Amy stood there feeling lost as her best friend disappeared from her sight. She felt a hand touch her shoulder turning to see Adam’s father holding a hanky. Amy gladly accepted it as well as the fatherly hug he offered which was something she hadn’t felt in over a decade.
“He’ll be home soon,” Mr. LaPointe reassured her as he guided her over to where Mrs. LaPointe waited for them.
Amy sat quietly in the car for the entire ride home, feeling empty and alone wondering if she could survive without Adam here by her side.
***
Amy rushed through the door and ran up the stairs to her room thankful that Joey was not home tonight. She flung herself upon her bed hiding her face in her pillow as the tears flowed out once again, sobbing so hard she had to catch her breath.
Amy was startled out of her sleep as she heard the phone ringing on her nightstand. She fumbled in the darkness, her heart fluttered wildly with the hopes of it being Adam on the other end.
“Hello?” Amy answered eagerly.
“Hi Amy,” Adam said. “I called you as soon as I got a chance.”
“I’m so glad to hear from you.” Amy was relieved to hear the sound of his voice on the other end. “How was your trip?”
“Not as much fun as my last trip to New York,” Adam revealed. “It’s awfully lonely here without you.”
“Awww…..you’re so sweet.” Amy felt goose bumps as she slid her heart pendant along the chain back and forth. “I miss you too.”
“Thanks for the card and pictures,” Adam whispered. “I put them next to Mr. Lion.”
Amy smiled to hear he taken her silly little stuffed animal along and displayed it in his room. “Did you like them?” She sent him some pictures of last night and had taken a picture with her Polaroid camera of the pine tree he carved their initials in. “I figured since you couldn’t be here, you could take it with you. Your secret place is safe with me.”
“Like it? I love it.” Adam stated. “Only you would think of something so special. And it’s our spot now.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls,” she teased him, touched by his comment.
“Yeah right,” Adam laughed. “Well, I’m sorry but I have to let you go now. Someone wants to use the phone. I love you Amy. Sleep tight.”
“I’ll sleep better now. I love you too Adam.” Amy placed the receiver back as she let out a heavy sigh of relief.
After taking a relaxing bubble bath, Amy lay in bed thinking about all the wonderful times Adam and her have shared together. She slept soundly that night, dreaming of all the things yet to come for the two of them.
***
Adam awoke at the crack of dawn, threw on a sweatshirt and pants with his college logo on it and left the room. He decided to take a morning run before heading over to the rink for the team’s scheduled practice. This was day one of college life for him and he was already missing home, especially Amy. He knew if he was going to do his best he’d have to keep himself as busy as possible. He promised himself he’d call her tonight to get his mind off missing her this morning.
Adam released his tension in practice working as hard as possible to show he could keep up with some of his teammates who were a few years his junior. After practice he sat on the bench in the locker room unlacing his Bauer skates as a lanky dark haired young man collapsed beside him.
“That was brutal,” he pulled his jersey over his head and removed his shoulder pads. “I heard he was a tough coach.”
“Get used to it kid,” Adam teased then added, “You did great out there today.”
“Thanks,” he said as he offered Adam his hand. “My name is Brett.”
“Adam,” he shook his hand. “Where you from Brett?”
“I’m from Boston,” Brett answered as he took his skates off.
“No kidding?” Adam joked already having guessed from the heavy accent. “I’m from a little town in Michigan.”
“Isn’t that the Motor City?” Brett asked.
“Yup, but where I’m from we mostly farm.” Adam had finished changing and was heading out of the locker room. “I’ll talk to you later Brett.”
Adam decided to get some lunch at the college cafeteria then he ran over to student services to pick up his fall schedule for his classes. After that he walked over to the school store and picked up all his books and supplies he needed for this semester.
Adam walked briskly back to his dorm, raindrops were coming down steady, not wanting his brand new books to get wet. He organized his things best as he could than decided to write Amy a letter since he couldn’t call her until she got home from work. He sat down at the desk his legs stretched out in front of him, tapping a pen on the pad of paper. He stared at the pictures Amy had given him then started his letter about all the details of today. When he finished, he addressed an envelope, placed the letter inside, sealed it and added a stamp. He left the envelope on his desk deciding to mail it when he went down to dinner.
Adam lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling wondering what Amy was doing at this particular moment. He yawned and rolled over thinking about her as he fell asleep. He woke up glancing at his alarm clock to see what time it was. He jumped out of bed when he saw it was well after five and headed out the door to the pay phone. After he waited in line for fifteen minutes he finally dialed Amy’s number hoping that she would be home.
“Hello?” Amy answered.
“Hi babe.” Adam instantly felt the miles melt away between them. “It is good to hear your voice.”
“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” she said. “How was your first day?”
“It was good. I tried to keep busy today to keep you off of my mind, but it’s not working to well.” He teased then added with urgency in his voice, “I miss you so much Amy.”
“I had no idea how much I needed you in my life,” Amy added. “Just remember our love is strong Adam, so we’ll make it.”
“That’s right babe, don’t you forget it.” Adam said smiling that she had reminded him of his own words that he used to comfort her.
Adam closed his eyes and pictured Amy face and expressions as she told him about her day at work and her plans to help Mrs. Dunn this weekend with the rummage sale. When he opened them he realized there was someone waiting to use the phone.
“I have to let you go now,” said Adam as he wrapped up the conversation. “I love you Amy.”
“I love you too,” Amy murmured softly. “Nite Adam.”
***
Amy stood in front of the open refrigerator door wondering what to have for dinner when Joey and Bob walked in the back door.
“Hi guys what’s up?” She asked shutting the frig door.
“I hope you’re hungry,” said Bob as he held up a bag from Burger King. “We got you something for dinner.”
“Smells good,” said Amy as she grabbed them each a pop out of the refrigerator. She was glad to have some company.
Amy sat down with Joey and Bob as they divided up the burgers, fries and onion rings. She jumped up out of her chair grabbing the ketchup and put it on the table.
“Mmmm, onion rings,” said Amy as she took a bite of one and rolled her eyes.
Amy continued eating her dinner as she listened to Joey and Bob talk about their next game against the St. Louis Blues. The distraction did Amy good as she had not been looking forward to another night alone with the TV.
The telephone rang but Amy did not jump up to answer it knowing that Adam had a hockey game tonight. Joey reached behind himself grabbing the phone off the wall. “Yello?” He listened for a minute. “Hi Angie. Let me check.” He looked at Amy and Bob as he held the phone between his chin and shoulder. “Angie wants to know if you guys want to go bowling tonight.”
“Sure, I’m free tonight.” Bob shrugged his shoulders then took a bite of his whopper.
“Sounds like a plan,” Joey told Angie. “We’ll be by to pick you up within a hour.”
Before Amy objected Joey had already made th
e plans for her evening. She shrugged her shoulders figuring it was better than sitting home alone all night.
Amy walked through the doors of the bowling alley as Bob held them open for her. She followed as they all went up to the counter while Joey asked for two lanes. The sounds of the bowling balls colliding against the pins echoed in the background.
“What size shoes do you wear?” Bob asked Amy as the attendant handed him his pair.
“Size seven,” said Amy. Joey and Angie sat down by lanes nine and ten putting on their shoes. She grabbed her shoes and went along with Bob to find a bowling ball.
Amy watched Joey try to teach Angie how to hold the ball and release it standing alongside her. She smiled noticing the change in him as he put Angie’s needs before his own. He bowled next throwing the ball between his legs and still managing to get a strike. Amy was up after him. She slowly approached releasing the ball to get a total of eight pins combined. Amy watched as Bob threw his ball knocking down eight pins on his first frame then picking up his spare.
“All right,” said Amy as she gave him a high five when he walked past.
“Do you want something to drink?” Bob asked heading towards the bar.
“Sure,” she answered as she wrote down Angie’s score. She was glad she came tonight because she was actually having a good time.
“Here you go,” Bob handed her a Budweiser as he took a swig of his own. He sat down next to her checking the scores then lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
“Thanks for the beer,” Amy took a sip then set it down in the cup holder.
“No problem,” said Bob as he got up to bowl. “Thanks for coming along.”
After they finished bowling they stopped at the Ubly Corner Market to pick up a twelve pack and went back to their place to watch Saturday Night Live. When the show ended Amy decided to call it a night if she was going to get up and help at the rummage sale tomorrow.
“Good night all,” she said as she climbed up the stairs.
“Good night,” Joey and Angie said in unison.
“Well I guess I’ll be taking off.” Bob got up from the couch, walking towards the door. “Goodnight Amy. That was fun tonight.”
“Yeah it was.” Amy reached the top of the stairs and turned around as she heard the door shut.
Chapter 13
Amy heard someone knocking on the front door. She peeked through the curtains and saw Bob was standing there so she opened the door to let him inside.
“Is Joey here?” He asked.
“No, he went out with Angie.” Amy noticed he was as white as a ghost. “What’s wrong?”
“My mom was in a car accident.” Bob entered the living room and collapsed on the couch, placing his head in his hands as he broke down. “She swerved to avoid hitting a deer and she crashed head on into a tree.” He looked up at Amy with grief in his eyes. “They said she died instantly.”
“Oh my God,” Amy cried out in disbelief. She watched this strong bulk of a man crumble right before her eyes. She never had seen him look so small and weak.
“It’s just not fair,” Bob sobbed. “Why did this have to happen to my mom?”
Amy felt deep sympathy for Bob as she sat down and hugged him. He sobbed uncontrollably in her arms as she tried to comfort him. She knew nothing she could say would make Bob feel any better so she listened to him for as long as he needed.
Bob had fallen asleep about an hour ago. She covered him up with a blanket and shut off the living room light. She promised him she would go with him in the morning to help him with all the funeral arrangements.
Amy went up to her room and called the front desk at Adam’s dorm. She explained the situation and the night clerk went to get him.
“What’s wrong Amy?” Adam asked.
“I have some terrible news,” said Amy as she sat down on her bed. “Bob’s mother was in an accident today.”
“Is she alright?” Adam could hear Amy crying.
“She died Adam.”
“Oh no, poor Bob.” Adam said. “I’m sorry I’m not there for him.”
“He’s pretty broken up. He fell asleep on the couch.” Amy shared with Adam. “I didn’t have the heart to ask him to leave. He has nobody else.”
“I understand Amy. He just lost his mother.” Adam reassured her. “He needs a friend.”
“He asked me to go with him tomorrow to make arrangements.” Amy felt so bad for Bob.
“Let me know as soon as you find out,” Adam insisted. “I would like to fly in for the funeral.”
“I will.” Amy stared at the picture of her and Adam on her nightstand. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too, Amy. I miss home. I miss my family and friends. I wish I could be there right now to help.”
“I love you, Adam.” Amy whispered. “I’m glad you’ll be home to help Bob through this.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can,” promised Adam. “I love you babe. See you then.”
Amy sat and listened to the silence from the phone after he hung up. She couldn’t believe that Mrs. Prusinski was gone.
***
The sound of the rain could be heard splattering on top of the black umbrella as they stood by the grave of Bob’s mother on this cold September morning. The wind had picked up as the preacher spoke kind words about the life of Mrs. Roberta Prusinski and her final resting place.
A small group of people gathered to pay their final respects. Many neighbors and friends of hers and Bob’s teammates solemnly offered him there condolences. Adam and Amy stood on his right hand side. Joey, Angie and Janet were on his left. Amy placed her hand on Bob’s back softly rubbing it as the preacher continued his prayers. Her other hand held Adam’s tightly with all her might not wanting to let him go.
When the preacher was finished the funeral director thanked everyone on Bob’s behalf for attending and invited them to a luncheon at the Ubly Heights Country Club.
Amy and Adam followed Bob as he walked to the limousine and climbed in next to him. Angie, Joey, and Janet joined them also for the ride to the luncheon. She stared out the window noticing the few leaves left that clung to the trees underneath the cold dark sky. Life was like that. You better hold on tight before it’s gone. It broke her heart to see Bob suffer such a terrible loss which had been so sudden and tragic.
Bob insisted that the six of them sit at his table at the funeral luncheon. They stayed and helped him with as much as they could. All of them being there for him seemed to be of the most importance to Bob. After the guests all left he invited them to stop back at his place. Amy could see he did not want to be alone so they all agreed to make a night of it.
“I brought all the leftovers home,” said Bob. “And there’s plenty to drink in the refrigerator.”
They all made themselves at home and gathered together in the living room reminiscing about all of the good times they had growing up together.
“I remember the time your mom had us all over for a Halloween party,” said Joey. “She had bobbing for apples and all the creepy body parts inside the pumpkins to feel.”
“Oh, I remember that. She made that cool haunted house in the basement.” Adam said. “I think Amy pissed her pants.”
“I did not,” she laughed as she slapped him. “I believe you’re the one that was afraid to go trick or tricking that year.”
“Yeah, she was the best mom a kid could have asked for,” said Bob. “Too bad my old man was such an asshole. The son of a bitch didn’t even have the decency to pay his respects today.”
Amy glanced at Bob from across the room knowing the hardships he suffered at the hands of his father.
“Come on Bobby, let’s go.” Amy waited for him as all the other kids were heading to Annie’s pond to go swimming.
Bobby ignored her as she stood there waiting for him. She looked towards the other kids than back at Bobby sitting upon a rock under a large shade tree. She glanced at the kids one more time than ran back to Bobby climbing up on the rock wit
h him.
“Why aren’t you coming Bobby?” Amy looked puzzled at him with her big innocent eyes. “You love to go swimming.”
“I can’t,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Your mom won’t let you go?” Amy asked as she placed her hand gently on his back.
Amy noticed Bobby flinched when she touched his back.
“What’s wrong, Bobby,” she asked him.
“Nothing,” he turned away but not before Amy saw a tear rolled down his cheek.
Amy knew something was wrong with Bobby. She doesn’t know why she did it, call it instinct or curiosity but she lifted his shirt. She saw crimson welt marks as well as bruises upon his back.
“Leave me alone.” Bobby pulled his shirt back down to cover his shame.
“What happened?” Amy asked but before he could answer she figured it out. “I’m sorry Bobby,” her hazel eyes looked right into his.
Bobby looked over at Amy as he whispered into her ear his secret. “I don’t want to go swimming because I don’t want to take my shirt off.”
“Just tell everybody you’ll get sunburned,” Amy offered her idea to Bobby. “I promise I won’t ever say anything to nobody. Pinkie swear.”
“Pinkie swear.” Bobby said as he jumped down from the rock and lifted her down. “Come on Amy! Let’s go swimming.”
At that specific moment a bond had been made between the two. Amy became Bob’s guardian angel and he became her protector. Whenever he needed someone to talk she was always there for him and she never ever told a single soul.
***
Adam woke up the next morning in his room with Amy snuggled behind him, her arms wrapped around him. This must be the closest thing to heaven. He missed the touch and warmth of her body. He missed the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at him. He missed the way she said his name when she made sweet love to him. But most of all he had missed the way they talked and shared everything with each other. He knew he had to get back to school tonight, but for today he was happy to be here with Amy in their own little world.
Wings of Love Page 11
