Charity Moon (20 page)

After class, Ashley approached me in the hallway and bombarded me with magazine photos of wedding gowns, demanding that I choose which one I liked best.

“Hopping jalapenos!” I stated, stopping dead in my tracks. There, before me, stood Levi leaning against the lockers talking to Patty Cramer.

“Hopping jalapenos?” Ashley asked in amusement, her giggle ringing in my ears like an annoying cowbell.

“You got a better one?” I asked, grabbing her face and turning it toward the two of them.

“Oh, that makes me hot!” she fumed.

“My point exactly.”

Ashley shook it off quickly and changed the subject. “So, which dress do you like the best?”

“You know—you should stop doing hard-core drugs. They kill brain cells.”

“Ha, ha. I’m serious.”

“Ash, are you looking at what I’m looking at? The wedding is clearly off.”

“Says who? Did Levi tell you that?”

“Let’s face it, Ash, ‘Lava-Hottie’ is trying to replace me.”

“Do you realize you said the words Ash and lava in the same sentence?” She giggled.

I looked at her through narrow eyes as though my glare had the power to disintegrate.

“Okay, first of all, don’t look at me like that—it’s creepy, and you can never be replaced. What’s more, Levi adores you.”

“Well, not anymore—look.”

She didn’t look. “So, which dress do you like?”

"Ashley, are those blonde hairs growing inward and strangling your brain?"

  "Very funny--and no--I don't think so." She looked thoughtful for a moment, reaching up to touch her hair, then shook it off. "But I know this is gonna work itself out. Now which one?"

“For heaven’s sake, give them to me,” I barked, snatching them from her hands. “I like this one the best, hands down. Okay—are you happy now?”

“Extremely. But the Charity I know would go up to that girl and threaten to beat the slimy, green snot out of her if she didn’t leave her man alone.”

“I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Besides, I’ve been turning soft ever since he arrived here. Dang it.” I pouted.

“That’s definitely not true. And if you don’t believe me ask any of your friends who’ve been around you today.”

“Have I been that bad?”

“Oh yeah.” She nodded her head vigorously for a dramatic effect.

“I’m sorry, Ash. This whole thing’s driving me crazy.”

“I know, but it’ll all be over real soon.”

“Whatever you say. I’m depressed. Let’s go to Happy’s.”

The nightmare that woke me, leaving me stunned and shaky, was different. Not the repeated dream of prior nights; this one wasn’t about Wesley at all—it was about Levi. He was all dressed in his tux and waiting at the altar. He watched with loving eyes as his bride approached. He gently took her hand, kissing it as he pulled her to his side. He reached up in slow motion to remove the veil, watching it until it disappeared behind her hair. His eyes met hers—her big, green eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Wait—green eyes? No, no! Not my eyes, but the eyes of—Patty Cramer! They were quickly pronounced husband and wife, and he pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately. I woke up crying and gasping for air. It took me a while to calm down, but I never went back to sleep, instead I slid out and knelt by my bed on the cold wooden floor and prayed.

The next day started pretty much the same. Patty was at Levi’s car again. I ignored them again, though pain was shooting through my chest, my eyes betraying me and filling with tears. I looked down at my palm, noting the curly, blue vine-like symbol that was still very visible. It wasn’t growing, but it wasn’t black either.

“Charity, you look like crap,” Toby observed as he approached me.

“Could you pick another word?”

“Okay. You look like—mold.”

I grimaced. “I think I like the other better.”

“Are you all right? Have you been crying?” His tone was that of total shock.

“Of course not!” I tried to laugh to hide my tears and quickly wiped the one that had escaped down my cheek. I risked a glance at Levi only to make sure he hadn’t heard. He was already looking at me, and there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. Dang it! I turned abruptly and headed to my first class.

Later, when I entered the cafeteria, all of my friends were already seated and in the middle of a discussion, but I wasn’t interested enough to ask ‘cause then I’d have to listen, which took more effort than I was prepared to give.

“Wow, Charity, you look like crap,” Delaney commented as I plopped down in my seat. “What happened, did someone steal your last tube of lip balm?”

“Ha, ha. Pick another word, please.”

“Okay. You look like—maggots.”

I curled up my nose. “Fine. But cut me some slack, will ya? Is it a crime to have a bad hair day?”

“No, your hair looks good, it’s your face that’s the problem.”

“Gee thanks. Whoever said honesty is the best policy was a total flim wad. I just didn’t sleep well last night, that’s all.”

“You know, we’ve known you for like—ever, and we know you don’t cuss, but it’s totally weird the way you substitute with strange words,” Toby said.

“Yeah, like ‘mold’ and ‘maggot’,” I smirked. “I’m an angry girl who doesn’t like to cuss. You got a problem with that?”

“No, no!”

“Good.”

“So, because you don’t like the word ‘crap’ means that we can’t say it either?”

“That’s right!”

“I totally agree. I was just checking,” he said, raising his hands in defense as if he expected me to punch him.

Hmm, not a bad idea considering my current mood.

Ashley interjected. “She got the idea from a T.V. show called
Ruby
, but instead of saying words that sound like the cuss words she just says any word that pops in her head at that moment.”

“That’s creepy.”

“Well, I couldn’t use her words exactly, that’s copying.”

“But isn’t it copying anyway?” Toby asked.

“Touché.”

“That’s not touché,” he responded.

“It is if I say it is!”

“Yes ma’am. Don’t hurt me,” he cowed.

Try as I might, I couldn’t help but laugh, but quickly corrected myself, clearing my throat. “To end this subject, if you ever hear me cuss you better run to the hills ‘cause hell, fire, and brimstone are about to fall on your head. Got it! Okay, now that drive-Charity-batty day is officially over, is there anything else?”

“Yes,” Toby answered reluctantly, pointing. “Levi’s right behind you.”

“Crap!”

I watched in awe as my friends jumped up and raced each other out the cafeteria doors
. I guess they took me literally, that or they’re a bunch of smart-alecs
. Missy sat there in confusion, and noting my expression, sprang to her feet and followed suit. I spun around and glared at him. “What do you want?” I snapped.

“Can I speak to you for a minute?” His tone was casual.

“I’m a little busy right now.”

“Doing what, talking to yourself? ‘Cause you’ve scared everyone else away.” As he spoke, he took my arm and led me out of the room.

“And whose fault is that?”

“I’m assuming mine.” He pulled me along until we reached our, all-too-familiar place of conflict, behind the building.

“What do you want, Levi?” I asked sharply, jerking from his grip.

He turned to look at me, compassion in his eyes. “I want to apologize to you. I realized this morning that I’ve taken things too far.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at him blankly. Of course I was going to be obstinate.

“My dad encouraged me to give you some space to think things over, but I decided to give you a taste of your own medicine and make you jealous. At first, I was worried because I thought you didn’t care, but this morning I realized that I was hurting you. I’m sorry, Charity.”

“I don’t understand. What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I’m not trying to fill your place, and the wedding’s not off. My mom’s hard at work on your dress as we speak. We don’t have to spend another day miserable. We have three days before our wedding, if you’ll still have me. Let’s spend them together—as an item.” He smiled a gentle, sweet smile, and my anger seemed to dissipate at once. “Please, Charity.”

My heart began beating harder in my chest. “You mean you still want me?”

“Yes, more now than ever.”

“But what about Patty?”

“Who?”

“Patty, you know, the girl you’ve been socializing with.”

“Is that her name? I was just using her to make you jealous, sound familiar? She approached me in the parking lot yesterday morning to talk about my artwork and take a few pictures. She works on the school e-letter. She seemed to like me, so when I heard you pulling into the parking lot I tried to make it look like we were hanging out. I’m sorry. I know it was wrong. I guess I just wanted you to think about how it would feel if I were with someone else. But I could never be with anyone else but you.” He held up his palm, exposing his mark to me and smiled.

I realized then that I was holding my breath and let it rush out, almost becoming dizzy.

“Charity, I know you didn’t sleep good last night. I know you had another nightmare. Let me be there for you, please.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. “I would really like that.”

“Baby, come here.” He took me in his arms and held me tight against him. “I’m so sorry. I love you so much. And I would sacrifice my pack for you.”

I gazed up at him in surprise. “What?”

“You said I didn’t have to sacrifice anything for you, but if my pack would’ve denied you, then I would’ve left them. I know it would be wrong, but I would’ve done it anyway.” He took my face in his hands. “I’ll still do it. If this is too much for you, if you ask me to, I’ll leave them.”

“Oh, Levi, thank you! I’ll never let you leave them, but thank you for saying that.” I hugged him again, this time tighter. It felt good to be in his arms, his heart beating steady against my ear, like I was back where I belonged and my prayers were answered.

“Now, let’s get something to eat,” he said.

“Good, I’m starving. By the way, do you have to listen in on all of my conversations? It’s really annoying,” I commented, dabbing at my tears.

“Yeah, almost as annoying as being called wolf man,” he laughed.

“I guess I deserve that.” On the way to the cafeteria I had a thought. “Levi, I just realized I don’t know your middle name.”

“Strauss.”

My mouth fell open in shock. “Levi Strauss? Are you kidding me?”

“Actually, yes I am.” He laughed. “Since you’re wearing my name on your ass—istant I thought it was fitting. See, I can substitute words too.”

“Levi blank Drake, I never figured you for a comedian, but that’s funny.”

“Thanks. There’s more where that came from.”

“Uh oh.”

“But to answer your question, my middle name is Thomas, after my grandfather. What’s yours?”

“Liberty.”

“Liberty? Really?”

“Yes, as in Liberty Bell.”

He looked at me for a brief moment and then laughed. “Good one, Charity. You’re better at this than I am.”

“And you’re surprised?”