by Rita Delude
Honey’s heart leapt as she practically ran to her next class. But she slowed down remembering both that she had the late pass and that one rule at her old school was “no running in the halls;” she suspected that was a rule in every high school in the country.
Even better, at lunch, Henry asked her to a movie for Saturday night.
“I thought you and Beth were a couple. I don’t want to get in between you two,” she whispered.
“Nah, that’s over. We had a drag down fight last night.”
“Because of me?” Honey blushed feeling like maybe she was to blame, but wondering if that sounded like bragging thinking that the new kid could come between anything important.
But it was Henry’s turn to blush. “Nah, we’ve been having some issues for a while. Too possessive, you know. I’m not looking to settle down. I’m just a guy, you know.”
“I get that. I want to have fun.”
He looked her up and down then, and she blushed again; this time feeling insecure and naked somehow.
“I’ll call you about the details,” he said as they headed off to classes after lunch. When she left the cafeteria, Honey realized not a single girl at the table had spoken to her, and Beth and Sophie weren’t even sitting there. The numbers were thinning out. Had she caused that?
Chapter Seven
When Honey got home that day, she spent some quality time with her little sister, Anne, who was three years younger than she and the very reason Honey had finally gone to the school counselor in Maine and spilled her story about her uncle Pete. She had noticed one day that he had begun looking at Anne the way he used to look at her. Anne, at that time, had not quite yet grown breasts and hadn’t started her periods. Just like when Uncle Pervert had started hitting on her. Honey, a smart girl who had done a lot of internet research about what was happening started putting the ugly pieces together and realized Uncle Pervert liked his victims really young. He was beginning to lose interest in Honey, who had developed in all the ways she should as a high school freshman when she reported him. But Anne hadn’t yet, and she wasn’t about to let happen to Anne what had happened to her.
When he preyed on her, he swore her to secrecy and told her no one would believe her anyway. Everyone loved Uncle Pete, her father’s youngest brother. He was the life of every party, and the one everyone called when they needed something fixed or wanted to borrow money. They trusted him and loved him. What was the word of a “dumb kid” against the word of a “respected grownup” worth anyway? “Besides, if your parents found out, they’d blame you for leading me on. It would be all your fault, not mine. I’ve never done anything wrong until you came along,” he had lied to her. And she, being just eleven, had believed every word. Until she didn’t anymore and had to protect Anne, no matter what anyone thought of her or believed about him.
Anne was her best friend. Someone always around on a dull, rainy day to play hours of Risk, chess, or Scrabble, games they both enjoyed.
“Annie Bannannie, you want to play a game?”
“Sure," Anne replied as soon as she came into the house from off the bus. Anne was Honey’s twin, only three years younger with dark, black hair, coal eyes, a big smile and small nose. They were both lean. Honey, however, had developed large breasts, where Anne hadn’t yet, but Honey suspected she’d have them too someday. Their mother did. Anne dropped her books at the bottom of the stairs, hung her coat in the hall closet, and met Honey in the family room where she had a bowel of popcorn and two 7-Ups waiting for them. They decided on Scrabble.
“How’s the move working out for you?” Honey asked.
Anne looked up from her tray of letters. “Actually, I love it. The middle school has kids from three different elementary schools, so not everyone is already in some big clique; I’m fitting right in. They seem like nice kids. I’ve got a few dorky teachers and a few really nice ones. AND they’ve got a Gifted and Talented Program, so I’m happy. You?”
“Your move. Hurry up,” Honey answered.
Anne placed WOBBLE on the board and earned herself thirty-two points. Honey high-fived her, and Anne recorded the score. Honey had been encouraging her to be score keeper since she was old enough to do the addition. Good practice, she figured.
“Your move. And don’t ignore my question.” Honey could not get away with anything with Anne, although Anne never knew and never would what Uncle Pervert had planned for her.
“Well, it’s a mixed bag. Like you, I’ve got some cool teachers and some pricks. I’ve got a lot of interest, it seems, from the guys, especially those in the junior class, but haven’t made any female friends yet.”
“That figures,” Anne said, as Honey connected WICK to Anne’s WOBBLE and earned far fewer points. “The girls are jealous. Whether you think so or not, you are drop-dead gorgeous. The guys must be drooling over you. They have got to be worried you’ll steal their favorite guys away. And junior year is prom, right?”
“Right. You think that’s it?”
“I know that’s it. Has anyone asked you out?”
“You know that guy Henry who I told everyone about who led me around school like a lost sheep on the first day? He’s taking me to a movie on Saturday night.”
Anne jumped up. “That’s cause for celebration. Want some ice cream? Mom won’t be home for another hour.”
“No thanks. Popcorn’s enough.”
“Somebody’s watching her figure,” Anne teased.
God, I love that I’ve got a sister, Honey thought. She gets me. Now, if only I could get a girlfriend or two besides. I’d have a full plate.
When Annie announced that Honey had a date for Saturday, both of their parents did all they could to hold in their excitement, but it was clear they were delighted. To them, it meant, she was fitting in and the move had been worth it. The move had been for her sake after all. It meant her father had to ask for a relocation with his company, which they didn’t like to do, but they obliged because he’d been with them as an engineer for over twenty years, and they didn’t want to lose him. It also meant her mom had to find new work as a paralegal in a smaller law firm making less money than she had in Maine. Honey appreciated the sacrifices they’d made for her and was glad to see their smiles.
“Is he a nice guy?” her dad asked.
“Well, the school allows him to show new kids around. I guess that means they trust him.”
Her mother piped in, “I met him in the guidance office. He seemed quiet, but he’s tall and real cute. Don’t you think he’s cute, Honey?”
“Mom…may I be excused? I’ve got tons of homework. Speaking of homework, I need one of you to sign this paper, so I can take a creative writing class instead of having study hall.”
“Don’t you need that time to get some of your work done?” her dad asked.
“No, I mostly just doddle or chat in study hall. Waste of time. You know? This would be so much more interesting. Pleeeeeease say yes. I want to do it.”
Her parents looked across the kitchen table at each other. Honey could see a familiar signal pass between them.
“Alright, but if your grades start to slip, that class goes and you are back to study hall. You’ll be applying for colleges before you know it, and grades matter.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she said, as she jumped from her seat and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom,” she added as she cleared her plate, scrapped the leftover bits of French fries from her plate into the garbage disposal, rinsed the dish and glass and put everything into the dishwasher. As she headed upstairs, her cell rang and the three left at the table heard, “Oh, hi, Henry, yeah, it’s a good time to talk.”
Chapter Eight
Henry let Honey pick the movie, so she picked an adventure that she knew he would like, not a chick flick that would bore him. She wanted to make points on this first date in her new home town. To her surprise, he put his arm around her in the theater and held her close throughout the movie and even put his other hand on her knee. She tried pushing
it off her knee a few times, but it kept reappearing. She guessed every town’s idea of a first date was different. She wasn’t used to such forwardness. She wasn’t a prude. She’d kissed guys her age and made out with them, but not on first dates. She sure hoped he wasn’t expecting that.
After the movie, they went to Rick’s Creamery for ice cream sundaes. It was quiet, and Amanda from their table at lunch was working there.
“Oh, it’s you, Henry. Beth said you two broke up. I had no idea you were dating again,” Amanda said. “What can I get you?” She acted as though Honey wasn’t even in the room.
“Honey, what would you like?” he asked her.
Honey placed her order and Henry placed his.
“Coming right up,” Amanda said, turned on one leg and darted away.
“I don’t think she likes me much,” Honey said.
“Oh, Amanda’s nice. She’s just pissed because I broke up with her friend, Beth. But she has no idea how much Beth has been pissing me off lately. So she blames you when it’s not your fault.”
Staring into his big, blue eyes, Honey said, “Well, why don’t you explain that to all the girls. They all seem to hate me. Or, at least, they are avoiding me. My phone is full of new numbers. Not one is from a girl at the high school.”
Henry laughed. “That’s because you’re gorgeous, Honey, and every guy there wants to be with you.”
“Right, sure.” Honey blushed. Annie and Henry could call her gorgeous all day long, but Honey didn’t see herself that way. She saw her plain, dark hair, her dark eyes and pale face and thought plain. She did not think gorgeous. Yes, she had a good figure, but nothing more special than most girls her age. So gorgeous was not tattooed on her forehead for sure.
“I’m serious, Honey,” Henry said, reaching for her hand, “you are beautiful. I’m happy you said ‘yes’ when I asked you out. I thought you’d have a ton of dates for this first weekend since school started.”
“Nope. You were the first to ask,” she said and blushed again. It was becoming a habit.
“I see you left your lollipop at home,” Amanda said as she delivered their ice cream sundaes loaded with special toppings. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
Amanda started to leave their table, with her long hair tucked up in a Rick’s Creamery cap, but Honey stopped her. “Yes, I need something. I need to know why you hate me when you barely know anything about me except my name.”
“Are you serious?” Amanda was standing at the table, keeping her voice low so the few other customers in the shop wouldn’t hear her. She stood with her hands on her hips.
“Yes, I’d appreciate an honest answer. Really.”
“Well, for starters you come into school wearing slutty clothes, licking one lollipop after another looking like a hooker trying to solicit johns, and then you steal Beth’s boyfriend away. How’s any girl in school supposed to trust you?”
“Amanda, stop,” Henry pleaded. “She’s new here. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Beth and I were having issues way before Honey showed up.”
“Maybe you two were, but Seth and I weren’t and Tara and Cory weren’t, but our guys, too, can’t talk about anything else but ‘Honey, the new girl who’s hot and licks those lollipops likes she wants to get some.’”
Tears came streaming down Honey’s face. “Is that what they’re saying about me? Is that what you’re saying, Henry?” Honey ran out of the shop and down the street, not knowing for sure which direction it was to get to her house and not thinking straight enough to call her parents for a ride.
Moments later, Henry drove up in his Honda and stopped beside Honey and got out.
“Honey, you can’t walk home from here. Let me take you. It’s too far to walk.”
“Can’t everyone just leave me alone?”
“You don’t really want that.”
“Sometimes, that’s all I want.”
Henry took her hand then and led her to his car. He could feel her trembling.
“Hey, do you want to go somewhere quiet to talk?”
What she really wanted was to go home, crawl into bed, and never leave. But Henry had been nothing but nice to her since the first day.
“Okay, but just for a little while. I’m beat.”
“It’s a beautiful place; with this moonlight and the leaves changing, you’ll appreciate it. Although being from Maine, you’ve seen how great fall can be. It’s called Preacher’s Hill. You get a beautiful view of the valley and endless trees and shrubs. It’s awesome.”
“Sounds nice.”
When they arrived, they took seats on an old picnic table that sat atop the highest point and could see for miles what seemed like an endless carpet of fall colors.
“It is spectacular. Thanks for taking me here.”
“My pleasure. Thanks for coming. I thought our date was going to be cut short after Amanda’s rude comments.”
“Why is she so mean?”
“That’s just it. It’s weird. Amanda’s one of the sweetest girls in school. Everyone likes her. She’s lived in Laconia all her life. She’s kind to everyone, even new kids. This summer, she and her best friend Seth almost parted ways because she defended Cory, who was new in town. Seth had used a racial slur against Cory because he’s Japanese. Amanda wasn’t having any of that.”
“Then why does she have it out for me? I’m a new kid.”
“You’re competition. The girls are all afraid you’ll take their guys away.”
“That’s not what I want. I just want to fit in with no drama.”
Henry nestled her into him then and kissed her. She kissed back, and what started as a soft, sweet closed-lip kiss grew deeper and stronger until their tongues were tangled and Henry moaned. He reached for her breasts then and cuddled them, then reached up under her sweater.
“Henry, stop. I’m not that kind of girl.”
“What?” He pulled his hand out as though poked by a fork. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t think. I thought.” If it had been a full moon, she would have seen his face turn a deep shade of red. He had thought he’d get all the way to a homerun with her. That’s what all the guys thought. That’s why he’d made the excuses about Beth. They were just excuses. Henry couldn’t get anywhere with Beth, so he wanted to try his luck with Honey, as the others hoped to do. Shit. He’d been wrong. But he’d never admit that to them.
“You thought what? That I was a slut? Like the girls think? Well, I’m not. I’m not putting out for you or anyone. Take me home. NOW!”
Honey was so angry, she was crying full-out tears and shaking hard all over. Would her nightmare never end?
Chapter Nine
She didn’t wait for him to open the car door or walk her to the door. She didn’t walk into the house and report to her mom about how the date had gone. Instead, Honey rushed to her room, stripped off her clothes, rushed into the shower, and took the longest, hottest shower she could stand for as long as her skin could take the heat. All the while she cried. It was supposed to be better in New Hampshire. People weren’t supposed to want her for her body.
Back home, once the news got out about what the perv had done to her, all the guys she’d been friends with started thinking she’d changed. They thought if she’d done it once, it would be easy for her to do it again. Like if it wasn’t her first rodeo she could get back on the horse and ride again even having fallen off into the dirt of trashy newspaper stories, a court case, and all the local TV cameras in her face. But it wasn’t what she wanted. Honey had always wanted to save herself until marriage. She never wanted to be a girl who slept around. But everyone thought she was.
Her mom came to check on her, but Honey pretended to be asleep. She’d wait until after church in the morning for the inquisition. Maybe she’d have lies prepared for them by then. She didn’t want to burst their bubble. Annie was happy there. They were happy in New Hampshire. It was only Honey that didn’t fit in anywhere. Unless she did exactly what they wanted;
then she’d fit in. But she couldn’t. She didn’t want the guys’ strong hands sliding up and down her skin making her feel all creepy like pervert had. Maybe her new shrink would be better than her last one, who believed that time would heal all wounds. Honey knew some wounds were too deep for time and too jagged for stitches too heal, or, at least, they had been so far.
Sunday morning, Honey held her own at the House of Pancakes after mass when all three of them peppered her with questions about her date with Henry. She spent most of the time describing how boring the movie was and how cute Rick’s Creamery was. She told them, too, about a place called Preacher’s Hill where they had gone to talk and how beautiful it was. Her dad raised his eyebrows then as if to question her, but said nothing. She lowered her eyes, not wanting to answer him even with silent signals.
“Will you be seeing him again?” Mom asked. “He seems nice.”
“No, he’s not my type. Annie when are you going to start piano lessons again? I miss your playing,” Honey said to direct the subject away from her. “Not my type” was her standard go-to answer about guys she didn’t think she’d see again.
And, good-old-faithful sister Annie said, “Mom asked my music teacher for a recommendation, and I start with Mrs. Jamrog, who lives just four houses away, next week. I’ll walk there after school. It might cut our game playing time in half, though,” she answered and shoved Honey a little farther away from her on the booth bench seat.
“That’s okay. It will be worth it to hear you play again. I miss it. I wish I had that talent.”
“You could have if you’d practiced,” her mom chastised.
“Oh, Mom, I had ten thumbs, and you know it.”
While the Delanos were enjoying their Sunday breakfast, Henry was playing hoops at the LYA parking lot with a few of his buddies.
