Finally...One Summer (Just One of the Guys)

by Kristi Pelton

  I nodded to no one. “I love you.”

  “Me too, baby. Bye.”

  Me too? He’d never said ‘me too’ before. What did that mean? He always followed up with ‘and I love you.’ My stomach rolled and I curled up under the sheets. It was time for me to get up too or I’d be late for school.

  After pulling my hair into a ponytail, I depressingly clomped down the stairs. Both Mom and Dad sat in the kitchen reading the paper with the TV in the corner reciting the morning news.

  “Morning Bug,” Dad said with a smile.

  Mom kissed my cheek before she put her bowl in the dishwasher. “I have a showing tonight at 5:00, 6 and possibly 7. So…I’m iffy for dinner. But with Zach coming, I’m guessin you won’t be joining us anyway.”

  “He’s not coming,” I said barely over a whisper.

  “Oh, honey. Why?”

  Her concern unnerved me. “Has a lot of work to do,” I snapped.

  She consoled me by patting my shoulder then walked out. “We could do Italian at 8:00 if you want?”

  I shook my head. “No,” I shouted after her. “You and dad go ahead. I think I might…”

  “Quiet!” Dad shouted and I spun around to see what was wrong. He stared at the TV with remote in hand turning up the volume.

  When I glanced at the screen, it felt like every last ounce of air had been sucked from my lungs. My knees began to tremble and I grabbed one of the barstools to steady myself as the morning anchor reported:

  Paul Ramon Talley, a senior at the University of Oregon, was killed last night following a party. He was severely beaten. An autopsy will be performed. Paul Talley was twenty-two years old and was originally from Battleground, Washington. Foul play is suspected and Eugene police are investigating.

  Paul’s face was splashed across the screen and my stomach violently cramped.

  Dad looked at me and I faked a grin.

  “Hmmm,” was all he said as he left the kitchen and I was glad. There was no way I could talk.

  I wasn’t sure my legs would get me back up to my room so I could call Zach, but I had to try. Paul was dead.

  I could barely dial the number and when I did punch it in and hit send, he didn’t answer. I tried Ryan next—no answer. School was going to start in twenty minutes and I was going to be late.

  The day dragged by and I tried both Ryan and Zach between classes. No luck. My attention level was minimal at best and I hoped I missed nothing too critical. I walked around in a trance, and even the queen bees left me alone obviously noticing my despair. After school, I lied to Coach and told him I was sick. I think given the look on my face, he believed me. I realized this wasn’t in my best interest when it came to securing a state championship, but today I just couldn’t do it.

  The house was quiet when I got home, and I piddled around doing little things to keep my mind occupied. I knew the guys were out of classes but neither Zach nor Ryan were answering or returning my three hundred missed calls. I tried Austin. He didn’t answer either.

  My empty stomach growled begging for food. I hadn’t eaten all day, but the thought of putting something in my mouth made me nauseous. I fell onto the sofa and mindlessly flipped through the channels. When the phone finally rang, I sprinted to pick it up.

  “Hello?”

  “Em. I’m running late. Just wanted to let you know,” Dad said.

  My heart sunk. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “See ya in a bit.”

  “Bye.”

  It was 6:00 and though I didn’t normally watch, I turned on the local news. The story of Paul Talley was the headline, and I stopped breathing as the anchor spoke. It was a recent picture because he looked the same as he did the night on the beach. Even in the thick fog that night, I recognized the curly hair of his sideburns and the bushiness of his eyebrows. I remembered his hair being darker than the picture. His eyes were dark and cold and sent goose bumps over my skin. The story was no different than this morning. At this time there were no leads in the case.

  It was after 9 when Zach finally called back and I pounced on my phone.

  “Why haven’t you answered?”

  “I told you I had work to do. I’ve been at the library.”

  “Without your phone?” I asked skeptically.

  “Yeah. I see you’ve called like fifty times. Is something wrong?”

  I needed to see him in person. Was he joking? Surely, he’d seen or heard the news around campus. “Zach. Don’t…don’t.”

  “Don’t what, Em”

  “Zach. Don’t play around. I’m serious.”

  “Emma. Tell me what you’re talking about?”

  “PAUL!” I yelled startling myself.

  He was quiet and didn’t respond for a moment. “What about Paul?” he asked calmly. “Have you heard from him?” he growled.

  “He’s dead. Someone killed him,” I barely got the words out before I covered my mouth with my hand.

  “How do you know? Where?”

  My arm naturally wrapped around my stomach trying to ease the pain I’d felt all day. “Zach. He goes to the university. It was on the news. Did you know?” My voice fearfully broke at the end.

  “Emma. What happened to him?”

  “I don’t know,” I cried. “They aren’t sure. They’re doing an autopsy.”

  The tears were uncontrollable.

  “Let me see what I can find out here and I’ll call you. OK?”

  “OK. Call me back, though.”

  “I will. Calm down, baby.”

  “Bye.”

  I didn’t sleep well and the harsh wind battering the windows didn’t help. The needles of the pine tree outside my window scratched the glass making me feel as eerie as the night. I tossed and turned keeping my phone in my hand but no calls. My irritation grew with the pending storm outside. When my alarm sounded the next morning, I think I had finally found the sleep I’d searched for most of the night.

  After a quick shower, I tied my hair back, threw on my jersey, grabbed my cross-country bag and headed downstairs. Dad wasn’t up yet, but mom drank her coffee in the kitchen looking out the French doors.

  “Morning, sweetheart. I don’t know if you’re going to get this meet in today?”

  “Maybe that’s a good thing. The wind kept me awake most of the night. I’m so tired.” Only part of what I said was a lie.

  She started cutting me an apple. Peanut butter and apple slices were my normal breakfast before a meet, and though I could cut my own, I think she enjoyed it. She slid the plate in front of me.

  “You best hurry. The bus is leaving in forty minutes.”

  “I know. Thanks, Mom.”

  By the time our team got to Klamath Falls, the harsh rain slammed against the bus. I think the team prayed for thunder knowing we’d still run in precipitation but thunder would cancel. My thoughts remained on the other brewing storm in my life, which was two hours away. Zach didn’t know that Paul went to school there, which comforted me little, but at least he had nothing to do with it… I couldn’t finish the thought. Ryan, Grant, Seth…Austin…they did know. But, they had let it go. Hadn’t they?

  Coach had gotten off the bus and gone in to talk to the Klamath Falls coach and we all stayed put. Some of the boys were acting up, making gross sounds in the front of the bus. Ali and I laughed and kept our IPOD’s in our ears. As I closed my heavy lids, I pictured Paul…he was attacking someone, but this time it wasn’t me. She fought like I did and I felt her pain. Suddenly, he was off of her and a guy was on top of him. It was no one I knew, and as I released an extended held breath, I liked that scenario better than the others that had filtered through my brain over the extraordinarily long night. Some faceless nameless guy was to blame for Paul’s untimely death. That’s how it happened. Right?

  Coach stepped back on the bus with a frown and the guys up front cheered. He shot them a glare then took his seat, as the bus started moving again. Just as we veered on to the two-lane highway, a jagged lightening bolt lit the ov
ercast sky. After phoning mom and dad, I lay my head against Ali’s shoulder and she lay against the window.

  The torrential rains hit our driveway so hard it appeared as if the rain was coming from the ground as it ricocheted off the cement and back up. I’d made up my mind I was going to Eugene today, and I came to grips with the fact that I would have to lie. I hated lying. Especially to my parents. But my phone wasn’t ringing from Zach and I couldn’t just sit here. It was only two hours. I’d done it before, only not in this kind of weather.

  Mom and Dad were out so I left a note that I was catching up with Lauren and I’d call them later. I figured I’d get caught and would deal with the repercussions later.

  The rain and the wind were worse than I imagined. I-5 going north was mountainous with steep grades going up and down. Truck flashers flickered in the distance from the slow lane as their load battled the storm. I kept the Audi in the middle lane but still watched the distance between the guardrail and me. The intimidating rain pounded on the windshield and even on high the wipers weren’t doing an effective job.

  By the time I reached Eugene, my shoulders and back ached from riding nearly three hours with the stressful tension. Mom and Dad hadn’t called yet, luckily. The college area was confusing, and I hoped I could find the duplex on my own. Crap!! Austin’s car was parked at Seth’s next door, so I parked out of the way around the corner. I ran, getting drenched and ignorantly dodging a crack of thunder. I was shocked to see Zach’s mom’s car in the driveway. I hadn’t noticed it when I spotted Austin’s Rover and drove past.

  At the door, I wiped the water from my face then opened the door knowing I might see more than I bargained for with a houseful of boys. I stepped into the dark room lit only by the small lamp in the corner.

  I attempted a smile as I blinked the water from my eyes and scanned the room. A flutter from the corner got my attention as it looked like something darted from the room.

  “Runt! What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming today,” Ryan stood.

  Zach’s mom sat upright in a chair with her legs crossed. She had on jeans and a short-sleeved button down sweater. Her timid smile made me nervous as my eyes moved from Grant to Ryan to Seth and finally to Austin. His head was down, his focus on the floor. He wouldn’t look at me. No one looked happy, least of all Zach’s mom.

  “I wasn’t coming but… Hi. Mrs. Owens.”

  She stood and held her arms open. “Hi sweetheart. How are you?”

  Her embrace felt good and I hugged her extra long. “Where’s Zach?” My eyes flickered to Austin as I asked. Still not looking.

  “Runt. You should go home,” Ryan ordered.

  I rolled my lip into a snarl. “What’s your problem?”

  He wrapped his hands behind his neck and glanced up at the ceiling.

  “Mrs. Owens. What’s wrong? Why are you here?”

  My stomach hurt and I suddenly felt sick as a look of pity crossed her face. Her palm gently brushed my cheek.

  “Honey. Zach told me.”

  “Told you what?” I was confused. Austin was there too. Had they gotten in a fight? What was going on?

  Her arms wound around me again like a mother nurturing her young. The embrace felt good, but I still didn’t understand. Austin finally glanced up at me in her arms then quickly looked away. But his gaze was long enough that I saw it…I saw him…his face. I broke free and fell to my knees in front of him cradling his chin and lifting it.

  “Don’t, Emma,” he whispered trying to pull away.

  My grip tightened and I held his face in my hands. “He did this?” I hissed as I touched his bruised cheek and the purplish bridge of his nose. Blood had begun to seep beneath the skin near the corners of his eyes. “Austin,” I whispered as my fingers traced the bruises.

  He shook his head denying my words.

  “Zachary Dale. Get out here,” his mother gritted through her teeth loudly.

  I spun around to glare down the hall as he casually slid around the corner. He was the one who had darted from the room. I’d say his eyes were intense…but it was only one eye. The other was swollen and purple bordering black. His bottom lip was twice its normal size with a scabbed slit down the middle.

  “Wha…” I didn’t have the air to get the whole word out.

  “Em. Listen,” he said. “You’re right. Austin and I had a problem and we’re trying to work it out but…”

  “Zachary!”

  My head instinctively snapped toward his mother, her angry glare aimed at Zach.

  “What?” I asked her.

  “Mom. Leave her out of this.”

  I glanced around the room. Grant’s mouth was cockeyed and open. Ryan’s eyes were closed and his arms crossed over his chest. Seth stared at me. Had they taken sides in the fight? My actions had torn them all apart.

  A loud rumble of thunder shook the house startling me and causing the lights to flicker.

  “Why did you fight?”

  “You know why, Em,” Zach quickly answered.

  Austin stood glowering at him. “Zach. I won’t lie to her.”

  “Go to hell, Austin!” Zach shouted.

  Both of them stared at each other in a stand-off…brows lowered, lips pulled tight, chests extended, fists clenched.

  “Gentleman. We will tell Emma the truth,” Zach’s mom announced to the room.

  The corners of Austin’s mouth twitched but not in a smile.

  “Mom.”

  She held her hand up to stop the conversation. “It’s not open for discussion. Emma. Zachary told me about Paul.”

  Her direct words hit me like a car grazing a bird. It doesn’t kill the bird but dazes it…leaves it stunned…unable to fly. Everyone in the room already knew except for her. I covered my face ashamed.

  Zach’s arms wrapped around me. “I’m sorry.”

  I looked up at him. “Why? And why would that make you and Austin fight?”

  Zach dropped his arms and walked away shaking his head. I turned to Austin, whose head was back. His fingers were intertwined and his palms covered his eyes. My eyes found Zach again and a low hum escalated into a full-blown growl as his fist explosively hit the wall.

  “FUCK!” He shouted.

  I covered my mouth to prevent a scream from coming out. “What?” I cried. I’d never seen him so upset and it scared me. Tears came fast, not pooling, but immediately spilling over. “What?” I asked again.

  “Em,” Austin spoke taking two measured steps toward me then stopped himself and grimaced as his outstretched arm fell to his side. “Zach and I didn’t fight each other.”

  “Who’d you fight then?” I asked confused. Then out of the blue the pieces fell together. Zach had told his mom about Paul…because he had to…because Austin and Zach had… I twisted around till all of our eyes met. The room spun…no…my head spun. I didn’t feel the vomit coming but it did and I didn’t stop it. I threw up right on the wood floor as I fell to my knees.

  “Zachary. Get her to the bathroom. Ryan, get me some paper towels and the trash can. Grant, get a wet wash cloth for Emma.”

  I heard her calmly giving directives as Zach whisked me into his arms and sat me on his knee next to the toilet. “It’s OK, baby.” He brushed the hair from my face.

  My breathing was erratic and I pushed him away. His eyes widened.

  “Get away from me,” I cried shoving him. Because he was on one knee he fell off balance, and I ran from the bathroom still lightheaded and holding onto the wall.

  Ryan caught me and lifted my feet off the ground as I kicked.

  “Emma. Calm down and listen to us,” he demanded.

  “No. Ryan. Leave me alone. I want to go home.”

  Zach was at his side staring at me with pained eyes.

  “You…k killed him. Didn’t you?”

  “Ryan. Please bring her over here,” Mrs. Owens said softly.

  Ryan supported me in one arm and sat me next to her.

  “Sweetheart. Listen t
o me.”

  I couldn’t be angry with her nor could I be rude. My eyes explored hers hoping for answers. Her hands covered my trembling ones.

  “The boys could be in trouble.”

  “Trouble?” I interrupted. “The last time I checked, killing someone got you a life sentence.”

  “Em! Shut up!” Ryan yelled.

  “Stop, Ryan,” Zach countered.

  “Both of you shut it and give her a minute,” Austin added scowling at the younger boys.

  “Emma,” Zach’s mom whispered. “Zachary didn’t kill Paul.”

  My eyes flashed to Austin. They all read my thoughts.

  “Neither did Austin,” she said. “There was a party and…”

  “Mom. Let me tell her.”

  She nodded and moved so her son could sit.

  He sat next to me and clasped his hands over mine. I freed mine instantly and he inhaled slowly, frustrated. I watched Austin stand so that Mrs. Owens could sit.

  “The girls down the street had a party. Seth had talked to Spencer about getting Paul to come. The four of us went and waited. I…didn’t even know what he looked like. Then when I saw the red tattoo on his arm, the one you’d told me about…come through door, it was hard to control the rage that rushed through me. Paul spotted Seth and back stepped toward the door. Austin, Grant and Ryan stayed put while I casually snuck out the back. We were afraid he was gonna bolt. He tried but I waited for him out front.”

  Mrs. Owens rubbed her forehead as she heard him speak the words. I was sure this wasn’t her first time to hear the story.

  “Seth, Ryan, Grant and…Austin…” distaste rolled off his tongue. “Moved in from behind. He stared at me, but didn’t know who I was. He didn’t know what I wanted. The anger boiling inside of me…I wanted him dead.”

  “Zachary,” his mother cautioned.

  My lips pulled down at the sides and his eyes softened.

  “But I didn’t kill him. We took on him and his friends. Five against seven. They didn’t even know why they were fighting. But Paul did. He didn’t know who I was, but he knew why I was there.”