Hidden Scars (9 page)

I removed a small sewing kit from one of the boxes. “Where did you get all this stuff?”

“When you have two married sisters
and
a grandmother like mine, you only have to let your needs be known. Mother helped out, too.”

Becky and I had finished organizing the kitchen when Kyle came in with a deck of cards. “Anyone for a game of Rook?”

I grinned at Becky. “Girls against the guys?”

“Yeah, right. Like you two stand a chance. Come on, Chuck. We’re going to teach these girls how to play cards.”

Becky reached in the cupboard and set four glasses on the counter. “I’ll fix us all a Coke while you shuffle, Mr. Big Shot.”

The afternoon proved both enjoyable and productive. By seven, we’d achieved our goal of making the house livable, and the guys had beaten the girls two games out of three. But knowing the doors at the dorm would be locked by eight, we had to break it up.

Chuck expressed his doubts that my parents would be waiting for us, but after Friday’s escapade, we decided to take extra precautions. I couldn’t help but feel more than a little apprehensive, but my bag of clothing and the dress waited in his bedroom closet in the event my parents ever presented themselves as surprise visitors.

When we arrived, Kyle turned into the dorm parking lot and drove slowly. We scanned the area before driving through each section. Becky volunteered to go inside and check with the girl at the front desk and soon came running back to the car where the three of us stood.

“No messages and no visitors.”

Chuck wrapped his arms around me. “I don’t know what time I’ll make it back tomorrow. Remember it’s a two-hour drive, but it’s only for a couple of weeks.”

He removed a slip of paper from his shirt pocket and handed it to me, along with a key.

“This is the name of a friend of mine and his dorm phone number. He has a car and the address to the house. I’ve told him about us and the problems with your parents. He’s more than willing to help. He said to call him anytime. Make sure Becky has this information also.”

I tried to enjoy the comfort of Chuck’s embrace but couldn’t relax and not continually cheek over my shoulder. “I better go.” I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him good night. “I’m glad you’re going to be close by.”

“Everything’s going to work out, Morgan.”

We kissed a few more times, then said good night. Before walking away, I reached for Kyle’s hand. “Thanks for all your help.”

“Not a problem. I’d do just about anything for you two.” He leaned down and hugged me and whispered in my ear, “Take care of him, Morgan. I may not be around much longer to keep the dope in line.”

I searched his eyes. “Why do you say that? You’re not going anywhere.”

“I’m leaving after Christmas. I’ve joined the Army.”

“Why, Kyle? With Vietnam in the mess it’s in, why?”

“My father and grandfather joined the Army at a younger age than me. I guess it’s past time for me to follow in their footsteps. It’s what some men have to do.”

I stood there, unable to find the right words. My heart ached as I considered the horrific scenes depicted on the nightly news.

“You two girls better get in there,” Chuck kissed the back of my neck, “before Mrs. Henderson has my scalp.”

Becky and I headed for the dorm. Within inches of reaching the door, I stopped and spun around, looking at a sea of empty cars.

“What is it, Morgan?”

“I don’t know. It’s the strangest thing, like someone’s watching us.”

What a weekend. So many events made it difficult to comprehend the reality of it all. Totally exhausted, I climbed in bed immediately after bed checks. Paige turned out the lights and retired a few minutes later. After more than an hour of tossing, I forced all the negative occurrences aside and focused on the positive impact Chuck’s recent changes would have on our lives. I’d finally begun to feel the onset of sleep when a faint squeak from the door hinges jarred me awake. I turned my head in the direction of the noise as a shadowy figure tiptoed toward me. Before I could reach for the lamp, Becky whispered my name.

“What are you doing?” I hissed back. “Don’t you know if you get caught out of your room after hours, we’re both in trouble?”

“We need to talk.”

If Paige woke during the quiet commotion, she never said a word. I pushed the covers back and followed Becky out of the room to the lounge. I switched on the overhead light only long enough to find the table lamp and turn it on. Becky sat beside me on the brown corduroy couch.

“Okay, what’s wrong?”

“It’s Mimi Clair.” Becky folded her arms across her chest. “She recognized Kyle’s Camaro tonight. Apparently, she’d gone out to her car to get something and saw us. But it gets worse. She also saw you kissing Chuck.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s great. Maybe I should take out an ad in the
Bradford County Herald
and let the whole town of Greer know about me and Chuck. Not that I’m ashamed or have anything to hide—not anymore. But if people start asking Mom a lot of questions, it could have the same effect as poking a hornet’s nest.”

“She didn’t get a good look at Chuck, but she’s convinced it was him. You know how insistent Mimi can get. Her curiosity won’t go away without some kind of answer.” Becky wrapped the drawstring from her pajama bottoms around her finger. “We got in a snip because I wouldn’t blab.”

“I’m sorry, Becky. Since you agreed to be my maid of honor, life’s become one giant headache for you, hasn’t it? I promise, if you want to back out, I’ll understand.”

“Forget it. I wouldn’t miss this wedding for anything. Don’t worry about me. It’s you I’m concerned about. If Mimi Clair finds out about Chuck, the phone lines will burn right off the poles. I love her, but she cannot keep her mouth shut to save anybody’s life.”

I laughed, visualizing cables blazing. “Yep, South Central Bell would have their hands full for sure.”

Her eyes widened. “We could always make up some fake boyfriend.”

“No…it’s not like my parents don’t already know about Chuck. Besides, now that he lives in town, he’ll be coming by the dorm during the week. Mimi’s bound to find out sooner or later. I might as well tell her. But we’ve got to make sure she never finds out about us getting married.”

“She won’t.” Becky assured me. “Oh, she’ll ask all kind of questions, marriage plans included, but we’ll downplay it.”

“I’ve got Music Theory tomorrow morning at eight. I’d like to tell her before then and get it over with. How about we meet in the lobby at six thirty and go to breakfast?”

“I don’t know if she’ll want to go to breakfast that early. What should I tell her?”

“The truth. That I need to talk to her.”

“All right, but what if she refuses to go?”

“We’ll worry about that tomorrow. Right now, we’ve got to get back to our rooms before we get caught and written up. I’ll go first and check the halls. Remember, if you hear or see somebody, head to the bathroom.”

On the way to the cafeteria the next morning, Mimi Claire only spoke when questioned, and then responded in a stoic manner. When I looked to Becky for an answer, she shrugged. The smell of coffee and bacon greeted us when we arrived, but my stomach quivered at the thought of having anything more than lightly buttered toast and milk. Mimi’s silent treatment unnerved me.

After having our meal tickets punched, I chose a table by an east-facing window in hopes of a glorious sunrise possibly brightening the mood. Once seated, I started with the statement I’d practiced all morning, “Mimi, I understand you saw me with Chuck last night.”

“I knew it!” Mimi glared at Becky. “Didn’t I tell you?”

“I need this to stay between the three of us. I’d really appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything to anyone. Especially anyone from Greer.”

“Oh, you can trust me, Morgan.”

Mimi Clair rattled on for several minutes about how she’d always suspected Chuck and I might still be seeing one another. Then without warning, her smile disappeared. “Wait a minute.” She spun toward Becky. “You knew all along, didn’t you?” When Becky didn’t respond, Mimi jerked her head my direction. “Why didn’t you tell me before today?”

I opened my mouth and tried with all my might to come up with something intelligent. Something to douse Mimi’s anger, but not one brilliant thought dislodged itself.

After another awkward moment, Becky took over and handled her like a pro. “You’re such an honest person, Mimi. We hated to ask you to compromise your standards. Everyone knows how difficult it is for you to hold the truth inside.”

By the time Becky completed her sugarcoated rendition, I had to make a conscious effort to close my mouth.

Mimi reached over and hugged Becky. “You’re such a good friend…both of you. Y’all know me better than anyone.”

When Mimi thanked us for the second time for being so thoughtful, I chewed on the tip of my thumbnail and avoided eye contact with either of them. Instead, I glanced at the wall clock. Seven twenty.
Close enough.
I gathered my books, excused myself, and left for class.

I’d planned on telling the rest of the girls about Chuck when we gathered in Jennifer’s room, as usual, later that afternoon. But my day was hectic, and an unscheduled meeting of the majorettes to discuss Christmas uniforms caused me to get back to the dorm later than usual.

“Morgan Selby, you have a telephone call,” the cry sounded before the stairway door closed behind me. Not wanting another confrontation with Mom, I waved at the girl calling my name.

“Wait, Carol.” I hurried closer. “Did they say who was calling?”

“No, she didn’t.”

She!
“I hate to ask you to do this, but would you take a message for me?”

“Sure. What do you want me to tell her?”

“Find out who it is and what they want. Tell ’em I’ll call them back later.”

I followed her back inside the phone room and lingered in the doorway as she picked up the receiver dangling by a metal cord.

“Can I take a message?” She nodded several times before responding. “I’ll tell her. And you said your name is Janet?”

Janet!
I reached for the phone. “Thanks, Carol. I’ll take it.”

“Janet, don’t hang up. I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you. I was afraid it might be Mom. How are you?”

“Hey, girl. I’m fine. Listen, I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Okay.”

“Promise you won’t get upset.”

“You’re scaring me, Janet. Just tell me.”

“Mother had a hair appointment today, and your mother was there.”

“Oh, no. What did Mom say to her?”

“She didn’t say anything. It’s what Mother overheard her telling the ladies at the salon.”

As hard as I tried to control them, tremors shook my body. “What? Tell me. What did she hear?”

“Your mother has this crazy idea that you and Chuck plan to run off and get married in the next few weeks, as soon as you turn eighteen. And here’s the really crazy part, supposedly, your parents have someone watching you.”

“Watching me? What do you mean? They’re
paying
someone to watch me?”

“Mother never heard her say who. But the plan is to stop you, and if they can’t, then they’ll have the marriage annulled.”

“How does she know? We’ve been so careful.”

Janet squealed. “Oh, I can’t believe it! You mean it’s true?”

“Yes.” My voice cracked, and tears began to roll down my face. “What do we do now? I don’t know what to do anymore.”

“Don’t cry. Hang on a minute. Mother wants to talk to you.”

Mrs. Barnes’s calm, sweet voice vibrated over the line, “Morgan, I had Janet call so you’d know what your parents were up to. Honey, they apparently have no intention of allowing you and Chuck to marry, but that doesn’t mean you can’t.”

When she paused, I brushed the tears away and wiped my runny nose with the back of my hand, then covered my mouth to try controlling the convulsive sobs.

“Listen, Morgan. Your mother might be bluffing, but in case she’s not, wait her out. Meanwhile, make yourself visibly available. They can’t watch you forever, and they can’t afford to pay someone to do it for long. Everything will work out. I’m sorry, honey, but you needed to know. Are you going to be all right?”

“M-uh,” I responded with uncontrollable spasms, still crying and gulping for air.

“We’ll be praying for you, and if I hear anything else, I’ll let you know. We love you.”

I hung up the phone, unable to voice my thanks, and leaned against the concrete wall. A moment later, I slid to the floor, hugged my legs tight to my chest, buried my head in my arms, and wailed. For the first time since placing my trust in Christ, I couldn’t pray. The words wouldn’t come.

Someone touched my arm. “Are you all right?”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.

Sometime later, Becky’s and Jennifer’s voices washed over me and their hands lifted me under my arms. My legs wobbled like rubber, unable to hold me up. But with their assistance and encouragement, I made it back to my room. They sat with me in silence and supplied me with tissues until I regained some composure.

Jennifer spoke first. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not right now. Maybe later.”

“How about some water or a Coke? It might make you feel better?”

I shook my head. “Thanks, Jennifer. I don’t want anything.”

Becky looked at her. “Why don’t we let her rest for a while?”

Jennifer rose then glanced back. “The girls are all worried about you. What do you want us to tell them?”

“That I’m fine and I’ll…I’m fine. You know, maybe a Coke would help. There’s some money on my nightstand.”

Jennifer left the room.

Becky stood, closed the door, and leaned against it. “Was it your mom on the phone?”

“No. But they know. I don’t know how, but they know all about our plans.”

She walked over and sat beside me. I quickly explained the phone conversation.

“I don’t believe it. I think when she noticed Mrs. Barnes, your mother made up the whole thing. Oh, don’t get me wrong, she probably suspects you and Chuck are thinking about marriage, but the only thing she knows for sure is Janet or her mother would call you. And they did. In a few weeks, you and Chuck will be married. Don’t let her—” Becky held a finger to her lips and nodded toward the door.