Chapter 19
I stood there astonished until I heard Stacy start to come down the stairs. I did not want her to think I had been eavesdropping, so I quickly made my way over to the kitchen and then I quietly exited through the patio doors out to the backyard. I walked over to the pool and I stared down at the reflection of the sun on the water. I stood there with my hands in my pockets wishing Scott was here to give me advice. A moment later, I heard the patio door slide open and I turned around to see Shannon walking toward me. Her bedroom window faced the backyard and she must have been looking out and spotted me. She came up to me and said, "I… I never got a chance to personally thank you for what you did for me yesterday." Tears immediately began to fill her eyes, and she extended her hands towards me. "I… if it weren't for you… if you hadn't been there…"
I compassionately embraced her. She broke down and began to sob as she tightly clutched me while resting her head against my shoulder—her body trembling. I tenderly stroked her back saying, "I understand, Shannon. It's alright." After about a minute she calmed down and I felt her body relax.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine," I replied. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm sorry that you had to go through that." I glanced around for something to wipe away her tears. Not finding anything however, I pulled my tee-shirt up over my head and handed it to her. She took it and while smiling and chuckling a little, she wiped her face.
"Thanks. I feel a lot better. That was sweet of you. My mother said you spoke kind words to her last night. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, and, ah… thanks for your cool note. You have a great mom."
She nodded her head in agreement while handing my shirt back to me. She stood there staring at me. I could tell from her facial expression that she wanted to say more but she was hesitant. It was getting awkward, so I said, "I have to go and get ready for the dance tonight." She mouthed okay and then followed me as I walked back toward the kitchen. Mrs. Muller was standing in front of the patio door with a serious look on her face and her arms crossed in front of her. She had been watching us the whole time! She moved aside when I entered and I asked, "Mrs. Muller; is it okay if I shower and shave in the upstairs bathroom?"
"Of course, Lance."
"Can I watch?" asked AJ, excitedly. "I've never seen a guy do that before."
"I'll let you watch me shave."
"That's what I meant." she replied while nervously glancing over at her mother.
"I know. I was just messing with you," I said while chuckling.
Now standing in front of the upstairs bathroom mirror, I began to lather my face. I turned and glanced over at AJ who was leaning against the far wall. "You know, AJ, I'm going to this dance tonight and I've never been to a single one in my life nor do I even know how to dance. I hope I don't make a fool of myself."
"Why don't you ask Shannon to show you how? She dances like a boss!"
"I'll bet she does. I saw her doing her cheerleading routines on Monday and those moves impressed me."
"Do you want me to ask her for you?"
"No. I don't think that's a good idea," I replied while shaking my head and remembering her argument with her mother.
As I shaved, AJ asked, "Why did you help my mom and sister yesterday?"
"Why? Because you're like my second family and I care about you all. There was no way I was going to let those maggots…"
After a pause she asked, "Who called you on your smartphone when it rang in my mom's room?"
"You weren't even there. How do you know about my smartphone ringing?"
"Shannon told me about it."
"There was no one on the other end."
After another brief pause she asked, "Are you in love with my sister?"
"What's with all these questions? Why are you suddenly acting like a detective?"
She shrugged her shoulders and smiled a silly grin. "Well, are you?"
"You already know the answer to that question. Why are you even asking me?"
"I forgot what you told me."
"You're being goofy, AJ. You know I became infatuated with her when I first saw her picture on her dresser. I suppose I still am. Her looks are… off the scale, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, but apart from her looks, is there anything else you like about her?"
I thought for a moment. "I like the fact that she's very intelligent as well as… caring… kind… and creative—to name a few. We also share the same conviction."
"Why don't you ask her out?"
That question annoyed me and I conveyed it in my tone and look. "You're not making sense. She's Keith's girlfriend. I can't ask her out. She's taken. On Monday night I tried asking her to the dance. Remember? Did being out in the hot sun yesterday affect your memory?"
Her face took on a hurt expression.
"I'm sorry AJ; I'm not trying to be rude to you. But we both know I had my chance and I blew it. We already had this discussion. If I could go back in time and change the past, I would. But it's too late. I didn't treat her properly, and what's done is done."
After yet another pause she asked, "What advice can you give a girl who in misjudging someone, chose the wrong guy for a boyfriend?"
"Eh?" I looked over at AJ and she glanced toward the door and then back at me. While drying my face off with a towel, I turned the corner and leaning against the door jam with a sad expression on her face was Shannon!
"I'm sorry Shannon. I didn't know you were standing there." I remarked, apologetically. She turned and went back into her room—closing the door behind her.
"Why did you do that, AJ?"
"It was her idea, not mine," she replied as she walked passed me. "Don't blame me."