Dear Sister

by Francine Pascal

  “As soon as the gang gets into the club, I’ll take care of more than your neck,” he promised. “Have some wine, my sweet Liz.” He reached behind his seat and pulled out an already opened bottle, as well as a paper cup. Filling the cup, he handed it to her, then took a swig from the bottle.

  He kept his arm around Elizabeth as she greedily drank down the warm wine. “I’ve got a blanket in the trunk,” he whispered into her ear. “We’ll take the wine and the blanket and go down to the beach and—”

  The door on the driver’s side was suddenly jerked open, and Bruce felt a hard hand on his arm dragging him away from Elizabeth and out of the car. The bottle of wine fell to the ground and shattered.

  “What the—” was all Bruce got out before he felt a fist on his jaw. The blow left him out cold on the driveway.

  “What are you doing, Bruce?” Elizabeth’s speech was slurred, and she tried to focus her eyes on the dim form that was looking down at her. “What happened to our party?”

  “The party’s over, Liz. I’m taking you home.” Todd pulled her gently from the Porsche and guided her to his beat-up car. She was so unsteady on her feet that Todd was almost carrying her. Todd settled her in the car, buckled the safety belt around her, and got into the driver’s seat. He had just started the car when Elizabeth sat up straight, recognizing him at last.

  “You know, Todd, you’re getting to be a real party pooper,” she slurred just before she passed out.

  Thirteen

  “Stay right where you are, young lady,” Alice Wakefield said in a tone Jessica was very familiar with.

  “Don’t you want me to clear the table?” Jessica asked hopefully. She didn’t think she was going to escape the coming lecture, but it was worth a try.

  “Sit down, Jessica,” Ned Wakefield said sternly.

  Jessica knew she was really in for it if her father was going to get involved in the discussion.

  “First, Jessica, suppose you tell us why you didn’t inform us of the speeding ticket and the dent in the car when you got home on Saturday,” her mother said.

  Jessica shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She knew why she hadn’t told them. They would have started yelling and lecturing, but she could have handled that. The real reason for her silence was the grounding she knew would come. She hadn’t wanted to miss Lila’s party. And it was a darn good thing she had been there. Who knew what would have happened between Elizabeth and Bruce if she hadn’t sent Todd after them? She’d been very responsible that night, and where had it gotten her—in trouble again. It just wasn’t fair!

  “I was going to tell you about it sooner, really I was,” Jessica began in her own defense. “But I—”

  “But what?”

  “Well, I know you have so many things on your minds these days, and I just didn’t want to add to your worries.” She didn’t really think they would buy that, but it couldn’t hurt to try.

  “Your consideration for our feelings overwhelms me, Jessica,” her father said dryly.

  “Oh, all right! I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t see my side of it. I knew you would ground me. Why don’t you pass judgment and sentence me without going through the motions of a hearing?” Jessica said, somewhere between tears and anger.

  “Jessica, you can’t expect us to ignore the reckless and irresponsible way you were driving,” Alice said.

  “But it wasn’t as bad as it looks, honest! I wasn’t going all that fast, and the dent wasn’t really my fault,” she pleaded, looking from one parent to the other.

  “Seventy miles an hour isn’t all that fast?” her father queried, arching one eyebrow.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Wakefield.”

  The three Wakefields turned toward the doorway of the kitchen and saw Jean and Joan looking at them.

  “What is it, girls?” Ned Wakefield asked.

  “Could we talk to you for a minute?”

  “Can it wait until we finish talking to Jessica?”

  “That’s what we wanted to talk to you about,” Joan said.

  Just what I need, Jessica thought. With those two on the witness stand, I’ll probably get sent to the electric chair.

  “OK, come in, girls. You were with Jessica that day. Maybe you can tell us what happened.”

  “Jessica couldn’t have been going as fast as the policeman said she was,” Jean stated. “It’s not possible.”

  Mr. Wakefield smiled at them. “I know you want to help Jess, but she was tracked by radar. She was doing seventy.”

  “She couldn’t have been, Mr. Wakefield. Those radar guns sometimes make mistakes. My dad told me that once a big old oak tree was clocked at forty miles an hour.”

  “And besides that,” Joan put in, “I always get carsick at high speeds, and I felt just fine that day.”

  Jessica blinked in astonishment. They were defending her. They were actually on her side.

  “And about that dent,” Joan continued. “Jessica started backing out first. That man in the other car was more to blame than she was.”

  “It looks like you have a couple of pretty good defense attorneys,” Ned Wakefield said, smiling. “What do you think, Alice?”

  “I think you and I may have overreacted, Ned,” she answered. “Perhaps this was a case of carelessness, not recklessness.” She turned to Jessica, catching the look of total relief. “But don’t think you’re off the hook entirely, young lady. There will be a punishment. Your father and I will discuss this further and talk to you about it later.”

  Jessica smiled happily. She could hardly believe her good luck. “Thanks, Mom and Dad. Thanks so much! You have my solemn promise that I’ll never go even a half mile over the speed limit again!” She threw her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly.

  Alice Wakefield found it impossible not to laugh along with her daughter. Disentangling herself, she suggested, “Don’t you think you should save some of the thanks for your two friends?” She nodded in the direction of Joan and Jean as she and Mr. Wakefield left the room.

  Jessica eyed the two girls for a moment. What in the world was she supposed to say to them? The twins exchanged glances and then looked at Jessica.

  “We’re sorry we were so much trouble for you, Jessica,” said Joan.

  “Trouble?”

  “Well, you know, the night of the drive-in and then again with the auditions.”

  “Well, I’m sorry I yelled at you so much,” Jessica said.

  “Oh, that’s all right,” Joan said.

  “We get yelled at lots more sometimes. That was nothing.”

  “Really? Your parents yell at you?”

  “Oh, no,” said Joan.

  “Never,” added Jean.

  “It’s Mr. Minor, our flute teacher. Boy, he’s nuclear!” They both giggled.

  “Besides, we never had so much fun,” said Joan.

  “Never,” Jean said. “Boy, going to a real drive-in! With making out and everything.”

  “Wait a minute,” Jessica said.

  “Nobody ever takes us places like that,” said Joan. “Wait till we tell the kids.”

  “Listen, you two,” Jessica said, “cool it, see? You weren’t supposed to be there.” But she looked at their solemn little faces and couldn’t help laughing.

  As Jean and Joan left the room, the closeness between them was obvious. It made Jessica want to cry. She and Elizabeth had been like that, sharing everything, protecting and sticking up for one another. But not anymore. And she missed that closeness. Losing out on dates, having her parents angry at her—none of that was important. She needed Elizabeth, her sister … her friend.

  * * *

  “Hey, Liz! Wait up!”

  Elizabeth turned around and saw Bill Chase coming down the corridor toward her. He was wearing his usual land outfit of jeans and a T-shirt. His long, straight blond hair was dry for a change, and he was carrying books instead of a surfboard.

  “How’s the surf these days?” she asked, smiling up at him in a flirty w
ay that took him by surprise.

  “Terrific—as usual.”

  Since he was only truly alive when he surfed or gave surfing lessons, Bill didn’t spend much time hanging out with the kids at school. But Todd Wilkins was a good friend of his, so he did know that Todd and Elizabeth were not going together any longer.

  Bill remembered how surprised he’d been when Todd told him how cold Elizabeth was being.

  “Is it really all over?” he had asked. “What happened?”

  “It’s over, Bill,” Todd had said sadly. “But I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “I’m not trying to pry, Todd, and I really feel bad for you. Sounds like Elizabeth is acting rotten.”

  Todd sighed. “No, Bill. But she seems mixed up. If she’d find someone else who’s special, that would be one thing. But she just doesn’t act like she knows what she’s doing.”

  “Todd, you’re really worried about her.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “You know I’ve always cared about Liz.”

  “I know.”

  “I mean, if it’s really over between you two, I was wondering if you’d get mad at me if I asked Liz out.”

  Todd turned away, and Bill thought at first he was really angry. But then Todd sighed again and looked back. The expression on his face wasn’t anger. It was worry and sorrow.

  “It isn’t up to me who she goes out with,” he murmured.

  “I know, but I don’t want you mad at me.”

  Todd looked down at his shoes. “Don’t worry about it, Bill. I won’t mind if you ask her out. I haven’t got the right. I’ll see you later.”

  Bill hadn’t needed any more urging. He had been half in love with Elizabeth from a distance for ages.

  “I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go to the beach club dance with me Saturday night,” he asked Elizabeth hesitantly.

  “Beach club? Hmmmm…”

  “If you’ve got other plans, it’s OK. I didn’t really expect you to be free.”

  “Why not? Sure, I’ll go—on one condition,” she said, surprising him. “I’ll go if you’ll take me surfing the next day.”

  “I’ve never seen you do much surfing,” he said, confused. Afraid that she might change her mind about Saturday night, he quickly added, “Sure, I’ll take you surfing.”

  “Can I go way out, Bill, where you go?” Elizabeth’s smile was almost hypnotizing him.

  Bill blinked in surprise. “That’s kind of dangerous for an inexperienced surfer,” he warned.

  “But I wouldn’t be in any danger with you along to protect me, would I, Bill?”

  Bill Chase suddenly knew what it meant to be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

  “I’d always take care of you, Liz.”

  “See you Saturday night, then.”

  Bill stared after her in amazement as she walked sexily down the hall.

  He would also have been amazed to hear her on the phone with Bruce Patman later that day.

  “Hi, baby, how are you?” Bruce asked.

  “I’m just terrific, Bruce. How’s your glass jaw?” She laughed.

  “You little wildcat. You like the idea of two guys fighting over you, don’t you?” he accused.

  “Well, Bruce, it was kind of fun, but I wish you’d been the winner.”

  “Yeah? Well, how about proving it Saturday night? My folks are away for the weekend, and we could go to the beach house. We’d have it all to ourselves, just you and me together, the whole night through. What do you say, sweet Liz?” Bruce kept his voice low and sexy.

  Elizabeth didn’t even hesitate before saying, “You’ve got a date, Bruce. But don’t pick me up here. My folks are a little square when it comes to certain things. I’ll meet you around the corner from my house.”

  * * *

  A nervous Bill Chase rang the Wakefields’ bell that Saturday night. He was still surprised that Elizabeth had agreed to go out with him.

  “Bill Chase, what are you doing here?” Jessica asked as she opened the door.

  “Hello, Jess. I’m here to pick up Liz. Is she ready?”

  “Liz? Uh—come in.”

  She led Bill into the living room and told him to wait, trying frantically to think of a way of covering for her absent sister.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said, dashing up the stairs.

  “Oh, boy, oh, boy, oh, boy!” she muttered as she dialed Enid Rollins’s number. Elizabeth had said she was spending the night there, obviously forgetting she had a date. When did those two become friends again? Jessica wondered.

  “Enid, it’s Jess, let me speak to Liz,” she snapped, in no mood to be polite. She listened for a moment, then banged down the phone.

  “Great! She’s not there,” Jessica muttered to herself. “That could only mean she’s out with someone else—someone she shouldn’t be with. Talk about fast lanes! I’d better give Bill the bad news.” She started out of her room, then stopped when an idea hit her.

  Why should Liz have all the fun? she asked herself.

  Five minutes later she surveyed the transformation. She was wearing Elizabeth’s flowered peasant skirt and ruffled blouse. She strolled down the stairs and into the living room.

  “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Bill.”

  He smiled. “You’re worth waiting for, Liz.”

  * * *

  At the same time that Bill was driving off with the Wakefield twin he thought was Elizabeth, Bruce and the real Elizabeth arrived at the Patmans’ luxurious beach house. Bruce led her from the car around to the pool in the back of the house.

  “Nice, Bruce, very nice.” Elizabeth looked around at the beautifully landscaped deck area, the lounge chairs arranged near the pool, the glass-topped table, the subdued lighting. It was a California dream house.

  “How about a swim?” Bruce suggested.

  “I didn’t bring my suit,” she replied.

  “Who needs a suit?” Bruce grinned suggestively.

  “First things first, Bruce,” she said. “Show me around this gorgeous place.”

  “You’re right. We’ll cool off later. Much later.” He pulled her down onto a lounge chair and into his arms for a long, probing kiss.

  “This is the pool deck,” he whispered between kisses.

  Fourteen

  “Bruce!” Elizabeth protested laughingly, breaking free of him.

  “Hey, what’s the matter? I thought you liked me. You certainly liked me the other night.” Bruce’s handsome face was flushed with anger. Girls did not usually play hard to get with him.

  “Bruce, you’re even better looking when you’re mad,” Elizabeth teased. “You know I wouldn’t be here tonight if I didn’t like you—and your kisses, too.” She put a hand on his arm and smiled up at him. “I just don’t like to be rushed, OK?”

  Bruce shrugged and stood up. “All right, Liz. I won’t rush you, but don’t keep me waiting too long,” he warned.

  “I won’t, Bruce,” she promised.

  Tugging on her hand, he whispered, “Let’s go inside.”

  They walked across the deck, through sliding glass doors, and into the living room, lit only by one dim lamp.

  “Oh, this is the most beautiful room I’ve—” Elizabeth began.

  “You’re beautiful, too, Liz,” Bruce interrupted as he pulled her onto a large white couch and began kissing her again.

  “Ummmm, Bruce,” she murmured.

  “You like this, don’t you, Liz?” He let one hand slide lightly onto her breast, waiting to see if she would protest.

  “That feels so good, Bruce.” Elizabeth sighed and ran her fingers through his dark hair, then pulled him closer.

  Elizabeth couldn’t see his triumphant smile and didn’t know he planned to gloat about his victory over the girl who had always snubbed him.

  As he kissed her neck and held her close, Bruce urged, “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you what love is all about. Just the two of us, sweet Liz.”

  “No, Bruc
e. I can’t—I shouldn’t,” she protested.

  “Yes, Liz, yes,” Bruce said. He caressed her shoulders, then lightly ran one hand down her thigh. “You want to say yes, I know you do.”

  Bruce got to his feet, took Elizabeth’s hand gently, and led her to the stairway. He was half afraid she would change her mind on the way to the second floor. Never had a conquest seemed so important to him.

  “You’re wonderful, Liz. Wonderful and sexy and beautiful,” he said again and again between kisses as he guided her up the curved staircase.

  Elizabeth kissed him back passionately.

  Bruce reached the master bedroom, walked across the room, and placed Elizabeth gently on the king-size bed. She locked her arms around his neck, a dreamy smile on her lovely face. He pulled her hands away and kissed her hard on the lips, almost too hard, before he straightened.

  “Don’t go away. I just have to get the wine from downstairs, and I’ll be right back.” Then he was gone.

  * * *

  While Elizabeth was lying on the bed in the beach house, her mirror image, Jessica, was following the old bit of advice that says, “Don’t get mad, get even.”

  Jessica had been interested in Bill Chase at one time. Something about his looks and style of living had intrigued her, but he had never paid any attention to her. One time she’d even gone so far as to ask him to a Sadie Hawkins Day party. He’d said very casually, “Sorry, can’t make it.” When it came to memory, an elephant’s was fleeting compared to Jessica’s—especially if it involved a guy who had once snubbed her.

  Bill caught the girl he thought was Elizabeth in his arms at the end of the beach club dance and smiled down at her. He had never expected an evening like this. “Elizabeth” was acting as if she cared about him in the same way he cared about her. When he suggested going out on the beach for a walk, she could hardly get out of the room with him fast enough.

  As Bill and Jessica strolled out of the beach club, Todd was standing outside on the long redwood deck on the ocean side. He hadn’t gone to the dance but had walked down to the club just to watch the waves breaking against the shore. He needed to be alone. He could see only the couple’s backs, but Todd knew Elizabeth well enough to recognize her satiny blond hair anywhere.