CHAPTER FOUR
Lea drops her tray in front of me. I twist my mouth in disgust at her greasy food. She insisted on one of the many fast food places on campus. Two tables over Hayze sits by a Spanish guy who is surrounded by a sea of girls.
“Who’s that by Hayze?” I ask, realizing it’s the guy from the pool.
Lea looks back, dips a fry in ketchup and speaks with her mouth full of food.
“Joel, his roommate, if you are talking about the guy…I don’t know the girls. They probably followed them out of bed this morning.”
I glance in their direction, this time Hayze sees me. His arm rises and waves once as he smiles. I wave quickly and focus my attention on my table. I squeeze dressing from the package, spreading it on my salad. A chair slides next to me, my eyes snap up.
“What are we doing tonight?” Hayze asks, sitting next to me. My face falls when he asks. I’ve been trying to keep my plans at the back of my mind all day. After my mom conversation with my mom last night, I texted her this morning and said I would come for dinner tonight.
“Did you just ‘we’ us?” Lea asks, laughing between bites.
He ignores her, looking to me. “I promised my mom I would go to dinner tonight,” I tell them. I frown as I say it. The last thing I want to do is spend my night explaining my new life to my dad. He won’t approve of anything, especially my job. Not that I need his approval, but I know he makes it hard on my mom, he thinks I tell her everything.
“Damn, you’re driving back tonight?” Hayze asks, concerned.
“Yeah, it’s not that far. I drove it all the time when I actually got out. Nothing’s in that small town,” I complain.
Lea watches me, something flashes in her eyes. “Want me to come with?”
“You would do that?” I ask and cock my eyebrow.
“Uh, yeah,” she says.
“That’d be awesome. I’m leaving after my next class. Is that okay?” I bite my lip, hoping she doesn’t back out. I know my dad will have negative things to say about her but I could use a friend there for support.
“Yup, we will meet at the dorm and leave from there,” she says and I smile at her.
“Well, I’m glad I could help you guys plan your night,” Hayze laughs, stealing a fry from Lea’s plate. She slaps his hand away.
“Go back to your fan club,” she says.
“That’s actually not a bad idea.”
He chuckles, steals another fry, moving quickly from her reach. He walks away without another word. I look over, finding his groupies watching Lea and me. Their hard stares switch to whispers and giggles. Lea flips them off and I watch her, horrified. I dump my food and leave her to get to my last class on time.
My last class ends in a rush, and I regret agreeing to see my family. Lea waits in front of the dorms, I find her on the phone, kicking rocks around as she talks. When she senses me, her jagged bob snaps up, revealing her smiling face. Her nose ring glimmers in the sunlight, her wrist tattoos show themselves as she holds up her finger.
“Ready?” She asks, walking to my side, she tucks her phone in her pocket.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I murmur. We walk to the parking garage and I hang behind her, thinking of an excuse to get out of this.
“Why did you agree to it?” She asks as we slide into my Jetta.
“For my mom,” I sigh, cranking my car to life. “It’s always for her.”
“Well, what’s the occasion?” She yanks her seatbelt on as we turn on the narrow road leading me home.
“We usually have family dinner every Sunday after church, but I can’t do that anymore. My mom called last night to tell me Sean is bringing a girl to meet us.” I roll my eyes. I leave out the fact that I’ll be shredded in front of her. My dad will lose his shit when he finds out where I’m working and what I’m doing. I have no intention of holding anything from him tonight.
“Sean’s your dad’s spawn, right?”
“Yes,” I say, knowing where she’s going with this. I cut my eyes at her, but I already warned her about Scott. The rest is up to her.
“So, Scott’s the one I’m asking out tonight?”
“Lea!” I shoot her a quick, displeased look before returning my eyes to the road.
“Okay, Okay, I’ll wait ‘til the second meeting.” She laughs.
“My dad’s kind of an asshole…” I finally tell her. I’m terrified to take her home with me but at the same time I’m happy she’s here. I know my dad will be rude to her and he’ll embarrass me. I don’t know why he insists that we meet up every week. Maybe it’s to remind us that he’s in control, and no matter how hard we try, he always will be. Even if we never talk to him again, he’ll know deep down that he ruined each of us. And I think that’s satisfying to him.
“I know. So is mine,” she says. She looks at me, a sad expression on her face.
“Whatever happens, whatever he says, he’s wrong. What’s up with Hayze is he like a man whore or something?” I ask, changing the subject. I’ve been dying to know what’s going on and now that we’re locked in my car for a while, it’s the perfect time to drag information from her.
She laughs, “No more than any other college guy.” She chews on her bottom lip, thinking. “Well, maybe. He’s a good lookin’ guy and has the whole bad boy thing going for him. Girls get all hot and bothered by that, put out and then he’s bored with them.” She shrugs her shoulders as if that’s normal.
I nod, soaking in the words. She cuts her eyes at me, amused, “Why do you ask?”
“No reason,” I say, shaking my head. I feel her eyes glued to my face but I refuse to look at her. The long drive shifts as she cranks up the radio. She lifts my sprits with dance impersonations and lip synching. With the city limits sign in my rearview, I let out a long shaky breath.
“This is it,” I tell her.
“Slug Bug!”
Her fist connects to my arm, making me jerk the wheel. My jaw drops, she doubles over in laughter, holding her stomach as she looks to me. “You have never heard of that game?”
“Yes, I have! But I didn’t expect you to punch me with all your strength. You hit like a full grown man,” I complain, rubbing my arm. She continues to laugh. As the oil top comes to an end, I switch on my blinker, turning into the driveway.
“As I was saying, we are here.” I glare at her.
We look ahead. The log house appears as we top the hill. It’s exactly how I left it weeks ago, the porch wraps around the bottom floor, the rickety swing moves in the wind. The cozy, worn house looks inviting from the outside, but I know what waits for me once I step through the doors. Rugby, my one and only childhood friend, shoots through the yard and jumps on me, nearly knocking me over. His soft brown face is covered in grey fur, making me frown. He’s aging fast and I know it won’t be long, but the dorms won’t welcome a chocolate lab.
“Cute,” Lea says as she slams the car door.
The wooden front door creaks as it opens. My mom pops out with her arms raised, she walks toward me. “Tater Bug, I have missed you!” She wraps her arms around me, then drops them, holding me at arm’s length to get a look. “Who’s your friend?”
“Lea, she’s my roommate,” I say, leaving Rugby to introduce my mom and Lea.
“Nice to meet you Mrs. Thompson,” she says, holding her hand out.
“Please, call me Carol. Is my daughter behaving herself?”
She smiles, watching Lea. The way she regards her is surreal, in this town everyone is the same. Tattoo’s and piercings are not included in that package. And, well, if you are going to drink you better do it in the privacy of your own home.
“Unfortunately,” Lea teases.
“What about boys?” My mom pries, my eyes widen and I look at Lea with horror. She smirks at me; she wouldn’t.
“She seems to be taken by Hayze.” She did.
“Oh my gosh, Lea! Mom, no, that’s just a guy I work with.” I glare at Lea, she laughs innocently and holds her hands up.
“How’s the new job?” My mom asks, ignoring the comment about Hayze. I know she’ll ask me a million and one questions when we’re alone, but she’s restraining herself right now. She leads us inside. Scott stampedes down the stairs pulling me into hug, when he lifts me off the ground I squeal until he sets me down.
“Taylor’s here!” He yells.
The wooden house is the same as I left it. The exposed wooden beams shine in the small living room; red plaid sofas fill the space. To my left, the dining room hosts a large wooden table. A bench sets on the backside, and five chairs are pushed under it. Beyond the dining room the white kitchen is scattered with food.
Sean stands from the couch, holding out his hand to his girlfriend. My dad walks in with a scowl hanging just below his mustache. Sean and the shy brunette walk to my side, he pulls me in a safe, awkward hug and looks at her with a smile.
“Taylor, this is Mandy,” Sean tells me.
“I have heard so much about you,” she greets. Her voice is so soft; she leans into Sean, looking up to him with a smile. She seems timid, which is perfect for him. He’s my dad’s spawn and I’m sure he’s looking for someone to control. Like father, like son.
“Likewise,” I lie.
“Lea, this is my husband, Robert,” my mom informs Lea. She stands to the side, smiling but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She tugs on her shirt while her eyes shift around the room uncomfortably. It’s obvious to me, and maybe everyone else in the room, there’s something going on between my parents.
“You can call me Mr. Thompson,” my dad says. My mom smiles sweetly, apologizing for this asshole again. Scott shakes his head at me when he sees my scowl.
“We can all get acquainted at the table,” my dad says. He turns and storms into the small dining room.
Lea and I steal glances; her eyes are wide. I sit next to my mom, Lea takes the space to my left and Scott grabs the seat by her.
“Taylor, I see you brought a friend,” my dad says with a gruff tone.
With a sigh, I hold down a sarcastic response. His judgmental stare doesn’t help me. I watch his eyes take in Lea’s tattoos and land on her nose rings. He disregards the fact that she’s been nice since she walked into the house. “Yeah, this is Lea, she’s my roommate,” I say.
She waves at everyone. All, excluding my dad, murmur their names and what a pleasure it is to have her. My dad chews his steak, looking down at the table. “I understand you got a job,” he says.
“You understand correctly, I’m waitressing,” I say, stressing sarcasm. I look to Scott then to Lea, she shakes her head with encouragement. “At a bar named Mystic.”
I have no control over my shit eating grin as his face turns twelve shades of red. His fork crashes to the table, inaudible murmurs break out around the table. Sean crosses his arms; a look of displeasure fills his face.
“No daughter of mine will work at a bar!” His voice booms, Lea sucks in a breath out of fright.
“Do they still have karaoke Fridays?” Scott leans over, smiling. I cough, disguising my laugh and I shake my head no.
“It won’t be so funny when you are walking everywhere,” my dad threatens.
“Nana gave me that car before she died. It’s in my name,” I remind him. He slams his fists on the table and then grabs his plate. Before he leaves the room he turns, with his face beet red.
“Taylor, next time you come in my house you better have a different job. Lea, it was good to meet you, but you need to take that ring out of your nose before you step through those doors. And cover up those marks on your arms,” he says in disgust before storming from the room.
Scott leans back in his chair, folding his hands behind his head. “Thank fuck.”
“Scott, language,” my mom warns. She looks behind her, seeing that my dad didn’t come back, she throws a small grin his way.
“It’s not the same when you are gone. No one knows how to piss off that man quite like you, Tater.” Scott laughs.
“Believe me, it’s unintentional,” I say with a hint of sarcasm.
“I have to agree with dad. We are men of the church and it doesn’t look good to have my sister, his daughter, working at a bar,” Sean tells us.
“Yeah, well, no one asked you Sean,” Scott says as he throws his middle finger up.
“Unless your church people go to bars, they’ll never know. Are you afraid they’ll go to the bar?” Lea looks to Sean, a smile plastered on her face.
“BURN!” Scott booms, exploding with laughter.
“It’s just a job with good tips, relax guys,” I say.
I glance around the room. Sean is flushed red with anger. Mandy avoids my gaze, she rubs his arm in comfort and it takes everything I have to not shake sense into her. Scott and Lea are chuckling. My mom stuffs a bite into her mouth to cover her smile.
“How are classes?” My mom asks, turning the conversation around.
“Fine so far, everything’s easy.”
“What about you, Lea? What’s your major?” My mom asks.
“Early childhood development; it’s great so far, I just started my second year. I took classes in high school. Hopefully I’ll finish in four semesters,” she says, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin. I hear something shuffle in the kitchen and I look up, hoping that my dad won’t come in and ruin our dinner.
“That’s great Lea. I’m a third grade teacher, you will love it,” my mom tells her.
“You haven’t decided your major?” Sean asks, looking to me with a smirk.
“Nope,” I say, daring him to start with me.
“It took a year for me to find my calling. The church offered me an internship and I took it, a few years later I’m the youth minister. Are you interested in a paid internship?” He asks me and it takes all I have to not roll my eyes at him.
“I’m not driving an hour…” I pick my glass up, finishing my tea. His eyes hold mine, intently.
“Carol, dinner was amazing. I haven’t had a home cooked meal in too long. Thanks for having me,” Lea says, tossing her napkin on the plate.
“I’ll send leftovers with you,” my mom says, frowning. She gathers plates and leaves the room. Sean pulls Mandy from the table, they sneak off to the living room.
“So, what’s college life really like for you?” Scott laughs.
He sits on the table, propping his legs on the chair. Although Sean is his twin, they couldn’t be more different. Scott’s boyish charm gives him an advantage over Sean. He flashes his perfect white teeth and pushes his dark, shaggy curls from his forehead.
“She’s only been drunk one time,” Lea says, holding out her finger.
“You can do better than that, Tater.” He looks at me, displeased. I give him a look that says you’re so stupid. Most older brothers would be happy their baby sister isn’t going wild, but he’s encouraging me.
“Oh, she will,” Lea assures him.
He shoots her the thumbs up as my mom enters the room. He tells us he has to get home because he has to go in early in the morning. We say our goodbyes and he squeezes me into a hug and shakes Lea’s hand before leaving. My mom, teary eyed, hands me a sack full of food and wraps her arms around me.
“Don’t wait too long to visit,” she sniffles.
“Apparently I’m not welcome here until I quit the bar, and that is not happening,” I remind her. I can practically see the thoughts tumble around her head.
“We can tell him you did. He’ll never know the difference,” she said. She smiles but it doesn’t hit her eyes. I give her a warning glare; I’m not having this conversation again.
“Mom, stop,” I say, pushing from her grip. “I’m not lying to him, and you shouldn’t either. You don’t have to put up with this.”
“I want to meet this Hayze fella.” She dabs under her eyes, wiping tears away.
“Again, he’s just a friend,” I huff, glaring at Lea.
“Taylor has a boyfriend?” Scott asks, walking back into the
room. “Whose ass do I need to kick?”
“I thought you left! And there will be no ass kicking! I do not have a boyfriend! She was kidding, right Lea?” I look at her for encouragement and she shrugs her shoulders.
“Language,” mom whispers. My mom and Scott eye me suspiciously, not buying it. Sean hugs me goodbye, and my mom and Scott grab a second hug.
“I’m coming to see you soon, Tater!” Scott threatens with a smile.
“Just call first.” Lea winks.
I walk outside while Lea grabs the food my mom sent with us. Rugby comes trotting through the yard again. I crouch down and bury my face in his fur, squeezing him. I spent too many nights doing this with him. I would come out in the yard late at night just to get away from my dad. I found that if I buried my head in Rugby’s fur, it would drown out the yelling. Lea clears her throat; I jump up and murmur an apology. I pat his head once more before getting in my car.
As we drive off, I watch as my house disappears behind the hill. I speed down the oil top, ready to have the city limit sign behind me. My blood boils with anger from my dad’s attitude, he didn’t even have the decency to tell me bye.
“It wasn’t so bad. I liked your mom and Scott,” Lea tells me.
I drive in silence. Moments pass before I unclench my jaw. “Yeah…My dad’s an asshole,” I seethe.
“Yeah, he is, but so is mine,” she says and laughs once without humor. At least we have one thing in common.
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