Saving Georgia (14 page)

“Because it’s the only thing that I can offer my husband; it’s the one thing that I can give back.” I look at him sullenly.

“That’s exactly my point. It’s something a husband and wife can give to each other that they can chose not to give to anyone else. But Georgia, you can and will give your husband so much more than just your virginity. You’re crazy smart, and sweet, and gentle…” Shane whispers, placing soft kisses against my collarbone and neck, “and beautiful, amazing, fun, talented.”

“Shane…” I started to rebuttal, and almost cry. That was the sweetest thing he has ever said to me.

“Sweetheart, shhh” Shane hushes me, caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. “Just be happy. Now, come here.” He stands up and pulling me with him. He places my hand on his perfect chest. “I just want you to know how I feel, and I think it’s pretty obvious. I’m going to fight for you until there is nothing left in me. I want you to pick me. Georgia, what you’re feeling under this hand,” he is putting pressure on my hand that’s resting on his chest, “this is home. This is where you belong.”

“Please don’t pressure me Shane.” I beg him, and I can’t look him in the eye.

“I’m not going to. But I’ll be damned if I’ll let you slip away. Jason can’t give you things that I can.” He is lifting my face with his finger. “And I promise you I’ll make you happy, and I can make you laugh, you know that’s true. And I promise I’ll even make you mad, but I swear that this is the best thing for you and I’ll protect you with everything I got.”

“I know you will.” I am looking deep into his eyes for the first time and I do feel whole and like I am home, and that scares me so much that right now I just want to run. I feel something put into my hand.

“Here you go.” He smiles, and points to Elsie. “She is fixed. She is whole again. Please be safe OK?” Shane sighs, stepping aside. I pick up my school work and put it in the car. I look at Shane and I can’t take my eyes off him.

“I’ll be careful.” I said, and I close the car door and drove to the house that I call my home.

Today Jenn and I are going to go dress shopping with Mrs. Hyde after school. I got to admit I am kind of excited. If we finish early, there’s a fair in town that Jenn and I want to go to. The past few days my affections for Shane grew deeper, and my ache for Jason stayed just as strong. Jason even walked me to my classes a few times, and sat with me at lunch. Granted neither of us ate much, but Prom is in a few days so I guess it’s a good thing. Turmoil has been in my heart, and I can feel it growing down to my belly. Things are not the same, it’s not as simple, and I am learning to live with that. However, either route seems finite. College is only a few short months away, and no matter what, things would end. I need to stop thinking about things, and just find a way to be happy, or at the very least keep them happy.

As the last bell rang I sauntered my way to the student parking lot and I found Jenn waiting not-so-patiently at my car.

“Georgy, we got to go get mom! I have to see if that dress is still at Belk’s!” Jenn says, flailing her arms in the air so dramatically.

“Keep your pants on, I’m coming.” I scoff back. She can be so juvenile sometimes, but as much as she may get under my skin there isn’t anything on this world that I wouldn’t do for that crazy chick.

“Come on!” She urges, jumping up and down like a dog that’s been holding it’s bladder too long, wanting to get out.

Sighing heavily, I gave her a crooked smile from under my breath. I rolled my eyes melodramatically, laughing as I opened the car door. She hopped in with such a quickness and clapped her hands repeatedly telling me to get a move on it. I thrust the car into drive and sped on down to the Hyde’s property. Once we reached the house, she was already sitting outside waiting for us. We got out the car and Jenn just walked right up to Mrs. Hyde’s car waiting to be let in.

“
Mom
” she complained, tapping her foot impatiently.

“She’s been a bit antsy” I explain, shrugging my shoulders,giving Mrs. Hyde the ‘I know she has been bugging me too, I am so sorry’ look.

“Don’t you want to come in and get something to eat or drink, Jennifer?” Mrs. Hyde asked sweetly as she was standing up.

“No. We have to go! I need to see if that dress is still there!” Jenn huffs and puffs. Whatever this dress is – it better damn well be worth it! I have never seen her act this way. It’s entertaining but also slightly impossible to deal with.

Without another word, Mrs. Hyde brushed off her pants and made way to her SUV. She climbed on in, and I took seat behind Jenn, who rode shotgun. We made our little trip to Raleigh, back to Crabtree Valley Mall. Jenn made a beeline for Belks. I think Mrs. Hyde and I actually lost sight of her. The back rack was stuffed with dresses, and once we caught up there was still no telling where that girl went. I tried to see if I could see her, but there so many other girls around that it was near impossible.

“Mama Hyde, I’m just going to look around. If I find anything I’ll come find you.” I smile, giving her a wink.

I made my way around the racks, and I found a few dresses that were my size and not too over the top. I picked a few out in various shades of blues, black and pinks. There was this one dress in the back against the wall that looked nice, and it was a lavender shade. I tossed that into the pile I’m holding above my head. I made a quick look around to see if I could find Mrs. Hyde but she was nowhere to be found. Sighing, I made my way to the fitting room. Once I was inside, I hung the dresses up and began to undo my top when I heard a familiar voice shriek. Quickly I opened the door and peeked my head outside of the changing room. I see Jenn running at full force with a dress flailing above her head. It was such a vast and quick movement that I couldn’t even see what color the dress was. Mrs. Hyde was easy to spot behind her because she bowed her head down in embarrassment so low I thought she could lick the floor. But, when I really stopped to look at her I could see nothing but smiles creeping out from her thin, beautifully pigmented lips. Before I could put two and two together, Jenn comes barreling into the dressing room with me. Mrs. Hyde was a little more respectable about my privacy and waited outside.

“Don’t you want to try on more than just one dress?” I ask Jenn.

“Nope, this is the one.” She beams. I could tell in her eyes that her mind was made up, her heart was set on this dress and there was no way anyone could talk her out of it.

“OK then. Well, put it on and help me decide.” I smirk slinking off my blouse and shimming off my shorts.

First I grabbed the pink one and slinked it on. Jenn put hers aside and I still hadn’t gotten a good, full look at it. The pale pink dress had spaghetti straps, and was an A-line dress. It hugged me nicely, and went beautifully with my skin tone. I liked it overall, but I wanted to see what the rest looked like. Jenn furrowed her brows and asked me to spin around. She didn’t seem as enthused as I was. I pranced around for Mrs. Hyde outside the dressing room and she seemed to like it. Quickly I went back in and tried on the black one.

The black dress was backless and was also an A-Line but it had a halter-type top to it. It clasped around my neck and Jenn quickly decided against it.

“It just doesn’t scream ‘Georgia’.” She said. I think it’s because it was along the same color palette as hers.

Next went the blue dresses. I slinked on three in various shades; a teal, a turquoise and a pastel. Princess sleeves, sweetheart necklines, and a backless. There was embroidery and rhinestones and lace, tulle and satin. Jenn wasn’t any more impressed with any of them as the others. I was starting to get discouraged. Finally the last dress on the rack in the dressing room was the purple one, I hesitatingly put it on.

It slinked on so easy, and it was this lilac and silver hues that at some points dipped into a deep purple. The top was crusted in sequins and it faded out down to the skirt of the dress. The dress had a sweetheart neckline and was also an A-line. There was tulle on the skirt that over lies on the satin. I turned around and Jenn’s mouth popped open a bit and curled into a smile. Her eyes brightened up and got real big. I guess I have finally found the one! I went and pranced around for Mrs. Hyde while Jenn got her dress on. I swirled around and lifted the tulle up and dance around barefoot in the changing salon. Mrs. Hyde laughed and smiled with a gentle sparkle in her eye. I felt elated and relieved. As I spun around Jenn opened the door and I swear I felt my jaw on the floor.

The dress was a tan satin with intricate black embroidery on the bodice of the dress. The top of her sweetheart neckline was crusted with a delicate lace. The dress had a black satin bow that hung low in the back, which has a corset line going up the bodice which will cinch’s Jenn’s figure beautifully. The skirt fills out only a little and has light or faint black tulle with tons of glitter than sparkles in the light, on top of the tan satin. Right under the bust on the bodice is a black band that is ever so slightly ruffled. She was breathtaking.

“Oh my word,” I whispered under my breath.

“Do you love it?” Jenn asks, sashaying over to me.

“I definitely do” I sigh, trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. It matches beautifully with her skin tone and chestnut brown hair.

Mrs. Hyde clasped her hands looking up at the two of us, standing side by side. I think I see a slight glistening in her eyes, but the smile is what really got my attention. I grabbed my best friend’s hand and we both smiled back at her.

“My beautiful girls,” Mrs. Hyde says, standing up and walking over to us embracing us in a big hug.

“Oh mom,” Jenn says, smiling sweetly at her mother.

“You both look so wonderful.” Mrs. Hyde says, releasing us and taking a step back.

“Thank you.” I smile, sheepishly.

I headed back to the changing room and let Jenn twirl around and bask in the adoration of her doting mother. It’s hard for me to admit, but my heart broke a little bit watching them and their love, knowing that my own mother cannot be present for this moment. Sullen from my memories and lack of maternal comfort, I shimmied out of the dress and laid it back on the hanger. I put my shorts and top back on, and made my way back out into the parlor. Jenn hurriedly ran back into the changing room herself. I was making my way over to the register when Mrs. Hyde stopped me.

“What are you doing?” She asks me.

“What do you mean?” I blink, putting the dress on the register.

“No daughter of mine is paying for her own Prom dress.” Mrs. Hyde accosts me, but with a sweet smile. Firmly she places her hands on her hips and tells the sales lady to hold off; we’re not done shopping yet. “You didn’t even find shoes yet.” Mrs. Hyde says, pointing a dainty finger at me. My jaw just drops and I am humbled by the Hyde’s generosity yet once again.

Jenn comes bouncing down the sales floor and hands her dress off to the sales lady.

“I heard someone say shoes!” Jenn squeals, linking her arm into mine and pulls me off into the shoe department. We spend about another 45 minutes there, looking for shoes until we finally found the right pair for both of us. Since Jenn is gloriously tall she went with a kitten heel. I opted for a silver stiletto. Jenn also got some black, satin elbow length gloves and then we went into accessories. Once we were finally done, Mrs. Hyde paid for it all, no matter how long or hard I objected. I admitted defeat, again humbled and we went on our merry way. I was starting to get excited!

Once we were on the way back home, Jenn and Mrs. Hyde were talking about Prom and makeup and hair; all that fun girly stuff. Suddenly my pocket chirps and I got a text message.

Thinking of you…

Jason

I smiled, giggling softly to myself, as my thumbs deftly responding to his text.

What about me? :)

I hit send, softly touching my lips with the pads of my fingertips, hiding my own secret smile. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I was anxious to get a response from him. Soon my phone chirped again.

I was thinking of your beautiful face, and your smile. I want to hear you laugh. Meet me tonight. Please?

Jason

My secret smile turned into a full on grin. I swiftly responded.

OK! Meet me at the fair? Under the Ferris Wheel. 8:30

G

It wasn’t two seconds later that Jason responded over enthusiastically. I have a date with Jason Grimes and I am over the moon. It’s been awhile since we have gotten to spend a lot of quality time together and I am hoping that we can have a little romantic rendezvous; nothing overtly sexual obviously, but something mildly hot ‘n heavy and maybe some great conversation would be nice.

Once we got back to the house, we put our bags in our rooms. I quickly went through some of my outfits and found a nice summer dress to wear. I wanted to look nice for Jason. I was hoping we could talk and really try to get to know each other a bit better.

I tied my loose and crazy curls into a bun on the top of my head, and slapped on some lip-gloss. I quickly threw on some eyeliner and mascara and took a step back to look in the mirror. I felt pretty, and maybe even attractive. I want to look like I belong on Jason’s arm, and not get the looks like ‘he is with
her
?’ that I have grown accustomed to at school.

I found some wedges to complete the look with some dangling earrings. I grabbed a clutch and made my way into Jenn’s room.

“Do I have your seal of approval?” I ask her, spinning around.

“Gosh, yes! You look hot, Georgy!” Jenn springs up from her bed. She threw her cell down and spun me around to get a good once over. “Where are you going? Got a date with Shane?”

“Nuh huh. Jason.” I said, smiling.

“Oh! But, wait!” Jenn squeals, tilting her head to the side and pouting. “What about the fair?”

“I’m going to meet him there. Double?” I smile, pointing to her recently tossed cell on her bed.

“Yes!”, her eyes lighting up like the fourth of July. She expeditiously grabs her cell phone and squeals “Nick! Can you meet me at the fair? …. I know it was going to be a girl’s thing but now it turned into a double date… Yes Georgia…” Her eyes suddenly dart back to my face. “No… Jason Grimes… Yes really…. See you soon!”

“OK, what was that about?” I put my hands on my hips, giving Jenn a slight smile.

“Nothing, he is going to meet us. He just thought you were Shane’s girlfriend is all.” Jenn says hurriedly, probably so I wouldn’t catch it.

“Huh.” I sputter under my breath, but refusing to acknowledge the remark I usher her out the door. We made it down to my car in no time. Elsie has been running like a champ since Shane fixed her. I bit my lip, and smiled thinking of that day in Shane’s garage. It is a delicious memory.

We stopped off to grab a quick sandwich on the way to the fairgrounds in Johnston County. We pulled up to the abandoned old farm lands that was now used to house fairs and the sort. The sun went down about a half hour ago and it still was warm outside. We waited for Nick to meet up with Jenn and we started to walk around. I quickly glanced down at my phone and found the time. I had ten minutes to be at the Ferris Wheel. I grabbed Jenn’s arm and told her that I was off to find Jason. I made my way around the fair and found the bright lights of the ride up in the beautiful Carolina night sky. I checked my makeup to make sure I was still presentable. I felt like I had a million eyes on me at once. Butterflies were fluttering in my mid-section, and I put a hand on my belly to calm them down. The smell of deep fried foods, cotton candy and popcorn filled the air. Laughter was the noise that surrounded me. There were a ton of people out here tonight, and I hoped that I could find Jason.