Oh no, I groaned, preparing myself. Not another Ruby rant.
“I’ve been waiting forever for you to respond, and you know I’m not a very patient person,” she whined. “You can blame genetics—I get it from my mother.”
I stifled a giggle as I thought of Ruby’s mom. Mrs. Sinclair was as pretty as a picture, but she was notoriously chatty and very demanding. Forever hounding Ruby about what clothes to wear and how to act, she was not someone you wanted to get stuck alone with for a long period of time. If you did, you would no doubt be forced to listen to the story of how she was named Strawberry Queen three years in a row, finally losing out to my very own mother. And believe me, bad blood still ran rampant.
“Ruby, I have answered all of your texts, with the exception of the latest one. And that was only because I was in the middle of something,” I lied patiently.
“Anyway,” she carried on, not missing a beat, “do you want to go shopping with me? I need a swimsuit and I want to check out that cute new boutique downtown.”
Downtown Lakeside was typical of any small town. Picturesque shops lined brick-covered Main Street, with perfectly placed flowering trees tucked in between. Lakeside Park, home of the famous Strawberry Festival, was proudly featured in the center with the inviting white sandy shores of Lake Lanier in the background. It was a beautiful and charming area, and we would oftentimes find ourselves hanging out there over the summer months. Hmmm . . . Can I find time to go shopping with Ruby in between stalking Jake?
“When were you thinking of going?” I asked cautiously. As long as it was after lunch and before the end of the workday, we should be good.
“Maybe around two?” she suggested.
“I think I can make that happen,” I agreed, slowly. “You’re picking me up, right?”
“Do I have a choice?” she responded sarcastically. It was a well-known fact that there would be no driving for me any time soon. My parents had this overwhelming fear of me getting into an accident, and as I was their only child, they kept fairly tight reins. “Be ready by two,” she warned firmly, and we hung up.
Unfortunately, lunch came and went with no sign of Jake. Apparently, he had to run an errand in town during his break, so I never even got to talk to him. I was still sulking when Ruby picked me up.
“What’s your problem?” she asked as I hopped into her brand-new white convertible. My best friend could read me like a book.
“What makes you think something’s wrong?” I asked, brushing away an imaginary piece of lint from my camisole.
“’Cause you look sadder than a fat woman in a G-string!” Ruby laughed hysterically. She had a thing for making really bad jokes, with no regard for the subject matter.
I tried hard not to smile, but failed miserably. “I am not sad,” I insisted in my most convincing voice.
“Then what’s the prob?”
I shrugged. “I was just hoping to talk to Jake on his lunch break, but didn’t get to see him,” I explained as offhandedly as I could.
“Oh my God, that boy is so fine! I can’t believe you get to spend the whole summer watching him with his shirt off.”
“I never said he takes his shirt off,” I answered haughtily. “Besides, you can’t do that on a farm. It’s an occupational hazard,” I lied.
Ruby rolled her eyes and cackled with delight. “A girl can dream, can’t she? Guess I could learn a few things from the Future Farmers of America.”
I threw her a dirty look. A few years back, my parents had bullied me into joining the FFA at school. Ruby still loved to tease me about it whenever the opportunity presented itself, which seemed to be rather frequently.
“Come on.” She playfully pushed my arm. “Lighten up! We’re about to spend money!”
We arrived downtown in style, with the car top down and the radio turned up. Ruby pulled into a parking space and we hopped out, ready to begin our shopping adventure. And shopping with the privileged Ruby was always an adventure. Her parents had blessed her with a credit card all her own, and she wasn’t afraid to use it. She simply adored the sound the card made as it swiped over and over again at the register.
“Where to first?” she asked with an excited grin. “And do not say ‘ice cream.’ I’ve had enough to last me all summer, and it isn’t even July yet,” Ruby complained, grabbing an imaginary roll of fat from her slender thigh. “Cheerleading practice cannot start soon enough. I’m going to turn into a hog before senior year even begins!”
“You’re right, Ruby.” Carefully, I scrutinized her perfect size two frame, admiring her pale blond hair and striking honey-colored eyes. She was the picture of pure perfection. Ruby was that kind of annoyingly flawless girl who unintentionally made normal girls, like me, feel homely in her presence. But with my sun-kissed brown hair and light gray eyes, I was pretty in my own right. Of course, back then that was hard for me to see through all of my teenage insecurities and overwhelming self-doubt.
“What?” Ruby shrieked. “Do I look like I’ve put on weight?” she demanded in a panic, examining herself in the window of the closest shop.
I couldn’t contain my laughter and doubled over in agony. “I’m only kidding, Ruby! That’s what you get for making the FFA comment,” I responded, holding my aching stomach. She was ridiculously easy to rile up.
“You’re such a jerk!” Ruby laughed and swung her designer purse at me. I remember that stupid bag cost a very pretty penny.
Who needed enemies when you had a best friend?
Chapter Four
The afternoon flew by, and before I knew it my cell phone read 5:45 p.m. “Oh my God!” I exclaimed. “Look at the time!”
“I didn’t realize you had a curfew,” Ruby teased.
I playfully nudged her shoulder with mine. “I don’t. I was just hoping to get back before Jake left at six.”
“We’re never going to make it back by then, Addy,” she reasoned. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves.”
I realized she was right and slumped my shoulders in defeat.
“I’m starving,” Ruby announced, looking at her watch. “We could grab a bite to eat?”
I shrugged gloomily and let her steer me toward the Sandcastle Café, a popular diner overlooking the lake. I wasn’t very hungry but I tried to be good company anyway, even though it was difficult. I really had my heart set on seeing Jake and had secretly hoped he would want to hang out again after work.
“Don’t worry,” Ruby soothed, reading my mind. “You’ll see him again tomorrow, and every day for the rest of the summer,” she reminded me, her hand settled reassuringly on my arm.
Of course I knew it was true, I just couldn’t help the mounting disappointment I felt. “You’re right.” I nodded and tried to change the subject. “You know, I really do love your new swimsuit.”
“I know, right? It’s so cute!” she enthused, successfully distracted. “Do you think Tommy will like it? He invited me to the beach with him this weekend.”
I threw her a wry smirk. “I think every guy on the beach is going to like it.”
Ruby dissolved into a fit of giggles. “Well, I hope they don’t like it too much. I would hate for Tommy to get jealous! On second thought,” she added slyly, tapping her manicured nails against the tabletop, “maybe it would do him good—remind him of what a catch I am.”
I snickered at the predictability of her comment. My best friend fell in love every other week, and this time she had set her sights on Tommy Mathews. He wasn’t at all like the typical smooth-talking, football-playing studs she normally preferred. He was a really great guy, very quiet and down-to-earth, and not too shabby to look at either.
We talked about our plans for the upcoming weekend as we paid the bill and prepared to leave. The sun was already setting on the horizon as we made our way out of the small diner and down the darkened street toward Ruby’s car. A smattering of tourists littered the downtown area, wandering through shops and taking pictures. I looked around appreciatively, relishing the lake
breeze. I always did love summertime in Lakeside. We were so busy with our carefree chatter that I didn’t even notice him until he was right on top of us.
Brett . . .
Fear gripped my chest as I was thrown back two months . . . prom night. I stopped short before he could purposely bump into me, but it was too late. Brett’s shoulder collided roughly against mine.
“Hey, watch where you’re going there, little girl,” he blurted out.
Ruby and I exchanged a nervous glance as we attempted to walk around Brett and his friends.
“Where ya goin’?” he called after us. “You’re not leaving on our account, are you?” I heard him laugh callously.
We quickened our pace and didn’t look back. I could just make out Ruby’s white convertible in the distance and tried to stay focused on our destination, hoping Brett would lose interest.
I was not so lucky.
I felt a hand creep up behind me and pull at my long hair. “Leave us alone, Brett,” I responded, trying to sound braver than I felt.
“I have a bone to pick with you, Monroe,” he said, stepping in front of us.
“You’re such an ass!” Ruby exclaimed, trying to push past him. “What’s your problem, anyway, Brett? You’re such a jerk these days.”
“Wait a minute, Ruby, this doesn’t concern you. Why don’t you take off? I’ll make sure Addy gets home safely,” he offered with a wink. His friends hovered hesitantly in the background.
A shallow breath caught in my throat and my heart started to beat so fast I felt like it was going to burst. I shot Ruby a worried glance and saw that she was nervous, too.
“I’m not leaving Addy,” Ruby responded venomously. She grabbed my elbow and tried to hurry me along, but Brett was having none of it.
“I don’t think you’re going anywhere,” he threatened, stepping in front of us again.
My nose burned from the offensive smell of alcohol on his breath, and against my better judgment, I spoke up. “You smell like your parents’ liquor cabinet,” I sneered.
“What can I say? Nothing says ‘summer vaca’ like some underage drinking.”
Suddenly, I felt myself being pushed against a wall, my body pinned tightly against Brett’s. One arm held me in place while his other hand started to travel slowly up my midsection and underneath my thin shirt. A strangled noise escaped from my mouth, but I was determined to look him in the eye and not cower. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice betraying the brave act I was trying to retain.
“You know what I want, Addy,” he hissed quietly, his hot breath inches away from my face. “It’s what I’ve wanted ever since you left me stranded at prom.”
“Don’t do this,” I pleaded, but my words were somehow lost between us. Trapped under his weight, I turned my head and squeezed my eyes shut as he lowered his hot lips to my neck, disgust rising in the back of my throat. Panic raced through my body as I realized what he meant. I was unable to move, just like on prom night when he’d had me pinned against the wall of the deserted coatroom. His hands violating me, ripping the strap of my beautiful dress. I had told him “no” then, too. But just like now, he refused to listen.
My muscles locked as a feeling of dread took over. I forgot where I was or that there was a crowd surrounding us. I felt alone, just like before. It was prom night all over again.
Please, no . . .
Just then, I felt a cool rush of air and was suddenly free from Brett’s firm grip. It took me a moment to comprehend what was happening. Had one of Brett’s friends seen enough and decided to intervene?
With shaky legs, I stepped away as two bodies struggled violently along the sidewalk. Ruby was at my side immediately, securing a protective arm around my waist. I strained my eyes under the dimly lit lamppost to get a better look at my rescuer. It wasn’t until Brett stilled under the weight of his assailant that I finally recognized the other male.
Jake.
Jake’s flushed face came into view as he stepped into the light of the streetlamp. “Are you, okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. I looked to the side and noticed Brett lying still on the concrete, a thin stream of blood flowing from a cut on his lip where he’d been hit. In that moment, I realized Jake had saved me from Brett not once, but twice, and in as many days. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill over onto my cheeks. I tried to answer but a cry caught in my throat and I broke down, my knees buckling underneath me.
Suddenly, I was enveloped in Jake’s strong arms and a feeling of relief spread throughout my entire body. Oblivious to the commotion going on around us, I inhaled his masculine scent and gave into the safe feeling he provided. It wasn’t until Ruby tentatively rubbed my upper arm that I came crashing back to reality.
“Addy? There’s an officer here. He wants to speak with you.” Her voice sounded just as shaky as my legs felt.
Reluctantly, I pulled away from Jake and looked up at him. With a gentle hand, he carefully brushed the tears from my face.
“It’s okay,” he reassured me with a soft smile. “You need to talk to him. I’ll be right here.”
Fear and embarrassment burned like an inferno in the pit of my stomach, and my mouth struggled to form words. I felt myself begin to tremble as I attempted to move toward the police officer.
“Addy!” I heard Ruby shout, but it sounded muffled, almost like a dream. Without warning, I found myself sitting on the warm pavement of the sidewalk.
“Are you all right?” I heard an unfamiliar voice ask.
My head was spinning and I instinctively knew it was because I had been breathing much too quickly. I tried to take deeper breaths in an attempt to push away the panic I was feeling. I closed my eyes and concentrated on inhaling slowly and exhaling . . . Inhaling . . . Exhaling . . .
When my eyes fluttered open, I saw Jake, Ruby, and the officer kneeling down next to me. Ruby was holding my hand, a worried expression shadowing her pretty features. “Addy?” she asked with caution. “Are you all right?”
Slowly, I nodded and took a shaky breath. “I’m fine. I just felt dizzy,” I explained, and struggled to stand. “I’m better now.”
The officer and Jake each took an arm and helped me to my feet. Nervously, I looked over to where I had last seen Brett lying dazed on the ground. He was still there but sitting in an upright position, another officer crouching next to him. A small crowd had gathered, and I lowered my head in a lame effort to conceal my identity.
This can’t be happening . . . My lower lip began to tremble.
“My name’s Officer Kent. My partner and I were in the area when we saw the altercation. Can you tell me what happened?” the police officer asked kindly.
Goose bumps covered my arms as I slowly began to recount the evening’s events. With my eyes cast down, I told the officer everything that had happened, and about the incident with Brett at the ice-cream shop the day before.
“Is this the first time this has happened?” the young cop asked, writing everything I said down in a notebook.
I glanced hesitantly at Jake and he nodded in encouragement. Swallowing hard, I whispered, “A couple of months ago, Brett and I went to prom together. He came on strongly that night, too.” I explained how he’d forced himself on me at the dance and how I had left him, walking four miles home alone in the dark.
A small gasp escaped from Ruby’s mouth and I looked up. Realization washed across her face as she put the missing pieces together from our prom night several weeks ago. She sensed something serious had happened when she discovered I’d vanished halfway through the evening, leaving Brett at prom alone. I’d ended up feeding her some bullshit story about not feeling well. I figured she wouldn’t buy it, but surprisingly she never prodded for more information.
“Addy, I’m so sorry! Why didn’t you tell me?” A mixture of hurt and concern in her voice.
“It wasn’t one of my prouder moments,” I admitted feebly, giving her a small smile.
Full of emotion, she reached over a
nd hugged me tightly. “You should never feel embarrassed to tell me anything,” she whispered. Fresh tears blurred my eyes as I weakened in my best friend’s embrace.
“Would you like to press charges?” the cop asked, interrupting us.
I turned quickly toward him, horrified by his suggestion. “No! I am not pressing charges,” I stated firmly, wiping at the tears that were now falling freely down my cheeks.
“Are you certain?” He looked skeptical. “You wouldn’t want this to happen again, to you or to anyone else for that matter, would you?”
I considered what he’d said, but couldn’t convince myself to go through with it. Life would be hell living in the small town that we did, having to attend school every day with the person I had charged with assaulting me. Silently, I also worried about the repercussions that would surely await me if I did.
Absolutely not—my mind was made up. I shook my head.
“All right then.” The cop sighed wearily. “Let’s go talk to him.”
I looked over at Ruby and Jake and felt my breath begin to quicken again. The last thing I wanted to do was confront Brett. Jake smiled at me with gentle eyes, and I felt his hand grab mine and give it a squeeze. Inhaling deeply, we walked over to where Brett and the second officer were talking. Brett was standing up now and I could tell that Jake had roughed him up pretty good. He gave me a blank stare as we approached them.
“This young lady is not willing to press charges at this time,” Officer Kent began, looking directly at Brett. “But I want you to know that we’re making an unofficial file, and this incident is going straight into it.” I wasn’t sure if they could do that or not, but I hoped it was enough to scare Brett. Maybe he would finally leave me alone.
Brett nodded in agreement, an expression of relief covering his face.
“If we hear that you’ve been involved in any more trouble, no matter how small, I promise the next time you will not be so lucky,” the officer threatened, looking Brett square in the eye. “Unless you don’t mind a domestic abuse charge going on your permanent record. Your parents will also be notified of this situation.”
Strawberry Wine Page 4
