The Nerdy Girl (White Oak Creek High Book 1)

by Lee Wardlow

  At noon, Mr. Gardener had to go work. He had a problem at the plant. He took Tyson with him to pick up his car at Johnny’s house. He also wanted to check in at the police station to see if there was any word on the investigation.

  When Mom and Rhonda got off the elevators I sat up. Mom sat beside me while Rhonda took a seat across from us. Mrs. Gardener was in ICU with Abby alone right now. I thought Abby’s mom needed that time just the two of them.

  “Are you okay?”

  I shook my head no and like the morning Dad left for overseas again, I burst out crying. Mom held me in her arms and stroked my hair. “Cal have faith. Abby will be okay.”

  I couldn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say because right now nothing made sense. “They hurt her so badly, Mom.” My mother hadn’t seen Abby yet.

  “I know honey. It was on the news. All the girls who watched are being held pending charges. Delia went before a judge already this morning. She’s been charged with aggravated assault, which is the worst offense they could have charged her with. Then they tacked on a bunch of other just in case charges. She’s seventeen. The prosecutor is even discussing trying her as an adult.”

  “What did she plea?” Mrs. Gardener asked. We hadn’t heard her approach the lounge chairs where we were sitting.

  “Not guilty of course.” Mom rose from her seat. She walked around to Kat Gardener and hugged her. “Dana Cooper,” she said to Abby’s mother. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “My mother called. She’s flying in early because of this. She and Abby are so close. I just wanted to step away for a minute so I could talk to her. I need to plan on who is picking her up. I don’t know. I’m so lost.”

  “Kat let us help you. We are a big family. One of us will pick up your mother so you don’t have to leave the hospital.”

  “Thank you. That is so kind.” I could see the relief on Mrs. Gardener’s face.

  “Come sit down for a minute.”

  “Will she get off?” Kat asked my mother as they sat in chairs side by side.

  “No, she won’t. I know one of the arresting officers.” She looked at me. “Jessie thought he was going to have to cuff you Cal to keep you from going after the girl who hurt Abby.”

  I snorted. “I wanted to, but he stopped me. I wanted to hurt her,” I admitted.

  “He said even with her Dad’s money and her uncle’s lawyer friends, the case is cut and dry. The prosecutor thinks she’ll deal eventually but they won’t settle for less than felony assault. They might drop the aggravated. Drop the degree but they want felony charges to stick. These girls have done this before but not to this extent.”

  I frowned at Mom. “Who?” I couldn’t remember them ever terrorizing anyone the way they had Abby.

  “Ashley Courts,” she said.

  “The girl younger than us by a year. Left after my eighth-grade year?” I asked.

  “Yes, her parents moved to another city to get Ashley away from these girls. They’re vicious. Ashley wasn’t the first. Several other girls reported them to the school for harassment, but the school ignored their complaints because of who her father is.”

  “I don’t understand,” I declared. “What’s so important about her dad?”

  Maybe being seventeen made me naïve to the ways of the world. How life and politics went hand in hand with businessmen like Mr. Art who had donated a lot of money to the town to rebuild and grow. He led the revitalization project that brought more businesses to White Oak Creek. Being grateful was one thing but Delia couldn’t get away with this again.

  “She won’t get away with it will she?” I asked needing reassurance from Mom.

  “No Cal. Jessie told me the prosecutor is just as upset about this the police department was.” She rubbed my back trying to comfort me.

  Mrs. Gardener remained quiet. “Could I go back and sit with Abby?” I asked.

  Her mother nodded at me. I headed down the long hallway towards the entrance. I pushed the buttons and told them I was there to see Abby Gardener. I was buzzed into ICU.

  The nurses gave me a compassionate smile. I tried to smile in return, but my gut was aching. I leaned over the bed and kissed Abby’s forehead then I sat with her and held her hand.

  My thumb traced over her delicate hand. I rested my head next to her shoulder and let the tears flow from my eyes. “I love you Abby,” I whispered. “Get well baby so I can tell you with your beautiful eyes open.”

  **

  My head felt heavy like a weight was sitting on it. My eyes were sealed shut by something. I heard their voices, but I couldn’t wake up.

  I heard Cal begging me to wake up soon. I heard him telling me to get better so he could tell me that he loved me. I heard his voice as he read my stories over and over, wanting to connect to me somehow.

  Then Tyson was there throughout this period that I felt ensconced in darkness. Unable to move my limbs, speak or open my eyes, I had no choice but to listen to them.

  Tyson was remorseful. He blamed himself. The girls were to blame. Delia Art had done this to me. Tyson was crying. That was the hardest part. Unable to comfort those I loved.

  My parents argued from time to time when they were here together in my room. Secrets I’m not sure that I was supposed to hear. They were having trouble. Mom wasn’t happy. I felt that was my fault. Mom had been seeing a therapist. That is why we couldn’t reach her so often.

  My dad didn’t understand.

  So, me? I laid here waiting and wondering when the fog would life and my eyes would finally open. I didn’t know how long it had been.

  I heard Christmas music one morning. I know they had to fight with Cal and Mom to get them to go home.

  I could only assume it was Christmas. Cal was the first to visit me that day. He sat beside me like he always did. His hands big and strong grasped mine. They were cold. I flinched; an involuntary reaction. It made him happy though. “You are in there Abby, aren’t you?” He asked.

  He slipped something on my finger. Cool, metal. “I can’t wait for you to see this Abby. It’s a promise ring.”

  His finger traced over the ring on my left hand. “It’s my promise to love you forever. I will even if you don’t love me that long.”

  I wanted to open my eyes so I could see the ring that Cal had put there, but something was still holding me back.

  New Year’s Eve, I could hear the celebration on the television. I had missed the entire Christmas break. Bummer. Mom and Cal spent the evening with me.

  They talked a lot. I realized that I hadn’t seen my father in several days. I wanted to ask about him but couldn’t. I felt stronger. Better. My mind clearer except for the blackness that held me down. I couldn’t shake that yet.

  Finally, in January, the doctor advised the swelling was down. I was going back to surgery. Surgery I didn’t know I had in the first place. The voices were silent once again until the medicine wore off from the second surgery.

  They decided to bring me out of the medically induced coma. My brain waves were normal. I had some weakness in my left leg and arm. Otherwise, I felt good, I would have told the surgeon in recovery, but I hadn’t found my voice even though my eyelids were starting to flutter like they might open.

  Then I was taken back to ICU where I would be monitored for another week, I heard my doctor tell my mother and Cal after I was settled in my room. Cal who had not left my side through most of Christmas break. Cal who had put a promise ring on my left hand.

  I wanted to see that ring.

  It was time to open my eyes now that I could.

  It was dark outside my window. I could see the snow falling in the light that hung by the edge of the frame. I glanced to the right and saw Cal’s head on the bed. He was sleeping. I glanced to the left and Mom was kicked back in the chair sleeping too. I had heard Rhonda and Grandma while I was here. Rhonda wanted me to get better soon as she was pregnant again. She couldn’t wait to tell me. I already knew though. I heard them all.

&nb
sp; I laid my hand on Cal’s head and ran my fingers through his soft hair. I felt him move beneath my palm. Then he turned his head and gazed at me. I tried to smile but couldn’t. My jaw was still sore.

  Tears rolled down his cheeks. I wiped them away. “I love you,” I croaked.

  He smiled at me. “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that.”

  I nodded. Mom still slept. “Come here,” I requested.

  He stood and leaned over me. He knew what I wanted. His lips to be pressed to mine. I sighed when he pulled away. Then I raised my hand so I could see the ring that he had placed there.

  White gold with a pink tourmaline gemstone. My October birthstone or one of them. “It’s beautiful,” I told him. “I heard you.” He kissed me again and again grateful that I was okay. “How’s Aiden?” I asked.

  “He’s not important.”

  I frowned at him. “He is Cal. You just have to find balance between me and him.”

  “I was ready to lose it when you were lying on the floor of Johnny’s garage. You looked broken Abby. I wasn’t sure you were going to be all right.”

  I touched his cheek. “I’m fine,” I promised him. “How is Aiden.”

  “His dad pled out, assault. Five years’ probation. Court mandated counseling. Drug and Alcohol testing every month.”

  “Why do I think this isn’t good?”

  “He moved back home,” Cal replied.

  “Is Aiden okay?”

  He nodded at me. “He’s at our house a lot but that’s okay. Mom is like what’s one more kid.”

  “Abby,” Mrs. Gardener swung forward so her chair’s footrest would close. Then Mom came to my bedside. “Baby, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “Where’s Dad?”

  “He’s been at work a lot, honey.”

  I knew that something was wrong. I looked at Cal. He shrugged. Then I looked at Mom. “Where is he?” The monitor on my heartbeat kicked up.

  “He’s staying at a hotel near the plant for a while, Abby. I wanted to see how I felt without him around for a bit. I needed space.”

  A tear rolled down my cheek. “Mom no. This is my fault.”

  “No, it isn’t. Baby, I promise you.”

  They had a tough time convincing me that it wasn’t my fault. The nurses wanted me to calm down or they were going to make them leave. I didn’t want them to go so I calmed down.

  “Will you ask Daddy to come to the hospital?”

  Mom nodded and walked to the window. With her back to me, I couldn’t tell what she was saying to Dad. Her voice was that soft. When she pocketed her phone, Mom turned back to me. “He’ll be here soon,” she promised but she didn’t look happy at the prospect of seeing my dad.

  Mom stepped out of ICU so Dad could come in. Cal offered. He whispered, “I’m sorry.”

  I don’t know if they passed in the hallway or not. My dad didn’t look like himself when he sat down beside my bed. Cal leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I’ll be back before visiting hours are over,” he promised.

  I appreciated that he was giving me time with Dad who took my hand and pressed a soft kiss to the top. “What are you doing?” I asked.

  He glanced at me with a blank look on his face.

  “You can’t let her go,” I said, and sob rose in my throat.

  “Abby, Mom and I will work this out. You just focus on getting better.”

  I knew my dad. He and Tyson were a lot alike. “No, you’ll pretend everything is okay and not work on it. She needs something from you.”

  “She wants another baby.”

  “What?” I would have laughed but that would have been too painful.

  “Abby, we’re too old to have kids now. You and Ty are sixteen. She’s forty-three.”

  I rolled my eyes at my father and scowled through the pain that expression caused me. “Why does she want a baby?”

  “She says her life is empty.”

  I touched my father’s cheek. “Daddy, you are never home.” He cleared his throat as if he wanted to protest then he stopped. “You come home between ten and ten-thirty every night. Otherwise, we see you for Tyson’s games and holidays.”

  “Sundays too,” Dad declared defending himself.

  “Daddy, if you were home more often do you think she would want a baby?”

  He looked terrified. “I’m not sure.”

  “You have that wonderful assistant manager at the plant. Let go of some of the responsibility.”

  I knew that was part of my father’s struggle. He was a control freak. “I think she’s serious Abby. I don’t want to change diapers again. Lose sleep.”

  “Do you want to lose Mom?” I asked.

  My dad looked like he might cry. He dropped his head to cover the emotion that had crossed his face. “No, Abs. I don’t.”

  “Then take care of her. Be there for her. I want to come home to both my parents.”

  He touched my face this time. He stayed for an hour talking with me. It was getting close to visiting hours being over. “I’m going to find your mom so she can see you before visiting hours are over.”

  “Dad,” I said. “Don’t let this go.”

  He smiled at me. “I love you Abigail.”

  I loved him too. Cal came back when Dad had been gone for a while. He stayed with me until visiting hours were over. Mom came back with ten minutes to spare.

  She leaned over the bed and kissed me on the forehead. “I love you, kiddo.”

  “I love you too. Tell me you’re going out to dinner with Dad.”

  She smiled. “I assume you prompted him to ask?”

  “I didn’t,” I promised her.

  She nodded as if she didn’t believe me. Mom’s hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. She had on little make-up. Her heavy, cream colored sweater was bulky on her thing frame. Her tight jeans fit her like a second skin. She didn’t look forty-three. She didn’t act it either.

  She smiled then she left me and Cal to say goodnight while she went out with my Dad. A lot had been happening while I slept.

  Chapter 20

  The hardest part of my recovery wasn’t that I lost my hair that was shaved off for surgery. It looked so bad I had the nurse shave the rest of it so it would grow back evenly. It was hair, it would grow. No, the hardest part of my recovery was the weakness in my leg and hand. My brain told them both to work but it was like a small piece in there was still broken.

  I went to therapy every day while I was in the hospital. When I came home at the end of February, I was going to therapy a couple of times a week, in the morning before school. My dad took me. It was his way of cutting back and Crew Cut Chris took over for him.

  I thought the hardest thing to do would be to return to school but with Tyson and Cal by my side it wasn’t so bad. Sure, people stared at me as Cal wheeled me down the hallway. I had missed two months of school. A wheelchair was the only option for me right now until my leg became stronger.

  He lifted me in and out of the chair like I weighed nothing. Dad had come back home, so he and Tyson helped me there. Worst of all, my hair was no more than peach fuzz. My scar was just beginning to heal. Mom offered me a wig. I refused. I had become a different person in the two and a half months I was laid up in the hospital. I was stronger.

  I was still not a badass who could fight but I wasn’t afraid of what people thought of me. I wasn’t so shy anymore. Being separated from my security, maybe? My family? I don’t know what it was but gone was the nerdy girl. In her place was a more confident Abby Gardener.

  In first period, English I laid a journal I had been writing on Miss Hillard’s desk. It told my story. The Nobody. Nerdy girl just didn’t cover the gamut of my story.

  “Thanks Abby. I’ll read it over the week and give you a grade by Friday,” she said.

  I nodded and Cal pushed me off to the side where Miss Hillard had a desk for me that I could slide into easily. He gripped my arm and steadied me then he guided me into my desk. Cal sat right behind me as the bell ran
g for English.

  I was happy to be back in school.

  The day went on. Either Tyson or Cal took me to class. Nothing was different. I still was snubbed by some. The six were charged as accessories to aggravated assault. They agreed to testify against Delia for probation until they were twenty-one. Five years’ probation for the girls who were sixteen years old. Longer for the freshman who was a year younger.

  Once a month, they had to be drug and alcohol tested. They couldn’t go away to college. They couldn’t return to White Oak Creek High School. They were all expelled. The principal was fired because she had ignored the complaints from other parents. She was a close friend of Delia’s mother. The assistant principal was filling her job until a new principal could be hired.

  Other exciting things had happened I discovered when I went to gym class that afternoon. I sat off to the side in my wheelchair, messing with my phone. Coach Mac sat next to me on the bleachers.

  “How are you kid?” He asked.

  “I’m getting stronger,” I told him. “It’s a slow process.”

  He nodded as he leaned on his knees. “Miss Hillard tell you that I asked her to marry me?”

  “No.” I was excited for the couple. They were a perfect pair. I glanced across the gym floor at Cal shooting baskets with Aiden, Luke, Johnny and my brother Tyson.

  Coach looked where I looked. “You have plenty of time,” he told me.

  “I do. We just want to be together forever. Is that such a bad thing?” I asked. Then I showed Coach the ring that Cal had put on my finger while I was unconscious.

  “It’s beautiful Abby. No, it isn’t a bad thing. Miss Hillard is the only woman I’ve ever told I love you.”

  “That’s sweet Coach.” I smiled at him. His cheeks turned pink.

  “I like you kid,” he said then he rose and headed for his office.

  “Coach,” he stopped and turned to look at me. “I like you too.”

  He winked at me then moved on.

  Cal stopped by me after gym. “Let me shower and I’ll take you home. Tyson has something going on after school today.”