The Other Side - Chapter 26

"The Other Side - Chapter 25" 

“Becky, your floor is damp…” Delany was a blur before Becky’s sleepy eyes. She loomed over the sleeping girl’s head; she was a slop of hair and an out-of-focus peach face floating over the pink cloud of her bathrobe. Becky screamed.

Delany put her hands on her hips, “Honey, I don’t look that awful in the morning.”

Becky opened her mouth as if to reply, but yawned instead, collapsing back into her pillow. Delany raised her eyebrow. “Say, Becks, who was it you were uh…talking to so late last night? Eh, sleepyhead?” She turned a sideways glance at Becky. Becky held very still. Maybe she’d go away.

“Well I just came in to ask what you did with the film from Africa. I finished all the preparations for class and what not. I thought I’d relax today, get the film developed and start putting together the photo album we talked about and maybe watch some movies.” She paused, looking at Becky, still curious.

“I had hoped we could all do it together. You, Jim and I. But I can tell you’re not your usual perky self today – up at the crack of dawn and what not – and Jim.” She stopped a moment, shrugging her shoulders.

“He’s acting funny. Depressed. He keeps staring at his movie posters on the wall and I think he’s actually fondling his camcorder. I’m not getting any attention.” Becky smiled a little and cruelly said nothing. She started to snore.

-----


When Becky finally woke up, still in her pajamas, Jim and Delany were on the sofa. Del was reading a magazine, her lips were pursed and Jim was trying desperately to draw her attention. “Come on, Del – please don’t be this way.” He looked pleadingly at Becky when she came in then asked, “Did you just wake up?”

“She was up all night talking to someone on the phone.” Delany said and smirked at Becky.

”Oh, reeeally?” Delany forgot to be mad at Jim long enough to tease Becky right along with him. Jim looked at her with puppy dog eyes, “Am I forgiven now?”

Delany tossed the magazine onto the coffee table. Jim turned on the TV and leaned back. Becky poked her head out of the kitchen. “Hungry? Want me to make breakfast?”

Jim was on the sofa, his eyes glued to the television. A dark alley appeared on the screen. The viewers caught a glimpse of someone in a cat costume slinking around, some thrilling music in the background. She turned around and Melissa Ettison’s eyes met Jim Dyer’s, they then melted away into Jacob Jones’. It was a commercial advertising the latest blockbuster currently being filmed. It was coming out in a little less than a year. Jim looked enviously at the screen, and then switched it off when he heard Becky’s voice. “Sure, why not…” He looked at the empty screen. So that was it…out of their lives with the flick of his wrist, by closing a magazine.

Delany called from her bedroom. “I’m gonna take the film to be developed. I’ll be back in half an hour, anyone want anything?”

“Yea, waffle mix. We’re all out…and blueberries.” Becky made her way over to the couch.

“Honey, breakfast ended an hour ago with you still asleep.” She came into the room just as Becky had collapsed on the sofa and put her hands on Jim’s shoulders, leaning her head against his cutely. Wide eyed, she looked innocently at Delany who had her hands on her hips. “Am I interrupting anything?”

“Only me stealing your boyfriend.” Becky fluttered her eyelashes. Jim picked up an empty photo album looking uninterested and oblivious.

”Oh, well, if that’s all…” she drawled, playfully.

“Yup, and the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So how ‘bout that waffle mix?” Becky giggled at her own joke.

“Not a problem, hun. Anything, just take him.”

“Hey!” Jim complained. Delany winked.

“I’ll leave you two alone now.”

Becky laughed and after Delany had shut the door she hugged Jim. “You know, you’re the closest I ever got to having a brother.”

“So stop trying to seduce me.” He said. Becky’s pulled her head just far enough off his shoulder to stick her tongue out at him, and then promptly snuggled up into him again.

A few hours later Becky, Delany and Jim were eating a very late breakfast in the living room. The day was going to be a lazy one. As an apology and in an attempt to get on Delany’s good side – because the girl was convinced she had been neglected all morning - Becky and Jim had decided to suck up and pamper her all day. If not to make her feel better, just to get on her nerves.

Jim had put on some home videos that he had made a few years before and they were enjoying them with their waffles. Delany was glaring at Jim.

“Why did you film this?!” Delany’s face, a couple years younger, came on the screen, red and blotchy. She took deep breaths and was sobbing, holding her hand over her face. The camera was shaky and you could tell the camera man was hiding behind what appeared to be a trashcan. On the TV, Delany was trying to explain in a shaky voice to a tall woman (her mother) with her back to the camera, how she had almost fallen into the toilet on a long bus trip. “I didn’t want to use it in the first place, but Mama, I just had to pee so baaad!” Delany blushed. Becky laughed outright. Jim’s shoulders were bouncing up and down in an evil giggle. Then all of a sudden his face was covered in whipped cream and there was a blueberry where his nose should have been.

Becky laughed harder, trying to speak “Hey, hey! I labor over a hot stove so you two could throw-?” She got a mouth full of blueberry for her attempt at speaking. Delany looked ready to kill.

“I can’t believe you did this and you never even told me. How could you!?” She screamed at Jim. Jim wiped the whipped cream from his face, still chuckling.

“Baby, I’m sorry… it’s just…something I watch from time to time…when I need a good laugh.” But he had stopped laughing. His jaw dropped as Delany lunged towards him. His scream was like that of a baby girl who finds a spider on her way to the bathroom. Then all at once they were laughing.

Jim and Delany rolled off the couch in each other others arms with a loud thump. “Ow, my butt…” Delany whined. She pushed Jim off of her playfully. “You know, I couldn’t use the bathroom for a week after that without someone to hold my hand.”

Jim kissed her cheek. “And that’s why I love you!” Becky watched the couple, smiling a little. She shivered, drawing her arms up around her. She looked at the phone wistfully, thinking about Gary.

Becky shook her head, confused and yet interested about the way her thoughts were going. It was a new direction and she wasn’t sure if she liked it. Becky looked down at the pair as Delany gave another giggle. They were both lying on their sides, with Jim’s arms around Delany. Becky decided it was past her exit cue.

“I’ll let you two have your peace.” She said jokingly, but apparently they didn’t even hear her for there was no response. With another shake of her head she padded her way down the hall to her room. For a moment she was lost.

Now what am I going to do? She asked herself. She felt sort of awkward. After all she couldn’t really go into the living room without disrupting those two, which meant she couldn’t go to the kitchen either. Or leave the apartment. Becky gave herself an once-over in the mirror. Scratch the last idea anyway, Becky thought. there is no way I’m leaving the building like this! She picked up her towel and made for the bathroom. A nice, relaxing shower would do just fine.

As Becky soaped up her hair, she started thinking about Jim and Delany. They were both so beyond cute and absolutely perfect for each other. Becky couldn’t help feeling a pang of jealousy. Of course she was happy for them to have found their match, and so early in life, but at the same time she sort of felt lonely for herself. How come she hadn’t found hers?

Becky wove her fingers through her hair, letting the warm water wash away the suds. She knew that she was being pretty dumb. After all, she was only just in college and she had been away all summer. It was kind of hard to do a steady relationship, much less find the love of her life. Her mind flickered to Jake and how quickly she had rushed herself into that. She shook her head.

I was such a school girl. Falling in love on the first kiss… She moved to conditioner, pushing the thoughts of Africa away. Slowly, she let the thought of Gary come into view. Who was this guy? He seemed really nice and she couldn’t see any reason not to get to know him. So why was she being hesitant?

It’s all stupid Jake’s fault. She thought, He’s the one that’s made me all scared! She squished her face, determined to block everything out. No more blaming, just no more thinking. She was back in the real world now, and ready to go. And here, it seemed like Gary was waiting for her. So why not give him a chance? She didn’t need to fall in love with him, just get to know him. And if things progressed from there…

Becky stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her, satisfied with her decision. She wasn’t rushing into anything. She had plenty of time. Gary said he was busy anyway. She picked up a wide-toothed comb as she faintly heard the telephone ring out in the apartment. She waited a moment, to see if the others would get it. When it rang again, she pulled open the door and dodged into her room. On the third ring she picked up, straining some water from her hair.

“’lo?”

“What I don’t get a full ‘Hello’?” The voice on the other end said with a chuckle. Becky gazed down at the receiver quizzically.

“Gary?”

“Yes, and this better be Becky otherwise I’ve just made a fool out of myself.”

Becky couldn’t help smirking a bit. “It’s Becky, but you still made a fool out of yourself.” She smiled as he laughed, “So, why are you calling?”

“Oh, I was wondering if I could drop by. My plans changed and I thought we could hang out. Get a bite to eat or something.”

Becky bit her lip. So much for the taking it slow, here he was trying to set up a date with her the day after their last one. That wasn’t quite what she had been planning. Becky hesitated just long enough to hear Jim chuckle in the other room. It was time to stop thinking so much and just go for it.

“Sure, why not?” She smiled, and she thought she could hear a smile on Gary’s voice as well.

“Great! I’ll be right over!” Becky had been looking at the puddle gathering near her feet and almost missed what Gary said. Thankfully it registered fast enough for her to stop him from hanging up.

“Wait! I’m not ready to go anywhere! You called just as I was getting out of the shower. I’ll be another 10 minutes yet at least.”

“Hmmm, so does that mean you’re still in your towel?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “You sure you don’t want me to come right over?”

Becky rolled her eyes. Classy. “I’m positive. Give me time to get dressed and dry my hair. Then you can come over.”

Gary heaved a sigh and tsked. “All right…” He laughed. “I’ll see you in a few, Becks.” And without another word he was gone.

Becky placed the phone back in its cradle, giving it a severe look. That Gary, she wasn’t quite sure what to think of him. But she didn’t have much time to decide; now she was on a time frame. Quickly, she ran back to the bathroom and finished up, then ran back into her room to pick out her clothing. Paying little heed to style she threw on a baggy pair of khaki cargo pants that looked more like they should belong to a guy and a brown stretch tank. She was about to blow-dry her hair when the doorbell rang.

“Grrr, he didn’t leave me enough time!” She said aloud and changed her tactics, quickly throwing her hair up into a messy bun. Becky then dashed out into the living room, paying no heed to Jim and Delany who were still cuddling on the floor, and pulled open the door.

“You’re just never quite ready for me are you?” Gary said, passing over a greeting. Becky rolled her eyes.

“Well, when you call me and say, ‘Ok, I’ll be over there…now’ it’s kind of hard to be.” She opened the door a little wider to allow him access to the room, and then suddenly remembered the love birds. “Umm…guys? Do you want Gary and me to leave?” She asked and slowly Delany got to her feet.

“No, that’s all right. Jim and I have places to go.” She said, and Jim pulled himself up next to her.

“And people to see.” He added. Delany backhanded his chest and Jim winced, rubbing where she hit him and giving her a pouty look. However, Delany wasn’t paying attention. Instead she was sending confused, questioning eye signals to Becky. All Becky could do was shrug.

“It’s ok if we hang out here isn’t it?” She asked, turning to Gary. He nodded.

“Whatever you want, I have no preference!” He gave a cute little smile. Delany nodded and pulled at Jim’s hand.

“That’s settles it! We’ll be off then.” She walked close to Becky and gave her a small smile. “Have fun?”

Becky gave her a sugary sweet smile and the pair left. As the door closed, Becky felt her heart speed up. Frantically she searched for something to say.

“Nice pants.” Gary said, nodding to her cargos. Becky’s mouth dropped open a bit, looking blankly down at her outfit. Sure, it wasn’t the most attractive thing she could have thrown on but it was certainly comfy. She went to give Gary the evil eye but found that he had moved and was now relaxing on the couch, digging around in the cushion for the remote.

“Make yourself at home.” She said, furrowing her brow. He looked over the back of the couch and smiled.

“Oh, don’t be that way! There’s plenty of room on this sofa for you, and your pants are very sexy, I’m just teasing you.” He waggled his eyebrows a bit and she rolled her eyes. Taking that statement as an invitation, she moved around to the other side of the couch and flopped down, leaning into the corner and propping her leg up comfortably next to his.

“So…how come you’re free now? I mean, why did your plans change for today?” She asked and he shrugged, giving up his search and rotating his body to face hers.

“I was going to talk with an advisor about my classes but the guy cancelled on me. Said I’d have to wait ‘til Monday when school actually started.” He gave a slight look of displeasure. “I really wanted to get it done before then though; any hopes of switching into a good class will be totally shot.”

“Oh wow,” Becky said, putting her hand to her forehead. “School does start on Monday, doesn’t it? This summer has been so long for me, I thought it would never end.”

“Yup, just three more days! What's your major, anyway?”

The two talked about school and their future plans. Becky really felt herself start to relax. From what they did yesterday, she wasn’t sure if this guy could just sit down and talk but he could. Sure, he always snuck in a joke or something but otherwise he was cool. He was laidback. She liked how easy the conversation was, he didn’t hesitate on any of the questions. He didn’t ask any invasive questions either, so she was pretty much free to say whatever she wanted. Becky couldn’t help appreciating this with Gary. She didn’t worry that she was going to say something to offend him, or that if she didn’t want to answer something he would prod at her to continue. It was all just so simple, and she liked that.

They talked for a while longer until Becky volunteered to throw a frozen pizza in the oven. After all, she never did get to eat very much of her blueberry waffles. While she was in the kitchen Gary managed to find the remote and started flipping through stations. Suddenly, there was a loud yell as if someone had just entered the apartment screaming. Becky threw the oven door shut and ran out into the living room.

She found Gary lying on the couch pointing at the TV screen, holding his stomach and simply roaring with laughter. He looked up at Becky who was staring down at him, struck dumb.

“Oh, this is the funniest movie ever!” He said and she followed the way he was pointing to see a man in an ugly, blue velvet suit with a frumpy mop of hair, black glasses, and very bad teeth. She looked to Gary who was still red in the face from laughing and back to the TV.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen Austin Powers!” He cried and all she could do was slowly shake her head. Gary let out a groan of total disappointment. “Do you live in a bubble?! You are totally missing out!”

He stood up, now totally ignoring the television and looked her right in the eyes. “Allow myself to introduce…myself. My name is Ritchie Cunningham and this is my wife Oprah!” He quoted perfectly, flinging out his hand in the general direction of Becky as his wife. She raised an eyebrow.

“All right, so what sort of movies do you watch?” He asked, crossing his arms. Becky formed a similar stance.

“I watch all sorts of movies! Good ones at that!” She wasn’t sure whether to get offended or not. He was smiling though, so she decided to keep her cool.

"Ok, so why don't you tell me? What sort of movies are the ones to never forget?" He asked and Becky flopped down on the couch, her legs over the one arm. She stared at the ceiling for a moment before smiling.

"Anything staring Julie Andrews...especially the Sound of Music." She gazed over at Gary just in time to catch his sickened expression.

"That old, ridiculously long movie where everyone prances around singing?" He asked and she looked at him shocked, while nodding. She'd never seen anyone react that negatively for a movie that she said she loved. She felt a hurt feeling deep in her stomach but she shook it off to stand up for her movie.

"It's a classic! Come on, it's wonderful!" She sat up and moved over, creating room between the two of them, as Gary sat down next to her. She crossed her arms.

"Ok, I don't mind if you have bad taste." She smiled, forcing a slight smile, as Gary scoffed. "But if you don't know this next movie, you are going to leave this apartment right now!"

Gary gulped and pretended to look afraid. Becky couldn't help chuckling as she ran over to the shelf where they stored the movies. He has to like this one!

She plucked one off and hid it behind her back. "Are you ready?"

He nodded and she pulled it out from behind her and displayed the cover. Instantly his face lit up. "Yes! The Sandlot!" He jumped up from his spot and ran over to look at the cover closer.

"You want to watch it?" Becky asked, giddy at his reaction to one of her all-time favorite movies. It was such a wonderful story about baseball, and summer, and everything that made kids...well...kids. Gary nodded eagerly to her suggestion and moved to pop it in. Becky walked to the kitchen to check on the pizza when Gary called out.

"I guess this means I'm staying, right?"

Becky turned around and caught Gary's eyes, feeling a grin creep across her face.

"Oh yes, you're staying."

----

Becky reached blindly under her dresser, trying to find her hair tie that she had just accidentally snapped back there. She always had such a problem with losing her hair accessories. She was trying to get ready for bed; after all, she had to get up fairly early tomorrow if she wanted to get any of her stuff ready for school. She was going to do that today but well...that kind of fell through. Gary had ended up staying until Jim and Delany came home, which was around 8. While it wasn’t late it still cut off her options, especially since Delany was giving her the third degree about all that went on.

She shook her head, thinking about the mixed signals her cousin was sending her. She seemed to like the fact that she was seeing this guy and starting to get to know him but at the same time she was acting like a mother hen, wondering what sort of guy he was and how he was treating her. But, after the whole incident with Jacob, Becky supposed it was natural for Delany to be on edge...

She put her mind back to the task on hand and continued searching for the missing tie. While her hand moved around under the furniture, it suddenly hit something hard and smooth. Curiosity heightened, she pulled out the object and brushed it off.

It was her diary. She flipped it over and opened it, skimming over the pages. She hadn’t written in it since coming back from Africa. She moved to the last filled page and was suddenly bombarded by all the thoughts and feelings that she was experiencing when she first came back from Africa. Her eyes roamed the page. She could anger and frustration - but also awe. She wrote about her different experiences in detail and even though her pain about Jacob had been fresh, she had still managed to write objectively about getting up the courage to go find him that first night in his hotel, and how she was so excited to start "showing him the other side" she woke up before dawn.

Becky looked down at the next empty page for a moment and reached to grab a pen. She wanted to write down how everything was now. How she now knew how wrong she had been about Jake being perfect, how Melissa had set the record straight about Jacob and how selfish he was. And maybe write about Gary, and how things were moving along with him. She put the pen down on the page but for some reason didn’t move it to create words. She let it sit there for a moment, thinking. What could she write to cancel out everything that she had said, in just the page before?

Becky returned the pen to the stand and closed her diary. She just didn’t know how. Not yet. Plus, she wasn’t sure what to write yet, as far as Gary went. She didn’t want to put down too much hope into the pages of her diary just yet. She just wanted to hold exactly what she knew thought she knew in her heart now. Because once it was written on those pages, she really couldn’t take it back. She couldn’t take back her feelings and emotions. Not even on the next page.

"The Other Side - Chapter 27" 

Zz, Madame