Heart Strings (9 page)

He didn't answer and she lay down on her stomach, her head resting on her folded arms so she could watch him. He'd set his lips in a sort of pout. “You teased me about being short,” she said, running a fingernail lightly down his ribs.

He wiggled but kept his eyes covered. “You are,” he said, “so it's not the same. Anyway, I'm not mad.”

Keely didn't see the difference and she was sure he was peeved, but she let it drop, and the rest of the day went fine.

*****

When they got home, Devon helped Tripp carry his gear to Evelyn's while Megan helped Keely stow her stuff in her room. The girls finished and the guys weren't back yet. Mrs. Johannsen was starting dinner and Keely was hungry and tired. “Let's go see what's taking them so long.”

Dusk was falling and the night was so still, the crickets' chirps sounded loud. Yawning, Keely thought how good her own soft bed would feel. Camping was okay, especially with Tripp around, but she slept better at home.

A roar split the night and a stream of exhaust shot out of the Jefferson's open garage. “No.” Keely covered her ears and turned away. “Not the Harley.”

“It's okay,” Megan whispered, touching her shoulder. “They're just seeing if it will run. Come on,” she urged.

Keely, her heart pounding in her ears, followed reluctantly. The Harley was Mark's second favorite pastime, and it made her think of the Mustang, torn apart with him inside. She'd seen a picture of the car in the newspaper the next day, and in her nightmares, Mark's body was twisted like the metal.

The engine sputtered and died just as they stepped inside the garage.

“What are you two doing?” Keely's voice sounded shrill in her own ears.

Tripp stood back from the cycle, a strange look in his eyes, while Devon, sitting on the Harley's big seat, tried to start it again. “Evelyn suggested we see if it still runs,” Tripp said.

“Why would she? Why would you?”

“Calm down,” Megan whispered.

“I don't know,” Tripp said, hesitating.

Devon got the Harley started again, and racing the engine, motioned Tripp to get on. “Come on. I'll run you down the road and back.”

He took a step backwards. “We don't have helmets.”

Devon revved the engine so loudly, Keely wanted to scream. “It's a short stretch. No traffic. We don't need them. Nothing will happen.”

Dead silence fell over the garage.

*****

Tripp's sudden taste for tacos and iced tea, which Dev said Mark drank by the gallon, unnerved him. He'd read case histories of transplant recipients who took on likes or dislikes of their donors, and he was scared he'd turn into a race freak. But he'd been turned off by the thought of riding, and when Keely ran out of the garage, ran after her.

Neither of them mentioned the incident the next night when he picked her up for a movie, and he felt content, walking her home, holding her hand.

Tripp, spotting a colorful poster on a light post, stopped to read about an upcoming festival called Freedom Days. A week of carnival rides, craft booths, and food tents would be capped off with a giant Independence Day celebration.

“Fourth of July is the best day of the whole summer,” Keely said, linking her arm in his. “The whole festival is fun, but the celebration on the Fourth is best. A parade in the morning is followed by a day of games for everyone. In the evening, a dance is held in the open-air pavilion, followed by a spectacular display of fireworks.”

“To make this spectacular day totally stupendous, will you be my date, Ms. Johannsen?” Tipping an imaginary hat, he waggled his eyebrows and bowed.

“I'd be honored, Mr. Andrews.” Holding out her white sun dress, she curtsied and batted her lashes.

She could swim, ride bikes, joke and have fun, but she was feminine and his kind of girl. “You haven't danced with me yet,” he said, pulling her close. Somehow they'd never got to J's on the right night.

Keely smiled and raised her lips for a kiss. “On the Fourth, I will.”

When Tripp got home, Evelyn was looking at a magazine. “I overheard what you said last night, and Mark's helmet is in his … your … room. You can wear it whenever you want to ride. I was going to tell you last night but you rushed off to bed.”

“I was tired from my day at the lake. Besides, Keely didn't li—”

“She wore Mark's helmet when she rode with him. We'll get her one so she can ride with you.”

“You could sell it and get a good price. It’s in A-1 shape.”

“I don't want to sell Mark's Harley.” Evelyn looked over her magazine and smiled. “I want you to have it, Tripp.”

“I've never even ridden a cycle, and I can't accept a gift that generous.”

Evelyn hummed a little tune under her breath and straightened a sofa pillow.

“You don't need to give me anything. I'm not your son.”

She motioned him to follow her to the kitchen where she poured them both glasses of iced tea. Tripp stared at his, unable to lift the glass to his lips. She rose to get the cookie jar and set it in front of him. “Did you and Keely have a good time at the lake?”

Should he let Evelyn get away with ignoring what he'd said? He played with the edges of his place mat.

“I can tell by the way she looks at you that she likes you.”

“You really think she does?” He’d hoped so but could never be sure with Keely. Taking her to the Freedom Days Festival would be fun.

“Absolutely. And I'm glad. She's been so downhearted since … we lost Mark. She'd idolized him for years. Even if they hadn't started dating, she would have mourned his loss.”

“Dating?” Tripp’s voice broke like it did when he was twelve. “Keely and Mark dated?” A pain stabbed Tripp's chest. He rubbed it with his hand. Maybe the drink was too cold. He felt like he'd swallowed an ice cube.

“You didn't know?” Evelyn had a stricken look on her face as she fanned herself with a napkin. “I thought Keely would have told you. They'd only dated a short time, and I never thought they were serious.” Evelyn looked across the room to where she'd left the album she'd shown Tripp. “But I can't imagine what happened to Mark's ring unless he asked her to go steady.”

*****

Tripp usually went over to the Johannsens' in the morning, but he couldn't face Keely, so he offered to take Evelyn Jefferson to market. She was quieter than usual, and on the way home asked if he was angry with Keely for not telling him she and Mark were dating. Tripp was, but because he thought it was the kindest thing to do, said no. Aunt Ev … the name came hard because it was one more lie … hadn't meant any harm. Keely should have told him. Dating Mark's girl was one step over the line. “But I wouldn't have asked her out if I'd known.”

“Mark and Keely were as different as fire and water. He liked the unpredictable and she's like I was as a girl. Always quick to do the right thing, she likes playing it safe. But I remember how I liked to read about brave Nancy Drew.” Evelyn chuckled softly. “Some people prefer to get their excitement through other people's lives. Keely was fascinated watching Mark skateboard off ramps and smoke cigarettes behind the garage. Of course, he thought I didn’t know. She lived a little closer to the edge by association. I got my thrills through books.”

“Keely doesn't read mysteries. She reads romance books.”

Evelyn clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “When Mark noticed she'd grown up, and started treating her like a girl, he took on another role. But Tripp …” Evelyn touched his arm. “It was hero worship on Keely's part. Infatuation, I think you'd call it. She'd never had a boyfriend. Her folks wouldn't let her date until she turned sixteen, and when she did, Mark was right there.”

Evelyn smiled sadly and reached for the door handle. “She's too young to give up on dating and you two have a lot in common. I know I'm a busybody, trying to match up two people I like. But I don't feel I'm being disloyal to Mark, who was more interested in cars and cycles than girls. Anyway, I'm not trying to marry you and Keely off.” Evelyn picked a piece of lint from his shirt sleeve. “I just want you both to have a good summer.”

*****

Gerard was waiting for Tripp when he stepped off the elevator at University Hospital. “Rosa has a fever. She's been asking for you. I think she needs you to make her feel better.”

Tripp found her lying against the pillows, cheeks flushed, lips dry and parched. “Why didn't you tell Keely about your heart?” she asked before he could say anything.

He took Rosa’s hand. She was typical of the kids he met with HAH, worrying about others before herself. “The donor's mother asked me to keep it a secret.”

“That's dumb. She's going to find out and be mad. I almost gave it away.”

“I'll take care of it. Don't worry. You just take care of getting well.”

“That's a big order.”

“I know.” His eyes misted. “I'll tell Keely real soon.”

“Tripp?” Rosa's eyes drifted shut. “Could you tell her something for me when you see her? Tell her I need girl talk. Soon.”

Driving home, Tripp knew he faced a difficult situation. He hadn't known Mark was Keely's boyfriend the first time he asked her to go to the hospital, and now that he knew, he understood why she'd been afraid to become Rosa's friend. And now that Rosa was sicker, he knew Keely would be more frightened than before.

He'd checked on Rosa before leaving and found her father, a single parent whose job required travel, at her bedside looking harried. His parents always dropped their work when he was in the hospital. He could feel their fear when they came into his room. He knew they cared. The coronary kids laughed at Trippo today but he felt their fear. If something happened to Rosa, they'd lose some of their hope. She had to get well.

He'd cut his visit short to talk to Keely but the closer he got to her house, the slower he drove. It was still hard to believe she'd been Mark's girlfriend. The girl with Mark when he had doubled with Megan and Devon. In love with Mark … maybe. Tripp banged his fist on the steering wheel. He wanted to ask for an explanation now, this very minute. But he couldn’t until Keely granted Rosa's request.

*****

Keely was sitting on her front steps and waved when she saw him. Even though he was hurt and angry, he walked toward her, drawn like a magnet. He was drawn to her that first day in the same way. He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. What if he liked her because Mark did? Tripp broke out in a sweat.

Keely rushed up to him. “Is everything okay at the hospital?”

He tried to get a grip on himself. Transplantees might take on similar tastes of their donors, but they didn't fall in love with the same people. Did they?

“You didn't come over this morning and …” Keely stopped. “I suppose things are okay, since you're wearing your clown duds. I just worried that Rosa might … Tripp? You're sweating.”

He brushed his hand across his forehead and white paint mixed with sweat came off on it. “Rosa is feeling low. She has a fever and is on oxygen, and she's worried. She asked me to tell you she needs girl talk.”

Keely took a step backward. “I wouldn't know what to say.”

“She needs you to listen. She doesn’t want promises, just someone to talk to.”

“I'm afraid.” Keely turned away.

“It's up to you. I won't push.”

He took her hand and she held his tightly. He wanted to put his arms around her and hold her close, but knowing about Mark changed a lot of things. She'd kissed Tripp but what if she'd known about his heart? Would she have kissed him then?

“I couldn't live with myself if I didn't go and … she … she'd asked for me.”

“Rosa is a fighter and I don't think anything will happen right away, but she has to have a heart soon, and she knows it.”

“But for her to have a heart, someone has to...?” Keely clung to him.

If he'd known she and Mark were dating, he wouldn't have flirted with her. Wouldn't have seen her every day and fallen for her. Yet it was hard to regret the fun they'd had. The kisses they'd shared. He brushed her hair back from her face. “Yes, but all their dying has to do with her is timing. If the timing is right, Rosa has a chance to live.”

Keely felt like a hive of buzzing bees rested inside her stomach, and just as she climbed into Tripp's car, Evelyn set them loose by running out to suggest they take the cycle. “It's a lovely night,” she said, glancing up at the twilight sky streaked with pink and blue. “It won't be dark for another couple of hours.”

Tripp stood by Keely's car door and Evelyn ruffled his hair. She always did that to Mark and he hated it. Tripp was too nice to hurt her feelings, and Keely didn't want to, but Evelyn was smothering him. “We're going to visit a very sick girl and aren't in the mood for enjoying the night, Evelyn. Thanks, anyway.”

She apologized and turned away, and Tripp walked her back to the house, his head bent close to hers. Keely didn’t think she'd been rude, but perhaps he did and felt it necessary to apologize.

“Why don't you suggest she sell the Harley?” Keely asked when they were finally on their way. “It would be better if it were gone.”

He turned an appraising look on her and she squirmed. She didn't mean to be spiteful, but the cycle incident had brought back a lot of pain plus fear of something happening to Tripp.

“I did and she doesn't want to sell it.”

“Why? What is she going to do with it?”

Tripp didn't answer for a minute and when he did, Keely could barely hear him. “She wants to give it to me.”

“How could she? How could you? You promised—”

“I don't ride. Don't want to ride. But she won't listen to me. I am not Mark.” He shot her a glance. “I'm not trying to take his place. And I want everyone to keep that straight.”

*****

CHAPTER 9

Tripp stared at the closed elevator doors as silent as Keely who wished he'd explain his outburst. The light for the second floor came on. Two floors left for him to explain.

“My parents travel and I'm lonely.” She breathed a sigh of relief when he started talking. “I thought it would be nice to have someone else in the house when I came home, and I thought I could help Evelyn overcome her loneliness. I didn't mean any harm moving in.” He folded his hands in front of him and Keely took one in hers. He looked sad, and she didn't understand why his parents spent so little time with him. “I do enjoy the motherly way she acts. Mark was lucky in many ways.” Tripp raised Keely's hand and studied her birthstone ring. “But I'm not him.”