“Are you serious?” Crystal said, pushing at her glasses. “That’s never happened before, has it?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Do you think it’s a drill?” Marc asked.
Ryan shook his head. “I doubt it. I ran into Dr. Nelson in the parking lot. It looked like she’d been crying.”
Marc blinked. “That woman’s cool as a cucumber. I’ve never seen her upset.”
“I told you so!” Crystal exclaimed. “Something’s going on, and it’s not good.
* * *
Entering Stubby’s diner, Sam saw Sue cleaning syrup from the floor. As his heart rate increased, he wondered if this was how Isaac felt when he first saw Rebekah. He couldn’t believe how pretty Sue was, even in her silly uniform that seemed designed to make a woman look frumpy. She actually made the uniform look good, and that was saying something. He watched as Sue gave the floor a final swipe with a dishcloth. As she stood to her feet, he waved to catch her attention.
Sue smiled and walked to his side. “I’m glad you made it. So far, no trouble to report.”
“Hopefully, there won’t be any,” he said. “Where do you want me to sit?”
“How about that booth in the corner? It has a good view of Rick’s usual table, but it’s concealed by plants, so you shouldn’t be conspicuous.”
“Good plan.”
“No white rose in your buttonhole? Decide against it?”
Sam grinned. “I figured it didn’t quite fit the bill, and I couldn’t find a white carnation.”
Sue blinked and laughed. “White roses represent new beginnings, and white carnations mean alas, my poor heart. What type of message are you trying to send?”
“Know the language of flowers, do you? Next time, I’ll have to wear a lavender rose.”
Sue chuckled. “If you’re the victim of love at first sight, I’ll eat my dishrag.”
Giving her a smile, Sam changed the subject. “How’s Danny holding up?”
“He was worried about me being home alone. He made me promise to go to your grandfather’s if I don’t work this afternoon. Will that be all right?”
“Sure, Grandpop loves company. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to recoup my dignity at dominoes—that is, if you’ll let me challenge you to a rematch?”
Sue nodded and smiled. As Sam smiled back, time seemed to slow down. Sue was so focused on him that Sam could see himself reflected in the pupils of her eyes. For a moment, they were conscious only of each other.
“Sue! Order up!” Stubby bellowed.
Sue took Sam’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thanks for everything.”
Sam felt himself blush. He didn’t mind at all that her hand came with a dirty dishrag. What amazed him more was he didn’t mind that Deacon Pruette was sitting in a booth staring at him.
“I’ve got to go,” Sue said breathlessly. “I’ll bring you a cup of coffee in a minute.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
As he watched Sue gracefully weaving around tables, Sam realized that Deacon Pruette was grinning and elbowing his wife in the ribs. Smiling at them, and feeling more than a little dazed, Sam went to his designated booth in the corner. He looked over at Sue. She was humming a tune from South Pacific and glancing his way.
As time went by, Sue kept coming to his table to refill his coffee cup. Sam dutifully drank the coffee down. After all, the quicker he drained his cup, the quicker she was back at his side. He was enjoying the morning, but as the clock crept past noon, he noticed that Sue’s humming had stopped and she was watching the door with increasing anxiety.
* * *
Outside Hertz Hall, Crystal watched as Ryan brushed a lock of dark, wavy hair from his eyes. “What do you think’s going on?” he asked.
“I think Gil’s in trouble,” she replied. “She’s the only cadet still out in the field. I memorized the surf manifest.”
Marc rolled his eyes. “Of course you did.”
As she winced and stared at her shoes, Ryan asked gently, “Why’d you memorize it?”
“Boredom,” Crystal mumbled. “A few weeks ago, I was waiting to talk to the director and the manifest was posted by my chair.” Raising her eyes, she glared at Marc. “I don’t see why memorizing the manifest is so strange. You memorize football statistics, and if that isn’t a complete brain-dead waste of time, I don’t know what is—” Crystal choked back her words, realizing they revealed her interest in Marc.
As Marc grinned, she squirmed. Before she could think of a pithy comment to put Marc in his place, Ryan asked, “Is the manifest the only reason you think Gil’s in trouble?”
She shook her head. “Dr. Ableman’s her advisor, and he didn’t go home last night. His car’s parked where it was yesterday.”
“He could’ve parked in the same place this morning,” Ryan pointed out.
“His left rear tire has a bald spot that’s in the same place it was last night. If his car had been driven, the odds of the bald spot still being an inch above the pavement are astronomical.”
Marc’s lips twitched. “Don’t tell me you pay attention to tires.”
Crystal pushed at her glasses. “I happen to notice things. I don’t sleepwalk through life like some people I know.”
“Meaning me?”
“Meaning that if you’d pay more attention maybe you’d learn a few things.”
“Like who has bald tires? I think I can survive without—” Marc’s voice came to a halt as a convertible purred up to the curb. Quick as a flash, he turned away from Crystal and sauntered over to the car. “What are you doing here, Molly?”
The woman in the driver’s seat perched her sunglasses on top her head and said in a flirty voice that set Crystal’s teeth on edge, “Looking for you, silly. How about ditching your boring old review session and going for a drive?”
As Marc gave Molly a dazzling smile, Crystal’s hands curled into tight fists. Molly was everything she wanted to be. Beautiful. Exotic. Alluring. Crystal gazed at Molly’s glossy black curls and fingered her own messy bun. As Molly fluttered mascaraed lashes and began to talk in an animated fashion, Crystal sighed. Molly was so gorgeous that her face belonged in an ad campaign for French perfume. A perfume like Desire, or Passion, or Longing. Something sensual and slightly sinful. A scent that she herself would never dare to wear.
As Marc hopped over the passenger-side door and into the convertible, Crystal studied the way Molly’s flawless olive skin was set off by a tailored, white blouse.
The woman definitely knows how to dress.
Crystal tugged at her baggy shirt and frowned. Molly was a knock out. She was everything a man would desire. Everything Marc would desire. There was no way anyone else could compete. No way anyone else should even think of competing.
Crystal’s eyes fell, and she miserably contemplated her sensible brown shoes. As Molly gave a rippling laugh and drove away with Marc, Crystal sighed again. Suddenly, she caught Ryan looking at her with such compassion in his eyes that she didn’t know whether to burst into tears and ask for a hug, or snarl at him to mind his own business. She did neither.
“What do you say to an ice cream cone?” Ryan asked softly. “My treat.”
“No, thanks. I don’t like eating too much sugar.”
“In that case, how about a salty pretzel?”
Crystal gave a weak chuckle. “Are you trying to make me fat?”
“Heaven forbid. But we should do something to celebrate the start of summer vacation. After all, it’s been a tough semester.”
“It sure has.” Crystal shouldered her backpack and started down the sidewalk. “I can’t imagine what senior year’s gonna be like.”
“Let’s let next year worry about itself,” Ryan said, swinging in beside her. “Right now, let’s go get that pretzel.”
“I don’t know…” Crystal mumbled, giving Hawking Hall a concerned glance.
“Leave the worrying to the higher-ups,” Ryan said, giving her shoulder a friendly
bump with his. “After all, there’s nothing you can do.”
* * *
At 12:45, Rick strolled into Stubby’s and sat at his usual table. Taking a deep breath, Sue picked up the coffee pot and slowly walked toward him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sitting beneath a tree on the lawn of Fairfield Middle School, Danny watched as Gil unwrapped a TEMCO energy bar. As she took a bite and made a face, he laughed. “Maybe if you plug your nose it’ll go down easier.”
“Maybe,” Gil said with distaste. “I knew these things were bad, I heard rumors about them from my old classmates, but I thought I’d get used to them.” She took another bite and gagged. “Honestly, I might as well be munching on kitty litter! Do you mind if I dunk it in your barbeque sauce? Maybe it’ll make it taste better.”
“Dip away as long as no one can see you.”
“Thanks, you’re a life-saver—or should I say a palate-saver?” Gil looked around, dipped her bar in the barbeque sauce, and quickly brought it to her mouth. “Umm. Barbeque-coated kitty litter. Much better.”
Danny jumped as a voice spoke behind him, “Mind if I eat with you?”
Turning around, he saw Slim standing next to the tree with a tray. “Sure, what’s up?”
“Can you explain how you moved so fast?” Slim asked, sitting down and opening his milk carton. “I still can’t figure it out.”
Picking some grass stems and crushing them between his fingers, Danny peered over at Gil. She was looking helplessly at him. She obviously didn’t know what to advise.
“Look, I know I was a jerk,” Slim said, “but it’s driving me crazy. How’d you do it?”
“Maybe the floor was slippery, and you just fell.”
“We both know that’s not what happened.” Hanging his head, Slim mumbled, “I guess if I was you, I wouldn’t tell either. I’ve been pretty mean.”
“It’s not that. It’s just that you wouldn’t believe me if…” Danny’s words stumbled to a halt as he realized Slim was no longer listening. He was looking with horrified fascination at a blob of barbeque sauce floating a few feet in the air. As the barbeque sauce hung suspended and then disappeared completely, Slim jumped to his feet and rubbed his eyes.
“Gil!” Danny hissed, smacking her knee.
Gil stopped chewing and looked so guilty that Danny had to laugh. “You absent-minded nut, what were you thinking?”
“I’m sorry! I wasn’t thinking at all. I forgot he couldn’t see me.”
Shaking his head, Danny motioned for Slim to sit down. “It’s not as bad as you think.”
“I d-don’t know what to think,” Slim stammered, sinking down on the grass.
Peering over at Gil, Danny softly hissed, “What do I do now?”
Gil grimaced and shrugged her shoulders.
Leaning close, he whispered, “You should’ve read the manuals! Am I gonna blow up the world if I tell?”
“Stop basing everything on movies,” she whispered back. “The world won’t explode, but Slim might think you’re lying and start harassing you again.” She groaned. “None of my classmates described this predicament, but then, they probably weren’t stupid enough to eat in front of anyone.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Danny said. He turned to Slim. “I’m gonna tell you the truth, but I don’t expect you’ll believe me.”
Still staring at the spot where the barbeque sauce had disappeared, Slim mumbled, “I just might.”
* * *
Sue sat down across from Rick with a cup of tea. Briefly closing her eyes, she prayed silently, Dear Lord, somehow get me through this.
* * *
“So that’s what’s going on,” Danny said, after speaking for ten minutes straight.
“Are you on the level?” Slim asked. “Time travel?”
Danny nodded and watched as Gil threw caution to the wind and began dipping her energy bar into the barbeque sauce with wild abandon.
“If there’s a girl from the future sitting beside you,” Slim said, watching the moving dots of sauce with obvious awe, “have her do something to prove it.”
“What do you want her to…?” Danny’s voice trailed away as Gil jumped to her feet and tugged on Slim’s sleeve.
With his arm dancing wildly in the air, Slim sputtered, “W-what’s going on?”
“Cut it out, Gil!” Danny demanded. “You’re freaking him out.”
Slim began to laugh. “Actually, she isn’t. This is awesome! I can’t believe you have your own super-bionic chick from the future. Where do I get one?”
Punching Slim’s shoulder, Danny said with a relieved grin, “So you believe me?”
“You bet, this is totally cool! It’s better than anything I could imagine. It’s even better than Jackie Chan.” Slim laughed and pointed at the grass stems bending beneath Gil’s weight as she sat down. “Hey, Danny, is this Gil-girl pretty?”
Smirking impishly, Danny chortled. “Compared to what?”
Danny saw Slim’s eyes widen as a wad of grass was plucked up and tossed by an invisible hand. Picking the grass out of his hair, Danny said, “Yah, she’s really pretty.”
“What’s she like?”
“You really want to know?”
“Sure—tell me everything.”
“In that case, she hogs the bathroom, sings off-key, and couldn’t find her nose if it wasn’t fastened to her face. But other than that she’s—” His words came to an abrupt halt as Gil lunged forward and tickled his ribs. “Uncle! Uncle! I take it back! You sing like an angel.” As the tickling stopped, Danny gasped out, “But you do hog the bathroom!”
As another wad of grass was tossed, Slim peered at the mysterious patch of air and asked, “If I try, can I touch her?”
“Sure,” Danny said, “but you can’t see her, so you might poke her in the eye—how ’bout if she touches you? Hold out your hand.”
As Slim held out his hand and Gil shook it firmly, Danny said, “Gil says she’s pleased to meet you.”
Licking his lips, Slim replied, “I’m glad to meet you too, Gil. Thanks for not kicking my butt more than you had to the other day.” He turned to Danny. “This is unbelievable. I can feel her hand, but I can’t see it. This is off the charts wicked. It’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me. Thanks for telling me. I promise I’ll keep your secret.”
“Friends then?”
“Friends? We’re gonna be more than just friends. I ain’t gonna ever leave your side.”
* * *
Sue watched with an anxious knot in her stomach as Rick used a roll to mop up the last of his red-eye gravy.
“What time shall I come over tonight?” he asked causally.
Nervously licking her lips, she looked over Rick’s shoulder and focused on Sam’s steady blue eyes.
“I asked you a question,” Rick murmured with narrowed lids.
“Actually, you don’t need to watch Danny anymore,” she replied. “I’ve trespassed on your good nature for too long. You were kind to help me out of a pinch, and both Danny and I appreciate it, but it’s time we stand on our own.” As she spoke, she saw the pretense of friendliness fall from his face.
“I’m coming over tonight,” he hissed. “I’ve earned that right.”
His icy voice sent a chill racing down her spine. In spite of her fear, Sue looked him straight in the eye. “You haven’t earned any rights that would give you free rein of my home. I think you have the wrong idea about us.”
“Really? I asked you out to dinner last week.”
“And I said no. My answer’s still no. I never wanted to be in a romantic relationship with you. I believe I made that clear when you asked me out.”
Rick’s eyes turned into molten pools of fury. “Does this have anything to do with that pretty-boy preacher you were with last night?”
“What?” Sue’s mind whirled, trying to figure out how he’d seen her with Sam.
“I asked you a question.”
“This has nothing to do wi
th him,” Sue replied, shuddering at the naked hostility in Rick’s eyes. “I never should’ve accepted your help.”
“Why did you then?” A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Why did Little Miss Perfect let me watch her brat of a son?”
“Danny’s not a brat. He’s—”
“I want an answer!” Rick spat. “Why did you let me hang around if you weren’t interested in me? Were you using me? Just stringing me along?”
Sue bit her lip. “I thought you wanted to help. I misread your intentions.”
“Liar!” A torrent of profanity spewed from Rick’s lips. “You knew what I wanted and used me as free daycare! Admit it!”
“I’m s-sorry.” Sue stuttered. “I was in such a hard spot that I didn’t think about your side. Can you forgive me?”
Rick slapped Sue’s cheek. “Darlin’, I don’t forgive. I get even.”
Behind Rick’s back, Sue saw Sam leaping to his feet. As she shook her head at him, Sam reluctantly sat back down. Even though he’d obeyed her request, Sue could see anger blazing in his eyes. She knew the situation was about to explode.
“Baby doll,” Rick murmured, grabbing her wrist and squeezing it painfully, “I’m gonna rain a whole heap of trouble down on you, and on your boy, and on that preacher. No one makes a fool outta me.”
Sue shivered at the sight of Rick’s face. It was so contorted with malice that it barely looked human. As he squeezed her wrist even tighter, tears welled in her eyes. She lowered her lids to keep Sam from seeing her tears and coming over regardless of her wishes.
Rick’s mouth twisted into a cruel smile. After a moment, he released her wrist and slowly drew an X on her forehead with his finger.
“What are you doing?” she asked in an unsteady voice.
“X marks the spot,” he replied in an eerie tone that was more frightening than his anger. “I’ll be seeing you real soon. You can count on that.”
As Rick threw some money on the table and left the diner, Sue stood on trembling legs. She took one step toward Sam and wobbled. As her vision blurred with tears, she saw Sam leaping to his feet and pushing past a table full of his parishioners. She watched as he ignored their greetings and grabbed for her hands. As she winced, Sam looked down and saw her bruises.
Time Tsunami Page 14
