The Devil and Danna Webster (5 page)

“I badgered my sister until she gave me your last name. Then I cleverly opened the phone book and looked up your number. So how's that for detective work? Think I'm ready to open my own agency?”

“Why not?”

“Then maybe I could hire you to be my secretary.”

“Sorry, I don't type very well.”

“Who cares?”

In spite of myself, I laughed. I forced myself to be stern. “Why did you call?”

“Just wanted to talk to you, hear your voice again.”

I glanced over at Gar and saw that he was listening, watching intently. “I can't talk right now,” I told Kevin.

“Hey, trying to get rid of me?”

“No, I have company. I really have to go.”

“Okay, but I'm meeting you tomorrow.”

“Right, tomorrow.” I quickly hung up.

Gar got stiffly to his feet. “You didn't have to stop your conversation on my account. I'm leaving now anyway. I'll contact you again so that we can set up another appointment for tutoring. Thank your parents for their hospitality.” His voice had become formal, cold, aloof. I mourned the passing of that special moment that had happened between us, the loss of intimacy. I wondered if I had only imagined that he was about to kiss me. After all, I didn't have any experience. So how could I know for certain? And yet, deep down I felt he'd liked me a lot in that moment and I'd felt the same.

I didn't see Gar again until lunch period the next day. As I went up to the line to buy my milk, I observed him sitting with his friends. For just a second, our eyes met. It was a jarring contact. Then we both looked away.

As I was finishing lunch, he strode over to my table. He looked down at me with what appeared to be a superior air. “I just wanted to tell you that I won't be able to manage another tutoring session for a while, too busy.”

I was saved the embarrassment of a reply by the appearance of Caron Moore. “I've been looking for you,” she said to Gar. “I thought we could get together this afternoon.” She placed her hand on his bicep with what seemed to me as a possessive gesture. He shrugged it off.

“After practice maybe.” Then he walked away with Caron following.

“How do you know Gar Hansen?” Phyllis asked moon-eyed.

I explained about the tutoring.

“Some girls have all the luck! I would do anything for an introduction to him,” she said. “There is no justice. I'm good in math and don't need tutoring. Dumb girls like you do better with guys. You could introduce me though.”

“For all the good it would do you!” Joyce remarked. I guess she took umbrage on my behalf about the dumb girl crack.

Phyllis frowned at Joyce. “You can never tell. He just might prefer a girl who's pleasantly plump. I read an article about guys who are chubby chasers. They like full-figured girls like me. Although I have to admit, Caron Moore is tough competition.”

“She really is chasing him,” Joyce agreed, adjusting her eyeglasses. “Anyway, I think they're both a couple of snobs.”

“He can be nice,” I ventured. Both Joyce and Phyllis gave me hard looks and I felt myself blush. Why couldn't I hide my feelings better? “But then I don't know him that well either,” I added.

Joyce wanted to get together in the afternoon, except I had already arranged to help Ms. Meade again. Working with Ms. Meade was really the best part of my day. I was very good in pastels and fair in watercolors and acrylics, but when it came to oil, my strokes were awkward. Ms. Meade helped me with the seascape I was working on in my spare time.

“It's not very good, is it?” I sighed.

“On the contrary, it's coming along very well,” she assured me. “I've seen many seascapes, but your work has a unique quality to it. It's good you're not just copying other people's work. You're developing an original style and that takes time. Don't be concerned if you make mistakes. Everyone learns by trial and error.”

In many ways, she was easier to talk to than my mother. Maybe it was because Ms. Meade was younger, but there was also something more. My mother seemed weary, almost tired of life while Ms. Meade was full of energy and assurance. I admired that about her. I also respected her knowledge of art. I wanted to learn everything I could from her. I wanted to be like her.

“Can I ask you a question that has nothing to do with art?” She looked a little surprised but nodded. “There's this boy who wants to go out with me and I think I like him, only my parents and my friend disapprove of him. If you were me, would you go out with him anyway?”

She was thoughtful. “Not an easy question to answer. I'd have to analyze why the people who care about me didn't approve of this boy. There must be a reason.”

“But if you thought they were wrong?”

She hesitated. “Well, I suppose I'd want a chance to decide for myself.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I appreciate the advice.”

“I'm not certain I provided you with any advice. Do let me know what happens.” I saw the look of genuine concern on her face.

It was four o'clock before I knew it. I cleaned my brushes and put away my paints and smock. And then I saw Kevin standing in the doorway.

He appeared a little uneasy. “Am I interrupting?” he asked.

Ms. Meade looked Kevin over. Our eyes met and I realized that she knew this was the boy I had been talking about.

“We're all finished here,” she said. Kevin smiled at her but she didn't smile back. What was it about him that adults didn't like?

“Shall we go?” he asked me. I glanced at him as we walked out, trying to observe him in an objective manner. Sure his hair was on the long side and the black leather jacket he was wearing gave him a dangerous look, but it wasn't a motorcycle jacket and he didn't look tough or mean. Was it because he looked knowing? He wasn't innocent. Innocent — maybe that was how I looked. I never really thought about it before.

Sal's was really bustling with kids. It was a Friday afternoon. No school the next day. Everyone was in celebration mode. Kevin led me to a booth which was set back from the others.

“I like the gunfighter's seat,” he explained. He positioned me against the back wall and slipped in close beside me instead of sitting opposite. “What's the matter?” he asked.

“I feel like you've got me imprisoned here.”

“Maybe I like to feel in control,” he said flashing a wicked grin.

“I don't like it.” I pushed him away and he laughed out loud. Then we ordered pizza slices and sodas.

When we were about ready to leave, who should come in but Caron, hanging on to Gar Hansen's arm. She sauntered up to Kevin and me.

“We're coming and you're going. Why don't you join us for a while?” I noticed how similar brother and sister were in their dark good looks.

“Danna and I have hung around here long enough.”

“But you ought to get acquainted with my friends. And Gar is a senior; he'll introduce you to his crowd.”

He frowned at his sister. “I'm not a jock, you know that by now. And I don't like crowds.”

“Always the lone wolf, aren't you?” She emphasized the word “wolf” and looked pointedly at me.

“You can be popular for both of us. See you,” he said.

I glanced over at Gar; but his look was unreadable.

Kevin and I walked to his car. “I hope you don't mind but I really don't like to hang out. Caron tells me I'm anti-social. Maybe I'm just not too crazy about people in general.” We got into his car and he turned to me. “Well, where would you like to go?”

“I think home would be best. I really have tons of homework to do.”

“On a Friday? Can't it wait?”

“I need to work on my geometry every day.”

“Okay, whatever you say.” He gave me a mischievous grin. “Ready?”

Then he took off toward the highway.

“Kevin, this isn't the way to my house.”

“Isn't it?” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Okay, I figured we could just take a short ride first.”

“No, we can't.”

“I thought you'd say that. Just testing.” He jammed on his brakes and cut across the break in the divider.

“I think you're supposed to make a U-turn up ahead.”

“This was easier.”

“But you could have gotten a ticket!”

He laughed. “I get a charge out of living dangerously. Collecting tickets is another one of my little hobbies.”

I thought of what my father would say if he heard that and had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Was Kevin joking? Maybe he was trying to impress me.

As we stopped for a red light, he reached over and put his arm around me. His breath was warm on my cheek. “I want to kiss you,” he said.

A car horn sounded behind us. Kevin stiffened. He muttered something under his breath and floored the accelerator.

“Some people have no patience," he complained.

I felt relieved. He was coming on a little too strong for me. I offered to give him directions, but Kevin claimed he remembered how to get over to Crawfords Beach. He had to concentrate though, so that saved me from worrying about what to talk about until we pulled up in front of my house. Then Kevin relaxed, his right arm encircling my shoulders.

He was so close that I could feel his breath on my cheek. I inched toward the door.

"I know you haven't lived very long in Wilson Township," I said nervously. "Where do you come from?"

"Manhattan." If he thought my babbling strange, he didn't let on.

"New York City?" I asked, edging away still further.

"Yep," he said curtly.

"It must be quite a change for you."

"You could say that. Caron and I were really surprised when Sheila decided to buy a townhouse out in the boonies."

"Sheila?"

"My mother prefers to be called by her first name. It seems to make her feel younger."

"I guess you don't think much of living out here or you wouldn't call it the boonies."

"Don't get me wrong. Green Valley Estates is a nice enough place, but it's not like living in the city."

"The city's different?"

"Way different. It's alive day and night. There's always something happening in the city. It's exciting, not like here." His dark eyes glowed as if I had fanned a flame in them.

"But it's dangerous there, isn't it?"

"I told you before, I enjoy danger. I never feel really alive unless I'm living on the edge. Besides, better danger than boredom."

"Sounds like just a lot of talk to me. In our town, you can leave your door open and not worry about intruders."

He moved toward me. I was uneasy, yet I still wanted to be with him, talk to him. If nothing else, I was curious.

“Yeah? How safe do you feel now?” He pulled me close to him, holding me tight.

"So what do you think of Wilson High so far?" My voice came out high-pitched, like the meow of a nervous cat.

"I've been kicked out of better places."

"Then why are you here?"

"For spite, at least, that's the way I look at it. Dad is punishing me for getting into trouble in prep school. He wants me to find out how the other half lives. Of course, he did stave off his conscience by letting me buy me another car after I wrecked the one he bought me for my seventeenth birthday."

"I just can't imagine anyone destroying a car like this and then getting another."

"There was insurance. Besides, the only time my father is ever aware of me is when I get into trouble. We hardly hear from him now that he's remarried." There was a bitter edge to his voice.

"I gather you don't like your father very much."

"You gather right. There was a time when I worshipped him, but what he did to Sheila, what he did to us, it's unforgivable. He can buy Caron's affections but not mine! By the way, the only reason Sheila decided to move out here was because she couldn't afford to maintain our apartment in the city anymore, not on what he was giving her. He wouldn't pay for Caron's school anymore, just mine because he sees me as his heir apparent. Well, I don't want that and I don't need it."

"I don't like my father very much either."

"You don't?" He seemed genuinely surprised.

"My dad's not like yours I'm sure. And he's really not my dad. Mom wants me to call him that, but he's my stepfather. He doesn't like me very much either."

"I can't believe that."

"It's true. He's always criticizing me, always thinks the worst."

"Then he's a jerk. I think you're terrific."

I looked into his face and was amazed by what I saw there. Kevin seemed to mean what he said.

"You do? Why? I'm so ordinary."

You're the only girl I've ever met who would say that even if she believed it. You know what first attracted me when I saw you in the library?"

I shook my head.

"You were concentrating so hard on that book, so serious, like it meant everything for you to understand it. I've never cared that much about anything in my entire life, certainly nothing having to do with school. So I started watching you, first out of curiosity, then out of real interest. You looked different from the other girls. Maybe it was because you weren't wearing any makeup and you really looked good without it, and you didn't flirt with me either. Girls always flirt with me.”

"You've kept after me, because you thought of me as a challenge?"

His eyes met mine levelly. "Maybe, but not totally. You're also very easy to talk to, and you listen, which is something few girls do."

"I find it easy to talk to you too." It was true. I wasn't just saying it to be polite. Kevin's attention made me feel good about myself. Kevin made me feel that he cared about me. I moved toward him. He continued to hold me in his arms, his heat surrounding me, enveloping me, and I found myself hugging him, squeezing his hard biceps.

We held each other, clinging together. We didn't say a word. We didn't need to. I'd never felt so good, so right with anyone else before. It was mind-blowing. It was like for those few precious moments there wasn't anybody or anything else in the world that mattered except us being together, united.

I finally let go of him because I heard someone walk by the car. I looked out of the window and there stood my mother. She was on her way home from work. I hurried to release my seat belt and get out of the car. Kevin did the same.

"Mom, Kevin drove me home from school today. I guess I ought to introduce you."

She looked from me to Kevin. “I guess you should, at that.”

Kevin, not the least bit shy, stepped forward and shook my mother's hand. "It's nice meeting you," he said, flashing his most charming smile.

Mom's face was devoid of expression. Somehow, I knew that couldn't be good.

"Well, Danna, I'm sure you have homework to do. Why don't you let your friend go home and do his as well." Mom took my arm.

"Just a minute, Mom. I want to say goodbye to Kevin."

She turned to walk up the steps to the house. “Don't take too long. I'll need your help with dinner.”

"Your mother doesn't like me," he said in a matter-of-fact way. "I can't understand it." He gave me a wicked wink, probably to demonstrate that it didn't bother him.

"I don't understand it either," I assured him. "It's okay though because I like you. Maybe I shouldn't have told you that, but I'm not into games."

"Good. I've played too many games with too many girls, and I'm tired of them. Listen, I want to spend some time alone with you. Let me take you out next Saturday night. I promise you it'll be fun."

"I don't know,” I hesitated. “My parents probably won't approve."

"I'll come in one of my preppie outfits. I'll go through the purgatory of shaking hands with your dad and being polite to your mother, and besides, you'll have a whole week to soften them up toward me before our date. Now grab me while you can; this is my best offer."

"Okay. You are irresistible."

"Didn't I tell you I was? Saturday," he said, as if it were a special promise. Then he jumped back into his magnificent car and drove away speeding down the street.

I walked into my house feeling as I'd never felt before in my entire life. I don't think I could have stopped smiling even if I'd wanted to. It was like my face was frozen into a broad grin. I must have looked pretty goofy.

Neither of my parents was in the living room which was a great relief because I really had no desire to talk to them at that moment. I went to my room and sat thinking about Kevin for the next half-hour, day-dreaming about what our date would be like next Saturday. It would be my first real date with a guy. It was bound to be special, something I'd never forget.

The ringing of the telephone broke my reverie. It was Joyce. We talked about school, until finally I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to tell her about Kevin. I asked her what she thought.

"It's a mistake going out with him. He's the kind of guy who'll say all kinds of nice things to a girl just to get what he wants."

"And you know this how?”

“My dad is a cop, remember? I know all kinds of stuff, gross stuff.”

“You think I wouldn't know the difference, that I can't spot a phony and a liar?"

"A really good liar? I don't know, Dani. How experienced are you? I just think you'd be better off telling him to get lost and never bothering with him again."

"But he even told me about his father. That's why he's been in trouble, just to get even."

"Maybe, but I don't trust him. Phyllis says he's had lots of girlfriends."

"She doesn't know everything! Besides, he thinks I'm special."

"I hope you're right." Her voice sounded doubtful. "Just be careful. Sometimes, you're a little naïve."

“You think Phyllis is right. You think I'm dumb?”

“I didn't say that or even think it.”

When I finished talking to Joyce, I couldn't seem to concentrate on schoolwork. Our conversation had ended on a negative note. That never happened before.

I went to the kitchen and found my parents sitting there having a cup of coffee. The way they looked at me, I knew I had been the subject of their conversation.

I knew I had to tell them about Kevin. So I screwed my courage to the sticking point, cleared my throat and planted myself smack in front of them. "I think you should know that I have a date with Kevin for next Saturday night. I like him a lot and I think he likes me too."

They exchanged worried looks.

"Your mother and I both think he's too mature for you. We don't approve. Tell him you can't go out with him."

I felt as if I were going to burst into tears. Instead, I swallowed hard and forced myself to speak. "I don't ask you for a lot of things the way some kids do. This is very important to me. Please meet him! He wants to come to the house. He wants to make a good impression on you. You know he wouldn't do that if he had bad intentions. Let me go out with him just this once! Let me see what it's like." I knew I was pleading but I couldn't seem to help myself.

"Well, maybe it would be all right," my mother said in a halting voice.

I went over and hugged her. But my stepfather was still unmoved. His arms were crossed over his chest.

"I know what's best for you," he said in a hard voice. "I don't like the looks of that boy. He's not our kind of people."

"Just give him a chance. You can't always judge people by outward appearances," I persisted.

My stepfather finally gave in, although grudgingly. “All right, but I still think this is a mistake.”

As I left the kitchen, I could hear him mutter something to my mother that I didn't quite understand. It seemed to have something to do with Lori.

I went through the rest of the week so happy I could barely stand it.

It seemed as if Saturday night took forever in coming around. All day, I fussed with my hair, trying to get it to look just right. My parents disapproved of makeup so I'd never really worn any. During the week, I stopped by the pharmacy and bought a few items. Saturday evening, I experimented with a touch of blush and darkened my brows slightly with pencil. I was certain my parents would have complained if I used lipstick or mascara, so I kept it simple.

I didn't know what to wear. Should I dress in slacks and sweater or skirt and blouse or an actual dress? I had no idea what Kevin had planned for the evening. Finally, I put on a skirt and sweater set that I saved for special occasions. It wasn't dressy but it made the best of my figure. I put on the gold locket that my mother had bought me for my thirteenth birthday.

I was all ready when Kevin rang the bell, but I let my mother get the door. My hands were like ice cubes and I could feel butterflies flying around in the pit of my stomach. But the girl whose image was reflected in the mirror did look okay.

My parents and Kevin were waiting for me in the living room.

Kevin's eyes were warm with admiration. "You look great, all that and more."

"Save your compliments," my stepfather said, his tone of voice stern. "Just have her home by eleven p.m. and no later."

"Whatever you say," Kevin replied. "Good meeting you both."

I got my coat from the closet. Kevin helped me put it on, and we left without another word being exchanged.

Kevin took my hand as we walked to the car and turned to me. "You're right. He is strict."

"He was a Master Sergeant in the Army."

"That explains a lot! I had to keep fighting the urge to call him 'sir' and salute." Kevin held the door for me.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see." I knew it had to be someplace special because Kevin had come dressed in a suit and tie. Of course, it might have been just for effect, to impress my parents, but somehow I didn't think so.

And then we were off. I fastened my seat belt immediately. He was driving too fast as usual. The scenery flickered by. At an amber light, Kevin speeded up rather than stopping. He was well above the speed limit.

"Please slow down," I said.

"Now you sound like Sheila."

"Sorry, but your driving makes me nervous."

"You and every cop."

"I wish you'd be more careful."

"Sure." But the next time we hit a red light, he drove right through it.

"Kevin, how could you!"

"Relax. There wasn't any traffic coming the other way. Shouldn't even be a light there."

"Drive me home, please." I felt my temper rising.

"Right now? This second?" I could tell that he was as angry as I was. "Sure!" He looked as if he were going to jump the divider.

"Stop it! I thought I was too immature for you, now I'm thinking it's the other way around."

"Okay, I'm sorry. It was just that your old man said eleven p.m. as a curfew. It takes time to get where we're going." He glanced at me sideways.

"Can't we go somewhere else then? Someplace close?"