Game Night

by Joe Zito

  Game night was near.

  Megan’s family celebrated that evening at Denny’s with a nice all American dinner of steak, mash potatoes, classic cheeseburgers, French fries, cobb salad, sliced turkey and Italian salad. Her grandparents along with her aunt and uncle were there. They had an extra-long table set up in the back that had many large gifts on it as well as a small mountain of colorful envelopes. Megan had her eyes on that the most, more than the nicely wrapped boxes of whatever the hell was in them. Throughout the whole dinner and festivities she kept reminding herself to call Liz when she got home. Kisses were given and bellies were full and then it was time to go. And she was glad too because this little kid somewhere in the restaurant was screaming its head off and giving her a slight headache.

  After they got home her little brother looked at her and said, “So does this mean you’re moving out now?” All with a hopeful tone in his voice that made Megan laugh and say, “No poophead.”

  Later, as evening was closing in, Megan was getting ready to head upstairs to shower and then give Liz a call but her dad stopped her just as she was going up the stairs. He said, “Hey kid, I wanna talk to you.”

  That alone was enough to give her an early heart attack at the age of eighteen. Oh my god, he knows. No sweetheart, he doesn’t. He just wants to have a little father daughter talk that’s all. And of course it would have to be out in the garage where it stinks of motor oil and sawdust.

  “What’s up dad,” she said once he closed the door leading from the kitchen to the garage.

  He went to her and gave her a big hug. She automatically put her arms around him but her face was a mask of confusion.

  “Everything all right?” She asked as she patted his back.

  “Yeah, can’t I give my only daughter a hug and tell her that I love her and am so proud of her on her graduation.”

  “Uh, yeah I guess,” she said.

  “Look, I wanna give you something,” he told her.

  “Dad, you don’t have to get me anything else. I got all those gifts and envelopes sitting on the table right now and….” He gave her a ‘sshh’, something that she always hated.

  He pulled a small envelope from his back pocket. Her shoulders drooped down and she said, “Dad, no. Please.”

  “Look, it’s not much but you’re gonna need a little extra money for when….”

  He didn’t have it in him to say what he’s been dreading ever since his little girl told him she wants to go to California after high school.

  It was a credit card.

  “There is two thousand dollars on here, now listen….”

  “DAD!” She said and didn’t even realize how loud she said it.

  Her eyes started welling up with tears.

  “Please dad, no. I can’t take that,” she said pleadingly.

  “Honey, I really want you to have it just in case. Only use it for emergencies.”

  She was shaking her head and was speechless. There was surely enough money sitting in there on the kitchen table to support her for a while when she got out to California but dear old dad just wanted to make sure.

  “Go on take it,” he said.

  She just stood there looking down at the ground not knowing really what to say. A tear fell from her nose onto the floor.

  “Jeez Megan just take it will you.”

  Before he could say anything else she gave him a hug and began crying.

  “Thanks dad,” she said in into his shoulder but it sounded muffled.

  “I just want you to be ok when you’re away, you know,” he said in a chocked voice.

  She moved her head from his shoulder and looked at him with soggy wet eyes. “I’m not leaving right away. Not until the screen test in September.”

  “I know. But I just wanted to give you that before you go.”

  It was breaking her heart to hear her dad say things like ‘when you’re away’ and ‘before you go’. The guilt was crushing her almost. I’m only eighteen. I shouldn’t be leaving my family, she thought.

  She hugged him again and he told that they better get back inside before her mom starts yelling, asking where everyone is at. He also told Megan that this was just between them.

  “Yeah, ok,” she said in a shaky voice as she wiped her tears from her face.

  “And don’t lose it. Put it in a safe place. Somewhere you won’t forget, ok,” he said, his choked voice being replaced by the more familiar stern and fatherly voice.

  “Ok, I won’t lose it,” she promised him.

  They went inside and into the kitchen. Megan’s mom suddenly came around the corner.

  “There you two are,” she said and then, “Well Meg, let’s get to counting those envelopes. I’d say there’s at least fifteen hundred dollars or more here.”

  Megan didn’t know what to think of her dad giving her that much money. Of course she knew she was going to need it when she left but wasn’t expecting that much. Waves of guilt rushed through her as she stood under the shower head, feeling the hot water attack her body. She turned the water off and got out of the shower. That evening she would have usually done her nightly routine of hanging out in her room, fucking around on facebook, listening to the radio and singing into her brush while dancing in front of her mirror, but she didn’t feel up to doing any of those things now. The guilt was now suffocating her. She sat in the middle of her bed after everyone had turned in for the night. Her knees were up to her chin and she was thinking hard; hard about her future and what she was doing. She fell backwards and into her pillow. More tears fell from her eyes. Stupid kid, what in god’s name are you doing? What makes you think you can make it out west. There’s going to be a thousand girls just like me waiting to get there piece of the big Hollywood pie. The word Hollywood reminded her of Liz calling her that all the time. She liked it but sometimes it was annoying. And then she suddenly realized she had forgotten to call Liz.

  “Oh, shit!” She said quietly under her breath. Her clock showed it was eleven forty five. She sat up and wiped her new tears away with her hand. Get it together kid. You’re only going to be out there for a few months and I can always come home, mom and dad made that clear. So why don’t you just calm down, relax and get excited about the life that is ahead of you, she thought.

  And then her phone rang.

  It startled her and made her jump. And she thought she might have even peed herself a little but she was nice and dry. She answered it.

  “Hey babe….yeah I know, I cannot wait….I’m beyond excited….Oh yeah?....sounds fucking good to me….ok….i don’t think I’ll be able to sleep now….ok….i will….seven right?....all right babe see you tomorrow night….bye”

  All the guilt and doubt seem to flow away from her like a smooth moving river. Like it all had never happened; the conversation with her dad in the garage and those fucking tears of joy or sadness or guilt or whatever the fuck they were.

  She had a big smile on her face as she lay back down onto her pillow for tomorrow night was game night.

  And then she called Liz.

  She felt as if she was falling endlessly through the shadows of her dark dream. There was complete silence. Faces of her family and friends flew past her vision as she falling downward on her back and not feeling a shred of wind at all anywhere around her. She was just aimlessly falling into a black nothingness but then she heard voices and laughter echoing from somewhere in the blackness. Falling, falling, falling. “Our dear sweet Megan is falling.” She heard her mother say. Then, those waves of guilt came upon her again and strangled her it seemed. She saw herself sitting at her desk all alone in a dark room except for a single light bulb swaying back and forth. Her math teacher Mr. Donner appeared from out of nowhere and came charging at her with a hammer and nails in his hand. She didn’t have time to move or scream. He began to nail her hands to her desk. He yelled, “There will be no cheating in my class young lady, do you understand?” The pain was horrific and unbearable as the pointy nail was driven into her ha
nd. Her young blood exploded from her hands, fountaining upward in a straight line and then back down, splattering on her shirt and desk. Her mom, dad and little brother watched her from across the room as they sat in foldout chairs. “It’s so you won’t cheat anymore honey. It’s for the best,” her mother said with a smile. Megan screamed and then she woke up.

  The horrific vision of her nightmare made her sit up quickly but she didn’t scream. She only felt her heart racing a million miles an hour and her skin was clammy from night sweats. Disorientation was taking over her mind. She panicked for a moment when she had no idea of where she was or what time it was or what day. Her hands were trembling from the terrible nightmare she just had but she did her best to calm herself down. Eventually she did and realized that she was ok and was in her bed in her room and only had a bad dream. She covered her face with her hands and massaged her forehead.

  “God Megan, you are losing it kid,” she said to herself. “It was just a dream. A stupid fucking dream.” She pulled the blankets away from her and sat at the edge of her bed. The annoying sound of a lawnmower could be heard just outside her window. Her neighbor was mowing and she panicked again when she thought it was Saturday all of a sudden and had missed the big night when her and her best friends were going to…..

  She rushed out of bed and scurried around trying to find her cell phone to see the date. A giant sigh of relief whooshed out of her when she saw that it was nine thirty in the morning on a Friday.

  “OH thank god,” she said aloud to herself in her pretty pink room.

  See, you’re good hon. No worries. The party is still on. C’mon seven o clock, she thought and then got out of bed to start her day.

  Pee then shower. Brush teeth. Brush hair. Get dressed. Nice tight blue jeans. Nice white top, extra small. Argue with little brother about putting the dishes away from the dishwasher. Feeling excited about later tonight. It’s eleven a.m. Watch tv for twenty minutes, the price is right. Pee again. Pop a cheap ass microwave pizza in the microwave. Yell at little brother again to put the damn dishes away. Go fill the Honda up. Put air in tires. Stop at the mall. Buy some sexy panties and perfume. Stop at the circle k to get a polar pop coke regular 32. ounce. Go home. Dishes are still in the dishwasher. Big deal. Can’t fucking wait till tonight. Pee again. It’s three in the afternoon. Getting closer. Fuck around on facebook for an hour and a half doing absolutely nothing but scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and maybe laugh at some stupid ass picture of a cat pouting. Four p.m. Dad’s home. Hi dad. Three hours left till game night. Picturing it in her mind. Four forty five. Mom’s home. Hi mom. What’s for dinner. Well we have chicken helper. Fuck it let’s eat out. Better yet mom, let’s just order a pizza. Too late to leave the house. It’s almost seven. Make lame almost believable excuse about spending the night at Liz’s even though you are eighteen and haven’t spent the night at your friend’s house since you were thirteen. Parents eyes seem suspicious and dad reminds her that she is eighteen and not twenty one because they’re thinking she’s going to drink because it’s the day after graduation and he knows damn well what kids do after graduation don’t ya dad. Six p.m. Pee again. Ok I’m leaving. Ok have fun at your little sleep over honey mom say’s sarcastically as she throws her feet up on the couch with the remote in her hand hello motherfuckin’ weekend. I will. At least they think I’m going to get drunk instead of.

  Megan breathed out a sigh of relief when she shut her door of her Honda fit. She dialed a number on her cell phone. It started ringing on the other end.

  Hey, dizzy Lizzy. Are you ready?…..Cool I’m on my way over now.…..Ok, bye.

  “Swanky,” Liz said as she looked out the window of Megan’s car at all the large and very well kept homes along Spring dr. in Conner’s neighborhood.

  “Someone’s daddy is loaded,” Andi said from the back seat. She too was in awe of the well to do looking neighborhood.

  “Yeah, you won’t see any hookers hangin’ out on these corners,” Liz laughed.

  “C’mon you guys. He’s not that rich.” Megan knew better though. Conner’s dad was one of Indiana’s top lawyers and Carter Terrace was the housing community for the richest folks in Tiptonia.

  “Almost there,” Megan said and gave Liz a smile.

  The dj broke in on the radio. You’re listening to deep cuts on WROK 106 Tiptonia, here’s AC/DC with sin city.

  It was a little after seven. The sun was still out but dusk was around the corner. Lawn sprinklers were saturating perfectly square, green lawns and the sound of children playing, along with the occasional sharp scream echoed from somewhere in the neighborhood.

  “And here we are.” Megan turned left into a black top driveway. Conner was sitting on the step of his front porch with his thumbs pushing into his cell phone; more than likely playing some game or downloading an app of some sort.

  “There’s our lucky boy.” Liz winked at Megan and she just rolled her eyes at her.

  Bon Scott wailed about a burning feeling deep inside and going to sin city on the radio before Megan turned off the car.

  They stepped out and they all adjusted their purses over their shoulders. Conner could smell their sweet perfume from where he was sitting.

  “How’s it goin’,” Megan asked the sandy blonde headed kid.

  Conner set his phone down. “Pretty good I guess.”

  “Well it’s gonna get a whole lot better,” Liz said.

  Conner stood up. “C’mon let’s go inside. I’ve had it with these mosquitoes.” They all went inside; first the girls and then Conner. Game night had arrived.

  That first rush of cool air from the air conditioning felt great Megan thought as she went through the front door. But soon things would get a lot warmer. At least she hoped so.

  After walking through a short hallway with a bathroom on the left and a spare closet on the right, it opened up into a grand living room with high ceilings and a fireplace. A large wrap around sofa was against the wall facing a large screen high definition tv. The beige carpet was plush and ultra soft. A pool table was in the corner along with a stereo with old school, tall wooden speakers.

  “Have a seat.” Conner motioned to the couch.

  And of course Liz was the first one to plop herself down on the comfy as hell sofa.

  “Nice place you got here kiddo.” She crossed her legs and patted the back of the sofa.

  “Thanks, I guess. You all want anything to drink?”

  “I thought we said no alcohol,” Andi reminded them.

  “I mean like soda or tea. There’s beer in the fridge but it’s my dad’s and I know better,”

  “I’m fine,” Megan told him.

  “Me too,’ added Andi.

  “I’ll take a diet of whatever you got,” Liz chimed in.

  As he went to the kitchen Liz mouthed “are you ready” to Megan. She shook her head vehemently at Liz, assuring her that she was. She put her finger up and mouthed back, “in a minute”

  “Here ya go Liz.” He politely handed her an ice cold can of diet coke.

  “Thank you Mr. Conner honey baby boy.”

  “Really Liz,” he said looking at her.

  “What? I’m just getting you in….”

  “So what kind of lawyer is dad again?” Andi suddenly cut her off.

  “Prosecuting,” Conner said looking up at the clock.

  “That just sounds kinky,” Liz laughed.

  Andi then said, “Speaking of your dad, are you sure he’s gone all weekend. He won’t be making any surprise visits or anything.”

  “Don’t worry. He usually never comes home early when he’s away on business. He’s not back till Sunday,” Conner said.

  Megan leaned her hands on the couch. She smiled at Conner. “Are you ready?”

  “Lady we just got here. Chill for a minute,” Liz said taking a drink.

  Conner couldn’t help but smile. He was ready. Megan nodded towards the stairs.

  “Ok fine, let’s get this shindig going.” Liz
stood up and flattened the wrinkles out her short white skirt.

  In a single file the girls followed Conner upstairs.

  They entered his room which had two big dark wooden book shelves; mostly obsolete encyclopedias and American literature. Megan sat down on his bed. Her bottom sunk down into the thick, dark tan comforter. Both Liz and Andi gawked at his well-kept room that almost resembled a library. The anticipation was really getting to Megan. She’d been planning this night for the last three weeks and now it was here. She stood up and walked over to Conner who leaning against his computer desk with his arms crossed. He didn’t have to ask what she was thinking. Her smile told the story. He sat up from the desk and towered above her. He was a tall kid at 6’2. Her big, brown eyes looked up at him and then her face went forward and she kissed him. His hands went around her waist feeling the indent between her hip and stomach. The soft white cotton of her tight shirt felt smooth on his hand. After she kissed him she turned her head around and eyed Liz and Andi. She mouthed, “I’m ready”

  “So who’s gonna fuck the little boy first?” Liz couldn’t help it.

  “Liz, seriously?” Megan cocked her head to the side but had to laugh. She rolled her eyes and took Conner by the arm and led him to the middle of the room. “C’mon,” she said to him.

  Liz and Andi gravitated to the middle of the room as well and they hovered around the tall kid with a knack for equations and calculous. Their pretty faces and perfume sending off heavy vibes of arousal. He was in the middle and the girls all stood around him. They joined hands and their eyes met one another with a strong look of determination and knowing. Megan glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eight fifteen. She looked at Conner and said one last time to him, “Are you ready?” The look in his eye’s told her that he was.