“Mom—I—I haven’t told you everything.”
“Well, spit it out,” she said, angrily.
I lowered my head, knowing all too well she was about to go ballistic with what I was about to say.
“Gabriel had been harassing me. I knew he had a gun before this all happened; he had shown it to Bill. I tried to tell Gabriel I wasn’t interested in him anymore, but he was acting weird—crazy, even. I brushed him off and ignored him.”
I heard my mom take a deep breath. I was a little too intimidated to look at the raging lioness.
“I cannot believe you kept something this serious from me,” she said in a calm voice. “Look at me. You are to never, ever keep anything like this from me again. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Mom, I knew him since forever. I never thought he’d go postal on us.”
Claire’s eyes were burning through me. “Isis, I thought you were more responsible than this. Don’t you have any common sense?”
“I do, Mom. I just didn’t want you to overreact.”
Claire threw a few more articles of clothing on some piles. “You’re grounded, Isis. How’s that for overreacting?”
“Mother!”
“I don’t want to hear it. Go to your room.”
“I don’t understand. Why am I grounded?”
“I said go to your room… now.”
“You’re grounding me for being honest?” I asked, a last defense.
“Don’t even try debating with me, young lady. Keeping this from me is by far the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. How do you expect me not to overreact? Your life was on the line, Isis. Do you understand that?” She slammed the lid to the washer.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Geez. I’m fine. Look at me. I’m in one piece.”
“Well, Bill and Andy might not have been so lucky. Have you thought about that?”
All of a sudden, it dawned on me that I never took that into account. Gabriel could have killed someone in his demented state. I had to admit I had used poor judgment. It was unpardonable.
I could feel the muscles in my neck starting to burn.
“I screwed up. How long am I grounded for?”
“For the rest of your natural born life.” Claire stormed out of the laundry room; I followed.
“Mom, wait.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
“That just isn’t good enough right now.” She turned away from me. “You have no consideration for me as your mother. Go to your room.”
How could I have been so stupid? I had let her down.
***
“I’m grounded,” I told Andy over the phone. “I haven’t been grounded since I was like twelve.”
“Why?”
“I told my mom that I already knew Gabriel was carrying a gun since before he threatened you guys.”
“I told my parents after the police report was filed. They weren’t too happy either, but they didn’t ground me. I guess they thought having a gun in my mouth was punishment enough.”
“Well, my mom made me see things from a whole new perspective. You guys could have been seriously hurt.”
“Gee, why didn’t I think of that?”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you, Andy. We should’ve gone to the police right away.”
“Well, we all learn from our mistakes. We’re young. What do you expect?”
“That doesn’t excuse me. I should’ve known better than to keep it a secret from all of our parents. I’m an idiot, and I almost got you killed because of it.”
“Don’t put the blame all on yourself. We have brains, too, and we chose not to say anything. We’re all a bunch of idiots.”
“Thanks for making me feel better. I have to go start dinner and score points with my mom to see if I can have my freedom back someday.”
“Later.” Andy giggled.
“See ya tomorrow.”
***
While I split the chicken breasts for my special apology dinner, Claire sat at the table tapping her fingers.
“You’re not grounded for the rest of your life anymore,” she told me.
“Thanks,” I said. “How long is it for?”
“You’re too old to be grounded. What would I gain from it?”
“You’re the parent. You know what’s best. I’m not arguing the punishment.” I cracked an egg into a glass bowl and began to beat it.
Claire sighed. “What good would it do you? You’re a young adult. Deal with the aftermath of your poor decisions. That’s what’s going to discipline you when you’re on your own—trial and error. You might as well start learning now.”
There was nothing I hated more than having my mother teach me a lesson by making me feel even more conscious of my errors. I couldn’t complain, however; her parenting skills worked like magic on me through my teenybopper phase.
“Ah—the old psychological and emotional torture routine. Thanks. I love that about you, Mom. Adding to the guilt always works on me.”
“I know,” she said. “Remind me to reward myself with something cute next time we’re out shopping.”
The chicken parmesan was quite good. Claire noticed my promise ring during dinner. She didn’t make a big fuss about it, because she was still upset with me, but I knew by the way she looked at it she was eager to ask.
I tidied up the kitchen and finished the laundry for Claire. She retired early, and most of the laundry was mine, so I felt it was only fair for me to finish up.
I took a long shower and wrapped myself in David’s blanket once I was in bed. I held it to my nose and inhaled. The fragrance was delicious. I wished it were his arms around me instead of the blanket, but for now this would have to do.
The buzzing sound of my phone’s vibrate setting prompted me to reach for it. I had a text message from David asking if I was still awake.
“Only for you,” I replied.
His call came through a minute later.
“Hi,” I answered.
“Hello, my lovely. How was your evening?”
“Dreadful,” I said. “I’ve been psychologically tampered with.”
“Oh?”
I told him how I had come forth with the truth about the whole Gabriel dilemma to Claire and how she hadn’t taken it lightly.
“I would expect nothing less. She’s in her right.”
“Why do you always side with my mom? Can’t you take my side for once?”
“Should I?”
“Of course not. I’m on her side, too.”
We both laughed.
“What plans do you have for the weekend?” he asked.
“Nothing at the moment. My agenda is completely blank.”
“I’d like to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. Do you think your mother will mind after that discussion you two had?”
“I think she’ll just lay a guilt trip on me again. No biggie. How should I dress?”
“Semi-formal.”
“Ooh la la. Does that mean we’re going on a real date?”
“Yes, we are. It’s overdue, I think.”
“Very.”
“I have to confess something to you,” he sounded serious.
“What’s that?”
“I miss you every second we’re apart.”
“I’m crazy about you,” I whispered.
“I know the feeling. Good night, my lovely. May all your dreams be sweet ones.”
“If only you were in them, they would be.”
“Oh, be still my beating heart. I offer no contest to your words. You are she that I hold sacred to my life, my one and only true love.”
I decided to test my own wit. I hoped William Shakespeare had taught me well.
“I have no words to surpass yours, but in my chest lay the same truths you speak of,” I said.
“Love me always?”
“And forevermore.”
“Adore
me more?”
“By the passing hour, I do.”
David laughed when he figured out the game and continued.
“Good night. Sweet kisses on thy lip. Excuse my absence; my prudence holds me captive, or I would be there now.”
“Come then. Be my vigil lover and you’ll have many.”
I heard David gasp in surprise.
“Isis, don’t speak to me that way. It makes me think you’re serious.”
“And if I am?” I asked.
David was silent.
“Are you still there?”
“You shouldn’t say those things. Your lips are both venom and nectar combined.”
“I’m sorry. I was caught in the moment.” But I really wasn’t sorry at all.
“Alas, let me bid thee good night, my love, before I forego my impulse.” David continued the game.
“Don’t say good night, say good day to me instead.”
“Isis… If your plan is to incite what I feel for you, then you’ve accomplished it. Don’t lead me any further.”
“And if I beg? My window’s open…”
“Stop it. I know you’re not playing.”
“Fine. Good night.”
“Good night.”
***
It was the first of April, and a chill of excitement ran up my back as I waited on the porch to see his car drive up to my house. I couldn’t wait to see David’s agonizingly beautiful face today.
I ran to the car as soon as I saw it pull up to the driveway. He flung his door open and embraced me without a word. My back was flat against the car, and I could feel his ribcage expand as he breathed while he kissed me. His hands ran through my hair and down to my waist. I wanted to stay this way forever.
“Let’s not go to school today,” I said, kissing his neck, careful not to stain his white shirt collar with lip-gloss.
“Isis, please… I still haven’t forgotten about last night’s phone conversation. You weaken my sense of reasoning.” He kissed my face. “Do you know how catastrophic that can be?”
“Oh, I’m very aware.”
“Then stop. Don’t put those thoughts into words. You don’t know how much my blood boils for you.”
“Fine. I’ll stop,” I said.
He looked deep into my eyes and brushed the back of his hand against my cheek. “I’m lost without you and lost with you as well. I’m an absolute lost cause.”
I smiled and hugged him before he peeled me away, and then we set off to school.
David parked close to the campus today. He stared at me after he turned off the engine, pulled me quickly toward him, and kissed me in the same feverish manner he had when he arrived at my house. I let my hands wander over his chest, feeling every heavenly sculpted muscle that made him beautiful.
“We’re going to be late again.” He took my hands and placed them on my lap. “We should go inside.”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
David’s arm curved around me in a tight embrace as we entered the school. Our group was already assembled at one of the long rectangular tables in the cafeteria.
Andy was feeding Bill a piece of apple. The twins socialized with some people whose faces looked familiar, but I didn’t know personally.
We sat at the far edge of the table with Andy and Bill where it was less crowded. David offered to buy me something for breakfast. I had only had an orange juice this morning, but I wasn’t very hungry.
I should have had something to eat since Fridays were test days and seemed to carry on forever. My stomach would be rumbling by mid-morning.
While observing the group in their normal routine at school, I wondered if anyone remembered that today was the day we would find out if Gabriel was gone forever. I could only imagine what his family was going through. I cringed as I wondered what time I would get the call from Claire about the results of the DNA test.
I must’ve had an awkward expression on my face, because David asked me what was the matter.
“Nothing,” I said, not wanting to ruin the day that had started so perfectly well.
We walked to first period, where we were presented with blank sheets of paper at the door. Grunts and moans came from the students receiving the sheets. We all knew it would be an essay question test.
David sat behind me in his usual spot and Andy beside me. We awaited the test instructions, eager to get it over with.
I took my time answering the two questions provided by the teacher. I needed to ace this exam to keep my grade point average up. I had been so preoccupied with life—meaning David—that my class average had dropped a few points. The scholarships I had applied for would be at stake if I didn’t get at the very least an “A” minus overall.
Our teacher, while awaiting the rest of the students to finish their exams, kept the class quiet. I was bored.
I lay my head on my arm and started thinking of how wonderful that trip to Greece would be if I accepted. Would my mother let me go? Just the night before she was talking about how I needed to learn things on my own. I wondered if this qualified as a learning experience.
David touched me lightly on the shoulder so that I would turn to face him. He blew a kiss at me and winked.
I giggled and mouthed “thank you.” He blew me another kiss.
“Everyone is watching you,” I whispered.
“Jealous bastards,” he said.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“No talking,” Mrs. Lopez warned us.
***
During lunch, Eryx joined us without Galen.
“Where’s Galen?” I asked Eryx.
“Lunch detention,” Eryx sniggered.
“What’s he in for?” Bill asked, and then bit his sandwich.
“Making the substitute believe he was a student teacher finishing up university and hitting on her in front of the entire class.” Eryx threw a piece of ham from the sandwich he was eating down on his foam plate. “She fell for it, too. She was putty in his hands. He’s evil, that boy.”
No one mentioned a word about the Gabriel ordeal. I figured everyone just wanted to go on with his or her life and forget it happened. But Claire would have news for me later, and then we would all have to remember.
The final test of the day came with a headache for me. After the exam, I sat and played with my phone until I was almost asleep. David stared at me from across the room the whole time with the eyes of a prisoner begging for mercy. Was that the way I looked at him, too?
Fourth period was almost over when I got a text. I looked over at David, certain it was from him.
The message said, “Please help me.” It was from Gabriel.
Was this some sick April Fool’s joke?
My pulse raced.
“Where are you?” I texted back.
“Student parking,” he replied.
I jumped from the seat and grabbed my bag. I looked over my shoulder at David before rushing up to Ms. Vincent.
“I need to be excused,” I said and walked out of the room.
My heart was beating in my ears. I felt nervous and at the same time eager to see Gabriel alive. I ran down the halls as fast as I could until I reached the exit.
Gabriel was standing in the middle of the parking lot, drenched by the rains that had come with the northern winds. His clothes were ragged and he looked even thinner and paler than before. I thought he’d drop on the ground as I ran toward him.
“Gabriel!” I screamed.
He ran toward me. I eased my pace when I saw him pull something from his back. It was the gun.
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to run from him. Everything was in slow motion. I didn’t get more than a few feet away when I felt a violent pull on my hair. Gabriel covered my mouth before I could scream and dragged me to a truck. He threw me in, locking the doors.
“You fucking whore!” He screamed in a terrifying voice I didn’t recognize as his own.
Without warning, he gave me a heavy blow on the side of my head
with the gun. I fell back, and he thrust blow after blow on my face until I was knocked half senseless. My vision blurred. He continued calling me names and ripped open my shirt.
He whipped his head back and in the same terrifying voice he screamed, “Ruin her!”
I tried fighting him off, but it was no use. His weight was too much for my frame.
“Stop.” The word I had intended to scream was barely a whisper.
I saw him reach for his belt.
“Stop… please,” I cried. “Gabriel, stop. Please, stop!” I pled with him.
He forced open my jeans. The last of the adrenaline in my body forced out a scream.
“No!” I cried. “No, please, don’t.”
Suddenly, there was the loud crashing of glass and Gabriel was flying back and out the driver’s side window.
Something warm and thick trailed down my face.
“Don’t do it, brother!” I heard Galen scream. “He’s not worth dying for.”
“David, think of her. Think of Isis,” Eryx said. “Let him go.”
“He doesn’t deserve to live,” David growled.
“David, Isis is hurt,” Eryx said. “Leave him to us.”
I heard a thud and a gasp.
“Hold him down,” David commanded.
I saw David’s blurry silhouette open the door to the truck.
“Isis…” He gasped. “I’ll kill him!” I couldn’t see his face, but I could hear rage in his voice.
David took his shirt off and wiped my face with it. He placed the garment on my chest. I realized the warm trickle over my face was blood when I saw the stained white shirt laid on me.
“Get an ambulance over here!” I heard Principal Miller scream.
I felt David trotting with me in his arms away from the truck. Through a watery curtain of red, I could see Galen holding Gabriel down. Eryx was in front of David ready to stop him from attacking Gabriel.
A crowd had gathered in the parking lot. Gabriel was screaming at the top of his lungs in a language I couldn’t recognize, squirming under Galen’s constraint.
“Where do you think you’re taking her? She’s on school grounds. I’m responsible for her until her parents arrive.” Principal Miller followed behind David and me.
“I assume full responsibility,” David said without turning to look at her. He carried me to the Land Rover and placed me in the back seat. Eryx slid into the driver’s seat and revved the engine.
“Isis, don’t close your eyes, my love,” David pleaded with me. “Stay with me.”
His hands were slippery as he wiped my eyes. They must have been covered in blood too.
“It hurts,” I whispered.
“Shh…” He cradled me. “Be still, precious. We’re almost there.”