by V. R. Knight
“Um, mom did I tell you I was going to Zane’s tonight to have supper with his mom?” I said looking at her.
She smiled.
“If you did I can’t remember.”
I almost rolled my eyes but didn’t.
“OK, well Jane is making stuff and invited me over so Zane is picking me up about 6 but I’m not sure what time we’ll be back.”
She nodded.
“Ok, that’s fine.”
I got up and got something to eat then started to read Lord of the Flies.
It was 5 when I took a hot shower and got dressed in the red and white polka-dot dress that I had hidden in the back of my closet. I smiled. This was going to be for Grant. But maybe I got it for someone else, not Grant…maybe I knew I had feelings for---
“Olivia!” dad called from the bathroom door scaring me. “I need to get in there for a second. Are you almost done?” I sighed and slipped the dress on.
“Yeah, hold on a minute,” it came just two inches from my knees. Good thing I had a long coat. My coat was just as long as the dress so it would keep me warm. I opened the door and grabbed my stuff. He smiled.
“Sorry,” I rolled my eyes and went into my room. I combed out my hair, I dried and left it down. It tumbled a little below my shoulders. Not too long like all the people have now and not too short. It was a little wavy so I curled a few pieces then put on my flats. I heard the car a mile away.
“Olivia! Zane’s here!” mom called.
I sighed and checked myself in the mirror. I didn’t put on a lot of makeup. Just a little. I smiled and the girl smiled back. This is me I guess. Someone in between a roughy, toughy girl and the girlie, girl. Perfect. I grabbed my coat, keys and cell phone not bothering to get a purse. They were pointless. I ran down the stairs as Zane came in.
“Mrs. Taylor,” Zane said sweetly to mom.
She blushed.
“Please call me Jill.”
He nodded. Zane looked….really handsome. He was wearing dark jeans with a button up dark green shirt. Plus his leather jacket. He was wearing a brown skull hat that almost matched his hair. I came down the stairs and quickly slipped in.
“I’m ready,” I said behind mom.
Zane’s eyes shifted over to me. His eyes had the same look I couldn’t tell what it was. His eyes were locked on me. He looked like he was stunned where he was. I smiled lightly. Those blue eyes. Why did they make me blush? Why could he see everything in me?
“Oh Olivia! You look so pretty!” mom said and gave me a hug.
“Thanks mom,” I said and pulled back. I looked at Zane again who tried to regain himself but was failing.
“Yeah you look….” He trailed off and looked down blushing a little. I smiled kindly.
“Mom I’ll be back when I can.”
“Oh just have fun!” she said and smiled. I nodded.
“See ya dad!” I yelled.
“Bye!” he yelled from his office.
I walked toward Zane and he looked up between his lashes. “Come on there, buddy.” I said and nudged him playfully. He smiled and we walked out the door. “So what is your mom making for supper?” I asked as we drove out of the parking lot.
“Um, I’m not sure. But she is totally rushing around making stuff.” I laughed.
“Aw that’s sweet,” it was silent.
“She really likes you Olivia,” Zane said and looked over at me with a small smile. I smiled.
“I think she is great too,” he looked back at the road and he put his arm beside mine and they touched. We didn’t move back. We left our elbows touching. I wanted it. I wanted to be able to touch him no matter what. If it was just the elbows I would be ok. And no I’m not going to object to that. I’m not going to argue because it was the truth. I still wasn’t sure what I felt for Zane….and I was worried about that because in the end, I would probably get my heart broken.
Chapter 32
We got to the house and we quickly ran to the door. We walked up the stairs slowly. I thought Zane was going to say something but he just looked up. But then I felt a hand come into mine. We intertwined our fingers and I smiled. We got up to his floor and he unlocked the door. He looked back at me and crooked a smile.
“Be prepared, she is going all out.”
I laughed and nodded. He opened the door and the smell of baked bread morphed from the room. We walked in and Zane shut the door not bothering to lock it. “Mom! We’re here!” he called. We walked into the kitchen and smoke came up from the stove as Jane pulled a pan off. She looked up and grinned. She was wearing a nice black dress that made her look like a teenager; but still mom approvable.
“Olivia!” she said and gave me a hug. “It’s nice to see you!”
“You too,” I said and smiled.
“We’ll I’m making food. It’s almost done so it will be a minute. Zane you can go take her to the table.” She said. He nodded. We walked into the living room where they had set up a table. It had candles in the middle and salad and bread sticks already on it. Zane pulled out my chair and I sat down.
“Thank you,” I said a little surprised. He nodded and took a drink of his ice water before sitting down.
“Like I said she went all out,” he whispered.
I laughed.
“It’s ok. I think she did a great job,”
“Damn-it!” she yelled.
“Mom! Are you ok?” Zane asking, half laughing.
“Yeah! Yeah! I’m fine!” she called back.
He laughed. A little while later she came out with a tray of spaghetti covered in sauce.
“Mm, it smells good,” I said.
She grinned.
“Good! I hope it’s as good as it looks.” she mumbled as she sat down with a sigh. She smiled at Zane and me from her end of the small table. There was a space across from me but no plate. “OK, let’s give thanks,” she bowed her head. “Zane?” she asked. He sighed and gave a quick pray. She smiled as she put her napkin on her lap. “So, how are you Olivia?”
I took a bread stick. “I’m pretty good. It’s just school has been a pain and stuff.” She nodded.
“Are you going to college after high school?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Yeah, I want to go to college in California. There’s a really good one there and cheap too.”
She smiled. Zane passed me the spaghetti and I scooped some onto my plate.
“What do you want to major in?”
I thought for a moment as I twirled my noodles around my fork.
“I want to become a doctor.”
She raised an eyebrow surprised.
“Really?”
I nodded.
“It’s always been my dream I guess.” I shrugged. “My mom isn’t too helpful either.” I said and took my fork full and ate it.
She frowned.
“Why not? It’s a great job! If would have went to college, I would have done something like that.” I sighed.
“My mom is a very…..well there really isn’t a word for her. She wants me in a pageant and to be the next Ms. America.” Zane choked on his food but quickly swallowed and retained himself from laughing. I narrowed my eyes at him as he just grinned at me. I rolled my eyes. “I’m something she isn’t, so she isn’t very supportive of me wanting to be a doctor. How come you didn’t go to college?” I asked.
She sighed.
“Well, my ex husband and I were high school sweethearts.”
I smiled.
“And we got married right out of high school. It wasn’t a year before Zane was born and we couldn’t afford for me to go to college after.”
I frowned slightly.
“And your ex husband, what did he do?”
She ate a bite of her food before answering.
“He worked with his brother as lawyers.”
I nodded.
“But after he left, I had to get a job to take care of Zane.”
I looked down and took a drink of water.
&nbs
p; “Did you ever think about going back to school, now?” I asked looking up. I saw Zane stop eating. Jane smiled kindly at me.
“I don’t think I could.”
“Why not?” Zane asked putting down his fork. Jane bit her lip. “We could get some extra cash.” Zane suggested. I smiled at him.
“Oh I don’t—“
“I think it you should,” I said.
She smiled.
“I never thought about it….but now I will.” She ate looking happy.
“Mom, maybe—“ Zane was cut off as the front door banged open. We all jumped and turned. There a middle aged brown hair man stood, his eyes almost black.
“Jane,” he said, his words cold and cruel. Zane’s hold body went ridged. I stared at the man. “Oh…Scott,” Jane said standing up and pushing down her skirt.
“What’s this?” he asked. He was a big man and tall. Zane’s hands were clenched in fist, mine mimicked his. This was Scott. She went over and he pulled her into kiss him. He pulled her away quickly.
“We were just having dinner,” she said her voice a little shaky.
“And you didn’t tell me?” he asked.
“No! No, no sweetie. We were waiting for you.”
He nodded. He looked at me and my jaw clenched.
“Hi,” he said his voice becoming gentler. “Who’s this?” he asked. Zane stood up his hands fist at his side.
“She’s my girlfriend.” Zane said his voice deep. Scott raised an eyebrow but looked bored. “Didn’t know you even had a girl.” he said. Scott ignored him and smiled creepily at me. “I’m Scott,”
“Olivia,” I answered back trying to unclench my teeth.
“Well Jane, I want something to eat so why don’t you set me up a plate.”
She nodded and ran into the kitchen. Zane sat back down his body tense and ready to pounce. I put my hand on his leg and he flinched but then saw me. I calmed him down with my eyes. It was ok. He wasn’t going to hurt any of us. If I just behave and if he likes me he might not hurt Zane. But this guy was a creep. I could see that. Every time I looked at him I could see him punching Zane. I wanted to punch Scott myself. He dragged a chair over to the table in front of me and sat down. I got a swift of a heavy alcohol smell then cigarettes. “So how long have you been dating?” he asked putting his lazy arm on the back of the chair. Zane didn’t eat.
“A month or two now,” I answered. He nodded looking at me. I stared back at him showing him I wasn’t scared.
“Ok, here,” Jane said coming back into the room and putting the plate down. He admittedly filled it with spaghetti and breadsticks. Jane said down and started to eat again.
“How was your day?” Jane asked Scott.
He shrugged.
“Same, same.” Jane nodded and took a drink of her water. It was quiet and I ate a little more but not feeling like eating. I was still tense with Scott across from me who I could tell was watching me sometimes. It was creepy.
“Are you mute?” Scott asked Zane. Zane looked over at Scott and glared.
“No.”
Scott laughed.
“Your girl here is going to get bored with you if you don’t watch out.” he clenched his teeth.
I wanted badly to hold his hand but they were clenched too tightly together.
“No, I don’t think I will,” I said boldly.
Scott switched his eyes over to me and I almost gulped. They looked black. No soul.
“Mm,” he said and started eating again.
I swallowed a little and took a drink of water. “Do we have any beer?” Scott asked Jane.
Jane looked up her eyes a little big.
“N-no I forgot to get any.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Jane!” he yelled Zane moved a little toward him his hands ready to punch but stopped. Jane looked scared.
“I’m sorry I forgot. I’ll get—“
“No! It’s fine. I’ll go get some tonight.” he muttered coldly. He mumbled something that sounded like what are you worth for.
I gritted my teeth together wanting badly to yell. How could Zane not hurt this guy? He was a total asshole!
Jane stood up and picked up her stuff. “I’m going to wash up the plates,” she said calmly but her voice wavered.
“Good,” Scott muttered but then smiled up at me. “She can be that way sometimes, just ignore her.”
My mouth almost dropped a little. He was apologizing for Jane?! She didn’t do anything! “The games on,” Scott said and stood up. Drank down his water in disgust then flopped himself down onto the couch and switched on the TV. I stood up.
“I’m going to help your mom,” I whispered. Zane stood up too and grabbed some of the plates and cups.
“OK.”
I took the plates and walked in. Jane stood at the sink washing.
“Here,” I said and set them down by the sink.
“Oh thank you,” she said.
“Can I help?” I asked. She smiled gratefully.
“That would be wonderful.” I rinsed and put them on the dish rack. I put the spaghetti in a box and put it in the frig.
“You are a real help. Thank you.” Jane said kindly.
I smiled and rinsed more.
“Yeah, no problem. We have a dish washer and I don’t get to do this kind of stuff. My mom only cooks once in a while and she doesn’t do dishes.” She laughed her eyes wrinkling at the sides into crow’s feet. But they were sweet.
“Well, I know a lot about washing dishes.”
I laughed. “You’re really good for Zane, you know that?” she said looking over at me. I smiled sadly. “I’m so glad he found a girl. And you are the perfect match for him.”
My heart was almost tearing. Too bad I wasn’t that girl. Too bad he doesn’t feel that way for me.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
She laughed.
“He needs a woman to put him in his place!”
I laughed.
“Yeah,” Zane came in and leaned on the counter his teeth still clenched but less tense.
I looked at him and mouthed. ‘Are you ok?’
He nodded stiffly. I gave him a reassuring smile.
Chapter 33
Jane and I talked at the table and told stories. It was nice because I didn’t even notice Scott. Zane stood, leaned on the wall behind me watching Scott out of the corner of his eye.
“Oh wow,” Jane said leaning back on her chair smiling.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“It is 10 o’clock.”
I laughed.
“Wow, um Zane we should probably get back to my house. My parents didn’t give me a time but I’m sure they’ll yell if it’s too late.” He nodded. I stood up and Jane did too.
“Thank you for coming over.”
I smiled.
“Thank you for having me,” she gave me a tight hug.
“I want her to come back,” Jane said letting me go and talking to Zane.
He smiled lightly.
“OK mom,” he said.
“Be safe!” she called as we went out the door. The stairs were cold so I wrapped my coat around me tighter. We headed to the car and got in quickly seeing a group of guys at the end of the street walking up. It was silent as we went over the bridge.
“So that’s Scott,” I stated, more than a question.
“Yeah….he wasn’t supposed to come. But of course the fucker can’t stay away for more then—“
“Zane!” I said. “It’s ok, as long as he doesn’t hurt you we’re ok.”
He glanced over at me and looked away quickly.
“I wasn’t worried about getting hurt…..I was worried he was going to hurt you,” he mumbled softly. I looked at him. His jaw was tight but I swear I could see pink running to his cheeks. I smiled and laughed lightly. I took his hand and brought it up to my lips and kissed it then patted his hand.
“I can take care of myself there Mr. Walker. If he would ever try to hurt me, I would just o
pen up a can of ‘Whoop Ass!’.”
He laughed. We got to the house and I got out. He walked me up talking about some concert Jane took him too.
“ACDC?” I asked surprised. He nodded and laughed.
“My mom loves them.”
“So that’s why Back in Black is your ring tone.”
He laughed.
“Yeah.”
I smiled.
“You’re really good to your mom,” I said. He sighed but smiled. “I’ll see you Monday.” I started for the door.
“Wait!” he said quickly. I turned as Zane came up and kissed my cheek lightly.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered. Shivers ran down my spine. With that he turned and went back down the steps and got in his car. I smiled and went inside. I heard the car drive away and sighed. Dad was in the living room watching the game when I walked in.
“I’m going to bed,” I said. He nodded. I went up to my room slipping off my shoes and jacket. I pulled off my dress and got into bed not feeling like changing. I got my book and started to read almost in a daze.
Sunday morning I went down stairs later and finished my book. I sighed as dad flipped the channel on the TV. I need a book. I looked at my phone and sighed. No texts from Zane.
“Dad,” I said standing up.
“Mm?” he asked.
“I’m going to go to the library quick ok?”
He nodded.
“Be careful out there, though, it’s getting a little icy.” I grabbed my coat and scarf, then my gloves. Mom came into the living room getting a magazine off the coffee stand.
“I need something to read while we’re there” she mumbled. I headed out the door and ran to my car as I felt the icy breeze. It was going to snow this week. I could tell. I got to the library and went to my favorite section. I moved my fingers across the leather backs and read the last names. I smiled as I pulled out a dusty Mice and Men. It was a tiny book but it was so good. I had read it a couple times. I then moved to the next isle and found Stephen King. I smiled as I pulled out a large book with a couple stories in it. I went around the other corner thinking maybe one more book would be good. There was a table in the corner and there was Grant sitting at it. I stopped frozen then went to step back around the corner when he saw me.
