July (The Year of The Change Book 1) (3 page)

He tightened his hold. “Oh Sylv, you can’t leave. I love you,” his voice was thick with emotion.

This was definitely too good to be true, so I knew he was just acting to tease me. Even as sweaty as we both were, he held me in the perfect embrace. He played his part flawlessly, and I enjoyed every second.

I laughed so he would know he hadn’t pulled the wool over my eyes. Although, I had to admit, I really wanted to be fooled, even if for a mere minute. What a glorious minute it would be, too. Ah, to fall completely into the silky smooth depths of heaven itself without reality nagging and spoiling the moment.

He pulled back and looked at me. A tear ran down his perfect cheek. He was really crying. Boy, he was a good actor with real talent. Of course I already knew that. I’d always been swept away as a bystander in the dark school auditorium, watching him work his magic from the spotlight. Sigh. Even without the stage, getting to play a scene with Calvin was a dream come true.

“Sylv, how can you laugh at a time like this?” He sounded heartbroken.

I looked closer at his glazed azure eyes.

A brief shake to clear my head wasn’t enough. He was serious? I wanted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming, but he had my hands pinned between us with his strong arms.

“You tell your folks you’re not going.” His words rushed out. “You could live with my sister until we can get married.”

He’d actually thought about this … too much.

“Oh, why did I take so long to realize what I had right next door?” His face was anguished.

What did my face look like, because my eyeballs felt like they were going to pop out? I had to be dreaming, but the dream was off somehow. Where was the joy and exhilaration a confession, like that, should’ve produced? All I could muster was confusion.

Then it hit me.

Glazed eyes?

Calvin was affected.

Of course he was. I’m
such
an idiot.

My heart dropped and everything clicked into place. How stupid of me. I wanted so badly for him to finally realize I was the best girl for him that I didn’t want to see it was only The Change that had his heart gift wrapped for me.

Yes, The stupid Change that was thrust upon me last December, on my sixteenth birthday, that I would have to endure for a whole year. The stupid idiotic Change that had all the guys around thinking they were in love with me. The stupid idiotic bewildering Change that was wrecking my life!!

I wanted to cry.

He tried to kiss me again and I instinctively pulled back. My sudden movement put us off balance and we fell. He landed on me, knocking my breath out. I struggled to breathe while trying to battle his groping hands.

The world definitely wasn’t right if I was
fighting off
Calvin Thompson. It had to be a nightmare. Perhaps it was the same one I’d been having about being forced to move to Alaska. Maybe I would wake up and find myself snuggled deep under my antique quilt, in my room filled with posters and stuffed animals. My grandmother would still be alive and the family legend would be just that, a legend. She would laugh and tell me how gullible I was.

When my lungs filled my first objective was a scream. “Daaad! Heelllp!”

“You don’t need your dad, you only need me.” He moved for my lips and his hot Doritos breath gushed against my neck. My resolve weakened, I needed reinforcements.

I turned away. “Daaaaad! Helllllllp!”

I spotted Tam wringing her hands as she watched helplessly from the well-manicured sidewalk.

“I promise to be all you’ll ever need,” Calvin groaned in my ear.

He smelled funky. Had he always smelt that way? Since I’d never been this close before, I couldn’t be sure.

I struggled to free myself. “Dad! Help!”

Tam was still there bouncing up and down, worry encasing her young face.

Tim ran to us from the house and tugged on Calvin's arm to no use. “Get off my sister!” Tim pulled with all his might.

What I wouldn’t have given for an older,
stronger
brother.

“Tell me you love me, Sylv.” He made another try for my lips just as I moved. He ended up in my hair which he smelled appreciatively, nuzzling my ear. If I didn’t get help soon, The Change would be over for me.

Tim hit Calvin on the back. I didn't like that. Sure, I wanted to be rescued, nonetheless I was unsure about anyone hitting the man of my dreams.

Dad showed up with Mrs. Thompson and pulled Tim off as Calvin continued to tell me he loved me. It twisted my heart to hear - The Change-induced -confession.

It took all their strength for Dad and Mrs. Thompson to pry his arms off and drag him away. Sue had to hold Tim back as he continued to hit Calvin.

I lay on the cool grass panting and shaking, unsure if that had been reality, or a daydream gone horribly wrong. The way this year was going it had to be reality. Searching through the green blades I found my glasses. They were askew. I bent them back into shape and put them on.

Sue and the twins helped me up. When my stepmother was sure I could stand on my own she took my glasses and straightened them before handing them back. I cleaned them with my blouse as she and Tam led me to the car. Sue pinched her lips together as though I’d incited this incident. Well, actually, I guess I did. This was just another reason for her to be mad at me.

“Sylvia, tell them you’re staying!” Calvin yelled from his lawn as he dug in his feet. “Please, Sylv, please stay!”

He pleaded with me for everything I’d ever wanted from him. This was so unfair.

Suddenly Calvin went limp. I tensed to bolt to his side. He was only using the dead weight of his body to jar him from their grasp. Mrs. Thompson lost her grip and Calvin tried to jerk his other arm away. Dad had a firm hold, not letting him wriggle his body free. Thank goodness Dad was stronger than Calvin.

I’d never seen the man of my dreams behave like this. It was quite an eye opener. Hmm, I'd always assumed Calvin was stronger than my dad. Everyone, for that matter.

Sue stuffed me in the van, as I stared at poor Calvin. The twins climbed in behind me. Shutting the door, she took the front passenger seat and locked the whole vehicle. I leaned my forehead against the window. The air conditioner cooled the sweat on my back. I shivered.

Calvin looked at me with the saddest eyes I’d ever seen. “Sylvia, please stay!”

Watching while Dad and Mrs. Thompson dragged the yelling Calvin into his house hurt, however it was his beseeching eyes that would haunt me forever.

Things like this had been happening all around me since the family legend turned my life upside down. My grandmother told me guys would notice me more. That turned out to be an understatement of Biblical proportions
.
She also said I had to be careful and keep my eyes on my goal. A whole year was way too long for what was happening to me, and I had almost six more months to go.

Safely locked in the minivan, my heart continued to pound double-time. When Dad came out he was wet down the front of his polo shirt and jeans. He was grinning, so it must not have gone too bad. Sue unlocked his door and he climbed in.

“It’s a wonder what a cold shower will do for a young man.” He chuckled and started the car.

Sue glared at him, but said nothing.

I knew it wasn’t Calvin’s fault, nevertheless I would never think of him the same way again.

As long as I’ve known my dad he’s never been a tourist. When he traveled it was from point A to point B. Nothing existed in-between. From listening to him talk, this trip wouldn’t be any different. The only exception to his straight there policy would be a stop in Nebraska and another in Oregon.

In Nebraska, Dad had an old Army buddy, Jim Beck, who lived out in the country near Crete. I vaguely remembered their visit five years ago. He has three boys and we had a lot of fun together. If it hadn’t been this year, I would’ve been more excited about seeing them again.

Though Dad and Jim kept in touch over the years, this would be the first time we’ve ever visited them. Dad told us Kevin was now nineteen and at college, so there would only be two males to contend with. Those two were Mark, who was seventeen and Randy, who was fourteen. Kevin being away at college was a load off my father's mind. Nonetheless he spent a lot of time lecturing me about what I could and couldn't do. He devised plans for all the contingencies he could think of. Unfortunately, there was no way to plan for what trouble The Change would cause.

I remembered Mark as being very competitive. He would throw a fit when Kevin and I ditched him. We never went far and would wait for him to catch up. I think Kevin instigated the ditching just to watch his younger brother blow his top. Boys could be so mean. At least I wouldn’t have to be in the middle of those two fighting. Randy, the only sane one, was always smiling.

We would also be stopping in Oregon to visit Dad's aunt, Betty. I didn't even want to think about that, it only made me madder.

Other than Calvin’s melt down, we wouldn’t have had another incident on the way to Nebraska if it hadn’t been for a bathroom break and a much needed walk to stretch my legs.

Dad pulled off the interstate and stopped just north of Wichita in a dusty little town whose only claim was a gas station with a convenience store. The sun was going down on the desolate intersection, used only by tumble weeds, as we pulled in. Sue and Dad looked around. The place looked mostly deserted so it was decided I could get out by myself.

As kids we had always used the buddy system, so it was automatic that I took Tam to the ladies room. The musical tone of the front door alerted everyone to our entrance. Tam ran into me as I froze in the doorway. I looked around ready to run back to the van if any boys looked even remotely affected. To my relief there weren't any guys. There was only one older man, looking at candy, and a woman checker, behind the counter, so I relaxed. I hoped it would stay that way and I could stretch my legs.

It didn’t take long and we were done. Tam and I decided to walk around the outside of the convenience store. Maybe there would be something interesting to look at. Sue and Tim came in as I looked out the big windows at the dust blowing by. Tim dashed in and disappeared into the men’s Room.

I looked to Sue hopefully. “How does it look outside?”

She scowled … must be getting a headache. “It looks clear, but be careful.”

“Okay.” I pointed across the parking lot. “How about if I take Tam to see the cows?”

With a huff she muttered. “If you have to.” She continued to the ladies’ room.

“Send Tim out when he gets done, okay?” I called after her optimistically.

Another mumble was all I heard as she waved her arm. Sue was even more grumpy than usual and looked exhausted.

The dirt intersection of this little oasis whirled with mini dust devils, the only traffic for miles. The aloneness was comforting to me. Who would’ve ever thought I’d want to be alone?

The only other vehicle was an old fifteen passenger van parked under a lone tree. With all the rust, dents and a broken window it would be a wonder if the ancient thing even ran. It’s probably abandoned, like I would be after The Change. No one sat in it so we walked past it to the ditch that divided us from the field.

The cows grazed lazily inside the barbed wire that framed the dried flowers and weed arrangements that sparsely dotted the field. The brown vegetation didn't look all that appetizing to me.

The ditch, cracked and dry, had long forgotten the spring rains. Eyeing up and down the deep depression, it obvious held no danger unless this area had flash floods … of boys. Nope, not a soul in site. I exhaled in relief and we climbed down and up to the leaning, weather worn fence posts.

A nice breeze cooled the hot, muggy, late afternoon air. The day was sultry so the gusts blowing in our faces and over our sweaty skin felt good. Breathing in deep I held it for a moment before letting the air out. I stretched my shoulders and back.

Despite the interstate noise in the distance this little patch of earth was quiet and relaxing. The field invited and I would’ve loved to run through it to loosen my cramped muscles. If it hadn't been for all the cow patties, scattered like landmines, I would have.

Sitting still all day is hard for me. I like to be out moving and doing something, anything. Back home in Oklahoma – I groaned at the name - I would’ve spent this morning at swim practice before swimming for fun. Later my best buddy, Donny, would talk me into going for a bike ride and we would’ve been gone until dinner time. That is, before The Change.

I tried to make the next sigh sound like exertion instead of sadness. With this move I was giving up everything that I’d ever known,
again
, and I wasn’t sure if it was really going to be worth it. My chest tightened and my fists clenched. I forced my hands open and breathed deep. If I didn’t get this under control I’d end up crying in front of Tam. I’d already cried more than I was allotted since my grandmother died in May. The memory made my nose sting.

Control, Sylvia!
I stood still a moment letting the tranquil sight of the contented grazing beasts calm me.
I can survive this, I must survive this, and I will survive this.
I chanted the words Gram taught me to say when I was discouraged. I missed her.

Tam tried to reach over the fence and touch a cow. The loose fence was warped and leaned precariously. There must’ve been many others before us. The cows were just out of reach, even with my long arms. Tam stuck her foot over the lowest wire.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I demanded.

“To pet the cows.”

“Oh no you don’t!” I grabbed the back of her blouse.

“Why not?” She tried to pull free.

“Because even if the cows don’t trample you, there’s always the possibility you’d fall into a cow patty.”

“What’s a cow patty?”

City girl
, I shook my head. “That’s what a cow drops when it goes to the bathroom.”

To illustrate, one of the nearer beasts let go with a grunt. The smell billowed on the wind and washed over us.

“Ew!” Pulling her foot back, Tam wrinkled up her face and pinched her nose shut.

When the cow was done, and the scene had to be indelibly etched on her young mind, she stuck her foot through the fence again.

I snagged her arm. “Really? Where do you think you’re going?!”

“I’ll be careful to watch where I walk and I won’t fall.”

“Oh no you don’t.” I said that a lot to her and her twin brother. “Even if you don’t fall, you’re bound to step in one and I don’t want to smell it all the way to the motel.”

“But-“

With a determined yank from me she stood this side of the fence. “Four hours of
that
smell is more than I can handle, thank you very much.”

“But Sylv, I want to pet the cows.” She whined.

“Too bad.”

The animals became restless and moved a few yards away.

“Now look what you’ve done!” Tam flung her arms out before flopping them to her sides.

I laughed. “I didn’t do anything. You’re the one trying to climb into their yard.”

She stamped her foot. “I’m never going to get to pet a cow.”

“You have a lot of years ahead of you, I’m sure you’ll get another chance.”

“If only I had something for them to eat.”

Eat
?! My stomach woke up.

The cows returned, just out of reach.

Tam climbed half way down the ditch and grabbed a lone clump of green weeds, pulling them up by the roots.

Climbing back up she beamed with excitement. “Maybe they’ll come back for this!” She dangled the long stems over the wire. “Here cows, here cows! This is a lot better than what you’re eating over there!” The more she waved her offering at them the edgier they got. Her agitation didn’t help her cause.

“Ah, come on. I just want to pet you.”

“Tam, they’re not interested.”

She turned her anxious face to mine. “Couldn’t you just go in and make them come over here?”

“No way!” I barked a laugh. “If I step in something, Sue will make me ride on top of the van. No, thank you.” I snorted.

“You’re not funny.” She sulked as she shook the clump like a pompom. The cattle moved further away and then returned. “Those stupid cows!” She lifted the clod of weeds over her head.

I caught her hand in mid heave. “How ‘bout if we just put this back where it came from, instead?”

“I’d rather hit one of them.” She huffed.

“As little vegetation as there is, it would be better if we drop it back in the hole.”

I guided her by the hand down the ravine to the large divot she’d left in her haste. With one last look over her shoulder at the creatures of her ire, she reluctantly let go and the dusty, crumpled clump dropped with a thud.

Tamping it down with my foot I put my arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “There will be another time, I promise.”

She turned back with a wistful sigh and watched the cows that remained in a nervous state. “No there won’t be. Alaska probably doesn’t even have cows.”

A laugh came out at first, then I had to think. Did Alaska have cows? What little research I’d done on the internet was halfhearted, at best. Donny told me I would regret not putting forth more effort. He was right, like usual.

It was disappointing that Tam didn’t get to pet the large beasts. Nonetheless, she got to see them up close. When I lived with my grandparents I got to be around cows whenever I wanted to and sometimes when I didn‘t. Gramps didn’t have cattle, but the neighbors did. He would take me whenever he went to help another rancher.

I pulled Tam around and pointed her back to the gas pumps. It was time to go before she got away from me and chased the cattle down.

What I saw next made me forget all about slow moving cows and my stomach lurched. The fifteen passenger van hadn’t been abandoned after all. Seven teenage boys now sat upright inside. Unfortunately, they were intently looking around. The Change had brought them to life like Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. Only there was more than one monster here. I’d really messed this up. It wouldn’t take them long to find me, it never did.

I grabbed Tam by the upper arm and hurried her in a wide arc around them. “Move.”

“Sylv what’s the matter?” Tam sounded frightened. If my trembling grip hadn’t scared her then the look on my face must have.

“We have to hurry to the car Tam … faster.”

She whimpered as we picked up speed.

The boys zeroed in on us and piled out of the van.

The first one out, a short brunette with braces, tried to get us to stop. “Hey, wait up!”

I picked up our pace. The boys quickly closed the gap. I spotted Dad hurrying to put the nozzle back in the pump and replace the gas cap. By the time we reached the parking lot we were running full out and the boys were jogging, hot on our tails. I glanced over at the convenience store and saw the older man with a hot dog in one hand and a soda in the other, his mouth hung open with wide eyes. This must not be an everyday occurrence in this small town.

Dad watched our approach with the side door open. “Hurry Sylv, Tam!”

We leapt in and he slammed it shut. I locked all the doors, and then watched as Dad blocked the boys with his body. The car rocked from the impact. Ouch, that had to hurt. That’s when I noticed the most obvious thing about them. They were all wearing track uniforms. Just my luck,
I
would find a boy’s track team. I couldn’t avoid the irony.

The adult man from the convenience store, probably the coach, came running over as the boys encircled our vehicle, peering in at Tam and me.

The man’s voice was harsh. “John, Sam, Tracy … get off the bumper!” He yanked at the tallest one before the boy could climb any further up on the hood. “Emel, don’t even think about it!” The boy in question was trying to get the back gate of the minivan open. “William Stanton Blake you and Larry get over here right now … you too, Bahr!” Try as he might, the boys weren’t listening. It was like trying to herd cats.

This had been the first time Tam had experienced a group affected. She shook in my arms, barely peeking up to look at the faces pressed against the tinted glass. I felt bad that I’d caused her to be so scared. The stupid Change!

Dad and the coach rounded up the team two and three at a time, taking them back to their van. Threatening broken bones if they emerged from the vehicle, the coach and Dad returned for another group. One younger boy - that I think was Bahr - had brown hair and the cutest dimples - didn’t understand why he felt this way towards me, a complete stranger. More so, he didn’t understand why he had the urge to get into our van. Nevertheless getting into our van was what he desperately tried to do. He was almost frantic. It took both adults to drag him back to the old van, cram him in his seat and the coach barring the door, before he calmed down. The short brunette with braces slapped him a few times, which helped.

Tam watched, eyes dominating her face. “Has this happened before?”

Sigh. “Yep, but last time it was the chess club and they ran faster.”

Tam slowly shook her head, her mouth forgetting to close. Meanwhile we watched Dad and the coach calm the team down. An eighth boy with long blonde hair sat up and rubbed his eyes. He must’ve been a heavy sleeper.

When the boys were penned in the van Sue and Tim came out of the convenience store and I unlocked the doors so they could get in. Tam still clung to me.

Sue glared a blistering rebuke. I didn’t blame her for being angry with me. I didn’t mean to put Tam in danger and should’ve been more careful. I’m always messing up in Sue's eyes. Dad's, too.

Dad stayed too long talking to the coach. Couldn't he see he was playing with fire?

I wanted to leave before anything else happened. Sue shifted in her seat and tapped her toe. She had a hard time with the weird stuff. I wished she would just accept that this was really happening so she wouldn't be so angry with me all the time.