“Hi,” he said. “How’re you feeling?”
I sensed tenseness rippling through our companions at the table. Seems like Aaron standing this close made them nervous.
“Good,” I said. “I saw you sno-rippin flake,” in an awkward attempt to sound like I knew snowboarding lingo.”
“You were up on the mountain?”
“Yes. Cherrie taught me how to snowboard.”
“How’d that go?”
“Pretty good. I made it down several times. Once or twice on my back.”
“That happens. It’s a steep learning curve, but a short one. We’ll have to go together sometime. Hey, you guys want to join us?” Aaron half turned and pointed to his table. “We have plenty of room.”
I looked at Cherrie. The expression on her face said she wasn’t interested. If the others at our table had a vote, I imagined they would be saying in a loud voice, NO!
“That’s okay. We’ll hang here.”
I saw Aaron glance up as someone came in the door. His eyes turned dark. The crease in his forehead deepened.
I scooted around to get a look.
Jason and his buddies, including the boy who wore the Marmot Lightning ski jacket, entered and lined up at the cash register.
“Okay, Aaron,” said. “Suit yourself.” He pointed a finger at me. “See you later?”
I nodded with the expectation he would head back to his seat.
He didn’t. He made a beeline to the boy in the lightning jacket.
After seeing Aaron and the twins targeting the boy on the slopes, I expected the worse; an all out fight or something of that nature. I don’t know why I thought this. Maybe because I had seen one too many boy fights on the school playgrounds.
By the time I pulled my legs free from the bench, Aaron stood next to lightning boy. Fearful the twins would be right behind him when the fight started, I glanced their way. They, as well as the rest of those in attendance, watched Aaron and lightning boy.
Aaron leaned in. Talking in a voice which only lighting boy could have heard, he said something. Lightning boy reacted, but not as I expected. He nodded. He grinned. And he patted Aaron on the shoulder as if they were good buddies. He then waved his arms wildly about as though re-enacting his fall on the slopes. They parted by shaking hands. I lowered back into my seat as I watched Aaron walk on by.
After he passed I heard a muffled “creep” spoken at the far end of the table.
“Hey,” I said, “that’s not cool.”
“It is,” said the girl, “if it’s true.”
I heard my number called and I went up to pick up my chicken sandwich. I walked over to the bar and begin layering my sandwich with a lot of tomato, lettuce, and other condiments. As I turned to return to my table, the boy with the lightning jacket stepped in front of me.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.”
I looked lightning-jacket boy over, searching for a bruised head or torn skin where Aaron’s snowboard might have hit his head. I saw neither.
He, in turn, acted nervous, as though he were about to ask me out for a date.
I was certain this wasn’t something he was accustomed to doing. He kept glancing around the restaurant. Best I could guess is he wished we were alone.
I lowered my head and made an effort to step around him.
He held out a hand.
“I’m Louk Hollingsworth.”
“Julissa Grant. Nice to meet you.”
I felt awkward, standing, holding a tray full of food, blocked by a stranger. More so, I heard the room go quiet. And I became acutely aware of the many eyes focused on us.
I looked at Cherrie with help written all over my face.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Louk brought it on.
“I want to apologize.”
I could feel how uncomfortable he was with having to do this in front of his buddies and everyone in the restaurant. I wondered why he hadn’t waited for a more opportune moment. Then I realized what Aaron had whispered in Louk’s ear might have had something to do with his apologizing to me right now, here in front of half the school. Had he threatened Louk? It certainly hadn’t appeared that way.
“I’m the one who hit you with the snowboard. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
The tray became heavy, my embarrassment even more so.
“No harm, no foul.”
“I’d like to make it up to you.”
I saw Louk look Aaron’s way.
How was I going to tell the boy, no, in front of this group, that it wasn’t necessary to make amends? Especially when I believed it wasn’t his fault.
“If you ever need your driveway shoveled or wood hauled or something like that, call me, will you?”
I nodded, stepped aside, and sat down.
I could see Aaron across the room, satisfaction on his face. I didn’t know how to feel. On the one hand, I thought it was gracious of Louk to apologize, but having expected more—and I don’t know what that was—and not getting it, made me feel letdown. Of course I was no beauty today, but I also realized (now!) Louk would never ask me out on a date, nor would any other boy as long as they believed Aaron and I were boyfriend/girlfriend.
As Cherrie pulled the LC into her driveway, I spotted the blue Dodge Ram sitting in my driveway. I saw Aaron standing, leaning up against the fender of his truck. My maroon beanie lay draped in his hand.
“Forgot to give this to you,” he said.
I took the beanie and stepped toward the house.
Aaron followed me.
“You mad at me for something?”
“I was there.”
“There?”
“I saw what you did to Louk.”
“What are you talking about?”
I stopped, turned, and faced Aaron.
“What did you say to Louk at the Burger Hut?”
Aaron shook his head, a surprised look on his face.
“Did you tell him to apologize to me?”
“No!”
Liar is what I said in my mind. I turned to walk away.
“I told him,” Aaron said, “I was sorry.”
“You? You apologized to Louk? For what?”
“For almost knocking his head off up on the mountain. He came out of nowhere. I didn’t see him until it was too late.”
“You weren’t trying to hit him?”
The stunned look on Aaron’s face was the only answer I needed.
I edged in closer to Aaron with my head down.
“Thought you guys were trying to hurt him or something.”
“You’re kidding. Why would we want to do that?”
Aaron leaned against the truck as if he needed support. I could see by the hurt on his face it was as if I had stuck a knife into his heart.
On the one hand, it meant my opinion mattered to him; on the other hand, I felt I might have killed any chance of us becoming friends, much less girlfriend/boyfriend.
“I just thought maybe you were trying to defend me because he hit me with the snowboard. That’s all.”
“Wasn’t his fault. If anything, I blame myself.”
“I’m sorry. I just thought...”
“Just thought what?”
Aaron came off the truck. He stood tall, his muscles flexed and tight.
“That we’re revengeful? We don’t believe in hurting anyone. We believe in the Law of One.”
I didn’t have to ask. The quizzical look on my face brought forth the answer. But before it did, Aaron looked at me like I was from another planet.
“The Law of One? You’ve never heard of it?”
“No. I’m sorry. Maybe I don’t get out enough.”
“All humans are related? We’re one?”
“Guess maybe I’ve heard something to that effect. Still doesn’t keep us from hurting one another.”
“Well, we don’t,” Aaron said, as he moved to climb into the truck. “Not on purpose anyway. What happened up on the mounta
in was an accident. I apologized to Louk. I didn’t have anything to do with him apologizing to you. That he did on his own.”
He closed the door to the truck.
Suddenly, I felt like the accused rather than the accuser. I felt sick to my stomach. I could see the hurt in Aaron’s eyes.
I tapped on his window.
He rolled it down.
I held up my hat.
“Thanks for bringing the beanie over.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You still want to take me on a hike?”
Aaron looked out the windshield.
I could see him pondering the question. I got the feeling he didn’t want to have anything to with me anymore.
“That’s okay,” I said. “You don’t have to.”
I turned to walk away, pinching back tears.
Aaron leaned out the window.
“I’m going hiking in the Crags tomorrow if you’d like to go.”
I didn’t want to appear too eager, or show my emotion. I bit my tongue and took a second or two to answer.
“Sure. What time?”
“Eight.”
“It’s Saturday. You don’t sleep in?”
He didn’t answer.
“Can we make it nine?”
“Sure.”
He started the truck. As he drove away he leaned out the window, waved, and yelled back.
“See you at nine.”
I smiled one of those hesitant smiles you aren’t quite sure will be received with open arms.
As Aaron drove out of the driveway and onto the street, he looked back, waved again, and relinquished a tooth-lined grin.
My heart quit mourning.
I fell in love all over again.
16 WINDOW TO THE SOUL
I heard the tapping from afar, a steady drumbeat which became louder with every thump. I realized someone was at the door. I checked my watch and saw it was eight in the morning.
Dierdra was due in today, but she wouldn’t be knocking. She carried her own key.
By the time I reached the door, I heard Cherrie yelling for me to get my you-know-what out of bed.
“You’re up early,” I said, as I opened the door.
“Let’s go girl.”
“Where?”
“Snowboarding. Day two.”
I wiped the sleep from my eyes and remembered.
“I can’t!”
“Yes, you can. Come on sleepy head, get dressed.”
“Aaron’s picking me up.”
Cherrie looked at me as though I had shot her in the heart.
I checked my watch a second time.
“He’s going to be here at nine.”
“To do what?”
“Go hiking.”
“Not him again. Thought you were done with this guy.”
“What gave you that idea?”
“Aren’t you the one who said he tried to kill lightning boy? And don’t forget, he almost killed you too.”
“He did not.”
“Maybe not on purpose with you, but lighting boy, yeah. I think he was trying to do him in.”
“I talked to Aaron. He said it was an accident. He didn’t see Louk.”
“Likely story.”
“He believes in the Law of One.”
“You mean like everyone is related and we’re all one?”
“You’ve heard of it?”
“Of course. Grandpa and the story tellers talked about it all the time. I just don’t believe in it. Nor do half the other crazies in this world. Otherwise we’d all be singing Kum Bay Ya, like the girl scouts do.”
“Well Aaron believes in the Law of One. At least he says he does. You saw him and Louk at the Burger Hut. Did they look like they were mad each other to you?”
“No, they didn’t, but they weren’t singing Kum Bay Ya either. It’s too damn early. I’m not in the mood to argue, so I’ll spot you the point. Got any coffee?”
“Instant.”
“No thanks. Think I’ll run over to Starbucks and see if Jason is hanging out. Maybe he’ll go boarding with me. You sure you don’t want to go?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Be slush by then.”
Cherrie started for the door. She hesitated, her hand resting on the doorknob.
“You be careful with this guy. I know he says he isn’t dangerous. The way I see it, he hasn’t proven otherwise.”
She tapped her skull.
“You got the knobby to prove it.”
Cherrie held up a hand to ward off my response.
“I know. I know. He believes in the Law of One, but it’s like we talked. He’s got super powers, but he’s still human. He can make mistakes. All I’m saying is be careful. Okay?”
“Yes, mother.”
“Good.”
She walked out and closed the door. A second later she stuck her head and a finger back in.
“I’ll want to hear all about it.”
“Get out of here. Let me get ready.”
“Tonight! Come see me.”
I stood in the shower and sipped my instant coffee. I let the hot water soothe my back. I warmed to the thought of Aaron and I alone in the woods. Physically, I became stimulated. Warm on the inside, but cool on the outside. Goosebumps popped out everywhere. My breathing became labored. I stiffened and curled my toes as the caffeine and heart palpitations took hold.
By the drama queen’s standards I am a bit heavy set, a little pudgy around the middle, but I have good complexion, dark thick hair, and brown eyes. Simon and Dierdra always called me their beautiful little angel. I’m not an Angelina Jolie, but I’m not bad to look at-in my opinion-either. Of course it helps when I add some eyeliner to my long eye lashes and powder my face to highlight my high cheek bones.
I shaved my legs and washed my hair, twice, before adding a conditioner. I ran my hands over my body. Despite a few extra pounds, I felt firm in all the right places. Maybe the hike would help reduce my tummy roll, and maybe the world will wake up today and everyone will adopt the Law of One and start singing Kum Bay Ya.
I patted my belly.
“Neither one is going to happen.”
Not in one day.
Maybe I could get Ms. Wroblewski, my PE teacher, to do a Gut & Butt workout program, like the one I attended back in White Bear Lake.
What to wear for a first date; a girl’s biggest nightmare.
Well, we were going hiking, so that limited the choices. No high heels, of course. I picked out a sports bra, V-necked long sleeve T shirt, a pair of jeans, and a pull over sweater. I hadn’t thought about what the weather was going to be like. I took a gander out the window.
I could see the sun rising. Make for a warm day. Either way, dressing in layers, I felt covered.
Just please don’t let it rain, I prayed. Does cruel things to my hair and make-up.
Shoes were going to be a problem. I really didn’t have a good pair of hiking boots. I dusted off my tennis shoes.
I checked my watch; ten to nine.
I wondered if I should make breakfast for Aaron and thought, no. He’d want to get going. I was already indebted to him for the hour I slept in.
I threw a cup of oatmeal in a bowl, added milk, skipped the brown sugar, (fattening) and micro waved it. I was gobbling it down when I heard Aaron’s truck pull into the driveway.
I opened the door and yelled out. “Be right there.”
I scribbled Dierdra a note.
Mom:
Gone hiking to the Crags with Aaron. Not sure when we’ll be back, but will be sometime today. Hope things went well for you in Redding.
Love Julissa
Aaron handed me a cup of coffee as I hoisted myself up into his truck.
“Good morning,” he said. “Thought you could use an eye-opener.”
“Thanks.”
I didn’t want to tell him I already had an eye-opener.
“This your truck?” (I knew better)
“No, it’s Bernards
. Bit crusty, but it runs good.”
“Did you say rusty or crusty?”
I eyed the floor boards, which lay hidden under floor mats, but looked suspect.
Aaron smiled.
“Probably both. Crusty and rusty.”
“So,” I said, trying to keep the conversation going, “you didn’t have to work today?”
“Carson gave me the day off. I worked late last night.”
“Last night? After you left here?”
“Yes.”
“You have customers shop that late?”
Aaron headed the truck onto I-5 south.
“No. We close the store at six, but I stayed over. Cleaned up the stock room.”
I sipped my coffee. “Doing what?”
“Oh, you know, sterilizing boots, restocking the shelves, housekeeping stuff.”
“Sounds like an adventure.”
“It pays. Gives me some cash for gas and such. And Bernard believes we all should contribute at home.”
“You said Beaumont and Belmont don’t work at the Fifth Season?”
“No.”
“Where do they work?”
“They don’t. Do you have a job?”
I noted the quick reversal of roles. It was fair. Aaron had answered all of my questions—so far. If he didn’t want to talk about the twins, it was okay with me.
“No, I don’t. You offering?”
I saw the heart-softening grin again. I felt a flush fill my cheeks.
“I’d like to, but I’m not in charge. You’d have to ask Carson about a job. What do you do for money if you don’t work?”
I drained my coffee cup.
“Where can I put this?”
I showed Aaron the empty container.
He reached over and popped the glove compartment.
It was half full of papers, a few tools, and what appeared to be a bouquet of weeds.
“In there. I’ll get it later.”
I pulled the bouquet of weeds from the glove compartment.
“What are these?”
“Campuanula shetleri.”
I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders to indicate I didn’t understand.
“It’s a flower,” Aaron said. “Only found in the Crags. They call it the Castle Crags bellflower.”
Solstice - Of The Heart Page 17
