by Linda Nelson
Mr. Centon kept an eye on Neil. It was too obvious. So it was now or never.
“Karla, I have something I want to give to you.”
The talk around the table subsided with Neil’s announcement.
Neil produced the gray box to Karla. This was a big moment for Neil. He had never done anything like this before. Not even a bubble gum ring to a child hood sweet heart.
He handed over the box to Karla who carefully opened it to reveal the content inside.
A golden ring appeared in the box. It had a heart design and an amethysts stone inside the heart.
“Neil it is beautiful,” Gasp Karla.
It wasn’t like he was proposing to her, but still this ring had a lot of meaning to it.
Neil looked toward Mr. Centon. His face was void of expression, meaning he was probably awaiting an explanation for this sudden gift to his daughter.
“Karla, it is a friendship ring,” Neil explained.
Carrie who sat to the other side of Karla said softly to her, “That is also known as a Promise Ring.”
Karla was speechless. But her nonverbal response said a lot when she placed the ring on her finger and held it out before her, so she could see it sparkle in the light.
Neil continued, “Karla will you be my girlfriend? I mean – you know go out with me – that is if your dad will allow it.”
Karla didn’t hesitate. She wasn’t going to let her dad ruin this too. “Yes, I’ll go out with you.”
After desert, their movie night didn’t happen. Karla’s dad saw to that by announcing it was time for them to leave. Neil reassured her and managed to give her a quick peck on the cheek before her dad swept her from the house.
Karla was infuriated by her dad telling her that they had to go, but she held her tongue. Her night hadn’t been that bad now that she and Neil was an item. So they didn’t get to watch a movie together and cuddle up, so what.
She once again held her hand up before her and watched it shine when it caught the light from the streetlights. A promise ring – what was she supposed to be promising Neil and what was his promise to her? Was this supposed to be serious? Her dad seemed to act as if it were so by being all grumbly and in a hurry to get her out of that house. Was he afraid Neil was going to hurt her somehow or get her to do something wrong? Neil wasn’t that type of guy. Didn’t her dad see that?
He is an honor student who has plans for his life. What was her dad so afraid of?
Chapter 33
Eight o’clock Saturday night rolled around. Ashley felt like crap. Her head hurt, and a sudden trickle had developed in the back of her throat. Even her body had begun to hurt all over. This just added to the misery she felt about Neil.
Maggie finally called her back.
“Maggie was Neil upset when I left?”
“No.”
“He wasn’t?”
“God, I don’t believe it. What happened after I left?”
“I’m not really sure.”
“What do you mean, you’re not really sure? Who did he sit with? Wasn’t he still sitting at our table?”
“I don’t know?”
“Maggie what has gotten into you? You’re not the same person lately. You’ve been acting odd.”
“I guess it might have something to do with this medicine I have to take. It makes me feel funny, and it clouds my mind making it hard to think about things. I tried to stop taking it, but mom said that when I do I do things that are not right. I got suspended from school.”
“What – How? When – Maggie what did you do?”
“The teachers said that I walked up to Neil and tried to hit him. Now I can’t remember why I did that.”
“Could it have had something to do with the fact that he broke up with me at the dance?”
“Maybe, but I can’t remember. You know, Ashley, you weren’t really that nice to him at all. Even before the dance. I would never have treated Gerry like that. I would have treated him like he was – I don’t know – maybe King or something. But I wouldn’t have been as abusive as you were to him.”
“I didn’t think I was mean to him. Why do you say that?”
“Ashley, you don’t go around hitting people or kicking or yelling at them all the time and expect them to like you.”
“But you do – “
“I used to before I started taking this medicine and seeing the shrink.”
“Well – I liked you the way you were even if you were mean. It was fun.”
“It’s not fun when your parents threaten to ground you for being expelled. The school said I have to see this shrink if I want to come back to school, and if I don’t see the shrink and take the meds then the school is thinking about pressing charges against me for bullying. I don’t know how they can do that, but that’s what they say.”
“Oh, so what should I do about Neil? How do I get him back?”
“You don’t.”
“What do you mean? I have to get him back.”
“Ashley, find someone else. You can’t expect him to take you back after the way you were to him. You need to find someone else. Maybe if you can make him jealous then he might want you back, but there’s no guarantee.”
“But what if he goes out with Karla?”
“That isn’t your problem. Just find someone else.”
“I so hate the new you.”
“Well get used to it, cause I don’t want to be grounded or go to jail.”
“So when are you coming back to school?”
“In a couple of weeks.”
Right after she hung up, Ashley crawled off to bed. She had never felt so sick in her life. Between her break up with Neil and the fact that there was no way she was going to get him back and how her body presently felt, she thought she was going to die.
By morning, she was as sick as one could be. By Monday morning, her mom was taking her off to see their own doctor.
Apparently her little stroll in the frigid air in a coat not meant for walking in such weather had set her up for a bad bout of pneumonia. She was bedridden for the week with her Mom to fuss over how she had become so ill all of a sudden.
Ashley made a personal note in her mind to never walk home from school in a dress when it was below freezing out, no matter if she was upset with her date for the night.
She never told her mom about what happened that night. Every time her mom brought up the subject of the dance Ashley found a way to change the subject. Either her mom never realized that she was avoiding any discussion of the dance or she just plain forgot about asking after a few weeks went by. Never the less, Ashley was glad she had stopped asking.
When she finally returned to school the first week back was just plain awful. Everywhere she looked; there Karla and Neil were together looking like the cutest couple on the face of the Earth. It hurt. She wanted so badly to go over and punch Karla’s lights out, but Maggie wouldn’t let her.
Maggie responded by saying something about turning over a new leaf. Whatever that meant was beyond Ashley.
Chapter 34
The next few months dragged on as the students awaited the end of the school year. Ashley and Maggie both were hired to work at the Movie Theater on the weekends and during the summer vacation, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise for both of them. That is where they met Aden and Ben. It was one of those unexpected awkward moments late at night when the last movie showing took place.
A week before Memorial Day the two boys who happened to be very good friends decided to see a late Friday night showing of Defying Death, a thriller top box office hit. There weren’t many customers on this particular night, maybe only a handful bought tickets for the showing. It was, so quiet Maggie decided they should close up the food court early.
Just as they were cleaning out the popcorn machine, Aden approached the counter where Ashley was busy cleaning it up for the night and restocking the candy selection. She knew he was standing there but decided to pretend she didn’t see him. Meanwh
ile, she kept sneaking peeks at him from below while filling the candy.
The guy was well built, tall, muscular, clean cut and shaven. He wore blue jeans and a black t-shirt. His biceps were what caught Ashley’s eyes.
Ashley had seen many a customer whom she would have loved to have run off with at any given moment, but so far this guy was the dreamiest. She could imagine being held in those arms.
Aden stood there for a good minute before he cleared his throat, which sounded more like a growl of a bear ripping Ashley away from a dream world of him and her. “Excuse me,” he said, “Can I get two Peppers and two large butter popcorns?”
Maggie looked toward the trash can where she had just moments ago poured the popcorn. “We do not have any more popcorn. You can have the sodas though.”
Ben appeared beside Aden. “What is a movie without popcorn? Can’t you make some more?” He leaned on the counter in such a way that his button down short sleeve shirt exposed a glimpse of the solid chest beneath it.
Maggie licked her lips she hadn’t seen anyone so fine since Gerry. “Ashley, you get them their sodas while I make a small batch of popcorn for our friends.” She loaded the popcorn into the machine while scooting Ashley away from the counter with a soft push of her foot.
Ashley almost fell flat on her ass. She winced and glared at Maggie but with held her complaint for later when their company was gone.
The popcorn popped while Maggie leaned against the counter so she could see his chest better. “So how is the movie?” She wiggled her butt ever so slightly back and forth.
“It would be so much better if we had a couple of girls to watch it with.”
“Maybe we could accompany you next time,” Maggie replied.
Ben leaned closer to her. “When do you get off?”
“Well that is a two sided question.” Maggie teased. “Or are you meaning when do we have time off?”
“I personally like the two sided question,” Ben replied. “I could call you if you have a number.”
Maggie ripped off a piece of cash register tape and scribbled her cellphone number on it and slid it across the counter to Ben. “Maggie huh? Could we treat you two girls to a burger or something after closing tonight?”
Ashley brought the sodas to the counter. “Are you asking us out on a date?”
“Pay no attention to her. My friend here, Ashley, would love to accompany us for burgers after work. But if you stay here at the counter, you guys are going to miss the rest of the movie, and we won’t be able to leave right away. We have to finish cleaning up before we close the theater.”
“We could help you,” Aden offered.
“What about your popcorn?” Ashley asked.
“You can help us eat it.” Ben said while he tossed a kernel into the air at Maggie to catch with her mouth. She missed it as it bounced off her chest making her giggle.
“I’m not good at that, we’ll only make a bigger mess.”
“Ben, let’s say screw the movie and help these girls out. I think it is only right.”
“No – No – you guys go. We have to do this ourselves, company rules. Go watch the movie and we will see you in half an hour. Just wait at the door for us to lock up,” Maggie said while she began to clean the popcorn machine one last time.
Maggie and Ashley watched the two guys take their soda and popcorn back to their seats. As soon as the turned the corner, Maggie grabbed Ashley by her shoulders and shook her, squealing, “We got a date. Can you believe that? We got dates with the hottest guys I have ever laid eyes on.”
Ashley didn’t look impressed. “But it will be after mid-night. I can’t be out too late. I’ll get in trouble.”
“Screw it, if you won’t do it I will.” Maggie pulled her cellphone out and dialed Ashley’s number. She waited a moment before speaking. “Hello, Mrs. Croft, this is Maggie. I was calling to ask, I know it is late, but would it be alright if Ashley stays at my house tonight. I really need someone to talk to – you know – Thank you – I’ll tell her. Thanks again.”
Maggie turned back to Ashley, “There done. Now you won’t get in trouble.”
“Maggie, you’re bad.”
“No – I’m just good at being me.” Maggie said while running the carpet sweeper across the floor behind the counter. “After you take care of the till we will be done here.”
They closed up the theater as quickly as they could. When the movie ended a small crowd of people exited with no sign of the two guys. Where could they be?
Just when Maggie was about to go and check to make sure the theaters were empty Ben and Aden appeared. She couldn’t believe this night was happening. After a quick check with flashlights to make sure the cinema was empty of customers the girls locked up.
Ben pulled his red Miata beside Maggie’s used dented Escort. The girls had decided to follow the guys to a place across town that was open twenty four seven. It was a little down town dinner that happened to not be in the best part of town, but the food was pretty good there.
They took a table next to the windows and let the guys order for them. The girls felt awkward about eating at this time of night. What one would do for a date these days?
“So are you from around here?” Maggie asked. She couldn’t remember ever seeing these two guys before. She was a Brantwood townie having had lived in this town all her life. Even though it was a good size town she knew almost all the upper and lower classmen who had gone to Brantwood High. Neither Ben nor Aden looked familiar.
Ben rested his back against the back of the seat and smiled. “No, we are from Medham.”
A chill went down Maggie’s back. “So you must know Karla Centon then.”
Aden raised an eyebrow. His brown eyes had Ashley mesmerized. “Heard of her, I think she is the one who has the whacked mother. Never talked to her though, I just know someone who knew her. Why do you ask, do you know her?”
“Kind of –,“ Maggie replied. “She goes to Brantwood High.”
“So you are both seniors right?” Ashley asked.
Aden smiled at her, melting her inside. Even Neil couldn’t make her feel like that with his smile. “No, we graduated two years ago. We’re both home on leave.”
“Military men…,” Maggie leaned forward against the table. She adored military men. They were heroes in her eyes. After all, they do for the country. “Both of you?”
“We’re Marines,” Aden replied. “Just finished basic training, we’re home for a couple of weeks before we get our assignments.”
“You both must be seniors though,” said Ben.
“We’re -,” Ashley started to say before she got a swift kick from Maggie.
“Graduating this summer,” Maggie said quickly before they could tell that she had just cut Ashley off.
“That’s even better.” Ben reached across the table and stroked a finger along Maggie’s hand.
Just his touch did things to her; things she had never had stir inside her before this moment. He was the guy for her. All along she had thought that Gerry was the one. But after what Ben made her feel, he was definitely the one.
The rest of their time at the dinner went this way. Maggie and Ashley had all they could do to resist going home with the guys that night. They were asked, and both kindly declined with Ashley saying she normally has to have a couple of dates with a guy before she would even consider going to their place.
When they parted both Maggie and Ashley had dates for the following day. They had the day off anyway, so it looked like it was going to be a perfect day for the beach with their new military men.
On the way home, Maggie couldn’t stop talking about Ben. It was Ben this and Ben that. Did you see how dreamy his eyes were? Ashley was the same way about Aden.
Summer was really looking good. Ashley was glad that she and Neil had broken up. What was she thinking when Neil came along anyway? Aden was the guy for her not Neil.
Chapter 35
Karla and Neil continued to be together for th
e rest of the school year. Her grades kept continuing to improve and didn’t go unnoticed by her dad who had by now let her off from being grounded. He finally had loosened his grasp on her life and allowed her to see Neil more freely.
The two of them were the hot item at school.
Ashley left them alone, but did give the occasional glare at Karla from time to time. Maggie now left her well enough alone. No more outbursts, pushing or hitting from her. Karla was thankful for this.
She couldn’t help but notice that Maggie appeared to be someone else. She wasn’t the same girl she was back at the beginning of the year. Karla almost liked her.
Karla wasn’t the only one who noticed the sudden change in Maggie. Many of the other students noticed the change. She wasn’t acting so crazy.
The only ones who knew why Maggie had changed were the teaching staff and Ashley. No one else knew that Maggie was seeing a shrink and taking medication for a serious mental health problem she had been diagnosed with.
By the time April rolled around Karla had raised her grades high enough so she could go out and get a part time job working at her favorite venue, Abercrombie. Now she would be able to afford the clothes she had always wanted to wear. The first time she let someone in the dressing room she remembered the time she had come here with Carol. That was the day she had first witnessed someone shoplifting. Now that she knew how it was done she knew what to be on the lookout for.
Neil continued with wrestling after school and placed second in the state finals. His mom did learn about his participation and didn’t get as upset about it as he thought she would. She even went to a couple of his matches to cheer him on with Karla by her side.
When May came around, Neil was feeling down. Karla couldn’t get it out of him why he was feeling so down. He just kept telling her it would pass. She worried about him. It hadn’t been too long ago that she had felt that way. She remembered it well. Hopefully it wasn’t something real serious.
