Return to Love (3 page)

Chad poked his head back out for a moment and yelled “I’ll see ya around!” As the door slammed shut behind him.

Joanie quickly ducked her head down to hide her smile as she returned to her paperwork. She risked a teeny peek up and just as she suspected Miss Dune gave her the evil eye. Sighing she slumped over and started to fill in the forms.

Finally, she was done. She brought the stack back up to the counter glad to see that the line had diminished. Miss Prune looked at the top page. “Joanie Caldwell? I hope you’re not related to Brad Caldwell.”

Joanie’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, He’s my brother.” She stated warily.

“Humph! That’s just what we need is another trouble maker.” She heard Miss Dune claim under her breath intentionally loud enough for Joanie to hear.

Joanie smiled wickedly as her eyes narrowed. It was one thing for her to insult Brad, but she’d be damned if some old hag was going to talk bad about him. She took a deep breath to calm herself. What did she care what old prune face thought of her anyway? She decided not to give her the list of Kate’s courses. She knew if she did, she would not end up in any of Kate’s classes. Instead, she decided to keep quiet and perhaps by chance she might still be in a couple.

“Here’s your schedule and your locker number and combination. No dawdling you are already late!” Miss Dune chastised.

Joanie grabbed the list and scurried out into the corridor. She looked at the paper in her hands groaning as she noticed that her first class was gym. She would be hot and sweaty the rest of the day! “She did that on purpose.” She muttered as she set off. Growling she vowed revenge.

After searching, she finally found her locker on the second floor. She put in everything except her and Kate's schedule. Closing the door, she quickly scanned the two lists more closely.

Joanie’s Schedule

Kate’s Schedule

Well at least they would have second hour and lunch together. There was nothing more frightful than eating lunch alone. She knew from experience. She made her way to the gym by instinct. She followed the long, deserted corridor connecting the school to a large square building set behind it. It was as if they added it as an afterthought. She passed by the rest rooms and locker rooms and pushed open the large double doors at the end of the hallway. It was deserted; Joanie crossed the floor her footsteps echoing around the abandoned court. Nervously she picked up her pace and pushed open the doors at the opposite end. She was relieved to see the football field not far beyond her and what she hoped was her class. She could make out some girls jogging in their matching purple uniforms that were the school colors. Although the school was coed they still separated the gym classes by gender. It seemed silly to her especially since the boys still watched the exercises from afar. She spied a man with a whistle around his neck, and she headed over.

“Well good we need some talent around here. Welcome aboard!” He held out his hand and gripped hers hard. “Since you don’t have your uniform yet you can sit out this one.”

Graciously Joanie headed to the bleachers flexing her hand as she went. She carefully folded the vital paper and placed it in her skirt pocket. She hated wearing skirts, but it was required in the dress code. She felt a tug on her hair and looked around to see Chad sitting behind her.

“What are you doing here? I figured you’d be locked away forever. Did you get in trouble?” She asked as he scooted down next to her.

“Naw, no more than usual. Actually, they suspended me for a day, and I have to clean up the sign.” He said leaning back with his elbows on the bench behind him. “Not much to look at are they?” He said referring to her classmates jogging, err... make that walking around the track.

Joanie shook her head “You guys are all the same. If a girl isn’t attractive, you won’t even talk to her. You’re so worried about what other people will think.”

“That’s not true, I’m talking to you ain’t I?” Chad said ducking as she pretended to punch him.

“Not anymore.” She said getting up to run to her next class. Luckily Kate was in it.

The morning passed quickly. Joanie just pasted a smile on her face and made the best of it. She was relieved when lunch time came. She met Kate at her locker, and they headed there together. They were joined by two other girls who Joanie didn’t know. Kate quickly introduced her to Jane and Sally. Joanie grinned trying to remember what Kate had told her about them in her letters. If she remembered correctly, Jane was into music, and dancing, and Sally was rather quiet. Joanie wondered how she would fit in. She didn’t have to wonder long. Along with the rest, she soon found herself laughing at Jane's antics. Kate was awed by all the looks Joanie was receiving from the boys; even upperclassmen. She was amazed that her friend didn’t even notice them.

Finally, they got their trays and decided to eat outside. Heaven only knew how many more sunny days they would have before the long winter set in. They sat under a large maple that still had a few red leaves dangling from its branches and were threatening to fall.

Joanie looked over the rest of her classes, and she found out that Jane was in her math class. They quickly finished their lunch and headed off. Joanie and Jane headed to math together; Joanie welcomed the company. She made her regular stop at the teacher’s desk and was grateful that Jane stayed with her.

Joanie followed obediently her seat was the last one in the row. She sank down and pulled out her notebook. The final bell rung and Mr. Redmond started writing on the board. The classroom door opened once more, and a beautiful blonde walked in. She sure has grown up Joanie thought as April Miller ironically took the seat next to hers. “No wonder she’s so popular.” Joanie mumbled to herself.

April looked down at Joanie as if she were a toad. “Well Jo I heard you were back.”

“It’s Joanie, and yes I am.” She said evenly. She hated that old nick name and April knew it. They stared at each other neither one looking away until Mr. Redmond demanded that April take her seat. She tossed her flowing blonde locks over her shoulder and sat down. Is this day ever gonna end? Joanie thought as she started copying down the home work.

After school, she met Kate for the long walk home. “You two gonna go to the Soda Shoppe?” Sally asked.

Joanie shook her head no. “No they slammed me with homework, ‘Sides my cheeks are sore from smiling so much. It was really terrific meeting you, maybe some other time?” And she and Kate started on their trek home.

“So how was it?” Kate asked.

“Well it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, there were a lot of neat kids. I just wished we had more classes together. April sits next to me in math class, but besides that, it was pretty decent.”

“Well it sure is great to have you back! I’ll see you in the morning!” Kate said when they finally reached her house.

Joanie waved bye and continued on towards her home.

Joanie climbed the stairs to her apartment and went in and collapsed on the couch. Her mother worked nights at the hospital, so she was getting ready to leave.

“Yes!” Joanie said hoping up off the couch her energy renewed. “You promised to teach me to drive.” Joanie asked as she gazed at him hopefully.

“I did not!” Brad said looking to his mom for help.

Carol smiled. “Brad you’re a good driver it wouldn’t kill you to spend more time with your only sister and teach her how to drive would it?”

Brad sighed, “It might.” He murmured as Joanie grabbed his arm and drug him back down the three flights of stairs he had just walked up.

Joanie squealed and climbed in quickly, Brad grumbling climbed in the other side. Joanie frowned as she noticed she was practically in the backseat. “How do you move the seat up?” Joanie asked as she felt around the bottom of the seat for the lever and moved it closer. “Why are there three pedals when I only have two feet?” Joanie stated looking under the dash and frowning.

“We haven’t gotten to that part of the training yet. Now be quiet and listen.” Brad said as he started pointing to the various instruments on the dashboard and explaining in great detail how they worked and what they were for.

Half an hour later

“Are you going to give me the keys or not?” Joanie demanded, wondering how he knew so much about cars but yet flunked out of school.

Brad sighed reluctantly pulling the keys out of his pocket. He said a quick prayer before handing them to his sister.

Joanie grabbed the keys and excitedly put them in the ignition and turned the key.

The engine struggled desperately to turn over and then nothing. Frowning Joanie tried it again, nothing. Joanie’s head fell forward in despair engaging the horn.

“Out!” Brad yelled losing his patience quickly.

Joanie and Brad changed places and Brad sighed sinking down into the familiar seat. He twisted around to put his legs in and cried out as his knees hit the dashboard.

“Rule number 27 adjust your seat before you get in.” Joanie quipped sarcastically as Brad glared at her. She watched as he adjusted his seat grumbling.

“Ok, now watch my feet. You have to give it some gas, push the clutch down, hold the brake down with your right foot, turn the key in the ignition and shift the gear into reverse. It’s that easy.” Brad said moving all his limbs at the same time as the car started up and slid smoothly out of the parking spot.

“Right.” Joanie muttered.

Brad drove to a nearby factory, so Joanie could drive around the empty parking lot. “So you don’t endanger anyone.” Brad explained their location as they once again switched seats.

Joanie hopped out of the car thankful Brad had left the car running. Ok, Joanie thought, was it clutch, brake, gas, shift, or brake, clutch, shift, gas?

“Piece a cake.” Joanie said to herself as Brad eyed her worriedly.

Joanie shifted the car into first gear, took her foot off the brake, popped the clutch and hit the gas. The car surged forward rapidly gaining momentum, panicking Joanie stepped on the brake with both feet. The car screeched to a halt almost propelling her and Brad through the windshield. She risked a glance over at her brother to make sure he was ok.

His knuckles were as white as his face as his fingers dug into the dashboard. His chest was heaving as he looked over at Joanie and growled.

“Um, sorry.” Joanie said forcing a smile. Brad shifted the car into neutral and motioned for her to get out of the car for the second time that day. He didn’t trust himself to speak.

Joanie hopped back into the passenger side and pouted as Brad jumped out and kissed the ground. Now she was never going to be able to learn how to drive.

The week passed quickly. Joanie fell into a routine at school and made some new friends as well as reacquainted herself with old ones. April and her crew still were mean and nasty any chance they got, but Joanie didn't let that bother her. She could handle them. There was a county fair in town this weekend, and she and Kate had planned to go on Saturday.

Joanie slept in Saturday morning. Hearing her mother call her, she reluctantly drug herself out of bed surprised to see the time. After breakfast, she dressed in a pair of jeans and boots and a light weight ivory colored sweater. She grabbed one of Brad’s old gym bags, and packed herself a few things, since she would be staying overnight at Kate’s house that night. She kissed her mom goodbye and headed out. Her mom had to work that day and who knew where Brad was. She didn’t even bother asking. He had been avoiding her since the car “incident.” She had told Kate about what happened, and Kate had laughed hysterically. What are friends for?

The air was chilly even for October she was glad she wore Brad’s tattered denim jacket. The sleeves hung down below her finger tips, so she rolled them up, as she walked to Kate’s house. Kate met her at the door as they quickly stashed her things in Kate’s room. Kate’s dad grunted as Kate ripped the newspaper out of his hands and drug him towards the door. The girls hopped into the car and headed towards the fair ground.