by R. M. Garcia
“I know you want to tell everyone, but he hasn’t told CeeCee yet,” Billy whispered.
“So?” Trista whispered back.
“Don’t you feel that she should hear something like that from him and not a random girl in the ladies room?” Billy asked. “How would you feel?”
“I get it. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” Trista said apologetically.
“No harm done. Just don’t say anything to her when she sits down,” Billy urged. Cecilia came to the table with a tray of fruity drinks for the table.
“That will be five bucks per person please,” Cecilia said, and she placed the tray of fruit concoctions on the table.
“Hey, I thought the drinks were free?” Abbie asked.
“They are. They are compliments of the prom committee, but delivery will cost you, always tip your server,” Cecilia replied smiling and began passing out the drinks around the table.
“Compliments of the prom committee and you,” Abbie whispered to Donnie.
“Me?” Donnie asked defensively.
“I saw the check on your dad’s desk,” she quietly uttered into Donnie’s ear.
“You caught me,” Donnie said smiling. Yes, he had given the prom committee a large check with the condition that they hire Solia Tera. Donnie looked at Cecilia and smiled. He got up and hugged her warmly and whispered into her ear. “Thanks for coming, wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Stop it. You’re going to make me cry, besides I couldn’t let Meemee miss out on his long-awaited prom,” she whispered back.
“Hands off, this is my date,” Misha said, trying to pry them apart.
“You look fantastic by the way,” he whispered in her ear again before releasing his embrace.
“Thank you, Dodo,” she said, wiping a tear from her face.
“That’s our cue. We need to powder our noses. Come on girls,” Kelly said motioning to Trista, Abbie, and Cecilia. The girls all left and headed to the ladies’ room. Billy gave Trista a look, and Trista made a zip motion over her lips.
“I am suddenly terrified,” Misha said as the girls left his sight.
“Chattering like monkeys,” Trevor said.
“You’ll be fine,” Donnie assured.
“I’m not so sure,” Misha said, still watching the door.
“Stop and relax. Now tell me how this happened? I thought she didn’t want to come?” Donnie asked.
“She didn’t, but when she heard I stayed home, she got dressed and dragged me, literally out of the house.”
“That’s cool. I hope it works out for you, Misha.” Billy patted Misha on the shoulder.
“So, gentlemen, what are the plans for the end of the evening?” Trevor asked.
“I am kind of winging it, so all I can say is, I have no plans other than dancing with CeeCee and laying it all out on that dance floor.” Misha gestured to the dance floor.
“I have a suite reserved at the Waldorf for me and Kelly,” Trevor said.
“Pricey,” Donnie said. “But I’m sure she’s worth it.”
“Damn straight,” Trevor said and looked over. “Billy?”
“We’re going on a cruise. Trista told me that she’s never been on one. It leaves at three am and comes back at three pm,” Billy replied.
“Donnie?” Trevor asked.
“He’s taking her to the spot,” Misha answered.
“Commendable sir,” Trevor replied and applauded a few times.
“What is the spot?” Billy asked curiously.
“I’ll tell you later the girls are heading back,” Donnie replied. The girls came back with their makeup touched up. Cecilia had a bit more makeup on now, which did not go unnoticed by Misha. The four boys all stood up and helped their dates to their seats. At about 10:00 p.m., the music stopped, and Principal Stinson took the stage. He made the announcement for prom king and queen. No one at their table received the honors, but no one but Kelly cared, she had really wanted that crown, so after eventually getting over her disappointment, the festivities went on undeterred. The music resumed, and the prom king and queen took to the dance floor. After about a minute, they opened up the floor, and everyone headed to the floor for this slow waltz. Misha summoned up his courage and looked into Cecilia’s eyes.
“CeeCee, I need to tell you something,” Misha said as he held Cecilia in his arms.
“As long as it’s not suey, we’re good,” Cecilia answered jokingly.
“I’m serious. Please listen.” Misha was extremely nervous.
“Meemee, you’re shaking. What’s wrong?” Cecilia was worried; he was trembling in her arms.
“I just have to come out and say it,” he said and took a deep breath.
“Whatever it is, I’m here for you,” Cecilia said expecting horrid news.
“I think. No, I know. I know I love you,” Misha confessed and stared into her eyes. Cecilia’s jaw dropped.
“What . . . ?” she said stunned.
“I have loved you since you kissed me when we were eleven,” Misha said with tears pouring down his face.
“You can’t love me. You’re beautiful, and I’m just me,” she replied.
“I love you,” Misha said. “Just you, all of you,” Misha said. Cecilia began to cry as well.
“No, you shouldn’t be with me,” Cecilia softly said and ran off the dance floor and out of the gymnasium.
“CeeCee!” Misha yelled as he watched her run away. He stood alone on the dance floor. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around and was face-to-face with Trista.
“Go after her! If you want her, you can’t give up now,” Trista urged.
“But she doesn’t want me,” Misha said defeated. Trista slapped him.
“Idiot, I finally realize why you never stuck with any girl longer than a few weeks. You always wanted her. Only her,” she said. “It is so clear to me now.”
“Don’t fight for what you don’t want,” Abbie said. “She told me that once.” Misha suddenly realized that he was surrounded by his friends and that they had been listening the whole time.
“Go after her. A girl likes to be chased, and I doubt she went too far,” Kelly said smiling and motioning with her head to follow suit.
“Crack that nut,” Donnie said with a huge smile on his face. “Go get her.” Misha took a moment to absorb the advice and took off after Cecilia. He found her just outside the main entrance of the school, sitting on the steps sobbing.
“CeeCee,” Misha said softly and sat down next to her. He put his arm around her, and she leaned over against him.
“You’re such an asshole,” Cecilia said.
“I know. I don’t deserve you.” Misha placed his head on hers.
“And you’re stupid too.” Misha could not see her face but detected a smile on her face.
“I know. You don’t want to be with me, right?
“I can’t believe you remember the kisses when we were eleven.”
“How could I forget?” Misha asked.
“I came up with that excuse to steal a kiss from you,” Cecilia admitted.
“Well, you don’t have to steal anymore of my kisses. I’ll give you as many as you want from here on out,” Misha said placing his hand on her chin and turning her face toward him.
“Do you promise?” Cecilia asked.
“With all my heart,” Misha replied in tears. He leaned in and gave her a short gentle kiss on her lips.
“What was that?” Cecilia asked, “Didn’t you learn anything when we were eleven?” She embraced Misha and kissed him again. She kissed him fiercely and deeply.
CHAPTER 13
The Spot
MISHA AND CECELIA never returned to the gymnasium, but Donnie received a text from him a few minutes later. It simply read: “I’m getting tutoring from CeeCee.” He laughed out loud and let everyone at the table know that they had left together and didn’t elaborate further, but he really didn’t need to either. The prom ended at midnight, and everyone piled back int
o the limousine. Donnie directed the driver where to drop everyone off.
Trevor and Kelly were the first ones to leave the group for the evening. They were dropped off in front of the Waldorf. Kelly squealed in excitement. She was obviously extremely impressed. Everyone said their good-byes, and the limo rolled forward. The next drop-off was at the New York Harbor. Trista and Billy were able to get off right in front of their ship. It was a massive vessel. Trista was thrilled; she had never been on a cruise liner and was looking forward to sailing. Once again, the friends made their good-byes, and then it was only Donnie and Abbie in the limo.
“Where are we going, Donnie?” Abbie asked.
“Ah-ah, you will need to be patient. We have a little ways to go,” Donnie replied. After another few hours in the limo, they finally reached their destination. Abbie and Donnie got out. It was literally out in the middle of nowhere, and the driver was leery about leaving them in such a secluded spot. “Are you sure this is the right spot, buddy?” the driver asked. Donnie took out a flashlight that he had brought and looked around.
“Yeah, this is the right place. Thanks a bunch. You’re done for tonight.” Donnie tipped the driver for the evening’s services and then he drove off.
“Donnie, where are we? Is it safe?” Abbie asked, a bit nervous.
“Yeah, we’re fine. Come on,” Donnie said as he started walking down a rocky path. Abbie rushed to his side. The path led off the main road, and down it a fence could be seen; it went off into the darkness in either direction. After a few minutes a gate became visible within the flashlight’s range.
“I don’t like this, Donnie,” Abbie said.
“Trust me,” Donnie said. “It’ll be worth it.” They reached the fence, and it was chained shut. Donnie produced a key and unlocked it, and they proceeded to the other side. They continued down the path, and Abbie could now hear the soft crashing of the ocean.
“Is that the beach?” she asked.
“Yes, it is,” Donnie replied smiling. They made their down a steep path, and after a few more minutes of walking, Donnie’s car came into the view.
“Is that your car?” she asked.
“Yes, it is,” Donnie replied smiling. Abbie was feeling a little less apprehensive about walking in total darkness. They walked past his car, and now Abbie could see a cottage. The small building was impossible to spot from the road during the day much less at night. It was shielded from view at the bottom of a tall cliff face.
“Where are we, Donnie?” she asked.
“This is Misha’s grandfather’s beach house. The whole area is fenced in. His grandfather owns the land for miles in either direction from the house,” he answered.
“Why bring me here?” Abbie asked.
Donnie checked his phone. “For that, we need to wait just a little while longer.”
“OK, I’ll bite,” Abbie said. They came to the house, and Donnie opened up the door and went inside. Abbie followed him in. The small cottage was beautiful, simple, and cozy. Donnie went back to his car and brought in a bag.
“What’s in there?” Abbie asked curiously
“Stuff,” he replied. He took off his tuxedo jacket and lay in on the sofa. He went into the bedroom and when he emerged he was wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts.
“I brought you a change of clothes as well,” he said. “I laid them on the bed for you if you would like to change.”
“Thanks, this dress is killing me.” Abbie went in the bedroom to change. He had brought her a loose T-shirt and a pair of shorts. When she came out, Donnie was gone. She looked for him and spotted his flashlight walking away from the house. She started jogging after him. When she caught up to him, she could see that he had laid down a large blanket on the sand. The air here was misted by the smell of the ocean. She couldn’t see it, but she knew the shore was close.
“What are we doing, Donnie?” Abbie asked.
“Have a seat next to me,” he said, patting the ground on his right.
“Ooookay,” Abbie said as she sat on the blanket next to him. “What now?”
“Just a few more minutes, want a soda?” he asked. Abbie noticed that he had also dragged out a small cooler out here as well.
“Sure, I’ll take a diet soda,” Abbie answered. Donnie handed her a drink, but she felt he was acting strangely. He kept his gaze fixed out into the darkness. Abbie followed his example and stared off in the same direction sipping her soda. Donnie’s phone alarm began to beep. He turned it off and leaned a bit forward.
“Finally, just watch.” Donnie held his breath. Abbie looked out into the darkness and gasped. The sun rose out of the ocean. Every inch the sun rose revealed a million more colors on the ocean and sky above. Deep reds turned to orange and then to yellows and blues. Everywhere the eye could see for miles in either direction, there were only beach, ocean, and nature. There were no buildings, no trees, no trash; it appeared as the purest place on earth at that very moment. The “Spot” commanded a completely unobstructed view of the sunrise. It was simply breathtaking.
“Oh, Donnie, it’s so beautiful.”
“I wanted to share this place with you. It still takes my breath away.”
“Thank you for sharing this with me. You were right. It was totally worth the wait.” She leaned over close to him and took a deep breath.
“Donnie? Remember the card you gave me?”
“Yes, I remember it very well.”
“In it, you said that you felt like everyone was just a heartbeat away from leaving you. Do you still feel that way?” Abbie turned to look at him.
Donnie was silent for a moment, and his eyes began to well up. “Yes, I still do. It’s my greatest fear.”
“Oh, Donnie, I’m not going anywhere.” Abbie embraced him.
“I’m still afraid,” Donnie said as tears streamed down his face and added, “because I love you.”
“I love you, Donnie. I love you so much,” Abbie said as she too began to cry.
“That’s why I’m so afraid. If I lost you, I don’t know how I would survive. I don’t think I would want to.”
“You won’t lose me. I will always love you, no matter what, forever.” Donnie looked at her, and he could see it in her eyes. He knew she meant it. He knew in his heart that he could trust her completely. Abbie kissed him passionately and forced him down. There on that perfect beach, under the rising sun, while being bathed by the mists of the ocean and caressed by its soft breezes, Donnie and Abbie made love for the first time.
Donnie was awoken by cries of seabirds high above. He looked around and could see that the sun had almost reached its noon apex. He watched Abbie breathe as she slept and never felt more complete. He took a moment to enjoy the sun on his naked body and decided that he must take a swim later. Abbie was sound asleep, and he was afraid that the rays of the sun would burn her. He wrapped her in the blanket and carried her from the beach to the cabin. He laid her in the bed, and when he was sure she was still resting, he went back out and retrieved their clothes and the other things still lying in the sand. He returned to the cabin and opened the windows. The alcove the cottage was nestled in provided constant shade against the sun, and opening the windows allowed the sea air to rush in. He stood in front of an open window and closed his eyes as the soft breezes caressed his bare skin. He didn’t move when a pair of arms wrapped around his lower back and abdomen. Abbie hugged Donnie from behind and rested her head against his back.
“Good morning,” she said, embracing him.
“It’s closer to noon now,” he said, placing his forearms over hers.
“Wow! We slept a long time.”
“It was a very good night.”
“I’ll say.” Abbie gently bit Donnie on his back. Donnie squirmed a bit at the gentle nibbling.
“That tickles,” he said softly, laughing.
“Want me to stop?”
“Never,” Donnie said with his eyes still closed.
“What were you doing?”
�
��I was giving thanks.”
“To whom?” she asked.
“God and the Great Spirit,” he replied. Abbie had discovered that he was a deeply spiritual man and that he took his dual faiths very seriously. She didn’t understand how he was able to balance the two, but he seemed so at peace over the last few months that she didn’t question his devotions.
“What are you thinking right now?”
“I am thinking how lucky I was to find you,” Donnie said turning around. “I am thinking how in love I am with you.”
“You know what I am thinking?” she asked smiling.
“Please tell me.”
“I am thinking that I was very lucky to have a father scare every boy away, except the right one. I am thinking that I will never love anyone as much as I love you now, and I am thinking that there is a perfectly good bed in the other room.” She turned around and grabbed his hand, and together they went into the bedroom for another round of lovemaking.
Donnie held Abbie closely in his arms, and she never felt safer than she felt right now in his loving embrace. Their sweat covered bodies lay resting in the bed.
“I don’t want to move from this spot, but we should head back soon,” Abbie said.
“We have time,” Donnie replied. “One thing left to do.” He got out of the bed and beckoned Abbie to follow him. Abbie got up and started following him. He walked out of house and started walking toward the beach.
“Donnie, we’re naked,” she pointed out.
“There’s no one out here but us. Come on.” Donnie opened up into a full run toward the shore, screaming at the top of his lungs all the way, making Abbie laugh. She looked outside hesitantly and after deciding it was safe ran after Donnie. He hit the water and performed a flip. He made quite the splash. Abbie arrived soon after. The two swam in the ocean for a while. Abbie looked back toward the house and realized why Donnie was so confident in their privacy. The cliff face that shielded the house was over three hundred feet high. Even from this far out, you still could not see the road. It had not seemed so steep a walk down, but from this vantage point, it was apparent that it was perilous. The sun was beginning to disappear on the other side of the cliff. It was time to finally head home. The drive back seemed longer than it actually was. The sun set and the night came as they made their way to Abbie’s house. They arrived at her house a little before 8:00 p.m. Johan came out to greet them, and Donnie immediately went rigid. He still had that haunting memory of the talk months earlier.
