Black Adagio (10 page)

“You gonna be okay?” he inquired, concerned about leaving a young girl off in the middle of nowhere. Not really late, it was dark. And anything might happen.

“I’ll be fine. Really. Just the first time I’m doing this”

“You attend that ballet school …
Velofksy’s, right?”

“Yeah, but not for long,”
she muttered under her breath. “Yup, and it’s right around the corner. Thanks again.”

The glacial air making her nostrils burn, the loud hiss from the bus made her turn and look. With a casual wave of the driver’s hand, the chariot awaited the lady no more.

She was so glad that she'd worn the headband. It would have been even colder without it. Tightening the muffler up around her neck, she stopped the frigid rush from flooding in. Taking off in a fast trot, her shopping bags rattled with every step. The wind whistling through the branches, their creaking sounded as if an army of demons were sneaking up on her. Not able to stop checking behind her every few minutes, she had to be sure she was alone. Seeming as if she'd walked for miles, when she looked up, the bus was still in sight.

A hoot from an owl brought on more chills. Wishing that Collette and Tina were here, at this point she’d even settle for Brandi. Not able to shake the feeling that someone was watching, her eyes scanned the dark forest to her right.  Another mournful noise emerging, a pair of yellow eyes stared at her through the top branches. Christ, it was only a bird making her feel spied upon.

“
Get it together, Missy!”
she whispered, attempting to rally her resolve.

Walking a bit faster, she broke into a trot, but the unsettling feeling kept pace. Pausing, she took another look over her right shoulder. Designed to assure her nothing was wrong, she froze. Buried deeply in the woods, was a pair of eyes. Level with hers, they were glowing red. 

Screaming in horror, she took off running. A car approaching on her left, it slowed, honking its horn. Continuing to run, she didn’t want to stop for any strangers offering lifts.

“Hey, is it Missy?”

Missy?
Was someone calling her name? Halting, she pivoted. Surprised to see it was a police car, the passenger side window was rolled down, the dreamy, young man she'd seen in the diner staring out.

“My dad told me all about you. He drove you to Velofsky's the other day. I'm his son, Todd … Todd Cavanaugh. When I heard your name in the diner, I put two and two together. It's what they pay us police officers to do you know,” he joked with a smile.

Not sure about any of this, how did she know who he really was? Yes, he was wearing a uniform, but she’d heard about psychopaths passing themselves off this way. Her breath coming out in clumps of white with every exhale, she chanced a look into the woods. The eyes gone—or perhaps they were never there.

“Don’t suppose I could see your badge?” she queried.

“Not taking any chances, huh?”

Holding up the ID, he punched on the overhead lights so she could see.

“I'm sorry,” she said putting a hand over her rapidly beating heart. “I was a little scared.”

“No, don’t apologize. You’re right to be careful. Now hop in and I'll give you a lift.”

“What? I didn't think you guys were supposed to give people rides.”

“In case you haven't noticed, this isn't New York, or Chicago, or LA. We do the neighborly thing in good ole Holybrook. That means, taking old Mrs. Simmons to the doctor the other day, and giving Susie a ride to her grandmother‘s so she could show her a new kitten. Course if you tell anyone I did that, I will deny it,” he admitted with a chuckle. 

“Sorry, I'm being such a ditz,” she said, sliding in the passenger seat. “But I swear I saw something in those woods.”

Hitting the button to roll up the window, he put the car in drive, pulling out on the deserted highway.

“Seriously doubt that, Missy. Nothing in there, b
u
t a few small animals that are probably more scared of you than you are of them.”

“I doubt that!” she said laughing. “But what animal would be the height of a human ...” Supplying her own answer, she began to blush. “That would be a deer, wouldn’t it? Oh, jeez, I am such a weenie!”

“Not a weenie. Just a smart girl who knows enough to keep her eyes open. Still, I don't think it's a good idea for you to be out here at this time. Luckily, I pulled night duty, and my first official act was to check on where you were. Bonnie told me you took the bus, and here I am,” he said turning towards her and flashing a winning smile. “You know, I didn't ask you if you minded me calling you Missy. My father said it was alright, but that's a lot different than you saying it.”

“Well,” she said, putting her forefinger up to her cheek. Tapping it as if? in thought, she broke into another round of girlish giggles. “Yeah, it's fine,” she replied, unwinding her scarf to reveal more of her innocent face.

“Hey, for a minute I thought you were Mata Hari or something.”

“Mata, who?”

“Oh, she's an old-time temptress. My dad always talks about her, but then he has peculiar taste in what catches his fancy.”

“I see. Well, temptress I'm not. Actually, dancer I'm not either,” she said self-deprecatingly.

“Hey, do I read defeat already? Didn't you just arrive at that place?”

“That would be a yes, but I don't want to talk about it.”

“I see,” he said, treating her to a penetrating stare. “My dad tells me you're l8.” 

“That's right.”

“Well, now it's me that's going to have to see some ID.”

She giggled, crossing her legs, “And why would you need to see that?”

“Because as an officer of the law I'm expected uphold it, not break it,” he responded, a grin playing around his immensely kissable lips.

“And how would you be breaking it, pray tell?”

Laughing, he turned onto the familiar road that led straight to Velofsky's.

“That depends on you.”

“Me? What do I have to do with it?”

“Everything. You see, I couldn't help but notice that you're a very attractive young lady.” Taking the series of curves, he expertly handled the terrain. “That's a professional opinion and nothing else, you understand.”

“I understand. Professional, huh?” she joked.

“Yes, I served on the committee that elected Homecoming Queen,” he revealed, sitting up straight, and keeping his eyes straight ahead.

“That would qualify,” she tittered, enjoying his pleasant chatter.

“Exactly. So it could stay a professional opinion, or it could swerve into being a bit more personal.”

“And how would that happen?”

“By you accepting my invitation to show you around.”

“You mean, like a date?” she asked surprised.

“Only if you want it to be. Could be just a friendly gesture.”

“I don't know,” she said leaning back and grabbing her knee. “Men and dancing don't mix very well.”

Pulling up before the main house, he put the car in park, leaving the engine running.

“Then I promise I won't dance,” he said taking out a card. “Here's my number. You change your mind, or just need to talk, call. And just between you and me, my mother would be thrilled to have a ballerina in the family.”

Laughing, she took the card slipping it in her pocket.

“I definitely can't promise that will happen. Have to check your arches before I get serious, but thanks, for the ride. I really do appreciate it.”

Noting with satisfaction that he waited until she was safely inside, she said hello to the security guard. Readying for a long night, he was just coming on duty. While Velofsky’s didn’t have an official curfew, all the students were encouraged to be in by 11:00 PM.

Mad at herself for losing it that badly, she’d been frightened over a deer! Could there be anything more vulnerable than a deer? Yes, her. Skipping up the stairs, sleep wouldn’t be a problem tonight. Opening the door, the worried face of Collette sprang at her like a leopard from a blind.

“Oh, my God!” her friend babbled hysterically, hugging her tightly. “I feel so horrible! If anything had happened, I would never have forgiven myself! Please forgive me for leaving you alone like that! I just am so ashamed!” she blurted, starting to cry.

Trying to calm her, she felt Collette’s body shaking uncontrollably. It confirmed that her concern was sincere, and helped put the stupid argument in perspective.

“Shhhh, we were both wrong. And I’m fine.”

“No! You were right, that's the thing,” she said glancing at Brandi. Her roommate watching the scene transpire like a Broadway play, Collette stopped, choosing her words carefully. “You know, what you said, it was correct. I was just mad because I felt you should have more confidence in yourself. That's all! It was stupid, stupid, stupid! Tina got on me all the way home! I swear I will never do anything like that to anyone ever again. No joke.”

“Thanks for the explanation. It makes things a lot easier,” she said giving Collette a sisterly embrace. “Now go! I have to get some sleep!”

“Okay,” Collette squeaked, using her sleeve to wipe back tears. “See you tomorrow?”

  “Of course!”

Collette waved at Brandi, meekly exiting. Turning the lock, Melissa bolted it against unwanted intruders. Prudent; in spite of tonight's series of rash decisions, she usually was.

“God, Melissa, you had me so worried. Collette told me everything.”

Melissa doubted that. Collette had only told her just enough.

Brandi ’s head hit the pillow, her eyelids closed tightly. “Good night, Melissa. Glad you made it home.”

“Yeah, me, too,” she said, taking a place at the window. Watching the distant lights of the squad car, its occupant was definitely one she wanted to get to know.

Chapter Ten

The next few weeks flew by in a whirlwind. Between the back-to-back classes, rehearsing the holiday program, and sweating the outcome of the cuts rumored to be coming down the pike, the fear of not being selected didn’t stop Melissa from learning as much as she could. If this was to be her last fling in the world of dance, she wanted to make the most of it. And there was always the chance that they could change their minds.

With the morning classes concluded, Missy met her three friends for lunch. The four eating most of their meals together, the only exception to that rule was Brandi. In spite of all the reasons not to associate with Zoe, she occasionally sat at her table. Ignoring Collette’s wise counsel that, “
Bitchiness is contagious,”
she chanced fraternization.

“So Melissa, you gonna go to the Halloween bash?” asked Collette, sipping from her small carton of low fat milk.

“What bash?” she replied, wondering why she was always so clueless about social activities.

“If you had been in your room last night, where you belong I might add, you would know,” chastised Collette.

“Where do you go?” Brandi pried, her face contorted with the type of curiosity that killed the cat. Missy treated her to a mischievous wink and nothing more. “Whatever!” her roomie snorted, the disgust in her voice apparent.

“Anyway, Ms. Mysterious,” Collette explained, “there is a Halloween party being held ... in the woods.” Her voice going spooky, her hands were raised in the air in a clawlike, menacing manner.
“Bwahahaha!” she added for effect.

“In the woods?” Melissa mumbled. Her body stiffening, her facial expression was deadened by the thought of spending time in the forest. 

“Yes, that is what I said!”

“What's the matter, Melissa,” Tina asked, noting her consternation.

“Nothing!” she said too loudly to back the assertion. “Nothing at all!” she repeated even more stridently, her voice hollow with deception.

“Good! Then does that mean you're coming?” Collette pressed.

Missy swallowed hard. Staring at her half-eaten lunch, she wasn’t sure what to say. The thought of going into the forest was making her physically ill. Taking a sip of her soup, she dunked a tip of her whole wheat bread in it.

“I don't know. Whose party it is? And who's going?”

Brandi shrugged, noisily biting into a crispy Macintosh apple.

“It's nobody's. Just a bunch of us wanted to get together and tell some ghost stories. Somebody suggested the woods since this school can hardly set the proper atmosphere. One thing led to another, and voila! A party in the woods was born!”

“A bunch of us?” asked Melissa, suspicious that she was referring to the people she most wanted to avoid.

“No, it wasn't Zoe, if that's what you're implying!” the girl from Wisconsin snapped. “Although she is going,” she added more softly, almost as an afterthought.

“I thought so,” Melissa remarked smugly, continuing to sample her soup. 

“You are
so
wrong!” interrupted Collette. “Zoe is not behind the party, giving the party, or instigating the party! She's only going … as an attendee.  Not that any of this will stop you from being so stupid about things.”