The Improbable (15 page)

           
I knew that he was just being paranoid but I didn’t want to push it. “Don’t
worry, Daddy.”

           
“You know you’re
gonna
have to apologize to your
mother.” He mentioned.

           
Ha! I was so uninterested in my mother I hadn’t spoken to her since I told her
about herself at the ball. But I did want my car back…I would fake it if it
meant getting my car back. “Of course.” I smiled when I realized I had an
opportunity in front of me. “I was thinking I could take her to lunch…if I had
the day off tomorrow.”

           
“My baby’s
tryin
’ to pull one on me!” My father
exclaimed in disbelief with a grand smile on his face.

           
“I’d also need my keys back…” I decided to throw that in there.

           
Daddy kissed my forehead. “Anything for you, baby. Anything for you.”

           
“I should probably head upstairs now, you should get some sleep too, Daddy.” I
rose from the couch and stretched.

           
Daddy shook his head. “I’ll be up reminiscing for a little while longer. Good
night, baby.”

           
I leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Good night, Daddy. I love you.”  I
removed my shoes and wearily headed up the stairs. It truly had been a tiring
night; between coming down from the ultimate high that David constantly gave me
and the relief of getting back on good terms with my father, I was pooped!
Right before I closed the door to my room, the telephone in the hallway began
ringing. I caught it quickly before it woke my mother and Flora.

           
“Hello?” I whispered.

           
“Darlin’ where in the hell have you been?” Kate’s voice answered.

           
I sighed. “This princess has been locked away in her castle. Ever since I blew
up at the New Members Ball, they’ve had me on punishment.”

           
“Well when are you free? You know the county fair is
comin
’
up, we’ve never missed a year together and you know that.” Kate said.

           
“I should be able to go by then,” I yawned, desperately wanting to just go to
bed.

           
“If you’ve been in the house all day what’re you so tired for?” Kate asked,
suspicion in her voice.

           
I had been in the house so long I had forgotten that I didn’t update my friends
on David and
I
! I peaked over the banister to see if
my father was listening. “I was with David.” I whispered.

           
Kate gasped. “What? Since when? And how? Tell me everything!”

           
Even bringing
him
up brought a smile to my face. “He’s
my neighbor, Kate; he lives right behind me,
it’s
perfect! He took me out for ice cream the other night and tonight I took him
somewhere…we kissed.”

           
“Well Hallelujah, thank the good Lord Almighty!” Kate exclaimed. “You fall off
the radar for a few days and this is what happens. I can tell how happy he
makes you, I can hear it in your voice.”

           
I sighed. “I do like him Kate, a lot.”

           
“What does Percy have to say about it?” She asked.

           
“He doesn’t know. I’m on good terms with him but he can’t find out, neither can
Ray.” I answered.

           
Kate sighed. “This is
goin
’ to be a complicated
relationship Eva-Marie, and it’s your first one. Are you ready for that?”

           
She had a point. I had no experience first of all – I wasn’t allowed to date
until I was eighteen! What with my busy schedule, I never truly had time to
entertain boys anyways. However, I would
always
make time to entertain
David Finley. I knew it would be complicated because I was expected to get
married to Ray and I had to keep David a secret from my parents
and
Ray
– I was in for one hell of a ride.

“Of course
I am,” I said.

           
“Well baby doll, I’ll be here with you every step of the way helping you with
anything you need.” Kate said. “I don’t know what it is about you and David,
but I have a good feeling about you two.”

           
“Thank you, Kate.” I smiled, always grateful to know she was on my side.

           
The next morning, I endured an awkward car ride with my mother all the way into
the city so we could have lunch at the City Club. Neither of us spoke until it
was time to order our lunches. It went back to silence as soon as our waiter
drifted away. I looked out at the golf course as she pretended to look at the
wine menu. I found it harder to apologize to my mother because she had truly
betrayed me, if anything she should’ve been apologizing to me! She was strictly
on Ray’s team and that’s why I wanted nothing to do with her. However, Daddy
wanted me to set things straight with her in order to get off of punishment so
I knew I wasn’t going to get out of apologizing.

           
“It’s a nice day out,” I broke the silence.

           
Mama nodded. “There’s a nice breeze.”

           
“That’s for sure.” I took a sip of my water, trying to find the right words. I
sighed, “Look Mama, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting and how I
disrespected you when we were at the New Members Ball; I had no right to do
such a thing. I was just acting out of frustration and I was wrong.” No bone in
my body felt that my apology was sincere, but I hoped she was at least
believing it.

           
“Oh Eva, I didn’t think too much of your acting out, I would be frustrated too.
I just wish you could see things the way I’m seeing them. I don’t want you in
this life forever, and you know that.” Mama reached over and placed her hand on
my forearm.

           
“Mama, why did you do it? Why did you give me up to Ray?” I asked with burning
interest.

           
Mama sighed. “You think I want to see the end of life as I know it? I don’t
want to see the pain and trouble we’d go through if we were caught. Honey, I’d
do anything to keep things the way they are.”

           
“But I’m your daughter, Mama. Your
daughter
.”

           
“I love my husband, baby. I’d never want him to be taken away from me. I don’t
know what I’d do.” She said in a small voice.

           
It was hard for me to feel anything for her. “Oh that’s so selfish, Mama.” I
shook my head. “You’d sell your own daughter to make sure nothing breaks up
your marriage. I’m sure Daddy would love to hear that.”

           
“Please don’t tell him,” she looked at me with wide eyes. “Can’t we just agree
to disagree?”

           
There were a few beats of silence as I looked at her in disbelief. “I don’t
know who you are anymore.”

           
“Baby I’m sorry,” she wiped her eyes and sniffed. “Please don’t hate me.”

           
I was done talking about it, I had more important things I wanted to get out of
her. “Daddy told me the police are beginning to investigate.” I paused and
looked at her. “Do you think we’ll be okay?” Though I hadn’t voiced my fears
when Daddy mentioned the investigation, I had definitely been thinking about it
when I tried to get to sleep. I stayed awake in my bed tossing and turning,
wondering what I would possibly do if my parents were taken away. The thought
made my stomach twist in fear.

           
Mama forced a smile, wiping her tears and composing herself. “Of course, baby.”

           
“Are you lying to me?” I asked, looking her dead in the eye.

           
It seemed as if she was blinking back more tears. “Can you just do one thing
for me? Please don’t make being with Ray so hard, he really means well and
would take care of you, should anything happen.” She ignored my question.

           
“Nothing is going to happen.” I said curtly, not wanting to believe it.

           
“The only thing that truly hurts my heart is to watch you rebel from him;
together, he and I just want you to be safe and have a normal life when this is
all over. So please Eva, for me, would you just give him a chance?” She ignored
me once more.

           
I didn’t want to hate my mother, I just didn’t understand why she had to act
the way she did! Though, I had to understand that she was scared for the future
of our family…I was too, and in that moment I could sort of see things from her
point of view. Just a tad. I sighed, defeated. “If it gives you peace of
mind…I’ll give him a chance.”

           
She smiled at me weakly. “That’s my girl.”

           
All the talk of the end being near made me want to curl up in a ball and cry.
My parents kept speaking on it as if it was going to happen the next day! But I
knew that it made sense to prepare for it to happen at any given time. And if
that meant sucking it up and getting along with Ray…I would do it.

August 1950

I
t
was as if when I was away from Eva, trying to concentrate was the epitome of
impossible. I couldn’t go for too long without wondering,
what is she doing
right now? Is she thinking about me, too?
I felt like a thirteen-year-old
boy for goodness sakes! Whatever spell Eva had put on me was surely working. I
took a deep breath and tried to focus once again.

           
I ran my hand through my hair and rose, looking at the photographs I’d
organized on my bulletin board. In one group, Nicholas, Mastodon, and
Luccio’s
faces hung, staring at me and seeming to taunt me
because they had all the answers I needed and I was still in the dark. The
other groups on the board consisted of the dead bodies. I racked my brain,
trying to figure out
anything
that would pass as solid evidence of
Nicholas being the supplier. If it wasn’t Eva consuming my brain, it was the
case.

           
“What’re you still
doin
’ here partner? It’s
gettin
’ late.” Clayton’s voice broke through my thoughts.

           
“What time is it?” I asked without taking my eyes off the board.

           
“Around eight-fifteen.” He answered.

           
That was enough to catch my attention. “Shit!” I hissed. “I was supposed to
meet up with my friends at six.” I had completely lost track of time and forgot
that Timmy and Chris had asked me to come to the county fair for a relaxing
night along with Eva and her girlfriends. How could I have forgotten that!

           
Clayton chuckled. “It’s a little late for that, partner. What’ve you got
goin
’ on here anyways?”

           
I sighed. “Chief wanted me to organize all the information we’ve gotten so far
to see if there’s anything we’ve been overlooking that would point us in the
right direction.”

           
Clayton took a closer look at the notes on the board. “So far all we’ve got
makes Nicholas the producer, as I predicted. He has men to handle the dirty
work and he even told us he has the chemistry knowledge.”

           
“Then why would there be two different shooting methods? And two different ways
the overdosed bodies appeared when they died?” I asked. It was just too hard
for me to accept the fact that it was Nicholas we were looking for and it was
that easy to get to him. Something just wasn’t right to me.

           
“To do just this,” Clayton motioned toward me. “To throw you off. Look, just
trust me, I’ve been here a little while longer. You’re just
overthinkin
’
it.”

           
“Then why haven’t we arrested him?” I asked.

           
“Not enough hard evidence, son.” Clayton
shrugged.          

           
Once again he had all the valid points and I had nothing. “I guess you’re
right.” I replied in a low voice.

           
“Maybe you should head out for the night, don’t wanna overload yourself, son.”
Clayton insisted.

           
“No, I can’t do that, I want to have this done by the morning.” I rejected.

           
“You said all you’re
doin
’ is
organizin
’
the data and takin’ notes, right?” He asked.

           
I nodded.

           
“Go ahead and take off, I’ll finish it up for
ya
.” Clayton
offered.

           
I looked up at him, feeling guilty. “Ah, I couldn’t do that to you.”

           
Clayton chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh I’ll be alright. Look son, you’re
young! Not even thirty, yet. You need to be out
enjoyin
’
these summer nights with that pretty girl that always seems to be on your
mind.”

           
There he went again, making all valid points. I ran my hands over my face and
sighed. “You’re sure you don’t want me to stay for assistance?”

           
“Son, I’ve been
doin
’ this a long time. I assure you
I’ll be alright.” Clayton grinned.

           
I wasn’t going to argue; my head
was
starting to pound trying to figure
out the impossible and I
did
want to see Eva. “If you insist,” I gave in
and began to gather my things.

           
“Oh and one more thing,” Clayton called from my desk before I exited my office.

           
“What’s that?” I looked at him expectantly.

           
“Don’t forget to buy her flowers, David.” Clayton winked.

           
I chuckled and shook my head. “Will do, Clayton, will do.”

           
The night air was cool and refreshing, leading me to let the top down on my
car. After I stopped by the market to pick up Eva’s bouquet of flowers, I made
my way to the county fair. As I drove, I tried to figure out the perfect way to
present the flowers to her. Would I give them to her first and then say hi? Or
would I hide them at first and surprise her with them later to see that
beautiful smile?

           
“Good evening, Eva…” I practiced to myself. I shook my head, not liking that
greeting.

           
“How are you tonight?” Pretty sure I’d used that one before.

           
“Uh, did you miss me?” What the hell was I thinking?

           
“Hey baby…” Wow, were we even on that level yet?

           
“Ugh!” I shook my head, irritated. The woman was driving me
crazy
! It
was as if I had been in a mental asylum my whole life and she had come in and
taken my pills away, the very pills that kept me sane and on track. She was
breaking my normal routine and I couldn’t go back no matter how hard I tried. I
ran out of time to think of any worthy greeting as I was pulling up to the
fairgrounds. My heartbeat quickened when I saw the lights and heard the
thrilled shrieks coming from inside the fair – I knew she was in there. I
anxiously made sure my hair was slicked the right way and my shirt was tucked
in. Carefully picking up the ribbon-tied flowers, I headed in to the fair.

           
Handfuls of women eyed me down as if I was their next dessert course as I
walked through the crowd, and not a single one of them had my attention. I was
searching for one face and one face only – Eva-Marie’s. My stomach twisted in
fear that I’d gotten there too late, after all I
was
nearly three hours
late! Was she going to be disappointed? Had I let her down? Face after face and
none of them were Eva! Where in the hell was she? I then began to search for
any signs of her.

           
I began turning toward every southern accent I heard, in hopes that it would be
Kathryn but I still had no luck there. Skimming the lines for the games, I
still had no luck in finding anyone in their group. I sighed and began to
realize that I actually might have been too late; if I hadn’t been so caught up
with my work at the station I would’ve remembered that I’d made plans to come
out! I grew angry with myself as I headed back toward the entrance. It wasn’t
until I heard a familiar southern belle whining to her boyfriend in line for
the Ferris wheel when new hope arose inside of me.

           
“I knew we shouldn’t have let people go before us!” The girl whined.

           
I traveled toward the couple, cutting in line and moving past people without
apologizing. I knew it had to be Timmy and Kathryn!

           
“We’re next, baby, don’t worry.” Timmy assured her.

           
Kathryn spun around to talk to her friends but caught sight of me and paused
with wide eyes and a gaping mouth as if she was terrified to see me.

           
“There you are, brother!” Chris greeted when he noticed me. He gave me a
handshake, smelling of reefer. I turned my police-mode off and ignored it.

           
“Hey Chris,” I was plenty relieved to see that they were all still at the fair.

           
“My brother!” Timmy exclaimed and patted me on the back, so far the only one
who didn’t smell like he’d been smoking. “Thought you were kidnapped or
somethin
’.”

           
I couldn’t help but chuckle, “How’s it going, boys?”

           
“We thought you’d never show up!” Chris said.

           
“Yeah we told you six, what kind of time are you
runnin
’
on?” Timmy asked in a sarcastic tone.

           
I sighed. “I got caught up in some work at the office.”

           
Chris nodded, “We understand you’re a working man, respect.”

           
“We’re
wrappin
’ it up here, but we could all still
head out after this if the ladies are okay with
stayin
’
out a little late.” Timmy told me.

           
I felt bad for showing up so late but at the same time I was thankful he was
willing to extend the night for me. However, the main reason I had come out was
nowhere in sight… where was Eva?

           
“We shouldn’t do that it’s
gettin
’ late…” Kathryn
finally spoke up. She grabbed Timmy’s arm and noticeably squeezed it, looking
at him with warning eyes.

           
“Where’s Eva?” I asked, looking directly at Kathryn.

           
“
Oooh
, are those flowers for Eva, David?” Eva’s red
head friend, Sarah asked me.

           
“She’s going to
love
those!” Rita gushed in a goofy tone.

           
“But what about…?” Yvonne trailed off and burst into a fit of laughter. It was
clear that they were all high.

           
“What’s going on?” I demanded, still looking at Kathryn.

           
Kathryn sighed. “Oh ignore them. Come on, let’s talk over here.” She pulled me
aside out of line.

           
“What the hell is going on, Kathryn? Where’s Eva?” I questioned.

           
She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I swear y’all are
goin
’ to give me a heart attack faster than my
grandaddy’s
cookin
’.”

           
I furrowed my eyebrows at her. “Where is she?”

           
Kathryn opened her eyes. “She’s on the Ferris wheel.”

           
“By herself?” I asked, thrown off.

           
Kathryn sighed. “David, look, you can’t be here…”

           
“What? Why?” I asked, growing angry.

           
“Eva’s here with Ray tonight.” She watched me take in the information. “He’s
been with us all night, darlin’. She’s just now
gettin
’
back on good terms with her parents and she knew this was a way to for sure win
them over.”

           
I could feel that my expression had gone cold.

           
“Now she’s told me all about you and she’s crazy about you.” Kathryn rubbed my
arm sympathetically. “But you know the situation with Ray is…complicated.”

           
All I wanted to do in that moment was climb up the Ferris wheel and beat Ray
until he had no sense left in him. For crying out loud she didn’t even like
him! I hadn’t left work for nothing, I was going to see Eva and that was final.
I looked Kathryn dead in the eye. “Get her away from him, I’ll be waiting.”

           
 Before she could protest I turned and began walking, aimlessly to blow
off some steam. What the hell was Ray doing there anyways? I wish he would just
get the hint and leave her alone! I stopped and decided that I would keep an
eye on her from a distance. Yes, I was that crazy about her. I kept myself
hidden behind a balloon booth as I watched and waited for Eva to get off of the
Ferris wheel. Kathryn, Timmy, and the rest of our friends had stepped out of
line to wait for her as well. Kathryn’s face looked troubled, as she knew what
she had to do.

           
My heart dropped to my stomach when Eva stepped off of the Ferris wheel; she
looked absolutely perfect. It took everything I had to not go up to her and
kiss her right in front of everybody! However, anger took over me when I saw
Ray behind her with his hand on her lower back, guiding her to her friends.
Eva’s expression caught me off guard; she actually looked like she was…
enjoying
herself. Was this why Kathryn had tried to get me to leave? Because it was more
than just trying to please her parents? My fingers tightened around the flowers
and I nearly slammed them to the ground before I told myself to get a grip and
calm down.

           
“Before we leave let’s all go on the carousel!” I heard Eva suggest.

           
The rest of the girls cheered and clapped in agreement while Kathryn appeared
reluctant. She tried to get Eva to stay back while the group walked ahead but
Ray intervened and tugged her along. Eva looked back at her with a questioning
look but continued to follow Ray. Kathryn caught sight of me and looked at me
with a helpless expression; I returned it with a warning glare. She huffed and
caught up with the group.