Dart and Dash (3 page)

Chapter 4 – Daisy

I lay in my bed, replaying the night in my head. I know I promised Dad that I would look out for Garnet, but I didn’t think that she was really that bad; until I saw her last night.

I had been wrong.

I took a deep breath and tried to figure out what I was going to do to fix it. The sad thing was I had no clue.

“Stop worrying,” Dart mumbled next to me.

“I thought you were still asleep.” I curled up into his side.

“Nah, I could hear your brain working, and it woke me.” He kissed the top of my head.

“Ha. Ha,” I laughed sarcastically at him. “I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with Garnet.”

“Daisy,” Dart’s voice was firm. “Let her work through it on her own. She’ll figure it out.” He wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly.

Garnet had never been this way before. After Mom died, she’d changed from the amazing person she’d been.

“I love you, Daisy.”

I smiled, looking up at Dart’s beautiful blue eyes. “I love you.”

I stayed in his arms all night; until he told me he had to go home. It was Sunday morning and Dash always cooked on Sunday. I would go over when it was ready. It was something that they had always done.

After I got cleaned up and dressed, I went into Garnet’s room. Just like when she was a little kid, she’d kicked the blanket off, and was only curled up with a sheet.

Last night, I tried to wipe away as much of her black makeup as I could, but I could still see traces under her eyes. I studied her face and saw the features of my baby sister. The one who was tender hearted, the dancer, and my best friend. I knew she was still in there, but I needed to break down hard shell that she was hiding behind.

“Garnet.”

She didn’t move.

“Garnet,” I said louder, shaking her.

She moaned.

“Garnet.” I shook her harder.

“Go away.” Her voice was husky as she started waking up.

“No, get up. We need to go over to Dart’s place for breakfast.”

She popped her eyes open. “Do I look like a person who wants to eat?”

“Every Sunday morning we all eat together, and you’re coming along. So, please get up and ready,” I gently ordered her.

“I can’t move, and I’m not hungry.” She closed her eyes, snuggling into her pillow. Her deep red hair splayed across it. I missed her light brown hair; it was exactly like Mom’s.

“I’m not leaving until you get out of that bed.” I figured I needed to be more forceful if she wasn’t going to get out of the bed.

“Go away, Daisy.” Her jaw was tight, and I knew she was growing frustrated.

“Nope.”

Garnet opened her eyes again, giving me a mean look. She knew I wasn’t going to leave. I had my own stubborn streak in me.

“Fine,” Garnet yelled, jerking the sheet away. She got up and headed into the bathroom.

Once I heard the shower start, I started making her bed. When I went to fluff the pillows, I saw something. It was a picture frame. I softly gasped when I saw the picture. It was the four of us and had been taken at one of Garnet’s last dance performances before Mom died.

I remembered it because I had come back home after my first year at Marshall. Garnet’s brown hair was tucked under a large top hat, and she was dressed in a girly tuxedo. Her smile was bright as she clung to her first place trophy. It was in the tap dancing division. I had always thought she would dance on Broadway someday. I was so proud of her.

My eyes teared up looking at Mom. Her bob styled hair-do was in perfect place, as was her tan pantsuit. Her light brown eyes were shining with pride for Garnet, and the family. This was shortly before she got sick. She lost all of her hair and became so thin; it was still hard to picture how sick she really became.

I missed her every day. I wished she were here now. She would have known how to handle Garnet and this situation. Maybe Garnet wouldn’t be acting this way if Mom hadn’t died.

“My diary is under the mattress.” Garnet was standing in the doorway in her black robe.

“You don’t have one.”

“That’s true.” She walked into the room and over to her closet.

I finished making the bed, placing the picture under the pillow where I found it. “You seem in a better mood since you showered.”

She scoffed. “Not really. I’m pretty sure I have a marching band in my head at this moment.”

When she turned back to me she was slipping on a tank top, and without thinking, I groaned in disgust. “I hate that tattoo.”

Garnet narrowed her eyes at me. “I love it, so don’t start.”

She had gotten the monstrosity on her eighteenth birthday. I thought it was the dumbest thing she could have ever done to her body, but she was proud of it.

“Are you ready?”

“Yep.” Garnet flipped her long hair into a ponytail, wiggled into a pair of black flip-flops that matched her jean shorts. Garnet glanced at herself in the full-length mirror, smoothing her red tank top down. I noticed that she had layered the black make up on, just like last night.

We walked across Sixth Avenue to the boy’s house. I loved our location. It was close to campus, and there were numerous apartment buildings around us, and students everywhere most of the time. The aroma hit me when I opened the door. Dash might not be my favorite person, but he could cook.

“We’re here.” I announced, heading for the kitchen.

It didn’t matter how many times I suggested some
minor
décor changes to the guys, they just weren’t going to make them. This place was a picture perfect bachelor pad: posters on the wall, limited furniture, and a large TV with a gaming system attached to it.

Dash was sitting a large bowl of scrambled eggs on the table as I went to kiss Dart.

“Garnet, you look nice,” Dart said as we all settled into our seats.

“Thanks,” she gave him a tiny smile.

We began to pass the food around, and for a little while we ate in silence.

“Garnet, you still excited for classes to start tomorrow?” Dart asked.

I admired how he tried to make her feel so welcome.

“Yeah I guess,” she shrugged.

“Well, I know I’m happy this is my last year,” I said excitedly. No more school for me.”

“I agree,” Dart added. “What about you, Dash?”

“Yep,” he said while shoveling food into his mouth.

I don’t know what it was, but I hated the silence. I couldn’t stand it much longer as everyone continued to eat.

“Garnet, you seemed to have a good time last night.” Dart gave her a sweet smile.

“It was neat.” She picked at her toast. “I assume you drove me home; thank you for that.”

“Ha,” Dash scoffed. “I’m the one that lug your ass up the stairs.”

“Well, thanks.” She gave him a sarcastic grin.

“I’m glad you had fun.” I tried to give her a true smile, but it was hard because she’d been very drunk, and I shouldn’t have let it get that far.

“I’m sure she had a blast passing out in the back seat.” Dash continued.

“You’ve done it too, Dash.” Dart gave him a hard look.

He rolled his eyes at his brother, but didn’t say anymore. We all went back to our food, not saying anything else. Garnet and I helped clean up the kitchen when we were all done. Dart told me that he and Dash were going to lift weights. I gave him a big kiss.

“I’ll see you tonight.” I winked at him.

“You’re not worn out from last night?”

“I’m never tired of you, Dart Terrance.” I pressed my lips hard against his.

“Would you two please get a room?” Dash groaned.

“I’m leaving, Dash, calm down.” I patted his shoulder as I followed Garnet out the door.

I could tell by the way she walked across the street that she was upset about something.

“You could have told them thank you.” I informed her, slamming the front door.

“I have a massive headache, and you practically dragged me over there, when I didn’t want to go.” Garnet raised her voice to me.

“Well, excuse me for trying to make you feel welcome.” I used the same tone as she had with me.

“I’m still hung over. I’m fucking going to bed.” She headed toward the stairs.

“Stop using that language.”

Garnet, my baby sister, turned to me, narrowing her light brown eyes. Her face was stone, almost scary. “I don’t think you got the fucking memo, but Mom’s dead, and I sure as hell don’t need another one. I don’t want your pity, or your fucking welcome wagon. I’ve been doing just fine without you for the last three years.”

I couldn’t say a single word. My heart broke at her words, and I watched her run away from me.

Chapter 5 – Dart

“One more, Dash. Come on.” I pushed him to do one more bench-press.

Dash grunted as he pushed up on the heavyweights with all his might. I spotted him until he dropped it into the holder. He sat up, breathing hard, sweat rolling down the sides of his face.

“Good job, brother.” I slapped his back.

“Thanks,” he panted. “You want to go another round?”

I shook my head. “My arms are already burning. We’ve been here for a while now.”

He nodded. “Let’s head home. I need to shower anyway.” He wiped his brow with the bottom of his shirt.

“Me too,” I picked up our bags and checked my phone. I had several missed calls and texts from Daisy. “Shit,” I exhaled.

“What now? Was the sorority girl unable to decide on which nail color to wear this month?” Dash fake gasped.

“Enough,” I told him. “I guess Daisy and Garnet got into an argument. I need to go check in on her.”

Dash took a deep breath. “Of course,” he mumbled.

I ignored his attitude and headed off to the car. I sent Daisy a text telling her I needed to clean up, and then I would be over.

The plan was get home  and take a quick shower before calling Daisy to come over. However, when I walked into my bedroom she was already laying on my bed.

“Daisy,” I kneeled beside her on the floor. “Are you okay?”

Her golden brown eyes were puffy, and I could tell she had been crying a lot.

“Oh, Daisy,” I wrapped my arms around her. “It’ll be okay.”

“I don’t think so.” Her voice cracked.

“Hey,” I pulled back. “How about we jump on the bike and go for a ride? Just you and me.”

Daisy nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes.

I took a quick shower and when I was ready I grabbed the keys, yelled to Dash that we were taking the bike, and headed to the garage. When Dash bought the bike, I automatically got Daisy and I matching helmets. Sure, it was girly, but I knew she’d like it. Dash originally said he’d never let me ride the bike, but I knew that wouldn’t last long, especially when he gave me a key.

Once Daisy got settled behind me, I started the bike. I decided to take the scenic route instead of going down the four-lane Route 60. I turned left onto Hal Greer Boulevard, toward Route 10. Daisy tightened her arms around me as I went into each curve. I drove up through the backside of Barboursville Park.

Of all the parks in the area, this was my favorite, because it was large, nicely laid out, and clean. It was out of the way, but I didn’t care. It was well worth it. I headed toward the pond, which had a great running track around it. I parked and Daisy hopped off the bike.

I watched her shake out her blond hair, and my heart jumped. Even after three years, she was still as gorgeous as the first day I saw her. I took her hand and we began walking the track. I waited for her to speak first.

Almost halfway through the first lap, she began telling me what Garnet had said. I held her hand and let her continue. The tears came even harder when she told me what Garnet said about her mom. I guided her over to an empty bench and held her.

I was there with Daisy went Mrs. Bowlings died and I know how hard it was on her and Garnet. Daisy continued to sob on my shoulder, and I rubbed her back.

“What am I going to do? How can I get through to her?”

“Daisy, you need to let her work through whatever she’s feeling. You see what I am going through with Dash.”

She nodded, wiping her face of her tears.

“Support her, that’s what you need to do.”

“I want her to tell me what’s happening, but she’s taken on this tough girl image, and I want my sister back.” Daisy huffed in frustration, pushing her hands through her long blonde hair.

“I know it’s hard, but you need to see things from her view, too. She’s young and needs to work through it.” I squeezed her hand. “Just support her.”

Daisy nodded. “I guess you’re right, but I promised Dad to watch out for her.”

“And you will. She needs to find herself, and work out her own emotions.”

“She doesn’t need me.” Daisy sniffed.

“You’re wrong, Daisy.” I told her firmly. “Right now, she’ll need you more than anything, and you need to be there. Just like you were there for me when I needed you the most.” I smiled at her.

She gave me a small grin back. “I know you’re right, but it’s hard to be patient.”

I cupped her face. “You’re more patient than you think. You put up with Dash almost every day.” I winked at her causing her to giggle.

“Thank you, Dart. I love you.”

“I love you, Daisy.”