I spent the next week anxiously waiting for John to call me. I would call his cell phone but I kept getting an operator message that said the number was not in use. I didn’t understand, he gave me a card with that number on it.
That Saturday night Ivy went to prom but I decided to stay home. I was sitting in the bay window in my new room watching the rain and drinking a Hot Toddy. I saw a car pull into the driveway, I glanced at the digital clock by my bed. It was only midnight, why was she home? I stayed in the rain and yell into the car. She slammed the car door and stomped into the house. I heard her come up the stairs and went out to meet her.
“What’s wrong Ive?”
“Hold on. I want to change.”
“Do you want a Hot Toddy?” I called into her room.
“I’d kill for one.”
“Be right back.” I went downstairs and poured another mug full. I grabbed a plate of fruit out of the fridge and put it all on a tray. I walked back up the stairs but there were no lights on. “Ivy, where are you?”
“In here.” I went in my room to find her in the bay window watching the rain. I set the tray on the dresser and handed her a mug. She took a long drink. “Mmm, thank you.” I took the fruit and my mug and sat down facing her.
“So, what happened?”
“The ass thought I would fuck him just because I’m not a virgin.”
“Uh okay, start from the beginning.”
“Well, we were at the dance having a nice time when it ended. We went out to his car to go to afterprom but he suggested we drive for a while. I didn’t really want to go to after prom so I said sure. We ended up in front of a hotel and I asked him what we were doing there. He said ‘You know baby.’ I told him to take me home. He drove me back to the house. When he parked he leaned over and said ‘Come on, it’s not like you’re a virgin.’ I said ‘Fuck you.’ He tried to force himself on me but I kicked him and got out. I told him to stay the fuck away from me.”
“I’m sorry, Ive. Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just mad. Why can’t I find anyone who treats me as good as you?”
“Are you kidding, we fought all the time. Besides you’ll find someone worth your time, I know you will.”
“What about you? Anything from John?”
“No.” I took a big gulp of my drink.
“It’s okay Wynter. I’m sure he’ll call.”
“I know. He said he was going to be busy. He’ll call eventually, I know he will.”
“I know how to make you feel better.” She stood up and grabbed a brush and a couple of hair ties. She sat back down, leaving space between her legs. “Come here,” she patted the cushion between her legs. I moved to her and grabbed an orange slice. She began to brush my hair. “So, did you ever name your faerie?”
“Not yet. I can’t concentrate on that right now.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay you didn’t mean to remind me of John. Not that I’m really forgetting about him much anyway.”
She brushed out my hair and put it in two french braids. We finished our drinks and went to bed.
The next Monday morning I awoke to the sounds of yelling. I sat up and listened quietly.
“Why is she here?”
“Mother, her mom hit her. I can’t leave her there.”
“Well, why does she have to be here?”
“She has no where else to go.”
“I want her out.”
“Be reasonable mother. How does her being here effect you?”
“Okay. She can stay but only until graduation.”
“And leave her alone mother. She’s having enough problems as it is, she doesn’t need shit from you.” I heard someone come up the stairs and my door cracked open slightly. She peaked in and then came in all the way. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“Don’t worry about her. She’ll get over it once she starts drinking and doing the pool boy again.”
“What is she doing home already?”
“She and dad fought, probably over him having an affair down there.”
“How long is she staying?”
“Until graduation, she’s leaving that night. Right after he comes back. Coincidence. I doubt it.”
“What time is it?”
“7:45. I have to be to school in a little over an hour.”
“I think I’ll go with you. I need to talk to Mrs. Egbert.”
“You think she can help the situation?” She gave me a suspicious look, she had never really liked my counselor.
“No, I need to talk to her about my scholarship.”
“Oh, I’m going to shower. We’ll leave in an hour.” I could have used the few more hours of sleep but I didn’t want to be here alone. I got out of bed and went to take a warm shower in hopes of waking up. I dressed in black leather pants, a tight black tank top and heavy black eyeliner. I wanted to look like something to stay away from today. I went downstairs to find Ivy in the kitchen eating a bagel. She offered me one, but I refused. I can never eat in the morning but today it was worse.
“I’ll drive.” I had plans to drive around and gather my thoughts after I dropped her at school. Driving had always been very theraputic for me. We grabbed our bags and headed out the door. I dropped her by the front door and told her I’d find her for lunch.
I got onto a deserted segment of road and turned the radio on. There was a tape in it. “I didn’t want to hurt you, baby. I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t want to hurt you, but you’re pretty when you cry.” Oh great, Vast was really going to help right now. I kicked the tape out and turned it to KTCL. For once I was thankful they rarely ever played the Goo Goo Dolls, because I think that would have killed me.
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