by Thomas Melo
Mr. Colabza was disappointed. “See me after class Tyler.” This lead to the typical sophomoric jeer from the rest of the class, save for Lilith: The cacophonous blend of “ooooo’s,” as if to say, “You’re in troublllllllllle!” That sound is irritating to anyone and Jim Colabza was no exception.
“That’s enough!” Mr. Colabza thundered. The students shut their mouths at once, for if Mr. Colabza was yelling, they know that they surely screwed the pooch...and royally. Jim Colabza used his roars like a gunslinger uses his bullets…that is to say, sparingly. While each cartridge of lead that is slung packs the same punch, no matter how many are fired, when a man who almost never yells finally lets one fly, you know you’ve transgressed that fine line in the sand.
Just in time to break the deafening silence, the bell rang and the period was over. There was a little extra giddy-up in the steps of Mr. Colabza’s seventh period PIG students this day. Instead of lingering a bit and having a quick friendly word with their teacher as usual, they were out the door in a flash; well, except for Tyler…and Lilith.
“Lilith, you can go to your next class, I only need to speak with Tyler,” he said.
“No, I think I’ll wait for Tyler,” Lilith countered.
“No, Lilith; what I need to speak with him about is between him and I. If he wants to share with you later, that’s up to him. Now please go to your next class.” She gave her teacher a glare and then did as he requested…well, sort of. She left the room, yes, but instead of moving along to her physics class, she stood against the wall right outside of the class room door so she could eavesdrop. Mr. Colabza followed her as far as the door and closed it after her, realizing what she was probably doing, but choosing to pick his battles. He knew Tyler would be no match for Lilith’s interrogation as to what she had missed earlier anyway. So, he moved on and got down to business with Tyler.
“Ty,” his teacher began. Tyler just looked back at his teacher, who at this point in his life he had known for five years. “Ty, remember the only other time I asked you to stay after class? Back in seventh grade?”
Tyler nodded.
As he asked this, Jim Colabza thought back to the memory of the barely-teen version of Tyler, the seventh grade Tyler, sitting in the same area of the class room which he had always chosen (near the windows) in his casual, but neat outfit that his mother would lay out for him the night before. In the instant it took for Tyler to nod at him in acknowledgment, he compared the overall look of the Tyler who was before him five years earlier to this one, and didn’t like what he saw. It wasn’t that Tyler was dressed like a dirt-bag or even dressed ratty; he wasn’t. Tyler had shed his baby-fat and was now a very handsome young man with surprisingly blemish-free skin. Instead of Tyler and Lilith looking like a comical mismatch, they now looked like they belonged together. That is what frightened Mr. Colabza the most, in the end. There was something odd about Lilith, anyone could see that, but it was a feeling much darker than simple oddity or eccentricity; but what did he know? Teens could be, and often were “little shits” for the duration of their teens, and sometimes longer. Perhaps he was overreacting.
“What’s going on with you? I remember last time we had this talk, you told me that you were having trouble concentrating. You used to be an “A” and “B” student, but since our talk, you’ve been a “B” and “C” student.
“How do you know that?” Tyler asked with a pinch of agitation.
“Because, believe it or not, your teachers care about you, just like we do the rest of the students. We get together and try to decide how to better teach you material, but we also clue each other in on any issues we may be having with our students so that we can help.”
Tyler just stared blankly at his teacher and counted the seconds until he would be reunited with his girlfriend.
* * *
Ray and Cindy had noticed the drop in Tyler’s grades as well. They also noticed that this dip in his GPA had taken place right around the time he had been seeing more of Lilith. They noticed the grades drop, then go back to normal, and then drop again. Furthermore, Cindy had noticed that this was right around “the day the Superman poster came down,” as she referred to it. Cindy cleaned the house on her days off while Ray was at work and while Tyler was at school, like many part-time homemakers do. When she went into Tyler’s room to dust, vacuum, and straighten up a bit, she noticed the Superman poster, a gift from one of the leaders at his church’s youth-group, crumpled in his wastebasket next to his desk. When she first noticed this, she thought it was cute; that here little boy was growing up. She discussed this with Ray when he came home from work, who, while he thought there was nothing wrong with a boy Tyler’s age admiring Superman, was also more than willing to see it go.
“Our boy’s growing up. That’s all,” Ray comforted, along with a wink, confirming his wife’s suspicion.
Ray and Cindy had discussed Tyler’s infatuation for Lilith, dismissing it as nothing more than classic school-house puppy-love, like the song says. As far as the grades declining, of course they were concerned, but just when the apprehensions reached their proverbial flash-point, his grades would improve…with eerie timeliness.
As the years passed and high school graduation crept closer and closer, Tyler had mentioned his desire to apply to take civil service exams in order to become a police officer…the words that no parent ever wants to hear, solely out of trepidation. Perhaps, according to parents, it was even worse than hearing that their child wants to join the military. After all, the military is only dangerous during times of war; and while anything could change at any time, the country was currently enjoying a period of peace and prosperity under President Patrelco, an Independent (moderately Republican) from Arizona.
Truth be told, Tyler’s parents had hoped that he would become some type of scientist or a teacher; an academic.
Ray and Cindy agreed that growing up, Tyler took enough licks from his peers and that while they would remind their son that it was important to work up to his potential, they would cut him some slack. Many would agree that this is not an area in which a parent should concede and give a degree of latitude, but parents pick and choose their battles like anyone else and live with the consequences of those choices.
They actually discussed this issue in their backyard next to their fire-pit with drinks in hand, enjoying a little alone time while Tyler “stayed over a friend’s.”
“I mean, he still makes honor roll most quarters, and all things considered, he really doesn’t give us much trouble. We’re very lucky parents, you know,” Ray explained to his wife as she sipped her cold white wine.
“Believe me, I know we’re lucky. I just want him to do his best in school and what Mr. Colabza said the other day concerned me a bit. I know that he wants to be a police officer, and that he can get his sixty credits in two years at a community college, but that’s no reason to slack off either,” Cindy said.
“I know, believe me, I was raised to work up to my full potential too, same as you, but all I’m saying is that he has had quite a bit of grief earlier in his school career, and he finally seems to be enjoying himself a bit these days. Let him enjoy the rest of his time in high school, within reason. He’s in a better mood when he comes home from school, and generally a happier kid. Don’t you think?” Ray said.
“Yes, and I think it has a lot to do with that girl Lilith that he hangs around with. What do you think of her? Also, he does seem happier, yes, but he also seems to be out in space a little. You don’t think he’s using drugs, do you?” his wife asked.
“I don’t know her very well. They don’t really hang out around here too much. She seems fine though. And no, I don’t think our son is using drugs. High school kids are supposed to be a little spacey. They’re shot from the four-year trek through the process,” Ray laughed. As far as what he felt about his son’s relationship with Lilith, Ray thought that his son was extremely lucky with his score…among other things. But this would be omitted from the conversa
tion, regardless of how many bottles of wine they went through in front of the fire that night.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being a typical mother, you know, the “no one is good enough for my boy” sort of thing.” This got Ray laughing again, and hard.
“I understand, babe, but, while your intentions are sound, I don’t think Tyler would want you chasing this one away,” he tittered with lips looser than he had intended. That was as close as he would come to telling his wife what a sex-pot he thought his son’s girlfriend was.
So, not only was Mr. Colabza aware of this hiccup in Tyler’s school career, but as you can see, so were his parents.
* * *
“I’m fine, Mr. Colabza, it’s just a little senioritis, you know? Besides, I’m going to community college for an associate’s degree and then to the police academy, and from what I hear, as long as you have a pulse, you get accepted to community college.”
“Tyler, that’s no reason not to try your hardest during the rest of the year.”
“I know, I know,” Tyler placated, guiltily looking down at the desktop.
“You’re a good kid Tyler, don’t allow yourself to be coerced into being someone you aren’t or to do things that you normally wouldn’t do,” Mr. Colabza nodded towards the door. “You know what I’m saying, right?”
Lilith stood outside the room, seething. Tyler knew what he was saying and of course, Lilith knew what Mr. Colabza was implying. Even though she wasn’t looking into the room, she could somehow hear the body language tacked to Jim Colabza’s cautious words.
“Mmm-hmm.” Lilith wasn’t an orator by any means, she chose her words carefully and precisely. She meant what she said and she said what she meant, and more often than not, this didn’t require a great amount of words to bolster her point.
“Mmm-hmm.” The implications of that simple phrase could be quite frightening.
Chapter 2
“Mom, I’m home!” Tyler announced.
“Hey, Ty! Be right there!” Cindy called from somewhere in the house.
Although Tyler had an increasingly unhealthy captivation with Lilith, he still maintained a more than decent home life with his parents. Cindy’s rule of having dinner with the family had stuck all through his schooling; a remarkable feat, considering how busy schedules tend to get with age.
Cindy came from upstairs with an armful of laundry and found Tyler in the kitchen waiting for her. She greeted him and kissed him “hello” on the cheek. Tyler went on with the rest of the routine, which included answering some questions about his day while his head was buried in the refrigerator.
“How was school?” Cindy asked her son.
“Alright. You know, same old story. I’m looking forward to the end, to be honest with you,” Tyler shrugged.
“Well that didn’t sound too great? Anything happen?”
“No. Nothing remarkable; just a typical day, that’s all. Hey, can I ask a favor?” his voice suddenly perked up from its previous drone, the way voices tend to when they are imposing on someone.
“Can I say “no”?” his mother joked.
“You could, but what fun would that be? Plus I’ll sulk and mope around here,” he smiled.
“I guess you’re right. Ask away then, son o’ mine,” Cindy said. How could she resist with a smile like Ty’s?
“I was wondering if Lilith could come by for dinner tonight,” Tyler proposed.
Now, Cindy didn’t exactly dislike Lilith, but the other side of the coin was that she probably wasn’t her biggest fan either. She had always thought of Lilith as the common denominator to Tyler’s dwindling grades ever since they started palling around together in their younger days, let alone going out together later in their teens. Although it was very difficult, she decided to take the higher ground and give Lilith the benefit of the doubt and concede that any female would have this effect on her son because he was just at that age now. Besides, she made her son happy.
If she said that the phrase, “keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer” didn’t breach the surface of her subconscious more than once, what a liar she would have been. In her defense, however, people aren’t exactly aware of their subconscious, which is what makes the subconscious what it is, by definition.
Cindy realized something else. Two things, as a matter of fact: First, this would be a great opportunity for her and her husband to get to know his son’s girlfriend a little bit more. Perhaps it would assist in putting aside some qualms she had about the relationship. “She” because Ray was proud of his son for having such an attractive girlfriend, and he didn’t exactly disguise it either, by God.
Second, is a classic and frankly at this point in history, clichéd misstep by parents of children who are dating someone that the parents don’t particularly care for. That is unintentionally driving their child deeper into the clutches of their significant other with their blatant disdain for the companion. Cindy had seen enough Lifetime movies and sitcoms growing up to know the score. She knew the score very well.
“I’ll run it by your father when he gets home, but I don’t see why not; I don’t mind. Like I said though, wait until I ask dad before you invite her,” Cindy said.
“Ok,” Tyler agreed and began walking towards the stairs to go to his room.
“And make sure her mother is alright with it too!” she called after him.
To the latter, he didn’t answer. Tyler had never had a conversation with Lilith’s mom after all of these years, and yes, he did find that somewhat strange. He had seen her and met her, sure, but the words spoken between them could fit on a postcard and you’d still have room for the stamp. There were a few times over the years when his mom would drop him off at her house, before he was old enough to take his bike, and eventually his car, when Tyler and his mom would see a pale, dark haired woman standing at the front door waving to them with a wan smile before they exited the car, and then turn and walk back into the house. Tyler and his mom took this as a sign that it would be alright for him to walk up to the house, and by the time he got up to the front door, it would swing open, and Lilith would peek her head outside after Tyler walked in, give a little wave, and then promptly close the door behind her guest.
Tyler didn’t know if it was just that they were wrapped up in playing together (when they were younger…and when they were older) or a classic case of out-of-sight-out-of-mind, but he tended not to dwell upon the fact that he didn’t recall seeing the mother for the rest of his visit…ever. Perhaps the reason he and Lilith’s mother barely spoke was that when he did end up running into her, Lilith was always off in another room or busy doing something somewhere else. As polite as Tyler was, he just didn’t feel very comfortable shooting the breeze with Lilith’s mom. He would be happy to answer anything she asked him, but start the conversation? No, not Tyler.
Lilith told him that her father had left the family before she was even born. So, he didn’t expect to cross paths with him at Lilith’s house. Ty had felt a bit guilty about the feeling of relief that that information had provided. Knowing that he would never have that awkward meeting-the-father-for-the-first-time encounter that all young growing boys loathed was soothing. There were only a few times when Lilith’s home was the location of their play dates, and she never wanted to go to Tyler’s unless they had the place to themselves. Tyler didn’t think she seemed like the type that would be uncomfortable talking to parents, but he thought that looks could be deceiving…could they ever. Most of the time they stayed outdoors, which was a lost art of leisure in the age of iPhones, Xboxes, iPads, and Playstations. That suited them and the adults in charge just fine.
When Ray Swanson arrived home from work in a great mood, not only did he not balk at having his son’s girlfriend for dinner, but he suggested he take them all out to an Italian restaurant that they liked going to, Buon Mangia. Everyone thought it was a fine idea. Cindy and Ray took their car, and Tyler picked up Lilith in his car. Cindy thought it was silly to take two cars
, and that they would be happy to pick Lilith up, but backed off quickly when Ray informed his wife that it was just a “guy thing.”
“They want their privacy, I’m sure,” Ray explained. “I promise, if we get to the restaurant and they’re not there behind us in fifteen minutes, I’ll go searching vacant parking lots for his rocking car. Deal?”
Cindy elbowed her husband’s ribs with a chortle and a click of her tongue. When they arrived at the restaurant, Ty was already there with Lilith. They waited out front for his parents to arrive. The first thing Cindy thought when she saw Lilith standing next to her son was that she was subtly brazen in her choice of outfit. It certainly was not street-walker-brazen, but it was there.
Lilith wore tight blue jeans, which really pronounced her rear-end, and a tight black girl’s tee, which had three dark red butterflies on it the size of softballs. They were more like film negatives of a butterfly in their appearance. There was one near her right shoulder, one around her left midsection, and one at the bottom of the shirt. But these weren’t regular looking butterflies. There was something about how they teased the senses. The feeling was again, understated, just like their owner’s unabashed overall appearance that night, but all who looked upon these maniacal butterflies knew they were looking at harbingers of disease, or insanity, or infection, or some horrible thing.
At the same time, the shirt was very stimulating indeed. Ty noticed it, and Ray certainly noticed it as well. Cindy needed only to look at her husband’s puerile face to realize that, which put Cindy in a lovely mood right from the beginning of the evening.
“Fuck giving her the benefit of the doubt; I’ve already seen enough,” Cindy almost said under her breath, but was able to yank the reigns of restraint at the last second…that was close. Lilith could sense the hostility from her boyfriend’s mother right away before Cindy even said a word. Countenance, with the invaluable assistance of the eyes, tells astonishingly silver-tongued stories which make words almost obsolete.
