Glass Girl

by Kurk, Laura Anderson

  I scanned the room for signs of life and saw Tennyson smoking something. I knew it wasn’t a cigarette because it was getting passed around a lot. I glanced at my watch—ten o’clock. I really, really wanted to go home, and my ride was now not only drunk, but most likely high, and walking with Matt toward a bedroom. Beautiful, I thought. I briefly considered calling my dad, but logic ruled. Either he’d kill me for being here in the first place and I’d never get to leave the house again, or he’d wind up lost in the desolate Wyoming wilderness trying to find me and I’d never see him again.

  “Hey, Meg, what are you doing here?”

  I glanced up to see Taylor’s brother, Luke, the school’s golden boy—basketball star, gorgeous, smart. We met once in the cafeteria and he seemed to be pretty nice. At the moment, though, he was having trouble standing, and his eyes were glazed. I laughed under my breath at how drunk he was, even though I was probably in grave danger of being puked on.

  “Maybe you should sit down, Luke. Is the room spinning a little?”

  He grinned and sat cross-legged on the floor next to me, using my leg as a brace and my lap as a pillow. “It’s just I didn’t really think you were the type. Quiet girls like you are usually disgusted by these shows of debauchery and passion.”

  “Well, I was lured here under false pretenses,” I said, smiling back at him.

  “Hmmm…you must be here with Tennyson,” he murmured under his breath.

  “Yeah, so wanna fill me in on her?”

  He grinned lazily. “Where to start…Tennyson has always colored outside the lines. She’s been in love with Matt for a couple of years. He strings her along and sees her when he’s in town. She’d do just about anything for him. I tell her all the time, ‘whiskey is risky and it makes girls frisky.’”

  He glanced over his shoulder and snorted. “Matt and I have been friends since we were kids, but unfortunately, I know he’s not the most honorable guy in the world. I’ve warned Taylor to stay away from him, but Tennyson, she’s always looking for trouble. She’s got wires crossed. Her older brother was a hellion.”

  “She’s wicked smart in class.”

  “She’s smart, all right, in school. But beyond dumb about guys. Doesn’t get the whole ‘maybe you should be more subtle if you want a guy to honestly fall for you’ thing. You, on the other hand, seem to get it.”

  I stared at him wondering how he was able to express himself so well when he was so jacked up. And was he making a play for me, really, or was that the alcohol talking?

  “Well, little sister, I’d offer to drive you home, but I’m really not in any shape to get you there safely. I get the feeling most everybody here plans to stay the night. How would your folks feel about that? I could sleep next to you to make sure no one bothers you. Since it’s my cabin, I get an actual bed in the back.”

  “Are you kidding? My dad will put out an Amber Alert on me any minute now. And if he knew that you used the word ‘sleep’ in the same sentence as ‘me’, he’d rearrange your face.”

  Luke grinned and laughed under his breath. “Thought so. That’s good, Meg. That’s the way it should be. I’ll look around for someone who can drive. If nothing else, I’ll give you the keys to my truck. Problem is, you probably weren’t paying attention on the way out here and it’s a dang crazy way back to town. You’d get lost for sure and I just can’t let that happen. I know somebody that’d flog me like a mad rooster, and it ain’t your daddy. Wait here.”

  I watched Luke stumble through the room taking stock of the stages of inebriation that he found; he was a walking field sobriety test. He stepped outside and I assumed he’d forgotten about me. Ten minutes later he leaned through the open window, talking on his cell. He caught my eye and held up his finger to tell me to wait a minute.

  I started flipping channels again and found a rerun of Grey’s Anatomy to watch. I couldn’t hear it over the bass of the stereo, but I’d seen this one anyway—McSteamy’s first episode. I grabbed the blanket thrown over the back of the couch and covered up. Pretty soon, I was having trouble staying awake. Last night’s lack of sleep was catching up to me, and I must have dozed off. I was awakened by someone rubbing the back of my hand.

  “Wake up, sleeping beauty,” Henry whispered. “I heard you could use a ride home.” He spoke low in my ear and his warm breath sent a chill down that side of my body.

  I sat up quickly, rubbing my eyes, and wondering where I was. Henry sat on the floor next to my chair, and he laughed when he saw my confusion. “Hi, long time no see,” he said. “How in the heck can you sleep through this?” He motioned toward the party that now seemed to be threatening the foundation of the shoddy cabin. And, we’d gained a few amorous couples on the floor around me.

  “Sleep is my avoidance technique. I didn’t know you were here, Henry. Have you been here long?”

  “Nope. Just pulled in. My truck is still running, so let’s get out of here.”

  I couldn’t even describe how relieved I was to see him—my gloriously sober knight in shining armor. He took the blanket off, folded it up and laid it on the back of the chair, and then pulled me up. We walked through the cabin and I heard him tell Luke thanks as he tugged me gently through the kitchen and out the door.

  I took a huge breath of fresh air; I hadn’t realized how much smoke I’d been inhaling in the cabin. The lights of his truck were on and I could hear the engine running. He opened the passenger door for me and then walked around to get in the driver’s side.

  He pulled out and drove for five minutes without saying a word. I could see the muscle in his jaw tensing and releasing over and over. Wyatt always did that when he was worried about something. Finally, I broke the silence.

  “How did you know I needed a ride?”

  He looked at me and smiled. He seemed a little embarrassed, and he took his sweet time answering.

  “Luke called me. He couldn’t find anyone who was in any shape to get behind the wheel, and he had a feeling I might be willing to help out.”

  He looked at me sideways, and laughed. “He told me you threatened to get your dad to hurt him if he touched you.”

  “I did not. That’s totally out of context.” I felt heat rising in my face. “But this is a long way from your side of town, isn’t it? Must’ve taken you, what, forty-five minutes to get here? Are you that worried somebody’s going to take advantage of a tenderfoot?”

  “Something like that. It’s okay, Meg.” He took his eyes off the road and looked at me meaningfully. “So, a party girl from Pittsburgh, huh? I wouldn’t have guessed that.”

  “Me? No. It was supposed to be Sara’s brother and a couple of friends and they were going to cook hamburgers for us. And we were going to watch a movie. Shows what an idiot I am, I guess.”

  He suppressed a laugh. “You’re not an idiot, Meg. I warned you about Tennyson, didn’t I? She’s as stubborn as a lop-eared mule, and I can’t believe she took you to the party and then deserted you. Did anyone try anything? Matt and his little frat boy friends…did they leave you alone? Matt’s a pig.”

  “I think they had me pegged when I walked in the door. I was a total pariah after I refused a beer.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Henry’s eyes soften when I said that.

  So I continued. “My dad’s father was an alcoholic and my parents instilled some serious fear in me about how that runs in families. ‘You can’t be an alcoholic if you never take the first drink,’ they always say. So, that’s where I stand on that whole issue.”

  I heard him blow out a breath. “I feel the same way. Not because of the alcoholism connection, though. I just think it’s a total waste of good brain cells and there’re a million other ways to have a good time, and most of those I’d like to be sober for.”

  I nodded at him, feeling really relieved to know this about him, and a little amazed that he’d thought it through to that degree. Again, I wondered, how old is this guy?

  “Hey, Henry, you know what? I’m starving.
”

  “There’s a late-night diner up here. We could stop and eat if you want. Are your parents looking for you to be home right away?”

  “No. They’re okay. Unless you have somewhere else you need to be.”

  “Nope. I need to be right here with you.” He looked straight ahead and smiled as he pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine. Before I could figure out how to open the truck door, he was already out and pulling it open for me. He took my hand and helped me out, but instead of letting go once I was on my feet, he tightened his grip as we walked into the diner.

  We found a booth in a back corner and ordered greasy hamburgers and onion rings. We spent an hour laughing about the stupid things people were doing and saying at the party. I have to admit, it was kind of fun to be a sober fly on the wall. I learned a lot about my new school chums.

  Later, as Henry drove me home, he asked me what I’d thought about our camping experience the night before.

  “I loved the company and the stars and the campfire and the dog but I could’ve used a bed.”

  “Yeah, city living does that to you. Makes you soft, doesn’t it, tenderfoot?”

  “You’re funny, Buffalo Bill.”

  He laughed loudly and watched me for a second. “Hey, Meg, don’t forget about coming to the stables for a ride. Maybe this Saturday?”

  “Maybe,” I said. “Henry, I know you had better things to do than to help me out tonight. In fact, that makes two nights in a row that you’ve had to change your plans for me. I’m sorry Tennyson keeps doing things that force your hand. But I really do appreciate your help.”

  His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Nobody forced my hand, Meg. I’m glad I could spend some time with you. You can call me anytime you find yourself stranded at a drunken soiree. Or, better yet, call me if you’ve been invited to one, and I’ll come over and take you out instead. I know I already said this but, really, the kids here start pushing the limits by the time they’re twelve or thirteen. They’ve been up to stuff for years that would make your head spin. I’d hate for these jerks to see you as some kind of a challenge. You know you’re whistle bait, don’t you?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Whistle bait, you know?” he trailed off and smiled. “You’re beautiful so you attract a lot of whistles.”

  I laughed and then took a deep, steadying breath, unnerved by his concern for me. “Okay, flatterer, point taken. I prefer to be alone anyway, so it’s not like I’ll miss having a social life.”

  He pulled into my driveway and I thanked him again, climbed out and waved as he backed away. I’d been a straight-A student since kindergarten but darn if I could figure out why I couldn’t form an intelligent thought at that moment. One thing I knew for sure, though, was that I would definitely be going to Henry’s stable on Saturday.

  Dear Wyatt—

  The sun isn’t even up yet but I’m thinking about you. I didn’t sleep well last night. I think something is seriously wrong with Mom. She’s stuck, and being stuck is making her depression really bad. I’m worried, Wyatt. I wish you could talk to her. You’ve always been the only one who could talk Mom out of a funk. These days, she’s a zombie. She gets out of bed and goes straight to her studio. I don’t see her until dinner—when she sits with me and pushes her food around. She’s losing a lot of weight. Dad says we have to let her grieve in her own way, but I think he’s big time worried, too. It’s about to eat me alive. Why can’t she see what she’s doing to all of us?

  On a happier note, I’m consistently able to breathe deeply now. I’m still not ready to accept that you aren’t here. I’ll never be ready. But I’m feeling like I’m tucking some paper around in the hole you left. The wind still whistles in, but I’m not as cold.

  I’m going to spend the day with Henry. I think you would really like him. He makes me feel safe.

  Love,

  Meg

  I spent the early morning today looking through my closet for what you’re supposed to wear when riding horses in the mountains. I finally decided on an old faded pair of jeans, with a perfectly frayed hole on one knee, a brown tank top and a soft brown sweater. I actually still have the cowboy boots that I bought for a rodeo my parents took us to on vacation in Calgary a few years ago. I pulled my hair into a pony tail and quickly put on a little blush and lip balm. I caught my reflection in the mirror, and realized that I actually looked like I fit in here.

  I didn’t know if I was more nervous about being on a horse, or being alone with Henry again. I hadn’t made him any promises, and I hoped that he hadn’t forgotten he’d invited me.

  I figured if we did go for a ride, we’d be gone through lunch so I decided to take food. Dad made a roast last night, so I sliced the leftover meat in thin slices and put together sandwiches. I grabbed chips, a couple of apples, and two bottles of water. I fit everything into my bag, left a note for Mom and Dad, grabbed a breakfast bar, and headed out.

  The riding stables that Henry’s family owns were about twenty miles south of town. I took a left onto the ranch property and pulled into a makeshift parking area. I could see the stables and the sign giving ride times and prices. Half a dozen guys worked on horses and a couple of others pulled hay bales off a truck. A few of them stopped what they were doing when I stepped out of the Jeep and watched me walk toward the barn. I’m sure they were wondering how I could’ve missed the large, red CLOSED FOR THE SEASON sign strung across the fence by the road.

  I was feeling completely self-conscious now, but it was too late to turn around. I needed to find Henry before I lost my nerve.

  “Looking for somebody?” asked a tall blonde. He took his hat off and smiled. He was probably twenty-five and gorgeous. What’s with these guys up here?

  “I’m looking for Henry. Do you know if he’s here yet this morning?”

  “You must be Meg.” he said, with barely restrained amusement. “I’m James. I’m glad you finally made an appearance so Henry can quit bellyaching like a sick calf about it.”

  “Oh. Well, is he in the barn?”

  “Come on, little bit, I’ll take you to him,” James said as he held his elbow out to me. I wondered, a little testily, why I needed to be escorted to Henry. He could’ve just pointed the way. Then as we walked, I understood completely. They were halfway through mucking the stables and there were piles every five feet he’d rather I didn’t step in.

  Inside the barn, five or six other guys cleaned stalls and spread fresh hay. I recognized Dylan and stopped to say hello.

  “Hey, Whitmire,” shouted James. “Your girl’s here!”

  At the other end of the barn, I saw Henry jump down from a loft. He grinned as he walked toward us. I saw him glare at a few of the guys who were staring at me.

  “Don’t you have work to do?” he growled.

  “Sorry about the audience, Meg,” he said under his breath. “They’re not used to pretty visitors who smell good.”

  James chuckled quietly and turned to walk back outside. “Nice to finally meet you, Meg,” he called over his shoulder.

  “So, wow, you’re here,” said Henry. “I’m really glad to see you. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

  “If you’re too busy, I can come back another day,” I said.

  “No way,” he laughed. “We pay these bums to do the work. I just hang around so I can make sure they aren’t slacking off.” A few groans echoed in the barn.

  “How long have you got?” he asked.

  “I’ve got all day. But I don’t want to keep you from anything so just kick me out when you need to.”

  “Yeah, right. So, this is the main stable. We’ve got thirty-five horses in here. Most of them are at least ten years old. They’ve been riding trails for years. They don’t even have to think anymore, just follow the leader.”

  “Are they happy?” I asked, and then regretted the question immediately. What am I, a PETA representative?

  “They’d better be happy; they’re spoiled rotten,” he snorted. “The
y’ve got their own little community here. They’re friends. They’re fed extremely well and given the best care money can buy. If I were a horse, I’d want to be right here.”

  “How many trail rides do they do a day?”

  “In our peak season, they’ll either do one all day ride, or two shorter rides. We rotate horses in and out of the rides so they stay rested. We have a smaller stable behind here with ten more horses.”

  “Sounds like a lot of work.”

  “It’s an honest wage, though, and it gives a lot of wranglers a job in the summer,” he said. “It’s my mom’s pet project. She wanted to share the beauty of this place with others. You said you’ve never been on a horse. You wanna give it a try?” He watched my face hopefully.

  I took a deep, steadying breath before I answered. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

  He grinned and clapped his hands together once. “All right then. It’s on! You don’t move. I’ll tack your horse and be right back.”

  He started to walk away and then he turned and walked backwards so he was facing me. “Meg, I’m really glad you came out,” he called as he took a faded blue baseball cap out of his back pocket, slapped it against his thigh to shake some dust out, and pulled it onto his head. It matched the old t-shirt he was wearing.

  He yelled to James to bring in Trouble. After a minute, James came in leading a reddish-brown horse. He winked as he passed by me with the horse.

  Henry worked on Trouble in the first stall. He saddled him quickly and then grabbed his face and whispered something to him. He held out a handful of oats and let him eat them.