“Aren’t we getting a little ahead of ourselves here? I mean, we’ve spent less than three or four hours actually talking to each other. I’d bet you’ve talked more to Tami than you have me.”
She seemed relieved.
“I agree 100%. I want to spend time with you and get to know you. I want to take things slowly. I’ve been way too wild, and I’m afraid I’m starting to get the wrong kind of reputation. But I have to say, David Dawson, I’m falling for you. I know it’s fast, and that scares me. I’ve never had anyone affect me like you do.
“I think the main thing is your quiet confidence. I see you talking to beautiful women and you just take it in stride. A perfect example was you flirting with Beth. She’s one of the prettiest girls at Lincoln High. I don’t know a single underclassman who could flirt with her and hold their own. If we do end up going out, you’ll have to deal with what comes with me. I’m hit on a lot, but I think it’ll be alright because you’ll also be hit on. As long as we understand that at the end of the day we come back to each other, I’ll be okay.”
Did she just give me the green light to date other people? Had she put a subtle claim on me? I think the answer to the first question was, let’s see where things go. The answer to the second was ‘yes.’
“Trace, I like you. I like you for reasons that matter to me. You have a great sense of humor, you’re smart, you keep me on my toes, and you’re cute. You check every box I have and then some, but I don’t want to mislead you. I’m not in love with you. I am in lust, yes, but not in love, yet,” I said.
“If you were in love with me I’d be running for the hills. Look, I don’t want to put a label on us yet, but I want you to be aware that everyone one at school will be looking at us as a couple. Will that be a problem?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m aware you’re involved with some other people.”
Now we would address the elephant in the room. I had to give her credit for not being afraid to talk about what concerned her.
“Okay, I’m going to tell you everything and let you decide if you want to jump aboard this crazy train. I think this’ll either scare you off or not, we’ll see,” I said as I tried to gauge her reaction. “Yes, I’ve been involved with other people recently. This is all new to me. I know you think I come across as confident, but honestly, I’m trying to find my way. The other girls have been just fun, no strings attached, me trying to find what works for me,” I explained.
“At the start of school, I recruited the help of my big brother and his girlfriend to help transform me from nerd into something more. Sometimes I don’t even realize what a transformation it’s been. When you showed interest in me, it scared the heck out of me. You’re so far out of my league I have to get down on my knees and thank God that you even talk to me,” I finished in a hurry.
“I don’t know where you get that. You’re a good-looking guy. Thank you for being honest with me. I see now that if I’m going to go out with you, I’m going to have to get my own act together. It’s obvious I’ve come off as someone you think is above you. That is so wrong. I have the same insecurities and flaws everyone else has; I just have more practice at covering them up. If we’re being honest, you’re out of my league. I was a little surprised you gave me the time of day after the way I used to treat you,” Tracy said.
This conversation was too intense. I needed to lighten thing up.
“Nope, all you have to do is wiggle your butt and smile at me and I’m yours. I’m a guy, after all,” I said as I winked at her.
“I think I can do that,” and she rubbed herself against my chest to prove the point.
What were we talking about? Oh, yeah!
“Look, let’s not build up a lot of expectations. I’m sure I would disappoint you. Can we keep it casual and see where it goes?” I asked.
“Deal. Now let’s go thank our hostesses and see if one of them will give us a ride home.”
WHEN I GOT BACK TO my new bachelor pad over the garage, I noticed Dad had installed an intercom. I should let everyone know I was home, so I pushed the button.
“Just wanted to let you know I’m home and going to bed.”
I was ready for bed when I heard the door downstairs open and someone come up the stairs. It could only be my mom, because everyone else would knock. I sleep naked, so I pulled the covers up to hide my lower half. Mom looked at me with concern. Oh boy, I could do without this.
“What’s going on with you and Tami?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? I was tired and afraid I would lose my temper. Mom has a way of pushing my buttons, so I decided to delay this conversation.
“Tami is leaving to go to school at Wesleyan Academy. She’ll be leaving the first of October.”
“Are you guys talking again?”
“I think so. We had a long talk yesterday, but I’m afraid it’ll never be the same. Mom, I think I really messed up and I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Don’t worry, that girl loves you. There’s no way you can mess up. She just needs to have a little space to get used to the idea of you not being around. I’m sure she’s hurting as much as you are, and the change will be hard on both of you.”
“I know, Mom. Not everything can be about me. I need to think about what’s best for her. I just don’t want to lose my best friend.”
Mom gave a tight smile.
“When did you grow up?”
“I haven’t. I’m just a fifteen-year-old kid trying to get through each day as it’s thrown at me.”
“I sometimes forget that.”
“Mom, before you leave, could you put muscle cream on my back and neck? I took a pretty good hit today in football, and it’s killing me.”
She agreed, and we chatted about other things as she helped me. I thanked her, and she left shortly thereafter. I was sound asleep before she made it back to the house.
Chapter 10 – You Take My Breath Away
Tuesday September 10
The next morning I knew I had a problem. The muscles up and down my spine seized up and I couldn’t move. I broke out in a cold sweat and moaned when I heard Mom on the intercom.
“Breakfast is ready.”
I prayed it would only take a little time before someone came to find me. I’d had a cramp before, but this was worse. I’d never felt so helpless in all my life. I heard someone knock on the door downstairs.
“Come in,” I cried.
Thank God, someone came to check on me. It was Greg. At this point, I didn’t care who it was. The pain was so intense I didn’t know if I would pass out or throw up. Greg slowly came up the stairs.
“Mom’s worried you’re going to be late for school.”
“I need help,” I whimpered.
I could feel myself going into shock. Greg rushed to my side.
“What’s wrong?”
“Can’t move, football, please help,” I begged.
Greg took charge. He recognized I was in real trouble. He yelled down the stairs.
“Tami, dial 911 and get an ambulance.”
“What?! Is David all right?”
What a dumb question. No, I was not all right!
“No, he’s not. Now call 911 and go tell Mom.”
I saw the edges of my vision go dark and bright flashes. I lost my battle to stay conscious. The next thing I knew I was lying in a hospital bed in traction, pumped full of muscle relaxants. Wow, I felt good. I needed to get a supply of these meds. I looked around the room to get my bearings, and I saw Tami was the lone person in the room with me. She was reading her math book, studying.