Prologue 16 страница

I sat on the step beside him and sighed as I laid my head on his shoulder.

“What’s up, dad? ”

“Nothing. ”

“Liar, ” I chimed sweetly and he laughed.

He sighed heavily, loaded with something he didn’t want to talk about.

“I got a call from your mom. ”

Twenty

My heart jolted at his words.

“What? ”

“She called me late last night, crying. She wants to come home, ” he said somberly.

I was confused. I thought he’d be happy, all that stuff he’d spouted to me about us not loving her enough, taking advantage of her. I thought he’d be thrilled if she ever decided to crawl back.

“And what did you say? ” I asked softly, my voice not even sounding like my own.

I saw Caleb come peek anxiously through the open door, no doubt feeling my crazy heartbeat and I smiled at him and waved him off.

“I told her... baby, I’m sorry. I told her no, ” he creaked and looked on the brink of tears.

I hugged him. My words muffled into his shoulder.

“Why? Why did you say that and why are you so upset about it? ”
“Because. I know you need her. I should be able to just let her come home for you but I can’t. She was furious. She thought I’d just let her come home and everything would be fine without even being sorry. Pick up right where she left off. You were right. She was being selfish. She chose to leave, we didn’t do anything wrong. We were a good family and she decided to just leave all that behind for God knows why. I forgive her for what she did but, she deserted you and needs to accept her consequences. I’m sorry. ”

“Dad, I don’t want her to come back. ”

“What? ” He turned to look full at me. “I thought you’d be angry at me. I thought you’d blame me for keeping her away. ”

“What for? She didn’t just leave me dad. She left you too. And I know she’s my mom but she left and I agree with you. She needs to deal with the consequences. She made her bed and she can sleep in it. No where does it say in the family handbook that when someone leaves and wants to come back without reason or sincere apology that you have to let them. It just says that you have to love them. And I do love her still and I’d be her neighbor any day, but it wouldn’t be right for her to live with you just for me. She betrayed you more than me. ”

“But you forgave me. ”

“Yes, and I forgive her too but she shouldn’t live here, dad. She said you held her back; she’s been living with other men. It wouldn’t be-”

“She what? ”

Crap. He hadn’t known that. I bit my lip.

“She told me she was dating. She talked about a few of them. ”

“A few of them? ” He laughed a bark of a humorless laugh. “Well. I guess I made the right decision then. I told her she couldn’t come back to stay with us and she shouldn’t come see you without calling you first. ”

“Very smooth, dad, way to handle things. ”

“How’d you get so smart? ” he smirked but sadly.

“I learned from my old man, ” I joked and bumped him with my shoulder. “You did the right thing. I don’t know what happened to her but you are way too good for her to do this to you. ”

He laughed.

“Alright, kiddo. You’re late now, I’m sorry. I’m fine. Get going. ”

“No worries, dad. ”

I kissed his cheek and he hugged me before standing.

“Have fun tonight. ”

“I will. Bye. ”

I went out to meet Caleb and he still looked a little worried but smiled sadly at me.

“You ok? ”

“You heard? ”

He nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just can’t believe she’d do this to him after being gone almost a year, ” I said vehemently. “She’s so selfish! ”

“ I’m sorry. But I think your dad did the right thing. ”

“Me too. I just hate that he has to go through this again. He’s been through so much this year. He’s just now starting to be normal. ”
“I know. ” He hugged me around my middle. “You want to stay here with him instead of going to work? ”

“Nuhuh. He’s fine. I just hope she doesn’t try to come here or anything. ” I glanced at Caleb’s watch. “Dang it, I’m so late. You might not have to worry about my quitting, I might get fired if I keep this up. ”

I put my helmet on and he buckled it for me.

“Well, let’s go then. I’d hate to not see you in action in that outfit. ”

“Hey! ” I smacked his back playfully as I climbed on behind him. “I don’t get it? Why do you like it? ”

He shrugged and I could literally feel his attraction.

“What’s not to like? It’s hot. ”

I just rolled my eyes and hugged him close from behind as he cranked it up and we drove to the diner.

When we pulled up, we got off the bike and he dragged his bag out of the back compartment. I took my helmet off and shook out my hair before twisting it into a messy up do. Caleb turned to see me and groaned.

“Ah, Maggie. You are making my fantasy so much worse. ”

“Alright you, ” I laughed. “Get a hold of yourself, ” I said in as low a voice as I could muster and pulled him down to kiss me.

It wasn’t long before I had the urge to glance inside. I then had a slight moment of panic. Number one, Big John was walking out the door with a meat cleaver gleaming in his hand. Yes, a meat cleaver.

Number two, he was glaring at Caleb like he was the devil himself.

“Maggie, get your butt in this diner, right now, ” he commanded.

“Big John, this is Caleb. I’m sorry I’m late. ”

“Get inside, Maggie. I’ll handle this. ” He came to stand in front of us. “You. What do you think you’re doing with my little girl, huh? She’s only seventeen and I won’t have you riding in here on your hog, all smooth and messing with my girl. ”

“Hog? ” I asked and he pinned his glare on me.

“I thought I told you to go inside. ”

“B. J. ” I positioned myself in between him and Caleb. “I told you. This is Caleb. He’s my... ”

Dang it. I still didn’t know what to call him.

“I’m her boyfriend, sir. ” Caleb extended his hand but Big John just continued to glare, ignoring the hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Maggie. ”

“Oh, is that right? Boyfriend. You mean dead man! I know your type, ok? I used to be your type. You think you can trick a pretty little girl into giving you the goods and then skip town. ”

“Big John, Eww! Enough. Look. Caleb is a nice guy. I’m sorry if you think he’s a bad influence on me because I wasn’t here yesterday and I’m late today but there’s a lot of stuff going on right now. Stuff you don’t know. Can you lower the cleaver, please? ”

He huffed and crossed his arms with it instead.

“What things? ” His brow drew together and then it turned to rage. “Oh my Lord, Maggie! Are you pregnant? I’ll kill you! ” He lunged for Caleb and I pushed him back with me.

Caleb was confused. He thought meeting my dad was going to be bad and it had been cake compared to this.

“Of course I’m not pregnant! I’m... being stalked, ” I blurted. Big John stopped and looked sharply at me. “There’s this guy who’s been after me. Caleb’s been watching out for me. Making sure I’m safe. ”

“What? Who? Give me his address, I’ll end this right now. ”

“It’s not that simple. I don’t know where he lives or anything about him really, just that he tried to kidnap me the other night and Caleb stopped him. He saved me. ”

Big John glanced at Caleb with new eyes and tucked the cleaver in his apron, like that helped.

“Alright. Thank you. Maggie is like a daughter to me. Get inside you two. Come on. ”

We followed him in and Caleb whispered in my ear from behind.

“What the-”

“Honey! ” Smarty yelled. “Oh my goodness, I thought he was going to kill your biker friend. ”

“Me too, ” Caleb muttered.

“It’s ok, now. Smarty, this is Caleb. Caleb, Smarty and Mena Bena. ”

“Nice to meet you, ladies, ” Caleb said and it was hard to stifle the giggle at the look they got on their faces. I wasn’t the only one affected by his charm. “Ok, ” he thumped my nametag and smiled, “Sweet Pea. I’ll get out of your way and go park it in the back booth. ” He kissed my upturned lips softly and quickly. I heard a soft gasp and an angry grunt behind me. “Pretend I’m not here. ”

“That’s not possible, ” I said breathlessly making him smirk as he walked away.

“Um, details. Now, ” Mena ordered.

“That’s Caleb, ” I said aloofly as I started to stack napkins.

“Yes, we gathered that. And is he your man? ”

“Yes, ” I said and heard the smile creep in.

“Oh! Yay. He’s so cute, honey, ” Smarty chimed.

“I know. I’m sorry I’m late. I had a problem with my dad. But Caleb’s going to sit in the back while I work. Because... someone’s stalking me. Caleb saved my life. ”

“Ah! How romantic! ” Mena said as she clutched her chest.

“Which one? ” Smarty asked dryly. “The stalker or saving her? ”

“Both! ”

Smarty and I both groaned at her as she bounced away.

“I have more bad news, ” I confessed. “I’m officially giving my two week notice. ”

She sighed.

“I knew this day would come. Big John! ”

“Yeah, ” he said and came around the grill.

“Our girl is quitting. ”

“What for? ” he asked and I could hear the hurt.

“I’m leaving for college soon. Caleb’s father helped me and I can go to school in the fall. So I’m going. Plus with this whole stalker thing... it’d be one less thing to worry about. I’m sorry. I’m gonna miss you guys so much. ” I hugged him around his middle. “You’ve been so good to me. ”

He hugged me back with gusto.

“I’m gonna miss you something awful, girl. ”

“Me too, ” Smarty said and wiped her eyes.

“You sure it’s not this boy. He’s not gotten you mixed up into something has he? Not taking advantage of you? ”
“No. I promise. ”

“Ok. Well, then you get your butt to work then if I only got you for two more weeks, ” he said gruffly and cleared his throat.

I laughed and pulled way from him, wiping my eyes too.

“Ok. Thanks. ”

I took my first table and kept glancing at Caleb. He wasn’t getting much work done back there because he was watching my every move with eager eyes. One table was a group of guys here vacationing from Michigan to see the mountains. They flirted with me but I remained politely obtuse as I usually did.

I looked at Caleb on the way to place their order and saw him with his head propped up on his fist. His lips were twisted in irritation and his leg was bouncing under the table.

It’s just boys. Don’t get all worked up. You know, you’re not getting much work done back there.

It’s driving me insane how incredibly hot you look. Plus it’s ingrained in me to want to pummel those guys for even looking at you. I can’t help it.

Well, I’m sorry but I can’t help how I look, I said and sent a laugh with it.

Very true. Ok, gorgeous, I’ll get to work but, can you tone it down, just a little bit?

You are insane.

I looked to see him grinning at me. I grinned back and then got back to work. He stood by his statement and the next few times I glanced, he was going through his books and writing.

It went by slowly but steady. I told Smarty all about Caleb, how we met, how he was incredibly sweet and careful with me. She said she was happy for me and that he was extremely cute. We talked about college and my dad a little bit in between tables. I told her about my mom too and how she had called and wanted to come home and my dad had said no.

She listened and sympathized but in the end did what she always did. She was an awesome listener but never told me what to do. She didn’t make suggestions or criticize. She just listened and I loved her for it.

When it was time for my break I sat with Caleb and brought him some sweet tea and a cheesy bacon burger with fries.

“Where did you get this bracelet? ” he asked as he fingered the star charm.

“They gave it to me. ” I hooked my thumb over my shoulder towards the grill. “For graduation. ” He nodded. “What did Kyle get for a graduation present? ”

“A car. ”

“I thought he already had a car? ”

“He did but his parents got him a new one, the first one was used. The silver Audi is his. ”

I balked.

“What? I thought that was his dad’s car. ”
“Nope. Kyle just thought his car was messed up and in the shop. His dad actually pulled the battery cables off before school one morning so Kyle would think it was broken down. ”

He chuckled.

“Wow. That Audi was pretty nice for a college kid. ”

“He’s spoiled. Only child, ” he scoffed.

I smirked at him.

“You’re pretty spoiled too, pal, a truck and a motorcycle? ” I shook my head at him. “There are carless kids in Milwaukee and you have two! Disgraceful, ” I joked.

“Hey! ” he laughed. “I have you know my truck is a hand me down from my dad and that bike was my graduation present. ”

“Oh, well that makes it better. ” I grinned at him.

“So, what did your dad get you? ”

“Nothing. ” I smiled sadly. “He didn’t even stand when they called my name. ”

“I’m sorry. ” I shook my head at him. “I wish I’d paid more attention at the ceremony now. I might have remembered you from when you crossed the stage. ”

“Yeah. That IPod is not good for you. ”

“You already know me so well, ” he smirked and rubbed my feet under the table with his, making me laugh.

“Ok, back to work both of us. ”

Later that night after Caleb took me home and we both parted ways to get dressed, I was on the back of his bike. This time, headed back to the place I never thought I’d go again, the high school, the gym to be precise.

I wasn’t even sure why I wanted to go. If it wasn’t for Beck’s begging... I wasn’t sure why exactly but we were underway so there was no point in stopping now. Caleb seemed to be excited about the idea of seeing the people I went to school with, besides Kyle and Chad. Excited to see pictures of me during school functions. I’d been so out of the loop this year, out of touch with friends, out of focus. I had no idea what they were going to do tonight, but I was pretty sure it wouldn’t involve me since I’d barely been involved myself all year.

We pulled into the parking lot and he helped me take my helmet off, smoothing my hair back. I was nervous for some reason. I felt like everyone there would be able to tell that I was different somehow. We started walking towards the school and my heart beat faster and faster the closer we got.

“Hey. ” He stopped in front of me. “We don’t have to go in there. ”

I swallowed and looked around the school parking lot. There weren’t a whole lot of cars because this was only for the senior class but still... a gym full of my peers who I abandoned for the past ten months.

He read my anxiety and started pulling me back to the bike. I halted my steps.

“No it’s ok. Let’s go in. ”

“You sure? ”

“Yeah. It’s stupid to be nervous anyway. It’s not like anyone is gonna care that I’m here. ”

I had visions of prom, streamers and flashing lights with glittery signs when we entered. But what I got was flashbacks that made me want to simultaneously smile and run.

The decorations were our school pictures, prom pics, candid’s at lunch. Big, blown up pictures lined the walls and the centerpieces on the tables were a school pom-pom and yearbook opened to the page of the people who were assigned to sit there alphabetically. I looked around at the photos as we made our way down the wall towards the tables and laughed at one of Beck and I sitting in art last year with paint on our faces, laughing.

Caleb smiled at it and let me tug and pull him as I got more enthusiastic about the photos and memories splayed out everywhere I looked. Then I heard my name across the room and turned to see Beck and Nicolette skipping across the gym, arm and arm towards us.

“Mags! ” Nicolette cried and squeezed me. They both squealed and bounced around me, drawing attention to us and I cringed. “Oh. My. Goodness. You look so fab. Where have you been, girl? ”

“Uhum, ” Beck said grinning and pointed to Caleb. “That’s where she’s been. ”

Nicolette perused him openly and gave a cocked little grin before coming up to him and holding her hand out.

“Nicolette. ”

“Caleb, ” he said politely and shook her hand quickly before releasing her and coming to put an arm around my waist. Her eyes bugged a little but she grinned all the same. “You girls ran track with Maggie? ”

“And Cheerleading and Volleyball and just about everything else. ”

He looked down at me with a raised eyebrow, his lips parted.

Cheerleading? That totally just blew your little work outfit out of the water.

I pressed my lips together to keep from giggling.

It was only ninth and tenth grade. I did it because my mom wanted me to. I dropped out, it wasn’t for me.

And yet my fantasy lives.

I smiled and tried not to laugh, to look normal and casual though an extremely hot guy was speaking into my mind about his fantasies.

Then an enraptured mass squeal erupted as Beck and Nicolette waved. The group of girls who I used to know all swarmed around us like they hadn’t seen us in years, though it had been days. Technically, I guess it had been longer for me.

“Magsie! Where have you been? ”

“Oh, we missed you at the meet last month. We could’ve used you when Brayers came up-”

“Dang, girl. You look so cute tonight! ”

“Ok! Ok! I got it! Let’s do a cheer! For old time sake! ”

Meghan was the instigator but everyone seemed to be on board and clapped and squealed as they made their way to the front of the room.

“Mags. You too! ”

I turned to the traitorous voice and was shocked to find it was Beck.

“I haven’t cheered in two years, ” I protested and clung to Caleb’s arm.

“Oh come on. We’re doing the spirit cheer. It stays the same every year, its tradition. Come on. ”

“No, no way. ” She had to know why I didn’t want to do it. For the spirit cheer you paired with a football player. We danced and slid around them and at the end they lifted us in their arms. Chad was always my partner and there was no way in hell or high water she was getting me on that stage.

“Go ahead, Beck. Really. I’m not going. ”

Beck pouted but straightened up, glancing behind me warily. She bit her lip and bee lined for the stage. I didn’t even need to turn to know Chad was behind me. Caleb also must have known and I felt his grip tighten on my hand. I remembered what he said about seeing Chad again, after I’d slipped and said that Chad had kinda sorta forced me to kiss him, and I felt really stupid for coming here now.

“Maggie, come on. We’re an uneven number without you, ” he coaxed and smiled that smile that used to make me smile too.

“No thanks. You go ahead. ”

He had the gall to reach for my unoccupied hand.

“I don’t think so, ” Caleb said softly with clear inflection and pulled me a little closer to him.

I felt protectiveness, even some possessiveness, and a flare of anger burst towards me from Caleb. He was angry at Chad for what he’d done and even angrier that he had the gumption to reach for me and pull me from Caleb like he had the right to. I put my other hand on his arm, hoping to draw even more of his anger away. I visibly saw him take a deep breath and was proud that he kept himself in check at least, though his anger was practically crackling in the air between them.

Chad seemed to debate whether this was a fight he wanted or not. Apparently ‘not’ won out and he shrugged though I could see his eyes latched hurtfully to mine.

“Ok. Whatever. Just thought we’d have one last hoorah. You know. ”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to, ok? It’s been too long, I’d make a fool of myself. You go ahead. Have fun, ” I soothed, feeling torn and wanting to end the squabble.

He smiled sadly and nodded as he walked away.

I turned to look around and saw we had quite the audience, people almost begging, eyes glistening with excitement, for there to be a fight. I flushed and turned back to Caleb just as they started to do their cheer. I barely saw it as my own memories flooded me. In no time they were done and making their way back to us in a titter of cheers and giggles.

“It’s starting. They sat us alphabetically so, we’re over here, ” Beck said reluctantly and pulled Nicolette away. “See you tomorrow night, right? ”

“Yeah. Absolutely. ”

“Tomorrow night? ” Caleb asked and I felt him push into my mind for the answer. “Oh. Yeah, sounds fun. ”

I just shook my head at him as we made our way to the table. Luck would have it alphabetically, that Kyle was at the next table, in the chair right next to ours.

“Hey! ” he said grinning and pulled me into a very intimate hug. “I didn’t think you’d come. ”

“I came, with Caleb. ”

“Oh. ” He put me down and regarded Caleb with a terse nod. “Caleb. ”

“Kyle, ” Caleb answered and pulled my chair out for me turning his back on his cousin.

I felt guilty about that but didn’t feel it was my place to interfere, just yet anyway. Caleb pulled the yearbook on the center of our table closer to him and I realized it was tenth grade year. My hair was really curly that day and I’d pulled it to the side of my neck and smiled shyly.

He smiled at it and looked back at me. I rolled my eyes and took it from him. I glanced through it and laughed when Ben, sitting next to me, leaned over and pointed at a picture of him and me at a school assembly wearing face paint and chanting. I groaned and Caleb leaned closer to see. Ben began to tell him all about it. The way we used to paint our faces on school assembly day and wear wigs and all kinds of crazy things to make the school mad. It was a whole student body effort and we always pulled it off.

Caleb laughed and gave me a sidelong grin.

You were a bad girl. A rebel. I’ve been so misled.

I rolled my eyes laughing as the lights went down and the principal, Mr. Gurney, made his way across the stage.

“Welcome, seniors. Or should I say, adults, for you are no longer our pupils. You are the fresh new minds of our country. I am pleased to introduce this years Farewell video. This video was put together by the yearbook staff and is quite lengthy, containing not just your senior year but your entire school years collectively in a memoir that you can purchased at the end for a $10 donation. Now, let’s begin. ”

The huge pull down projection screen flickered and there I was, first picture. I groaned out loud. It was me in the sandbox on the playground, kindergarten. I was pouring a fistful of white sand onto Kyle’s head. Kyle turned to grin at me in his seat and burst out laughing and clapped as did lots of others. Each picture or video clip they showed had our names and the school year printed at the bottom. They played cheesy graduation music in the background, Vitamin C or something.

The photos kept coming, so many years summed up. I found myself laughing sometimes quite loudly, but you couldn’t hear me over everyone else. They were so many pictures and I was in lots of them. We saw third grade field day when I ran against the principal, and won. We saw fifth grade D. A. R. E program, us with our red t-shirts while we all stood beside the police officers, grinning. Steven holding Gretchen up to tack a Sadie Hawkins eighth grade dance banner to the ceiling, though if the school had paid attention to where he was looking-up her skirt-they wouldn’t have put that one in there.

There was one of Beck and I in tenth grade, back to back, wearing wigs and making guns with our hands like Charlie’s Angels, making everyone laugh. I buried my face in Caleb’s neck and groaned as he chuckled. I thought hard and could remember doing that but not what it was for.

Then, the school mascot, in full body paint, midair before he tripped face first over a pom-pom left on the basketball court. Then later, another one of Chad and I working in science lab together, grinning over a beaker of green something, his arm slung over my shoulders.

There was prom, dancing couples, homecoming, finals, last days, first days, Halloween, Spirit week, so much more.

Then they showed cheerleading and I felt Caleb snap more to alert, looking for me more intently among the faces. But there were plenty of pics of me there too, among the skirted girls. Some by myself, and too my chagrin, a lot with Chad and I. He was on the football team after all. The last cheerleading one, in slow motion only adding to my agony, was Chad on the football field after a winning game, ripping off his helmet and holding his arms open to something off camera. Then I barreling towards him in my cheerleading outfit, jumping into his sweaty arms and kissing him, albeit closed mouthed, as he held me off the ground.

For some reason my eyes automatically snapped to Chad’s and he was already looking at me, longingly and sadly.

I felt horribly guilty about it all and glanced at Caleb. He glanced at me too and smiled knowingly, shrugging like ‘what are ya gonna do’?

I’m sorry.

It’s in the past, Maggie.

Yeah, but you shouldn’t have to watch it.

It’s ok. I got the girl, right?

He grinned at me and squeezed my hand in between us making me smile.

You definitely got the girl.

He put his arm around my shoulder and kissed my temple.

They showed Football games, Basketball, Volleyball and Track plus all the sports and clubs and activities, dances, lunches. There was some of me running on the track and some warming up. Some of me playing Volleyball in the gym. I felt Caleb’s interest in these pics was just as noticeable as the cheerleading ones had been.

It was long but felt oddly satisfying to watch. Like maybe I had accomplished something after all. I felt like tearing up but dammed them back.

Then as the music started to die down they showed our procession as we marched to graduation. Some were cutting up in line and some seemed nervous. The camera passed me but I wasn’t looking at it. Then the last frame, the money shot, the tear jerker, was a large group walking out to the parking lot afterwards, half were still wearing their robes, some still had on their caps, some had their diplomas in hands. A couple had their arms around the other’s shoulder as they walked into the sun, making them appear nothing but a dark silhouette against the backdrop of parking lot and football field. The caption read ‘And then we walked boldly out of the sunset of our pasts and into our futures. The End’

The lights came up and I saw several people wiping their eyes and laughing. Mr. Gurney made a small speech about that concluding the presentation and wishing us luck in our future, then left the stage.

I was quite ready to leave and Caleb seemed ready as well. I waved to Beck across the room, but of course she was standing with my old group. Kyle and Chad included. They both watched us go with wistful looks that I hated to have put there but held on tight to Caleb as we made our way out.

A few people and teachers said goodbye to me on the way out but for the most part, I didn’t stop. I felt good about graduating and was ready to be gone.

That night at my house, I fell asleep quickly. The next day was all a fast blur as Caleb sat in the back again and tried to study. We didn’t talk about the party except him making jokes about pictures he remembered and several funny comments about cheerleading. He didn’t mention Chad or the fact that Chad seemed to be everywhere I was back in school. We were pretty much attached and that was the truth, but no more.