Talisman (3 page)

No wonder I have issues!

My sister’s eyes kept raising and lowering as she looked over at Charlotte.  That piqued my curiosity. 
What’s Chloe doing or more important, what does she want?

“What’s going on, Chloe?” I demanded.  “Why are you darting your eyes like that?”

“Shiloh,” my mother announced.  “Chloe has a bit of a…
dilemma
.  It’s quite serious and as a
family
, we have to do everything we can to help her with this.”

I was taken aback for a moment. 
What’s so serious that they need “the family’s help”?

My eyes narrowed like a doorstop.  “You’re
pregnant?
” I blurted.

“Hush your mouth!” they shrieked in unison.

“I said this is
serious!”
Charlotte snapped.

Well, excuse me
…  Against my better judgment, I pulled out a chair and sat down, somewhat intrigued. 
What could be more serious than a teen pregnancy?
 
This ought to be good
.

Charlotte began, “As you know, your sister has been dating Mike Riverside for almost two months now.  Even though they’re
VERY
serious, it’s still a young relationship in its early stages…so it’s
extremely
fragile
.”

Amused (and desperate to keep a straight-face), I pressed my lips together while I watched Charlotte compose herself like a doctor who was about to inform their patient that they had a rare, incurable illness.  I, like Daddy,
hated
the idea of Chloe dating such an over-indulged, obnoxious creep.  The only reason he hadn’t forbidden their union was because Mike’s father was his boss.  Our mother, on the other hand, was
overjoyed
.  I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if she had already registered their china pattern at the Mercer Mall.

And for the record, Chloe was an attractive girl, “cutesy” really,
and
a cheerleader — so it wasn’t like her options were limited.  I’m sure almost every guy in her sophomore class would line-up for a date.  I secretly envied her long raven locks that framed her perfectly round face and made her big hazel eyes pop out like two stars.  She could do
A LOT
better than Mike Riverside, in my opinion.  The idea of her going out with the most arrogant senior — with the worst reputation for girls, might I add — made me want to puke.  So basically, I couldn’t care less about this
Romeo and Juliet
“saga” unless it ended with Chloe getting knocked in the head with a lick of sense followed by a break-up initiated by “her”.

My mother took another hefty swig of her wine and continued, “The Homecoming dance on Saturday can
only
be attended by juniors and seniors —
no exceptions
— even though Chloe’s a member of the sophomore court.”  Charlotte shook her head in disapproval.  “Elisa Riverside is the chairwoman over the committee.  She won’t allow Mike to go to the dance dateless, just because his girlfriend isn’t eligible to attend.”

“Um,
sooo
…Chloe’s upset that Mike has to take…
someone else?
” I guessed.

“In a way,
but
…Chloe wouldn’t be devastated if he went with someone she
trusted
,” Charlotte interjected.

There wasn’t one friend of Chloe’s who could be “trusted” with Mike Riverside, especially not any of her cheer-chums on the squad.  Pretty much every girl in town was looking to land him like a 747 jet.  He was the son of Harper Riverside, the wealthy owner of the coalmine where most all the girls in town fathers’ were employed.  Oh, I could think of about fifty-plus million reasons why none of them could be “trusted” all right.

“
So
,” I probed, “who’s the lucky,
loyal
friend you’ve picked to go to the dance with Mike?”

Chloe quickly flashed me her sweet & innocent smile.  Nothing good ever came from that facial expression.  “Not one of my
friends
,” Chloe replied.  “I’m talking about
you
…
My loyal sister
.”

I practically knocked over my chair when I shot straight up out of my seat.

“NO!”
I objected.  “
Absolutely not!
  Have you two lost your daggone minds?  WE
CAN’T STAND
EACH OTHER!” I roared.  Mike Riverside was a complete ass, but in all fairness, I could totally see why most of my peers idolized him.  He “had it all”.  His frame was that of a typical quarterback’s — tall and chiseled.  His sandy blonde hair was always gelled to perfection, and he dressed in nothing but designer clothes.  I’d be willing to bet Mike had more ponies on the shirts in his closet than there were running around the whole freakin’ state. 
What teenage girl at our school could resist him?
  His parents’ fortune and their breathtaking mansion were merely icing on the cake.  And unfortunately for my little sister, most everything with two legs and a “XX” chromosome at our school wanted a slice.  But I WAS NOT about to be a party to this desperate, and not to mention,
ludicrous
scheme!

I took a staggeringly deep breath and continued, “I know it would be a
crowning achievement
to get Chloe married off into the Riverside family but…Come on, Charlotte!  Their relationship will be over before the first snowfall.” 
Or the first “zipper fall”
, I noted silently.  “He’s just using her!  Mike Riverside doesn’t care about anyone but himself!”

Chloe let out a shrill wail and started to cry uncontrollably.  Charlotte had her arms locked around my little sister in an instant, consoling her like a true mother would.

“Don’t pay any attention to her, sweetie,” my mother urged to Chloe as she rocked her back and forth.  “She doesn’t know anything about
true love
.  She’s never experienced it!” Charlotte barked as she tightened her hug.  She took another swig of wine and slammed her glass down on the hard oak tabletop.  “I’ll never understand WHY you insist on shutting us our of your life, Shiloh…regardless of how much love we give you.  You never think of anyone else! 
ONLY YOURSELF!
”  One lonely (and obviously forced) tear trickled down her cheek as she stared at me, waiting for a response.

My mouth about hit the floor.  My mother was really earning her Oscar tonight. 
She’s got to be kiddin’!  “I’m” the “selfish one”?  Is she so delusional that she can’t see it’s been “her” all these years who hasn’t wanted any part of “my life”?

My gaze fell on Chloe.  A part of my heart did ache for her.  She might be more knowledgeable (or rather “experienced”) about certain aspects of a relationship, but she was certainly misguided about
true love
and what it meant.  Compassionately, I knelt beside my little sister.

“Look, Chloe…I don’t mean to upset you.  I honestly don’t, but this is something I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing.”  Without delay, my little sister’s head hit the table in one dramatic
“thud”
and continued to sob.  Knowing the mood in the room was unlikely to improve, I offered her a heartfelt, “I’m really sorry, Chloe,” as I rose from her side and slowly turned to exit the kitchen.

“Well, this weekend is
RUINED!
” Charlotte proclaimed.  “I just hope Chloe will be able to put a smile on her face Sunday…
at your birthday dinner
.”

I paused in the doorway.  “What
birthday dinner?
” I mumbled.

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,” Charlotte declared with a hint of disappointment in her voice.  “Well now, you have to promise me that you won’t tell your father, of course…
But…
he wanted to drive over to Twin Falls for dinner and then we’re…
NO
.  I shouldn’t say anymore.  I’ve already run my big mouth enough for the evening and spoiled half of your father’s surprise.  I would hate to ruin the
best part
.”

I was bursting with curiosity, but I couldn’t summon the courage to turn around, let alone look her in the eyes.  Twin Falls was a quaint resort, nestled in the woods near Pineville.  It housed a fancy restaurant that people flocked to in droves for special occasions.  I’d only been there once with Katie and her family, but I longed to go back.

A special birthday dinner there would be a treat all by itself
…
What else could Daddy be planning?

I turned around unavoidably, like a fish being yanked on a hook.  “What
part
shouldn’t you tell me?” I asked.

My mother could run a P.O.W. camp in Vietnam.  Charlotte said nothing for what seemed like minutes, although I knew it was merely seconds.  Finally, her mouth started to move.

“Your father and I were going to tell you about your present after dinner,” Charlotte announced.  “It’s
a trip
we’re taking in a few weeks.”

Chloe stopped crying abruptly.  “What
trip?
” my little sister sniffled.  Charlotte’s eyes widened as she looked at Chloe and nudged her arm.

“The trip…
you know
, to let Shiloh tour some colleges…
Remember?
  She’s been sending out all those applications…Caiden thought she might like to see a few of the schools she’s applied to and tour them for herself.”

Stunned by her announcement, I stood there silently trying to process what I thought I’d just heard.

“
Really?
” my voice quivered.  “There’s a trip planned —
for me
— to tour some
colleges?
”

Charlotte nodded.  “It’s nice to see
someone’s
in good spirits tonight,” she replied in a catty tone.

I looked over at Chloe.  Her tear-stained face made me ashamed of how ecstatic I felt in the midst of her misery.  Like clockwork, “guilt” —
my Achilles heel
— began to rear its ugly head.

“We’ll probably go sooner than expected…
if
the mine shuts down,” Charlotte added.  “I hope your father receives a well-deserved severance package.  Surely the Riversides’ won’t have any
indirect ill will
towards him…You know what I
mean?
”

I certainly did know what she meant.  Elisa Riverside was an uppity snob who was bound to hold a grudge if her “precious Michael” ended up going dateless to such an important school function, especially since she was the chairwoman of it.  Harper Riverside wouldn’t like the awkward appearance of his son having to accommodate one of his lowly employees’ daughters either.  All things considered, it probably wouldn’t be the “wisest thing” right now to slight either of the Riversides’.

Just before another pang from my conscience could drive the knife further into my chest, I swallowed my pride and principles.

“I would have to ask Charlie for the night off,” I mumbled as my stare fell to the floor.  “And I don’t have a dress…not one for a
formal
dance.”  Instantly, Chloe sprang out of her chair and leaped towards me.  I found myself helplessly locked in her ironclad embrace.

“Thank you, Shi!” Chloe squealed.  “Don’t worry!  We’ll find you a dress tomorrow when we pick up mine for the Homecoming court.”

Oddly, I found Chloe’s hug more gratifying than what I’d anticipated, even though I knew it was only partly genuine.  The only reason my sister was acting this way was because she was getting what she wanted —
at my expense
.  But as affection starved as what I was, I’d take what scraps were thrown.

“That’s fine,” I replied as I patted her back.  “I’m sure it’ll be nice.  I’m not picky…but um, I really
do need
to go study for my test,” I reiterated.

Charlotte waved me away.  “Sure, sure.  Run along now,” she insisted.  My mother couldn’t have been more obvious about wanting me to leave now that their business was done.

I pulled out my cell and sent my boss, Charlie Fisher, a quick text requesting “Saturday off” as I worked my way back down the hall.  I’d never asked to change my schedule before and always came in when he needed me, so I was certain he wouldn’t have a problem accommodating “their” request.  As I headed up the steps to the peaceful sanctuary of my bedroom, I couldn’t help but wonder,
If I put up this much of a fuss…what the heck is “Mike” going to say?

AND THAT
, I felt certain was “the cherry” that topped off my rotten evening, inevitably spurring a restless night and spawning one Hell of a bad dream!

“Some
FAVOR
,” I repeated, shaking my head as I continued to stare out the living room window. 
Ugh!
  Strangely, the proverb, “That which doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger,” shot through my head like a cannon.  It didn’t help.  Not a lick.  I knew I should have “slept on it” before rendering my final decision.  But what’s done is done.  I couldn’t break Chloe’s heart.  The big sister that I’d always wanted her to look up to didn’t want that.  Not in the least.  No matter how miserable I was going to be.