“Oh.”
“Is that all you can say?”
“What did Mrs. Jensen tell you?” Danni asked.
“Well, let’s see,” Charmain began. “If I understand right, you went to help Darren button his pants in the boys’ bathroom. Does that sound correct?”
Her mother adopted the lawyer’s persona she used in court and was going to play judge and jury while Danni sat in the defendant’s chair. The charge? Being a good girlfriend. Tell the court, Miss Singer, did you enter a boys’ restroom? Yes, your Honor, but I had a good reason.
“Is that correct, Danielle?” Charmain prompted.
“Sort of,” Danni said. “I did go into the bathroom with him so I could help him zip his pants, but I waited outside until he finished.”
“I see.”
“I know it sounds bad, but he has one arm and he needed help. Wouldn’t you help Nick if he was in the same situation?”
“That’s different.”
“What was I supposed to do?” Danni asked. “Tell him to find someone else?”
“That’s a start,” Charmain agreed.
“I couldn’t do that,” Danni said. “Can you imagine how things went for him today, Mom? He started the day by dropping his art and P.E. classes because he can’t do either of them with one arm. Everywhere he went people called him the one-armed man. Every class he went into people stared at him. Then he needs to use the bathroom and he realizes he can’t get his pants zipped again if he does. I couldn’t tell him to call someone else. That would’ve been worse than everything he was already dealing with, so I helped him, and I’ll do it again if he needs me to, and I can, according to the American’s With Disabilities Act.”
Danni’s chest heaved up and down by the time she finished. It felt so good to get everything out that she didn’t care about being in trouble anymore. She would take whatever punishment her mother dished out.
“Are you finished?” Charmain asked with an amused smile.
“Yes,” Danni said.
“I think maybe you should consider going into law. With an argument like that, you’d make an excellent trial lawyer.”
“Does this mean you’re not going to punish me?” Danni asked.
“I’m not going to punish you,” Charmain said. “And, just so you know, I anticipated you’d say something like that so I gave Mrs. Jensen permission for you to help him again if he needed it.”
“Then why’d you put me through all that?” Danni tried not to sound as irritated as she felt since her mom let her off so easy.
“I thought something else might be going on.”
“Nothing else happened.”
“I was a teenager in love once too,” Charmain said. “I know the kinds of things you’re feeling.”
“Do we have to talk about this?”
“I’ll drop this as long as you promise me that you won’t do anything stupid, like ending up a pregnant seventeen-year-old.”
“I promise I won’t end up a pregnant seventeen-year-old. Now can I please go to my room?”
“Of course,” Charmain said. “Say hello to Darren when you call him.”
“I’ll tell him in person when I go over there tonight.”
“As long as I’m home, I thought we’d go out to dinner tonight.”
“Are you serious?” Danni asked.
“Of course. Nick already said he’ll come.”
“Is Natalie coming?”
“No. I thought we’d make it a family thing tonight.”
“Okay.” Danni sighed.
“I can’t tell you how it warms my heart to hear your excitement,” Charmain said as Danni disappeared into her room to call Darren and give him the bad news.
* * *
As much as Danni missed spending time with her boyfriend that night, she enjoyed being with her mother. Even Nick wasn’t that bad.
Not long after the three of them arrived home, complaining about being too full, Danni took a shower and snuggled under her blankets. It seemed like she had just closed her eyes when the ring of her cellular phone beckoned her from sleep. Only one person would call her this late.
“Are you okay?” Danni asked.
“Yeah, I just missed you tonight,” Darren replied.
“That’s sweet. Are you sure you’re not in pain?”
“I’m sure.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“How do you know me that well?”
“Why else would you call me at one in the morning?”
“I’m not in pain, but I did have a dream about the accident.”
“Did you remember some of it?”
“I’m not sure,” Darren said. “I don’t know if what I saw in my dream is real or if it’s what I’m imagining because of what I’ve heard.”
“Do you want to talk about it, or should we talk about something else?” Danni offered.
“Would you mind if we talk about something else?” he asked.
Danni didn’t mind. She wasn’t sure whether she wanted to hear more details about the accident. Already she knew more than she wanted. Even though she’d never seen it, she couldn’t shake the image of a paramedic walking around with Darren’s arm before he iced it. Ever since Darren told her, she wondered if they used regular ice. Did they have to stop at the nearest liquor store to buy a bunch of bags of ice, or did they have some in their ambulance? Of course, she would never ask Darren. If she did, he’d tell her.
“Did your mom get mad about what happened today?” Darren asked.
“She did at first,” Danni replied. “I guess she thought we were in there having sex or something.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
“No, and she even gave Mrs. Jensen permission for me to help you again if you need it.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“Did your parents get mad?”
“No, but my mom and your mom must be sharing a brain.”
“Did she really think we were in there having sex?”
“No, but she thinks we might do it one of these days,” Darren said. “She didn’t say it to me though. I overheard her telling my dad.”
“What makes her so sure?” Danni asked.
He laughed. “It’s the next logical step. Today you’re buttoning my pants, but tomorrow it’ll be the reverse.”
Danni giggled. As if she’d ever have sex in a public bathroom anyway! The idea was disgusting. “What did your dad say?”
“It’s not a big deal since they did it in high school and nothing happened.”
“Your parents dated in high school?”
“Yep, they met in senior year,” he replied. “My mom was this popular cheerleader and my dad–”
“Let me guess. Your dad was the quarterback of the football team, the star center on the basketball team and the pitcher of the championship baseball team.”
“My dad was president of the chess club and star of the school’s championship debate team,” Darren answered.
“You’re kidding?” Danni said. “How did the popular cheerleader and geeky debater get together?”
“My mom’s car broke down after cheerleading practice one day, and she and her friends didn’t know what to do,” Darren explained. “My dad was walking by on his way home from chess club and offered to help.”
“And he fixed her car?”
“Yep.”
“So, then she repaid the favor by going out with him and they fell in love?”
“It surprised her that a dork like my dad knew how to fix a car,” he answered. “She said that’s when she realized you can’t judge people by the way they look, and she started flirting with him until he took the hint and asked her out. After that, they started dating, fell in love, got married and had kids, blah, blah, blah.”
“That’s a very romantic story,” Danni said. “Are you sure it’s true?”
“It’s true,” Darren said. “Trust me, if you stick around long enough, you’ll hear it one of these days, maybe
even more than once.”
“Do your parents hate me now?”
“What? Why would they hate you?”
“Well, your mom was really mad when she thought you and Whitney had sex. Now she thinks you and I are going to do it.”
“My mom was mad because she didn’t like Whitney,” Darren reminded her.
“Are we going to have sex?”
“I really want to, but the thought of letting you see me with my shirt off kind of freaks me out.”
“You won’t let me see you with your shirt off, but it’s okay if I touch your...”
“Touch my what?” he asked.
“You know, your penis,” she finished.
“My penis?” Darren repeated with a laugh.
“If you start making fun of me, I’ll hang up on you,” Danni warned.
Already, she could feel the heat in her face. She had never been one of those girls that could talk about sex the same way she’d talk about the weather or what she ate for dinner the night before.
“Don’t hang up on me,” Darren said. “Penis just sounds kind of impersonal.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know.”
“Fine, it’s okay for me to touch your dick, but you don’t want me to see you naked. How does that make any sense?” Danni asked.
“That’s better,” he replied. “Say it again.”
“Oh, quit it.” Danni gave in to a giggle. “It sounds like you’re making an excuse not to have sex with me, you know.”
“I’m not, but if I was that would be a pretty good excuse.”
“I don’t have to have sex with you to see you without your shirt.”
“That’s true, but if we decide to wait, does that mean no more making out?” Darren asked.
“No, it means more making out because we won’t be able to keep our hands off each other.”
“Keep talking to me like that and waiting won’t be a question.”
“Does that mean you’re ready to go back to sleep now?” Danni asked.
“Yeah, thanks baby.”
“Anytime, D.J. Love you.”
“I love you too. See you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Danni said and drifted back to sleep almost as soon as she hung up the phone.
* * *
When Danni arrived at school the next morning, she found Darren standing out front, talking with Chelsea and Marcy. Considering how uncomfortable Marcy felt around her boyfriend, Danni never expected them to be hanging out.
“Hey,” Danni greeted them. “How come I didn’t get an invitation to this party?”
“Oh, please.” Chelsea rolled her eyes. “You get to go out with him. The least you can do is let us look at him without you hanging over us.”
Darren dropped his gaze to the ground.
“Wow,” Chelsea said. “I never expected that.”
“What?” Danni asked.
“For Darren Jacobs to be embarrassed about being reminded of his status as the hottest guy in school,” Chelsea answered.
“I’m not anymore,” Darren said.
“You’re kidding, right?” Chelsea scoffed. “You lost your arm, not your face. You’ve still got those great blue eyes and even better a—”
“Chelsea!” Danni and Marcy cried in unison while Darren turned a deep shade of red.
“What?” Chelsea gave them a sly smile. “I was going to say abs.”
Danni laughed. “Sure you were.”
“Is this what you guys do every day?” Darren asked.
“You mean stand around and talk about the popular guys who couldn’t care less that we’re alive?” Chelsea shrugged. “Yeah, pretty much. What do you guys do?”
“Nothing you’re missing out on.” Darren’s eyes darkened as the first bell of the day rang. “Man, I hate that sound.”
“I know you do,” Danni said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
With a final sigh from Darren, the group headed toward the school gates. Danni hoped one day soon things would get easier for him.
* * *
The moment she stepped out of her sociology class, Danni reached for her cellular phone. Just as she plucked it from her purse, it rang in her hands.
“Where are you?” Darren asked her.
Danni laughed. “On the way to English class.”
“I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll see when you get to class.”
When Danni rounded the corner, she spotted Darren walking ahead. “Chelsea’s right, you know.”
“About what?” he asked.
“You have a great ass.”
“You should know.”
“You’re right, and it looks as good right now as it did that day.”
Darren stopped walking and turned to face her. “You think so?”
“I think so,” Danni said as she dropped her phone into her purse.
“So you only like me for my body?”
Danni wrapped her arms around his waist. “It is a pretty hot body and I should know. I’ve had my hands all over it.”
“Quit it,” Darren whispered in her ear.
“And I wouldn’t mind having my hands all over it again.”
“Danni!”
“I thought you liked it when I talked this way.” Danni pressed closer to him and gave him a kiss before straightening up and brightening her voice. “So, are you ready for class?”
“Only if you walk in front of me,” he replied and then laughed when Danni’s face turned pink. “By the way, I have something for you.”
“I’m sure you do,” Danni retorted.
Darren grinned. “Besides that.”
“What is it?” Danni asked.
Darren reached into his backpack and retrieved a large, wire bound notebook, which he handed to her. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“You’ll know when you open it. Just do it later when I’m not around.”
“Is this something I shouldn’t show Chelsea and Marcy?”
“That’s up to you. Oh, I almost forgot, I can’t hang out for lunch.”
Danni frowned. “Why not?”
“I have to see my shrink.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Trust me,” he said. “I’d rather hang out with you than him, especially since it’s a waste of time.”
“What is?”
“Seeing the shrink is a waste of time. I don’t need him to help me feel normal when I’ve got you.”
Danni giggled. “Yeah, okay.”
Darren kept his expression serious. “I mean it. It’s cool the way you act like you don’t even see my missing arm.”
“I see it, but it just doesn’t bother me,” she replied.
Darren leaned across the aisle. “That’s why I love you,” he whispered, and Danni smiled at him.
At the sound of the second bell, Danni shoved the notebook into her backpack and focused on Mrs. Greenleaf’s endless lecture on The Pearl.
* * *
When her fourth period class let out, Danni made her way to the front of the campus to meet her friends for lunch. As usual, they’d managed to get there before she did.
“Where’s Darren?” Chelsea asked.
Danni laughed. “Why? You want to stare at his ass some more?”
“Maybe I do,” Chelsea replied with a sly smile.
“That figures,” Danni said, rolling her eyes.
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Marcy asked.
Danni shrugged. “Why should it? I know Chelsea would never make a move on my boyfriend.”
Chelsea nodded. “She’s right.”
“What’s for lunch?” Marcy asked.
“Wait, where’s Darren?” Chelsea asked again.
“He has a doctor’s appointment, which reminds me.” Danni dug into her backpack for the notebook Darren had given her during English class.
“What’s that?” Marcy asked.
?
??I don’t know,” Danni answered. “Darren gave it to me.”
“Well, let’s see it,” Chelsea said.
The moment she flipped it open, Danni drew in a sharp breath. It was one of Darren’s sketchbooks and the intricate drawings inside grabbed her full attention. There was everything from sketches of the school to detailed portraits of people. She smiled when she came across a series of drawings of Humphrey Bogart. Her smile faded a few pages later when she came face to face with a picture of a human heart, veins and all, broken in half. Dripping beneath it were tears of blood in which there were letters spelling out Whitney’s name.
The details Darren captured were amazing. When Justin said he drew, she never imagined anything this good.
“I didn’t know Darren could draw,” Marcy said.
There’s a lot you don’t know about him, Danni thought.
“Those are good,” Chelsea said. “I’ll bet he could make more money at that than baseball.”
“Not anymore he can’t,” Danni replied. “Darren was left handed.”
“I didn’t know that,” Chelsea said.
“Maybe once he learns to use his right hand, he’ll get that talent back,” Marcy suggested. “The drummer for that band Def Leopard lost his arm and then learned to play with just the other one.”
Danni hoped Darren could one day reclaim the artistic ability that meant so much to him. It didn’t seem fair that one night and one bad choice cost him something so important.
* * *
Danni couldn’t wait to get to school and tell Darren how much his sketchbook meant to her. Last night, when she should have been doing her homework, she had become lost in his drawings. The way Darren captured the detail of his subjects’ expressions amazed her. After looking at the pictures, she understood the loss he must feel now.
When she pulled her sedan into its usual parking spot, she spotted Chelsea and Marcy out front. This time her boyfriend wasn’t with them.
“Where’s Darren?” Chelsea asked as she approached.
“I don’t know,” Danni replied.
“You know you want to call him,” Chelsea teased.
Danni didn’t want to be one of those girls who couldn’t be apart from their boyfriends, but she really did want to talk to Darren. “Oh, all right, I’ll call him if you want me to,” she relented.
“We’ve got to get boyfriends,” Chelsea told Marcy as Danni pulled her cell phone from her purse.
“Yeah?” Darren answered.
Danni frowned at his abrupt greeting. “Where are you?”