by Dave Ferraro
Without even having to discuss it, the two friends began to walk towards their favorite coffee shop. Lexie was determined not to cry; she just wanted to share a muffin with Liz like it was any other Tuesday morning.
It was in the seventh grade when Liz was the ‘new kid’ in school that the two became best friends. None of the other girls in class would sit next to her because she was different, with her nails painted black and a Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel always in her hands. Lexie found Liz intriguing; she seemed different than all of the other girls who looked alike in their matching pastel getups.
By the end of the first week of class, the two were back at Liz’s house eating apples with peanut butter and designing outfits for her Bratz Dolls. Liz’s favorite had been a Jade doll with her hair chopped off into a Mohawk and eyes darkened with black sharpie, a memory that made them both laugh. Neither of them had to try to impress each other, their friendship was just natural.
Lexie always loved Liz’s unique style. Her mom never would have allowed Lexie to highlight her hair or even wear makeup if it wasn’t for Liz. Ruby warned her to not take it too far, the way Liz did, and end up looking like she belonged in a manga book. Not that she would have anyway; Lexie’s look was more relaxed – with jeans and fitted tees being the go-to outfit of choice. A late bloomer, Lexie was naturally slender and petite. Only Liz knew the secret relief she felt when her breasts finally developed. At five foot three, she was only a little bit taller than Ella.
After arriving at the coffee shop and ordering their usual, the two found a seat next to the window.
“So, this morning, you wouldn’t believe who actually spoke more than one consecutive word in a row to me,” Lexie instigated with a grin, knowing Liz loved to make fun of her new stepfamily.
“Yikers, what would have brought that on? Did he want you to load his jock strap on to the truck for him?” Liz joked as she stuffed a bite of cappuccino muffin into her mouth.
“Nice visual! Thanks for that.” Lexie’s nose wrinkled with the thought.
“No prob.” Liz was the funniest person Lexie knew and her dark haired friend took great pride in that fact. “So, what did his Mighty Prickness want so dearly that he was willing to converse with someone as low as yourself on the food chain?”
“He wanted to take me to breakfast,” she offered with a sly smile.
“Shut! Up!” They both laughed in unison at Maxim’s unexpected behavior. “I knew it! He wants you, Lexie. That is why big Blondie is so hostile. It’s all that pent up sexual frustration!” Liz was animated and a few other patrons looked over at them with scowls.
“Okay, now you have managed to agitate my gag reflex,” Lexie grinned. “I’m hoping he’s going to try to act human, which is best case scenario. Most likely, he was afraid I would slow down everyone even more by taking off, which is what I have done anyway.” With a laugh, she nibbled away triumphantly at her half of the muffin and washed it down with her mocha latte.
“Speaking of time, when are you hitting the road?” Liz asked, although they both had discussed it all week.
Glancing at her cell phone, Lexie knew she should be heading back. It was already close to nine.
“I can stay another ten minutes. I don’t want to appear too eager, but I don’t want Mom anymore stressed than she already is. She said last night that she thinks her hair is starting to fall out.” Suddenly Lexie wasn’t feeling up to laughing anymore. The stress was getting to Ruby, and even Lexie noticed all the extra hair plugging the sink.
“You know Lex, if it’s a total hole up there, Bev said you can crash with us. I already talked to her about it. She said just give it a chance, and if you are not happy by the time Christmas rolls around, she’ll talk to your mom and you can stay with us. We have plenty of room.”
Liz’s Aunt Bev was a proud Avon representative who had a passion for cupcakes and British Literature. It was easy to see where Liz got her individuality from. Lexie thought it was pretty amazing that Bev allowed Liz to live with her so her niece wouldn’t be forced to follow her single father all over the world each time he was reassigned to a different naval base. As a career navy man, Liz’s dad knew a lot about sailing and military strategy, but nothing about females. Perhaps that is why Liz’s mom vanished before her first birthday.
“I know Liz, but Mom and Ella need me, or I would have already applied for emancipation when I was old enough to research it on Wikipedia.” She swirled the liquid around in its cup.
The truth is, she had thought about pleading her case to her mother, but just could not bring herself to say the words that would devastate the woman who had sacrificed so much to raise her and Ella alone for the last year. Lexie knew she needed to show the same courage now that her mom did over those first horrible months after her dad died.
“Well, my bestie can’t leave without some presents…so close your eyes!” Liz asserted with satisfaction.
“Okay, but just so you know – I’m peeking.”
Liz reached into her tattered back pack and pulled out two gift boxes in ivory tissue paper with black satin ribbon.
“Here, this one first.”
Lexie took the smallest package and opened the delicate wrapping, unveiling a small box. Lifting the lid, she discovered a beautiful silver cross with a little emerald stone, on a choker length chain. It was gothic enough for Liz to qualify it as cool, but simply stunning to Lexie.
“Liz, I don’t know what to say, it’s so pretty.”
“I just knew you would love it. It’s a little tame for me, but the green in the stone looks like your eyes. Besides, it will protect you from vampires.”
Lexie laughed at their ongoing joke. She always told Liz if she saw a vampire, she would turn and flee, but Liz would run it down and tackle the unsuspecting creature of the night.
Lexie fingered the delicate chain, loving the sterling silver and admiring the green in the stone. Liz was right; it was a lot like the pigment in her eyes. She knew that whenever she missed her friend, she would wear the necklace to think of her.
“Okay, next gift…you’re going to love this.” She handed Lexie the weighted package.
This time, Lexie didn’t take her time; she pulled away the tissue paper to discover a black leather address book. She flipped it open and ran her fingers through the feather light pages. When she got to the “L” section, every single page had Liz’s name and address penned in it.
Lexie reached out and hugged her best friend. She knew no matter how far apart they were – Liz would be up visiting soon enough.
Chapter Four: Fate Fixed
WOLF