A Chance at Destiny (3 page)

Monday, after school, Tyler stood at Destiny's locker. Not hearing from her made his temperament bad. Tyler’s father wasn't sure if this
marriage thing
was the right thing to do, but if they decided to go through with it he needed to meet Destiny and talk to her himself. Almost ready to pull her out of her last period class, Tyler's patience was wearing thin when he saw her walking towards him. He met her half way, "Why didn't you call me?" he said a little louder than he planned.  He ran his hand through his hair as Destiny patiently walked to her locker as he followed.

She'd seen him pacing near her locker. He was wearing a plain white tee and navy blue work shorts, like a mechanic, and dark brown work boots with black socks peeking over the top.  His hair was hanging straight over his ears-still a little oily looking.  He had a small patch of blond hair growing from his chin now. Destiny could see him grit his teeth. She noticed how perfect they look. Not perfectly straight but a nice pearly white with a good alignment. As he walked her way, Destiny took a deep breath.

“I told you I don't have any minutes on my phone. How was I going to call you? I don't even have your number. I'm still not sure how you got mine.”  Destiny spoke softly and quietly as people were beginning to eye them curiously.

Tyler, now towering over her small frame, asked, “Well? Did you think about it?”  Tyler lowered his voice to avoid any added attention.

“Yes,” she said slowly stretching the word out.

“And?” He responded mocking her tone and stretching the word out even longer.

“Did you read the fine print? We have to go through a few hoops like a newlywed class and attend church with the host family. Did you forget to mention that to me or did you miss it?” She put her hands on her hips. She looked a lot like her sister.

“I didn't miss it. I just thought we could talk about those things after you got over the shock of me asking you to marry me.  The essay is due soon if we want to enroll by June.” Tyler forged ahead.

“Tyler?” She whispered stepping closer to him. “You don't even know if I'm old enough to get married.”

“You’re eighteen. Our birthdays are in the same month. Did you forget I've known you since you were five?” He said through gritted teeth impatient for an answer.

“Tyler this idea so wrong,” Destiny shook her head.

“No. This is us against them. The haves against the have nots. They pushed us into this decision and we will win,” his face was inflamed with intensity.

“You sound like some kind crazed lunatic in a movie,” she closed her locker. “But .....here. I thought about it. It’s my outline for the essay,” she smirked. “Lunatic ..” she shook her head at his behavior “...You. Are. A .lunatic.”

“Yes!” Tyler pumped his fist in the air as other students walked by them.

“I need to get on my bus,” Destiny shoved her books in her book bag. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Can I take you home? You gotta get there right away? I know you have your niece and nephew but...um...my dad wants to talk to us together.”

“Your dad? You told your dad?” Destiny almost screamed.

“I don't lie to my dad. Ever. About anything. We don't have a lot of rules but that’s the big one. Can you ride with me?”

She nodded. Destiny informed Dasha that she’d be going away to school and would need to take care of her own children. She explained that finals were coming and she may need to be in study groups and use the library to type papers. As she slid into the truck with Tyler, she decided to call her sister. “Can I use your phone?” Tyler handed it to her. She called her sister leaving a message, “Hey it's me. I got a study thing tonight so I'll be late. I have a ride.”

Destiny handed the phone back to Tyler. His calloused hands brushed hers. She’d never been in a car alone with a boy. She felt a little nervous. Even though it was only Tyler, she still felt a little anxious .Destiny pulled her book bag to her lap and took in her surroundings. The truck was an older truck. It was roomy with leather seats, but lots of trash on the floor.

Tyler watched as Destiny held her bag tightly to her chest. If Tyler had known he'd have a passenger he would have at least cleared out all the water bottles off the floor. “Are you okay?” He asked Destiny. She looked terrified. Tyler had dated and even bedded his fair share of girls but he'd never seen anyone of them so frightened. The girls he dated were very comfortable with their body and his to for that matter. Destiny didn't speak, she only nodded. “Okay, my dad is a good guy. It took me a while to realize it but he really is.” Destiny wondered about that statement but kept her mouth closed, “He's fair, and he listens and doesn't judge.”

A few minutes later they pulled into the trailer park nestled into a wooded area of town. Destiny didn't travel outside of the East End much. She eyed Tyler again with curiosity as they pulled up to a weathered and beaten up trailer.

“Are we safe Tyler?” she asked with her eyes wide.

“Yes. This is my house. Been livin here since I was fifteen. I lived on the other side of the park when until the,” he said a little offended. He ran his fingers through this hair. “I never questioned my safety when I came to see you
twice
.” He held up two fingers to emphasize his point.

“I’m sorry. But Tyler, you’re a guy. A six foot two or three inch guy. I'm a girl. A five feet one and half inch girl with no cell phone. Does that help you understand?” She asked softly not wanting to offend him further.

“Yeah. I understand, I guess.” He said curtly. Destiny knew it was probably best to let this go. She'd seen Tyler when he was offended and it was not pretty. So she just nodded. “You ready?” he asked.  She nodded.

Walking into the trailer, Destiny took in the smell of moisture and mildew in the carpet. She sat on the sofa that was made imitation leather and cracking from overuse. She could smell the stale beer cans and cigarettes. She sat as Tyler moved through the wide kitchen area. Although it was a trailer it was spacious, there was a bedroom on both ends and a sitting area with a small dinette. She could hear Tyler's voice on the opposite end of the trailer.

A few minutes later, Tyler was walking behind an older version of himself in a wheelchair. A wheel chair? Tyler's father, David Duggan, was disabled. She realized she'd never seen him before today.  He had blonde hair, a little darker than Tyler's. It was short but still a little oily just
like Tyler's
Destiny thought to herself. He wore a mustache that was neat and trim and his eyes bore the same deep set and ice blue as Tyler's. 

Like Tyler's parents, Destiny’s mother hadn't made to many school events that parents were supposed to come too either. She’d made it to a few plays and classroom parties over the years but that stopped once she started getting high.  Destiny was in and out of foster care a lot between her junior high and high school years so she learned to rely on herself.

“Destiny, this is my father David Duggan. Dad, this is Destiny.”

“Well, I hear you may be my daughter-in-law. That right?” He jumped right to the point.

“I guess so.” Destiny smiled sheepishly.

“I wanna talk to you both about this before you jump right in. Okay?” Mr. Duggan looked pointedly at them both.

“No lectures dad.” Tyler said as he sat on the sofa slouching as if he was annoyed.

“Well, I won't lecture, but I wanna make sure you know what you’re doing. Marriage is not a joke so if you get married to one another, be married. Come to an agreement about how you guys are gonna do this. You're young and marriage is hard work.” He paused to allow his words to soak in. “Do you have a boyfriend Destiny?” Mr. Duggan asked. Tyler hadn't thought of that. She shook her head. “Good. Tyler? It’s your turn. What's the flavor of the month?"

Tyler frowned, clearly irritated by his dads choice of words. Tyler wasn't a prude, but he was discreet. He didn't run around blabbing about the chicks he screwed. He preferred the "nice and easy" kind. Tyler didn't like drama-he'd learned that from living with his mom. He liked a girls who were little wild and free. He looked at Destiny. She had on her customary lightweight sweater -always that girly color like pink, purple or yellow-and tank top with her skinny leg jeans riding low on the hip and rolled up ankles. He took in her girly bright pink flat shoes. Tyler knew she wasn't wild and free. The wild and free girls he knew weren't looking to get out of the tiny little town. He knew that Destiny was, and he was banking on that being the reason this faux marriage would work.

Hearing Destiny chuckle under her breath caused him to refocus on the conversation at hand. “You think that’s funny?” He scowled at her.

“I've heard a rumor or two,” she cleared her throat trying to sound more offended than she really was feeling.

“Fill me in. What have you heard?” Tyler asked her growing a little sensitive at the topic.

“Just you know ....um ....nothing. We can talk later,” she spoke softly.

“No lies. My dad knows everything. We don't hide from him. It’s his big rule.”

“Okay. I have heard the girls at school all ...you know...a few .....well, with not so good reputations.” Destiny found herself stumbling over the words.  “Like talking after some of the games and stuff.”

Mr. Duggan laughed heartily at her fumbling over the words. “Oh....my son has had a few girls in this trailer park and a few cheerleaders too. Reputations don’t mean anything to Ty or to his brother. The important thing is are you safe, Ty?”  He looked pointedly at his son.

Tyler smiled at his dad, “Every time.” Tyler looked at Destiny. “I won't sleep around on you.” He was slouching back on the sofa with his right knee moving back and forth. He threw his head back closing his eyes in frustration. He was a bit uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. Tyler had never felt bad about the chicks he'd been with until this very moment.

Destiny's eye grew large. “Who will you sleep with then?”

Tyler cleared his throat and peeked at Destiny with one eye. “My wife?” He asked sheepishly.

“Tyler we need to talk about this ...in private,” she whispered ducking her head in shame.

“I understand that,” Mr. Duggan chimed in, “that's the point of us meeting. How do your parents feel about this idea?” Looking at Destiny.

“I live with my sister. She doesn't care. I'll tell her afterwards” Destiny replied.

“She’s ...it's ...complicated. She's harsh.” She shrugged.

“She's a bitch,” Tyler chimed in. Destiny frowned at his choice of words.

Mr. Duggan nodded. “I think you guys should spend more time together. At least create the illusion that's you’re a couple just in case. You don't want to make anyone suspicious, right?”

“All right, dad. Makes sense. We'll work on the essay part tonight. Then file the paperwork to get married after graduation. We don't have to turn in the marriage certificate until we get there. Sound like a plan?” Tyler asked Destiny.

"Okay...." Destiny hesitated. She looked at Tyler. She’d tossed and turned all night on her sister’s ratty sofa. But, she just didn't see another way. So, she agreed. “Let’s work on the essay." Destiny agreed sounding more resolved.

“I'll let you guys work.  I'm going to lay down for a little while,”   Mr. Duggan began to retreat towards his room.

“I'll come help you dad. Need anything for pain?” Tyler asked standing.

“No. No son. I can do it. No pain meds. They’re too strong. You work on your marriage,” he said with another hearty laugh.

Destiny took out her paper and pencil and began to look at their earlier outline.

The night went as planned. The essay was almost done. Destiny heard a rumble in Tyler's stomach. She giggled.  “What time is it?”

“Its-,” Tyler said as Destiny started to stand up.

“I should go. I'm sure Lilly and Lyle haven't had anything. I usually do all the cooking,” Destiny began packing her book bag.