Once Upon a Road Trip (52 page)

Angie held her breath.

A hand cupped her shoulder and she jumped, twisting to strike out. The form kneeling over her caught her wrists, then released them as recognition stopped her. Vince’s battered face hovered over her. Amid the marks and swelling that marred his features, he wore a drawn look of concern. She wasn’t able to study the extent of his injuries for long, as he quickly turned her away from him.

“I’ll be okay,” he said, answering before she could ask. “I’m sorry.” He sank onto his side and embraced her fully, holding her back to his chest and setting his chin on her shoulder.

Angie took slow breaths to calm her heartbeat. She didn’t know what she should be feeling. Fear came to mind, but her body didn’t seem interested in the logic. She couldn’t help but feel safe with him — whichever “him” this was. He’d obviously been the winner of the fight, which begged the question she finally whispered, “What happened? What did you—”

“I had to.” Vince spoke softly. His hold became a comforting embrace. “I had to protect you.”

Angie’s bewilderment remained, but the weight of her misery had been lifted. Exhaustion crept in to take its place. Combined with the security of being held, her mind was coaxed toward sleep. Though she resisted, her eyes fluttered closed.

When a burst of will let her force them open again, she was met with darkness. The bed of moss beneath her now felt suspiciously like an actual bed, the frame creaking as she sat up and groped her hands over the blankets. Her thoughts regained familiar clarity as she reached back and found an empty pillow behind her.

She’d been dreaming. Of course — some part of her had known that all along.

Angie’s dreams had always been peculiar things. She rarely remembered more than a few indistinct thoughts or images upon waking. Fantastical and nonsensical, they often involved things like flying unaided over a vast landscape or observing a herd of technicolor rhinoceroses. She thought of her dreams as mental screensavers — their lack of profoundness seemed reason enough for her conscious mind to forgo any long-term storage.

This dream was different. The images and sensations remained etched in her memory, as clear as any real event. She wouldn’t be able to forget, even if she wanted to.

What did that mean?

Her eyes strained to make out objects in the basement guest room. Absently, she reached up to touch her face and found her cheeks still damp with tears.

She’d been crying in her sleep.

Chapter 30

At the end of an uneventful day, Angie finally made some progress with Scott’s mother. The woman had begun speaking to her with calm civility, and even smiled at her once. Angie’s upbeat mood was further elated that evening when, true to his word, Vince called.

Before she knew it, two hours had gone by while she paced around the darkened back yard. When a natural lull entered their conversation, her thoughts turned to her bizarre dream from the night before.

“You don’t happen to have a twin brother, do you?” she asked, offhanded.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Vince laughed. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh no reason. I just had a weird dream last night.”

“And there were two of me in this dream? Now, I could see me having a dream like that about you—”

“Neither of you were very happy about it,” she recalled, cutting short his playful speculation.

“So, they were fighting?” Vince sounded fascinated. “Like…a good twin versus evil twin sort of thing? Who won?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell them apart before or after.” Angie said, hesitating. “More than fighting—I think one of them died.”

Vince was quiet for a short while. “What do you think it meant?” His tone had grown intent.

Caught off guard by his seriousness, Angie forced a chuckle. “I don’t know that it means anything. I just thought it was strange. No reason to read into it—”     

“I need to tell you something,” Vince said, taking a long pause as he seemed to collect his thoughts. “I had just started seeing someone before you came to visit — a girl I knew through some friends at college. I’d only taken her out on one date, but I really liked her. Or at least, I thought I did at the time.” He paused. “She wouldn’t have been good for me...I know that. I guess I’d just gotten so numb and lonely, I forgot what actually matters.” 

Angie’s stomach clenched and she braced herself mentally, unsure of where he was going with his confession. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I can’t look at her the same anymore. I haven’t been looking at any girls the way I used to.” He gave a faint laugh. “I was trying to explain this to Grady today, and he thought there must be something wrong with me. But I don’t think that’s it. I think there’s finally something -right- with me.” 

“You’re not going to see her again?” Angie asked, dwelling on Vince’s assertion.

“No.”

“Because of me?” Angie knew she should be flattered, but part of her was still clung to guilt.

“Yes.” Vince’s voice took on a serene quality. “I told you, I’m not the same person anymore. I’ve been seeing things differently. I’ve even been seeing God differently. It’s like I was looking at everything through the end of a cardboard tube, and you came up and knocked it out of my hand.”

“I’m...sorry?”

Well, I never claimed to be subtle.

“No, I’m glad.” His tone was tinged with humor. “It was a stupid tube, anyway.” With a pause he seemed to sober. “Can I ask you to do something for me?”

“What is it?” 

“I’ve been thinking...if we’re going to keep talking like this, we should just spare ourselves a lot of trouble and misunderstanding,” Vince began. “I wanted to know if you’d agree to an absolute honesty policy between us.”

Angie considered for a short while. “How would that be different? I haven’t been keeping anything from you.”

“I know,” Vince said. “I just think it could help both of us, since we only have our voices to go by. I need to know you’ll tell me what you’re thinking and when you’re upset, since I can’t see your eyes.”

“Okay, I’ll try.” Suspecting his request was a prelude to something, she eased herself down to sit on the steps of the back deck. “You should have noticed by now—I don’t usually have trouble speaking my mind.”

“Yeah, I’m counting on that.” She heard a smile in his voice before he took a breath. “You know how I feel about you. That hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s gotten stronger,” he said. “But I don’t know how you feel about me. Before I buy a plane ticket, I’d like to know where we stand.”

Angie felt her pulse quicken as she sorted through a jumble of thoughts. “That’s fair. It’s just… a little hard to explain.” She stalled. “I’ve never been able to talk with any of my friends the way I can with you. And I think I understand what you were saying—about seeing things differently. I haven’t been looking at guys the same way, either. I honestly don’t know what that means,” she said, feeling the sudden need to try one more time to dissuade him. “Is there some way I can convince you this isn’t worth it?”

“Nothing short of telling me to go away.” Hopeful humor carried in his tone.

Angie smiled, feeling her cautious heart swell over his determination. Before she could order her thoughts any further, the floodlight behind her switched on. Squinting, she looked over her shoulder as the back door swung open and a silhouette filled her vision.

“You’re still on the phone?” Scott’s lowered voice came tinged with agitation.

“Hang on a minute.” Angie murmured into the receiver before pressing it to the inside of her shoulder. She stood and turned to face her host. “Yeah, I’m sorry. Did your mom need to use it?”

“She just went to bed,” he said, lifting his chin. “You talkin’ to that Alabama guy again?”

“Vince.”

“Right, whatever.” Scott crossed his arms.

As Angie’s eyes adjusted to the glare of the overhead light, she made out the disdain in his face. Defensive anger coursed through her and she tightened her grip on the phone. “What’s the matter with you?”

“Nothing,” Scott said, brushing past her. He cleared the deck steps in a short leap and began striding through the back yard.

“Where are you going?” Angie called out.

“For a walk!” he barked. “I need a cigarette.”

She lifted the phone to her cheek, sighing. “I need to go. I think Scott’s throwing a tantrum, and it’s my fault.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Vince said. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t trust him, and I don’t want you getting hurt—”

“The only person that’s hurt is him,” she assured, crossing the deck and stepping through the door that had been left standing open. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Vincent.”

“Goodnight, Angel.”

“Goodnight.”

She set the phone on the kitchen counter before bolting back out the door. With any luck, she could catch up to Scott before he did something stupid.

Angie trailed Scott for several blocks through his darkened neighborhood. He looked back at her only once, making no attempt at conversation as he avoided sidewalks and skulked along fences. She hung back several paces, deciding it was best to give him his space. Eventually they cut through a hedge line and came out behind a convenience store. There, she waited outside until Scott emerged with a pack of cigarettes. She stood by in silence as he settled cross-legged in a patch of grass, lighting the first stick.

“So that Vince guy...is he in love with you too?” Scott spoke up at last, his tone flat.

“He seems to think so.” Angie answered, matter-of-fact. She glanced at his profile to gauge his reaction, but he didn’t appear to have one. He took a series of long drags, releasing the smoke through his nose and parted lips.

“And—?”

“And, what?”

Scott turned his face toward her, apathy replaced by a haggard expression. “How do you feel about him?”

“I’m not sure,” Angie answered, sinking down into the grass nearby.
And that’s the truth.
“I care about him, and he’s treated me well. I’m just…confused. Nothing new there.”

“Huh.” Scott snorted. He turned the cigarette around and offered it out to her.

“You know I don’t smoke.” She shook her head, drawing her knees up close to her chest.  

“He’s doing what I wanted to do the whole time you were gone.” Scott took another series of long pulls, flicking the ashes off to one side. “I wanted to call you, but I didn’t. Because you told me not to, and I -respected- that. I thought you were right about feelings wearing off and everything, but as soon as I saw you again—” His strong features crumpled in a tortured look. “—it all came back.”

“I’m sorry, Scott.” Angie looked away, the cold fingers of remorse squeezing at her chest. “I shouldn’t have come here. I wanted us to still be friends. I just didn’t realize what that would do to you.”

“We can be friends!” Scott insisted, shaking another cigarette out of the pack. He pressed the glowing stump of the first stick to the end of the new one until it began to smolder. “We have to at least be friends. I can’t completely lose you.”

Angie grew increasingly distressed at his misery. “Obviously, I’m not doing you any good right now. I’ll leave in the morning—” 

“No,” he snapped. “Everything’s already set for the trip. I want to be there to look out for you. I should have been there the first time you left.” He inhaled and held the smoke-laden breath, his stormy gaze flashing her way with renewed fervor. “I didn’t tell you before, but I did like you said while you were in New York. I talked to God about you—even asked his permission to be with you. I thought it couldn’t hurt, you know? I didn’t expect an answer. But, I sorta got one—”

“What do you mean?” Angie studied Scott’s face, wondering why he was pulling the faith card. She couldn’t be sure, but he seemed too uneasy to be making it up.

“I’m not crazy—it wasn’t like I heard voices or something,” Scott said, without looking away. “I just got this question in my head out of nowhere. It was asking if I’d take care of you, protect you, and stay with you no matter what. I said I would—” The sharp edge to his voice eased as he hesitated. “And all I got back was: ‘we’ll see.’” 

Convinced that he at least believed what he was saying, Angie was quiet for a time while she considered. “We’ll see?”

Now that’s cryptic.

Scott shrugged. “That’s the impression I got in my head. Not that it helped.” He puffed away as he took to staring out at the hedge line. “I can’t change how I feel. I’ve tried. I guess it’s true what they say... you can’t control what the heart wants.”

“Maybe not,” Angie said, with some reluctance. “But you can control your actions.” She gestured to the pack of cigarettes beside him. 

Scott blew streams of smoke from his nose in a dull laugh. “This is my last pack. Once it’s gone, I’m done.” He used a pinky finger to draw an invisible X along the left side of his chest. “Cross my heart, and hope to commit Seppuku.”

She frowned. “Don’t you think promising ritual suicide is a little melodramatic?”

“So I’m feeling a little dramatic right now.” He scowled. “The girl I love doesn’t love me back. I think I’m allowed.”

“And what do you know about love, Scott?” Angie demanded. Her eyes stung from an acerbic blending of anger and regret. 

“I know you make me happy.” His voice thickened with frustration. “I know I’ve never felt as good as I do when I’m with you. And I know I could take care of you, if you let me.”

“I don’t think that’s enough.” The thought struck Angie with force, and so she wasn’t surprised when it came out of her mouth in the same instant.

“Then what -is- enough for you?”

“I don’t know.” She turned her face away to hide the tears she couldn’t hold back any longer. “I’ve been wondering that myself.”

“For somebody who knows a lot, you don’t seem to know anything important.” Scott muttered and then frowned. “Sorry. That didn’t come out right.”

Angie heard a dry chuckle escape her. “No, you’re right. At least we can agree on something.” 

July 30
,

I had my chance to suck up to Scott’s mother last night. I made us dinner; grilled chicken over angel hair pasta. Fortunately, she really seemed to like it. I think I may have worked my way into her good graces at last. Now if only I could stay there.