Fragile Hearts (4 page)

Tyce knocks on my dorm door. Lucy's already here.
The three of us have been hanging out together for the past two weeks, ever
since I agreed to be friends with Tyce. He's a great guy and I still can't
figure out why he wants to hang out with me so much. Sometimes I see him on
campus when he doesn't see me. He always has girls vying for his attention.
Some of them have even tried to get to know me, but I can see in their eyes
what they really want—time with Tyce. Lucy is the only one who is genuine. Of
course, maybe I'm just jaded and read things into people that really aren't
there. Being on my own is confusing at times, but I have to admit, I'm starting
to adjust and like it. My mom or dad used to call every day, but now it's about
three or four times a week. I know their slacking off because they want me to
know what it's like to not be so dependent on them. I'm reconciled to the fact
that I will one day be totally on my own. Sometimes the thought is so scary
that I have nightmares. But at least those nightmares aren't as horrible as the
ones about the night of the accident.

I follow Tyce and Lucy to the truck and Tyce
lifts me into the cab after Lucy climbs in. She always rides in the king cab,
but I insisted that she sit in the center, beside Tyce. I know she likes him
and I guess I'm trying to set them up. They get along great.

Before he closes the door, Tyce reaches and
pushes aside a strand of hair that's blown across the scar on my face. Lately,
I've been forgetting about the scar. His fingers touching my face make my body
tremble and I lean away. He only smiles and closes the door.

We're going to see a funny, chic-flick. Inside
the theater, I maneuver my chair to the special access area near the front of
the screen. I hate having to sit so close.

Tyce leans down and whispers in my ear,
"Would you like to sit higher up?"

Lucy answers for me. "Of course she would. This
is so close she's shaking hands with the actors."

I start to tell them its okay; I'm used to it,
when Tyce says, "Grab my neck, Morgan. Lucy, make sure the wheelchair is
stowed somewhere safe."

Lucy says, "You got it."

Tyce lifts me into his arms and I gingerly place
my hands on his shoulders. I'm getting over my aversion to touching or being
touched, and I'm thrilled about finally watching a movie from the upper level.

Tyce climbs the stairs as if I weigh nothing. He
says, "How high, Princess?"

I grin because I can't help myself. "As
high as we can go."

"Roger that." He walks to the very top
and gently sets me in a seat that backs the wall.

A few people have turned to watch us, but I'm
learning to not be so sensitive to other people's inquisitiveness. Lucy joins
us and I pat the seat next to me. Tyce sits on one side and Lucy on the other.
I was hoping they would sit beside each other.

After a couple of minutes, Tyce asks, "What
can I get you ladies from the concession?"

Lucy says, "A large popcorn with lots of
butter, Pepsi, and anything chocolate."

Tyce looks at me while I watch the onscreen
advertisements. I start to ask for a small popcorn and 7-Up, but then I grin.
"I'll have the same." I reach into my pocket and pull out money.

Tyce puts his hand on mine. "I've got
it."

I start to protest but he's already gone.

Lucy leans over and says, "I love going on
dates with you two."

Startled, I respond, "We're not on a date.
And if we were, I'd say it's the other way around. You're on a date with
Tyce."

Lucy pats my knee. "Hon, you are so
delusional. That man's got the hots for you."

"No way!"

"Yes, way!"

"No!"

"Girl, fight it all you want, but this
train has left the station."

I want to keep arguing with Lucy, but she always
has to have the last word. I don't want her embarrassing me in front of Tyce.

Lucy giggles and I ignore her.

Tyce returns with our goodies just as the lights
dim and the previews start. It looks like a lot of good movies are going to hit
the theaters soon. I wonder if we'll still be triple dating. I grin at my
silliness.

The movie is very romantic and funny. I can't
remember when I've laughed so much. When there's a scene with the couple
kissing and going to bed, I'm glad it isn't explicit. Even though the theater
is dark, I can feel my face burning.

Tyce puts his arm around the back of my chair
and lightly places his hand on my shoulder. I can't help thinking Lucy should
be sitting in my spot.

After the movie, we go to the drive up window at
McDonald's and Tyce teases us about getting him to watch a chic-flick. He says
he gets to choose the next movie and it's going to be action packed with lots
of car chases and crashes. Lucy says that's okay, just as long as there are some
steamy scenes. She always says what's on her mind. I envy her freedom of speech.

A couple of weeks after my triple date at the
movies, Professor Wilkes asks me to stay after class. It's been two months and
he still hasn't called on me to tell a funny happening from childhood. I know
I'm the only person who hasn't spoken in front of the class, but I'm sure my
time is short. My heart pounds while I wait for the axe to drop on whatever he
has to say.

The professor stops erasing the white board and
sits behind his desk. "Morgan, I've been teaching this class for many
years and I have a gut feeling for students who are terrified of public
speaking. That's why I haven't called on you. Some teachers think the best way
for students to overcome their fear is by forcing them to speak. That's not my
belief and it's the reason I haven't asked you to do anything other than
written work. I also want you to know that I'm not going to make you do anything
you're not ready for. Every time you're in class, I can see the tension in your
face and how you try to hide at the back of the room. So…does this help?"

I nod vigorously. "Yes, sir."

"Of course, I can't give you a passing
grade if you don't participate in the speaking assignments. So if you aren't
ready by the end of next month, I'll have to drop you from class with an
incomplete. But that's better than a failing grade because you can take the
class again in the future."

I'm so grateful to Professor Wilkes I want to
hug him.

After school, Tyce is parked in front of my
dorm. He jumps out of his truck and says, "I'll be tutoring Kaylee in a
couple of hours. Would you like to go with me? She keeps asking about
you."

"Is it okay with her parents?"

"Oh, sure. They were home for a few days
and then left again. I think they went to Paris."

I roll my eyes. "Must be a tough
life."

Tyce responds seriously, "It is—for Kaylee."

"How's her health?"

"She doesn't like to talk about it, so I
get the scoop from her governess, who is really a nurse. They're still looking
for a kidney donor."

"How can her parents just leave when she's
so sick? My mom and dad never left my side for weeks after my accident."

Tyce gives me a funny look. He asks, "How
long were you in the hospital?"

"Three months."

His gives me that unreadable expression again
and reaches for my hand. He places it between his two palms. "I'm so sorry."

I pull my hand away. I don't want his pity.
"That was a long time ago. Let's talk about something else."

"Okay. Will you go to Kaylee's with
me?"

I have a sudden desire to see the little girl
again. "Okay. Do you want me to meet you there?"

"Can I just come back here and we can walk
over together? This warm weather isn't going to last much longer."

"That sounds nice."

"Great, I'll be at your dorm in an hour and
a half."

Right on time, I hear a knock on my door and
peek through the peep-hole. Tyce leans forward and places his eye on the other
side.

I laugh and open the door. "I'd know that
eye anywhere."

"And how would you know it?"

Before thinking, I say aloud, "It's the new
color—sexy blue." I gasp and place my hand over my mouth.

Tyce gives me a surprised look.

I stutter, "Ah, ah, that's what Lucy said
the first day we met you." I think I'm making things worse, but Tyce is
grinning. He repeats, "Sexy blue. I like that. But what about you, Morgan;
do you think my eyes are sexy blue?"

He's waiting for my response.

I roll backwards into my dorm room. "I
think you're trying to fluster me."

"Is it working?"

"No—not working." It really is, but
I'm not about to admit it.

"So…if my eyes aren't sexy blue to you,
what color are they?"

"Murky gray."

He looks stunned and I burst out laughing.

He says, "Do you want to know what color
your eyes are to me?"

My heart starts hammering. I glance down for a
second and then lift my lashes, waiting for his response.

"Chocolate brownie."

I blink. "My eyes are the color of chocolate
brownies?"

"Yep. When they're just out of the oven,
warm and sweet."

My heart is pounding so hard I can feel the vein
in my neck pulse. I break eye contact. "We'd better hurry if we're going
to get there on time." I grab my keys out of my pocket so I can lock the
door.

As soon as we stop in front of Kaylee's gate, it
clicks open. She must be watching the monitor. We follow the walkway to the portico
and Kaylee is waiting for us. Although she's smiling, she looks pale and weak.

She grins at me. "Hello Morgan. I'm so
happy you came."

Kaylee is a tiny girl and it breaks my heart
that she seems to have lost weight from the last time I saw her.

Tyce says, "Hey, Princess, you look a
little tired. Do you want to forget math and do something fun?"

She grins wide. "Do you think we can sneak
away and go to the park? I love watching the children play."

"Let me talk to your governess and then
I'll let you know."

I can't believe Tyce would take the child from
her home when she's doing so poorly.

Kaylee smirks, "She's in the pool, of
course."

Tyce winks. "While I talk to her, why don't
you and Morgan wait for me in the
pink
room?"

Kaylee reaches for my hand. She says,
"That's a great idea. I got a new pink bedspread."

I follow Kaylee to the elevator and a few minutes
later we're entering her bedroom. She points to her bed, "See, isn't it
pretty. Mommy bought it for me when she was here, after I showed it to her in
the catalogue."

The new spread is hot pink and decorated with
Disney princesses. I make a big deal over it and Kaylee points to each
princess, telling me a little about her. A knock on the door distracts us. She
calls, "Come in only if you're Tyce."

The door cracks open and Tyce sticks his head
around it. He asks, "Are you sure it's okay for me to come in?"

Kaylee giggles. "Yes, silly. Do we get to
escape prison for awhile?"

Tyce smiles. "We can escape for an
hour."

Suddenly, Kaylee doesn't look as sick as she
rushes to her closet. "Let me change into my new pink skirt and get the
matching purse." She disappears into a walk-in closet as big as my dorm
room.

Tyce walks over to me and I whisper, "Is
this really okay? Is her governess qualified to make such decisions?"

He whispers back, "Believe it or not, her
governess is more than qualified. She's a registered nurse with a Master's
degree. To outsiders, she may appear to be an airhead, but she's been caring
for Kaylee since the child was born. They have this love/hate relationship. She
sometimes lets me take Kaylee out, especially when the girl's feeling
low."

Kaylee reenters the room wearing a pretty pink tube
skirt, pink blouse, pink jacket, and carrying a pink purse. Her hair, with a
few escaped corkscrew curls, is tucked under a pink beanie. "What are you
two whispering about?" she asks. Without waiting for either of us to
respond, she says, "I'm ready to go!" She's the first person out her
bedroom door and Tyce grins, waiting for me to follow her.

Outside the gate, we walk a short distance before
Tyce says, "Princess Kaylee, you know the routine."

Kaylee sighs and walks into Tyce's outstretched
arms. She says, "Someday, I won't have to be carried. I'll be able to walk
all the way to the park."

Tyce lifts her and replies, "You sure will.
In fact, you won't we walking, you'll be running!"

Kaylee giggles and kisses his cheek. Together,
the three of us head toward the park two blocks over. It's late afternoon and
there's a slight breeze. A few leaves fall and float down from tall maple trees
and Kaylee catches one. She giggles and I'm amazed at the change this outing
has made in her. She starts pointing toward different trees and naming them.
"Maple tree, oak tree, willow tree, pine tree." Then she starts
pointing to flowers and naming them, too. "Rose, geranium, daisy, pansy,
lobelia." The child is a walking gardening encyclopedia and I realize that
her life is lived through books, much the same as mine has been up until now.

We reach the park and she says, "Can we sit
on my favorite bench?"

Tyce replies, "Your wish is my command,
Princess Kaylee. I'm headed there now."

The park is lovely and we follow the sidewalk
past the playground, before reaching a bench under an ancient oak. Tyce sits Kaylee
on the bench and then helps me move my chair off the concrete and onto the
grass next to her.

Kaylee points and says, "Oh, look. They've
added some stuff for the tiny kids."

I follow the direction she indicates and grin at
toddlers disappearing inside a plastic tunnel painted red, orange, yellow, and
green, and their mothers trying to keep up. I look at Tyce to see him watching
me. Again, he has that strange expression lighting his eyes.

For a long time, we watch the children play.
Finally, Tyce glances at his watch and says, "Okay, Princess, we have time
for you to swing before heading back. Are you up to it?"

Kaylee gives him a mischievous look and then slides
her gaze toward me. She says, "I want you to swing Morgan."

I protest, "No, you're the kid, I'm the
adult. You're the one who's supposed to play."

Kaylee shakes her head. "No. I want you to
swing or I'm going to have a pity party if you don't."

"I don't think–"

Tyce interrupts with a groan, but his voice is
teasing. "Not a Kaylee pity party!" He nods at me. "There's only
one way to keep that from happening."

Kaylee says, "Yes, Prince Tyce, you must
swing Princess Morgan or I will whine
and
turn you into a toad."

My eyes round when he stands and bends to lift
me into his arms. All I can say is, "Oh!"

As he carries me to the playground, he calls
over his shoulder, "We'll be right back."

I giggle. "I can't believe you're doing
this. Does Kaylee always get her way?"

"Always. Do you think I want to be turned
into a toad?"

We reach the swings and he asks, "Which one
is your preference, m'lady?"

I point to the closest one and glance over his
shoulder to see Kaylee smiling at us. I shake my head and smile back. Tyce
gently lowers me onto the seat. I place my hands on the chains and say, "I
haven't been in a swing since…" My voice fades.

He asks, "Since before the accident?"

I nod.

Tyce begins to push me slowly. After a few
minutes I say, "You can push harder."

Before I know it, I'm swinging like I did as a
child. I glance at Kaylee and see something in her expression that makes me
want to cry—longing.

I call back to Tyce, "I'm ready to stop
now."

He slowly ceases the movement of the swing.

I say, "I think Kaylee needs a turn."

"Not today. She knows her
limitations."

I can't swallow the lump in my throat.

Tyce says next to my ear. "We've made her
very happy by being silly."