Evvie at Sixteen (16 page)

“Clark's a very thoughtful man,” Schyler replied. He leaned over and gave Evvie a kiss.

Evvie smiled at him. Schyler Hughes was the best-looking boy she'd ever seen. If looks were everything, she'd be ecstatic.

“You have freckles,” he said. “Little ones on your nose. I like that.”

“I put them on just for you,” Evvie said. “It took hours, so I'm glad you appreciate them.”

“That was very thoughtful of you,” Schyler said. “Nowadays girls don't go to so much bother.”

“How would you know?” Evvie asked. “Going to an all-boys school.”

“Word gets around,” Schyler replied. “Do you want me to rub that suntan lotion on you?”

“Thank you,” Evvie said, handing him the bottle. Schyler rubbed lotion on her back with strong steady strokes.

“Your muscles are tight,” he said, and began to massage them. “A sure sign of tension.”

“I don't know why,” Evvie said. “I have nothing to be tense about.”

“Not even Miss Winslow?” Schyler asked.

“We're getting along okay now,” Evvie replied. “She didn't like my seeing Sam, I stopped seeing him, and things are fine.”

“I'm glad you stopped seeing him, too,” Schyler said. “For more selfish reasons.” He stopped kneading her muscles, put his hands on her shoulders, and moved her around so that they were facing. He held her tight against him and kissed her.

“You're beautiful,” he said, when the kiss finally ended. “Evvie, you're better than I could have dreamed of.”

“Schyler,” Evvie said.

“I mean it,” he declared. “This summer promised to be such a disaster. Hanging out with Clark and Scotty. Nothing to do. No one to see. And when I heard about you, I didn't know what to expect.”

“I know,” Evvie said. “When Clark said he'd have cousins staying with him, I thought I'd have to baby-sit.”

“Oh, I knew how old you were,” Schyler said, and he kissed Evvie on her right shoulder. “But the way he went on about you and your family, I figured you had to be a dog.”

“And I'm not?” Evvie said.

“No, you're not,” Schyler said. He took Evvie in his arms, and they kissed again. Evvie could taste the ocean on his lips.

“It's amazing,” he said. “How well things can work out sometimes.”

“You mean this summer?” Evvie asked.

“I mean you,” Schyler replied, and kissed her again.

Evvie smiled at Schyler and traced his mouth with her finger. “What if I had been a dog?” she asked. “What then?”

“If you were the same person you are now, only didn't look so good?” Schyler asked. “I guess I would have learned to like you.”

“That's nice,” Evvie said.

“I'm glad I didn't have to learn to,” Schyler said. “Your being pretty was a real timesaver.”

“That girl last summer,” Evvie said. “Last summer's girl. Was she pretty?”

“She was beautiful,” Schyler replied. “We had a lot of fun.”

“I bet you've never dated a girl who wasn't pretty,” Evvie said. It was a hot sunny day, but she no longer felt warm. “Have you, Schyler?”

“Probably not,” Schyler said. “But you're the prettiest girl I've ever dated. And certainly the nicest.”

“Right,” Evvie said. “And if I hadn't been pretty, you still would have dated me. Just because I'm nice.”

“What's wrong with that?” Schyler asked. “Don't girls like to be liked for themselves, and not just for their looks?”

“You got it,” Evvie said. “They like to be liked for themselves, and not because other people say they should be liked.”

“Other people?” Schyler said.

“People like Clark and your parents,” Evvie said.

“What about my parents?” Schyler asked.

“I overheard them talking about me,” Evvie said. “Before lunch, that first day at Clark's. Date Evvie, to make Clark happy. That's why you would have learned to like me anyway, isn't it, Schyler? To make rich old Clark happy.”

“So what?” Schyler said. “You've been dating me for the same reason. To make Clark and your aunt happy.”

“That's not true,” Evvie said.

“Then why have you been dating me?” Schyler asked. “Why not that Sam person?”

“Don't call him
that Sam person,
” Evvie said. “He has a name. He has a lot of names. And none of them are
that Sam person.
”

“I'll bet he has a lot of names,” Schyler said. “His mother must have a thousand aliases by now.”

Evvie traced an arrow in the sand and wiped it out.

“Is that why you stopped seeing him?” Schyler asked. “Because of his parents?”

“No,” Evvie said. “At least not the way you think.”

“Miss Winslow came to her senses,” Schyler said. “She realized you shouldn't be seeing him and she made you stop.”

“She didn't make me,” Evvie said. “She just made me see things about Sam and his family.”

“You know, I'm almost disappointed,” Schyler declared. “I know how it can be, when your family doesn't approve, but I was kind of hoping you'd fight for what you wanted. Even if that was just Steinmetz.”

“Who didn't your family approve of?” Evvie asked. “Your last summer's girl?”

“Her name was Yolanda,” Schyler said. “Frankly, I think that's what my mother held most against her. Her name. Yolanda. In any event, she wasn't good enough for a Hughes.”

“So you stopped seeing her?” Evvie asked. “Just because your mother didn't like her name?”

“I stopped seeing her because my mother controls the allowance,” Schyler replied. “You'd be astounded how many things there are that money can be used for, even at prep school.”

“I'm surprised,” Evvie said. “And I think Yolanda is a pretty name. Prettier than Evvie.”

“She was a beauty,” Schyler said. “Oh, well. I guess this is a summer for second choices.”

“I'm sorry,” Evvie said. Schyler laughed. “I am. I'm sorry I'm not Yolanda and I'm sorry you feel you have to see me and I'm sorry I let you down.”

“You're forgiven,” Schyler declared. “Besides, if I'd been allowed to see Yolanda, I'd probably be bored with her already. And you are pretty, Evvie, and pleasant to be with. I certainly enjoy kissing you.” He kissed her to prove it.

But this time Evvie didn't kiss him back.

“Dammit, Evvie, if you want to see Sam, why don't you?” Schyler asked. “Or isn't he good enough for a Sebastian?”

Evvie laughed. “You have no idea how funny that is,” she said.

“No, I don't,” Schyler replied. “Do you want to tell me?”

Evvie stared at him and thought about it. If she told Schyler about the detectives' report, he'd be sure to tell Clark. Of course, Clark might already know. Evvie could picture Megs running to tell Clark after Grace had forced her to face the ugly truth. Lucky Clark.

“Schyler, did you ever learn something about your parents you wish you hadn't?” she asked. “Secrets they were deliberately keeping from you?”

“If you mean infidelities, of course,” Schyler replied. “I first learned Father cheated when I was twelve. Mother was more careful. I didn't figure her out until right after my fifteenth birthday.”

“I can't imagine my parents cheating,” Evvie said.

Schyler shrugged. “My parents are unfaithful,” he said. “At least they've stayed married. I find that endearing. What other kind of secret did you mean?”

“The vulgar kind,” Evvie replied. “The dirty-linen kind.”

“Evvie, even the Hugheses have that kind of secret,” Schyler said. “I don't know what's going on, but if you found out your parents aren't saints, that's hardly a reason to stop seeing Sam.”

“What do you get out of it, if I date Sam?” Evvie asked.

“A lot more freedom,” Schyler declared. “I tell Clark I gave it my best shot, but you chose Steinmetz, for reasons I'll never understand. He'll tut-tut, mutter something about your mother's romantic nature, and tell me how sorry he is things didn't work out and I should try to make the best of what remains of the summer. Which I would. There are year-rounder girls here with yearnings. Girls I'd be happy to spend hot summer nights with.”

“I'm sorry I've been holding you back,” Evvie said.

“The summer is young yet,” Schyler said. “I can be faithful to anyone for two weeks.”

“Schyler, when you found out your parents were unfaithful, did you confront them?” Evvie asked.

Schyler shook his head. “I have my secrets,” he said. “I figure they're entitled to theirs. Besides, they'd only lie. Even if they told me the truth, admitted to everything, they'd be lying. That's what people do when they're cornered. That's what they do if they can't stand the truth.”

“I'm learning that,” Evvie said.

“If I were Sam, I'd lie,” Schyler declared. “Hell, I'm not Sam, and I lie. And your parents lie and my parents lie, and Grace Winslow has probably lied, too, on occasion.”

“She doesn't have to,” Evvie replied. “She knows how to use the truth instead.”

“It's a gift,” Schyler said. “You'll talk to Clark, too, tell him what a fine young man I am and how I treated you like a lady, but the sparks just never flew?”

“It will be my pleasure,” Evvie said. She kissed Schyler on the cheek and stood up.

“Go for it, Evvie,” Schyler said. “Do it for Yolanda.”

“I'll try,” Evvie said. She smiled at Schyler and left him lying on the beach, absorbing the sun, daydreaming about his upcoming conquests.

Evvie entered the cottage through the kitchen. “Hello, Mrs. Baker,” she said. “Is my aunt awake?”

“I heard her stirring a few minutes ago,” Mrs. Baker replied. “Do you want me to check on her for you?”

“I'll go straight up myself,” Evvie said. “Thank you.” She smiled at Mrs. Baker and went upstairs.

“Stupid kitten,” Aunt Grace was muttering as Evvie walked into her room. Trouble was standing on her shoulder, swatting at Grace's nose.

Evvie laughed, picked Trouble up, and put him on the floor.

“Damned kitten,” Grace said. “Is it too old to be drowned?”

“Much too old,” Evvie said.

“Shame,” Grace said. “Drowning is such a sensible solution. You're back early.”

“I left Schyler on the beach,” Evvie said.

“Fine boy,” Aunt Grace said. “Fine family.”

“They're going to have to be fine without me,” Evvie said. “We've decided not to see each other anymore.”

“And why is that?” Aunt Grace asked. Even Trouble stopped running around as if to hear Evvie's response.

“Because I'd rather see Sam,” Evvie replied. “And I'd also rather you didn't interfere.”

“Interfere?” Grace said. “And how have I done that, stuck in this room all summer long, crippled and helpless.”

“You have your ways,” Evvie said. “Aunt Grace, I want you to understand I don't care what my father's real name is, or what Sam's parents did. None of that matters. So you can stop playing your games and accept me for who I am. And I'll try to do the same for you.”

“Very noble of you,” Grace said. “I've done nothing I'm ashamed of, Evvie. I presented you with facts you had every right to know.”

“Maybe not every right,” Evvie said. “But I'm not going to argue with you about it. I'm going to pick some flowers instead, bring them to Sam, and see if I can explain to him why I stopped seeing him and why I intend to start seeing him again.”

“You're not going to seduce him with my flowers,” Grace declared.

“I'll be careful not to pick any from your garden,” Evvie said.

Aunt Grace shook her head. “You won't be careful,” she said. “No more than Margaret was. You're her daughter through and through, determined to love the man who's going to bring you the most pain.”

“You're wrong,” Evvie said. “Megs would have died with Clark, or anyone like him. Boredom would have killed her. And Sam isn't going to hurt me, either. Not the way someone like Schyler could.”

“You think you know so much,” Grace said.

“I know more than I used to,” Evvie said. “Thanks in no small part to you.”

“Very well,” Grace said. “Go to your precious Sam. Just promise me you won't marry him in my lifetime. I'm an old woman and I'll be dead soon enough. Wait until then. That's all I ask.”

“I'll try,” Evvie said. “But with my luck you'll live forever.” She grinned at her aunt and scurried away. She ran down the stairs, left the house, and promptly found a patch of daisies just waiting to be picked. When she had created a good-sized bouquet, she started the long walk into town. By the time she got there, quite a few of the daisies had lost their petals answering whether he loved her or loved her not.

The bookstore was closed, so she rang the bell to the Steinmetz house. She could hear footsteps coming downstairs, and soon Sam was opening the door.

“I brought flowers,” Evvie said.

“He can't have them,” Sam replied. “He's in intensive care.”

“What are you talking about?” Evvie asked. “Sam, what's going on?”

“Lou had a heart attack,” Sam said. “You didn't know?”

Evvie shook her head. “I came here to see you,” she said. “To tell you what a fool I've been. What happened? How is he?”

“He's going to die,” Sam said. “You can tell that's what the doctors think.” He looked away from Evvie and swallowed hard. “It happened last night. Belle's there now. She won't leave, so I came back to get some stuff for her. A change of clothes. Maybe a book. Do you think she'd read it if I brought her a book?”

“If she doesn't want to read it, she won't,” Evvie replied. “Were you there all night, too?”