Marionette (13 page)

“Oh wow, Karen.” I slumped down onto my bed. “What in the hell do I do now? She’s pissed. I mean she’s more than pissed. I was just trying to be funny.” I whistled. “I had no idea what a sensitive subject that was.”

Karen shook her head. She was still laughing and her shoulders heaved up and down as she tried to control herself. “I think this issue has been the cause of some of their recent fights.” Her look admonished me.

Oh shit! That wasn’t good. If Minnie was being pressured into having sex and I said all of those things. Well,
that
folks, is why many people think I’m an asshole.

I leaned against the wall and groaned. “What do I do? I can’t live another nine months with someone who hates me.”

Karen ambled over to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. “You can always sleep on my floor. And let’s be honest, you two weren’t that close to begin with. Even Jenna knows about the boyfriend situation…‌and she’s like you, reserved and doesn’t like to talk about emotions. You live with her, and you didn’t know it at all.”

“Thanks, buddy. Thanks for hitting me when I’m down.”

“That’s what I’m for. I like to keep it real.” She slapped my arm.

“They really don’t have sex? How long have they been dating?”

“Three years.”

“Oh boy. This is worse than I thought?”

“Yep. You stepped right in a steaming pile of dog shit.”

I chortled. “Who knew you were so elegant, Karen. Screw psychology, consider poetry.”

“Listen, I think you should stop throwing the word screw around.”

I sat up straight on my bed. “Hey, do you know her favorite flower or something? Would it be weird if I gave her flowers to apologize?”

“Dude! Are you serious? She gets flowers all of the time from Jeff. Look around, Paige. Daisies everywhere.”

Sure enough, a gaudy vase on Minnie’s desk was brimming with daisies.

All these weeks, I had thought I was the only one with issues. Did I mention that I’m a twit?

“Okay, flowers are out. Help me think of something else.” I looked desperate.

“You’re going to have to apologize.”

“Like, in person.” I bolted off the bed and dashed to open the window. “No, seriously, what can I buy her?”

“I am serious.” Karen crossed her arms. “You have to say you’re sorry. I don’t think gifts will work with this one. Besides, you aren’t dating. Friends talk things out.”

Ah, shit. Everyone wants me to talk and to open up. What was the point of talking? I liked actions. Actions spoke louder than words, didn’t they? I cringed at the thought of having a sit down with Minnie, having a heart-to-heart. She would probably use a phrase like, “In my heart of hearts…” Gah. I hated that.

I knew Karen was right, but I didn’t have it in me that night. I was supposed to go to some parties with the girls, but I got the feeling it would be best if I skedaddled for the weekend and let the dust settle. They would have more fun without me.

That’s right. I was fleeing town. Getting out of Dodge. Running away. You name it, I was doing it. How’s that for being spontaneous? Besides I knew Jess would know the right thing for me to do. She was like that Jeeves character: always reliable and prudent.

Fortunately for me, Jess was home when I walked into the apartment.

She skipped across the room, her skirt swishing around her, and threw her arms around me. “This is a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

I kissed her passionately, and said, “I couldn’t wait another second.”

She stepped back, scrutinizing my face. “Out with it, Paige. What happened?”

“I don’t know if I can talk about it yet.” I limped over to the couch.

Jess pulled a chair over to face me. Taking both my hands, she said, “I think you’ll feel better if you do.”

I told her all about Minnie. She cringed a few times and then smacked my hand. “You ninny! I could have told you all that from what you’ve told me. Seriously, Paige. We need to work on your manners.” She hesitated. “You’re going to have to apologize.”

What!

“Jess, I was really hoping you could come up with a different solution. Like a gift with some poetry or something…” my voice trailed off.

“That wouldn’t work on me if my friend had said all that stuff.”

I sighed and eyed the ceiling, searching for a different answer.

“Maybe I could go to church with her? Do a fake confessional thingy? I’ve always wondered what they look like inside.”

“What, a church or a confessional booth?”

“Both I guess. I’ve never been to either.”

“You’ve never been to church.” She was flabbergasted.

“Nope.”

“Are your parents atheists?”

“Not that I know of. I am, but I don’t know what they believe.”

Jess shook her head in disbelief. “Your family continues to shock the hell out of me.”

“Really?”

She kissed my cheek. “Sometimes you are too sheltered.”

“I don’t feel innocent.”

“You do know about ‘eating pussy.’” The words made Jess blush. She hardly ever swore or used crude language. I’m not fucking kidding. To me, that was baffling.

“Oh, don’t remind me about Minnie.”

She teased, “I thought you liked it.”

“Oh, you were actually referring to—‌” I blushed. “I thought you were bringing up Minnie, and that whole mess.”

“Nope. I said what I had to say about that. Now, let’s move on to more important matters. This situation will blow away sooner than you think. For someone who hates teenage drama, you’re wallowing in it yourself today.”

“Very funny, Jess.”

“So, tell me, how do you know you’re a true atheist if you haven’t ever been to church? I think we need to start a new project with you: exploring different religions and beliefs. This weekend, a Buddhist temple!”

She seemed truly excited about the prospect.

“Is this my punishment?”

“Learning is not a punishment, Paige. For a rich girl, you don’t know a lot about life. Maybe your parents shouldn’t have sent you to private school.”

“Trust me, rich people are damn stupid about the real world. I fit right in.”

“Not good enough. I’m not backing down.” The way she crossed her arms told me it was useless to protest.

“Oh, okay.” I put my palms up to show my resignation.

“Now, what should we do?” Jess was giddy.

I leaned in to kiss her. She pushed me back against the sofa cushions.

“Hey! I’m not a cheap date. Since you’re here, and I’m starving, let’s have dinner first. What do you feel like for dinner?”

“You.”

“Besides me…‌and haven’t you learned that being crude hasn’t paid off for you today?” She smiled, but I think she liked my answer.

We had been like Minnie and Jeff for some time: no sex allowed. When we had finally broken down that barrier, a whole new world opened up for me. Jess’s thirst for experiences and knowledge was explored in all aspects of life, even in the bedroom.

She tapped the armrests of her chair, pushing me to answer her question.

This was a game we played often. Jess knew just about every restaurant in town and although I tried to stump her, so far I wasn’t successful.

“Do you know a good place to have Peruvian?”

“Do I know a place?” Her eyes lit up. “Grab your keys. I’ll give you directions in the car.”

Really? She knew a Peruvian joint? I didn’t even know what kind of food would be on the menu. How in the hell did she do it?

As we left the apartment, Jess casually mentioned that Mel had been looking for me and needed to talk to me. That didn’t sound good. Hopefully, I could avoid sticking my foot in my mouth this time. I could always hope.

Chapter Eleven

I telephoned Mel on Saturday morning and we agreed to meet at Julia’s diner for lunch. Admittedly, I had been somewhat disappointed when I’d met the owner, Julia, and found out she wasn’t French. True, her place didn’t serve French cuisine, but I still thought there might be a chance. Jess had laughed when I’d told her that. Now, Julia’s was a firm favorite.

I knew Jess would show up there later. Jess hated being alone, yet she was an orphan. Oh, how I wished I were an orphan. I would even change my name to Annie if I thought that would help my dream come true. Jess had never admitted to me that she hated being alone, but it wasn’t hard to figure out. She was always searching for places with people—‌interesting people. Even when Jess read novels, she preferred to do it in public. And she liked a change of scenery.
Movement
describes Jess’s personality. She was always moving on to new experiences. Jess didn’t talk about her parents much, but she always seemed to have money for restaurants, movies, books, music, theater, sporting events—‌she never seemed to struggle with finances. I never felt comfortable enough to ask if she had an inheritance. Yes, she had an internship, but I assumed that was unpaid until after she graduated. She worked occasionally at a used bookshop, but I think she only did so because the owner was one of her good friends. If he needed a break or extra help around the holidays, he’d give her a ring. I’m pretty sure she didn’t ask for a paycheck; that wasn’t her style. Jess had honor, and I loved her for that. Instead of paying her, I think the owner allowed Jess to take whatever novels tickled her fancy. I loved that, because after Jess had devoured them within a day or two, she handed them off to me. Before I moved to college, I read three or four books a week. Now that I had a roommate, I couldn’t lie in bed till the wee hours of the morning reading a book Jess had loved and passed onto me. It frustrated the hell out of me.

But, back to money. When we went out, I picked up our tabs. Jess never said anything. I think she knew I was waging a war on my parents: a war of pocketbooks. Aren’t all wars about money? Petty? You bet. It made me feel good, though. And to spend their money on my girlfriend made me feel even better.

Julia’s diner served the best pulled pork sandwiches. She had other choices on the menu, but you’d be a fool to order something else. Julia, a Midwestern gal in her fifties, had learned the secret family recipe from her Southern grandfather. Jess has begged her for the recipe many times, unsuccessfully. Ever since Jess wandered into Julia’s last year, we’ve eaten there at least once a week. Julia has become part of Jess’s family, and now mine.

When Mel walked into Julia’s, I was sitting at a table by the window, stuffing my face with one of the famous sandwiches. Right before she approached the table, I took a humongous bite, splattering the sauce down onto the table, onto my hand, and all over my face. Secretly, I was upset that Mel had showed up right then. I didn’t want to focus on her. I wanted to continue gorging.

She took a seat across from me and handed me a stack of napkins.

“Seriously, I thought Jess would have had you trained by now. She never makes a mess of herself.”

“Yeah, but there’s something odd about that, don’t you think? Too perfect.” I grabbed one of the napkins to begin the cleanup process, quickly realizing I would need more than one.

Mel wrinkled her nose. “Even Wes has more manners than you.”

“He must have grown up in the cleanest barn ever then,” I muttered.

One glimpse of her face told me I’d hit a sore spot. Mel didn’t like that Wesley was poor.

“I’m sorry. Would you like one?” I gestured to the sandwich. “The food at school sucks, and I’m starving. I may even have another.”

“Is that your first? Be honest.” She leaned forward, resting her hands on the table.

“Yes, but it won’t be the last today. Jess will be here later.”

“How is she?” Her voice sounded cold. “Since you left for school, I barely see her.”

“Uh, she’s good. Just been busy, that’s all.” Was Jess avoiding Mel?

Mel caught Julia’s eye and motioned that she wanted a sandwich. I waved frantically, too, but Julia didn’t see me. Damn. I really wanted a second one.

“How are things?” I asked as I picked at some pork scraps on my plate.

“Good…‌I mean, okay…” Tears formed in her eyes.

“What’s going on, Mel?”

Her focus darted to a couple walking through the door. “I have to ask you for something, and I don’t want to.”

She wanted money. People get the same look when they need money, a look of desperation and anger.

I took a swig of my iced tea to wash down my feelings. “How much?”

“At least three hundred.”

She continued to avoid eye contact.

“What’s the max?” I forced down another swallow of iced tea.

“One thousand.”

I clicked my tongue. “I can only get three hundred out of the ATM today. I can get more tomorrow, but I’m not sure about the whole amount.” I looked away, wishing I hadn’t agreed to give her any money.

The first thing that jumped into my head was
abortion
, but Mel was on the pill. That wasn’t one hundred percent, though. One thousand bucks—‌that didn’t add up.

“Before I get the money, can you tell me why you need it?”

“Because I need it.”

It was a shady answer. And it hurt. We used to tell each other everything.

“Look.” She squeezed my hand. “I would appreciate if you didn’t ask. If I could tell you, I would.”

Why couldn’t she tell me? Before I could ask, Jess rushed in, all smiles. She took one look at Mel and her expression registered trouble.

“Oh, goodness, I know watching Paige stuff her face is awful, but I didn’t think I’d find you crying. She doesn’t mean to be such a brute, that’s just how she is. It’s one of the ways she rebels against her parents.”

Rebels against my parents
? I had to ponder that one. Messy eating as an act of rebellion?

Mel laughed, and I think she slightly meant it. Julia arrived with three sandwiches. Maybe she had sensed that Jess was near.

“What’s going on here? Paige, what did you say to Mel?” Julia held my sandwich out of reach, waiting for me to explain myself.

I stared at Jess and then at Julia, speechless. Mel dabbed her eyes carefully so she wouldn’t smudge her mascara.

“I…‌I don’t really know. I thought she already knew Santa Claus didn’t exist.” It was a feeble attempt.