by Jane West
Sara held her mug in hand. I watched the steam curl from the dark liquid. “Don’t worry about work or school today.” She appeared friendlier than usual. I suspected she might be back on her meds.
“Mom, I can’t afford to lose my job. I’m already late.”
“No, you’re okay.” She sipped her coffee. “Stay in bed. It’s not like you have somewhere to be.”
“Huh… yes, I do. I have a job.” I looked at her, puzzled.
“Take today off, is all I’m saying.”
“Well, that sounds dandy, but that doesn’t get the rent paid.” I stared at Sara, pointedly.
“Stop worrying! It’s been handled.”
A sudden dread washed over me. “Who paid the rent?”
Sara flashed a grin that was anything but sweet. “Someone very generous is taking care of our expenses. No more pinching pennies.”
Maybe I needed a healthy dose of Drano to unclog my brain but “I don’t get it.”
“A few minor changes have come into play.”
Dread washed over me.
Sara went on to say, “I have a new job! I’m Aidan’s caretaker. His parents asked me to watch over him while they are out of the States.” Sara smiled like the son of Satan.
I paused, mulling over her bullshit. “Why would Aidan Bane’s parents hire a stranger to watch over their precious son?”
Sara had a knack for spinning tales.
“Gee! Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she snapped.
“Sorry! It’s hard for me to swallow. You can’t manage your own self much less someone else’s child.”
“Well, Missy, get used to it! You were fired from your job, and I quit mine.”
“I’m only late.” I shook my head, sliding off the bed, scouting for my phone. “Where’s my phone!” I snatched up a pile of clothes off the floor and started going through the pockets. “I’ll call the newspaper and let them know I’m running a little late. Problem solved.”
A smug expression spread across Sara’s face. “I guess I have to yell louder! That newspaper job has sailed, kiddo. That’s what happens when one sleeps for three days.” She checked her hot pink nails.
“What?” I gawked at her.
“The baby oil? Slipping? Accident? Does any one of these rings a bell?” Sara shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee.
I dropped my pants in the middle of the floor and glared at her. “I slipped?”
“Yes, right on that hard noggin of yours too.”
“Where’s my phone?” I screeched. “I need my job!”
“It’s too late.” She sipped her coffee. “The job’s already been filled.”
“Mom, I can’t believe this is happening!”
“Did I not say things are just fine?” Sara’s behavior seemed peculiar even for her.
Then it dawned on me. “Has Bane been here?” I wondered if I’d been dreaming.
“Yes! That young man stayed right by your side the whole time. He called his fancy doctor. Real rich too! The doctor drove right over here in a limo that stretched all the way to Texas. Anyway, Dr. Ashor left medication for you to take.” Sara nodded over to the nightstand where a prescription bottle sat with my name printed on the label.
Despite the pill bottle, Sara’s story didn’t make sense to me. I reached up and touched my head. “Where’s the bandage, Mom?”
“Don’t be difficult.”
“If I had an accident, busted my head, then why do I feel perfectly fine?”
“If you don’t believe me then ask your boyfriend.”
Seeing how inspired Sara had become over Bane threw me back. “Mom, this is the same guy who took Francis down.”
“Oh, that little thing,” She waved her hand. “Francis and I had a misunderstanding.”
My brows puckered. “What kind of medication did the doctor prescribed?”
“Just something to make you sleep,” she paused. “Why?”
“Did the doctor give a diagnosis?”
“Of course, stupid! You have a concussion.”
“Did the doctor order any blood work or an X-ray?”
Sara twitched. “I didn’t get all the details.”
“Mom, Bane, and that doctor aren’t telling the whole story. Even I know giving sleeping pills to someone with a cracked skull can be fatal.”
Sara’s shoulders stiffened, and her face darkened.
“I can’t believe you are bitching!” Sara threw her arms in the air, angrily. “Whatever happened to gratefulness? Aidan’s generosity is a real good deal, missy! Not too many boys like him are going to cross your path. Take it while it’s hot!”
“Wow! Are we into cliché’s now?” I snarled.
“At least I’m not riding a rusting old bike!”
Oh, Lord! I couldn’t hold my tongue. “Is that what you did with Dad? Was he your opportunity?”
“Puttin’ it bluntly, yeah, that was one opportunity I wished I’d passed up.”
Ouch, that hurt! Not particularly what a child wanted to hear from a parent.
“Sorry to burden you.”
Sara knew how to push my buttons.
“I’m sure you are,” She retorted, glaring at me with murderous eyes.
I didn’t get why she blamed me for her misery. “Why are you team Aidan all of a sudden?”
Sara became edgy, nervous even. “Francis and Aidan both have settled their differences. Aidan promises to behave.”
I laughed before I could stifle it. “What about charming, Fran? Did he see the error of his ways?”
“Francis has no problem containing his distaste for those less than deserving.” She swallowed disdain.
I knew exactly her double meaning. Not only did Sara harbor resentment, but also she resented his presence. My mother feared Aidan Bane.
“Anyway, I’m not here to argue about Francis. I’m letting you know that I’m okay with you dating Aidan. I invited him over for Sunday dinner.”
“Huh, he’s not my boyfriend, but you have a splendid time at your dinner party. I won’t be coming.”
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. You’re bedridden.”
I shrugged dismissively. “Then I’ll stay in bed and read. I’m not entertaining Mr. Bane. We’re not even dating. Despite what you think, he’s not that kind of boy anyway. Even if he were, I’m the last girl on earth he’d ask out.”
“Why do you say that?” Sara’s brows collided.
“I don’t exactly run in his circle, Mom.” I crawled back in bed, drawing my knees to my chest.
“Maybe his circle isn’t as noble as you think.”
My jaw dropped. I think Sara just complimented me. “Thanks. I think.” I left it at that.
Longing
One more day in the house and I swore I'd combust. Ms. Noel came to visit me every day since my accident to make sure I didn’t want for anything.
Bane had disappeared, and no one knew where. Sara swore up and down that he’d never left my side during my state of unconsciousness. As odd as it sounded, I believed her.
Since I no longer had a job, sleeping in was a welcome change. It gave me a whole new take on life, at least in theory.
I'd messed around and lost track of time. I had only ten minutes to get to school. I managed to gulp down scalding coffee before I dashed outside for my bike.
I headed to the back porch. My footfalls bounced off the wooden planks as I hurried along.
When I reached the back, I stopped, gaping. “Where’s my bike?” I spun on my heels, raking my eyes over the porch and the lawn. Then a disturbing thought flooded my mind. Did I leave my bike at school? Oh, geez! I threw my hands on my hips ready to spit nails. “Goddamn! I bet my bike got jacked.” I stomped, pissed as hell.
I tried to recall the events of that day. Sara swore I’d slipped. Even Ms. Noel believed that I had a concussion. I bit my bottom lip, but I drew nothing but a blank.
I checked my watch. I had only eight minutes. “Where the hell is my bike?” Panic fil
led my voice. Maybe someone parked it in the garage. Dang! I balked. That old shed gave me the creeps. I'd been avoiding it since the day I'd parked my car in there. Now my beetle only collected cobwebs. I once hoped to have saved enough money to fix the flat. That dream died. Since I lost my job, I didn’t foresee any chance of ever getting it repaired.
It took some muscle to get that squeaky old door opened. The loud protest nearly busted my eardrum. Like most older homes, the garage sat in the back of the property, detached from the house.
I stood at the opening, peering inside. I spotted the drawstring to the ceiling lamp in the center of the shed. I kept heehawing to go inside. Spider and creepy crawlers dwelled in dark places like this. A faint light spilled inside, though it didn’t reach the back corner where my bike sat.
I checked my watch again. Now, I had only five minutes to get to school.
After mustering up enough nerve, I slowly eased inside the dark shed. My lungs tightened as I glued my eyes to the faint line of my bike. With no more time to waste, I darted for it.
Just as I reached for the handlebar, I stopped dead in my tracks. I froze, gawking at my car. “Oh my God!” The last time I checked, the beetle had a flat. I squatted down and brushed my hand over the left-rear tire. "Holy cow! It's new!" I jolted to a stand. My breath caught as I examined the other three tires. I scratched my head, flabbergasted. All fours tires were new.
How was this possible? Sara didn’t have any money. I tapped my finger against my lip. Maybe Francis forked over the dough? He could've had a moment of weakness, suffering remorse.
With the keys clasped in my palm, I slid inside the car. I turned the ignition, and the engine started with a shudder. A wide grin colored my face. “Sweet!” I sang as I put the gear in reverse and pressed my foot on the gas pedal.
Swirled in a bubble of happiness, I recalled a time when life didn't seem as complicated, back when Dad was alive. I drew in a sharp breath. I wished I could’ve shared this moment with him.
In spite of the quick ride, chances of beating the bell were doubtful, but this had to be my lucky day. I walked through the door of English, only a minute before the bell sounded off. I drew in a moment of relief as I made my way to my desk.
Sally appeared more than her usual chipper self this morning, smiling as I slid into my seat. “Hey,” I mumbled to her.
“Good morning!” her voice squeaked.
Unexpectedly, a deep voice bristled the back of my neck. “I see you got your car running.” How did I miss Bane? Didn’t I see his desk empty?
I turned half way in my seat, “You are correct!” I smiled.
“I take it you have recovered fully from your fall?” His blues were magnetic.
“I’m better. Thanks.” Suddenly a rush of questions churned my brain. “Hey?”
“Yes.” He inclined his head closer.
“You found me, right?”
A smug grin fluttered Bane's face as he slid low in his seat, stretching his long legs from underneath the desk. He nudged my thigh playfully as his gaze held me captive. “You are correct.” Now he was parroting me.
“We need to talk.”
“Sure. No problem.” His firm mouth curled as if always on the edge of laughter.
“Hmm, cool. Meet me during lunch at the Oak tree. You know the one.”
Bane suddenly sat up and tipped his chair close to me. “Let’s cut class and go to my place.” He spoke in a husky voice. “We’d have the whole place to ourselves.” He winked.
The boys on the row over started snickering, eyes darting our way.
I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him. “Are you a dick naturally or do you get up every morning practicing in the mirror?” I wanted to shove my foot up his hubris ass.
His breath tickled my cheeks. “I enjoyed our snuggling. I miss you.” A vaguely sensuous light flickered in his eyes as if he held a secret.
“It couldn’t have been that eventful. I can’t remember a lick.” I smiled with triumph.
The two boys burst into chortles. “Bane, she hates you, man!” The redheaded boy teased.
“Nah, she loves me. She just doesn’t know it yet.” His blues danced, confident.
Perfect timing, Ms. Jenkins walked in, and that ended any further tête-à-tête.
When class ended, Bane darted out the room. Sally lingered. She was up to something. Dread rushed through me. Since that fiasco with Sam, I remained reluctant to let Sally back in my good graces. I learned a long time ago, once a snake bits, you don’t go back for seconds. I avoided those two like the mafia avoiding taxes.
As I jostled my way out among the crowded students, Sally fell in line behind me. She cleared her throat. I tossed a sharp glance over my shoulder and grimaced.
“Have you been ill?” Sally tapped my shoulder. “You’ve missed a week of school. I would've called, but I didn't have your number.”
Bullshit! “You don’t have my number?” I shouldered my book bag.
“No. I don’t,” Sally shrugged. “I dropped by the diner to ask your mom, but the manager told me she isn’t working there anymore.”
“Yeah, I had the flu. Thanks for asking.” I shoved a smile in her face before ducking out the room and sprinting down the hall. I purposely skirted around the subject of Sara's job. If I didn't trust Sally as a close friend, I certainly didn't trust her with my personal life.
Just as I shoved the last book inside my locker and slammed the door, I jumped with a start. Sam leaned against the locker next to mine. Irritation flickered through me; I slugged him on the upper arm. “Damn! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
He laughed, raising his palms in defeat. “Sorry, Chickadee! My bad.”
“What do you want?” My eyes tightened. Was it raining douchebags today?
“I missed your beautiful face around ‘ere.” He scratched his chin, “Thought Old-Blue had thrown your body in the river.” I think I detected a little jealousy in his tone.
“Don’t even try acting like you care!” I threatened. “As far as I’m concern, you and Sally are hazardous waste.” I spun on my heels to leave until his fingers bit into my arm, halting me to a standstill. Shocked, I looked down at his hand and then back at him. A sudden burst of anger spiked. My head started to spin. Visions swirled in my mind, thrusting me back to that day of the explosion. Shit! My body began to shiver. A burning sensation coursed through me, setting my skin ablaze. I didn't understand.
Sam’s eyes widened. He must’ve seen the madness in my eyes. He jumped back, dropping his hold. “Gosh, you look awful!”
“I have to go!” I blurted out as I took flight and ran.
My heart raced, beads of sweat broke out over my body. I was having a meltdown. I couldn’t go to class this way. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling. If I didn’t get somewhere alone, I might implode and blow up the whole school. Oh, geez! I caused the explosion. Me! I looked around frantically. Where could I go? I spotted the girls’ restroom and started for it but then halted. I remembered the last time I entered the facility. I couldn’t chance in there. Then I thought my car! I'd be safe there.
I rushed past the front doors, not missing a beat to the parking lot. My vision grew blurry, and my body’s temperature soared to the sky. It felt as though my world had spun off its axis. I kept my head down, promising myself that I’d be okay.
When I reached my car, I tugged the key from my back pocket. My hands fumbled, shakily, trying to hold the small key steady in the palm of my hand but instead, I dropped it. The metal clanked against the gravel. The sound vibrated in my ears so loud that it hurt. In fact, everything appeared amped, the birds chirping, the trees rustling, the insects humming. My mind reeled frantically. “Shit!” I sobbed, sliding down to the gravel. I huddled beside my car, drawing my knees to my chest. I rocked, back and forth, realizing that I'd gone bat-shit crazy. I closed my eyes, hoping to shut it off, but the madness continued to rack my mind.
Time ticked away until I heard footsteps. Familiar steps tha
t I'd recognize anywhere. Even in a state of madness, I knew.
Bane kneeled beside me. A line between his brows deepened as he gently brushed his fingers across my wet cheeks. His worried eyes raked over me. "Princess, are you hurt?"
Tears streamed, "I don't know." My eyes latched onto his face, "What's wrong with me?"
“I got you. You’re with me. You're safe.” Bane whispered as he gathered me into his arms and lifted me up off the ground. I clung to his chest, keeping my eyes closed tight, resting my head on his shoulder.
When my eyes opened, I jolted with a start, my eyes wide and frightened. As soon as Bane's face came into view, I calmed, though my heart raced into my throat.
Somehow, Bane had managed to rustle me into his car. We sat directly facing what looked like a riverbank. The stream of water trickled in the background. Towering pines hovered over us. We were in the forest but a different spot, unlike the Firefly nest.
“Where are we?” My voice was scratchy and parched.
“We are at the River, Tangi.” Bane reached behind his seat and yanked out a white sack. “I thought the solitude might give you a moment of solace.”
My brows pinched. “What happened?” I sat up, confused and lost. “I remember talking to Sam.” I looked at Bane. “How did I get here?”
With only a glance or a reply, Bane pulled out a can of Coke and a bottle of bourbon from the white sack. My eyes dropped to the label on the bottle. It read, “Old Rip Winkle’s.” Seemed a silly name for alcohol, I thought.
Without an utter, Bane popped the can’s tap, and a sizzle filled the car. I watched in silence as he emptied half the soda out the window. It was not until he started filling the can with the bourbon that he spoke. “Not that I relish the idea of contributing to a minor,” he went on to say, “However, whenever desperate times call for desperate measures, that is when I ignore the customary dictate.” His words exuded pomposity, as his blue eyes locked with mine. He handed me the spiked soda, never breaking his solemn face.
I stalled, not taking the drink from his hand. “I don’t drink.” I stared back into his cold blues. His gaze never faltered nor did his offer of the soda He kept his hand extended.
