“Let me give you a tip: sometimes a girl just wants a nice climax; you don’t have to see if you can make them pass out each time. That said, I’m not complaining.”
I called Mom and told her we needed a ride home. Twenty minutes later Mrs. A and my mom were at the door. They told me to go to the car. Was I six years old again? I knew better than to argue, so I went down to the car.
Of course, it was locked. I took several deep breaths and calmed down. Nearly 30 minutes later, Beth came out wearing jeans and a t-shirt and looking freshly showered. I leaned back against the car and patiently waited. No one thought it was a problem that the temperature had dropped and it had started to snow as I was only wearing a light t-shirt and no coat.
Mom dropped Beth and Mrs. A off and then took me home. She told me to come over to the Andersons’ when I was cleaned up. They were hosting this year’s Thanksgiving dinner.
A LONG HOT SHOWER CAUSED me to get drowsy, so I stretched out for just a second. I fell asleep, and the next thing I heard was my phone chirp. Tami had sent me a text wanting to know when I would be at the Andersons’. I glanced at the clock, and it showed it was noon. I sent her a text to tell her that I would be there in about thirty minutes. I looked outside and saw there was at least four inches of snow on the ground.
I put on my Kentucky sweatshirt and jeans. I grabbed my new leather coat and walked over to Beth’s house. I about killed myself coming out the back door of my apartment; a thin layer of ice was under everything. Beth’s house was four blocks away. The wind had picked up the snow and made it almost impossible to see. By the time I got to the Anderson house, I was wet and miserable. I came in the back door where the mudroom was so I could leave my boots and dripping coat. I grabbed a hand towel and dried my coat and hair.
I was about to come out of the coat room when I saw Tami with a boy. Something made me stop and take notice. She leaned towards him and touched his elbow, all signs of a girl interested in a guy. Her eyes also watched everything he did. On Sunday, she’d warned me she’d met someone. I suddenly couldn’t breathe, and my stomach threatened to do something horrible.
When I felt saliva start to pool in my mouth, I stepped back outside and dry-heaved over the railing. Luckily, I hadn’t eaten since last night. I’d always known that when Tami started to date, it would be hard for me. I needed to lie down. I walked home, stepped back into the house and just slid down the back door. Tami sent me another text wanting to know where I was. I sent a text back that asked when she’d planned to tell me about her new boyfriend. Her reply was a smiley face.
I put on my boots and coat and whipped my phone into the kitchen. It hit a wall and exploded about the same time I walked out the back door and slammed it. I walked the ten blocks to get to a diner that was open. I ordered a bowl of soup because I couldn’t hold anything else down right now. After eating, I didn’t feel quite so shaky. I called Kendal using the diner’s payphone, and she answered on the first ring.
“David, where are you? My phone’s been ringing off the hook.”
“Kendal, I don’t want to be found right now. Can you come get me and put me up in a hotel?”
“No. You’re a minor and I can’t help you run away.”
“Okay, I understand. Let everyone know you talked to me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Where should I pick you up?”
“I’ll call you in the morning and let you know.”
I wasn’t thinking clearly. I really wanted a drink. Everyone knew Tami had brought a guy to Thanksgiving, and no one had let me know. If I wanted a straight answer, I could get it from Angie. She was the only one I could think of that wouldn’t betray me, so I called her.
“If you say my name I’ll hang up.”
“Okay.”
“Go somewhere where we can talk.”
She went to the bathroom.
“Tell me.”
“Tami brought Brian home because he didn’t have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving. They’re not officially dating, but it’s obvious she’s interested. She’s a mess. Can I get her, and you talk to her?”
“Yeah, let’s get this over with.”
Tami came on the line.
“Damn you! I wanted you to meet him before I went out with him.”
“Tami, how would I react to a surprise like this?”
“Not well,” she mumbled.
“Then why didn’t you prepare me for this?”
“You were already mad at me. I thought this would be the best way.”
“How long do I stay mad?”
“The longest was about a day,” she laughed.
“Well, this is different. I was physically ill when I saw the way you looked at him. I feel like I’m having a panic attack. I haven’t felt this way since this summer. Tami, I just can’t do this right now. I’ll call you,” I said, and hung up.
I walked home to my apartment. I didn’t turn on any lights. I took a hot shower, crawled into bed, and collapsed. I woke to find my mom and dad both glaring at me.
“David Allen Dawson, what is wrong with you?” Mom asked.
The fog in my brain cleared enough to realize what a little shit I’d been. Once again, I’d shown my immaturity by only thinking of myself. Thanksgiving was a family event, and I’d bailed on everyone.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Tami’s new boyfriend caught me by surprise.”
“I want you to answer me something,” Dad said. “Why is it okay for you to date, and not Tami? Do you think it’s any easier on her to see you dating Tracy? That girl loves you to death, and you can’t find it in your heart to allow her to find the same joy you’re experiencing. I thought we raised you better than that.”
I looked at my dad in shock. He was right. I was being a hypocrite.
“David, we love you,” my dad said, “but sometimes you infuriate us. I know it’s been a while since you pulled a stunt like this, but we can’t have you acting like this and give you adult privileges. We’re going to give you a pass on this one. The next time you pull something like this, you’ll lose the apartment. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
My mom had stayed quiet and let my dad handle this. He only stepped in when you had done something terribly bad. I could see both the caring and disappointment in their eyes. I never wanted to disappoint them. That was the worst punishment I could receive. They got up and left me to think about what I’d done.
Chapter 16 – You Look Like a Hot Dog
Friday November 29
WHEN I WOKE, TRACY was lying on the bed with me with a smile.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. I was about to wake you because you have to get to your photo shoot. Kendal will be here in thirty minutes. Go take your shower.”
When I came out, she had what I was to wear laid out. I just put it on. Sleep had been what I needed. Tami, of all people, should know I don’t take surprises well. When I was twelve, my parents threw a surprise birthday party for me. I ran away for a couple of hours before I came back. If she had told me Sunday, I would have been fine. Well, not fine, but I would have sucked it up for her. I hoped I would have been happy for her.
I took Tracy’s phone and called Tami.
“Hey, I’m sorry for yesterday.”
“I’m sorry too. I should’ve told you. Would it be okay to meet him?”
“Can I call you when I get done today?”
“Yes, maybe you and Tracy can go to dinner with us.”
“I’m sure that’d be okay. I have to go.”
“Okay. David, please focus and do well today. Janet said her dad’s excited. This could be steady money for you. Don’t let yesterday ruin anything,” Tami coached me.
“Tracy and Kendal will smack me around and get my game face on. Talk to you later.” I turned to Tracy. “Thanks. I need to get to a phone store and get a new one.”