke said, as they got out of the car.
Hobo had gentle eyes, letting Madison pet him. He rubbed into her as though seeking warmth even though it wasn’t cold.
“Git,” a raspy man’s voice said from the trailer.
“Go home,” Luke told Hobo. The dog ran the direction Luke pointed, his tail tucked between his legs.
Luke explained, “He’s the neighbor’s dog. Comes over a lot and causes no trouble, but Dad doesn’t like him.” He glanced at the trailer, where his dad had been shouting from. Luke’s body was coiled for a fight.
She nodded, squeezing his hand to reassure him she wouldn’t bolt at the first sign of trouble.
The smell of cat urine engulfed her as she stepped into the trailer. His parents looked up from where they were sitting on couches and grunted a welcome. Luke’s Dad swept off a bunch of stuff from the couch onto the floor, where it crashed in disarray, and invited her to sit. Madison sat gingerly on it.
“Sorry, I got no champagne or them fancy snails,” the dad said.
“That’s okay,” Luke said. “She’s not twenty-one anyway.”
“Smart, very smart.” Luke’s dad saluted. “Name’s Steve. This here’s Debra.”
“I’m Madison.”
He winked. “Around here, you’re known as Madison-who-can-do-no-wrong.”
Luke gave Madison a pained smile.
“Other times,” Debra said, “it’s hoity-toity-Madison-from-the-right-side-of-the-tracks.” She cackled.
“Mom,” Luke warned.
“’s true,” Steve slurred.
“Well, glad y’all could meet.” Luke stood up. “We’ll head out, Dad. Mom.”
“You can’t leave,” Steve said. “You just got here. So, young lady, you gonna be a singer?”
“God willing,” Madison said.
“That’s the attitude. And I bet you He wills it. Cash is god around here. Ain’t it, Luke?”
Luke didn’t answer.
“You gonna be filthy rich, young lady?” Steve asked Madison.
“That’d be nice,” she admitted. “But that’s not why I do it. I like writing songs.”
“I wrote a song once.”
“Really?”
Madison saw Luke’s warning glance belatedly. Steve stood up and started yelling a bawdy sailor song.
Madison’s cheeks felt warm with embarrassment.
“We’re outta here,” Luke pulled Madison to her feet.
“Wait.” Steve grabbed Madison’s arm.
Luke knocked his father’s grip off her. “Get your hands off Madison,” he snarled.
Steve’s voice got real quiet. “Boy, you will remember your place in this family.”
The two men stood toe-to-toe, staring the other down. Luke was taller and definitely looked stronger.
Steve relaxed and laughed. “You’re too quick with your temper, son.”
Luke didn’t move.
“Luke,” Madison said softly. “Luke, let’s go.”
He blinked and looked her direction, then he was ushering her out.
“Sorry,” he muttered as they pulled out of the trailer court.
“For what?”
“For them. For the trailer. It’s…awful, I know.”
“It’s not a big deal. Your dad was actually nice. I didn’t feel unsafe. And your mom had a good sense of humor.”
“Dad’s a good drunk today. Don’t know about tomorrow.”
He felt in his pocket for a cigarette, lit, and puffed on it. She wished he’d quit.
He parked at their usual spot on the shoulder of a road on a hill overlooking Sunnyrid
ge. They both got out and she leaned against the car while he took one last puff of smoke. Crushing the cigarette butt on the gravel, he pulled her against him. He smelled of cigarette and sun. Spreading her fingers on his chest, she felt his heart beating fast.
“You know what I’m scared of most?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“That I’m gonna turn into my old man.”
“Or you could turn out completely different from him someday.”
“I hope so.” He held her close. “I hope so.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Madison emerged from her bathroom, braiding her hair for bed, when she heard the pebble clatter against the front siding of the house. On the clock on her night stand, the time changed to midnight. She shook her head and smiled. Her bare feet padded noiselessly on the hardwood floor as she made her way to the window.
Illuminated by the moonlight, Luke stood on the driveway. A year since they first met, and her heart still did somersaults whenever she saw this wonderful, crazy guy.
She nodded in answer to the question in his eyes. Effortlessly, he launched from a fence and climbed onto the Kays’ two-story house. Then he sat on the sill just outside her window, spreading his hand against the screen. She splayed her fingers to match his.
“You’re nuts,” she whispered.
“I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“You could have called.”
“Okay, I wanted to see you.”
She picked up on the melancholy in his voice. She sat on the window seat and pulled up her knees to her chest.
“I punched my dad,” he said, closing his eyes.
After a shocked silence, she said, “What happened?”
“He was drunk again, badgering mom for more money. Mom had already told me to hide her wallet so she didn’t have to tell him where it was. He beat the tar out of her.” His jaw clenched. “I yanked him off and punched him. And then Mom was yelling at me to leave the house, so I did.” He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, they were filled with raw pain. “They’re pathetic.”
“I’m sorry.”
His mouth twisted. “I wish she would just leave him. I would have a long time ago, but I just wanted to be there for her.” He snorted in disgust. “Well, no more. I’m gonna enlist tomorrow.”