chapter eleven

25 March, refrain

Evan looked toward the door, relieved at the sight of his friend. He hadn’t expected them to be so late. “I was starting to think you got lost. Is everything okay?”

“Where’s Mike?”

“Out with Kate, why?”

“Good, I need t’ ask you something.” Duncan sat across from his friend, leaning his forearms on his knees. “Tonight, Susie said something about tryin’ t’ have a guy arrested. What was tha’ about?”

She’d told him? She never talked about it. “What’d she say?”

“Tha’ was all. I was no’ sure I should ask her since she was already shaken.”

“And I’m not sure I should go into her personal life.” His buddy nodded slightly, staring at the floor. “Why did it come up?”

He raised his eyes and described the incident at the parking lot, briefly. Evan suspected there was more to it.

“So should I ask her myself?”

He wasn’t going to back away. And she wouldn’t want to talk about it. “I think she’d rather you didn’t.” He set his book on the couch beside him. “I’ll tell you, but only because I want you to understand where she’s coming from.” His buddy leaned back against the chair, waiting. “When she was a junior in high school, one of the senior football stars asked her out. It was kind of a big deal to her since she hadn’t really been asked out much.”

“You have t’ be jokin’.”

“No. Glenn Heights … is a very small town with very small-minded people. A lot of kids wouldn’t accept her because of her background.”

“Because she’s half Indian.”

Evan nodded. “It’s amazing how people can still be so narrow-minded about anyone who’s different than they are. Anyway, they went out a couple of times, and then he invited her to the prom.”

“And.…”

He clenched his jaw, remembering. Still furious. A deep breath helped him continue. “Mom had gone upstairs after they got home to give them some privacy. I was actually home on spring break, but had been out on a date, and when I walked in...”

“He didn’t...”

“He was trying. He was on top of her with his hand over her mouth. Duncan, I nearly killed him, literally. If Mom hadn’t heard the noise and come down, I probably would have.” And he still would.

“And she pressed charges.”

“Yes, John did, but the guy was from a well-respected family who owned nearly half the town. No one at school would talk to her, and she got threatening letters…”

“So she dropped it and kept goin’ to school with this guy?”

“Her dad offered to send her to a private school, but she refused to be chased out, or to let him spend that kind of money, though he kept trying to insist.”

“Nothin’ else happened?”

“We made sure she was never alone until the whole thing blew over and the guy left for college. I’m just glad I happened to be home.”

Duncan stood and walked over to the window. “You were plannin’ on talkin’ with her tonight, weren’t you?”

“Yeah, but since it’s late…”

“I think you should.”

“Why?”

“I did no’ walk her in because I did no’ know Kate was gone. Just make sure she’s okay.”

“Are you?”

His buddy turned back, waiting for clarification.

“There’s more to the police incident than you’re saying.”

He turned again, looking out into the darkness. “The usual hassle, y’ know. Bu’ I’m no’ sure I should take her ou’ again. It scared her. I do no’ want her in the middle o’ tha’ again.”

Evan stood, debating. He could agree and help keep some space between them. She was interested; he could see it whenever she looked at Duncan. He didn’t want her to be. But this man was like a brother, and she would be good for him, even temporarily. Even if they just went for a drive to talk now and then. “You were out quite a while. You must have been enjoying her company.”

“Tha’ is no’ the issue.”

“So don’t park in an empty parking lot the next time.” He didn’t wait for the response. He didn’t stop to think about what he had just done; how he had just encouraged his buddy to ask her out again. Instead, he left the apartment and knocked on her door.

“Evan, is he okay? Did he tell you what happened?” She backed up to let him in.

“Barely, and he seems to be fine.” He forced his eyes away from her soft, thin robe, which did little to conceal her shape. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, I can’t get settled. I’m glad you came.” She closed the door and led him to the couch.

“Actually, I wasn’t going to since it’s so late, but he wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“He asked you to come over?”

Evan nodded, watching her face. “It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?”

“Do you think he’s going to stay around?”

He looked into her eyes. The robbery had been forgotten. She was thinking only of his buddy. “I don’t know, Suse. I really don’t know.”

She moved in closer and leaned against his shoulder, allowing him to wrap an arm around her to make her more comfortable.

“Evan, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I don’t actually think you’re an idiot. I just…”

“Forget it. I’m sorry you found out that way.” So it wasn’t completely forgotten. “Angel, you’re not going to lose me.”

She pressed closer. He held her, breathing in her scent and listening to her breathe until she fell asleep. He waited a while longer, not wanting to let her out of his arms, until his eyelids began to drop, and he carried her to her room.