The Devil and Danna Webster

by Jacqueline Seewald

  I found myself kissing him back and enjoying it a whole lot. Then he pulled away, just like that other time, and I felt a sense of loss and disappointment.

  "I'm sorry. Will you forgive me once more?"

  "For what? I like you."

  "And Kevin?"

  "I like him too."

  "I wish you'd say you didn't like him."

  "Then I would be a liar."

  “Are you always so honest?” He smiled at me, and I thought I saw real warmth in his eyes.

  “I try to tell the truth.”

  “Yeah, I think you’re a girl a guy could trust.” Our eyes met and held.

  I watched him drive away, all the time still feeling the heat from the kiss he'd given me. I let out a deep sigh.

  But I had an essay to write and couldn’t postpone it any longer. And thinking about Gar sure wasn’t going to help me get it written any sooner.

  I decided to carefully reread the two short stories we’d been assigned to compare and contrast. Funny how you see different things on a second reading. Both stories were concerned with men who sold their souls to the devil for financial gain. Washington Irving presented the devil as a kind of spooky woodsman who chopped down the rotted trees that represented the souls of the damned. Stephen Vincent Benet presented the devil as a sinister businessman shrinking the souls he collected and putting them in a black box, like a butterfly collection. Real creepy stuff! I knew those stories were just fiction, but I couldn’t help remembering that man at Caron’s party, the one who knew my name and said that he was responsible for all the success that Kevin’s family enjoyed. It was kind of a strange coincidence — except I wasn’t certain I believed in coincidence.

  ****

  October 3lst, Halloween, was a cold, crisp day with a little sunshine in the morning that soon turned gray. I thought of Lori. What had Lori felt in autumn? Was I too afraid to let myself love the way she had? If I didn’t, I might lose Kevin. But maybe that was for the best. Then I thought of Gar. How did I feel about him? Would I let myself feel anything for him? Finding out about Lori had forced me to confront myself and question everything. I still hadn’t come up with any answers.

  I dressed carefully for the Halloween Dance that evening. I found a pair of old jeans and a white turtleneck to wear under Lori's brown leather vest. I put my dad's old army shirt over it. Yes, I looked like a hippie. Even my hair was long enough now. I put the headband on.

  "What do you think?" I asked my mother.

  “Perfect for an artist.”

  “You think Lori would have approved of me wearing her vest?”

  "If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were her." Mom put her arms around me. "Danna, honey, I've got a second chance with you. I hope it works out." She hugged me and there were tears in her eyes.

  "Don't worry," I told my mother. "I'm fine."

  I sensed her vulnerability. She loved me, needed my reassurance. I finally realized she was my mother in every way that really mattered. I kissed her cheek, and her face flushed with pleasure.

  Kevin arrived a little after eight. He was dressed in a pirate costume with a patch over one eye. He looked disreputable. "Well, what do you think?"

  “Blackbeard would have been proud. Like my costume?” I whirled around.

  "Not bad, but you'd have made a sexy Cinderella."Once in the car, Kevin leaned over and kissed me. I pushed him away.

  "Hey, what's the matter?""Nothing, except I smell alcohol on your breath. You know I don't like you drinking, especially when you’re driving."

  "I just had one," he answered in a defensive manner. "Don’t nag me. Even Sheila doesn’t anymore and she’s my mother.”

  “Well, maybe she should nag you.”

  His lips tightened. “You're always so proper. Can't you hang loose for once?"

  "Kevin, you reek. I’m glad my folks didn’t get close to you or they wouldn’t have let me go out with you tonight.”

  “Like I said, it was just one drink. No big deal.”

  “But it kind of is. You know it's dangerous to drink and drive." I wanted to drop it, but I just couldn’t. I knew he’d had more than one drink. He was lying to me again and I couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

  "We're going to a dance. It was your idea. Lighten up! Okay? I like to make my own fun. And nagging is not cool."

  I could tell Kevin was angry with me but at that moment, I was disgusted with him. I felt almost like getting out of the car and forgetting the whole thing. I started moving toward the door.

  He grabbed my hand. "Wait! I'm sorry. Really, I just had one. I won't drink anymore tonight, okay?"

  “Let go of my hand. You’re hurting me.“

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. You know I adore you.”

  “All right, but take it slow and easy. I’d like to see my sixteenth birthday.”

  The dance was in the gym, and it had been totally transformed. It was outrageous. There were pumpkins and spooky figures, vampires, ghouls, ghosts, headless horsemen all muraled around. Everyone was in costume, even the chaperones. The band was playing and the kids were dancing. It was exciting to be there. This was my first high school dance and I was thrilled.

  Kevin danced very well, just as I thought he would. I, on the other hand, stepped on his feet countless times during the slow dances even though he led with confidence. He held me a little too close. I didn't mind though.

  During the intermission while the band took a break, Caron came over to us, her arm linked through Gar’s with an air of possession. As usual, Caron looked breathtaking and beautiful. She wore a low-cut purple peasant blouse of some silky material and a full, multi-colored skirt. Large, gold hoop earrings framed her heart-shaped face. Her shiny black hair was long and loose, her eyes were lined in black while her lips were bright red and pouting. She looked mysterious and exotic. Gar was dressed as a cowboy. He looked ready to rope steers, while Caron’s knowing look suggested that she would be capable of telling fortunes and reading the future like a true gypsy.

  "Good dance, isn't it?" Caron said with a smug smile.

  "They're really all about the same," Kevin answered with an exaggerated yawn.

  She gave him a short smack on the arm. "So obnoxious! Well, you're having a good time, aren't you, Danna?"

  We were joined by Alicia who was dressed as a black cat and wore a long tail tied with a pink bow.

  "Moose doesn't want to dance anymore! He's in a foul mood tonight. Danna, you wouldn't mind if I borrowed Kevin for one dance, would you?"

  "That's up to Kevin."

  She turned and smiled at Kevin, and then took his arm. "Kevin won't mind," she said with an air of certainty that I found annoying.

  At that moment, we were joined by Moose who was wearing a skeleton costume which fit so snugly on his huge, cumbersome body that he looked ridiculous. His hands shot out and raised Kevin off the ground by the shirt collar.

  "Hey, what are you doing?" Kevin sputtered. "Let go, cretin! You must be crazy!"

  Moose gave him a rough toss. "That's nothing compared to what you can expect from me if you don't stay away from my girlfriend."

  "I don't know what you're talking about," Kevin said with some embarrassment.

  "Oh, you know all right," Moose insisted fiercely. "Lying won't help. I saw you pick her up last Saturday night. I saw the two of you sneaking around. Her telling me she was feeling sick so she could go out with you behind my back."

  Alicia stepped between Moose and Kevin. "I'm not your slave," she shouted at Moose. "I can date anyone I want! You have no right to be jealous."

  Alicia shoved Moose aside, no small feat, but she was pretty angry herself. Then she walked briskly away. Moose looked uncertain whether to follow her or hit Kevin. Gar stepped in then. He put himself between Moose and Kevin just as Alicia had before.

  "This isn't the time or place for settling differences," Gar said with authority.

  “Yeah, who says?” Moose rose to his full imposing height.


  “I say,” Gar responded, with quiet conviction.

  Moose stalked away, and Kevin breathed a sigh of relief. I looked into Caron's cold, black eyes and felt humiliated. She appeared to be enjoying the unexpected entertainment. And Gar, what must he be thinking? I broke away from them all, hurrying from the crowd of people and out the side door of the gym. I could hear Kevin calling after me but I ignored him. I wanted some time alone. Out in the corridor, I tried to put my thoughts together. But before I could decide what to do, Kevin found me.

  "I guess you're really angry with me," he said, trying to put his hand on my shoulder. I pulled away.

  "I don't want to talk to you right now." I couldn't bring myself to look at him.

  "All right, I'll take a walk outside for a few minutes. I just want you to know that I couldn’t care less about Alicia."

  "Then why did you lie to me and go out with her?"

  He took the patch off his eye and stared at me. "Because I needed more and you wouldn't give it. She was just a temporary substitute, a diversion. But you're still the one I care about. That doesn't change anything. With us it’s the real thing."

  I shook my head and turned away.

  "I'll take that walk," he said, "but I'll be back."

  I was glad to see him go. I wanted to be left alone.

  "Danna!" I turned and there stood Joyce. She was dressed as an Indian Princess complete with braids.

  "Are you okay?" she asked.

  "Sure, why wouldn't I be?"

  "Tom and I saw what happened."

  “Is everyone laughing and snickering? Am I going to be the butt of jokes and gossip?”

  “Of course not! Don’t be a drama queen.”

  "I'm waiting for the I-told-you-so."

  "I'm just sorry. For what it's worth, I wish I were wrong about Kevin."

  "Me too."

  "If for any reason you should want a ride home, Tom and I came by ourselves. There's plenty of room in the car. He borrowed his Dad's for the evening and the thing is huge."

  "Okay, I'll keep that in mind.”

  "I just want you to know, I still consider us best friends and I wish you'd eat lunch with me again. I miss you and I always eat more when I'm depressed. Phyllis keeps handing me Twinkies. I must have put on five pounds."

  I started to laugh except tears came to my eyes and I hugged her instead.

  "Glad to see the two of you have made up." I looked up to see Gar.

  "I'll be inside," Joyce said slipping away before I could stop her.

  "How did you know Joyce and I had argued?"

  "Tom told me. Joyce was really upset. He wanted to know if I could do anything, but I told him that you girls had to work it out for yourselves." He removed his cowboy hat and the overhead lights glared off his butter-yellow hair.

  "Why did you come out here?"

  "Just to see if you were all right. Aren't I allowed to be concerned about you?"

  "It'll bother Caron."

  "I'll risk it," he said with a dry tone of voice.

  We stood together awkwardly for several moments. I had no idea what to say to him. “I'm all right," I told him finally, "just disappointed in Kevin. But I understand how he feels. He has a right to date anyone he chooses. We don't have any commitment."

  "I thought otherwise," Gar said, looking directly into my eyes.

  At that moment, Kevin returned. He looked from Gar to me.

  "Well, if it isn't God Hansen, the big man himself! Excuse me, Hansen." Kevin tried to give him a shove, but Gar ducked away and Kevin stumbled. As his hand went out to steady himself against the wall, a small, silver flask fell to the floor. He scrambled to pick it up.

  "Why did you bring that?" I said pointing to the flask.

  "This dance is like a morgue. I brought something to liven things up a little.”

  "You promised me you wouldn't drink anymore."

  "I just had one swallow. No big deal!”

  "I don't think I can believe you anymore," I told him.

  “You’re getting boring."

  "Give me that flask," Gar said.

  "Why? So you can drink it all yourself?" Kevin's face was contorted with rage. “You’re such a phony, you know that? You may have my sister fooled but I know you for what you really are. You want her and Danna too." They faced each other angrily.

  "I'm not letting you back inside as long as you're carrying that. You think the chaperones are dumb? This will get you suspended."

  “You’re a real do-gooder, aren’t you, Hansen?” Kevin said with a sneer.

  I tried to step between them, but Kevin yanked me roughly out of the away. The dry, delicate leather of Lori's vest ripped as he pulled it. I began to cry and Gar struck his fist at Kevin's middle, misinterpreting the reason for my tears.

  "Leave her alone!"

  Kevin doubled over in pain for a moment on the floor, then sprang back in a fury, fists balled. "Stay away from Danna! I don't like the way you treat my sister either. You think you're so great, don’t you? Well, you're not. You’re such a hypocrite! You want both of them for yourself, don’t you? Well, I’m on to you." Kevin lunged at Gar who easily side-stepped him.

  "Stop it!" I cried.

  Mr. McCaully, the grade advisor and chaperone appeared.

  "What's going on out here?" he asked, his voice sharp.

  “It’s just a misunderstanding,” I said, not able to look him in the eye. “Everything’s fine, really.”

  None of us spoke until Mr. McCaully walked away. Then Kevin turned back to me. "We're leaving," Kevin said, trying to take my hand.

  "No way! I'm not going to let you drive with her when you've been drinking. I'll drive you both home. Give me your keys." Gar demanded, holding out his hand.

  "Forget it," Kevin said wild-eyed. "Danna, let's get out of here."

  Gar stood between us. "You're not taking her home," he said in a quiet but strong voice that denied further argument.

  “This is none of your business. Go dance with my sister.”

  “Danna’s my friend too,” Gar said. His jaw jutted forward with determination. “I’m going to look out for her.”

  "Thanks, Gar, but I have to make that decision for myself." They both stood still, Gar and Kevin, waiting expectantly, like two gunfighters facing off at high noon.

  "Danna, are you coming?" Kevin said.

  I turned away. "I won't ride with you when you've been drinking."

  “Suit yourself. I’ve had it with this place.”

  When I heard the exit door slam, I looked back.

  "Is everything all right?" Mr. McCaully asked, popping his head around to check up on us.

  "Fine," Gar assured him, "we'll be back inside in a few minutes." Gar turned to me when we were alone again.

  "I didn't mean to hit Kevin. I usually have better self-control. I'm sorry."

  "Me too. Maybe I should have gone with him. I'm afraid for him because he's in a terrible mood."

  "You're not his babysitter," Gar said. "Let me drive you home."

  "What about Caron?"

  He shrugged. "She has lots of friends here. Someone will take her home."

  "No," I said. "It would be embarrassing for her. Kids will say her date ditched her."

  "I want to be with you," he said. His large, strong hand brushed my shoulder.

  "Maybe another time, when it's right." We walked back inside, and I found Joyce and Tom. "When you're ready to leave, I'd appreciate a ride home."

  “No problem,” Joyce said.

  I moved off by myself, into the shadows. I needed to be alone for a few minutes to clear my head.

  “You should have gone with Kevin.”

  I turned and stared in surprise. “What are you doing at my school dance?”

  “I’m here observing. I am very displeased with Kevin,” the dark man said. “He will pay for his mistakes and he will learn from them.”

  I studied him, remembering everything he’d said to me, remembering the two stories I’d so re
cently read.

  “Yes,” he said, “I’m exactly who you think I am. And I repeat my offer. You can have everything you ever wanted. Give yourself to Kevin. Trust him.”

  I shook my head. “That’s just it. I can’t trust him. And I certainly can’t trust you.”

  “You Websters are a hard lot. What about your dreams of becoming a great artist, having wealth, traveling everywhere, giving your family everything they’ve ever wanted? I’m offering it all to you.” He was a shadowy figure, more surreal than real, his eyes preternaturally bright and bloodshot.

  “Success wouldn’t be worth much if I didn’t earn it on my own abilities and efforts.”

  “Now you’re talking like a foolish romantic. People inherit wealth and are delighted to receive it.”

  I shook my head. I knew him now for what he was. He was out to seduce me into selling my soul. “I want nothing to do with you.”

  His face was blood red like a setting sun. “You will learn the hard way, silly girl, that evil is the most powerful force in the universe.”

  “I believe that love is stronger.”

  “A childish view. You will learn.”

  I shook my head. “Not from you I won’t.”

  “We shall see about that.” His tone of voice was threatening and insinuated all sorts of harm.

  I shuddered, suddenly feeling chilled to the bone. I had a sense of dire foreboding. “Please don’t ever come near me again,” I somehow managed to say in a steady voice.

  With that, he simply disappeared, vanished. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. I’d never been so frightened in my entire life. Somehow, I’d faced down the devil. But my legs would hardly support me. I was shaking so bad. Lucky I didn’t have to dance anymore. I couldn’t have done it if my life depended on it.

  ****

  Joyce phoned early Sunday morning. It was good to hear her voice.

  "I'm sorry. I hope I didn’t ruin the dance for you and Tom," I said. “I know you left early because of me.”

  "You didn't ruin anything. We had fun. There's something I have to tell you though. Promise not to get real upset?”

  A knot formed in my stomach. I sensed whatever Joyce was going to tell me wasn’t going to be good. “What is it? What’s wrong?”