Heart Strings (6 page)

“Maybe,” she said, grinning, then told Tripp about Will's confession he'd had rheumatic fever and his parents babied him.

“That's no excuse. The kids at University Hospital are more mature than he is.” He pulled his car into Mrs. Jefferson's drive and leaned so close, she could feel his breath, warm and minty. “I'm sorry, but I drove by J's because you said you'd be there. Then I find you somewhere different with that … that….”

“Wonder Boy?”

“Wonder Infant,” Tripp said. Smiling, he hopped out and came around to open her door.

“Since you missed out on your afternoon celebration, why don't you and I go to J's tonight?” he asked, as they walked toward her house.

“I don't know…” Was he asking for a date?

“Come on. We could grab a sandwich.”

“We just ate.”

“I'll be ready to eat again by … ” He checked his watch. “Seven o'clock, easy.”

“I … I think Megan wanted me to do something.”

Tripp brushed her cheek with his thumb. His touch was light and she didn't shiver. “Would you rather be with her than me?” he asked.

“No, but Devon Davis, her boyfriend, is nice—you'd like him. Maybe they could come along. Then I could be with you and her. Megan's been after me to double with them for a long time.” Keely blushed, realizing she was giving away her 'nothing love life'.

“And why haven't you gone?” Tripp's voice was soft, teasing.

“I—I haven't been seeing anyone.”

“You could have gone out with Wonder Will, I'll bet.”

They were at her front door, and Keely folded her arms to her waist. He was asking for a date, and when she'd suggested 'doubling', she'd confirmed that she knew it. “I wasn't interested.”

“I'm glad you're interested in going with me.” Dimples deepening, dark eyes glowing, Tripp gave her a butterfly kiss that barely grazed her cheek, but somehow touched her heart. She hadn't had a date in almost a school year, and she'd never dated a guy like Tripp Andrews. Handsome, clean-cut, and mature for his age. Interested? Try scared. Excited.

*****

As Tripp walked slowly back to the Jefferson house, he remembered Rosa's request and wondered if Keely would “girl talk” with her. If so, what would they talk about? He thought girls usually discussed boys and clothes, and neither was part of Rosa's life right now. But Keely would know what to say, he'd bet. He touched his lips, remembering the kiss he'd given her. She was nicer than any girl he'd known, and prettier, and he wanted to get to know her better. He hadn't had much opportunity to date, but he wanted to take Keely places and have fun. He wanted to kiss her.

The problem with taking her to visit Rosa was that someone might give away his secret. He'd been a patient at University Hospital not long ago. None of the same patients were there, but the kids who were patients now knew why Trippo wore a red vinyl heart on his chest. A nurse or doctor might even say something to give him away.

But he owed it to Rosa to ask Keely.

He opened the front door and nearly ran over Aunt Ev. “What would you like for dinner, Tripp? I've been trying to decide between spaghetti and meatballs, Mark's favorite, and the veal cutlets that George loved.”

Tripp's mind was slow shifting gears. “I hope you don't mind, but I won't be here for dinner tonight. I'm going to J's with Keely and some of her friends to celebrate the end of school. While I was in the hospital, I lost touch with my friends, and I thought this evening might be fun.”

Evelyn looked disappointed but squeezed his arm. “Of course, dear. You should get out with some young people. And since I haven't seen George all week, I'll go to Heartland and eat supper with him. I just never know whether he'll know me, and the food is bland.” She made a face. “But tonight's a good time, since you won't be here.”

Tripp hoped Aunt Ev didn't think he'd be there every night for dinner. He was used to a free reign since his parents were seldom home. But she treated him like a son, and you couldn't have it both ways, he guessed. “What about taking George some of those delicious sugar cookies you made? Didn't you say they're his favorite?”

“That's a lovely idea. I baked a double batch, and there's enough for the other man in his room too. And the nurse on duty.”

A smile lit Aunt Ev's face and eyes as she bustled off. She was the motherly type, and what she needed was someone to look after.

*****

CHAPTER 6

Walking toward the Johannsen's a while later, Tripp saw a light go off upstairs and thought maybe Keely had just finished dressing. Imagining her in front of her bedroom mirror, brushing her silky hair, his palms began to sweat. He wiped them on the sides of his pants while standing at her front door.

Keely threw open the door and ran straight into him. When they'd both regained their balance, he chuckled. “I love an eager date.”

It was still light enough to see her blush. “I was coming outside to spare you the family inquisition. You know how parents are, and little brothers.”

Tripp didn't know, but he knew Keely looked outstanding. Her full skirt was made out of some gauzy flowered material and her stretchy pink top just came to her waist. “You look pretty. That's a romantic-looking outfit.”

“I hope I'm not too dressed up.”

“No. What you're wearing is fine. I was making a joke. I like you in a skirt. Not that you don't look good in shorts. And the joke was what I said about romantic-looking because of books. Not about you being pretty. What I mean is….” He wiped his forehead. The evening wasn't getting off to a good start. He didn't seem to be doing anything right.

“Don't even try again,” she said, laughing. “I think I know what you mean.”

“Thanks.” Grinning, Tripp motioned to his car in Evelyn's driveway. “Are we picking up your friends?”

“No, they're meeting us there.” She touched his arm. “Why don't we walk? It's a lovely night and the walk isn't a long one.”

“Fine by me.” There were pale stars overhead and it was pleasant with a gentle breeze, not sticky like the day before. With no traffic moving on Old Road One, and big trees on either side of them, he felt like they were strolling on a country road. He took her hand and was relieved when she didn't pull away.

“How was your day? Other than meeting Will?” Keely asked, looking up at him. She was tiny and her hand felt small inside his.

“Good. I had a huge breakfast. Then, Aunt Ev showed me some pictures. After that we went to O'Malia's Market.”

“George used to go to O'Malia's with Evelyn, and they'd make a big deal of it, having coffee and a Danish.”

“I wasn't hungry, but we ate anyway. Then I bought her some daisies she thought were pretty.”

“My mom's right. You will be good for Evelyn. George bought her a rose every time they went, and she'd fuss that he shouldn't spend the money, but she loved them and him.”

If he bought Keely a rose, would she love it, and him? Tripp hadn't spent much time thinking about love. He'd been too afraid to think about what the future held. But now, he wanted to think about the days and years ahead, wanted to enjoy them. Holding his hand over his chest, he felt a reassuring beat.

An Elvis song greeted them as they pushed through the door of J's. It was an honest to goodness fifties-style place with pink booths and a tile floor made of black and white squares. Behind a counter with tall chrome stools, mirrored shelves held sundae dishes and Coca-Cola glasses. At the far end of the room, a huge picture of Elvis hung over a jukebox that flashed multicolored lights. “Love me Tender” was one of Tripp's favorite old songs, and he looked at Keely, thinking how lucky he was to be there with her. She caught him looking and smiled, and he hoped she was glad to be there with him.

Megan and her boyfriend were already there. Devon had brown hair, buzzed close to his head, and a friendly grin. The two of them sat close together, holding hands. Tripp and Keely slid in on the other side of the booth, and a waitress in a poodle skirt came over to the table. “Specialty of the house is the breaded tenderloin,” she said.

“Drag mine through the garden,” Devon told her, then turned to Tripp. “Big as a dinner plate, they're unbeatable. You probably won't believe it but Mark Jefferson could eat two of—”

“Dragging it through the garden is a fifties' term,” Megan interrupted. “It means with everything, Tripp.”

Keely turned up her nose. “Translate gross.”

Everyone ordered and the waitress rushed off, swinging her ponytail.

“Hot doggie,” Devon said, rubbing his hands together as he watched her go. “We're in the fifties now.”

“I wonder what it was really like back then,” Keely said, and a big discussion followed. Crew cuts. Bobby socks. Jitterbugging.

Tripp's tenderloin was delicious, but so big that he'd barf if he ate all of it. But he'd look like a wimp if he didn't. He broke off a third to trade Keely for a bite of her custard ice cream. She'd said she wasn't hungry enough for a sandwich, but accepted the trade, and he thought she knew the score and wanted to cover for him. He liked having her and her friends to hang out with. “If you don't quit daydreaming, I'm going to think you're the romantic.” Keely elbowed him.

“Is that what you were dreaming about? Romance?” Megan leaned forward eagerly. “Who were you thinking about? Want us to guess?”

“I told you she makes a mystery out of everything,” Keely said, groaning.

“He was probably thinking about his sandwich,” Devon said, groaning and rubbing his stomach. “Don't let the Mark story intimidate you. He tried to outdo everyone at everything. One of these about kills me.”

“We're not talking food here Dev. We're talking mystery, and I'll bet I can solve this one,” Megan said, shaking her spoon at him.

“You're going to drip custard all over the place,” Devon warned.

Turning quickly, she dabbed some on his nose. “Whoops!” she said, grinning.

“Speaking of mysteries, when are you going to start your exercise plan?” Keely asked, tapping the edge of Megan's dish.

As she began to make excuses, Tripp's romantic interests and Mark's food habits were forgotten and the rest of the evening passed quickly. Next thing he knew, Keely was saying it was time to go home.

Megan looked at her watch. “Me too. It's after ten and I have to be home by eleven.”

“It's only a fifteen minute walk,” Keely teased, “unless you two get lost.”

Laughing, they all left, with Megan and Devon hurrying on ahead. “Come on, Tripp,” Keely said. “We'll take another route so those two can be alone. This way's only a little longer.”

*****

The longer the route, the better. “I like your friends,” Tripp said, as they headed down a faintly lit street. The night air smelled fresh and Keely smelled sweet. Car lights flickered by occasionally, but the sidewalk was deserted, and he felt as if there was no one else in the world just now, except him and her. “Have they been going together long?”

“Two months. Long for Megan. Devon's a different story. He dated the same girl all last year and most of this. She moved away. I'm not sure if he's over her yet.”

“Does that bother Megan?”

Keely shook her head. “She likes a challenge.”

Tripp liked one too. And even though he thought Keely liked him, getting her to admit it would be a challenge. He wasn't sure she'd even admit it to herself. As casually as he could, he swung his arm in time with hers, catching her hand. “Devon kept talking about Mark. Did they used to run around with him and his girlfriend?”

Keely broke free from him and started running. “Race you to the swings,” she called, and he saw they were passing a park with a playground. “Come on, push me.”

Gas lights lit the park, and he followed, smiling. She was already in a swing, and he broke into a trot, eager to push her. The creak of the chains and groan of the board seats were inviting, and he hadn't swung in years. After pushing Keely a few times, he grabbed a swing of his own. “Hey, this is fun,” he said, pumping hard.

“I love swinging. It makes me feel so free.” Her auburn hair floated around her face in the breeze. Their swings passed as he went back and she went forward. Laughing, she pumped harder, trying to catch up with him. After a few minutes, they were swinging side-by-side. Back and forth, back and forth. Her eyes closed, a dreamy expression on her face, Keely let her swing slow gently.

“I wonder if we could fit in a swing together,” he said, stopping his swing with his toe.

She still had this dreamy look on her face when she scooted over. “Maybe.”

It was awkward with two sets of legs and both of them trying to pump, but soon, they were sailing through the air. The night breeze had grown cool, but Keely felt warm against his side. “I like this,” Tripp said.

The gentle creaking rhythm was like a lullaby. Soft, soothing, enchanting. When the swing stopped, he turned to her. She looked up at him, eyes wide, mouth open as if to speak. Slowly, he moved his face toward hers, and she closed her lips with a sigh. Gently, he touched his lips to hers. She kissed him back, her lips warm and inviting, for a second. “We'd better go,” she whispered.

Neither of them spoke until they reached her front steps. “If you don't have to go inside right away, we could sit here and talk.”

“Talking is good,” she said, sitting down on the top step. He'd suspected she was afraid of her emotions and he understood. Sitting close to her, but not too close, he leaned his elbows on his knees. “I can sleep in tomorrow, but when Mom starts cheerleading camp, I'll have to get up with Joey, who's a disgustingly early riser.” Keely leaned her head back to look at the stars.

“When I got up before my parents, I used to watch cartoons.” Tripp followed her gaze, looking for the dippers.

“Joey would, but Mom says if I get paid, I have to be on the job.”

“I told Joey I'd help with his pitching. He said your dad travels a lot and can't work with him. When would be a good time?”

“How about six o'clock Monday morning?”

“Only if you're on the job.”

“Spoilsport.” Keely sat up straight and still looked so little, he stretched out his arm to see if she would fit under it.