“Good. Then we can both concentrate on getting good grades so we can get into the same college together. And we can see each other on school breaks. There is a ski trip during Christmas break we can go on.”
“My, now that we have all the romance stuff out of the way, you sound so practical,” I tease.
“Well, one of us has to be,” He says mocking me. “I’ll call you as soon as I get home about the Busch Gardens trip.”
“Are you sure your parents will be okay with that?”
“Sure, they trust my judgment and they want to meet you. They like your sense of humor from your texts.”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot they read those things.”
“Well they want to meet my mystery woman.”
“I might need a drum roll for the big unveiling or should I just stick to the red carpet and the ball gown?” I joke.
“See they‘re going to love you,” Seth smiles.
“Did I forget to mention my dad owns a rifle and he might want to have you write an essay on why you are worthy to date his daughter?”
“Hmm, maybe we can work out some kind of deal.”
A fish jumps out on the lake. We sit silently holding hands enjoying our last few minutes together.
The buses start pulling up to the main lodge signaling it’s time to load up.
Seth and I hug a quick goodbye and he heads off to make sure his kids have emptied their cabin. I run up to grab my bag and check on my Venus girls one last time. We say goodbye to the Timmons and all the kids we’ve made friends with over the last eight days. I wave goodbye to Paige. I stash my duffle and help Carrie load up the bays under the bus, then we get all the kids back on.
Mr. Steve does a head count.
I hear someone yell my name and step out the door.
It’s Seth and he is kissing my necklace that he’s wearing around his neck. I kiss his ring and we wave goodbye.
The drive back passes quickly. Carrie is all excited to tell me about the fun she and Robby had. Nikki tells me about the two or three boys she fell in love with during camp. She can’t decide which one she likes better.
As we hit the main highway, I notice a few of the cars seem to have a dark presence riding along with them and once, going in the other direction, I see a car with a bright light as a passenger and I smile.
My life has changed. For good or bad, I’m not the same Megan I was eight days ago. I’m going home, but with what I can see now, I don’t know how familiar home is going to be. I wonder if Mom and Dad are going to notice a change in me, and what about my little brother, Max? I wonder if I should tell anyone; and if I don’t, how long am I going to be able to keep this a secret?
My best friend at home is Mandy. I’ve never kept a secret from her before. She knows all about Seth. How can I not talk to her about seeing angels? She would believe me; but would it put her in danger? Would it put her soul in danger? Am I just being weak and selfish wanting to share this with her? I have so much to think and pray about. I hope God is listening. Even more than that, I hope He feels like answering.
CHAPTER 4 - BACK HOME
Mom and Max, my little brother, come to pick me up. Mom asks, “Did you have fun?” Why do Moms always ask the obvious questions?
“Of course,” I say. I give her a hug.
“Was that boy you like, Seth, there?”
“Yes, Mom,” Max starts making kissy noises so I smack him and say, “Cut it out, grow up.”
Mom says, “Don’t hit your little brother.” She pops the trunk for me to put my duffle bag in. So far, everything feels normal. I say goodbye to Carrie and give hugs to some of the kids before we head out of the parking lot to go home.
“Did you bring my cell phone?” I ask.
“No.”
“Aw. I wanted to call Mandy and see what she’s up to.”
“You’ll just have to wait until you get home, all of ten minutes.”
“No Mom, we gotta stop for milk,” Max says.
Mom talks without taking her eyes off the road, “So tell me about camp.”
I try to think of something she might find interesting that doesn’t involve my relationship with Seth or Zadok.
“Oh yeah. Seth, Jackson, and I got to save this girl from drowning. She went under and we towed her back unconscious and Zad… I mean Mr. Z. and I had to give her CPR and she’s okay now.”
“No way,” Max says, “You’re making it up.”
“No, I’m not,” I say. “I did the chest compressions.”
Mom replies while driving, “I’m sure your sister’s exaggerating a little bit.”
“No I’m not. Ask Mr. Steve.”
Why do parents always think kids aren’t telling the truth? My feelings are hurt that my own Mom doesn’t believe me. They wonder why we don’t come to them more often. This is exactly why I can’t tell her about Seth. She’ll just think it’s some kind of puppy love thing and try to diminish the way I feel. I for sure can’t tell her I see angels. She’d have me in counseling tomorrow and ground me for telling a lie.
Sometimes I hate being fifteen; it’s such an in-between phase. Old enough to learn how to drive, but not old enough to drive by yourself. Old enough to like boys, but not quite old enough to go on a date. Old enough to do all the testing for college, but not old enough to go. Old enough to have a period and get pregnant, but not old enough to have a serious relationship. I want to tell her about the Busch Garden’s trip, but I think I’ll wait until Seth calls. Maybe if Mom speaks to his mom, she’ll let me go. I try to think of something that will freak her out that doesn’t include my seeing angels or demons.
“I put a snake in Robby’s cot. He’s a counselor, too. He screamed like a girl. It was so funny,” Max starts laughing and making girly screeching noises.
Mom says, “Now why would you do that? That wasn’t very nice. I hope they made you apologize to him.”
I just shake my head. She just doesn’t get it. I hope when I’m a mom I remember what it’s like to be my age. As soon as I get home I text Mandy. We plan a call for after eight so we can talk without her mom listening in. I can tell her everything about Seth and me, and she can catch me up on what’s happened to her while I was gone. During our phone call we make plans to go to the mall tomorrow. We both need clothes for school and our moms give us a budget to do some shopping on our own. They’re both busy with work and don’t really have the time to take us anyway. The rule at my house is I have to show my mom the receipts for the things I buy. She can take back anything that doesn’t meet with her approval.
Mandy says, “Wait till you see how I look. You’re not going to believe it!”
I know she was getting her braces off so I say, “I bet you look beautiful. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
***
At Mandy’s house the next day, I knock. I have a smile on my face and I’m prepared to say how terrific she looks. When the door opens my jaw just about hits the floor. “Mandy, you are drop-dead gorgeous! What have you done?” Mandy gushes, “I know, can you believe it?”
Mandy has her braces off all right, but it’s more than that.
“My mom promised if I lost five pounds she would get my teeth whitened and take me to her hairdresser,” Mandy says proudly, “and she bought me these new push up bras that make you a size bigger.”
Mandy has always been pretty. But Mandy’s mom is really into the bar scene and looks have always been the main thing in her life. Pretty just isn’t good enough in her book.
“I’ve had my hair lightened with highlights, a new cut, my teeth whitened, lost the weight, and a new spray tan!”
“You do look gorgeous Mandy, but you’ve always been pretty,” I say.
“Not like this,” She smiles.
“You go girl! You enjoy it,” I say. I’m happy to see her so happy. “Now let’s go shop.”
We get in the car. Mandy is a year older than me so she can drive. She was held back a year when she was younger, which is why we’re in
the same grade. Mandy is still gushing, “I feel like an ugly duckling who became a swan. I just know this is going to be my best year ever. I can’t wait for school to start so everyone can see me.”
“Mandy, you’ve always been pretty. You know there’s more to life than how you look.”
“Well, all I know is I’ve had braces for the last two years and no boy has been interested. You can say things like that because you have a boyfriend and you didn‘t have to wear braces. Now it’s my turn to be the attractive one and have some fun.”
Her remark stings a little bit, but she’s right. I haven’t had braces and I do have a boyfriend. It will be fun to see people’s reaction to how fabulous she looks.
“Well now that you’re going to be ‘Miss Popular’, don’t forget I’ve been your friend in good times and bad.”
She looks at me and smiles, “Of course not! We’re M&Ms. Mandy and Megan, the M&Ms.”
“That’s right, M&Ms,” I say.
We pull into the mall parking lot and grab a spot right in the middle. Even as we walk in, I see heads swiveling to look at Mandy. She’s walking with her head held high and has a natural sway to her hips when she walks. Mandy inherited that from her mother. I hope she hasn’t inherited her mother’s alcoholism. If she never takes that first drink, it won’t matter. We go into all our favorite stores and try on all the new looks. Everything looks great on Mandy. We are having so much fun.
We stop at the food court for lunch. Mandy has a salad while I have Chinese and of course, a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Mandy says without me even asking, “If I keep the weight off, Mom will keep paying for my tan and my hair.”
I have no idea on how to answer that. My parents have never tried to bribe me in that way. I know Mandy’s always kind of felt her Mother’s love is conditional on her being the kind of daughter Farrah wants her to be. We always have to call her Farrah. Mandy’s never been allowed to call her “Mom”. Farrah doesn’t want her boyfriends to know that she has a sixteen-year-old daughter and sometimes she even calls Mandy her sister. Farrah had Mandy when she was sixteen so she’s thirty-two, but she tells everyone she’s only twenty-seven. It’s kind of pathetic. Oh well, you can’t pick your parents.
After lunch, we head over to AE one of our favorite stores. As we’re looking thru the racks Mandy practically squeals, “Look who’s coming in!”
It’s Alex and his friends, Roger and Jason. Alex is a senior this year and Mandy had a crush on him our whole freshman year. Alex is on the varsity football team. He’s very tall and handsome. He also has a reputation of being a “player.” Alex is the kind of guy who only goes out with a girl he can sleep with. Last year, one of the cheerleaders went out with him. According to one rumor, he dropped her when she got too clingy. She was so ashamed she ended up transferring out of our school to go somewhere else. Or if you believe the other rumor, she was pregnant. As the guys come in the store, I see Jason nudge Alex and point to Mandy.
Mandy is busy pretending not to notice them. They casually walk up to us.
Roger who was in my drama class last year, speaks up, “Hi Megan, what’s up? Who’s your friend?”
“You know Mandy,” I say.
“Oh yeah. Mandy. Hi Mandy,” Roger motions to Jason and Alex. “If you guys want to come, we’re gonna build a bonfire out on the causeway tonight, it’ll be fun. A lot of kids from school will be there.”
Alex looks right at Mandy and says, “If you need a ride I could swing by and pick you up.”
Mandy smiles at him and says, “Maybe Megan and I will meet you there.”
“Can I get your number?” Alex says.
“I don’t know—can you?” Mandy says, flirting as she walks out of the store.
I say, “Bye guys,” But they’re not listening. They’re too busy watching Mandy walk out. I follow her, hoping they’re not watching me. I catch up to Mandy around the corner and she bursts out laughing.
“Can you believe them?” Mandy says.
“Watch out for Alex. He’s definitely got his eye on you.”
“This is so cool! Last year, I would have done anything to go out with him, and now he’s flirting with me!”
“You’re not seriously considering going out with him are you? You know what he expects from his girlfriends,” I say.
“Yeah, I know. But it’ll be fun to tease him if he’s that attracted to me. It can’t hurt to flirt with him. Do you want to meet them up at the causeway tonight? I’ll drive.” Mandy’s eyes are sparkling with excitement.
“My curfew is ten o’clock. I might be able to push it to ten-thirty since it’s still summer.”
“That would be so great!”
We start heading out to the main mall exit.
As we pass one of the stores there’s commotion with yelling, “Stop!” A security guard tackles a teenage Goth right in front of us. “Let me go man. I didn’t do nothing!”
“Yeah, then what’s this?” The guard pulls a heavy gold chain out of the thief’s pocket.
“I didn’t take that man! It’s a mistake man. I thought I put it back. Ask my friend! He’s over there!” The young man is trying to motion but the security guard yanks his arm back, putting him in handcuffs. “I swear I didn’t take it! Ask him. The guy in the jacket, over there!” The Goth guy says nodding his chin.
I look in the direction he’s motioning. For a split second I catch a glimpse of a handsome young guy glowing black. He waves at me and mouths, Hi Megan, and then he’s gone. A dark angel. A dark angel right here in our mall! How does he know my name? I take a deep breath and try to calm down.
“Don’t worry, if you have an accomplice we’ll see it on the tape. We’ll get him too.” The security guard hauls him away while calling for the police on his walkie-talkie.
I know no one else is going to show up on that tape. The dark angel convinced that Goth to steal it. A sense of foreboding chills me. Why did he wave at me? My stomach rolls. He could tell I know what he is. And somehow he knows me. It’s beginning already.
Mandy turns to me and says, “Wow, can you believe it? This is going to be the most exciting year ever!”
I think Mandy has no idea how true those words are. If only “exciting” were a good thing.
***
Later that evening, my parents say I can go with Mandy but I must be home no later than ten-thirty. I draw them a map of exactly where we are going. I have my cell phone on me in my jeans pocket and I set it to vibrate. The rule is I have to answer it when they call so they can check up on me. They trust me, but not everyone else I might meet.
Mandy comes in, “Hi”, she says to my parents and Max. She gives them each a big hug.
“You look wonderful Mandy,” Mom says.
“Thank you, Mrs. Laughlin.”
“You girls have to be back by ten-thirty,” she says, “You’re more than welcome to spend the night, Mandy.”
My mom knows what Farrah is like and chances are Farrah won’t even make it home tonight. She‘ll probably spend the night at her current “boyfriend’s” place. Mom hates the idea of Mandy spending the night alone in her house.
“I brought a bag just in case you said okay,” Mandy smiles.
“Good, go have fun. Well see you later.” We walk out the door.
***
When we arrive at the beach I see a bunch of kids most of whom belong to the football and cheerleading crowd. Mandy and I mingle and talk to some of them. We wait around enjoying the weather. A nice breeze is blowing in off the water. Two windboarders are out, riding and jumping the waves. A couple of people have even brought their dogs. As the sun goes down, some of the guys start piling the wood up for a bonfire.
Alex, Roger, and Jason pull up in his car. They unload some logs and a couple of coolers full of drinks. They add their logs to the fire pit and light them. Alex looks around and spots Mandy. He makes a beeline for her. I see her face light up even though she’s busy pretending not to notice that Alex is walki
ng over. Mandy’s talking to one of the cheerleaders about her spray tan. I’m just listening since I don’t have anything to add to the conversation.
“You really should try out for the squad. If you can do a cartwheel and a split, I’m sure you’d make the team. You’d have my vote. You’re so pretty. You look like a cheerleader.”
Mandy says, “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”
Alex comes up and says, “Well hello. I’m glad you came. Would you like something to drink Mandy, Megan, Susie? I’ve got Sprite, Coke, and some beers, if you’re over age,” he winks.
“We don’t drink,” I say, “But a couple of cokes would be nice.”
“Cokes for the M&M’s”, “What about you Sus?”
“I’ll have a beer,” she says trying to sound mature. As soon as he leaves she says, “I don’t even like the stuff; I won’t drink it, but at least I look like I do.”
“Lots of adults don’t drink. You don’t have to drink to be mature,” I say. Susie just rolls her eyes at me like I’m the biggest geek in the world.
Mandy speaks up, “You know she’s right. You’ve seen people get drunk, and beer breath is disgusting,” she says wrinkling her nose. I know Mandy’s thinking of her mom.
“I guess you’re right,” Susie only sounds half-convinced, “but I only pretend to drink it, okay?”
Alex comes over with our drinks, “Here you go ladies.”
“So what have you guys been doing this summer?” Alex asks us, never taking his eyes off Mandy.
Susie starts telling everyone about her fabulous trip on a cruise, as one of the other football players walks up. Alex pipes up, “Why don’t you tell Shawn all about your trip. I need to talk to Mandy for a minute, excuse us.” He gently grabs Mandy by the elbow and steers her away from us to walk with her alone down the beach.
I listen to Susie explain the details of her trip to Shawn, and then excuse myself. I walk over to the bonfire and position myself so I can keep an eye on Mandy and Alex. Alex has been nothing but polite still I’m aware of his reputation. What they say about him could be wrong.
One of the football team players comes up to flirt with me, but I let him know I have a boyfriend. He walks away to talk to some of the other kids standing around the bonfire. A play fight with several guys piling on top of each other breaks out. I laugh along with everyone else. When I look up, I can’t see Alex or Mandy. I walk around looking for them. They’re nowhere around. I look for Alex’s car and realize it’s gone. I can’t believe Mandy would leave with him without telling me. I look at my cell phone. It’s almost ten and I have to be home by ten-thirty.