Dangerous Love

by Francine Pascal

  “I’ve been looking all over for you,” Enid declared. “When I saw Jessica come in without you, I began to get worried. Where’s Todd?”

  “Not here yet,” Elizabeth said. “He had that party at his grandfather’s, remember? It must be running late.” What she left unsaid was her concern that something must have happened to Todd on his way there.

  “Well, don’t just stand around. Go check out the food.” Enid blew a kiss into the air. “Worth every cent Mom spent.”

  “Any caviar?”

  “No, but there are these great little shrimps and these cheese things that are just fantastic. You’ve got to try them,” she said excitedly. “There are even pigs in blankets after all.”

  Elizabeth smiled. “You’re glad she did it now, aren’t you?”

  Enid shuffled her feet. “Yeah,” she admitted. “It is kind of nice.”

  Elizabeth peered into the crowd. “Hey, is that Mr. Collins I see over there?”

  “Your eyes do not deceive you. Mom has to oversee the cleanup before going down to the Caravan, and he agreed to be our chaperon there. He looks gorgeous, don’t you think?” Enid said, giggling.

  “I’m glad he’s here. I need to talk to him, so if you’ll excuse me, Enid,” Elizabeth said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Wading her way to the end of the table, Elizabeth caught up with the handsome teacher as he finished filling his plate with hors d’oeuvres. “I owe you one,” she said.

  Mr. Collins looked up and smiled. “For curing you of writer’s block the other day?”

  “That—and a whole lot more. You helped me straighten out my brain.”

  “That’s one of the main functions of a high school teacher, Liz,” Mr. Collins noted. “I’m glad things worked out for you.”

  “I can’t imagine them better,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have Todd. He’s really so understanding. I can’t say enough about him.” She dropped her voice into an almost conspiratorial whisper and added, “But don’t tell him I said that.”

  “Don’t worry. My lips are sealed forever.”

  Elizabeth had sampled everything at the banquet table and was roaming around the room nervously when the phone call from Todd arrived. As she’d suspected, his grandfather’s party had run late. He also told her he had some things to do before heading for the country club.

  Elizabeth felt much better after speaking to him, glad her fears about his safety were unwarranted. She began to wonder, though, if she’d ever stop worrying about the motorcycle, if she’d always automatically suspect the worst whenever Todd was late for something.

  Filing all those worries in the back of her mind, she resolved to enjoy the party as best she could until he arrived. Winston and George helped her out by dancing with her, but as it grew closer to midnight and Todd still hadn’t shown up, she found herself getting worried again, and then annoyed. She’d looked forward to Enid’s party for weeks, and now Todd had blown a big hole in it by missing practically the whole thing. He hadn’t even had the consideration to break the date in advance, and the more she thought about it, the more she realized that she was, in effect, being stood up. Why would Todd do such a thing? she wondered angrily. After all they’d just gone through, it didn’t make any sense. But, given the circumstances, all she could conclude was that he was avoiding her.

  At a quarter to twelve couples began to filter out of the club for the trip downtown to the Caravan.

  “Want a ride?” Enid asked as she and George were leaving.

  “I’m going with Jess,” Elizabeth told her, even though she hadn’t seen her sister in over an hour. “She’ll be back soon. And if worse comes to worst, your mom’s offered to give me a lift after the cleanup.”

  Less than five minutes later Mrs. Rollins tapped Elizabeth’s shoulder. “A young man is on the phone for you, Liz.”

  She rushed down the short flight of stairs to the pay phone just outside the women’s lounge. “Todd Wilkins, where are you?”

  “I’m really sorry, Liz,” he said. “But it was something I had to do.”

  “What was, Todd?” she snapped. “Missing the party?”

  “No,” he answered, ignoring her icy tone. “I’ll tell you when I see you. It’s a surprise.” Clearly he was enjoying his mystery.

  “Todd, tell me now!” Elizabeth demanded. “What have you been doing all night?”

  “I’ll be up there in a few minutes. ‘Bye.”

  Todd hung up before Elizabeth had a chance to ask him if he knew the party was moving to the Caravan. She would have liked to tell him to meet her there—where she’d have plenty of time to give him a piece of her mind.

  The last remaining couples left for the club. Taking advantage of the balmy, moonlit night, Elizabeth waited outside for the second time that night. This time, however, the wait was a short one. Less than ten minutes after he called, Todd pulled up on his motorcycle. “Everyone gone?” he asked, taking off his helmet and noting the silent and darkened ballroom windows.

  “Jessica’s coming back for me,” Elizabeth began to explain. “She took off with Brian, and I’m waiting for her to—”

  “She’s got Brian to herself, and you expect her to come back here for you?” Todd interrupted.

  Elizabeth shrugged.

  Todd smiled wryly. “Well, I guess this is as good a time as any,” he said.

  “For what?”

  Todd grew serious. “I’ve made another decision about us. And the bike.” He patted the bike’s gas tank, which gleamed in the moonlight. “It’s the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make, but it’s something I have to do.”

  Elizabeth felt sick. Her anger at Todd dissipated as a sobering, dark thought set in. Todd’s missing the party had nothing to do with his grandfather or with traffic. The “things” he’d had to take care of definitely had something to do with her. He sounded so solemn, she had the awful feeling she’d drawn the short straw in his choice between her and the motorcycle.

  This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Didn’t the tender kisses they’d shared and the promises of love they’d exchanged mean anything to him? “Go on, Todd, get it over with,” she said glumly.

  “I know you’re not expecting this—”

  “Just say it, Todd, will you?” she pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.

  “OK.” he announced with finality. “I’m selling my bike.”

  “What?”

  “I’m getting rid of it—and don’t try to change my mind,” he insisted. “That’s where I’ve been all this time. I made a deal with Crunch McAllister. I would have been here sooner, but he insisted on celebrating. Kept pouring me sodas while he chugged beer. Boy, can that guy drink.”

  Elizabeth didn’t say a word. She began to cry.

  “What did I say?” Todd asked as he enveloped her in his arms. With his index finger he tenderly wiped away her tears as a few began to form in his own eyes. He hated to see her cry. But what he didn’t realize was that Elizabeth was shedding tears of joy.

  “Why are you doing it?” she asked.

  “I can’t stand having to meet you places, and I can’t stand watching you go home with other people—not to mention having to depend on that sister of yours. It just isn’t worth it. We belong together, and if the backseat of the bike isn’t your style, then it’s up to me to make other arrangements.”

  “You mean you’re doing it just for me? But what about your dream?”

  “Dreams have a way of turning sour when they become real. It’s funny, though. I’d wanted a motorcycle ever since I was old enough to know what one was. I worked hard for this baby—I don’t have to tell you, it was supposed to be the best thing that ever happened to me. But you know what?”

  Elizabeth drew back just far enough to see the tears in his eyes. “What?” she asked in a whisper.

  “The best thing that ever happened to me is you. You mean more to me than any dumb piece of machinery. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you, and
I couldn’t see you tolerating this bike too much longer.”

  “Oh, Todd, I love you so much,” she said, hugging him close.

  “I love you, too,” he said.

  “Liz?” Their moment of intimacy was interrupted by the call from Enid’s mother from inside the building. “I’m terribly sorry, dear, but I’m going to be tied up here for quite a while. I won’t be going to the Caravan after all. Shall I call a cab for you, or shall I tell one of your friends to come pick you up?”

  Elizabeth looked at Todd and took in the love she saw in his eyes. Then she peered at the black metal shape parked just outside the door. Soon it would no longer be a part of Todd’s life. Or hers. Suddenly it didn’t look so menacing anymore. For the first time since Todd had bought the bike, Elizabeth pictured herself on the back of it, the wind whipping through her hair, her arms wound tightly around her boyfriend. Just once. Enid had thought her ride was lots of fun—and perfectly safe. Todd always handled the bike with care, and this was an opportunity for Elizabeth to see what it was like for herself, probably the only one she’d ever have. Could she? she wondered. Would she dare?

  “No, that’s all right, Mrs. Rollins,” she said, making her decision then and there. “Todd will take me. And thanks for a great party.”

  Enid’s mother smiled. “OK, Elizabeth. And good night to you both,” she said, going back inside.

  Todd drew Elizabeth closer again. “Liz, why did you tell her that?” When she didn’t answer right away, he followed her glance to the Yamaha. “No, Liz,” he said, reading her thoughts. “You don’t really mean it. And even if you do, I won’t let you.”

  Taking his hand, she walked him outside. “I want to,” she said seriously.

  “No, Liz. What about your parents?”

  “What about them?” she replied with unusual petulance. “We’re both making sacrifices because of them. I’m giving up the experience of riding that bike with you. And you’re giving up your dream.”

  “But I made them a promise. I swore I’d never make you ride with me.”

  “You’re not making me, Todd. It’s something I want to do. Just tonight. And never again. Just once I want to feel what it’s like to ride with you.”

  “But what about the promise you made to your parents?”

  “They’ll never have to know. Come on, let me ride with you. It’s important to me, Todd.”

  “But I don’t even have a helmet for you. Once I decided I wasn’t going to give rides anymore, I figured I didn’t need it. It’s at home.”

  “We’re not going very far. I won’t need it just this once, will I?” she pleaded.

  “But you’re wearing a dress!”

  “So what?” she replied. “Mandy was wearing a skirt when you took her. I’ll be all right.”

  “I don’t like this, Liz.…”

  “I take full responsibility, Todd. Besides, deep down I know it’s what you want, too. Let’s do it.”

  Elizabeth’s joyous determination finally wore Todd down and helped him overcome his doubts. “You really want to do this?”

  “Yes!” she exclaimed.

  Todd began to smile. His fondest wish was finally coming true. Maybe it would be only this one ride, but he was going to do his best to make it an experience Elizabeth never forgot. “It’s going to be great, Liz,” he said. Enthusiastically he grabbed her by the waist and twirled her around in a circle.

  “Ready whenever you are,” she told him.

  Playfully he bowed and pointed the way to the motorcycle. “My chariot, mademoiselle.”

  She answered with a curtsy. “With pleasure, mon cher.”

  “On second thought, let me go first,” Todd said. He straddled the motorcycle and steadied it with his legs. “I want this thing to be perfectly level when you get on it.” After he zipped up his jacket and put on his helmet, he turned to her and asked, “Ready?”

  Elizabeth nodded, feeling a combination of anxiety and excitement, with a little bit of relief mixed in.

  “OK, now hop on the back and rest your feet on those little pegs behind my heels.”

  Elizabeth did as he said and then wrapped her dress around her legs. “Where do I put my arms?” she asked coyly.

  “I thought you knew the answer to that,” he said. “Just hang on to me as tightly as you can.”

  “Like this?” she said, clasping her arms around his waist.

  “Perfect,” Todd shouted. “Here we go!”

  He pressed the starter button, and the engine roared to life. Slowly Todd turned down the club’s long driveway, his eyes glued to the road ahead of him.

  The first few seconds were the most frightening moments Elizabeth had ever experienced, even scarier than her first ride on the giant roller coaster at Magic Mountain. Trying hard to keep from shaking, she hung on to Todd for dear life, every muscle in her body tight as a drum. When Todd began to lean the bike first to the left, then to the right as they wound down the road from the country club, Elizabeth closed her eyes and held her breath, certain she was going to fall at any moment. She was beginning to regret having been so insistent about taking this ride.

  But after they’d negotiated the curves and had begun the straight descent toward town, she opened her eyes again. Now that she saw she wasn’t going to fall off, she started to relax and enjoy the ride. By the time they came to the next curves, she felt comfortable enough to lean into the turns with Todd, their bodies swaying together with the machine to create one streamlined entity. When they completed those turns successfully, Elizabeth felt remarkably exhilarated, as if she’d conquered Mount Everest.

  And in a way she had. She’d conquered her fears.

  The rest of the ride was like nothing Elizabeth had ever imagined. Even at Todd’s careful speed, the evening air tickled her bare skin and tossed her long hair every which way. With her hands clasped tightly around Todd, she rested her cheek on his back and listened to her heart beat more loudly than anything around her. She relished the sensation of flying through the fresh night air. At last she finally realized what Todd was talking about when he referred to the thrill of being surrounded by the elements. She didn’t want the ride to end.

  When they got to the club, she was going to insist he keep the bike. That night when she got home, she thought, or better yet tomorrow morning when everyone was fresh and wide awake, she’d sit down with her parents and carefully explain why it was time for them to rethink their rule. There was nothing wrong with a motorcycle, she was going to tell them, not when it was being handled by someone as competent as Todd.

  She closed her eyes and imagined that she and Todd were one person now, alone in space, whizzing through the wind. Nothing could stop them now. Nothing …

  Nine

  It was a fine time to think about Elizabeth.

  Her body pressed tightly against Brian’s, Jessica was caught in the ecstasy of one of the most thrilling kisses she’d ever experienced, when a picture of her sister entered her mind. It was as if she heard Elizabeth calling her. She wanted something, Jessica thought. But what? The sensation continued to niggle at Jessica even though she sought to shake it off and enjoy the intimate moment in the backseat of Brian’s car.

  Finally she remembered what she was supposed to have done. “Oh, no!” she cried, moving suddenly away from Brian.

  Brian used his muscular arms to pull Jessica close to him again. “Hey, what’s the matter?” he whispered.

  But Jessica straightened herself up and adjusted the straps on her jumpsuit. “I forgot about Liz,” she told him. “I was supposed to pick her up. What time is it, Brian?” she asked frantically.

  “What did you say?” He nibbled on her ear, too caught up in his own enjoyment to hear her words.

  Seeing how reluctant he was to help her, Jessica pulled back his shirt-sleeve herself and checked the time on his watch. “Twelve-twenty,” she said aloud. “We should have gotten her a half hour ago.”

  “Don’t sweat it,” Brian told her, rubbing her
arm gently. “I’m sure she’s found another ride by now.”

  Jessica thought about it for a moment while she turned back to gaze at Brian. He sure was gorgeous, she mused, and his time at UCLA had certainly taught him a thing or two about pleasing girls. The thought of leaving his arms now distressed her to no end. “You really think so?” she asked Brian, wanting to be convinced he was right.

  He smiled assuredly. “I think your sister has enough sense to realize that if you haven’t come back yet, you’re not going to.”

  That was true, Jessica thought, convincing herself that Elizabeth knew enough not to wait for her. “Maybe I was just overreacting,” she told Brian. Running her fingers through his hair, her kisses showed him better than any words could that she was as reluctant to leave as he was.

  Then why couldn’t she get Elizabeth out of her mind? Something had to be wrong, Jessica concluded, an uneasy feeling sweeping through her body. She had the awful premonition that her twin was in trouble.

  And she didn’t think it had anything to do with being stranded at the country club.

  Trying to hide her rising worry, Jessica eased out of Brian’s grasp for the second time. “You’re going to think I’m silly, Brian, but I can’t stop thinking about Liz. If you don’t mind, I’d like to stop by the Caravan and make sure she got there all right.”

  “I’m sure she did,” Brian insisted.

  “I’m sure you’re right, too,” she told him, “but I’d feel a lot better seeing for myself.” Stroking his cheek with her fingertip, she added, “We wouldn’t have to stay.”

  “Oh, all right.” Brian sighed. “It wouldn’t be much fun with you worrying anyway.”

  So they left Miller’s Point and headed down the hill on the main road leading to town. About halfway there they noticed that, up ahead, the darkened roadway was illuminated with the eerie red glow of traffic flares. Moving closer, they spotted the flashing red bubble lights of two Sweet Valley police cars.

  “Looks like an accident,” Brian said as he eased off the gas pedal.

  “Must be a bad one, too. I think I hear an ambulance coming,” Jessica noted.