The Marriage Contract (41 page)

              Her conversation with Mr. Davis continued, as I stared uncomfortably around the table, wondering how to tell everyone about her condition. She was my best friend, and yeah, she was different, but that was what made her special. My heart ached at the judgmental looks being passed around the table, because if they only knew how amazing she was, they’d never see her as “different”, but as unique.

              As I began to rise from the table, James’s hand curled over my arm, keeping me in place. I shot him a wary look, to which he simply nodded his head, as though telling me to trust him.

              My hands clenched under the table, watching as James clinked a fork against his half empty glass of grape soda.

              All eyes turned to him, even mine- waiting anxiously.

              James straightened his back against the chair, before standing, holding the glass of soda in his hand.

              What was he doing?

              Even April stopped her conversation with Mr. Davis, to stare confusedly at him, waiting like the rest of us.

              “I’d like to say something,” he began.

              “Is everything alright, dear?” Grandma asked.

              “Yeah, spit it out, son!” urged Uncle Jeffrey.

              “Gosh, you sure are tall,” said Charlene.

              “What’s the matter, boy?” asked Grandpa.

              James smiled charmingly, raising his glass towards April, who blinked slowly at him.

              “This is a toast,” said James. “A toast to my wife’s best friend. Sure, she may not be conventional, and just a little out of the ordinary, but let me tell you…she’s been there for Dory even more than I have. In fact, she’s always been there. New York can be a scary place, but because April was with her, Dory was always safe. She was never alone, and rarely ever sad. April’s incredible, and there’s nothing wrong with her, except for one fact. She suffers from a rare illness called ‘awesome syndrome’. You see, the side effects of awesome syndrome, is creativity, a wide imagination, and the possibility of seeing a world that us normal people never do. So, here’s a toast to April. The weirdest girl I know. In a good way.”

              There was a brief moment of silence, as we all stared at James, our jaws slightly hanging.

              But that moment, like a winter’s flake, passed quickly by.

The table was all cheers, including me, as I smiled appreciatively at James, who merely shrugged in response. When I turned towards April, she stared wide-eyed at James, as though not believing what he’d just done.

              Tears threatened to escape from her lids, but I knew she was holding them back. She hated people seeing her cry.

              April stood, taking slow steps towards James, who smiled warmly at her. When she stood before him, we all stopped talking, watching her closely.

              “I’ve always been a freak,” she said. “Middle school was alright, but High School really ruined me. I got kicked out of the school for hospitalizing a guy who tried to take advantage of me, because according to him, I was insane and no one would believe me anyway. I went from school to school, until my parents decided to homeschool me instead. These days, I’m getting better, but I’ll probably never fully be what everyone else considers normal. I know I’m strange, but I’m glad people like you and Dory think that it’s okay for me to be…me. No one’s ever done for me what you did today. Thank you.”

              James beamed. “It was nothing.”

              Without another word, April walked down the dining hall, past the open door. Her footsteps tapped against the wooden floor, as I heard her walk up the steps, most likely heading to my room.

              “You’re a stellar man, James,” said Grandpa.

              “That was real nice of you,” said Aunt Lucy.

              “I don’t get it. Who’s Mr. Davis?” asked Charlene.

              “He’s a keeper,” said Uncle Jeffrey.

              “What a sweet man you are,” said Grandma.

              James’s fair cheeks tinted pink, as he shook his head, dismissing their compliments.

              It must have been the evening heat, for when I leaned towards his face, pressing a light kiss upon his cheek, I hiccupped.

              Then, realizing what I’d done, I slapped a hand over my mouth- horrified.

              Oh, crap. What the hell am I doing?

              Shooting up from the chair, I escaped out of the room, cringing inwardly. Everyone, including James, laughed good-heartedly, as I ran to the living room, planting my butt on Grandpa’s love seat.

              “Well, that’s a first,” called James, his voice booming from the dining room. “A hiccup kiss. Who would have thought?”

**

              At exactly seven thirty p.m., everyone in the Web household, including James and April, sat in the living room, tying their shoe laces, or adjusting their hair and purses.

              “Everyone ready?” Grandpa asked.

              “Ready!” we chanted.

              “Come on, open the door!” said Charlene. “I want to go to the carnival already!”

              “You need to learn patience, young lady,” Aunt Lucy scolded.

              “Alright then,” said Grandpa. “Let’s get the hell out of here—“

              “Ron! Mind your tongue!” said Grandma.

              James, who stood beside me, took my hand, curling his fingers through my flesh. I shot him a fake smile, my lips pressed in a tight line- trying my best to pull out of his hold.

              “Quit struggling,” he whispered. “You’re the one that assaulted me with that hiccup kiss! And take off that bandana. I want everyone to see that bite. It’s like my personal piece of art—“

              “Pervert!” My voice escaped in a hushed whisper, as I glared daggers at him.

              He hiccupped, mocking my ridiculous kiss, as he watched my face flush red.

              Thankfully, the bell rang, momentarily distracting me from James’s immature antics. As Uncle Jeffrey walked towards the door, James’s thumb grazed over my forehand- his hand squeezing against mine.

              I gasped, but not because of James, but because of the person standing before the door, staring blandly at my uncle.

              “Well, hello!” Her voice, as always, dripped with sugary poison. “I’m new to the carnival! I’m just stopping by door to door to give out a flyer to the new game I’m hosting. I do hope you’ll all sign up to play!”

              Stacy’s eyes met mine, staring passively at me, as though seeing me for the first time. Standing in a bright yellow sundress, the same shade as her thick, wavy locks, she sent a lip glossed smile towards me. The orange sun streaked over her profile, making her bright skin appear almost angelic, as she gave everyone, including James, a friendly smile.

              But when her wicked eyes stopped on mine, I could almost read what she was thinking, and it most definitely wasn’t pleasant.

              Stacy was on a mission, and from the crazy look in her eyes, I knew she wasn’t going to back down without a fight.

Chapter Twenty Six

              My mind travelled a mile a minute, as I gaped at Stacy, who stood before the open door, smiling artificially at me. The last I’d seen her was during Mr. Bukowsky’s class a few days ago, though it felt a lot longer.

              James’s palm squeezed against mine, but I was too distracted by Stacy’s presence to turn my head towards him.

              “Dorothy? Is that you? No way, you got so tan!” Her voice chirped through the room, barricading into my mind, but for some reason, I couldn’t focus.

              I gripped my hand tighter around James’, as her words echoed in my head like a broken stereo. I could feel James’s body stiffen, his head turning towards me, though I kept my focus solely on Stacy.

              There was something not right about her.

              “I will ruin James Bellevue, if it’s the last thing I do.” Those were her final words to me that day I found out her true colors. Though I wasn’t one to be scared of drama queens like her, there was something about the way she was looking from me to James that had me worried.

              Had she come all the way to Sandsville to enact some sort of revenge plot against James? Though her face held a childlike innocent, it was her sky blue eyes that gave away her wickedness.

              SNAP!

              A familiar hand snapped before my eyes, and I yelped, breathing deeply. Aunt Molly’s bright green stare met mine, as she gave my shoulder a slight shake.

              “You lost in space, darling’?” she asked. “Looks like you’ve seen a ghost!”

              “Yeah, are you alright?” James asked.

              I shook my head. “I’m…um…I’m fine. Hi, Stacy. I didn’t expect you here.”

              The hem of her sundress, the same shade as the drowning sunset, blew against the light wind, as she took a step towards the room. Grandma and Grandpa returned her smile, allowing her to enter, as Aunt Lucy eyed her speculatively. Uncle Jeffrey held Charlene’s small hand, before giving me a curious look, to which I merely shrug.

              “Well, the best things are always unexpected aren’t they?” Stacy giggled, twirling a thick blond strand over her shoulder. “You know, it’s such a small world, because my Uncle lives around here, and I thought it would be quite a different spring break experience for me if I partake in the carnival. I’m so excited! And I can’t wait for you to join the game I’ve got planned—“

              “What game?” I asked- my eyes narrowed.

              She giggled once more as though I’d said something silly, before unzipping her shoulder bag and handing me a flyer.

              “Take a look,” she said. “I wrote it myself. I even designed the game myself! Aren’t I such a creative bunny?”

              I frowned, before looking over the paper, which was scented with a strawberry smell so strong it stung the tip of my nose.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IF TAKES TO CHALLENGE THE SPINNER? THIS MOTORCYCLE MACHINE WILL SPIN YOU AROUND THE 100% SAFE MEGA WHEEL.

LINE UP, SIGN UP, AND JOIN THE FUN!

              PRIZE: $5,000.

RULES: RIDE THE MOTOR BIKE AROUND THE CAGE FOR FIVE MINUTES, AND WIN.

DISCLAIMER: All persons participating in The Spinner hereby agree to the risk involved, which, possibly, may be fatal. Stacy Kendrick is not responsible for any damages, injuries (physical or psychological), incurring within this game. The participant whole heartedly agrees to any consequential risk involved with this stunt.

              COME JOIN!

              I had to squint to read the “disclaimer” portion, for it is written in tiny grey font, almost unrecognizable against the sheer white paper.

              “Interesting,” said James. “Sounds like fun—“

              “If life threatening risk is what you call fun, then yeah, it sounds like a blast,” I snapped, glaring at him.

              Clenching my teeth, I handed the flyer back to Stacy, giving her a stiff smile.

              “Aw, I’m hurt.” Stacy pouted, her eyes locking on James. “I hope you’ll join. By the way, you’re so much better looking in person.”

              James grinned. “I get that a lot.”

**

              Since Stacy’s surprise arrival, a feeling of unease rested like a lump in my chest, as we neared the carnival. Cars upon cars lined the parking lot, appearing like a stream of colors melting against the evening light.

              While Uncle Jeffrey cursed at the lack of parking space, Aunt Molly guided him to her special “committee member’s only” spot, while I sat squished in between James and Charlene. Aunt Lucy sat with the grandparents in the back seat, talking excitedly about the carnival. While James held on to my hand the entire ride, much to my bemusement, he spoke animatedly with Aunt Molly. They spoke of topics I knew nothing about, like the 2025 Mars Mission plan from NASA, or how global warming was destroying the planet.

              While everyone chatted, I closed my eyes, listening to the soothing sounds of Willie Nelson through the radio, almost drifting to sleep.

              Soft lips met the apple of my cheek- blowing lightly into my ear, as I shivered, snapping my head towards him.

              “You’re so touchy feely,” I grumbled, stretching an arm over my hand. “Can you let go of my hand now?”

              Charlene giggled. “You guys are gross.”

              “You’ll be gross someday too,” said April. “It’s going to happen. Just you wait.”

              I frowned. “But I’m not gross. He is. James, I’m serious! Let go of my—“