Chapter 18
“Where were you yesterday? I missed you.”
“I’m sorry. I was…uh…sick.”
“Oh.”
“Just a bad headache, though. I’m better now.”
“That’s good. Did you wanna do something this weekend?”
“With you, Tom, Rip, Rebekah, and everyone else?”
“No. I was thinking maybe just us two. A date. An official one at least.”
“Sounds like fun! When?”
“Um…Saturday morning work?”
“Saturday morning? Not your typical date to the movies then?” Holidee smiled at Zeke. They were walking to her house like they did everyday after school. Their fingers were intertwined together as they slightly swung their arms back and forth.
“Nope. I’ve got something special planned.”
“Well, I’ll have to ask Crix and Mer if it’s alright. But I don’t see why not. What time?”
“At like eleven-thirty.” They reached the door to Mer’s house. “Okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Zeke stepped up on the porch step and kissed Holidee on the lips.
“Tomorrow.” Then he smiled and walked away. Holidee walked inside the house, knowing both Mer and Crix were still at work. She decided to take advantage of the quiet house and pulled out her journal. She chewed the end of the pencil as she thought about what to write. Then once she started, she couldn’t stop. She filled three pages before deciding to put her pencil down. She put the journal away and just lay on the couch, her mind overflowing with thoughts. She tried to guess what Zeke had in store for her. She tried to imagine what life would be like without Crix. She tried to picture her parents doing Oceain skills. It was all a big blur to her in the end. A sigh. She might as well not even try to imagine what is nearly impossible to imagine. It would never be. She would just have to be happy with who she had and who she was.
She got up off of the couch and walked into her bedroom. She looked on her bookshelf for a book to read to pass time, but skimmed the shelves unsatisfied. Then her finger stopped on his father’s journal. She pulled it out wondering if he wrote in it after he graduated. Doubting he did, but still hoping, Holidee opened the little journal, Crix’ memory still fresh in her mind. She skimmed each page, until she found one titled ‘Graduation’.
I graduated yesterday. I’ll be leaving in a month or two for college down in Georgia. Crix is staying here. I wish we weren’t going to be separated, but I guess that’s how it is. Life’s unfair sometimes. I just wish there was something I could do for him. He’s already been working his ass off to earn enough money, but he won’t accept charity from anyone, not even me. My parents are gonna keep on eye on him to make sure he feeds himself. I sure am gonna miss Ohio. I hear Georgia is humid. Great. Four years. That’s a long time to go without seeing Crix. I hope it’ll go fast.
Holidee skimmed a few more pages and stopped. She quickly read this page and then flipped through the journal again. Finally she found what she was looking for.
Well, Crix said he’d be Holidee’s Guardian. I kinda wish he would’ve said no. That was probably the worst Christmas I’ve ever had. Katre and I were real sad and when Mer found out what he agreed to do, she started crying uncontrollably. I don’t blame her. I cried too. Still do sometimes. But she must feel really horrible. She’s moving back to Georgia, knowing that the man she loves has to stay here in Ohio. I just can’t get rid of this nagging guilt. I mean it’s bad enough that he has to disappear from my little girl’s life, but he also is going to live a very lonely life. Now I don’t know if he’ll ever marry Mer. He told me to keep his ring for him. I don’t think I could bear to see my friend suffer. His only family is us and he can only see us when Holidee is somewhere else. Life’s unfair. It’s unfair to the nicest of people. Part of me wishes we could move down to Georgia. That way Crix can be with Mer and not be alone. He could start a family, and I could be his kids’ Guardian. That would be funny, and I would laugh, but I’m not in a laughing mood. I’d move if my family wasn’t in Ohio, but they are, and I have to stay cuz I know they won’t live forever. I have to cherish the time I have with them now. Damn. Why is life so cruel? A beautiful little girl comes into my life as my oldest and dearest friend walks out. It almost makes me wanna say, ‘Heck with this! Crix you’re gonna be in Holidee’s life! I don’t care what anybody says! Damn the rules!’ but I can’t. But I have to be strong. Strong for Holidee. Strong for Crix. Strong for my family. So the only thing I can do now is just keep putting one foot in front of the other and trudging onward. It’s gonna be a long journey.
Holidee finished reading that page. It made her feel better that her dad felt horrible about what he had asked Crix to do. At least Crix wasn’t the only one who had suffered. She about to turn the page, but she heard the front door open and then close.
“Holidee!” She closed the journal, put it back on the shelf, and walked out of her room to greet Crix. “Hey! How was school?”
“Okay. I liked my sick day much better.” Crix laughed.
“So did I.”
“Um, Crix?”
“Yeah?” He was taking off his shoes.
“Zeke wanted to take me on a date this Saturday morning around eleven-thirty.” Crix looked up at Holidee. Holidee knew what Crix was thinking and she was waiting for him to ask her. He didn’t.
“Okay.”
“Really? I can go? But what about my lessons?”
“We can work on them here, with Micrip, and maybe Saturday evening and Sunday. We’ll get lessons in. Don’t worry.”
“Great! That is so awesome, Crix! I’m gonna go call Zeke!” She ran out of the living room and into the kitchen. Crix laughed and shook his head. He lay on the couch and closed his eyes to take a short nap.
Early Saturday morning, Holidee got ready for her date. She pulled on jeans and a cute top. She looked at herself in the mirror, and once she approved, walked out into the living room. Crix was sitting on the couch in loose-fit jeans and a t-shirt. He put down the paper he was reading and looked at Holidee. He stood up and walked toward her.
“Be careful, okay?”
“Okay. I will.” She hugged him and then walked toward the door.
“And have fun.” Holidee smiled and walked out the door. There, waiting for her, was Zeke. He was sitting in his car and smiling at her. She hopped in.
“Ready?”
“Uh-huh.” He drove off. “So where’re we going?”
“It’s a surprise, but I know you’ll love it.” Holidee smiled. They drove for a long time. Holidee wasn’t sure when they’d stop. Then she heard something off in the distance. The ocean. She smiled.
“You’re taking me to the ocean?” Zeke smiled.
“I knew you’d figure it out eventually. Yeah. But that’s not it.” They drove a little longer before Zeke stopped the car in a vacant parking lot near the beach. He jumped out of the car, ran around to the other side, and opened the door for Holidee. She couldn’t stop smiling as he took her hand. He led her to the beach, where she saw two horses waiting. They were tied up to two poles.
“We’re going horseback riding on the beach?!” Zeke nodded. He could see the excitement in her face. He helped her up on her horse. Then he jumped onto his. They rode down the beach.
“Wanna race?”
“You don’t know where we are going.”
“So. You’re afraid, aren’t you? Cuz you know I’ll beat you.” Zeke laughed.
“Okay. Let’s see you try.” Holidee and Zeke sped up and laughed as they raced down the beach. Holidee’s hair was whipped back from the wind, and Zeke slowed down, watching her. She noticed he was no longer racing and slowed down too. She looked behind her.
“You coming?”
“Yeah. It’s not much farther.” They had their horses go at a slow trot from then on. When Zeke stopped and got off of his horse, Holidee looked down at the beach. There was a tablecloth laid out on the sand and a picnic
basket on top. Holidee smiled as she hopped off of her horse.
“A picnic?” Zeke smiled.
“Told you you’d like it.” They sat down and Zeke started pulling out plates and food. They ate as they watched a few dolphins swim in the ocean.
“Amazing, huh?” Zeke, who was looking at Holidee, nodded.
“Yeah.” Holidee looked at him and sniggered.
“I meant the dolphins.”
“Yeah, but you’re pretty amazing too.” Holidee blushed. Then they both continued eating and watching the dolphins play. Holidee smiled to herself as she thought of something.
Hey! You guys look like you’re having fun! Mind if we join you? The dolphins all turned and looked at Holidee. Then they dove into the water and swam toward shore.
“Whoa! They’re coming in closer!” Holidee smiled. “Look at that. One of them just jumped.” Zeke laughed. “Wouldn’t that be awesome if we could touch them?” Holidee nodded.
“Want to?”
“What?”
“Touch them. They’ll let us. C’mere.” Holidee got up and walked toward the water. Zeke followed her.
“Holidee, are you sure?”
“Yeah. Stay here.” She rolled up her jeans and waded out into the water. Then she gently put her hand in the water and waited. The dolphins swam up to her and made clicking noises as she stroked their fins.
“Wow.” Holidee motioned Zeke over to her and he waded out into the water. When he reached her, he looked around at all of the dolphins in amazement. “They’re so tame.” Holidee laughed.
“Yeah.” They petted the dolphins until they left. Then Holidee and Zeke went back onto the beach to finish their meal. Holidee knew something was on Zeke’s mind.
“What’s on your mind?” Zeke looked at Holidee and smiled.
“Nothing. It’s just…nothing.” Holidee crawled over to him and put her arms around his waist.
“I know it’s something. You’ll feel better once you get it off your chest.” Zeke looked down at her and smiled.
“I suppose you’re right.” He sighed. “I’ve just been worried about Tom, that’s all.” Holidee straightened up. “He’s just been acting…funny. Have you noticed?” Holidee nodded. “At least I’m not the only one.”
“Do you know why he’s acting weird?” Zeke hesitated. “Zeke?”
“Yeah, I know. It’s his father.” Holidee looked at Zeke. Neither Zeke nor Tom had ever mentioned Tom’s dad before. Holidee could tell Zeke didn’t want to talk about it so she waited patiently. “Tom didn’t really have a happy childhood. His dad got drunk a lot and…” Holidee placed her hand on Zeke’s and held it. “He would beat Tom’s mom and occasionally Tom. His mom would make sure, though, that he didn’t hurt Tom too badly, so she got it the worst. He’d always come to school with bruises. Then when Tom got a little older and started playing football, he got a little stronger. So he stood up to his dad once, and you know what his dad did? He blamed it on me. Said I was a bad influence and that I should butt out of other people’s business. Next thing I knew Tom’s dad made them pack up and move to Ohio. He thought that Tom would straighten out if he was away from me. Well, Tom and his mom didn’t like being captive so they ran away and came back here to Georgia. Next thing we heard was that Tom’s dad killed two people in a car accident while he was intoxicated.” Holidee became a little tense. “He was locked up and that was the last we ever heard of him. But now Tom’s having these nightmares about his dad, but they’re not past memories, they’re things that haven’t happened yet. So he thinks that his dad is going to get out somehow and hunt him down and kill him. He’s been a nervous wreck and I can’t calm him down.” Zeke waited for Holidee to respond, but she didn’t. “Holidee?”
“I’m sure you’ll find a way of calming him down.” Zeke looked at Holidee.
“Are you okay? Holidee?” Holidee jumped when Zeke brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “What’s wrong?” She looked at Zeke and then looked at the ocean.
“Do you know how my parents died, Zeke?” Zeke shook his head. He never mentioned Holidee’s parents because he thought it was a touchy subject. He was apparently right. He felt a little uncomfortable about her question.
“Uh, no, I don’t.”
“In a car accident. They were killed by a drunk driver.” Holidee didn’t feel tears coming. She felt rage. “It was on their anniversary. They left for the weekend to celebrate, and on their way home a guy, who was driving thirty over the speed limit, hit them. My mom died instantly while my dad died in the hospital from internal bleeding. I got a phone call that night saying they were dead. I’ll never forget that night.” Zeke was quiet. He saw the connection. Tom’s dad was in Ohio and killed two people while intoxicated. He didn’t want her to ask him. He was afraid of the truth. He wanted this date to go perfect. It started perfect and he wanted it to end perfect. Please don’t ask me. Please. “When was Tom’s dad in the accident?” Damn.
“Uh…you know, I’m really not sure.” Holidee turned and looked at Zeke straight in the eyes. “Even if I did know, how would that make you feel better? It’d just make you feel worse. All you’d do is hate him just like Tom and I do. So why do you have to know?”
“They were my parents, Zeke. They were the only family I had.” Zeke sighed.
“I wanted this date to go perfect.”
“Zeke, please.”
“Valentine’s Day. He killed those two people on Valentine’s Day.” Holidee swallowed and held back tears. Zeke looked at her. “Was that when your parents died?” Holidee looked up at him.
“No. I’m sorry. This date was perfect, Zeke. I had a great time, but I think I want to go home now.”
“Okay.”
They packed up their picnic and rode back to the car. Zeke kissed Holidee good-bye when they reached her house. She waved until his car drove out of sight. Then she walked inside to find the house empty. She found a note on the fridge from Crix.
Holidee,
Mer and I decided to go on a date too. We shouldn’t
be gone for long. Hope you had fun.
Love,
Crix
Holidee then went into the other room to watch a movie. She fell asleep half way through it, though.
Crix and Mer got home not long after Holidee fell asleep. They walked in the door laughing but stopped when they saw Holidee asleep on the couch. Crix smiled and picked her up. He cradled her in his arms and took her to her bedroom as Mer turned off the movie. Crix shut Holidee’s bedroom door and walked back into the living room.
“Who would’ve thought sixteen years ago that we’d be here?”
“I know. It’s been a rough road.” Mer smiled and wrapped her arms around Crix’ waist. Crix smiled down at her and kissed her on the nose. “Let’s go to bed.” Mer agreed and the house got quiet as everyone dozed off into their dreams.