Complicated Matters (4 page)

   Her anger began to rise over the stupidity of it all.
If he had any sense at all, he’d realize no one is paying any attention to him.

   Ted walked up to her and threw his arms around her. “We called off the swim at the springs. Do you want me to hang out with you this afternoon?”

   Farrah laid her head against his chest. His heartbeat made her nervous. “Do you really want to spend the last day of your childhood helping me make memorial plans?”

   Ted took a step back. “Don’t you have someone to do all that for you?” 

   “There really isn’t much to do.” She lowered her head. “Mom and Dad planned a small graduation reception at the house, so we’re just using that for their memorial service. The preacher will know what to say.” Seeking comfort, she put her arms around his waist. “I know you and Dad never really got a long, but it will be nice to have you there.”

   He put his arms back around her. “I might show up once things settle down, if it’s okay with you.

   “Yeah, sure you will.” Farrah stood there letting him hold her, all the while doubting he’d show. It didn’t really matter. By fall he’d be studying at Florida State University. Things were changing too fast.  She just wanted to go back and repeat the year.

   They were told to go this way and that. Sitting down and standing up on command, they were forced to listen to Principal Madison’s hot air as he told them his expectations. 

   Relief washed over her as he refused to let anyone rehearse their speeches in front of a live audience.

   Ted walked her out of the gym. 

   She reached for his hand, but encircled her in his arms instead. “Don’t be so sad, Cupcake.”

  
How can he expect me to be anything but?
Her stomach lurched as she pushed against his chest. “You know I hate it when you call me that.”

   “You just haven’t given it a chance.” He grabbed her rear-end and squeezed. “That’s a habit I hope to change before the summer’s out.”

   She pushed him backward. “You know better than that. What if someone sees us?”

   “They might think the ice queen is finally thawing out.” He rubbed his chest where she pushed him. “I gotta go.” He spun around on the heel of his boot.

   She stared a him as he caught up with a group of girls.
Asshole.

   “Come on, Farrah.” Alex tapped her on the shoulder. “We’ve got things to do.”

   She followed her brothers to their minivan.

   “You’re in no shape to drive.” Alex slid behind the wheel. “I can take over as long as you’re in the front seat.”

   Farrah put her body on autopilot. She went through the motions, doing things that made no sense, and kept no memories of them.

   The next thing she knew, she was at the graduation ceremony. The school fight song followed the introduction of all the athletes.

   Ted made some lame speech about missing Morgansville High. 

   Jinx Washington kept things simple with “University of Georgia, here I come.  Go Dawgs.”

   Farrah was the last one introduced. She walked across the stage wearing a black armband in remembrance of her parents. She took a deep breath and studied the cheering crowd. “Friends, family, and my esteemed instructors. As valedictorian, I am supposed to impart some pearls of wisdom and words of encouragement.

   “I am hardly the person to be giving advice to anyone. Instead, I would like to take this time to share something with you.” She searched the crowd of onlookers for her brothers as she thought about what she had to say. 

   No one made a sound.

   Farrah swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and hampered her breathing. “As many of you know, Duke University has made me a generous scholarship offer. 

   “I realize the publicity this county has received, because of the unprecedented, for a school of this size, three athletic scholarships awarded in a single year.”

   She scanned the crowd until she found her boyfriend and his best friend. “Jinx and Ted are amazing athletes and deserve every ounce of praise you can give them. I wish them all the best.”

   There was a brief moment when she bowed her head and closed her eyes. “I talked it over with Duke University. They understand why I can no longer accept their scholarship, and have released me from my obligations.” The words didn’t seem real to her even though she was the one saying them.

   A wave of whispers washed over the stunned crowd.

   Farrah blinked her tears away, and raised her hand, silencing the assembled guests. “This decision did not come easy.”

   She watched as the crowd of onlookers, many of whom were her friends, seemed to view her as some kind of traitor. “It would be beyond selfish of me to split up my family, and shut down my parents’ legacy, for the sake of this town or my personal vanity. I appreciate your tolerance and understanding. Perhaps someday, you’ll understand.” She held her head high, as she made her exit.

   Tension mounted. The crowd mumbled amongst themselves.

   Slow clapping sounds came from a far corner of the gym. Taylor stepped out of the shadows and crossed the huge room clapping as he walked.

   Muffled voices turned into roaring cheers. 

   Farrah watched the changing attitude of the crowd, and mouthed, ‘Thank you’ at the young sheriff.

   *

   For the rest of the day she was back on autopilot.

   Once she and her brothers had all the sympathetic relatives they could stand, Farrah put on her work clothes and told her brothers to stay in the house. As she fed up, chickens cackled and flew about. The family Irish Setter, Champ, chased Alex’s horse, Stoney, around the corral almost making him jump across the fence.

   “Stop it, Champ.” She chased after the energetic dog. “Don’t worry,” she yelled at her extended family from inside the corral. “This happens all the time.”

   “Oh my, will you look at the time?” Some distant relative got up. “Come on kids, time to leave.”   

   That was the first drop in a flood of mourners making their exit from the farm.”

   “Not bad, Sis.” Alex patted his sister on the back. “How’d you know they’d leave?”

   “A barking dog chasing a crazy horse? What else would they do?”  Farrah almost managed a smile. “Will you guys help me put them back in their pens before they really do escape?”

   They worked together and took care of all the animals.

   “Okay guys. There’s another week of school left for anyone who isn’t a graduated senior, so you two go study while I clean up.”

   “Anything to get out of picking up this mess,” Alex mumbled. “Were those people or pigs?”

   “Let me know when you figure it out.” Farrah started picking up used plates and other debris and shoving them into garbage bags. After she filled a few trash bags, she packed up the leftover food and headed for the kitchen.

   “Did I miss the party?”

   “Sheriff Taylor,” she gasped. “I didn’t hear you drive up.”

   “I sneaked in while everyone else was leaving.” He grabbed a half tray of sandwiches and followed her. “How are you and your brothers doing?”

   “We’d be a lot better if everyone would stop asking that question.” She set the food down on the counter and turned back toward the sheriff. “Are you hungry? There’s plenty left.”

   “Why don’t I help you get things picked up first?” 

   They went back outside and finished cleaning up.

   She poured them each a glass of iced tea and sat down on the porch swing. “Thanks for coming to my rescue back at graduation.” 

   He grinned. “It was my pleasure.” 

   “I know you didn’t come all the way out here just to have tea and sandwiches.” Farrah shook off the feeling of uneasiness that crept up her spine. “So why don’t you level with me?”

   Taylor looked away from her. “Social Services has some reservations about a teenaged girl raising two boys.”

   Farrah bit the bottom of her lip as his words sank in. “You can tell Social Services I’m a legal adult.” The swing rattled and creaked as she got off it. “Let them know they can come out here anytime they wish and inspect our living conditions.” 

   “You don’t have to get so offensive about everything.” Taylor stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. “I’m just giving you a heads-up.”

   She turned back toward him. “I appreciate your concern, Sheriff.”

   “It’s Heath,” he interrupted.

   The sound of his name soothed her. “Like I said, thanks for the concern. But I’m not letting some government big shot split up my family.”

   “I just thought you might like to know.”

   Farrah though for a moment. “Thanks for your help--all of it. I’m not usually this much of a bitch.”

   He stepped off the back porch. “I’ll let you know just as soon as I find out something.”

   The following issue of Sports Monthly ran the story,
Small Town Basketball Prodigy says, “No” to Duke.

   Chapter 6

   Another week passed. Some social worker named Mrs. Bach paid them a visit and found everything satisfactory. She gave Farrah her card in case they needed anything.

   School was out, and it was time for Alex to go off to rodeo camp, and Jess to join the boy scouts for their annual wilderness adventure. Their parents signed them up for the camps as Christmas presents. Farrah was not about to let them miss out.

   “I’ll be fine.” She assured them as they waited for their buses. You guys go have fun. See you in a few weeks.”

   The camp buses arrived one-by-one. Farrah choked by her tears as she hugged her brothers. This was the first time they’d been apart since their parents died. She forced herself to let them go.

   Summer was a good time for them to leave. She’d be too busy with farm chores to listen to them fight over their petty differences. 

   It was haying season. The long hours of hard work kept Farrah’s loneliness at bay. Every day she worked until she was too exhausted to move. 

   On Friday afternoon a freak storm hit just as Farrah was moving the last of the rolled hay into the huge outbuilding used to store animal feed. The sound of the rain was ear shattering against the tin roof. 

   Something banged outside. She looked out the walkthrough door. The wind blew the gates in the livestock barn open scaring the horses and chickens. 

   Farrah raced across the muddy ground, nearly slipping, on her way to secure the gate latches. The cold, hard rain slapped her face, and the wind tried to ravage everything in its path. She dodged her basketball, now at the hands of the wind, as she fought to lock the gates. Once everything was secure, she raced for the security of her house.

   Ted sat on the porch swing. “Damn, you’re sexy.” 

   She jumped. “You scared the hell out of me.”

   “I knocked, but no one answered.” He followed her into the house. “Where are the guys?” 

   She took off her shoes at the door. “They went to summer camp.” 

   She flinched when Ted put his arms around her waist. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy to see me?” 

   “Of course I am.” She removed his hands from her waist. “It’s just, I’m all gross right now.” 

   He stared at her and licked his lips. “You look great to me.” 

   She checked herself in the mirror. Her white work-shirt was transparent as it clung to her body revealing her bra and flesh. “You raid the fridge while I try and find the real Farrah.”

   He traced the opening of her shirt. “I like this Farrah just fine.” 

   “Go.” She pushed him back. “This won’t take long.”

   She emerged from her bedroom wearing her red tank top and denim mini. Her wet hair clung to her body.

   Ted turned from the window. “There’s my girl.” He pulled her close to him and wrapped her in his arms. He lifted her chin and kissed her lips. “Hmmm. Didn’t you say we have the entire house to ourselves?”

   He looked at her like a hungry dog does at a hambone. She felt violated. “Yes, but--”

   He kissed her again. “I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time.”

   She pushed him away. “What’s gotten into you?”

   “Remember the promise you made to me on Prom Night? You said we’d be together after graduation.” He pressed his body against hers.

   She felt him growing.

   “I think I’ve been more than patient.” He lowered her tank top strap and kissed her bare shoulder. “This life agrees with you. Your tan has never looked better.”

   Farrah became dizzy as Ted covered her mouth with his. She wasn’t sure if the chemistry between them was making her feel this way, or if it was merely her need for oxygen. She put her arms around his neck to steady herself.

   He carried her into her bedroom. “I’ll be gentle.” He lay her down and removed his shirt.

   Farrah stared at Ted’s half-naked athletic body. Her throat dried and her heart skipped a beat.