Chapter 9
I walked back to the vicinity of Keith's house where I had last seen Shannon. There were now a larger group of boys and girls mingling around. I spotted AJ. She looked like she had calmed down. While walking toward her and then pointing to my watch, I asked, "Isn't it time to go home?" She glanced at her watch and reluctantly nodded yes.
"Where's Shannon?" I asked.
She pointed in the direction of the pool. I made my way back over there.
Shannon was standing close to Keith. He was surrounded by a large group of athletic looking boys. There were also many girls hanging out with them. Shannon glanced over at me as I approached. I pointed at my watch and silently mouthed, "Time to leave." She turned her head—ignoring me. Great! I thought. If we're late for curfew I'll bet she tries to put the blame on me. I came closer and said, "It's time to go home." Keith stopped talking to the guy next to him. Everyone else stopped what they were doing as well. Again, Shannon didn't respond but instead, drew closer to Keith.
"Come on Shannon. It's almost curfew and we've got to get home. Remember your house rules about being home by ten o'clock?" I asked, annoyed.
At this statement everyone started to laugh and Shannon cringed while nervously glancing around at everyone and looking embarrassed.
"Hey, I didn't make them," I remarked while also glancing around. “And I’m not going to shoulder the blame if they’re broken.”An angry expression came over Keith's face and I could see his muscles contracting. Some guy approached me. He was about six feet two inches tall, well built, and I guessed his weight at about 185 pounds.
"Why don't you chill out, Canuck?" he asked, irritated.
"Please leave him alone, Greg," said Shannon.
Greg ignored her and drew closer to me. I started to back up to try and keep distance between us. I sensed the edge of the pool behind me. Suddenly, I felt something on the ground touch the back of my legs! As I glanced down to see what it was, Greg shoved me hard and I tripped backwards over the guy who was crouching down behind me and straight into the pool!
I surfaced, and then swam over to the ladder with the noise of mocking laughter ringing in my ears. Now both humiliated and angry, I climbed out of the water and strode over to Greg. I wanted to challenge him to try it again, but I saw AJ out of the corner of my eye vigorously shaking her head no with a panicked look on her face. So I just stood there contemplating what to do next. After calming down, I walked past Greg and over to where Keith and Shannon were standing. Sarcastic comments and a trail of dripping water followed after me. I was through with talking. I only wanted to go home, now.
I attempted to reach out to take Shannon by the arm, but Keith deflected my hand away. I heard AJ shout, "LOOK OUT!" I turned my head in time to see Greg's fist coming straight at my nose! Her warning gave me just enough time to move my head aside and his knuckles drove into my left eye socket instead. There was an explosion of pain and lights, followed by blackness.
I awoke, immediately sputtering and shaking off the water someone must have poured on my face. My head was spinning and throbbing. I tried to sit up, but I threw up instead. I was in the aftermath of a mild concussion. I could hear muffled voices and then I felt my body being lifted up. I was carried over to a car and then gently laid in the back seat while now clearly hearing Keith, Shannon, and AJ all conversing with each other. Keith was talking about taking me to the hospital. The girls got into the car, which I now surmised was Shannon's, and we started driving. There was a lively discussion about what to do.
"Just take me home" I chimed in rather weakly.
"We're going to take you to the hospital," replied Shannon.
I sat up and groaned, "No. Take me… back… to your house." I fell back down in the seat. Shannon drove fast and we were soon pulling up into the driveway. I tried to crawl out of the car and the girls rushed over to help me. With an arm around each of their shoulders, they helped carry me into the house and then onto the couch in the family room. I was starting to feel light headed and detached. The telephone rang. I glanced down at my watch. It was ten o'clock. I could hear Shannon's voice saying, "Mom, there's been an accident. You'd better come home right away."
I asked AJ for some ice. I was annoyed at Shannon and I blamed her for the trauma I was now experiencing. AJ brought an ice-pack. Then she asked me how I felt and whether or not their mother was going to hear what happened. I said that she was indeed going to hear all that happened and that I was thinking of suing them, Keith Mitterhauser, the guy who punched me, the school, and the whole state of California. I felt woozy. These remarks upset AJ, and so she went looking for her sister to spread the alarm.
Eventually, Shannon came over to the couch and calmly asked, "What do you want? My mother is going to be home any minute now."
Still feeling giddy I was tempted to say, "A goodnight hug and kiss." But since we weren't on the best of terms, I replied, "Nothing."
Stacy came home and the first thing she did when she saw me was to rush over while verbalizing her concern. Being a nurse, she immediately went to work gently feeling my face for fractures or anything broken while also trying to make me feel as comfortable as possible. The girls nervously stood around watching, or, I should say only AJ stood there since Shannon did not appear worried or concerned that her fate lay in my hands. I found her nonchalant attitude fascinating. Despite the fact that I thought she was directly to blame for my pain and suffering, I decided to cover for them both; concocting a story that was false but believable. AJ verified it, but Shannon said nothing. The painkiller that Stacy had administered to me was starting to kick in and I was feeling drowsy, but better. Stacy asked if there was anything further she could do for me.
"No, I just want to go to bed and this couch will be fine." And that was that.
Dawn of the Knight: The Lance Rock Chronicles Volume 1. Page 17
