“She sure as hell doesn’t like you at the moment, does she?”
“No.” Bobby admitted hesitantly.
“So how in the world would you ever get her to go to the Jason’s party with you?”
“Well, I plan on changing the way she feels about me.”
“Oh yeah? Well good luck with that, partner. You have a little over three weeks until Jason’s party goes down.”
Silence on the other end.
Chapter 4
Holly Roberts did something Tuesday morning that she rarely ever got to do. She slept late.
Leslie was already off to an early class leaving the apartment totally alone.
Normally, Holly would be sitting in her Chemistry Lab right now, but thanks to a break in a gas line, it had been postponed. Thank goodness she checked her class portal on the internet the night before – something she wasn’t in the habit of doing very often. That will definitely become a habit in the future.
The phone interrupted her silence and in the blink of an eye, Holly found herself embroiled in the middle of a family conflict. She got the benefit of hearing the entirety of her mother’s side of a heated issue against Holly’s aunt.
Thank goodness I moved out of the house, Holly thought. I sure hope I don’t fight with my siblings like that when I get older.
Chuckling and shaking her head, Holly stepped into a hot shower. This time it was especially nice since she didn’t have to rush for a change. Her schedule was clear until her Calculus class at 10:45.
She finished her shower and then called Carl, her boyfriend. They had been sweethearts since the seventh grade.
“Jason’s got this big thing planned in a few weeks up at Maynard Lake,” Carl was saying. “We should really plan on going. Everyone’s going to be there.”
“He just had a party, Carl.”
“That was back in June. This one is going to be different. He’s got a band set up and everything!”
“I don’t know. There are so many things on my plate this semester.”
“You always say that. You could be taking only one class and you’d think you’re overwhelmed. Besides, isn’t that even more of a reason to go out for a night and relax?”
“Well, you do have a point. It’s just not my favorite kind of outing.”
“Please Holly, let’s do this. I’ll owe you one and promise to go somewhere you like. Hell, I’ll even go to one of those goofy formal things you’re always going on about.”
“Okay.”
Holly and a jubilant Carl finished their conversation and rang off.
Dammit! Holly thought. Why do I let Carl talk me into such things? I’ll have to find something he really hates and make him go with me. That’ll teach him.
She laughed to herself when thinking about Carl. In the end, there was no one who made her feel like he did.
That first day of class in the seventh grade was something she would always remember. This tall blonde guy who had just moved into town was sitting next to her in their homeroom class.
Carl made her laugh right from the start. He kept answering roll call in different voices for people who really weren’t there. Holly got in trouble for giggling at him – even though Carl didn’t get caught.
Carl was such a passionate person that he got excited about everything. Especially things like Jason’s party. Even though she really didn’t want to go, Holly would tag along because Carl was so much fun to be around. And he loves those kinds of things.
Holly finished getting ready for her class and then went out to check the mail. It amazed her how quickly two girls can get so much mail – even though they’ve only been living there a few weeks!
Holly started thumbing through the stack of envelopes.
“No, I’m not interested in helping out a Nigerian diplomat,” Holly muttered to herself, shaking her head.
Wonder why these people would think we’d be interested in lawn care services or a remodeled garage when we only live in an apartment? She chuckled.
Her eyes then rested on an official letter addressed to Leslie from a law firm in Hollister. An outfit called Hatley & Morris Attorneys at Law.
Holly immediately remembered the legal document she saw in one of Leslie’s files the day they moved into the apartment. She could only assume that this was somehow connected. And as yet, the matter had never been discussed between them.
Wonder what’s going on with her? Holly thought to herself.
* * * * * * *
That evening, Holly and Leslie worked the same shift. Tuesday nights at Samson’s Diner usually wasn’t very demanding on the staff, but lately the diner had been running several good specials that were attracting lots of new business.
This was actually a good thing for Holly and Leslie since it meant lots of nice tips. This was also a bittersweet thing because even though the tips were good, it was sometimes a welcome break to not be busy – especially after a long day at school.
The other hidden benefit of being busy was that their time at work seemed to go by much faster. So before they knew it, Holly and Leslie was clocking out and on their way home.
“What’s all the buzz I keep hearing about a lake party and a guy named Jason?” asked Leslie as they walked home. “Seems like everyone is talking about it.”
“Oh yeah. That’s Jason Carter. He’s a local legend in throwing parties.” replied Holly.
“I don’t believe I’ve met him.”
“You should’ve seen some of the parties he threw when we were in high school. Only problem was his parents’ house would get torn up pretty bad when they were away. He got in a ton of trouble.”
Leslie chuckled.
“The party you’re hearing about is a really big one. He’s renting out one of the big cabins at Maynard Lake and hiring a really good local band to play.” continued Holly.
“How does he afford to do that?”
“We’re not really sure how he pulls it off,” Holly smiled. “Most of us are afraid to ask.”
“Are you going?”
“As a matter of fact, Carl asked me to go this morning. You’re more than welcome to go with us if you’d like. Carl won’t care; he’ll be busy socializing anyway.”
“Sounds nice. But I have to be honest, parties aren’t really my thing.”
“Well, I didn’t figure you were the party type, but you have to admit that they can be fun sometimes.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Just think about it. You’re always welcome to join us if you’d like.”
“Thanks.”
* * * * * * *
The next day, Leslie finished her morning classes and was rushing to work. April was counting on her to help cover the lunch crowd. Rachel was on vacation and the last thing Leslie wanted to do was let April down. She had always been more than fair and understanding with Leslie and her busy schedule.
As was usually the case, Leslie made it to work with plenty of time to spare. She knew one day that her conscientiousness would literally drive her into a nut house.
Why do I always stress about everything? Leslie wondered.
She got herself changed into her server’s outfit and strolled out to the hostess station. There was a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting there.
Leslie took in all the different colors as she approached the stunning arrangement. She could only imagine what such a display would cost. All the servers were gathered around in admiration.
“Who sent that?” asked Leslie as she walked up.
“You tell us.” replied April.
“What?”
“The card has your name on it.”
“Really?” A stunned Leslie asked as she meekly reached for the card.
This was not Leslie’s ideal scenario. Here were all these girls gathered around breathing on her in anticipation as if they were awaiting the results of a raffle drawing.
As Leslie looked at them, their eyes seemed to b
e begging for the answer to their immediate question – who was the mystery man that sent this beautiful arrangement? The next glob of juicy gossip resided in that very envelope.
Leslie wished she could run into the restroom and read the card in private, but she knew she couldn’t. They were relying on her.
She finally opened the envelope and pull out the card which read:
“I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Leslie raised her head and wrinkled her brows. Puzzled in thought, she softly mumbled, “Bobby?”
“Bobby Black sent those flowers to Leslie!” shouted one of the servers.
“Oh my God!” another one shouted. “Can you believe that?”
All of them scattered with the dripping morsel of hot news that Leslie had just given them.
“Wait” Leslie pleaded, but most of them were gone already.
Leslie was now disgusted. What if Bobby hadn’t sent those flowers to her? That would be the ultimate embarrassment.
She looked at April, who was still standing there grinning.
“April, I don’t know who sent them. There’s no name on the card, Bobby was just a guess.” Leslie explained in a whisper – trying to control a little of what had happened.
“Don’t worry about it,” April smiled. “They’re just young girls anyway. They’ll be raving about something else in a few hours.”
* * * * * * *
That evening, when Holly came home, she walked through the door immediately shouting the name of her roommate..
“Oh Leslie!” she shouted. “I need to talk to you!”
“What?” answered Leslie innocently, yet knowing damn good and well what her question was going to be.
“What’s all this I hear about Bobby Black sending you flowers?”
“See for yourself. They’re on the kitchen table and the card is laying there beside them.”
Holly rushed in there to see what the fuss was all about.
“Wow, they really are beautiful. That arrangement must’ve cost over a hundred dollars!”
“Probably so.”
Holly read the card, “Do you really think it was Bobby?”
“I’m pretty sure, but I wished I’d kept it to myself. I should have said someone else’s name when I guessed out loud in front of everybody.”
“Yeah, the girls around here get pretty excited when Bobby’s name is brought up.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Has Bobby called you or anything?”
“No, but no one else has claimed them either. Besides, he’s the only one needing forgiveness from me at the moment.”
Leslie pondered further for a moment, “Unless … they were from Dwight,” she laughed.
“Dwight?”
“just kidding, He was this annoying kid from my high school, I’ll have to tell you that story sometime.”
“At least you gave the girls at work something to talk about today.”
“I’m not sure if that was a good thing.”
* * * * * * *
Leslie’s official answer came the next day.
After her morning classes, she stopped off at Perk’s, a popular coffee shop on campus. Perk’s had been providing students with a place to gather in between classes or just a place to socialize. Some students actually attempted to study there – if they could drown out the noise.
Leslie had just gotten an iced latte when she heard a familiar voice.
“Those are great, aren’t they?” said Bobby. “I like to add an extra shot or two to mine.”
Leslie looked at him and rolled her eyes.
“C’mon now. I’d hoped those flowers would earn me at least a few minutes of your time.”
“Bobby, how can flowers erase the humiliating things you said to me that day in the hallway?”
“Wow, you really hold a grudge, don’t you?”
“Don’t turn this around me. Try putting yourself in my shoes and see how you would like getting embarrassed in front of a bunch of people you don’t know.”
“Okay, okay. Look, I’m really sorry. I mean that.”
Leslie stared at the floor without replying.
“What can I do to get you to give me a few minutes? Can you see it in your heart to do that? Please.”
Leslie sighed and stood there for a minute. Finally, without saying anything, she strolled to a nearby table and sat down.
She looked up at Bobby, “You got five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
Bobby pulled out the adjacent chair and joined her.
“Look,” he began. “I want you to understand that I really didn’t mean those things I said.”
“You said that already.”
“Yes, but what I want you to understand is that Mush and I get into to this stupid frame of mind sometimes and we go too far. We like to cut up and people sort of expect that from us. Sometimes passerby’s around us sort of become our props.”
Leslie kept staring down at the table, not making eye contact with him.
“And yes, that can be cruel and I shouldn’t do that, but sometimes I get caught up in the moment.”
“Here’s a newsflash. Those who become piñatas to your Tom foolery probably won’t understand your side of this. Surely you know that, don’t you?
“I do know that, but I’m also trying to be honest with you too.”
Bobby paused and then continued,
“Look, I’m human and want to be liked by everyone the same as other people do. It’s nice to being loved by others, don’t you think? The saddest thing in the world is to be afraid that love will never find its way into your heart.”
That comment almost floored Leslie. How did he know that?
Leslie looked up and made eye contact with him.
Bobby’s eyes met hers, and with a tone of sincerity asked, “Do you ever feel that there is something wrong with you inside? And you worry about others finding out? I know I do.”
Leslie felt as if he had read her mind. She somehow managed to keep her poker face.
“I think a lot of us feel that way.” She answered.
“I don’t know, I often feel that it’s only me.”
Leslie stared back down at the table, swilling her latte.
“Leslie, I really think we could enjoy each other’s company – once we get to know each other.”
She remained silent.
Bobby continued, “My five minutes are about up. If you’d like to take the next step, I’ve reserved a table for us tomorrow night at The French Connection over on Madison Drive. It’s a wonderful restaurant and I guarantee you’ll love it.”
Bobby handed her a business card with an address written on it.
“The reservation is for 7:30 PM. I hope you decide to join me. If not, I understand and there will be no hard feelings.”
And then he was gone.
Leslie sat there for a few more minutes sipping her latte and feeling as if her mind had been opened up like a can of sardines.
Chapter 5
“What are you going to do?” asked Holly.
“To be honest, I just don’t know.” Leslie replied. “I’m supposed to work tomorrow evening, but Julie owes me a shift.”
“It sounds like he made quite an impression on you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, you were pretty dead set against having anything to do with Bobby before, but now you seem to be considering the idea of meeting him.”
“Well, I … “
“Look, I’m not judging you.” interrupted Holly. “Just making an observation, that’s all.”
“You’re right in what you say. I don’t know, there was just something I sensed in him – just can’t explain it.”
“Well, if you decide to meet him, be careful, you know his track record.” warned Holly.
* * * * * * *
Musher crossed his arms and looked at Bobby with contempt. He saw his cousin heading down a
path that could lead to disaster.
Both he and Bobby came from the same bloodline, but why did they see things so differently? It stands to reason that members of the same family would share many of the same values – even though they were individuals.
Bobby just didn’t seem to understand this. Musher had his faults, but he understood that as young adults, decisions made today can have drastic results on their lives down the road. People have to be careful in making choices – especially when they’re young.
“Mush, I can’t explain it,” reasoned Bobby. “I’m just attracted to her, I don’t know why.”
“Dude, she comes from a different cloth than we do. She’ll pull you down.” pleaded Musher.
“You make it sound like we’re better than she is.”
“Yes, I am!”
“How can you say that?”
“Hey, in our society, we ARE better than people like her. That’s not my decision; it’s just the rules of life. People with wealth have more influence and power in this country.”
“That’s a pretty screwed up way of looking at things.”
“Maybe so, but it’s all true. And wealthy people often lose their wealth because of associating with people who have no wealth.”
“That’s bullshit!”
“Look around you, man. It happens all the time.”
“Perhaps, but that doesn’t change my mind.”
It became apparent to Musher that once again, he was going to have to interfere in his cousin’s life. Bobby just doesn’t know how to look after his own best interests.
Musher would have to do it for him – he just wasn’t sure how yet. He could always reveal what Tina had found about Leslie, but Bobby might not ever forgive him for spying on her.
* * * * * * *
The warm mist slowly moved in and embraced Leslie, as if it were a lioness clutching its cub in the face of danger. She arose from the bed, with squinted eyes she surveyed her surroundings in search of the heat source from where it came.
She could feel no panic or fear at all, but there was a strong sense of urgency. Something was pointing her toward a small orange light beam that was piercing through the fog.
There was a light vibration flowing like an electrical current through the floor underneath her feet. Her ear drums were filled by a faint hum that was not intrusive, but yet dominated the sound waves around her.
Leslie could not understand what was happening exactly, but her instincts demanded that she move toward the light beam. Obeying her inner self, she stepped forward.