That Year
Page 12
falling in love, and all that follows because of me. I took away the best part of their lives. I was young and stupid standing up for injustice, never thinking about the consequences of what I was getting myself into. I’ve grown up and now see that sometimes you have to look the other way to survive in this world,” I say never taking my eyes off Bruce. “Well kid, I’m glad you finally understand my position, but I can’t help you find Fontane,” Bruce says. “Why?” “Because it’s not like I just strolled into wherever he was and helped myself to a cup of coffee. I went to the compound that you and your little team destroyed and they blindfolded me and took me to him. And no it wasn’t just right around the corner,” Bruce says answering my next question.
“You really have no idea where Fontane is.” “Yes kid, I swear I have no idea where he is.” “Think you could talk to him again,” Justin asks. Bruce looks at Justin now. “We haven’t spoken since I lost the election in November, and no I cherish my life. I’m graduating from this school in June and moving on with my life,” Bruce says. “Bruce, that could work we could put some sort of tracker on you and,” I say before Bruce cuts me off. “No kid, weren’t you listening I’m graduating from school in June and moving the fuck on with my life. Don’t you think you’re responsible for too many deaths as is,” Bruce yells.
“He hasn’t been responsible for anyone’s death,” Justin shouts back. The bartender places another full lager for Bruce and his driver, taking their empty glasses with her on her way back to the bar. “He will never know,” I plead. “Get the fuck out of my bar,” Bruce says slamming both his fist against the table. It would have been a more dramatic scene if anybody else besides the bartender was here.
Bruce’s driver places his pistol on the table. “Okay we’re leaving,” I say taking ten dollars out and putting it on the table. Justin and I walk toward the exit. We ride to my house in silence. “Thank you,” I say to Justin as I exit from the passenger door. “Did you mean what you said earlier,” he asks. “Your regret about going after Fontane,” he elaborates. I lean against the open passenger side door. “Yes, in hindsight. Too many lives were lost despite our best intentions.”
“What were we suppose to do not stand up against him and the rights of transfer and foreign students,” Justin asks. “I think so yes. Many of the students were going to go on and do great things and had their entire life ahead of them. There’s more to experience in life after high school. So much more that high school would have seemed like a distant memory in their near future,” I say finally. Justin stares straight ahead through the windshield. “I thought we were doing the right thing. Now I’m not so sure,” Justin says at last.
21
The middle of May arrives with the school at peace. There haven’t been any attacks, but there also has been no information on the whereabouts of Joey Fontane and his gang. Tonight belongs to all the seniors whom will soon be graduating. For me it was about making sure Kayla had a night to remember. The limousine I rented waits outside in the driveway while I wait for Kayla in her living room.
“You treat my baby well tonight, you promise me that,” Kayla’s dad says. “Of course”. “I trust you, you’re a good kid. I could see that you care about her,” he says. “I love her too sir,” I say. Kayla’s mom walks anxiously into the living room, “I’m so excited, honey, remember our prom night.” “How could I forget,” Kayla’s dad asks. “You both met in high school,” I ask. “Yes, we both started dating junior year and got engaged one year after high school,” says Kayla’s mom. Kayla clears her throat to get the rooms attention. I turn around in her direction.
She owns the light blue blush high low strapless dress with glittering sequins. “You, you’re beautiful,” I say. “Come on you two, time for photos,” Kayla’s mom tells us.
I put my arm around Kayla’s waist and hold her close to me while we look straight ahead until the flash of the camera blinds us both. “Okay now I want pictures with your dad and me after I get one of you two kissing,” Kayla’s mom says. Kayla and I face each other and kiss like we have so many times before. “I don’t think I got that,” says Kayla’s mom. I turn to face Kayla to kiss her again. “I was only joking; you have all night for that I want some pictures with my daughter.” She pushes the camera into my hands as she stands next to her daughter, awaiting me to take the picture. After every combination of people that could be in the picture at what seemed to be every location in the house, Kayla and I finally head to the limousine parked outside.
We slide into the comfortable leather seats in the back. “Sorry we took so long,” I tell the driver before closing the glass window that separates us from him in the back. The back of limousine is spacious, includes a flat screen television and mini fridge. Despite all the room Kala cuddles close to me. “Thank you for all this,” she says.
The limousine slowly drives through windy back roads until we finally arrive at Gee’s Restaurant banquet hall. Kayla and I hold hands after exiting from the limousine and walk toward a line of other couples in the humid May night. Excitement fills the air, as couples and friends converse with each other while they wait to get into prom. “Kayla, you look so beautiful in that dress,” says a girl to Kayla. “Thank you, look at you, I love what you did with your hair,” Kayla says back. “Matt this is my friend Trish, Trish this is my boyfriend Matt I told you about,” Kayla says. Trish waves to me, “Nice to finally meet you.” “I have to find Trevor, see you both inside,” she says walking away.
When we finally get to the front of the line I hand the bouncer our prom tickets. He points us to the direction to where we get our prom photo. Kayla flaunts her dress in a humorous manner as the camera flashes. After, we head inside the elegant banquet hall to the sound of music and excited seniors anxious to graduate.
“Matt, do you think he’s dead,” a guy with his girlfriend debating with another couple about Joey Fontane at our table asks. “I don’t know, but I do know that we should enjoy this night,” I say. He waves me off and continues his debate. “Do you want to dance,” I ask Kayla. She nods, so I stand up and take her hand. Kayla and I find a spot on the crowded dance floor. I didn’t realize it but three hours flies right by.
“Okay, okay Mountain High let’s settle down, it’s been a great night so far. It’s now time to announce the prom King and Queen. Could Kyle Anderson and Amanda Jackson please come onto the stage,” the D.J. shouts into his microphone over the loud crowd. The D.J. places the king throne on Kyle and queen throne Amanda. “Okay seniors this is your last dance before graduation find your dance partner and head to the dance floor,” the D.J. tells us.
A slow moving song plays. I hold Kayla close to me as we dance slowly to the music. I don’t want this feeling, this moment to end. “I decided against attending Sale University. I enrolled at Galvon University,” Kayla says into my ear. “I thought you liked the program at Sale University,” I say as we continue to sway to the music. “I did but I could commute to Galvon. I want to be close to my family, and you. I don’t want to lose you,” she says. I can’t help but hold back a smile. Whatever we had I didn’t want it to end.
I wait near the limousine under the night stars as Kayla says good bye to her friends. I open the door for her as she comes near. “Well thank you,” she says.
The limousine takes a right turn onto the back road. “I had fun tonight. The school did a good job with everything,” Kayla says. She sits on top of me putting her hand inside my suite jacket. I take it off. We share a passionate kiss. I glide my hand gently and slowly down her body to her hips. A bright light shines through the limousine. A car honks obnoxiously behind. I slide open the glass divider between the driver in the front. “What’s going on,” I ask. “This fucking idiot is honking at me. Meanwhile he’s driving with his fucking high beams on,” he shouts. “Okay, just be careful these roads are windy,” I say nervously. “I know how to drive,” he says back.
I open my window, and stick my head out to get a better look. The sports car follo
wing us shuts their high beams. Through the darkness I see an outline of a person standing up through a sun roof holding a long object in their hands pointed directly at our limousine. The figure doesn’t flinch as the sport car continues to follow. “Fucking go man,” I yell to the driver fearing the worst.
I feel a sudden jerk as the car rises from the ground, flips over, grinds against the road, and slams into a tree with force. I open my eyes. The fire from the car burns against my skin. I don’t know where I am at the moment. I don’t know what happened, but my survival instincts tell me to get out of the car. I find a way out through a broken window on my side. I slide my body against the forest ground using both my elbows. I force myself up and walk unorthodox in a short bust before I collapse onto the forest ground. Lying on my back I look up at the stars. I remember I was at prom with Kayla. Shit, I need to get her in the car, I need to get her. I can’t move though. My mind wants to get up, and save her before the car reaches its inevitable conclusion and explodes from the fire. But I can’t get up, physically can’t get up. I force myself to find whatever I have into getting up in an