A Girl Named Summer (16 page)

“But who trapped you? Answer me that?”

“Grandpa, you sound like I’m doing something illegal. It’s no big deal. You just don’t understand. And I’m the one who got myself trapped into this.”

“Exactly. You might not be doing anything against the law, but you certainly weren’t very truthful, were you?”

“No.” She gave up trying to make him understand. He did have a valid point, though.

She soaked a long while in the scented bubble bath before she dressed for Regina’s party. She forced the cobweb of excuses from her mind. Her grandfather was right. Since meeting David, Summer had done nothing but lie. And that first little half-truth, that lie, like a tiny snowball on its trek down a steep mountain, had gathered force and grown awesome in size, until it threatened to do terrible damage. Summer had become trapped in one deception after another, and each little white lie had grown just as immense as the innocent snowball. It was time for her to stop. The lies were becoming too easy, and the idea that she would someday be unable to tell the difference, to distinguish truth from deceit, frightened her. Besides, trying to
remember what story she had told required stamina. Most of all, even though she had been able to squeeze through one situation after another, she didn’t feel very happy about it—or herself.

If the arrangement hadn’t already been made with Gregg, Summer decided, she would have just gone to Regina’s party alone. So what if Ann gloated. Ann was Ann, and the sooner Summer recognized that fact, the better. But Gregg had already broken his date with Amy to go with her, so Summer would have to go through this one last deception. Tonight would be the last time she would trap herself. No more lies!

When she finished with her bath, she felt just as clean on the inside as she did on the outside, for she had resolved to be herself. All those silly deceptions—they were just walls she had built so that people couldn’t get a glimpse of the real her. If she acted like someone else or told stories about herself that weren’t true, then the rejections could always be excused. “Guess I am growing wise in my old age,” she told Michael. He was sitting on her bed, scratching, while Summer blew her hair dry.

“You look pretty,” Michael praised.

“Thank you, Michael,” she replied. She twirled in front of the mirror and smiled.

Chapter
17

S
he was combing her hair again when her grandfather’s voice called. “Summer? Your escort is here.”

Gregg looked a little embarrassed. He wasn’t even dressed up. Just wearing a pair of clean jeans and an Ohio University sweatshirt, but his hair was combed. That ought to count for something, she concluded.

“I hate to ask,” Gregg said immediately, “but do you have the ten dollars?”

“Better,” Summer replied. “I’ve got the entire amount.”

“That’s great,” Gregg said. “And that entitles you to the full treatment.”

“What does that mean?”

“I won’t leave your side. I promise. Look Summer, I’m kind of…Well, I’m a little embarrassed to take your money.”

“In that case…” She reached to take back the money, but Gregg quickly snatched his hand away.

“Not that embarrassed,” he qualified. “But don’t worry. You’ll get your money’s worth, kid.”

The one bright spot in an otherwise horrible evening was Regina. It was, without a doubt, her finest hour! She was absolutely gorgeous. The boys were divided into two camps. Ann had her following, and Regina was surrounded by the others. Best of all, several of the faithful-to-Ann boys deserted her in favor of Regina’s ready smile.

Summer was proud of herself. She wasn’t jealous at all. Her friendship overruled such a reaction—Regina deserved to be the belle of the ball, as her grandfather would say. And she really did look beautiful. The most amazing thing was that her tall friend was standing straight. Her slouching seemed to be a thing of the past.

Summer stayed as far away from David and Ann as she could. It would be difficult to keep the pain of David’s abandonment from showing in her eyes. At one point, Ann was on her way toward Summer when Regina “accidentally” nudged Carl Benson into the pool. The timing was superb, and Ann forgot all about Summer.

Regina had her little streak of revenge. Summer had no doubt that the little push was her way of getting even for Carl’s past deception.

“Shame on you, Regina,” Summer said with a sparkle in her eyes. “That wasn’t very nice.”

“But it was an accident,” she replied. “A splendid accident.” Both girls giggled hysterically.

“Remember who you’re talking to, Regina. And I have a new rule, one you should adopt. No more lies. No matter how insignificant.”

“You’re kidding?” Regina seemed astonished.

“No, I mean it. From now on I tell the truth.”

“Won’t that be boring?”

“Boring? Telling the truth will be refreshing. Lies get too confusing.”

“Bet you can’t do it,” Regina challenged.

“Bet you can’t,” Summer responded.

“Oh, yeah? I can do anything you can do.”

“Starting when?”

“Right now. By the way,” Regina said, “David was looking for you a few minutes ago. He doesn’t seem all that interested in Ann.”

“I don’t know how you can say that. She’s always hanging on him.”

“Exactly my point. Have you ever seen David hanging on her?”

“You’re just being technical, Regina. He must like it, or he wouldn’t keep going out with her.”

“Maybe she’s always asking him. Ever think of that angle?”

“No way. You’re just grasping at straws,” Summer said pessimistically.

“Here comes Luke. Doesn’t he look fantastic?” Regina sighed.

“Yes, he does,” Summer replied. “I’ll fade into the
crowd so you can be alone with him for a few minutes.”

“David really did ask me about you,” Regina called softly. “Go and see what he wants.”

Telling David that Regina had said he wanted to see her would be a good excuse to talk to him, Summer decided. She thought she saw Ann go into the house, alone, so she hurried to find David. She would talk to him about the race, and then her grandfather’s latest project and what he was going to do with his bingo money. She felt very confident.

When she spotted David, the confidence, like a balloon, burst. He wasn’t alone. Ann was with him, her arms wrapped around his neck—and they were kissing!

Summer turned and started back toward the crowd. But she couldn’t help taking one more peek, and her gaze clashed with David’s. Did time stop? They glanced at each other for the barest of seconds, yet it seemed an eternity. Did he see the hurt in her eyes? Summer hoped not.

Marching back toward the group, she muttered to herself, “A lost cause.”

Waterlogged Carl Benson heard her. “You lost something?” he asked.

“No.” For a fleeting second she considered pushing Carl back into the pool, but quickly squelched that uncharitable thought. “Want to dance?” she asked, feeling sorry for the dripping mass in front of her.

“Sure, if you don’t mind getting a little wet,” Carl replied.

They danced to a slow song, one of Summer’s favorites, but the melody was ruined by the persistent squish of Carl’s soggy shoes.

“May I cut in?” The formal request came from behind, and Summer turned.

David didn’t wait for an answer from Carl. He just took hold of Summer’s hand and pulled her into his arms.

The music took on a whole new feeling. She tried to remain stiff and formal in David’s arms, but she wanted to just melt against him and put her head on his shoulder. The picture of David and Ann kissing kept her from making a fool of herself.

“Where’s Ann? Repairing her lipstick?” Summer asked.

“It was just a little kiss.…”

“Could have fooled me. I thought she had fainted and you were giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”

“It wasn’t like that,” he said. “She was kissing me, and I was just being…passive.”

“If that was passive, you must be a crazed maniac when you actively kiss someone.”

“Well, I kissed you. Was I a maniac?”

“No,” she muttered. “But you shouldn’t bring that up. It’s old business.”

“No, it isn’t, unless you’re really serious about Gregg.”

The music ended before Summer could answer him.

Carl joined them. “Are you guys all set for next Saturday?”

“Next Saturday?” she asked, puzzled.

“The race, Summer,” David explained.

“Oh, yes, the race,” she mumbled. “I don’t know if I’m all set or not.”

“You’re set,” Luke said, coming to stand beside her. “David, have you ever run with Summer?”

“No.”

“Well, she’s really something. I think she has a real chance to win.”

“I don’t know. David, I’ve never run in a race before, and I don’t know what to expect. I’m a little nervous,” she said with complete, utterly refreshing honesty.

“Why are you so nervous about the race?” David whispered when Luke was talking to Carl.

“I just don’t know how fast everyone else is going to be. I might be left at the starting line. That would be embarrassing.”

“Run with me! I think I’m a pretty good judge, and I’ve been in several races.”

“I’d like that,” she replied.

“How about tomorrow?” David asked. “I could pick you up or meet you at the park.” He sounded shy. Was he unsure of her answer? Impossible, she told herself.

“Why don’t you pick me up around eight. Okay?”

“Great,” David said.

Summer hoped that the “great” was because he wanted to be with her, but that idea was stopped with his next sentence.

“How about asking your grandfather to come along. I’ve got a stopwatch, and if he wouldn’t mind, he could pace us.”

“Pace us?”

“You know, sit on a bench at the starting point and time us, help us with our pace.”

“I still don’t understand,” she said. “How can he help us with our pace?”

“By figuring out when we need to push, when to put the spurt on,” he explained patiently.

“I don’t think I have a spurt. I just run.”

“You keep the pace the entire time?” He was genuinely surprised. “Everyone knows how to pace themselves, when to put the push on.”

“I don’t,” she said, grinning. “David, I’ve made a pact with myself. I’m never telling another lie, no matter what.”

“Why did you lie to me about running?” he asked.

She took a deep breath and then plunged in. “I was jealous of Ann. She was hanging all over you and I wanted to impress you.”

David seemed shocked but also happy with her admission. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. This telling the truth business wasn’t all that bad.

“The funny thing is that I hated running at first,
and now I can’t seem to get through a day unless I put in six to eight miles,” she told him.

“It gets in your blood.” He understood, but then, he was a runner, too.

“There you are, David.” Ann ran and stood next to him.

Summer sighed.

“Did you need something, Ann?” David asked.

“You promised me this dance,” Ann said with a forced pout.

She must practice before a mirror
, Summer thought. Ann glared at Summer, and she wondered if Ann could read her mind. Mount Olympus just might be trembling, and if it was, Ann would soon be toppled from her position. Regina had started the tremors in her competitive bid to match Ann, and Summer was going to do the same.

“A promise is a promise,” Summer said to David. “Thank you for the dance,” she added before slowly walking away.

Gregg found Summer and told her they were supposed to dance. “Orders from the boss.”

“Regina?” Summer asked.

“Who else. She told me I should kiss you when David’s looking, but that will cost you an extra ten.”

“Thanks anyway,” she said. “Don’t drool over me anymore. Just one dance and you can split.”

“How will you get home?” Gregg looked like a man who had just received a stay of execution.

“Maybe Luke or Carl will give me a ride.”

“No, I better drive you home. Otherwise you might want some of your money back.”

“Always the gentleman,” she replied. “I don’t want to dance. Come on,” she said linking her arm through his in a sisterly fashion, “let’s go inside. I’ll watch you eat for a while.”

Summer witnessed Gregg devour three huge slices of pizza before the party ended. She helped Regina clean up while she listened to her friend tell her all about Luke. When Regina finally wound down, Summer told her about her talk with David.

“So you have a date tomorrow, then?” Regina asked.

“Not a date, Regina,” she corrected. “And Grandpa is coming along. Besides, Ann told Carl that she and David were going together.”

“I don’t believe it.” Regina snorted. “That’s all in her mind. She’s feeling threatened…just like we’ve felt in the past because of her.”

“I don’t think she was making it up. I saw David kissing her earlier. Regina, I just have to accept the fact that David doesn’t care for me other than as a friend. That’s why he’s going to run with me tomorrow. He’s just a nice person.”

“I think you’re wrong. Oh, David is nice enough. But I think he really cares about you.”

“You’re just saying that because you have to. It goes with being my friend.”