Inked in the Steel City Series (17 page)

Jess stopped her chair at the edge of the living room, peering over her shoulder at Mina with red eyes. “I’m not going. Will probably only asked me to the dance in the first place because he felt sorry for me. I’m tired of being the girl in the wheelchair!” She rolled down the short hallway and into her bedroom.

Mina followed her, her heart wrenching.

Jess faced her with a stubborn expression. “Don’t try to talk me into going. If I do, Stephanie and her friends will just laugh at me, and all
my
friends will pity me.” Her face twisted in an expression of disgust as tears began to spill down her cheeks.

“All right, I won’t pressure you to go. But Jess, listen. I don’t think Will asked you to the dance because he felt sorry for you. I think Stephanie manipulated him into taking her instead.” She reached out and touched the thin, pink scar at Jess’s hairline. “She’d do just about anything to get her way.”

Jess shook her head viciously. “I might not be able to walk, but I’m not stupid, Mina. I see the expressions on people’s faces when they look at me. I hate being pitied and treated like a baby.” By the time she finished, she was almost yelling. Before Mina could respond, Jess tilted her chair’s joystick, facing the wall and turning her back to Mina.

Mina struggled to keep her tone firm and even. “I know you’re not a baby. Those girls didn’t bully you because you can’t walk – they bullied you because they’re jealous. And they have a lot to be jealous of. The fact that you use a wheelchair doesn’t make you any less beautiful, or talented, or creative or likeable. Will was lucky to have you for a date and he blew it. He’ll probably regret it.”

Jess sighed, and though Mina couldn’t see her face, she could tell that she was still crying. When she spoke, the anger was gone from her voice, leaving it quiet and wistful. “Yeah. I just wish I could be like everyone else.”

Mina laid a hand on Jess’s shoulder. “Tell you what. You and I will spend the evening together. We’ll do whatever you want. I have to go make a phone call, and while I’m gone I want you to think about what you want to do.”

Alone in the living room, Mina dialed Eric’s number on her cell, her heart heavy. When would they ever have a chance to be truly alone together? She felt as if she was falling more in love with him every day, but she had yet to be able to truly express that. But he’d understand – or at least, she thought he would. After all, he’d known that Jess was and would remain Mina’s first priority when their relationship had started.

“Mina?” Eric’s voice was a balm to her frayed nerves.

“Hey Eric. I have some bad news. Jess’s date backed out on her today at school and now she’s not going to the dance. She’s really upset, so I’m going to spend the evening with her.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” There was more than a hint of regret in his voice, whether for Jess or for himself and Mina, Mina didn’t know. Probably both – he was sweet like that.

“Yeah. I’m sorry too.”

“So how are you and Jess going to spend the evening?”

Mina chewed her lower lip. “I don’t know yet. I’m trying to get her to suggest something, but I don’t know if it’ll work. I can’t even remember the last time she was this upset.” She lowered her voice, just in case Jess could hear her. “She’s feeling really down about using a wheelchair. Usually she doesn’t let it get to her, but I think this whole thing has her feeling left out. That’s why I want to try to get her out of the house. I don’t want her to feel stuck in here with just me while her friends are all out having fun.”

“Would you like me to take you two somewhere?”

Mina thought for a moment, taken aback by his offer.

 “I mean, if you think it’d be better if it was just the two of you, that’s fine. But if not, maybe we could take her to Ruby’s – I know how much she likes that place – and to a movie or something. My treat.”

“I think that’s a good idea. She really likes you. I’ll call and invite Karen too – she offered to help me out with Jess tonight anyway. Hopefully between the three of us, Jess won’t feel so isolated.” Hope sparked in Mina. While a group of twenty-somethings wasn’t exactly ideal company for Jess, inviting Jess’s friends wasn’t an option, as they would all be at the dance. Jess really liked Eric and Karen, and at least this way, she wouldn’t have to be alone. “Do you want to meet us here?” Mina asked.

“Sounds good.”

“OK. Just give me an hour or so to get Jess calmed down and ready.”

“See you then, Mina.”

Warmth spread over her as he said her name. The night would be a far cry from what they’d originally planned, but she was touched that he was willing to sacrifice his evening to help her cheer Jess up. Her heart ached as she remembered his story, and she was sure that he would have done the same for his own sister, Amanda, if he’d had the chance. After saying goodbye, she ended the call and dialed Karen’s number, explaining their plans. When she agreed, all that was left to do was to get Jess on board.

“Hey,” Mina said, standing in the doorway to Jess’s room. “What are you drawing?”

Jess was sitting at her desk, bent over her sketch book, her hair hanging around her face like a curtain. She shrugged. “Nothing. Just a design.”

Mina crossed the room and stood behind her, craning her neck to see what little bit of the paper wasn’t obscured by her hair. “A floral design? It looks a little like my tattoo.” The vines Jess was sketching were gnarled and more thorn than blossom, but Mina chose not to mention that.

“Yeah. Kind of.” She sketched harder, her pencil scratching loudly across the paper.

“Have you thought about what you want to do tonight?”

Jess shrugged again.

“Well unless you have a different idea, Eric, Karen and I would like to take you out. We were thinking Ruby’s and a movie – your pick. How’s that sound?”

“Fine, I guess.” She agreed easily enough, but her tone was flat and devoid of enthusiasm.

“I’m really sorry about the dance, Jess.”

She kept sketching, and after a couple moments, Mina returned to the living room. She’d give Jess a few minutes to cool off before she suggested that they get ready. After all, she had an hour before Eric and Karen would show up. She took a seat at their small kitchen table and began cutting up an apple, snacking on the sweet slices as she watched a couple birds hop around on the sill of the kitchen window, where her favorite potted geranium was in full bloom. She was almost done with the apple when a knock came at the door. Had Eric or Karen arrived early? She frowned. Jess wasn’t ready yet.

But it was neither Eric nor Karen at the door. “Blake?”

Her teenaged neighbor stood at the threshold, a small bouquet of wildflowers clutched in one hand, the other shoved deep into his pocket. “Hi Mina.” His cheeks were a blazing shade of pink.

“Hi…” She eyed the colorful flowers, noting the similarity between the fuchsia daisies and his flushed face. God, could they be for her? Alarm coursed through her as she remembered the ways he’d been so helpful over the past few weeks, always helping her to carry things and never failing to say hello when they passed in the corridor or the parking lot.

“Is Jess here?” Blake asked, finally meeting Mina’s gaze. His eyes seemed larger than ever.

“Yeah, she’s…” She was sketching angrily in her room, maybe still crying. But Mina couldn’t say that. “She’s here,” she finished lamely.

“Could I talk to her?”

Realization settled over Mina. The flowers weren’t for her. Dual waves of relief and wariness washed over her. “What exactly is this about, Blake?”

He looked down at his toes. “I heard at school that she’s not going to the dance with Will anymore. I was wondering if she’d like to go with me. I mean, if she doesn’t already have another date.”

Mina eyed the bouquet again, as well as Blake’s furious blush. He seemed genuine, and when she thought back over the past few weeks, it all suddenly made more sense. Could Jess’s night be saved? She knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up – after all, she had no idea how Jess would react to Blake’s offer – but she couldn’t help it. “Wait right here. I’ll go get Jess.”

Chapter 8

Jess had given up sketching and was sitting in her chair, looking glum as she stared at nothing in particular. “Jess, there’s someone here to see you.”

Jess replied without meeting Mina’s gaze. “Eric and Karen?”

“No.”

Jess looked up suspiciously. “Who?”

“It’s Blake.”

“Why’s he here?”

Mina fought the smile that was threatening to spread across her face. “Why don’t you go see?” Maybe Jess would accept Blake’s offer and end up having a good time after all.

Jess hesitated for a moment before finally relaxing her frown just a little and rolling out of her room. Mina followed her, her stomach churning with nervousness. Would she say yes? Her dress hung in her closet, ready to be worn. There was still time for her hair and make-up to be done. It could work. The night could be saved.

“Hey Jess.”  Blake stood in the doorway, looking more nervous than ever. “These are for you.” He thrust the flowers toward Jess before she could say anything.

She accepted the bouquet and stared down at the vibrant riot of blossoms, looking faintly bewildered. “What for?”

He seemed to have spent his time waiting working up the courage to ask a single question. “Will you go to the homecoming dance with me tonight?” It came out rushed, but clear enough.

Mina’s heart wrenched as Blake and Jess made eye contact and simply stared at each other for a moment. Blake’s gaze was nervous and hopeful, while Jess’s was wary, but beneath their inhibitions, they both wore identical expressions of hope.

“You’re not asking me just because you feel sorry for me, are you?” Jess asked, her tone suspicious, but softer than Mina had expected.

He shook his head. “No. I wanted to ask you weeks ago, but I was nervous and Will asked you first.”

“Well then…” She dropped her gaze to the flowers in her lap, stroking a deep purple petal. “OK.” She smiled up at him tentatively, and he beamed back.

Mina turned toward the kitchen, hiding a huge grin. When she was able to smooth her features into a somewhat less ecstatic expression, she faced Jess and Blake again. “We’d better hurry to get you ready,” she said, crossing the room and placing a hand on Jess’s shoulder.

“When do you want me to come back?” Blake asked.

“How about six?” Mina suggested.

Jess and Blake both nodded. “See you then,” Blake said, casting one last glance over his shoulder at Jess as he retreated toward his own apartment.

“OK, let’s get started on your hair.” Mina ushered Jess down the hallway, pausing only to call Eric and Karen to inform them of the change in plans. Karen offered to drive Jess and Blake to the dance, as well as to a restaurant beforehand if they wanted. Mina thanked her profusely, her heart fluttering as she imagined her half a night alone with Eric. Everything was back on, and for a moment she felt almost as nervous as Blake had looked when he’d come to the door asking for Jess. The remembered feel of the warm press of Eric’s lips and tongue between her hips put a little fire in her blood, quelling her worries a little. She couldn’t wait to finally have him and the apartment to herself.