Community Service Page 15

  "Why don't you gals take a little break," Larry suggested. I immediately wanted to grab a cola just to give me an energy boost. I'd need it to keep up with Larry for another hour of rehearsal

  "Do you want anything from the vending machine?" I asked and looked at both Larry and Summer.

  They both shook their heads. They were like work machines. I hurried toward the backstage area where the soda and snack machines were located.

  I inserted all of my change into the machine and selected my beverage choice but nothing happened. "Why?" I muttered under my breath. "I need that soda."

  All of the hairs stood up on the back of my neck when I felt someone come up close behind me. Please don't be Jude, I hoped but I knew it was him.

  "Having trouble?" Jude asked as he moved in even closer. He was so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

  I turned to face him and our eyes locked. He stared at me for a long moment, as if he was studying me and then his eyes narrowed. "You look different."

  I gulped. "Well, you haven't seen me in a while."

  "Something else." He continued to inspect me like I was on display in a museum or something.

  “I really have to get back. Larry and Summer are waiting for me.”

  Jude didn’t take the hint and he didn’t move. He was still staring at me and I could see his eyes narrow. “I know what it is. You had sex.”

  I could feel my heartbeat start to accelerate and I wanted to be anywhere but standing there with Jude.

  “I know I’m right,” he said smugly. “Your face is turning bright red.”

  “I don’t really feel comfortable talking about this with you.”

  He gave a cynical laugh. “Of course you don’t. I took you out to an expensive restaurant. I expected to get some action. When you wouldn’t put out, I thought maybe you were a virgin or something. Now I find out you gave it up for some other guy.”

  I felt like I was going to cry but I didn’t want to lose it in front of Jude. I just wanted to get the hell away from him. He was really starting to scare me.

  He leaned in even closer. I could feel his warm breath on my face and I could smell the faint scent of cigarettes and mint.

  I couldn’t remember what I ever found attractive about Jude. At that moment, he was actually starting to repulse me.

  “I was a good boy when we went out,” Jude whispered into my ear. “I waited. But now I want my piece.”

  I tried to move away from Jude but he had me trapped. “I’m with someone else,” I spat hoping he’d take the hint and move along.

  “So? We can still have some fun. I’m with a lot of girls.”

  “I don’t want to be with anyone else, okay?”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s not okay. I get what I want, Maggie. I always have and I always will. And I want you. I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you.”

  “Well, you can’t have me.” I could feel the anger rising in my throat. “I belong to someone else.”

  I saw a flash of something in Jude’s eyes and it frightened me to the bone. Jude opened his mouth to reply but he was interrupted by a loud voice behind him.

  “What’s going on?” Summer said as she rolled up right next to us.

  Jude finally backed away from me and I breathed a small sigh of relief.

  Summer’s eyes darted back and forth between the two of us. I knew I needed to say something because Summer looked pissed. “I was just telling Jude that I didn’t want to be with him because I’m with someone else.” I glared at him. “But he’s having some trouble taking no for an answer.”

  Summer maneuvered her wheelchair so she was practically touching Jude’s legs. “Leave Maggie alone,” she insisted.

  Jude rolled his eyes at Summer. “Whatever.” Then he pointed at me. “This isn’t over.” I felt a chill run right through me as Jude undressed me with his eyes for a few seconds. Then he turned and marched away.

  “Thanks for coming to my rescue.” I patted Summer on the shoulder.

  “I had a feeling something wasn’t right. It doesn’t take that long to get a soda. I’ve always thought the guy was a little creepy.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me that before I went out with him?” I teased.

  When she looked up at me, her eyes were serious. “Because it was important to Sawyer.”

  “What was?” I asked.

  “That you choose him. That if you had your pick of any guy, you’d still pick him.”

  “I did pick him,” I said.

  She smiled. “We’d better get back to Larry before he throws a fit. He’s got so much to do—”

  “And so little time to do it,” I finished her sentence.

  She nodded and I followed her back into the theater.

  After rehearsal ended, I started to have a really bad feeling. I knew Sawyer was going to meet me and Summer in the parking lot and the chances of him running into Jude were high. I had a feeling that some of the tension between the two guys was finally going to come to a head. I just hoped it wouldn’t.

  I followed Summer out into the parking lot and the two of us waited on the far side of the entrance, away from all of the actors smoking under the streetlight.

  I don’t know why I was compelled to glance over at Jude but I did. Of course, he was staring at me. He was completely freaking me out.

  The minutes ticked by like hours as we waited for Sawyer to get us. I just wanted to get in Sawyer’s van and get back to his parents’ house. His parents had already made me an official part of their family and being with them felt more like a home than being with my own parents.

  As soon as the Reed’s van pulled into the parking area, I breathed a small sigh of relief. But I still had the feeling that there was going to be some trouble.

  I watched as Sawyer wheeled over to us and out of the corner of my eye, I also saw Jude stamp out his cigarette and head over toward us.

  I reflexively grabbed Sawyer’s hand and stood close to him. I wanted him to protect me although I honestly didn’t know how much he could do from a wheelchair. I knew from watching him play basketball that he was strong and tough but Jude seemed pretty tough, too. And Jude had the use of his lower body.

  Jude’s eyes darted back and forth between me and Sawyer. Then he laughed. “This can’t be the guy you’re screwing. Obviously.” He made a point of looking down at Sawyer’s lower region.

  Sawyer didn’t say anything. He just glared at Jude.

  Jude continued. “You know your little girlfriend is fucking someone behind your back. Or maybe you already know that. You know she’s got to get satisfied somewhere.”

  I was about to say something but I could feel Sawyer squeeze my hand and I held back.

  “You’re just pissed that she wouldn’t sleep with you,” Sawyer retorted. “Is she the first girl you dated who wouldn’t fuck you? Is that what’s eating you up inside?”

  Jude clenched his jaw and glared at Sawyer. He had obviously hit a nerve.

  Sawyer wasn’t done, though. I could see it in his eyes. Years of turmoil were boiling to the surface. “Maggie doesn’t want to be with you, Jude. She wants to be with me. She chose me. Deal with it.”

  Jude shook his head. “She’ll get tired of being with a cripple. Just like Steffani did. When she wants a real man, I’ll be here for her.”

  I couldn’t hold back any longer. Sawyer squeezed my hand again but I shook my head. I wasn’t going to let Jude get away with that remark. “Sawyer is more of a man than you’ll ever be,” I spat.

  “Do you want to keep your girl under control?” Jude said.

  Sawyer gave my hand another squeeze. “I kind of like it when she’s a little out of control.”

  A memory of just how out of control Sawyer could make me in bed flashed through my mind and I couldn’t help but smile.

  Jude shook his head. “That’s really disgusting.” He looked over at me. “I can’t believe you’d fuck this freak. Is it some kind of fascination or lik
e a charity fuck?”

  “You’re really ignorant,” I shot back.

  “Well you’re a bitch,” he yelled.

  All of the other actors had all gathered around to watch the spectacle.

  “Enough,” Sawyer hollered and everyone looked at him. “I think we’ve all said our piece.”

  Jude shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re with him.” For the first time, Jude actually looked defeated.

  “Why is that so hard to believe?” I asked.

  “The dude can’t even walk.”

  “So?” I wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily.

  “How is he better than me? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “He’s not better than you,” I replied. “He’s just better for me.”

  Jude seemed to be thinking about what I said. Before he could say anything more, Alyssa slithered up to Jude and snaked her arm under his elbow. “Well, if you don’t want him, I sure as hell do.”

  Jude glared at her. Then to my surprise, he extricated his arm from her grip and moved away from her. “I’ll pass.”

  Alyssa’s jaw practically dropped to the ground. “Seriously? You’re refusing all this?” She motioned to her ample chest.

  “I am,” Jude said. “I want someone better for me.” Jude glanced over at me and I gave him a small smile.

  “Can we all go home now?” Sawyer asked. “I’ve got a high school kid here who needs her beauty sleep.”

  Summer smiled at her brother. As the crowd of actors dispersed, Summer got onto the lift and Sawyer and I got into the front of the van. Within a few seconds, we were all set and on the road back to the Reed’s house.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Sawyer asked.

  “Call it a hunch but I don’t think Jude will be bothering me anymore,” I replied.

  “He better not,” Sawyer teased. “Because next time, I’ll pull out my Ninja moves on him.”

  We all laughed.

  ***

  I knew I couldn’t avoid my mother forever. Her phone messages were becoming more frequent and more urgent. I was going to have to admit to her that Sawyer and I were serious about each other.

  I knew she wasn’t going to be happy about it but she would just have to deal with it.

  I took in a deep breath as I stood in front of my parents’ front door. “You can do this,” I tried to coax myself. I finally gathered all the courage I could muster and knocked on the door.

  “Maggie,” my mom exclaimed as she opened the door. “I was getting so worried I was about to have the police send out a search party.”

  I rolled my eyes as I entered my parents’ house. “Don’t be so dramatic, Mom. I’ve just been busy. I’m a senior. I’ve got an internship. I’ve got community service hours. I’m applying to grad schools. I’ve got a lot on my plate.”

  I glanced over at my dad, who was sitting in front of the computer, probably working with an online class. He looked up and gave me a quick wave then went back to typing.

  My mom was frowning at me. “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

  How was it possible that she could see right through everything? I had heard of a thing called a third eye that had something to do with intuition but I had a feeling there was also such a thing as a mom eye that may even be more powerful.

  “Maybe we should sit down,” I suggested.

  My mom’s eyes narrowed but she did as I asked. She made her way over to the barely used living room couch and sat down. I followed and sat on the chair next to her.

  I didn’t want to delay the inevitable so I just blurted it out. “I’m going out with Sawyer.”

  My mom inhaled a deep breath but didn’t immediately say anything. She wouldn’t even look at me, though, and that made me kind of nervous.

  “I can’t accept that,” she said finally.

  “Mom, you have to accept it. Things are getting very serious between us. We may even move in together.”

  That set my mom off completely. “Are you sure he just doesn’t want someone to take care of him? Is that what you want? To be his nursemaid?”

  I tried to stay calm. “Mom, listen to me. Sawyer is capable of taking care of himself. We love each other. That’s what people do when they fall in love. They think about living together. It’s perfectly normal.”

  She actually laughed at me. “There’s nothing normal about wanting to be with someone in a wheelchair.”

  “I want to be with Sawyer. I love him. He just happens to use a wheelchair. There’s a difference.” I knew my voice was starting to sound angry but I didn’t care.

  “So, I’m just supposed to sit back and say nothing while I watch you ruining your life?” Obviously I wasn’t the only one getting angry, my mom’s voice was angrier than I think I had ever heard it before.

  “Why can’t you just be happy for me, Mom? I found someone who I love and who loves me.”

  “I just can’t,” she said.

  “Can’t or don’t want to?” I countered.

  I was surprised to see my dad walk over to us. He looked over at my mom. “That’s enough, Jean.”

  My mom’s eyes went wide. My dad had never stood up to her before. At least not in my lifetime.

  “But—” My mom tried to respond but my dad put up a finger to halt her.

  “There are no buts. Our daughter just told us that she has someone who loves her and that she loves him and all you can do is find fault with him. I’m actually embarrassed for you.”

  I could see my mom’s face turn red and she was blinking back tears.

  “I support you completely, Sweetheart,” my dad said as he bent down to place a kiss on my cheek. “And I hope one day soon I can meet the young man who stole your heart.”

  When I looked over at my mom, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

  “Give your mom some time,” my dad whispered to me. “I have a feeling she’ll come around.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” I stood and gave my dad a big hug.

  “Your mom is making chili for dinner. Would you like to join us?”

  My mom rose from the coach. “We have plenty. Come on. You can help me set the table.”

  “Baby steps,” my dad whispered as we all headed into the kitchen.

  Epilogue

  Six Months Later

  Sawyer rolled up the ramp and sat in front of the doorway to our new house. Our house. Those two words were both exciting and scary.

  “I know I’m supposed to carry you over the threshold. Does it count if I wheel you over on my lap?”

  I laughed. “Of course it does.”

  We picked a small bungalow that wasn’t too far from campus. It was in rough shape when Sawyer purchased it because the previous owners didn’t do much to take care of it. But we knew we could have it fixed up the same time the contractors worked on all of the modifications that Sawyer wanted done.

  Sawyer had received a settlement from the ski resort after his accident and he saved all of it just for the house he eventually wanted to own. Now it was the place we were about to share.

  “Ready?” he asked as he pulled me on to his lap.

  “I’m kind of nervous,” I admitted.

  “Me, too,” he said as he gave me a warm smile. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He wheeled me inside and my breath was momentarily taken away. The place looked almost brand new. The craftsmen had performed a miracle transforming the sad house into a beautiful home.

  “What do you think?” Sawyer asked.

  “It’s amazing. Better than I could have ever imagined.”

  He kissed my cheek. “I’m glad you like it. But now the real work starts. We’ve got to get everything moved in and then we unpack and decorate.”

  “We have plenty of time,” I reminded him. “School doesn’t start for three more weeks.”

  Sawyer and I both got accepted into the graduate program in Evolutionary Biology with full assistantships. We’d both be doing resear
ch in Dr. Weaver’s lab again.

  As if on cue, there was a honking in the driveway.

  “That was fast,” I said.

  “My family doesn’t play around,” Sawyer teased.

  We both went outside to greet Sawyer’s dad, who had just hopped out of a moving truck. It was filled with used furniture and other household items that the Reeds had stored in their garage for his occasion. “Ready to unload?” Mr. Reed said with a big smile.

  A moment later, Mrs. Reed pulled up in their van, which was packed with clothes and books, and of course, Summer.

  “We made it,” Mrs. Reed said as she let out a sigh. “Those books are heavy.”

  “Just wait until we have to unload that couch,” Mr. Reed joked.

  I couldn’t help but smile when I saw my mom and dad’s car pull up next to the house. They both hopped out and joined the gang. It was funny to see my mom in sweatpants and a T-shirt. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen her that casual. But I guess it’s hard to move furniture in a suit and heels.

  “Are you guys ready?” I asked my mom and dad. “There’s a lot of stuff to get inside.”

  My mom looked a bit concerned. She wasn’t the most physical person in the world and probably couldn’t lift very much. I had a feeling Summer might be able to lift more than she could.

  “Why don’t you start with the clothes, Mom?” I suggested. “They’re in the back of the van.”

  She smiled and headed toward the van.

  “Mind giving me a hand with the bigger furniture?” Mr. Reed asked my dad.

  “Sure,” my dad said and the two of them headed toward the moving truck.

  “What about me?” Summer asked.

  “I have one of the most important jobs for you,” Sawyer said. He reached into his pocket and took out several ten dollar bills. He handed them to Summer. “You’re in charge of lunch. You can get everyone’s pizza and soda orders and make sure you get the delivery timed so that we get fed pretty soon after we get everything unloaded. Think you can handle that?”

  “Of course,” Summer affirmed. “I’m on it.”

  “And what about us?” I asked Sawyer.

  “We get to start unpacking as they get the boxes in,” he said. “And in between deliveries,” he whispered. “We can make out.”