October Breezes (11 page)

—the ones he spent the whole movie tickling and cuddling. I kept asking myself why he caled."

My throat constricted. The panicked racing of my heart filled me. I suddenly burst into tears that shook me so hard that if my mom hadn't held on so tightly I would have broken.

Mom’s hands guided me as I laid my head in her lap where she gently brushed her fingers through my hair while I cried. When I was smal, she’d often done that until I drifted to sleep. “At one time I used to regret your father. I felt so angry and alone even when we were newly married. Then I found out I was going to have a baby.

Your father wasn’t ready for that. But from the moment I found out about you, I spent hours wondering who you would look like, and I couldn’t wait to meet you. And the first time I saw you, I cried with happiness. It was because of you, Skye. Al because of you.” Her fingers brushed my cheek. “I stopped regretting your father because he had given me the one thing I'd never want to live without—you. I know that I can’t make up for his indifference, but even though you have one parent who doesn't give you the time of day, you also have one, me, who loved you before you were born. That love has only grown each day we’ve been together.” She rested her head atop mine and gently stroked my hair, brushing through the length of it.

When I finaly puled away, I saw that she, too, had tears shining as they spiled down her face.

“I felt so stupid sitting in that theater, watching him cuddle those little girls, and I wanted to know what was wrong with me.

How was I defective? Why didn’t he love me like that?”

“It wasn’t about you, Skye. It was about timing. If your father had married that girl when he married me and she’d gotten pregnant, he would have left her like he left us.”

I thought about what she’d said, and it made sense; the trouble was, I based these ilogical feelings on things my dad had done. I was about to tel her she was right when my stomach growled. “Oops,” I said, grinning.

“Wel,” she laughed, “that brings me to the reason I came up. Warren and I were about to go to dinner, and we wondered if you wanted to go.” I looked at my reflection and started to decline, but my mother stopped me. “Just wash your face and put on make-up. No one wil know you’ve been crying.”

“Okay.” I sat up, and she put her arm around me.

“I know it’s rough, but it gets easier.”

I laid my head against hers. “I hope so.

Mom left so I could get ready. After I’d dressed, I headed downstairs and saw she and Warren sat on the couch, leaning close as they spoke softly. Warren offered a smile, “How are you, Skye?”

I shrugged and said, “Fine,” having lost the energy to fight.

Instead, I'd keep him at a safe distance so he could never get close.

Maybe Mom believed he wouldn’t hurt either of us, but now more than ever, I couldn’t afford that chance.

“Are you ready to get something to eat?” he asked, holding out my coat. “We thought Red Lobster sounded good. That al right?”

“Sure.” I started to grab the coat, but instead he held it open, alowing me to slip my arms into it.

Mom and Warren chatted the whole way, and more than once each teased the other. The love shimmering in her eyes transformed her whole face. A smile danced on her lips. She appeared younger—so placid, so sure of al the possibilities spread in front of her through Warren that nothing could shake her joy.

Although Red Lobster usualy had a line, we were seated immediately, probably because it was later than the usual meal time.

Warren looked over menus, and Mom puled out her reading glasses. They discussed which entrée appeared most appealing.

“I realy like the shrimp scampi,” Warren said, leaning back in his chair. He settled one hand atop my mom's.

“Yeah, that does look good,” Mom replied, "but I’m more partial to the popcorn shrimp or maybe even the ones with the lemon-pepper batter.”

The porter brought the wine Warren had ordered and then set the bottle and two glasses in front of them. Warren uncorked the bottle, filed mom's glass, and then poured his own. They sat together, grinning like children. Suddenly a hand settled on my left shoulder and squeezed. I turned.

“Hey, Beautiful.” Kelin leaned over me, his blonde hair haloing his head. He wore his letter jacket, water droplets seeping off the leather sleeves. He smiled, his blue eyes penetrating me to the core. He gently caressed my shoulder before nodding toward Warren. “Is that your dad?”

Warren and Mom glanced at each other, and I knew we al had found ourselves in uncharted water. Shaking my head, I scrambled for an explanation. "He’s a good friend.” I turned to Warren. “Kelin, this is Warren Jacobs and my mom, Helen.

Kelin shook Warren’s hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.

Sorry about the misunderstanding.”

“That’s al right,” Warren said. He gestured to an empty seat. “Would you like to join us? We haven't ordered.”

Kelin glanced over his shoulder. “I’m with friends.” I looked past him to the table where five high school kids, including Tyler and Becca, chatted. The two of them glared at me. Tyler leaned close to Becca and whispered in her ear, then laughed.

He sat down and leaned close so I could smel his aftershave—Obsession . “Have you ordered yet?

I shook my head. “No. You?”

“Yeah.”

“What brings you here?” I unfolded my napkin and set it in my lap. “It looks pretty exciting over there.”

“Not the excitement I enjoy,” he said, glancing at Tyler and then at me. “If you’re worried about Becca, don’t. She’s put the moves on Tyler. At present he’s not realy objecting.” As if on cue, Becca leaned close to Tyler and put her hand on his. They kissed.

“I came to see if you'd be able to go for a Coke after dinner.” He chewed his lower lip slightly, and I realized he was actualy nervous. His hand inched toward mine and settled atop it.

The question was why. The fact that I was two grades below him and that I wasn’t Miss Popularity should have made him feel more outgoing, not more nervous.

Without realizing it, my thoughts had gotten away, and I forced myself back to the conversation. “…had plans and al, but seeing as we're both here, I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.”

Before I could answer, a waiter with a pad stopped before our table to take our orders. "What can I get for you this evening?"

“I’l have the popcorn shrimp,” my mom said, closing the menu.

Once the waiter ha d finished jotting Mom's selection, Warren said, “The shrimp scampi.”

Both turned to me expectantly, and Mom said, “Okay, Skye. Your turn.”

I forced myself to stop staring at Kelin and scanned the menu. Finaly I said, “The popcorn shrimp.”

The waiter colected our menus and left. Kellin squeezed my hand and smiled. “What do you think?” His deep voice left me breathless.

“I’l ask.” I turned to Mom. “Would it be al right if we went out after dinner? To get a Coke?” The words blended together, and I mentaly kicked myself for sounding so eager.

Mom nodded slowly and sipped her wine. “I guess it would be fine so long as you’re back by 11:00.”

Kelin smiled broadly. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Wiliams. “I’l have her back by then.”

“Kelin,” a voice caled. Tyler waved, then pointed at the plates their waiter had unloaded on their table. “The food’s here, and I can't be responsible for what happens to it while you're gone!”

Kelin waved and stood. “Looks like it’s time to eat,” he said.

"Yeah, while there's stil something to eat," Warren advised.

Kelin faced me, his blue eyes delving deeply into mine.

“I’l be back.” He squeezed my shoulder gently, and I caressed his hand.

“I’l be here.”

“I’m counting on it.” He nodded to Warren. “Nice to meet you, sir.” Then he sauntered to his table and puled out the chair beside Tyler. Tyler asked him something, and Kelin shook his head and responded, a flush coloring his cheeks. Then Tyler looked back at me, his eyes narrowed slightly.

“He seems like a nice boy.” Mom grabbed a cheese rol.

“And if I’m not mistaken, he’s realy taken with you, Skye.”

I shrugged and grabbed rol. “Maybe.”

“I thought you liked him.” Mom frowned. “I saw he was wearing a letter jacket. What sport does he play?”

“He’s a quarterback.” I gazed at him, watching as he laughed with his friends, unguarded joy apparent.

“How wel do you know him?” Warren asked, refiling his wine glass. He frowned slightly, gazing from me to Kelin.

“As wel as anyone, I guess.” I swalowed hard as Becca grabbed his arm. Frowning, he puled away and looked up, probably wondering if I'd seen it. Becca smirked at me. Chewing my lower lip, I felt my body tense. Even though Kelin had said he wasn’t seeing her, I didn’t discount her presence. Brecca was used to getting her way, and a little thing like Kelin’s indifference was hardly more than a simple annoyance to her. She was planning something, and Tyler would probably aid and abet.

“I’l be back,” I said and headed to the restroom where I reapplied my make-up and smoothed a few wayward strands of hair. “This is as good as it is going to get,” I told my reflection.

"Too bad it's not good enough," Becca retorted as she stroled to the sink and applied lipstick. "You're out of your league.

Why don't you go back to nerd boy?" She soothed her sweater down but it stil showed her naval piercing.

Blushing, I swept out of the restroom and hurried back to my table as I mentaly replayed my encounter with Becca. No matter what I did, I couldn't win against her. I returned to the table and listened to smal talk between Mom and Warren. Then the food came and we enjoyed the shrimp and buttery baked potatoes with large dolops of sour cream.

Kelin returned a few moments after we had finished and the plates had been cleared. To-go boxes sat before Mom and me as we had not been able to eat al our food.

“You ready?” Kelin asked.

Nodding, I said, “Yeah.” I started for my coat, but Kelin beat me to it. He held it open, and I slipped my arms inside.

“Please watch the road,” Warren said, making eye contact with Kelin. “It’s snowing realy hard.”

Kelin nodded. “Don’t worry. I’l take good care of her.”

“Have fun.” Mom waved as we left.

On our way out, we passed Tyler's table, and he caled out, “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do.” Although Kelin shook his head, he didn’t respond. Instead, he slipped his arm around my waist and guided me to his car. Snowflakes colected in his hair and on his jacket.

Once he'd started the engine and flipped on the headlights, he asked, “How do you feel about a strol around the lake? Then we can get cocoa to warm up.” His hand slid over mine, his strong fingers gently rubbing my skin.

“Sounds great,” I agreed, thinking the lake would be beautiful.

“Sorry about the misunderstanding with Warren.” He puled out of the parking lot. As he pushed the accelerator, the snow rushed toward the windshield, giving he ilusion of a furious snow storm.

“It’s al right. You couldn’t have known.”

“What’s the story?” He squeezed my hand. “Or is that topic off limits?”

“I usualy don’t talk about it,” I said, “But if you want to know, my dad left when I was smal.”

“His loss.” He turned toward the park, and al the faling snow glowed in the lamplight. “You sound realy angry.”

“I just found out about his new wife and kids.” I brushed my hair back.

“Then you have a right to be angry.” He puled into the gravel lot and found a parking place. Standing outside, the cold air rushing over the water, chiled me, and I shivered, wishing I’d worn a warmer coat. Then again, I hadn't expected to be walking around the lake.

“Hold up a sec.” Kelin puled off his letter jacket. “Put this on. It’l keep you warmer than what you’ve got.” He waited for me to pul off my coat and then handed me his.

“What are you going to wear?” I swalowed hard.

He unlocked his door and grabbed another coat from the backseat. “This.” He reached for my coat and locked it in the Mustang while I slipped on his letter jacket. Not only did the sleeves swalow my hands, but I felt like the jacket could wrap around me twice. He straightened it. “I guess it’s a little big.”

“That’s okay. It is warmer.”

He took my hand, and we folowed the trail leading around the lake. A ful moon hung low, and snowflakes floated, faling toward the misty lake. The water reflected like glass save where two geese swam.

“Look!” I pointed to them. “They're beautiful.”

“Not half as beautiful as you.” Kelin gently released my hand and then wrapped his arm about me as we looked into each other’s eyes.

“I bet you say that to al the girls,” I whispered. Although I smiled and tossed the comment off as a joke, inside I wondered about the truth of it.

“Nope. Just you.” He lightly brushed his lips across mine, and al sound vanished beneath my heartbeat. His kiss deepened, drawing me closer. Then, when I was lost in the warmth of his mouth, he puled back and traced my slightly parted lips.

My eyelids fluttered open. He leaned close, and his blue eyes studied my face. “What?” I asked breathlessly.

“I could look at you al day.”

I averted my gaze. “You’d grow tired sooner or later.”

Kelin slipped his forefinger under my chin and forced me to look at him. “Your dad is a jerk, Skye, plain and simple. When I say you’re beautiful, I mean it, and when I say I want to stick around, I mean that, too.

His other hand cradled my head as he kissed me again. His fingers gently tangled in my hair, keeping me close. The night melted around us until al I felt was his muscular chest where I set my hands, the steady beat of his heart pulsing under my palms. His lips touched my mouth, parting my lips wide as he possessed me, caressing his lips against my cheek, my neck, my ear.

Suddenly he slipped his arm beneath the bend of my knees and lifted me. “What are you doing?” I asked breathlessly.

“Carrying you over there.” He nodded toward a stone picnic table a few feet away.

“I can walk,” I protested.

“Yeah, but I like the way you feel.”

I laid my head on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I like it, too.”