Claire at Sixteen (3 page)

“I hope spaghetti with meat sauce isn't too much of a cliché,” Evvie said, stirring the pot. “It's the only thing I know how to cook, and with Sam out all day, working on the school paper, I figured I'd better make something safe.”

“It's a feast,” Thea said. “Sometimes I go to Kip's apartment and make it for him and his roommates.”

“How many roommates does he have?” Evvie asked.

“There are four altogether,” Thea said, “sharing three rooms in a neighborhood that Nicky would kill me for walking in. But sometimes I think if I don't take care of Kip, he won't take care of himself.”

“He isn't drinking that heavily, is he?” Evvie asked.

“No,” Thea said. “He just gets involved with his art, and school, and his job. He doesn't have time for anything else. He doesn't have time for me, either, or so he keeps telling me, but I don't mind. I'd rather grab a few minutes with him than worry about how he is all the time.”

Evvie rolled her eyes, and Claire tried not to laugh.

“I know,” Thea said. “You think I'm crazy. But Kip needs me. At least, he needs someone, and I'm the one who's there.”

“You should be dating other boys,” Evvie said.

“You're a fine one to talk,” Thea replied. “You met Sam and ten seconds later, you were engaged.”

“Twenty seconds,” Evvie said. “The first ten seconds, I was checking Schyler out.”

“I'd like to meet Schyler someday,” Claire said. “Does he look anything like Scotty?”

“Not really,” Evvie said. “About as much as you and I look alike. You know, that vague family resemblance you can't really explain. Schyler has more your kind of look, Claire. Dark coloring, high cheekbones. He's much handsomer than Scotty.”

“Handsomer than Sam?” Claire asked.

“Infinitely,” Evvie replied. “As I frequently remind Sam.”

“I think it's terrible the way you tease him,” Thea said. “I never tease Kip. And Megs never teases Nicky. And don't say she does now, Claire, because we'll know you're lying.”

“I wasn't going to say a thing,” Claire said.

“You are sniping a lot, Thea,” Evvie said. “Any particular reason?”

“I'm just worried,” Thea said. “About Nicky and Megs and Sybil out there in Oregon. And about Kip. I never should have left him alone yesterday.”

“It sounds like he wanted to be alone,” Claire said.

“Oh shut up, Claire,” Thea said. “What do you know about things, anyway?”

“I know enough not to waste my time with cold, hostile rejecting drunks,” Claire replied. “Or with cold, hostile rejecting sisters.”

“Stop it, both of you,” Evvie said. “I wish Sam would show up.”

“Sam isn't the answer to everything,” Thea said.

“No, but without him there's no garlic bread,” Evvie replied.

Claire laughed, and as she did, the buzzer sounded. “I'll get it,” she said, and ran to the door to buzz Scotty in.

She could hear his footsteps, and then a second pair raced to join him. Scotty and Sam ended up coming through the living room door together.

“Sam,” Evvie said. “Did you remember the bread?”

“No, dammit, I didn't,” Sam admitted. “I thought you were going to call to remind me.”

“You said you wouldn't need reminding,” Evvie said. “Honestly, Sam, you do this all the time.”

“I'm sorry,” he said. “Look, I'll go around the corner and get a loaf.”

“Don't bother,” Claire said. “I could use the air. Come with me, Scotty. I'll get my coat right now.”

“All right,” Scotty said. “Where's Thea?”

“In the kitchen, moping about Kip,” Claire said. “You're better off with me.”

“Claire,” Evvie said, but then she grinned. “Who knows, maybe you're right. Get a loaf of Italian bread, and maybe you should buy some butter as well.”

“Fine,” Claire said. She put her coat on, and slipped her arm through Scotty's. “We'll be back in a minute.”

“Maybe two,” Scotty said. He smiled at Claire, which she decided was a good sign, and the two of them left the apartment.

“I had to escape,” Claire told him, as they walked outside. “Thea was going on and on about Kip. You know how she does.”

“Believe me, I know,” Scotty said. “I can't figure out what she sees in him.”

Claire couldn't figure out what Scotty saw in Thea, but knew better than to ask. “How long will you be staying with Clark?” she asked instead.

“Until Wednesday,” Scotty said. “My parents and Schyler will both be arriving then, and we'll spend the long weekend together, before Schyler and I have to go back to school.”

“That must be so strange,” Claire said. “Seeing as little of your parents as you do.”

“I'm used to it,” Scotty said. “Dad's always traveled on business, and Mom likes to go with him. I started boarding school when I was nine, the same as Schyler. Same school for that matter, so he was around, if I really needed someone.”

“Are you close?” Claire asked.

“Not especially,” Scotty said. “I've never been really close to anybody until I started college. Now I have friends. As a matter of fact, one of them called me today. She's home from school, and she's having a terrible time with her parents, so she called me at Clark's, sobbing and moaning. I even gave her Evvie's number, in case she has to talk to me tonight.”

“That's really nice of you,” Claire said. “I wish I had a friend like that.”

“You have your sisters,” Scotty said. “You always know you can turn to them.”

“But friends are good, too,” Claire replied. “When I was younger, we lived in the same towns sometimes for more than a year and then I'd make friends. I'd lose them as soon as we left, but at least for a while I'd have some. But since Sybil's accident, we haven't stayed anywhere very long, and all my spare time goes to Sybil, anyway. I miss having friends, the way you must miss having your family around.”

“I'm your friend,” Scotty said. “You can count on me, Claire.”

“Thank you,” Claire said. “Oh, here's the grocery.” She led Scotty in, and soon they'd purchased the bread and butter. Scotty insisted on paying for them, and Claire didn't protest. False pride was not an issue.

“You're different from Thea,” Scotty said as they left the store.

“I know,” Claire replied. “I'm the bad sister.”

“I don't think that at all,” Scotty said. “On the contrary. Thea's always thinking about herself, her world. It's always her sisters, her parents, her relationship with Kip. I think I told you more about me in the past five minutes than I've told Thea in two full years.”

“Thea has no idea how special you are,” Claire said. At best, if they walked very slowly, they'd be back at the apartment within three minutes. She wondered if she should fake twisting her ankle, but decided against it. Not subtle enough. Scotty would be sure to see through it.

“You're so beautiful,” Scotty said. “I told Thea once I thought you were too beautiful, the way Schyler is. He's full of himself because of his looks, but you're not that way at all. You don't put on airs or force people to admire you. Of course, neither does Thea, and she's very pretty. But you're something special. How old are you now, Claire?”

“Sixteen,” Claire said. “Going on twenty-nine.”

“I'll bet,” Scotty said. “You must have a lot of guys chasing after you.”

“I don't want them,” Claire said. “I don't want a man who can't see past my looks. I want someone who really knows me, and understands me, and cares about me. You must feel that way sometimes, Scotty. You have such a wonderful facade, money and sophistication. But underneath, you're sweet and caring, and I think you're lonely too.”

“And cold,” Scotty said. “Very cold.”

“I'm sorry,” Claire said. “I must sound awfully silly. It's just, it drives me crazy the way Thea treats you. She's a fool not to see you for who you are.”

“And I'm a fool for sticking with her?” Scotty asked.

Claire had the feeling she was the fool for trying to accomplish so much in a block and a half. Time and distance were definitely winning over beauty and ambition.

“No,” she said. “You're very sweet and dear.” It seemed to her she'd heard Katharine Hepburn say that in a movie once. If it worked on Cary Grant, it might work on Scotty Hughes.

It did. “Claire,” he murmured, and she found herself being kissed by him under the streetlight that illuminated Sam's building. Another thirty seconds and she would have lost.

“Oh, Scotty,” she said. “Scotty, I'm sorry.”

“Sorry?” he said, breaking away. “Sorry for what?”

“I never meant …” Claire said. “I mean, I know how you feel about Thea. I never wanted …”

“We both know how Thea feels about me,” Scotty said. “Maybe it's about time she learned she doesn't own me.”

“Oh, no,” Claire said. “Scotty, I won't be a pawn in some game you're playing. And I refuse to hurt Thea. She's the one you love, not me.” That should throw him, she thought contentedly.

“You can't love someone forever who doesn't love you back,” Scotty declared.

“Thea can,” Claire said. “She loves Kip that way.”

“Then she's the fool,” Scotty said. “But I'm not. Claire, I never meant to hurt you. I kissed you because you're beautiful under the night sky. And besides, I thought I saw some mistletoe hanging from that lamppost.” He pointed up at it, and when Claire looked up as well, he kissed her again.

Two points for Scotty! Claire thought. “Oh, Scotty, I'm half in love with you, you know,” she whispered.

“Only half?” he asked.

“That's all I ever dared be,” Claire replied. “I guess I'm just a coward.”

“That's all right,” Scotty said. “Because it took all my courage to kiss you.”

Claire smiled at him. Scotty had obviously taken notes from the same movies she had. “We'd better get upstairs before they start wondering,” she said.

Scotty nodded. “I think we may have melted the butter.”

Claire smiled, and then, shyly, she squeezed Scotty's hand with hers.

“Claire,” he said. “Oh, Claire.” And he kissed her again.

Claire remembered that Evvie had liked the way Schyler kissed. Did they teach kissing at prep school, she wondered, or was it a family skill? It didn't matter. Scotty knew what he was doing. Thea really was a fool.

“Enough,” Claire murmured.

“You really think so?” Scotty asked.

Claire laughed out loud. There was a chance she might actually enjoy Scotty, in addition to driving Thea crazy. “I'm going up,” she said. “I suggest you join me.”

“Claire,” Scotty said. “Is this all we're going to do? I mean have. This moment, is this it?”

“That's up to you,” Claire said, not really caring whether he believed her. She pressed the doorbell and then scurried up the stairs, with Scotty following her.

“What took so long?” Evvie asked.

“The sidewalk was icy,” Claire replied. “Scotty had to keep me from tripping.”

“Hi, Scotty,” Thea said. “Put the bag on the counter.”

“Hi, Thea,” he said, and Claire sensed a new coolness in his tone. “How has your day been?”

“Pretty bad,” Thea said. “I've been mean to everyone, Evvie says. It's because I'm worried about Kip.”

“No more Kip!” Evvie cried. “Not for tonight, please, Thea.”

“I can't help it that I worry,” Thea said, and Claire hoped she'd keep worrying as loudly and frequently as possible. She hung her coat up, not minding that it was three years old and looked it, because Scotty hadn't noticed. And if he ever did, she'd make it work for her. Poor brave sympathetic Claire. He didn't stand a chance.

The telephone rang, and Sam picked it up. “I think so,” he said, and then he cupped his hand over the receiver. “Scotty, I think it's for you,” he said. “If you're Prescott Hughes.”

“That must be Jennifer,” Scotty said. “The girl I told you about.”

“Prescott?” Evvie said.

“Prescott,” Scotty replied, reaching for the phone. “You're the only people who still call me Scotty.”

“What kind of name is Prescott?” Claire asked. She wished she'd known before. She could have called him that when they kissed.

“It's my grandfather's name,” he said. “My mother's father. Sebastian Prescott. Hi, Jennifer. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Evvie dropped the wineglasses she was carrying to the table. One of them broke, while the other rolled harmlessly toward the sofa. She was pale, Claire noticed, and shaking.

“Are you all right?” Claire asked her, as Sam retrieved the unbroken glass, and Thea brought out the dustpan.

“I'm fine,” Evvie said. “Really I am. Don't fuss, Claire. It doesn't become you.”

“Right,” Claire said. “Sure.” She backed off and watched as Evvie tried to get herself back in control. Something very strange had just happened, and Claire had the feeling it would be to her benefit to find out what it was.

C
HAPTER
T
HREE

Claire waited until she was sure Thea was asleep, and then slipped out of the sofa bed they were sharing and tiptoed to Evvie and Sam's bedroom door. Thea was a heavy sleeper. They all were, except for Claire, who had figured out early on that the best way of finding out just what was happening was by pretending to be asleep.

She hoped Evvie and Sam wouldn't be too considerate of their houseguests and conduct their conversation in whispers. Their door was closed, and she didn't dare open it. All she could do was press her ear to the wall and pick up what she could.