August (The Year of The Change Book 2) (19 page)

Date Night

I awoke to the sun streaming in my windows and no memory of having a second dream. Relieved to find myself in my own bed, in my own room with nothing to make me move from the comfort of my warm bed, I relaxed.

Nothing, that is, except my stomach that grumbled and roared to be fed. It was just another day in the life of The Change.

In Oklahoma, Friday had always been Dad and Sue's night to go do something. I knew never to plan anything on that day because I would be babysitting. I didn’t mind. Gram had explained that a couple needs one evening a week to be together without the kids, to strengthen their marriage. I was all for strengthening their marriage since I didn’t want to go through another divorce. The twins would never have to go through that, if I could help it. Since the move, the Friday night routine had been disrupted.

Dad decided to take Sue to a movie because things had been stressful and she needed an evening out. That's what he said anyway. After last night, I think Dad needed a night out just as much as Sue did.

The closest theatre was in Wasilla. I’d been apprehensive about being left alone, but tried very hard not to show it because Dad wouldn’t go if he knew how scared I was, maybe. Actually, I didn’t want to find out for sure. I just kept reminding myself that the Petersons were right next door, only a phone call away. We had their number on speed dial so I was able to reassure myself all would be well.

We were in the middle of a movie, in the parlor, when there was a knock at the door. The curtains were closed so I couldn’t see who it was from where I sat. Tim paused the movie while I answered the door.

The deadbolt was locked, so I didn’t panic when I saw who it was. He smiled at me through the window in the door.

“Hello, Cory, what are you doing here?”

“Hello, Sylv, I just thought I would come by and say hi.”

I stared at him.

He fidgeted. “Hi.”

“Hi.” I wasn’t going to encourage him by saying anything else.

He must’ve counted on me to be sociable, so now he looked as though he were straining his brain for something to say.

“Bye, Cory.” I turned to walk away.

“No, wait!” He had his hands on the door, his nose almost to the glass.

“What do you want, Cory?” I regretted the words as soon as they left my lips.

“I want to come in.”

That took me back a step. “What?”

“Well, Danny said he got to come in and sit on your couch.”

I groaned. “Danny came over with his father, the Reverend.”

“Yeah, I know.”

I hated to be mean to him. “Cory, go home.”

“Please, Sylv?”

I shook my head and turned off the porch light. “No.”

Back in the sitting room, the twins intently watched to see what I would do next.

Tam bit her lip as Cory’s mournful pleas got to her. “Couldn’t we just let him in for a minute?” The concern on her face almost made me reconsider.

“No. Mom and Dad would be very mad if I let him in.”

Her lower lip quivered as she looked out the window at the dejected boy. I’d forgotten to close the curtain.

Before turning the movie back on, I made two large bowls of popcorn and a jug of lemonade. With the movie going, we were just getting to a good part when there was a knock at the front door. I jumped up and peeked out the closed drapes with the twins right beside me. Cory was back, but this time he had an adult man with him. I closed the curtain and dropped my head with a sigh. He’d come back and I had a sinking feeling he brought his father.

The few feet to the door felt like dead-man-walking and I took a deep breath before opening it. “Hello, Cory.”

He grinned big and pointed to the man. “This is my dad, Howard Sukup” His father was average sized with sandy blonde hair like Cory.

“Hello.” I smiled, but wasn’t trying to be convincing.

The man glanced between Cory and me before he met my eyes. “Hello. Cory said I had to come over here, right away. Is something wrong?”

I looked at Cory and sighed. “He thinks that if you come over then I’ll let him in to sit on my couch.”

The man closed his eyes and shook his head. When he opened them he looked even more confused. “What?”

Sigh. I was going to get in trouble for this, but Cory’s father needed an explanation, of some kind.

I stepped back. “Please, come in.”

Cory rushed through the door and headed for the living room. The twins watched with their mouths open.

Tam looked at me with her brows raised and whispered. “I thought you said Mom and Dad will get mad at you if you let Cory in.”

“They’re going to be mad, but I won’t be rude to Mr. Sukup.”

Mr. Sukup hesitated at the entry to the living room. “I don’t want you to get into trouble. We should leave.”

Cory eyed the couch. “No, we can’t go, yet.”

“Why, Cory, what is going on here?” A hint of irritation tinged his voice.

I motioned for the couch. “Won’t you have a seat?”

Cory immediately seated himself in the middle.

“I’ll try to explain.”

Mr. Sukup joined Cory. I slowly sat on Cory’s other side. He reached for my hand.

“No, Cory.”

“But, Danny …”

“Not until you’re at the door, ready to leave.”

He huffed and put his hands in his lap. His father continued to eye us, but said nothing. He just waited for me to make clear what was going on. How was I going to explain Cory’s weird behavior without telling him about The Change? A plan formed.

“Mr. Sukup, I’m sure you’re wondering why Cory dragged you over here.” He nodded, and looked from me to Cory. “Well, it seems Cory and Danny are competing against each other. For some reason they’ve chosen me as the object to compete over.” Of course, the real reason was a stupid family legend and something stronger than common sense. “Danny and his father were over last Sunday because the Reverend stopped in to meet the new family.” I looked at Cory sternly. “That is all there was to it.” Cory was undaunted and I sighed before turning back to Mr. Sukup. “Cory thinks Danny came over here as my guest to sit on my couch and hold my hand.”

Mr. Sukup rolled his eyes and blushed. “You mean to tell me he rushed me over here on the pretense that there was an emergency just so he could sit on your couch?”

Cory turned to his dad. “Don’t forget about holding her hand.”

His father frowned.

“But seriously Dad, I never said there was an emergency.”

“Cory, you came running in the house and yanked me out of my chair—” He thought a moment. “I didn’t realize you’d gotten so strong.” He shook his head getting back to his original train of thought. “And then you dragged me out of the house without an explanation. What did you suppose I was going to think?”

Cory’s eyes went wide and his cheeks reddened. He was finally starting to think, maybe.

Cory stammered. “I don’t know.”

Or maybe not.

“Please don’t be too hard on him.” I decided to use one of Dad’s lines. It always worked for him. “Boys at this age are very competitive and don’t always think before they act. I’m sure you remember what it was like.”

My breath caught as I waited to see what his reaction would be. The red fire in his cheeks slowly faded. He let out a deep breath and fixed his eyes on his son. “Cory, you owe Sylvia and me an apology. You may start with Sylvia.”

Cory turned to me, contrite. “I’m sorry, Sylv.”

His dad’s voice got deeper. “And …” Cory looked at his father not knowing what he wanted. “And you won’t ever do it again.”

Cory sat up straight, panicked. “But, Dad!”

Mr. Sukup narrowed his eyes.

Cory slumped. “Okay. I’ll never do it again.”

“That’s better.” He looked me in the eye and there was a little bit of a twinkle. “Sylvia, I’m very sorry we intruded on you like this.” He stood up and when Cory didn’t follow he prodded him. “Now we can go home and you can apologize to me. I think we’ll use some of that new found strength and add to your chore list.”

Cory huffed and scuffed his foot on the carpet. “Ahhhh, man.”

His father nudged him in the back and they went to the entryway. I opened the door and Mr. Sukup went out first.

Cory turned to follow, but I called him back. “Cory, aren’t you forgetting something?” Normally, I wouldn’t have reminded him about this, but I didn’t want him returning so he could be even with Danny.

He turned, confused.

I held out my hand. The light came on in his face and he grabbed it with both of his. His father watched. Mr. Sukup’s face was somewhere between a frown and a question mark. When I felt Cory had enough time I tried to pull away, but he held tighter. Did I overdo it? Mr. Sukup had to pull Cory’s hands apart before I could get away. I backed through the door, closed and locked it before Cory could do anything else.

When I could no longer see Mr. Sukup dragging Cory away, I went back to the sitting room and turned the movie on. I hoped Sue and Dad wouldn’t be too mad at me.

He’s Baaack

I rolled over, stretched and fell out of bed.

"Ouch." What the heck?

What was I doing in the living room with one of Sue's Afghans tangled around my knees? I sat up between the couch and the coffee table.

After Dad and Sue got home, I distinctly remember going to bed last night. The twins had been asleep at least an hour when the
supposed
adults came home all lovey-dovey and I dashed for my room. No need to be reminded of what I couldn’t have. I’d been tired enough that I’d just climbed into bed without reading and was out.

Dad appeared in the doorway and grinned at me. "What are you doing on the floor?"

"I fell." I hesitated before I asked, not sure if I wanted to know. "How'd I get on the couch?"

"You were sleepwalking."

"Again?" I really didn't need to ask.

"Yep. This makes three times in two weeks. That Sylvia alarm Tim came up with works really well."

He didn't seem concerned. I wondered if he would be more concerned if he knew this was actually the … I had to think … this was the seventh time.

I smoothed my stringy hair out of my face. "I'm surprised it didn't wake me up."

"Yeah, me too. With the way you came busting through the door, the cans went flying."

"Did I wake you?"

"No, I was um …" He cleared his throat. "… um …"

I waved my hands in front of me. "Ew, no more information please." I stood up. "I'd better go get changed." My dad chuckled as I dashed from the living room.

A shiver quivered in my chest and I had to shake it off. Ew. Gross.

The morning didn't start off too well and I hoped the day would get better.

My chore today was dusting the sitting room. That’s what I was doing when the phone rang.

Sue called from the hall, “It’s Destiny.”

One more swipe with the cloth and I gathered the cleaning supplies before I rushed to the kitchen, and grabbed the phone off the counter. “Hi, Dest, what’s up?”

“Sylvia, you have to come over right now.”

“Okay, why?”

“Isaac and Caleb won’t leave until you come over to see Caleb’s medal.”

I was incredulous. “What? No way.” What was Caleb doing at the Petersons’?

“Just come over, Richard’s here to protect you.” She hung up.

When I told Sue I had to go next door, she wouldn’t let me until I explained why. When done with my quick explanation, she wasn’t so sure I should go. I assured her Richard could take care of Caleb.

Second thoughts bombarded me as I walked next door, about whether Richard was strong enough. Richard was strong, no doubt about that, but Caleb was ninety percent muscle and fifty percent testosterone. I wasn’t so sure anyone could fend him off.

My good friend waited at their front door. “Sylv, I’m so glad you’re here. They’ve been here for two hours and Grandmother hasn’t been able to get Caleb to leave without seeing you.” She grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.

In the living room, Isaac, dressed to the hilt, sat with Emma on the couch with the frowning and squirming Eddy between them. She didn’t look comfortable. Cara sat in an upholstered chair next to Caleb who sat in a twin to that chair. He had more clothes on this time, even shoes. But his muscles couldn’t be contained no matter what he wore. Richard leaned against the entryway, looking more like a guard than a brother.

Upon seeing me, Caleb jumped from his seat and rushed to my side. I pulled Destiny in front and Richard took a defensive stance next to me. Caleb smiled at our feeble attempt to stop him. If he really wanted to get through, we weren’t much of a match for him.

“I’m glad you came. I really wanted to show you my first place medal. I won it at the Northwest Conference on Wednesday.” He held it up for me to see. It hung from a thick, red, white and blue ribbon.

I reached out and caught the swinging gold medallion and held it still. “That’s really nice.” He let the ribbon drop and the warm medal lay in my hand. On the front was sculpted two wrestlers locked together. On the back was engraved the tournament name, date and weight class.

“174 ? With all your muscle I figured you would be heavier.”

He beamed. “That’s the weight class, not my exact weight. I’m only 170 stripped down.”

The image that exploded in my mind had to be fought off. “That’s great that you took first place. But you probably take a lot of gold.”

“Actually, I’ve been struggling since I got to college and this is my first gold.” His eyes softened as he stared into mine. “I have you to thank for it, too.”

“Why me?”

“Because I got into a bad position and I thought for sure the guy was going to pin me.” He paused.

Destiny hung on his every word. “What happened?”

He still looked at me. “I suddenly thought of you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, then I knew I couldn’t let the guy win. I would never want you ashamed of me.”

His eyes were sincere and loving. The kind of eyes I’d been waiting my whole life to see look at me just like that. My heart did double time as my breathing accelerated. I found myself leaning towards him as he leaned towards me. All I wanted at that moment was Caleb to hold me and kiss me … forever.

Richard stepped between us.

Caleb’s tender eyes turned stormy as he looked up at my adopted big brother. “What is your problem Robert?”

I blinked and caught my breath.

“No problem,
Kerry
… as long as you keep your distance.” They were glaring at each other.

“If Sylvia wants me closer, then there wouldn’t be anything you could do to stop me.”

The right edge of Richard’s lips curled up. “We’ll see about that.”

Richard wanted to fight? Was he crazy?

They were posturing and I was afraid Caleb might hurt Richard. I couldn’t let him get hurt — either of them. There was nothing I wanted more than to throw my body at Caleb and beg him not to hurt Richard … and not to let go. I wanted him to hold me, but I wasn’t allowed. What I could do, was stop them before someone got hurt.

A quick step around Destiny and I stood between them. “There’s no need to fight.” I looked at Richard. “I don’t mind looking at Caleb’s medal.”

I would’ve rather looked at the muscle bound wrestler looking at me.

Richard frowned as I turned to Caleb. “As long as you keep your hands to yourself.”  Oh, how I wanted those hands and the attached arms around me.

Caleb raised his big, strong hands before putting them behind his back. I ached for his touch.

“And no fighting.” I added, hoping they would listen to me.

They each eyed the other as they agreed.

Emma stood up. “I’ll get another cup and some cinnamon rolls.”

My stomach perked up at the suggestion. Isaac leaned forward to rise, but Emma gently pushed him back down.

“No, Isaac, you still haven’t told the children how Talkeetna was settled and now you have a bigger audience.”

She quickly left with Isaac’s eyes following her every move. I sat on the floor across the coffee table from the old man. Caleb sat on one side of me and Richard on the other. I wanted to lean into Caleb, but I was a good girl and sat straight with my arms locked around my knees so I didn’t reach out to him. It took every fiber of my being to control myself.

Isaac sighed. “That’s still a dull story. How about if I tell you how I met Emma instead.” He bounced his bushy eyebrows.

We all wanted to hear that story.

Emma came around the corner suddenly. “Behave yourself, Isaac.” She frowned and pointed her finger at him.

He grinned and winked at her. She put a cup on the coffee table in front of me and went back to the kitchen for the cinnamon rolls. We begged Isaac to tell us the story before she came back.

He waved us off. “No, I wouldn’t do anything to make Emma mad at me.”

Emma entered with a tray of rolls and my stomach gurgled with joy.

“I would not be able to live if Emma never spoke to me again.” He smiled longingly at her.

She stifled a grin as she sat next to Eddy who tried to get away. She bribed him with a roll that he took and devoured. My stomach wasn’t happy the rolls were so close and it hadn’t gotten one.

Caleb moved closer and put his arm around me. My whole body tingled and I couldn’t slow my breathing. His embrace was warm and strong and felt so good. I knew it was a bad idea. Bad or not, it was exactly what I wanted … needed.

I was about to lay my head on his shoulder when Richard took care of my weakening resolve by removing Caleb’s arm for me. A sigh escaped as my heart dropped. Oh, how I wanted Caleb.

Caleb’s eyes narrowed and he flexed his hands. “Hey, I didn’t hear Sylvia object.” He glared at Richard.

My heart didn’t object and wrenched in my chest.

Richard wasn’t any better. "You're moving too fast."

At that moment I didn’t want an older brother or The Change, I wanted Caleb.

Caleb went thoughtful and he looked between Richard and me a couple of times. “You’re not wanting to be her boyfriend, are you?”

I shook my head.

Richard grinned. “What if I am?”

Caleb sat up stiff. “I can’t believe Sylvia would choose a weakling like you.”

I stammered, who in the world would ever think of Richard as being weak?

Destiny’s older brother sat up straight. “Weakling?”

It was an easy guess that no one had ever called him such a thing before.

“Well, you are a little scrawny.” Caleb grinned

The Petersons laughed at such an absurd statement.

Richard clenched his fists. “At least I’m not
short
.”

I saw, in easygoing Caleb’s eyes, that his one button had been pushed. He reddened in the face and I knew his top was about to blow.

“Please don’t do this, Richard.” My heart was going to jump out of my chest if it beat any harder.

He just smiled and kept his eyes on Caleb. It was useless to reason with him. One look at the muscle-bound wrestler and I doubted reason would penetrate his anger, either.

“Caleb, Richard isn’t my boyfriend and he doesn’t want to be. I don’t have a boyfriend because I can’t date yet.” I was so pathetic.

He glanced at me, the majority of his attention still on Richard.

I turned completely to face him. “Richard is like my brother and he’s only trying to protect me.”

Caleb eyed him dubiously. “Uh-huh, sure he is.” He moved me to the side with one of his massive arms.

Richard chuckled. “I don’t like you, either.”

Caleb narrowed his eyes. I had my hand on his arm and could feel how tense his muscles were, he was ready to spring. I looked to Emma who wasn’t happy, either, as she tried to get Richard’s attention.

“Yep, mat faced
and
short.”

That was it.

Caleb sprang.

I threw myself at his chest, and he took me with him. We landed on Richard and I was sandwiched between them. I’d imagined what it would be like running with Caleb in a field of wild flowers and falling to the ground with him on top of me. I hadn’t imagined him this heavy, though. The breath was knocked out and I couldn’t scream.

Oddly, this all felt vaguely familiar. Ah, yes, Calvin, in July.

With the two of them locked together I couldn’t get any air in my compressed lungs.

Everyone, but Isaac, converged on our pile to pull the two guys apart. I pushed. The longer I went without oxygen the weaker I got. Caleb went limp and I figured Emma had done her trick on him. Richard went limp and they pulled us apart. I really needed to have Emma teach me that one. Rolling off Richard I gasped for air, too weak to move.

Emma sat me up. “Are you alright, Sylvia?”

I nodded as I continued to suck in deep breaths.

She looked sternly at me. “You are never to get between two boys who are determined to fight.”

When I nodded with a little more enthusiasm she hugged me before handing me off to Destiny, who helped me to the couch. Isaac patted my shoulder and apologized for his grandson.

When I was able to stand, Destiny took me home. I said goodbye to everyone and left after one last look at Caleb, who was lying on the floor, unable to move anything but his eyes. I didn’t want to see Caleb again this year. Being around him would be pure torture. I was mad at him for fighting with my big brother. That anger wouldn't last long.

It would take a few days before I wasn’t mad at Richard any more, too. Actually, by evening I wouldn’t be mad at him. Nonetheless, I would give him a day or two to think about his role in goading Caleb into a fight.

As we crossed the yard, Dad came out to meet us. I wondered if he had been waiting for me or if he had seen us coming.