This time she does laugh, mostly to accommodate me, I guess. I’m trying to be upbeat even though this kind of setback is bound to ruin our plans for ten days of unsupervised time at her house over vacation.
“So much for TV movies and popcorn in your basement while your mom’s at work.”
She doesn’t answer right away and I think maybe she thinks I was really only interested in movies and popcorn. What do I know about how you proposition a girl? It’s been two months. She must know how much I want her. I’m scrambling to think if I’ve told it to her flat out like that, or if I’ve somehow misled her into thinking I’m not into repeat performances.
When she speaks, her voice is low. “I’ve been meaning to call you about vacation.”
You gotta know with that kind of lead-in, I’m crashing. Nothing good can start with those words.
“Daniel, I really am sorry. I’m not going to be here after all. Dad called and Juliann and I have to go to Colorado to see him over break.”
I’m so relieved, I laugh. “He must have heard who you’re hanging with.”
“Yeah, that’s it. Daniel Solstice Landon, straight-A cutup, definitely the wrong crowd. My dad is worried.” She massages my feet, her thumbs and fingers press each toe and she strokes down to the arch and up again.
It feels incredible. I lay my head back on the pillows and imagine what could happen if we were alone, really alone. The image of me in the bed and Meredith on her knees, her hands on my body, finished with my feet, moving up my legs. It’s amazing I can feel so good after I felt so lousy an hour ago. This could get out of control very quickly.
“Hey, cut that out. I’m not a cripple.”
Her hands snap back and she freezes.
“How long?” I ask.
“Nine days.”
“Oh, well, then. Just the whole effing vacation. He’s definitely pegged me. Merry Christmas to Daniel.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with you. He probably thought it’s what divorced parents are supposed to do during vacations. It’s the first school break we’ve had since the—”
“Thanksgiving doesn’t count?”
“Mom made us go then for her job.”
“It doesn’t matter. It looks like I’m stuck here for the duration. Even without parental interference.”
From somewhere she pulls out a velvet bag and lays it in her lap like a puppy. For a minute I watch her stroke it and the tingling is moving up my legs again. One hand disappears inside the bag and comes out with a small flat package with a tiny bow. She sticks it in my hands.
“Open it.”
I fumble with the ribbon one-handed, the other hand maintaining the ice pack on my nose. I don’t get very far, so I abandon the ice pack and take a good long look at this girl who hasn’t given up on me yet. What weird luck. It’s a Holden kind of moment. I’d like to kick the door shut and sweep her into my arms. Take off each piece of clothing and memorize her once and for all. If she leaves tomorrow, I’m afraid she won’t come back or I’ll die in the meantime and I won’t have a chance again.
“Did I ever tell you that I love you?” I say. The nasal twang makes my voice sound foreign and unfamiliar.
Although her eyes never leave mine, she pulls out nine more identical packages and spreads them on the bedspread within reach.
“Daniel Landon, if you have another nosebleed before you open my presents, I’ll never forgive you.”
I bite through the ribbon. The wrapping paper flaps loose. The tape cassette has a small white label. In Meredith’s crazy curly script she’s written DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, TAPE 1.
“You read that book into a recorder?” I ask.
“In English.”
“You didn’t think I knew Russian?” I hold up the next package. “Tape two?”
She nods, smiling and laughing at the same time. “There are ten. Juliann says she is so sick of hearing about blizzards. You haven’t read it already, have you?”
“No. The real question is, will they last the whole nine days you’re gone?” I ask.
After the knock on the door, Joe’s head pops in and then out. He talks through the door. “Mom and Dad have gone for a walk.” Not such a bad big brother.
Meredith’s asleep next to me when he knocks the next time. “Daniel,” he whispers without opening the door.
Meredith tucks her head into my shoulder and kisses my neck. “Pretend you’re asleep,” she whispers.
Joe’s voice is louder. “Daniel. They’re back. And Meredith’s mother’s called.”
“Drat,” Meredith says and kisses me again.
When she lifts herself up and slides across me, I hold her so she can’t escape. “Wait. I have a present for you.”
“I can tell.” She sinks down into the best fit, her toes at my bare ankles.
“Not that.” We’re laughing, choking and laughing. At the taste of salt, I push her off and grab the towel, jamming it under my nose and lowering my head. Another nosebleed. “God, I’m worthless.”
She hugs my back. “Maybe I’m a vampire.”
“Now, there’s a comforting thought. Eternity in Transylvania.” But it beats Christmas vacation in Tappahannock if Meredith’s in Colorado.
While Joe’s driving Meredith home, Mom deals with the second nosebleed. Without screaming this time. Incredible how quickly a person adjusts.
“She’s a nice girl,” Mom says.
“Nice as in, don’t take advantage of her?”
“I only meant she seems to have her heart in the right place. She really cares about you.”
“Hard to believe a girl like Meredith could like a boy like me?” I ask, confused that, despite Mom’s desire to protect me by isolation, she’s willing to let someone else into the inner circle. Would she be so generous if Meredith were a different type of girl? Does her generosity stem from her desire to let me be happy on my deathbed? Would she have been this understanding if Meredith were simply the first in a lifetime of girlfriends who might skew my loyalty to my parents?
Mom pins my head down to slow the blood flow. “Stop painting me as the bad guy. I didn’t expect nosebleeds. I didn’t call her father either and demand he take her away.”
“I can still be bummed.”
That makes her think. “Yeah, okay, that’s fair.” She circles her hand in encouragement. “Go ahead, let loose. What else is bugging you?”
Suddenly here I am, a little kid again, with his mother’s permission to whine and fuss because he needs a snack or a nap. Holden would be so embarrassed. He’d bolt. Even when Antolini stepped over the line, Holden didn’t whine. He made a decision and dealt with it.
Mom moves my hand to the ice pack and starts straightening the bedcovers.
“Back to bed. Misty says bed rest for a day or two.” She sits and waits while I get settled, then readjusts the ice pack and the towel.
“Go ahead with the rant, Danny. I’m listening.”
“Never mind. It’s not like she’s moving to Colorado. It’s not permanent.”
“No,” Mom says, “it’s not like that.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Senator Yowell parks his white Suburban in the driveway of our apartment on a Saturday morning in January. It dwarfs the Subaru. Since UVA doesn’t go back into session for another week, Joe’s still here, sleeping on one of the camp cots set up in the living room. He’s up late most nights reading books in German and French that were written at least a hundred years ago. When he answers the front door, I’m on the phone with Meredith trying to choose a movie. She volunteers to stop at the video store on her way over later. Nick’s staying overnight with a soccer teammate. Joe’s been scheming to get Mom and Dad out somewhere with him to give Meredith and me some time alone. If I claim fatigue, it’s hard to convince Mom she can leave me.