My Blue River (16 page)

I remained in a funk for the rest of the day, but was pleased to find I had three classes with Claire. I only had English Lit with Jack but so did Zeek and he was so funny it distracted me from staring at Jack. At the end of the day, Jack offered me a ride home and I couldn’t resist accepting.

I saw Aaron very little throughout the day. Even in small-town Montana, sophomores and seniors ran in different circles. I caught glimpses of him and was happy he was even there when the final bell rang. Despite the bathroom incident, it wasn’t a bad day, until I heard “Addy! Addy! Jack! Addy!” I looked down the hall and saw the familiar, pale, freckled arm of my mother waiving wildly in the air, desperate to grab our attention.

I groaned. Nothing was more embarrassing than one, my mother being the school counselor and two, having her yell out my name and Jack’s name as loud as she possibly could down a crowded hallway. It brought attention to the fact that Jack and I were standing together, which made a few people glance in our direction, causing a few eyebrows to raise. It also brought attention to the fact the school counselor knew me. Why I cared, I didn’t know. Pride, I guessed. We were both new and shared the same last name. People were bound to make the mother-daughter connection, but I would have been happier to wait for the connection to happen.

I turned my body away from her as she nearly ran down the hall but eventually she reached our location. Breathlessly she asked, “Have you seen Aaron?”

“Yes.” We replied in unison as we turned to face her.

“Oh, good,” she let out a sigh of relief, holding her hand over her heart. She must have lost track of him at some point in the day causing her to panic. “Good, good, good. Jack, can you please be a dear…” Mom reached out and touched Jack’s arm, “Could you please give Aaron and Addy a ride home?”

“Sure. I had planned to anyway,” he replied.

“Thank you, Jack.” Mom turned her look on me. “Addy, get your brother on to his homework straightaway.”

“Mom, he’s fifteen. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t need a babysitter.”

“Addy, I’m asking for your help with Aaron. Just say yes and drop the banter for once.”

“Oooo, bad day at the big, Blue River High School, Mother?” My sarcasm was thick. Jack nudged me in the arm which caused me to shoot him a nasty look.
How dare he do that!

“Just do it,” Mother tersely demanded.

“You work for Nike now, Dr. Davis?” I sarcastically asked.

Mom simply rolled her eyes and said, “Thanks again, Jack.” She then turned to return to her office without another look in my direction, shaking her head in disgust.

When she was out of earshot Jack asked, “Why are you so damn mean to your mom?”

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Jack cuss. He’s irritated with me
. Still, I replied, “Because she deserves it.”

“Does she beat you?”

“Excuse me?

“I said does she BEAT you?”

“No.” I didn’t like where his line of questioning was headed.

“Has she
ever
beaten you?”

“Drop it, Jack.”

“No, seriously, you’re really nasty to your mom, and I’m just trying to figure out where it comes from.”

“It comes from her thinking she knows what goes on inside my head and it comes from her decision to move us to Blue River and…never mind, Jack. Let it go.” In all honesty, she was good to me, my dad, and Aaron. It most likely stemmed from the fact that teenage daughters simply don’t get along with their mothers during certain periods of time—particularly when the mother has completely disrupted the comfort of her daughter’s life.
Maybe it was me not understanding her or maybe, I saw parts of me in her and didn’t like it.
Now I don’t like my own line of questioning.

“That doesn’t seem like a good enough reason,” said Jack.

“Do you want to fight all the way home or are you ready to drop this?”

Jack stared long and hard at me for a moment then surrendered. “Fine. I’ll drop it. I was just curious. She seems pretty cool to me.”

“Well, maybe you two can date sometime,” I retorted.

“Yeah, I’ll check with your dad on that. Maybe he’s okay with it since his
daughter
won’t date me.”

I made a funny face then gave him a gentle smack on the arm. The tension of the conversation eased as we found Aaron, found Jack’s Jeep then pulled away from the school parking lot. I looked back and found Red and Brown, hands on hips and rolling their eyes.
This is going to be a very long year.

13. Wheels

Today was the day I would finally find some freedom! We were off to Middleburg to shop for cars. Dad had finally realized he couldn’t commute in the dead of winter in a sports car and I was getting anxious for my own car.
After all, they did promise me some wheels of my own
. Even though logic said my dad needed a vehicle that could handle the snowy roads of Montana, the thought of him trading his glorious sports car was making me physically ill. I kept reminding them that they could afford both the Aston Martin and a truck, but they both insisted it was an unnecessary expense.
They are being so freakin’ frugal. Ugh! We’re living like paupers!

Cloudy, gray, wintry skies were already forming and it was only the beginning October. We could no longer put off shopping and, of course, Jack’s knowledge of trucks was important to my dad, so he was along for the ride. Aaron was along for the ride because he couldn’t be trusted to be alone. My mom was along for the ride because my dad couldn’t be trusted to make vehicle purchases. The last time my dad went shopping for a car, my mother’s parting words were, “nothing expensive, not red, and no convertibles.” That was the time he came home with a red Mercedes convertible. I couldn’t help but smile as I remembered the look on my mom’s face. I thought she was going to have a heart attack.

We arrived at what was considered the best used car lot in town. Jack personally knew the owner who had grown up with Jack’s dad in Blue River.

“Jack my boy! Good to see you!” It was the owner, Pete Sells. He was tall and somewhat slender, but his bloated, rotund belly revealed his love of beer. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he spoke. It was like a magic act; it never fell from his mouth. I couldn’t take my eyes off his smoke. His last name worked out well for him as the sign on his lot read—
Pete Sells Used Cars –I’ll Beat Anyone’s Price in Town
. It was so terrifically clever and cheesy all at once. All he needed was a 1970’s mustache and a polyester suit to make this picture complete.

“Hey, Pete. Here’s the family I was telling you about. This is Bill, Maggie, Aaron, and Addy Davis.” Jack made introductions and we all shook hands.

“Nice ta meet ya. Well, let’s get to it and see what we can do for ya fine folks. We all need cars that handle snow, heh?”

“Yes, and I’ll take that one,” I spoke up first, pointing at Dad’s convertible.

“You wish,” said Aaron.

“I hardly think so,” said Mom.

“Sorry, princess,” said Dad. Then he whispered in my ear, “It hurts me a little to let it go, too, but it just makes sense.”

Makes sense? Nothing makes sense anymore! Are we still pretending this is working for Aaron?
I rolled my eyes and let out a huff. I decided my parents needed a refresher course about denial.
How could they sleep at night living such an incredibly ridiculous lie?

“I can’t see myself in a truck,” I insisted.

“You don’t have to get a truck. There are other vehicles that will keep you safe,” said Jack.

I expelled another frustrated breath. Shopping a small car lot in Podunk Montana isn’t what I had planned for my first car at all, nor did I ever think I would have to deal with snow, ice, and blizzards. The Universe was in complete upheaval
.
I looked to the Heavens and asked
, “Why me?”

“You may want to give us some driving tips when the snow hits, Jack.” My dad clapped him on the back. “Now let’s look at trucks!” Dad was becoming married to the idea of becoming a redneck.

“Oh, yes sir, no problem,” Jack responded resoundingly.

“Please, call me Bill,” insisted Dad.

I mimicked my dad’s voice, muttering what he really wanted to say, “Just call me Dad.” Jack pretended not to hear but I caught him smirking. Dad and Jack decided to divide and conquer, looking in different directions of the lot. Mom stuck with Dad while Aaron and I went with Jack.

“Dude, make Addy get this one,” said Aaron as he pointed to a Mini-Cooper. “Then she’ll have your name on her ass all day.” Aaron roared with laughter as if he’d just made the funniest joke the entire world had ever heard. He then extended his balled fist to Jack to get a knuckle bump, Jack nearly responded to it until I glowered at him, but he still couldn’t help the laugh that exploded from his throat.

“You shouldn’t spend time with Aaron, Jack, it makes you look foolish. Besides, isn’t it a blow to your male ego putting
mini
in front of your name,” I erupted into my own round of laughter.

“Oh, ha ha…you’re just pissed it was funny,” said Aaron.

Jack was nodding in agreement. “You have to admit, it was sort of funny.”

I smacked them both up the backsides of their heads to which they only laughed harder.

We turned to go up the next aisle and there it was—a vehicle I could live with. It was a white Land Rover Discovery.
A Land Rover must be cool, right? It’s better than a stupid truck.

“You want me in something big then how about that one?” I asked Jack, pointing to the Land Rover. I knew excitement was written all over my face.

“Hmm…not bad, but pretty pricey don’t you think? This is way more than you need,” said Jack.

He didn’t say, “Yes, Addy. It’s the perfect choice,” so I ignored him and called out to Dad. “Hey, Dad! Over here!” waving my arms in the air. He looked up and responded, pulling Mom along with him.

I could tell from her face she didn’t like it. I could always count on Mom to wipe out any possible hope and happiness that would find me. Dad’s expression gave me some hope. He immediately looked at his all-knowing source, Jack.

“Well, what do you think, Jack?” asked Dad.

“Well, it would be an okay choice, I guess. It has eight cylinders so fueling it will be expensive. She’ll only get about twelve or thirteen miles per gallon. It does have traction control and it’s four-wheel drive. There’s towing, rear defroster…” Jack rattled off additional details that didn’t really matter to me so I stared hopefully at my dad.

“I wish it wasn’t white,” Jack concluded.

“Why’s that?” asked Dad.

“I won’t find her in the ditch when she goes off the road in a blizzard.”

“Yeah, whatever, I’ll tie red ribbons to the top. I want it. Please? Please? Please?” I clasped my hands together and begged like a little girl.

“You need to take it for a drive don’t you think?” asked Mom. Jack and Dad nodded in agreement. Aaron wandered the lot connected to his life-line—an iPod. “And take him.” She pointed to Aaron who was deaf to all surrounding sounds. He didn’t hear us so I kicked him the butt to get his attention then nodded in the direction of the Land Rover. He rolled his eyes but responded by walking with us.

Jack made the arrangements with Pete who sells, and before long we were off on a test drive. I couldn’t help but think about what he said.
Would I really end up driving in a blizzard?
The thought made me nervous. I wasn’t looking forward to a Montana winter, not even for a fraction of a second.

“So would you bother to look for me if I ended up in a ditch?” I asked, settling into the driver’s seat and buckling my seat belt.

“Of course, who else would I pick on if I didn’t have you?”

“Claire,” I replied without hesitation.

“No, she’s known me too long and at this point, my jokes are no longer funny to her. I’ve got you now, babe.” He gave a gentle poke in my side.

“Here’s some 4-1-1 for ya—they’re not funny to me either.” I smiled and poked him back.

“That’s only what you say, but you know I’m funny. I make you smile.”

I couldn’t help myself from smiling because he really did make me happy. “So, what do you think of my sweet ride?” I asked.

“It’ll work. A smaller all-wheel drive would have been better, but hey, I’ve learned that you’re stubborn.” He paused and all joking seemed to leave the air. Jack seemed lost in thought then added, “I think you just like it because it’s a Land Rover.”

“Yeah, I do. Is that a problem?”

Jack muttered, “You’re so spoiled.” I didn’t miss it and I didn’t like hearing it but instead of admitting it I chose to attack him.

“What’s your problem?” I demanded.

“I don’t have a problem. Why do you ask?” he sarcastically inquired.

“I heard you—you said,
you’re so spoiled
.” The wheels in my head began to move.
I should take this moment to argue with him and emotionally push him away.
I didn’t want to fall for him anymore than I already had and maybe this moment was making me realize I had allowed myself too much freedom over the summer. I felt hurt that he thought I was spoiled. I suddenly decided if he liked me less, then I would like him less and that would help me leave with complete ease in August. I was letting myself get irritated more than necessary by his words that had been all too honest and true.

“Never mind,” said Jack.

“No, it’s not
never mind
. I think I’ve sacrificed a lot by moving here. The least they could do is buy me a freakin’ Land Rover.”

“Oh, cry me a river, Addy. What did you sacrifice? Traffic, pollution, and crowds? Please. You moved here and still have the important things in life—a home, food, family, friends…” he whispered, “You have me.”

“Hmpf,” I snorted. He was part of the problem. I knew I had Jack and I
wanted
to have him. I liked him being a part of my life yet I
couldn’t
be more than his friend. It would only lead to pain when I left at the end of my senior year and I didn’t want to shed one tear when I left Blue River.

“Are you jealous, Jack?” I baffled myself.
Why am I being so mean?
I was becoming nastier by the minute.

“That’s bull, Addy. Let it go.”

I looked in the mirror to gauge Aaron’s reaction. He was still listening to his iPod, bobbing his head to the music, looking out the window. I was glad he seemed to hear nothing of our conversation because being a guy, he would have been on Jack’s side.

“I won’t let it go,” I said curtly.

“Well, I
am
letting it go.” He hesitated then added, “Okay, Fine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said you were spoiled.”

“Good. That’s better.” I glanced in his direction. He was shaking his head and rolling his eyes. I was really beginning to be annoyed by his eye rolling. I had achieved my goal. I had emotionally pushed him further away and out of a potential romantic relationship, or so I believed.

We rode in silence all the way back to the car lot. When we arrived we found my dad beaming over a deal he made on a maroon Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew-cab pickup truck. This was one of the last vehicles on the planet Earth I could have pictured him driving, but it worked for him and he was happy. His greatest thrill was the heated, leather seats. I shook my head in disbelief that I would no longer see that glorious red convertible in the driveway. Without much debate, my parents agreed to the Land Rover, to which I got another eye roll out of Jack. I agreed it would be best if I kept the job at Brody’s Supermarket.

“You’ll need gas money,” said Dad.

“Got that right,” Jack muttered. This time, I gave
him
an eye roll.

********

Jack’s Journal

Saturday, October 2

When someone can give me the reason why women are so mental, please let me know. Addy went postal today when we went car shopping. She went from excited about driving a Land Rover to a snotty, little brat. Okay, I may have provoked her. I did say she is spoiled—but SHE IS! She has everything she needs and more, and it’s never enough. She feels like her parents owe her because of this move to Montana, but she doesn’t realize this move will probably be as good for her as it will be for Aaron. Maybe she’s the one detoxing. They have different addictions—hers is an addiction to her own selfish needs.