Streamline (32 page)

“Sit down, Leo,” Mrs. Scott ordered. “You just got out of the hospital, for heaven’s sake. This is between Audrey and me, and there will be consequences.”

“You’re not my mother!”

The words were out of her mouth before she knew it, and Audrey blinked up at Mrs. Scott, not sure what to expect in return.

Leo’s mother exhaled. “You’re right. I’m not. I’ll call your mother tomorrow to discuss this situation. Right now I want you to go to your room and stay there till you leave for school. No talking to Leo, no TV, no phone. After school, come directly home, and we’ll discuss this. Do you understand?”

Audrey sniffed. “Yes.” She turned and headed to the stairs.

“Audrey! I need to talk to you.”

“That will have to wait,” his mother said.

Leo sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”

A few hours later, Audrey made sure the house was silent before she tiptoed downstairs. She filled a glass at the kitchen sink, trying to moisten her cotton mouth.

“Is that you, Audrey Absolut?” whispered a voice in the dark.

Creeping into the family room, she found Leo’s eyes in the moonlight.

“Or is it Absolut Audrey, like the ad?” he added.

She wanted to rush into his arms, but held back, remembering his cruel words. “So what’d you need to tell me?”

“Lo siento. Soy un idiota.”

“Yes, you are.” She inched closer.

“I said that awful thing about your dad…and after talking to him, I want to take it back. Will you please forgive me?” Audrey charged forward and climbed into Leo’s arms. He smoothed his hand in circles on her back, and she melted into him.

Her head on his shoulder, she whispered, “Sometimes I worry my dad really
is
guilty.”

“Don’t say that. He needs you to stand by him.”

“How was it? What’d he say to you?”

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be, but I had to promise not to knock you up again.” She pulled back from their hug to see him grin. “He performed a sexectomy.”

“Oh God, Leo. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” His smile faded. “Well, I’m sorry my mom was so mean to you.”

“She hates me now.”

“No, she doesn’t. She’s just mad. And it could have been worse. The worst part of my father’s punishments was missing all that swimming.”

“Leo? Your dad won’t come here, like he did that one night?”

“I don’t know.” He drew her head back to his shoulder and ran his fingers through her hair. “Just think. In seven months, we could’ve been parents.”

“That’s too wild to even consider.” She sniffed. “I’m sorry I lost the baby.”

“Shhh.” He stroked her back. “It wasn’t the right time for us. But it’ll be different in the future, okay?” Her eyelids drooped. “Audrey Absolut.” She snorted, then shook her head. “I think Audrey Scott sounds much better.” Leo squeezed her tighter. “That’d make me the happiest guy on earth. But are you sure you want that angry woman upstairs to be your mother-in-law?”

The mattress sunk down next to her, and Audrey heard Mrs. Scott’s voice. “Time to wake up.” She felt Leo’s mother tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

She groaned and rolled away.

“Your hair’s so pretty, spilling over the pillow like that.” Mrs. Scott sighed. “With two sons, I never got to buy dresses or tie up long hair in bows.”

“And then Leo goes and shaves his head for swimming,” Audrey murmured. When she heard his mother chuckle, she forced one eye open and felt a pounding headache set in. “What time is it?”

“Six.” Mrs. Scott smoothed a hand over her hair. “How’d you sleep?”

“Not great.”

“You look like one of the plebes I used to teach: tired and washed out.”

Audrey groaned as she sat up. “Am I in trouble?” Mrs. Scott frowned. “Yes. I’ll speak to your mother later.” Audrey turned away, blushing furiously.

“So thankfully you didn’t drive home last night. Where’d you leave your car?”

“Um, Alex’s house?” Audrey massaged one temple.

“That’s what I figured. I wanted to wake you early so you had enough time to retrieve it before school.” Audrey still felt fuzzy. “What do you mean,
retrieve
it?”

“You’ll walk to Alex’s house, drive your car home, then give me the keys.”

“You’re taking my car keys?”

“Yes.”

“How will I get to school? How will I get home from swim practice?”

“Jason’s taking Leo to school — maybe you can catch a ride. And I don’t think swim practice is a good idea today.” Audrey felt her lip tremble.

“I know how important swimming is to you. But I’m concerned about you getting drunk, Audrey. I just want time to sort this out with you after school, after I get a chance to speak to your mother.” Sniffing, Audrey nodded.

Mrs. Scott tilted her head. “So, you spoke to Leo last night?” Tears began welling up. “I’m sorry. I just needed to talk to him. He said something awful, and it really hurt my feelings…”

“I should’ve known better than to try to keep you two apart.” Mrs. Scott scooped Audrey into a hug.

Surprised, Audrey cried harder. It felt so good, so comforting, to lean into her shoulder. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed her parents.

“There, there,” Mrs. Scott murmured, patting her back. “You’ve had some really tough times, honey. Is that why you got drunk?

Because you were upset about something Leo said?” Audrey pulled back and gave a slight nod.

“That concerns me,” Mrs. Scott said. “If you’re upset, drinking’s not a good idea. I want you to talk to your friends, or your parents, or even me when you’re upset.”

“I usually talk to Leo, but I didn’t think he’d speak to me after he was such a jerk…”

“Do you know how much he loves you?” Leo’s mom’s crystal blue eyes were just as intense as his. “He told me you’re the best thing that ever happened to him.”

“He did?”

“He did. Now, I’m going to help him get ready for school, and I want you to go get your car.”

“Okay.”

Audrey yanked on clothes and trudged the two miles to Alex’s house, her head throbbing more with each step.

When she pulled her purple car into the driveway, Audrey pressed a longing kiss onto the dashboard. Her father had made a point to buy a car in school colors. She had a feeling she wouldn’t be driving her baby again anytime soon.

Another vehicle pulled up behind her. Audrey held her breath as she watched Jason and Cameron step out. She hadn’t seen Cameron since her father’s court martial.

Taking a deep breath, Audrey pushed open her car door and turned to face them.

“Hey, Audrey,” Jason said. “I’m picking up Leo, but if you need to leave before us I’ll move my car.”

“That’s okay. I won’t be driving.” She bit her lip. “Your mom’s taking away my keys.”

“Whoa.” Jason stifled a laugh.

“Audrey?” Cameron smiled and stepped closer.

She was startled as Cameron embraced her.

“I’m sorry for everything you’ve gone through,” she whispered.

Audrey felt tears coming yet again. Did Cameron know about the miscarriage? How could Bill Walsh’s daughter want to hug Denny Rose’s daughter?

Cameron pulled away, and Audrey stood frozen in place. She couldn’t even cry, she was so confused.

“We’ll give you a ride to school too,” Jason said, ending the awkward silence. “C’mon, let’s go get the cripple.” Audrey allowed herself to be guided by Jason’s hold on her shoulder. Once inside, she climbed the stairs to collect her backpack.

Jason assisted his hopping brother to the car and placed Audrey’s backpack next to the collapsible wheelchair in the trunk. Audrey joined Leo in the back seat.

“I figured I’d give Cam a ride too. She’s student teaching today,” Jason explained. He glanced at the backseat via the rear-view mirror.

“So you were out late last night, huh, Audrey?” She blushed, and Leo answered for her. “That’s Audrey Absolut to you, Jase.”

“You’ll never let me forget this.”

“Audrey Absolut — it’s got a certain ring to it.” Jason smiled. They stopped at a red light. “You’re a drinker?” She sighed. “That’s only the second time I’ve had alcohol in my life.”

Leo’s eyebrows arched. “When was the first time?”

“My recruiting trip to Northwestern. It was fun…We should drink together sometime.”

Jason cleared his throat. “I just celebrated my fifty-seventh day of sobriety.”

“That’s great, Jase,” Leo said.

“But I’m still an alcoholic.”

“What’s your point?” Leo asked.

“My point’s that you might want to think twice about getting wasted together. I thought I was just drinking with friends, blowing off steam, having fun, until suddenly it wasn’t fun anymore. It was an addiction.”

Audrey’s eye-roll halted when she met Jason’s gaze in the rear-view mirror. “I know you guys won’t listen to me,” he said. “I know you think I’m a party pooper, but isn’t your dad an alcoholic, Audrey?” She said nothing, so Jason forged on. “Well, alcoholism runs in families. It’s just something to think about.” Audrey looked out the window, watching strip malls and palm trees pass as the city began stirring in the morning sunshine. She studied Cameron’s profile, her long brown hair carefully brushed and perfectly in place. She hadn’t said one word during the car ride.

“You must hate my family,” Audrey murmured.

“What?” Leo and Jason asked in unison.

Cameron turned to look at her. “I don’t. I don’t hate your family, because I don’t…I don’t think your father’s guilty.”

“You don’t?” Audrey asked, incredulous. “Why not?” Cameron looked at Jason, who nodded as he pulled the car into the school parking lot. She took a deep breath and unbuckled her seatbelt, turning to face the backseat. “Can I tell you guys something and you promise to keep it secret?”

Audrey nodded.

“Your dad helped me out of a really bad spot once, Audrey. He was enormously kind to me. My dad found out about it, and that made them even better friends. I know your dad could never have hurt my dad.”

Audrey absorbed this information. “He did something nice for you? I didn’t realize you knew each other.”

“Your dad was at meets a lot when I was the swim team manager,” Cameron said. “But you’re right. I didn’t know your dad very well.

I was desperate one night, and I turned to him for help. You see, I was…I was pregnant.”

Audrey was speechless.

“I was the father,” Jason said, turning to look at Leo. “And I’d just left town without a way for Cam to get in touch with me.” Cameron seemed very focused on trying not to cry.

“Did you miscarry too?” Audrey asked.

“No,” Cameron said softly. “Your dad helped me pay for an abortion.”

Jason reached across the seat to squeeze Cameron’s hand.

“At first my dad was furious with your dad,” Cameron continued, her voice shaking. “But he finally understood that your dad truly helped me. My dad said if you were ever in need of help, he hoped to be there just like your dad was there for me. But my dad couldn’t help you when you needed it, Audrey. He wasn’t here. That’s not your fault, and I’m convinced it’s not your dad’s fault either.” Audrey nodded, overwhelmed.

“I hate to cut this short,” Jason said, checking his watch. “But we gotta get you two inside before the first bell. Mom will be mad if you’re late your first day back to school, Leo.”

Audrey felt unsteady as she climbed out of the car. Jason unfolded the wheelchair and helped Leo into it. Audrey watched Leo steel himself before entering the school.

Jason squeezed his shoulder. “You’re not alone in this, buddy.” Audrey now knew she wasn’t alone either.

Gripping the wheelchair handles, Jason maneuvered through a sea of sleepy, very young-looking students. He wished he could shield Leo from their gaping stares and whispered conversations. But he didn’t seem able to protect Leo from much of anything — never had been. Lost in thought, Jason rolled Leo down the hallway, barely aware of where he was going.

“You didn’t rat me out,” Jason finally said.

“Huh?” Leo looked up at his brother.

“That time I threw the basketball at you, when I was twelve. You didn’t go home and tattle on me to Dad.”

“I knew what he’d do to you.”

“CS never put me in a wheelchair, though.” Leo shrugged. “If you’d stayed in town, it probably would’ve happened to you first.”