The Devil and Danna Webster (11 page)

“Don't be frightened,” he said, as if he could tell exactly what I was feeling. “I'm not going to hurt you.” His obsidian eyes were intent on mine. “You have nothing to fear from me.”

Somehow I knew that was a lie. “What do you want?”

“It's more like what I can do for you. I can make you rich. I can make you famous. You can become a great artist. You'd like that, wouldn't you? I can give you everything you've ever dreamed of and a lot more.” His eyes, which previously had no light in them, now glowed with unnatural light. It was eerie.

I shook my head and tried to withdraw the hand with which he held my arm, but he wouldn't let go of me. I figured this guy was a few slices short of a loaf. Intuition told me this was an evil man, someone to avoid.

“I guess Kevin has been telling you what a good artist I am, but he tends to exaggerate. If you're some kind of agent, you'll have to talk to my mother about representing my work.”

He smiled looking amused. “Such innocence. Kevin will vouch for me. His father is successful today because of me. Kevin and his sister can have anything and everything they want because of me.” He pulled out a cigar and lit it with a snap of his fingers.

I blinked. It had to be some sort of magic trick. “That's pretty impressive, but you shouldn't smoke in here.”

He nodded and the cigar simply disappeared.

“How did you manage that?”

He gave me an enigmatic smile. “Do ask Kevin. He'll explain it to you. Until we meet again, Ms. Webster.” He squeezed my hand.

“Got some good stuff here,” Kevin said, returning. I took the plate he held out to me. When I looked around, I saw that the stranger had gone. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen. He'd simply vanished. The room was suddenly noisy again. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Kevin, who was that guy? Is he a relative of yours?”

“In a manner of speaking.” Kevin's words were clipped and strained. “Come on, try some of this quiche.”

“If you'll have some too.”

“Fine. You know real men don't eat that kind of stuff.” He managed a weak smile.

I tried sampling some of the food he'd brought. I guess it was good, but for some reason, it tasted like dust in my mouth.

Kevin looked pretty tense too.

“Do you think your mother would mind if we left now?”

Kevin shook his head. “I was thinking the same thing. We should get out of here.”

Kevin drove back to New Jersey at breakneck speed. I didn't have the nerve to say anything about the dark man because Kevin seemed so upset. He didn't go directly to my house either. Instead, he drove over to the ocean, and we sat together in silence for a while.

"I really feel awful about this evening," he finally said, “I know you were looking forward to it and I ruined the whole thing for you. You look so beautiful too."

I touched his hand. "I don't really care. It doesn't matter. I'm sorry it was so miserable for you."

We sat in the car and listened to the sounds of the ocean for a while which I found soothing.

“That man was so creepy,” I said, “I mean, totally weird.”

“Yeah, I know. I want to apologize for that too.” He looked sincere.

"Want to take a walk on the beach?" I asked. "It always makes me feel better when I'm upset. The rhythm of the ocean is calming."

He put his arm around me. "I'm fine sitting here with you. You're what I need. Just being with you makes me feel better.” He kissed me gently on the lips. "I love you." He kissed me again — this time with much more feeling, and I found myself responding. We held each other, kissing and hugging for quite a while. When we finally came apart, we were both breathless, and the car windows were fogged. Kevin noticed it too and traced a heart on the driver's side. He put our initials in it.

"I wish I could say that kissing and holding you was enough for me."

"Isn't it?" I felt bewildered.

He touched my cheek as if I were a small child. "I feel so much for you. It's frustrating not to be able to express my feelings fully. I know this is all new to you. I never want to take advantage of you. You know that, don't you? But I think we can give each other more. Think about what I'm saying, and let me know if we can have a real relationship, a mature one. I'd never hurt you. I have true feelings for you."

He had taken me by surprise. I couldn't answer him. After a while, he started the car again and drove me home. Instead of kissing me goodnight on the lips, as if to emphasize his point that we didn't yet have a grown-up relationship, he kissed me on the forehead, just the way my mother had done earlier. When he left me standing on the porch, I felt miserable and confused.

My mother was sleeping in front of the television set when I came in. As I shut it off, she woke up.

"Good, you're home," she said in a sleepy voice. "How was your party?" I told her it had been okay, but I didn't elaborate. "Just okay? I thought this would be the best party of your life."

I shook my head. "Maybe I expected too much. I built it up in my mind.”

Mom appeared alert now. “There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?”

I shrugged. “Kevin got into an argument with his father, and we ended up leaving early."

My mother straightened on the sofa. "I see. You want to talk about it?"

"Let's just go to sleep. I don't feel much like talking right now. What I feel is exhaustion."

My mother glanced at me sideways, and I could tell she knew that something more was bothering me. I was relieved that she didn't insist on discussing it just then. I did not want to talk about the strange man at the party or what Kevin had said to me in his car later. Both were just too upsetting.

****

The next morning, Kevin called early. He said he wanted to get together, but I put him off, telling him I had schoolwork to do, and that was no lie. Joyce came over later in the afternoon, and as we walked along the beach, she told me about her date with Tom the night before.

"Tom wasn't asked to Caron Moore's party. I don't think she likes him, but we had a good time anyway."

"Probably a lot better than mine."

"Why, what happened?"

I debated telling her the truth and decided to confide in Joyce. I told her about my evening with Kevin and Joyce listened attentively.

"So he wants to have sex with you? Dani, you wouldn't seriously consider it, would you? I knew all along that was what he was after!"

Now I regretted confiding in my friend. "It's not like that. Kevin really does care about me."

"Please! He's just got a smoother line than most. You really have to be careful around that character. He'll bring you nothing but grief."

I was furious. Why had I told Joyce what Kevin had said? She was just like my parents. Maybe she was even jealous.

"Just forget it. I should have known you wouldn't understand!"

“Fine. Tell your mother then. See what she thinks."

"My mother? Are you crazy? I can't discuss something like that with her. You know what she'd say. And she'd tell my stepdad. Then he'll forbid me to see Kevin anymore."

"Would that be so bad?"

I didn't answer.

"All right, then just say no to the guy and see what happens."

"Maybe I want to say yes!"

Joyce got to her feet. "I can't believe this is you talking. He must have really gotten to you. Use your brains," she shouted at me

"Maybe you use yours too much," I shouted back at her.

Joyce shook her head. "You're becoming an emotional mess. Maybe I ought to tell your mother for your own sake."

We faced each other, both angry.

"You tell her and I swear I will never forgive you! What kind of friend are you?”

"A better one than you deserve. Grow up, Dani! It's because I am your friend that I'm telling you the truth. Sorry you don't like hearing it."

We parted then. We didn't speak another word on the way back to the house. After Joyce left, I shut myself in my room and cried. It's not easy losing the person who has been your best friend all through school.

That night, I didn't sleep well. I kept having bad dreams. I was at Caron's party again. The dark man showed up. I started running away. I kept running with him chasing me, calling out my name, and then I fell over a huge cliff and I was falling down and down and down. I woke up in the middle of the night, sweating, my heart racing. The nightmare had been so real, so horrifying.

In the morning, my mother went to work, and my father had a doctor's appointment. Our school was closed for Columbus Day. I moped around for a while not knowing what to do. I really wasn't in the mood for doing homework. Then the phone rang.

It was Kevin. He wanted us to spend the afternoon together. At first, I turned him down, but he was persistent and I finally caved.

He picked me up at noon and we went out for burgers in the mall. He then asked if I minded dropping by his house. "My mother's car is in the shop and I promised to run a few errands for her. Hope you don't object."

"Of course not. I like your mother."

As it turned out, his mother and sister were both at home. Caron had Alicia Connelly over, and Mrs. Moore looked as if she were waiting to go out.

"So glad you arrived, Kevin. The mechanic says my car won't be ready until tomorrow afternoon. There are a few things I simply must do, and I need to be dropped at the beauty parlor. My hair is frightful."

"Anywhere for you, Sheila," he responded with a teasing smile. Then he kissed her on the hand.

She patted his cheek. "Isn't he wonderful? And the way he stood up to his father the other night, such courage!"

“I think he embarrassed our entire family,” Caron said, glaring at her brother.

"Let's not go there," Kevin said. "Sheila, if you're ready, let's leave."

"Wait! Why don't you let Danna stay with us?" Caron suggested. "Since the two of you are dating, we ought to get better acquainted."

Kevin narrowed his eyes. “What are you up to?”

“Brother dearest, Danna and I should get to know each other. Stop eyeing me with distrust.”

“I don't think it's such a good idea,” Kevin said.

“You're wrong.” Caron, intent on having her own way, shoved Kevin toward the door.

For a moment, the thought ran through my mind I was like a toy being pulled back and forth between two spoiled children. Finally, Kevin left with Mrs. Moore, and I had the dubious pleasure of joining Caron and Alicia. Kevin's sister was suddenly going out of her way to be nice to me, although I had no idea why. Alicia seemed just as puzzled. She, at least, didn't bother being charming. Caron tried to draw me out in conversation, but I spoke with reserve, not sure that I could trust her.

"I overheard Kevin tell our mother he cares about you, Danna."

Alicia frowned but didn't speak. I thought it best not to comment either.

"I wonder." Caron tapped a long, blood-red fingernail against an end table.

"What are you wondering?" I asked, realizing I sounded defensive.

"Oh, why you in particular. Not to hurt your feelings, but he is awfully attractive. He can have any girl he wants. All he has to do is snap his fingers.” She demonstrated. “You're not exactly his type."

"What is his type?"

"Well, Alicia, for example."

Alicia gave a knowing smile.

"Maybe he's an art lover," I responded in a flat voice.

"Could be, at that," Caron agreed.

I began to suspect that her invitation was motivated by curiosity. She wanted details about my relationship with Kevin. She probably intended to mock me. Well, I wasn't foolish enough to discuss him with her.

The phone rang and distracted Caron from further questioning. When she returned, she said, "I just got a call to remind me about the Halloween Dance. We need to do some additional posters to hang around the school. I know what! Danna, you could help us. We need someone who's artistic. Say you'll help."

I told her that I would and she was pleased.

"What are you coming as?"

I told her that I had no plans to go.

"Of course you'll go," she said, as if there weren't any doubt about it. "I'll talk to Kevin later. It's going to be great fun. You'll come with us. Don't let Kevin always take you out alone. There's so much more fun in a group and you'll fit in well with us. Hey, suppose I teach you how to apply makeup the way models do? Come on, don't look so doubtful. You'll enjoy learning. I'll make you look glamorous. When Kevin comes back, he'll be dazzled. He'll love it."

I was hesitant. But at the continued urging of Caron and Alicia, I finally agreed. Caron really seemed to enjoy working with makeup and showing Alicia and me how to apply it. She was very professional. I was impressed with her knowledge.

“You're easy to work with,” Caron said. She studied me. “Good bone structure. This is going well. Now we'll work on your hair. You have good hair, nice and thick.” When she finished, a beautiful girl looked back at me from the mirror. I blinked. It wasn't me, but I confess I loved looking like a glamorous movie actress.

"Perfect," Caron pronounced, "except you ought to wear something that goes with your new look." She went to her enormous closet, dragging me in her wake, and began looking through her things. "Here's a dress I never wear. It's just a tad large on me, but I think it will fit you perfectly."

"I couldn't."

"Try it on at least!" I took off my slacks and shirt and pulled on the clinging knit dress. I really did look sophisticated and mature with the dress and full makeover.

"Great," Caron said. "The dress fits you and it emphasizes your curves. I have just the right belt for it too.” She rummaged in a dresser drawer and brought out a silver belt in the shape of a snake. She clasped it around my waist and stood back. “Lovely. My best creation. I can't wait for Kevin to see you!"

We didn't have long to wait. Kevin returned shortly, and as I answered the door, I held my breath in anticipation.