Chapter 14
I slowly got up off the bench, hobbled over to her car, and then thanked her as I slid into the passenger's side seat. As she pulled away she asked, "I'm assuming you want to go to the Muller's?"
I nodded my head yes. "So much for trying to impress her," I remarked dejectedly while slowly shaking my head. "I've never failed so miserably at something in my entire life."
She thoughtfully looked over at me for a moment and then gently asked, "Do you think you might possibly have gone about it the wrong way? Why did you believe that trying to join the football team would be the way to win her heart?"
"Why wouldn't it? Keith's a quarterback, isn't he?"
"You're not Keith. A girl is seldom impressed by a guy who's trying to be something she knows he's not. Especially if she suspects he's just doing it to try and impress her. At least I know I'm not. Why don't you simply be yourself?"
I said nothing.
"Please don't take this the wrong way," she continued, "But I've noticed you seem to be impulsive at times. Am I right?"
"I'm not usually like that. Ever since I came down here to the States I've been acting…" I turned my head and stared out the window.
"Acting…?"
"Out of character, I guess you could say." After a moment I asked, "Are you planning on going to college after high school?"
"I hope to."
"Are you going to major in psychology?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"Because psychology is the only one of our classes that you sit up front in."
"You're pretty observant."
"Do you have any advice for me, doc?" I jokingly asked while grinning at her.
"I was trying to give you some after lunch today, but you got this crazy idea about joining the football team and…" She started laughing.
"Go on."
"Okay, remember yesterday at my house when you went berserk after you saw her wearing your chain?"
I started to feel guilty again, and I felt for the key hanging around my neck. "Why did she take it?" I asked.
"Maybe she found it after you dropped it and she was holding on to it for you."
"Then why didn't she give it back to me after she knew I was searching for it?"
"Because that's not what she was doing."
I looked at her confused. "Then why did she take it?"
"I don't know."
"You're not at all being helpful, Jill."
"I'm not a mind reader, Lance. But if I were to do something like that it would be because…"
"Because… why?"
"By wearing your key, she could have in a subtle, non-verbal way been saying; 'I'm giving you a reason to approach me, to come talk to me.' Or, if she knew you liked her; 'I'm giving you an opportunity to ask me out.' Or, if she liked you, she could have even been telling you; 'I want to belong to you, I want to be your girl.'"
"You're kidding?" I asked in total disbelief.
She firmly shook her head no.
"If that's true, I completely blew it! I blew it… big time!"
"Yup, you blew your chance with her. After your little tirade I had you pegged as a conceited prima donna. That is, until what you said to me afterward."
"Which was?"
"You don't remember?"
"I said… I said I was sorry that I yelled at her like that."
"When you said that, I thought to myself; here's a guy who's willing to admit when he's done wrong, and I was somewhat impressed."
"If you were impressed then—"
"Exactly! That's what I was trying to tell you today after lunch!"
"Why is admitting you've done something wrong, impressive?"
"Because it's so rare. If a guy mistreated or bad mouthed me and then later came up to me to genuinely apologize, I think I'd pee my pants! Seriously!"
"You're saying she would be impressed if I told her I was genuinely sorry for the way I treated her yesterday?"
"I know I'd be."
We were now in front of the Muller's house. I opened the car door to leave and then closed it again and sat back down. "Hey Jill, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"I'm curious. Why are you so interested in seeing Shannon and I get together? I mean, you hardly even know me."
"Because, Canada, when the best-looking guy and girl in the school are dating each other, order and balance are restored to the universe!"
"Eh?"
She smiled at me.
"Seriously, why?"
She turned her head, stared out the windshield for a moment, and then finally said, "I've known Shannon since grade school. When we were younger we used to be best friends. I remember hearing rumors about how her father used to beat her, her sister, and her mom. After the divorce, he was given a restraining order so she never sees him. Not that she'd probably want to. Anyway, her mom is pretty cool; strict, but cool. I don't share Shannon's conviction, but I do respect it. And I guess… I guess I care about her. I was told by a reliable source, and this is just between you and me, that the only reason Keith wants to go out with her is for bragging rights."
"Bragging rights?"
"Yup."
I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head.
"You know, so he can brag that he was the first guy to score a touchdown in her end zone."
"Seriously?"
"Keith can have any girl in the school he wants. To set his sights on Shannon just so he can put another notch in his bedpost or take what's most precious to her and stick it in his trophy case—that doesn't sit right with me. Especially when I know he'll move on to his next conquest after he's done with her. Plus, I was also told that he promised certain players on the team a celebratory victory party after she was conquered. It kind of ticks me off!"
I stared out the window digesting all of this. Then I asked, "How do you know I'm not after the same thing?"
"Are you?"
"No… not at all."
"Then I guess you answered your own question now, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but how did you know?"
"Maybe it's my female intuition, but I sense something different about you. You impress me as being a decent guy. Shannon needs a boyfriend like that… to love… and care for her."
"Shannon's an intelligent girl," I replied. "She'll see right through Keith and his intentions."
"You would think," said Jill. "But Keith is athletic, popular, rich, and was up until this past weekend, the hottest looking guy in the school. A person sees and believes only what they want to. Did I mention he can be charming too? Think of all the pressure on her."
I got out of the car and closed the door. "Hey Jill, thanks for the advice. And thanks for the ride! Just one more thing—her father, what's his name?"
"Let me think. Gunther. His name is Gunther."
"Thanks again for all your help."
"Good luck, Canada!" she hollered as she drove away.
I walked up the steps and then through the front door and almost tripped over my luggage! It had been neatly stacked in the foyer, ready to depart. After seeing it placed there, I suddenly felt depressed and discouraged. I hobbled toward the kitchen where Stacy, Shannon, and AJ were sitting around the table eating dinner. As soon as Stacy saw me a look of disapproval came over her face.
"The next time you decide to stay after school, I would appreciate the courtesy of being informed," she snapped. Her eyes then dropped to my bare feet and she exclaimed, "Lance, what happened to your feet?"
"They're a little blistered."
Shannon and AJ glanced down at them. Stacy got up and bent down for a closer inspection. "They look awful! Sit down while I get something for you to soak them in." She brought a bucket with Epson salts and placed it at the foot of my chair. I put my feet into the cool water. Then she set a plate of food in front of me. It was flat-iron steak and seasoned French fries.
"This is one of my favorite meals," I remarked in surprise.
"I know," she replied. "Th
at's why I cooked it for you. Since it's your last meal with us, Shannon suggested I make it special."
"But how did you know?"
"Charlene Colson gave me your portfolio. This meal was listed in it. I cooked your steak medium-rare. Is that the way you like it?"
"Yes," I quietly replied.
I've never had this before," remarked AJ. "It's really good!"
"Yes it is," added Stacy.
I sat there staring at it.
"Is there something wrong?" Stacy asked.
I nodded my head yes—now trying to control my emotions. "Mrs. Muller, can I… talk to you?"
"Of course."
"Mrs. Muller, I… I just want to say I'm sorry for the way I've been acting toward you. Last night you said that you were expecting a respectable, well-behaved young man when you brought me into your home on Friday evening. I want you to know that I was brought up to be that way. I don't know why I have acted the way I have up until this point, but I'm not going to make any excuses. I'm genuinely sorry for taking the Ferrari yesterday, for lying to you, and for all the other things I've done to upset you. Would you be willing… to forgive me?"
An expression of surprise came over her face and she glanced over at Shannon who also had the same look. After a moment she said, "Yes, Lance, I forgive you."
Strangely, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
"Mrs. Muller, if I give you my word of honor that I will not cause you any more trouble, would you also be willing to let me continue to stay here until the school finds a permanent family for me to live with?"
"If you give me your word you can stay. Everyone deserves a second chance."
"You have my word, thank you."
I now turned my attention to Shannon. It was uncomfortably hard to look her in the eyes, but I forced myself to.
"Shannon, I want you to know… that I would never hit you or hurt you, ever. I am truly sorry for yelling at you the way I did yesterday. I'm also sorry for upsetting you and for the way I've been treating you. Would you be willing to forgive me as well?"
"Yes," she quietly answered, now with a look of astonishment in her eyes.
"Can we… can the two of us start over?"
She slowly nodded her head yes.
I began to sweat. "Would you like to… go to the dance with me on Thursday night?"
"No, I’m sorry, I… can't," she replied while glancing down at the table.
I sat there speechless, not knowing what else to say.
"At football practice today," said AJ, "Keith asked Shannon to go steady with him. She accepted."
I stared down at my plate—a wave of depression and self-pity now overwhelming me.
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Stacy, after a moment.
"I'm not hungry anymore. May I be excused?"
Stacy nodded her head yes. I pulled my feet out of the bucket, dried them off with a towel, and then walked over to the family room. I sat down on a chair with my head resting on my hands. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced up and looked at AJ. She had a sad look on her face.
"I feel bad," she said. "I know you really liked my sister."
"I had my chance and I blew it, AJ," I remarked while once again staring down at the floor. "I just lost the girl of my dreams because of my stupidity. You know… all this mess started because I was simply trying to find out what was going on around here; what was upsetting your family. Can't you even tell me?"
"Maybe you should talk to my mom."
"Okay. Would you… come with me?"
"Uh-huh."
We walked back to the kitchen. "Mom, Lance wants to ask you something personal. Is that okay?"
"Yes, it's okay."
"I know you are experiencing family problems or some other kind of serious trouble," I said. "I think you are being harassed. Is this… true?"
Stacy stared at me, but said nothing.
"Can't you go to the police? Can't they help you?"
She glanced over at Shannon. "No, the police can't help us. No one can help us. We are all alone."
I stood there for a moment deep in thought. Then I said, "I have… skills. If you want, if you let me, I can protect you."
She stared at me while deliberating on how to answer. Finally, in a discreet tone of voice she replied, "That's kind of you to offer, Lance, but don't you think it might be a good idea to learn how to protect yourself first before you go around offering to protect someone else?"
"Keith has an orange belt in judo," added Shannon. "I could ask him to give you lessons in self-defense. I'm sure he'd do it as a favor for me."
"Lance doesn't need any lessons from Keith!" exclaimed AJ angrily. "He's a martial arts master!"
"AJ!" said Stacy.
"It's true, mom!"
"It's alright," I interjected while raising my hand in a gesture of peace.
AJ pushed herself away from the table and stormed upstairs. I slowly walked to the foyer to retrieve my luggage. As I was returning I heard Shannon whisper to Stacy, "Mom, why did he offer to do that?"
"Isn't it obvious, Shannon?" Stacy quietly replied. "He likes you. But what could he possibly have to offer us in the way of help? I think he's simply trying to act macho to impress you because now that you're Keith's girlfriend, his pride has been wounded."
I went to bed that night feeling both demoralized and depressed.
Dawn of the Knight: The Lance Rock Chronicles Volume 1. Page 25
