A Chance at Destiny (2 page)

“What…” She cleared her throat to regain control. “What are you gonna do? Apply for financial aid or something?"  She sniffed trying to regain her composure.

“I can't get financial aid. I’ve had a few legal issues. So I'm not eligible for financial aid."  Tyler looked down at his feet. Tyler had been involved in drug related stuff with his brother James. He was devastated to find out he could not get money because of his conviction. Even though the judge was lenient and let him serve his time in more creative ways to stay in school, it was still a conviction. "What about you?"

"I don't know. I should go. My niece and nephew will be up soon and I need to finish washing. I'll see you around Tyler." Destiny said as she walked away.

"Hey! Destiny?" Tyler called out. She looked back at him. “I’m really sorry. I really thought it was you. "

She shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Tyler jumped in his truck to head home.

Tyler looked at the gas hand as he pulled into the Allsop Trailer Park. He’d known making the trip to the East End would use up most of his gas, but decided to go anyway. He'd ask his dad for money for gas to get to school later. Even though he hated asking his dad for money, he'd have to put his pride aside and bite the bullet. He pulled his truck further into the trailer park and into his parking spot next to the only home he'd ever known.

Tyler walked up to the brown and white trailer that was slanted on cinder blocks and its makeshift enclosed porch. The outside was worn with rust spots and discoloration. The front screen door had a small hole where the door handle used to be thanks to his on again of again mother. He pulled the screen open with his middle finger and pushed the weather warped wooden door open. Just as Tyler entered, he took in his dad's warm smile. "She got didn't she?" his father, David, asked. David Duggan sat in his wheelchair eyeing his son curiously. Naturally, he’d been disappointed when Tyler didn't get the Brantley award. But, his dad encouraged him to seek Destiny out in a good sportsmanship sort of way. David understood the competitive nature of the relationship with Destiny. He’d watched Tyler mope enough over the last few days. David knew his son’s temperament would get bad and cause issues if he didn't know for sure about the scholarship.

"Nope," Tyler said sadly “She got the same amount I got. It's just enough to cover books at the most. He waited a heartbeat. “Dad? What are we gonna do?" Tyler looked to his dad for guidance. This was new in their relationship. For years David Duggan was a selfish father with a drinking problem and a penchant for loose women. One those women happen to be Tyler's mother. When the court found out that Tyler and his stepbrother, James, were into some bad stuff, they threatened to take them. Tyler's mom was a no show in court and friend of David's found him and told him to come get Tyler. Tyler refused to be separated from James, who he considered to be his only family because they shared a mother. So David Duggan brought both of them back to his trailer to raise them.

When Tyler's mother found out where her sons were, she demanded that David let her play the mother in their happy little family. During her time there she forgot to mention her unhealthy drug habit and prostitution troubles until a few men came and beat David within an inch his life. When the doctor finally pieced him back together, they found he would have permanent pain issues, forcing him to use a wheel chair to get around because he was permanently disabled.

Tyler and his brother both started working for a local body shop in high school. Tyler saved his money to get a used truck so he could help his dad run errands. James helped pay the bills and made Tyler promise to go to college. "With no scholarship and no money. Now what?" Tyler asked his dad again with frustration.

"Well son, I'm sure there is a way. For you
and
for Destiny.  You guys will have to find it. Didn't you say she lives in the East End?" Tyler  nodded, frowning as he focused on the grease embedded under his nails. "I'm sure she wants a way out too. Just like you. I know you don't want to live in this trailer forever."

Tyler knew his dad was right. So he waited till James came home and bummed a few dollars for gas and then drove to the library. He needed to do some research.

Tyler stood at Destiny's locker. "Where is she?" he muttered under his breath. Tyler had finally found out who got the scholarship.
Beth Anne McClearan.
He laughed to himself at the irony. Beth Anne was from one of the wealthiest families in the town. Although, she had been in a few classes with Tyler and Destiny, she was known for leaching off others and having them do her work. By flashing those big eyes and giving
it
up, she'd made a sport of seeing who would do her work for her, but she was a cheerleader and her dad was on the board at the bank.

This is the first year that financial need was not a requirement for the scholarship. When he found out, Tyler was angry. He was sick of all the rich kids getting everything. But he pulled his anger back and continued to research. It took him all week to wade through the scholarships but he found one. One that he
and
Destiny could receive only if she would listen and hear him out.

He looked up to see Destiny walking down the hallway. She was wearing her customary jeans and cardigan. Her hair was down today though. It was a different look from the way he'd seen her over the weekend. "About time," he greeted her. “I've been waiting forever for you to show up.”

"I should be mad, but I'll just ask why," Destiny responded incredulously. "You know we're not friends. Right? I know .....um...this weekend we had a little  moment over the scholarship and all. That does not make us all buddy buddy."

"Yeah? Are you sure? Because a
friend
might share some good news with you." Tyler teased.

She watched cautiously for a moment. "Okay, we’re friend-ish. What's the news?"  Destiny smiled playfully. She respected Tyler for not blabbing about the scholarship moment over the weekend. She was a little worked up after he left. Thinking he may go tell all his rock star buddies. Tyler hung out with a different crew than most. He was all heavy metal. In their sophomore year, she thought she spotted a tattoo or two on his arms. But she knew you had to be at least eighteen to get them so maybe she was imaging things. "I gotta catch my bus," she said reminding Tyler to hurry.

“We need to talk about this scholarship thing. I need more than a few minutes of your time." Tyler turned and looked her square in the eyes.

Looking into his deep set ice blue eyes and long blonde lashes, she could see he was serious. Destiny began to wonder what Tyler Duggan really knew. “Okay, you’re really serious?" He nodded his answer with a serious expression. She'd seen this look before when they'd been on the debate team in the eleventh grade. "Well, I still don't have minutes on my phone but come by on Saturday. We can talk some more."  She pulled her last book out of the locker and put it in her bag.

"Okay, ” is all Tyler said and walked away.

On Saturday when he knocked on the door, Destiny's sister answered the door again. She still didn't let him in the apartment. When the door opened again, Destiny was standing in front of him. "I'm sorry. She is so rude."

"This is my house,” Tyler heard a voice yell from the hallway. "I don't have to open the door and let him in if I don't want to Destiny. As a matter of fact,” her sister, now standing in the hallway walking towards Tyler and Destiny,  "Both of y'all can go outside. My kids are sleep anyway." She said with attitude and ushered them out the door.

Destiny looked embarrassed. He'd never seen her look that way. "Their clothes are still washing and I need to wash mine." Destiny said. She seemed to be pleading with her eyes while her voice was deceptively strong. Tyler looked at Destiny, she was wearing the same snug fitting shorts from the weekend before and another t-shirt. This one hugged her curves a little more. He noticed she was wearing flip flops with her toes were painted a bright pink.

"That’s what I thought. Don't let yo mouth get you put out. Who is this white boy anyway?"  Dasha stood with her hand on her left hip then eyed Tyler from head to toe and back.

"Tyler," she announced his name. Destiny was now scowling at her sister. "This is my sister Dasha," she looked back to Dasha. "Dasha. This is Tyler Duggan. He's in my class. We have a project we're working on."

With that, Dasha sashayed out the room.

Looking mortified at the sight of her sister's backside in a pair of very skimpy see through shorts and a tank top, Destiny seemed to pull at her t-shirt as if to cover herself more. Tyler could feel her embarrassment. "We can go outside if you want," Tyler said.

"No. This is fine, really. You wanna sit over here?" There was a table with four battered chairs  near the area where the sofa and TV were. Tyler nodded. While Tyler sat down, Destiny walked over to the sofa to retrieve a basket of clothes. She sat the basket on the floor and sat next to Tyler. "Okay. What's the news?"

Chapter Two

Destiny's mouth gaped open and closed like a fish. Unsure of what to say, she sat back removing the last load of folded clothes from the table to the basket.

“Tyler? Really?” She stared at him. “Where did you find this?”

“I did the research at the library. It's an open scholarship to a small school. There is a host family and living quarters.”

“But ...but...we'd have to....?” Destiny couldn't say the words.

“Yes. Be married,” Tyler completed her thought.

“That’s a lot Tyler. It's ...it's...it's just....” stammering, Destiny was struggling for the words to describe her feelings.

“Wrong? Is it really? Beth Anne’s getting
our
scholarship. That’s just wrong. You living here?” he whispered, “is wrong. Don't you want out?”  Tyler pleaded.

Destiny gathered herself. Anger seeping into her thoughts.

“Yes, I want out but four years of marriage?” She whispered barely containing her anger.  “Lying to people? That makes us just like the Beth Anne's of the world. We're better than that.”

“Are we? Not according to the Brantley scholarship committee. Just calm down and think. We can leave in June. They offer summer aid. We would have our own apartment. I looked online it's nice,” he threw in for good measure. “We'd be in school. It's everything the Brantley Award is but farther away from this tiny town with tiny minds,”  Tyler continued to plead. "Come on Destiny. We can do this,” his voice rising slightly.

“What are the requirements? And how do we maintain the scholarship?” Destiny huffed. "Can't believe I'm entertaining this.” Destiny covered her eyes.

“Desperate times.” Tyler smiled sensing her concession. "The paperwork is in my backpack. It’s in the truck. I'll go get it."  Destiny nodded.

When Tyler returned, he was surprised to see a small child sitting in Destiny's lap. Destiny waved him in the door and he watched her rock gently from side to side. The small girl's skin was lighter than Destiny's but it was a beautiful melted caramel color whereas Destiny had a rich milk chocolate color. She tapped her open hand on the sofa cushion to let Tyler know to sit down. Speaking in soft tones, she turned the little girl toward Tyler. “Tyler. This is Lilly. She's four, and she's my favorite niece in the whole wide world.” Destiny smiled fondly at Lilly as she spoke. Tyler could see her love for her niece.

“I’m your only niece, auntie Desti.” Lilly said giggling.

“Oh, well. You’re still my favorite,” Destiny said tickling her belly. “Did you potty yet?” Lilly shook her head. “Go now. I need to talk to Tyler. "

Tyler smiled shyly at Destiny, “She’s cute,” Destiny nodded. “Here are the papers. I'll let you read 'em. Call me if you wanna talk or it says we can email the host family with questions. We can go to the library and use the computer.” She nodded, still worried that this solution wasn’t the answer.

Tyler stood, walked out of the unit not sure what to do. He knew Destiny had his future in his hands. Destiny, a girl he'd competed with fiercely in the classroom and in extracurricular activities since they were five years old, could be his wife. He shook his head. He'd asked Destiny Jenkins to marry him. He chuckled as he pulled up to his trailer. What would he tell his dad? Tyler never lied to his father and wouldn't start now. So he walked in prepared to tell him the truth.