Silent Key

by Erin Leland Tuttle

  Chapter Nine: Waiting for Thee

  I drove. I drove because it felt like I was flying. I drove because I could open my car windows and turn up the music and sing as loud as I wanted. I drove because spring was coming to Kentucky and it felt like life was blooming, including my own. 

  With dedication and hard work, my reputation was growing. I had started to pick up a few young piano students that I could teach in the afternoon after school. I also continued to play wedding gigs whenever possible. It wasn't much, but it put some cash in my fairly empty pockets. 

  My car leapt over the top of a hill and I squealed, feeling the jolt in my stomach. It was a gorgeous day. The fact that Aaron and I had not spoken since Valentine's Day did not faze me (or at least I told myself that), nor did the fact that Jacob McGammon still shot glances my way, scanning every inch of my body and mind. Let him look. He couldn't touch me. Not really.

  My dear Reagan, I thought as I rounded a curve. With the help of her quirky undying love, I came to the realization that whatever happened in the ravine in June did not concern me. In a way, Aaron was right. No reports, no arrests, no harm done. I dropped it all like a cartoon anvil and decided to start over.

  ____________

  When I pulled my car up to the dorm, Reagan met me in the parking lot. 

  "Foster, I just wanted to let you know that we're meeting in the lobby. I saw you pull up and didn't want you to walk in and feel awkward."

  "What? Who?"

  "The Sweden Troupe. Me, Aaron, McGammon, Stephania, Dr. Jeremy, all of us."

  "Oh."

  "I'm sorry. I thought you were gone for the day and I offered. Hot Beans doesn't really want us meeting there anymore. Apparently we're too obnoxious and disturb the other customers." 

  I smiled. "Rea, it's fine. I promise. I'm just walking through."

  She started. "Oh. You're coming in?"

  "Yes, why wouldn't I? It's my dorm, too ..."

  "No, I'm not saying that. I just meant ... " Then she smiled. "You know what? That's great. I'm proud of you." Taking my hand, we headed across the parking lot together.

  As we opened the heavy front door, I heard Stephania laugh. "Aaron! You silly boy!"

  Good God, I thought, but stood tall and followed Reagan inside.

  Upon seeing me, Stephania stood. "Foster!" She bounced across the room and embraced me. "You look so fabulous! There's a glow to your cheeks, how lovely!"

  I chuckled. "Thank you. You always know how to make a mousy girl feel good."

  As she stepped back, I made eye contact with the group. Aaron stood.

  "Hello Foster. It's really nice to see you."

  "It's nice to see you, as well."

  I would be lying if I said that my heart didn't flutter making eye contact with him again. 

  Others offered hellos. Dr. Jeremy shook my hand. Jacob, still seated, was the last to speak.

  "Miss Farraday. Congratulations on your new piano students. I'm sure you will give them all they need."

  I looked at Reagan and she shrugged slightly, admitting that she had shared my news.

  "Thank you, Dr. McGammon," I said, then looked back to the group, "Well, I'll leave you guys to do your thing."

  As I began to walk away, I noticed that Aaron was still standing. Feeling quite happy from my joyride, I looked over my shoulder and said, "You may sit back down, Mr. Hagan. The queen has left the room." 

  Stephania, Reagan, and a few of the other girls burst into laughter but I didn't look back again. When I got to our room, I leapt onto my bed and giggled. It was the best I had felt in a long time.

  ____________

  It was a few hours later when I looked up from my homework and realized that the sky had grown dim. Stretching, I stood up, my rear end tingly and numb. I grabbed my purse walked down to the lobby. As I popped the top of a can of soda from the machine, I heard familiar murmuring outside of the front door. 

  Tiptoeing across the lobby, I pressed my ear to the door, feeling guilty to be eavesdropping. Soon I began to make out words. There were two distinct voices.

  "What did he say when you told him?"

  "He laughed. I don't know. He just laughed."

  "I don't know why you talked to him about it, Aaron. There was no reason to do that."

  "I think I just wanted to see his reaction. It was bothering me."

  "But you don’t believe her. So why now?"

  "I told you, Reagan, I don't know. We were hanging out and it just came out."

  "Was he upset?"

  "No. Again, I told you he laughed. Like it was the funniest thing he had ever heard. He fell back on the floor and rolled. Literally. When he sat up, tears were running down his cheeks."

  "What did you do?"

  "I laughed, too. Mainly at him. Then he asked who else she had told."

  "And you told him me? And Dr. Lane?"

  "No. Only you. I kind of forgot about Dr. Lane. Did she mention McGammon’s name to him?"

  "No, just the situation. What about Grant?"

  "I didn't know about Grant. Did she tell Grant?"

  "No. I did. I thought you knew that."

  "No. I didn't. But it doesn't matter. He acted like I was talking about a movie I had just seen. It didn't seen to faze him. And you saw the way he reacted to her today. Not a flicker of anything."

  "No, not to her. But I didn't like the way he kept touching my leg today."

  "He does that to everybody, Reagan. He's very touchy."

  "God, Aaron, stop acting like this guy shits gold. I’ve sensed something odd on him lately. Then today after Foster walked in, I dunno. It got worse. That's when he got really touchy with me." 

  "You have nice legs. A little short for my taste, but nice."

  "Stop trying to make light of this."

  "I just want to leave, Reagan. I'm tired. Are we done?"

  "Listen, you're the one who started this conversation. What else happened?"

  "Nothing. Nothing at all. I just wanted to tell you so you'd be aware."

  "Well, okay. Will you let me know if he says anything else?"

  "Yes, yes. I'll see you later."

  I didn't hear Reagan say goodbye because I was doing a fast-paced tiptoe back to the stairs, pretending I was just coming down.

  As Reagan came back in, I smiled. "Hey, lady."

  "Oh!" She jumped. "Hey. You scared me. I was just saying goodbye to our team."

  "Cool. How did things go?"

  "Fine. Fine. Just fine. We leave in a few months so, you know, planning."

  "I see." I stood, sipping my drink. "Are you alright?"

  "I'm fine. Why?"

  I smiled. "No reason. I'm going back out for a while."

  "Okey-dokey. Have you eaten dinner?"

  "I'm not hungry. I'll eat later." 

  Reagan stood planted to the floor as I passed her, kissed her cheek, and walked out the door, soda can still in hand. "Be careful," she called.

  As I reached the parking lot, I saw Aaron pulling away. I lifted my hand to wave but he never saw me.

  It was starting to get dark but I crawled back in my car anyway. Maybe I would drive to Lexington. Though our small college town was winding down for the night, the city would surely still be bustling on such a warm evening. Besides, I was craving tacos.

  As I put my car in reverse and pulled out of the lot, I didn't notice the headlights of the car at the opposite end of the lot suddenly pop to life and angle in my direction.