The Devil and Danna Webster

by Jacqueline Seewald

  “Sit here, Madame X, while I find someone who’ll vouch for me. Just don’t go anywhere!”

  I watched him cross the room. There was Caron, surrounded by several of the most popular boys in school. He said a few words to her, and then he pointed in my direction. I saw Caron look toward me, register a look of surprise, and then give a curt nod of her regal head. Kevin took her hand and brought her back to our table. I felt more foolish by the second.

  “Okay, Caron, do you know this girl?”

  “Danna, isn’t it?”

  “Great, now tell her how terrific I am.”

  “Let go of my arm you Neanderthal and I’ll tell her.” He released her and she turned toward me. “Okay, he’s pond scum, at best.” She massaged her arm gingerly as if he’d been pressing it too tight.

  “Thanks, spoken with true sisterly devotion.”

  She gave him a catlike smile and turned to me.

  “I’m just joking. Kevin is my brother and, of course, I adore him.”

  “Of course,” he agreed with equal sarcastic emphasis.

  Caron flounced back to her friends as Kevin sat down opposite me. “Well, how’s that for a character reference?”

  “Terrible.”

  “I know,” he agreed shamefaced. “Tell you what, you’re a big girl, why don’t you form your own opinion? I swear to you I am not a terrorist or a crazed serial killer. You’re perfectly safe with me. But you look awful cold. I think your lips are turning blue as we speak. Let’s get some hot chocolate and pizza, my treat. After all, I did drag you over here. I owe you at least that much.”

  I allowed him to treat me since I don’t look my best with blue lips. I was chilled to the bone. I also had no money with me and found that I was hungry. The smell of pizza made my mouth water and my stomach rumble

  Kevin did a lot of talking while we ate. Words came easily to him. He had a way about him and a wry sense of humor, which I liked. I guess some people might say that he was glib like a used car salesman. But not having a gift for gab myself, I kind of enjoyed his.

  “Now that you’ve gotten my sister’s dubious character reference, how about giving me your phone number, so I can give you a call? I’d very much like to ask you out. Are you free this weekend?”

  He was moving too fast for me. I nearly choked on the pizza. “I can’t.”

  “Still don’t trust me?”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what?” He frowned as if I’d insulted him.

  “I don’t date, not yet anyway.”

  He stared at me as if I’d just informed him I was an alien life-form. “Your parents are really that strict?”

  I didn’t answer. How could I tell him that no one ever asked me out before? I felt stupid, so I didn’t reply, letting him think whatever he wanted.

  “It’s okay, I understand. My mother isn’t strict, just the opposite, but I know how some parents are. You’re not interested in anyone else are you?”

  I shook my head.

  “Then I’ll handle your parents, okay? Piece of cake.”

  I stood up, a little unsteady on my feet.

  “No, I really can’t go out with you,” I told him.

  His eyes looked directly into mine. “There is something else, isn’t there?”

  I wanted to leave, but he took my hand.

  “Someone say something to you about me?”

  I cast my eyes downward. “Can I take the Fifth Amendment?”

  “I thought so! What have you heard about me? I’ll tell you if it’s true.”

  I hesitated. “Just that you’re very experienced with girls.”

  “Go on, what else?”

  I shook my head. I could feel my face coloring. This conversation was way too intense for me.

  “I suppose someone happened to mention that I’m here because I was expelled from prep school?”

  I stared at him in surprise.

  “Actually, it was two prep schools in three years. My father is punishing me for my rotten attitude by sending me here. Anything else you’d like to know about me? See, I’ve got nothing to hide.” He gave me a disarming smile flashing those brilliant white teeth of his. For a moment I wondered if sharks had teeth like those. “Don’t you feel better now that I told you about me?”

  “Not really. I guess you’re going to say, don’t believe everything you hear.”

  He patted my hand in a comforting gesture. “In my case, it’s all usually true. I guess it’s only fair to warn you. I have a bad reputation. I’m a bad boy. Maybe I’ll live down my reputation, maybe I won’t.” He spoke in a half-joking, half-serious way.

  I hardly knew whether to believe him or not, except that he seemed to be telling the truth. “I think maybe I should tell you to get lost and leave me alone.”

  “You probably should, but you’d be missing out on a lot of fun. I’ll tell you something I’ve learned: In life it’s the ride not the destination that matters.” His twinkling eyes were intent on mine, his gaze steady.

  “Thanks for sharing that nugget of wisdom with me. But I’m not certain it’s true.”

  “Carpe diem.”

  I gave him a puzzled stare. “What does that mean?”

  “It’s Latin. It means seize the day. You know, live life to the fullest.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who spoke Latin.”

  “Have I impressed you with my erudition?” I couldn’t be certain but I thought he was mocking himself.

  “You sure know some big words.”

  He shrugged. “That’s what happens when you go to prep school for a while. The vocabulary rubs off on you.”

  I decided even Joyce would have been impressed.

  “I’ve told you the worst about me. Maybe I even frightened you a little, but didn’t I intrigue you too? Just a little?”

  I didn’t answer.

  “Have I scared you away?”

  “Is that what you’re trying to do?”

  “That’s the last thing I want.” He gripped my hand. “Come on, let’s go. I’m driving you home. After that, you can decide.”

  It was still raining hard outside, the sky steel gray and the clouds ominous. We ran to his car. After we got in, he asked for my address. I told him, gave him the directions and we drove off. We hardly spoke at all for most of the drive. When he pulled up in front of my house, he turned to me again. “Just don’t let other people decide for you what you think of me. Okay?”

  “Are you really that bad?”

  “Probably worse. But I only turn into a werewolf when the moon is full so you’re safe tonight.” Then without any warning, he leaned over and kissed me smack on the lips. I was so surprised, I just stared at him. “Told you I was bad,” he said. “But you’re an angel. I can tell. So you’re perfect for me.”

  I stumbled out of the car and hurried to the house. I heard him call after me, but couldn’t hear the words. I ran into the house and nearly collided with my stepfather.

  “Who drove you home?” His lips were pursed.

  “Just some kid from school.”

  “Why are you so late?”

  “I stayed to help my art teacher and was offered a ride home. I took it because it was raining, as you might have noticed, and besides, the late bus is unreliable.”

  “All right,” he said, finally satisfied.

  What would he have said if I told him about Kevin Moore? I didn’t normally lie to either one of my parents, but I sensed telling my stepfather about Kevin would have caused a serious problem.

  “You better change out of those wet clothes,” Dad added.

  The view I saw of myself in the bedroom mirror was discouraging. My shoulder length brown hair hung limp and damp. My clothes looked drab and ordinary, right off the discount store rack. No makeup either. Why had someone like Kevin even noticed me, let alone pursued me? Sure, it was romantic, but it was also kind of weird.

  I was just towel drying my hair when the telephone rang. It turned out to
be Gar Hansen.

  “Danna, I’m going to have to cancel the tutoring session for this evening.”

  I felt relieved and yet disappointed at the same time. I wondered if Caron Moore had said anything negative about me. But what could she say? Only that she thought I wasn’t very smart. Well, obviously if I were all that smart, I wouldn’t need tutoring in the first place! Duh!

  “It’s okay. In fact, I meant to tell you that it’s fine with me if you want to drop the tutoring gig entirely. I have a friend who’s offered to do it.”

  “No, I’m not trying to get out of it, if that’s what you think. I just can’t do it tonight. We’re having a test in calculus tomorrow, so I’ve got to study tonight myself. It was announced today in class.”

  “I know you’re busier than most guys, what with football and everything. I really don’t want you to tutor me. I want to let you off the hook.”

  “Sure,” he said in a stiff voice. Our conversation ended quickly, much to my relief. I had the feeling I’d offended him, yet I knew what I’d done was for the best.

  I called Joyce. I was about to tell her about Kevin, but I was so certain she would disapprove the words wouldn’t come out. They caught in my throat, choking me like a fishbone.

  “Dani, is something wrong? You sound kind of funny.”

  “Gar Hansen called to cancel our tutoring session. I told him to forget it entirely.”

  I heard a gasp at the other end. “You really told him to forget it?”

  “Yeah, I did. The only thing is, now I’m back where I started, without a tutor and I’m really doing lousy in geometry.”

  “No problem. I aced that course and I can help you do the same.”

  “Whatever. I’d settle for passing with a C.”

  “Can do,” Joyce said cheerfully. “How about tomorrow right after school?”

  “Your place or mine?”

  Joyce laughed. “Let you decide.”

  “Yours then. I like the atmosphere better.”

  ****

  Soon my mother was home and we prepared dinner together. Mom talked mostly about her work at the store, and I talked about school. I never mentioned Kevin. I felt guilty, but I just couldn’t tell her, not yet anyway. Always there had been secrets in our house, things kept from me; now I had a secret of my own.

  I saw Kevin again the next day in the library. When he caught my eye, he smiled and looked pleased. He sat at the next table. I tried very hard to keep my mind on what I was reading but it wasn’t easy. About ten minutes into the period, he sauntered over and slipped a note into my hand. It seemed to burn my skin. I tried to ignore it, but the truth was I could hardly wait to open it.

  He wanted to take me out for pizza again that afternoon. I wrote back that I couldn’t because I already had plans to study with a friend. When I got up to give him my note, he took my outstretched hand and held it tight just for a moment. The pressure of his hand on mine made my finger tips tingle and my heart start to race. I pulled away from him feeling dizzy.

  He read my note and frowned. I watched him writing at a furious pace. He got up to deliver the note, but I never received it. I suppose Mrs. Schirer had been watching us, waiting to pounce again like a hungry tiger attacking prey.

  “Young man, whatever you are up to, it obviously has nothing to do with library work! Get out of here and go back to study hall. Consider yourself barred from the library during school hours for the rest of the month.”

  Someone let out a gasp and I realized it was me.

  “Wait a minute,” Kevin protested, “I wasn’t talking or causing any trouble. I have just as much right to be here as anyone else.”

  “Out, young man, or I’ll call Mr. Arquette!” Better known in our school parlance as Tough Tony, the Enforcer. When that man walked down the hall, students got out of his way fast. It was like Moses parting the Red Sea.

  But there was no need to send for the Vice Principal. Mrs. Schirer has amazing presence; there was more strength than I ever would have imagined in that bony body of hers. She led Kevin to the exit in a forceful manner that spoke well of her experience as a school librarian — all eighty years of it, if her appearance were any indication. Kevin stared at her with a furious expression, his dark eyes flashing ominously. If looks could kill Mrs. Schirer would have been laid out in a pool of blood.

  “Serves him right,” Joyce whispered. “What a pest.” She primly pushed her glasses above the bridge of her nose. There was just a tad too much spiteful satisfaction in her voice to suit me.

  ****

  At lunch, I saw Caron Moore and Gar Hansen together again. Why that bothered me I couldn’t say. At one point, I happened to glance over at his table and just for an instant, our eyes met. I looked quickly away, feeling somehow embarrassed. I felt my cheeks start to flush.

  In French class that afternoon, Caron turned around and looked at me in that superior way of hers, as if she were appraising a piece of cheap jewelry in a store window. From the look on her face, I don’t think she would have bought me. Lucky I wasn’t for sale.

  “My brother was asking me about you last night. Of course, I couldn’t tell him very much. I don’t know you.”

  “That’s true, you don’t,” I agreed.

  “You should know that Kevin changes girlfriends the way most people change clothes. I love my brother but he does have his shortcomings. Where girls are concerned, his feelings tend to change fast. He can be very intense, but his interest lasts only for the moment. I’d have to rate him as shallow and fickle, I’m afraid. Il fait chaud; il fait froid. Vous comprenez?”

  “I understand perfectly.” So perfectly, I felt like punching her cute, up-turned nose, except I didn’t do stuff like that, ever.

  “I’m just telling you for your own good. Kevin really is different. He never intends to hurt people but he does just the same. He’s…” She paused, “Kevin is careless.”

  That was, much to my relief, the end of the conversation because Madame Buchard had begun and we all strained to listen.

  After class, Joyce and I agreed to meet back at her locker later on.

  “I saw you having a real heavy talk with Caron Moore. Is she suddenly becoming friendly?”

  “No,” I replied. “She just wanted to warn me about her brother.”

  Joyce arched an eyebrow. “Well, I can’t say I think much of her, but she and I seem to agree about him.”

  “Maybe she just doesn’t think I’m good enough for him.”

  “I don’t think it’s that. Seems to me you’re too good for him.”

  “Spoken like a real friend. But, come on, Joy, you don’t even know Kevin. It’s not fair to judge him on first impressions.”

  “Even his own sister told you to watch out. That speaks volumes.”

  Joyce was especially patient tutoring me that afternoon. Her mother invited me to dinner, but I refused. I left early so that I could catch the four-thirty bus that went cross-town. It was past five by the time I walked up to the house. As I came along the block, I saw a red car parked up the street from my house. And just as I walked up to it, out sprang Kevin Moore. I groaned inwardly.

  “Been waiting for you a while,” he said cheerfully.

  “You have?” I just stared at him. I probably looked like a gawking geek.

  “Let’s go for a drive,” he said, reaching for my arm.

  “Can’t. I have to go inside now.”

  “You‘re driving me crazy,” he said. He put his hand to his head and staggered for dramatic emphasis.

  I couldn’t help but laugh at his performance. “Is that good crazy or bad crazy?”

  “Both,” he said with a smile that displayed his dimple to perfection.

  “I have responsibilities,” I told him.

  “That’s just an excuse. Why don’t you want to go out with me?”

  “You did warn me you were bad, remember?”

  “Bad also translates into good. Like exciting. Besides, I only told you that to get you inte
rested.”

  “You mean it was just some kind of line, a ploy on your part? I’m shocked.”

  He looked uncomfortable and ran his hand through the wavy shock of black hair, which fell over his forehead. “Okay, I do have a reputation for being wild, and most of what people say about me is true. I’m the black sheep in my family. But I’d still like to take you out. Give me a chance. I can be redeemed.”

  What should I say to the guy? I stood there dazed and tongue-tied. Then words came out with hesitation.

  Chapter Four

  “I’ll be helping my art teacher again tomorrow. But I guess I could leave earlier — like maybe four o’clock.”

  Kevin squeezed my hand. “I’ll meet you.” And then he was off in a whirl of action, his sexy car, a blur of red movement. There wasn’t a chance for me to say anything more. I stood there gawking long after he was gone.

  When I came into the house, I found my stepfather peering out the window. “That boy drove you home yesterday. I recognized the car. He doesn’t come from around here, does he?” His eyes narrowed.

  My stepfather’s disapproval was all too obvious. I was careful answering him. All the times I wished he would talk to me, now suddenly, I wished he wouldn’t.

  “Kevin goes to school with me. He’s the brother of a girl who’s in some of my classes.”

  “I don’t like the looks of that boy. He’s too old for you.”

  “He’s a senior, only two years older than I am.”

  “I wasn’t just talking about physical age. I’ve seen his type before. Kids like that have a sense of entitlement. They think they can do anything, have anything they want. That boy’s nothing but trouble.”

  Mom didn’t seem to like the idea of Kevin either. “Your dad was telling me that some boy drove you home,” she mentioned as she dished out the casserole that evening.