Romiette, you are my dream.
Julio, my dreams are sometimes terrifying.
I will protect you.
From my dreams?
Maybe I will be there for you in your dreams.
I have to go. My mother wants to use the computer. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Call me. Better yet—write me. I love the way you say things. Good night.
Good night, Romiette. Sweet dreams.
25.
Dream
Romiette washed her face and quickly slipped on her pajamas. She couldn’t stop smiling. She hurried to bed and snuggled under the covers onto the cool, soft sheets. She plumped two pillows behind her head, and hugged one in front of her. She reached up, turned off the light, said a quick thank-you to the darkness, and let herself think of Julio. How could someone she’d only known such a short time so completely fill her thoughts? He was clever, and kind, and smart, and oh, so good-looking. His eyes sparkled, his grin was infectious, and his voice—his voice was … She drifted to sleep, smiling, thinking of Julio, his voice echoing in her dreams.
They were running, fearful, in a place she had never seen. She was hot and sweating, but the air was cold. The sky was black and green with slices of bright yellow. Was that rain or blood that was pelting her, soaking her? She was crying.
He held her hand tightly, never letting it go. She could sense his fear, feel his heart beating. He was afraid for her, for them. Why? She couldn’t remember, couldn’t see through the storm. She smelled the water then. Deep, evil, powerful. The water was her only hope, her only chance. She screamed, jumped, and screamed again. Then all was silence as the water thundered into her ears, forced itself down her throat, and burned its way into her nose, her lungs, her brain. This water was fierce and deadly—not cool, gentle waves but hot, choking, liquid flames, sucking the breath of life from her. She struggled, searching for air, for land, for something to hold on to. But there was only the water, pulling her into its depths. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t swim. She could no longer scream. The water filled her, seared her thoughts, and she drifted slowly into unconsciousness. The fire cooled, the terror ebbed, and the dark shadow of death embraced her.
She drifted then—in a haze of colors and swirls and black, frightening void. Voices? Could she hear voices? One voice? No, all was silence. No reason to care, to breathe, to live. So easy to let the silence swallow her. That voice. It pierced the darkness. It was calling her name, grabbing her thoughts, and making her remember the fear, the pain, the cold, clammy water. The water! She gasped, and the water grabbed her once more, viciously dragging her to its depths. But that voice. A man’s voice. It floated down to where she lay, cradled in the arms of the victorious water. The voice called her one last time. It was Julio.
Romiette’s scream pierced the night, and she sat straight up in her bed. She was shivering violently as her mother rushed into the room. Her mother sat on the bed and cuddled Romi as she had when she was a child. She rocked her and whispered, “Romi, baby, what’s wrong?”
Romi shivered from cold, and she felt wet and clammy. She gulped huge breaths of the night air. “I don’t know, Mama, I had a terrible dream!” It felt good to be in her mother’s arms once again. Romi slowly relaxed and started to breathe normally.
Her mother stroked her back. “Shhh. It’s OK now. Let’s turn on the light. Breathe easy now. That’s better. Do you remember it at all?”
Romi knew every single detail, but she told her mother, “No, it’s all a blur. Someone was chasing me and I fell and I don’t remember anything else.” Somehow she couldn’t tell her mother the truth—not yet.
“Do you want me to stay in here with you?”
This time she told the truth. “Yes, Mama. Just for a little while.” Romi smiled and snuggled back under her covers. Her mother smiled and curled up next to her daughter. She stayed there until Romi slowly drifted back to sleep. The dream did not return that night.
26.
At Destiny’s House
Destiny and Romi were sitting on Destiny’s huge water bed. They were supposed to be doing homework. They had to complete all the essentials first—fix their hair, pick out outfits for the next day, and do each other’s nails. Romi, still shaky and unsettled from the dream of the night before, asked, “Destiny, you know that dream I told you about? It’s back, even more frightening. More details. I’m running, running from death, then I’m drowning. And the voice, the voice at the end of the dream I couldn’t identify …”
“It was Julio, right?” Destiny cried with satisfaction.
“Does that mean he saves me, or is he the one who’s drowning me? It’s so confusing!”
“Can you tell who you’re running from?”
“No, it was dark and shadowy, and there was blood, or rain—I couldn’t tell which—and Julio was holding my hand and we were running from—”
“Wait a minute. Julio was holding your hand while you were running?”
“Yes!”
“Then he couldn’t be the one drowning you. He was the voice!”
“I don’t know. I’m so confused. And scared. What does this all mean?”
“Don’t worry about it now. The stars have a way of working these things out. When did you talk to him last?”
“Last night. On the computer. In our private chat room. I didn’t see him at lunch today because I had to see my counselor about the SATs. But I hope I haven’t screwed everything up!”
“What did you do, Romi? Did you tell him about the dream?”
“No, but I told him something else, at least I think I did.”
“Told him what? You didn’t tell him about the Scientific Soul Mate System, did you? I’d be sooo embarrassed if a dude knew we believed in that stuff.”
“No, of course not. I think I told him how I feel about him. I’m not sure what I said. It’s so easy to talk to him.”
“What does he know for sure, girl?”
“Well, he knows I like him, want to be with him. But it’s worse than that. I’ve never felt like this before. I feel like I want to crawl up into a little molecule and become a part of him. I never want to not be with him. Good grief—this is not me.”
“You didn’t tell him all that, did you? We’ve got to leave something for him to find out.”
“No, I’m not stupid—but then again, maybe I am. I can’t believe I’ve fallen stupid head over heels in love with Julio Montague. How am I going to tell my mother? What am I going to tell her?”
“Forget your mother. Mothers are always the last to know good stuff like this!”
“You’re right. Besides, there’s nothing to tell yet—but I can’t wait to see him. He’s coming over Sunday to get the puppy.”
“What time?”
“Three, I think. I’m so mixed up, I can’t remember.”
Destiny bounced on the water bed. “What are you wearing, Romi? This is the critical question.”
“Oh, my goodness! I haven’t even thought about it! My black jeans and that black sweater? No, I hate that sweater. What about your green outfit?”
“My green outfit? Yeah, you look better in it than I do. You can take it when you go home.”
“No need. I already have it. But I’ll take some shoes. I don’t have shoes to go with it.”
“You want my underwear too?” Destiny laughed.
“That won’t be necessary.” Romi smiled. “You know, I’m not gonna sleep until Sunday. I’m halfway scared to sleep anyway. I’ve got to fix my hair for Sunday too. Maybe I’ll curl it and wear it down.”
“What if it rains?” Destiny asked, frowning.
“It can’t rain! If it’s rainy, I’d better call the weather—my hair gets puffy and droopy. He seems to like it the way I usually wear it, but I’m not sure now. I wonder if Mama will let me go shopping. I need new shoes. No, it’s muddy out there by the puppy cage. I’ll wear yours.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“What difference does it make? Julio doesn’t seem
to mind what I wear or how I look. He said he likes me. I can’t stop smiling!”
“I’ve got to go plot your signs and make up a love course for you. But right now, the stars are shining!”
“Yeah, but what about the dream?”
“Right now, your dreams are golden. Hang on to that.”
“Should we start on this math assignment?”
“Yeah, I guess we stalled long enough.”
“OK, but don’t let me forget the shoes.”
27.
Julio and His Mother
Julio looked out of his window to a cold, bleak rain. It had rained all day, but he didn’t care. The sun was shining in his heart, in his room, in his world. The day was bright with thoughts of Romiette. Her smile, her giggles, her laughter. Thinking of her made him feel like a crayon, full of color and possibilities, a speck of color in a world of drab gray and dark rain.
Julio’s mother peeked her head through his open door. Julio smiled. His mother had long black hair that showed no gray, and a face that was beautiful but somehow very sad. She rarely spoke to Julio of the three children she had buried before he was born. But he knew that she carried them with her, even in this cold and lonely place so far away from their small resting places. Julio always had been able to talk to her with ease. It was his mother he first told about the gang problem at his old school, about his anger and pain of moving, and also about his fight and friendship with Ben. Perhaps she would understand about Romi.
“Come in, Mama,” he offered quietly.
“How’s it going, little one, on this rainy, cold day?” she asked him.
“I didn’t even notice the rain, Mama,” Julio admitted. “It’s a rainbow day to me.”
“What’s her name?” his mom asked immediately.
“What makes you think it’s a girl?” Julio teased. “It could be the fact I made the jazz band.”
“Jazz band doesn’t bring sunshine on a rainy day, my son. Only a special someone.”
“She is special, and her name is Romiette, Mama,” Julio admitted with a smile.
Maria Montague looked into her son’s eyes. “You want to talk about it?”
“I don’t even know how it happened so quickly. All I know is I met her at school and I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“And her feelings about you?”
“Why should she care about somebody like me? She hardly even knows me. All I know is I can’t stand to be away from her. Her curiosity, her sense of adventure—they all make me want to dance, or jump, or yell with excitement.”
“She sounds quite special—someone worth treating with great care.”
“Oh, yeah, she’s all that, all right!” Julio was surprised at the amount of understanding his mother showed.
“What does she look like?” asked Maria Montague. “Tell me about her.”
“She’s a jewel in a pile of rocks. She’s like chocolate cake for dinner—and I love chocolate!”
“My goodness. She’s got you talking poetry!”
“Oh, yes, Mama. The shape of her fingers, the curve of her back, the tilt of her head—all make me dizzy. I even like the sound of her voice—a little low and full of secrets. If she could put that voice of hers in a bottle and sell it, she’d be rich!”
“Well, it seems that she has one satisfied customer, at least. I’m glad you’ve found someone special, Julio. Take your time. Cultivate your friendship first. The romance will happen soon enough.”
“I’m working on the friendship part, Mama. She’s the girl I’m getting the puppy from. I’m so glad you said we could have one. I’m going to her house Sunday to get it. I wonder if her parents will be there and what they’ll think of me. Maybe they won’t like me.”
“Of course they’ll like you. What’s not to like?”
“But you’re my mother. You have to like me!” Julio grinned.
“And sometimes that’s not easy!” She smiled back. “Go to her house, be yourself, and don’t worry so much. If you see something golden in this girl, then her parents must have done a pretty good job of raising her, so they must be pretty special as well.”
“You’re sorta smart, Mama.”
“I remember the feeling of young love. You feel as if you have found your dream. And you can’t stop smiling.”
Julio smiled. “You got that right!”
28.
Conversation—
Ben and Julio
Julio stood in the main hall of the school, waiting for the bell to ring to start the day. It seemed like years since that first day when he had rearranged Ben’s face and found a friend. The halls were still as dark, the building just as ugly, but many students who had been strangers were now acquaintances whose names he remembered, and some had become friends. “What’s up, Julio!” or “Hey, Julio!” greeted him as he found a place to toss his book bag and wait for the rush to get to first bell. Romi wasn’t there yet, but Ben’s arrival was always a surprise. Today his hair was parted in the middle. One half glowed bright pink. The other half shimmered an iridescent silver. Kids cheered in approval as Ben took his bows. Julio shook his head and grinned.
“What’s up, Julio? My main drop of tequila in this concrete seashore we call home.”
“Your home, man,” retorted Julio. “I’m just living here till I can get back to mandolins and mariachi music.”
“Hey, I don’t see you buyin’ no plane ticket—looks like you’re spendin’ lots of time with Romiette. She seems to be makin’ your sojourn here rather pleasant.”
“Yeah, man. She’s hot sauce for my mashed potatoes.”
“Chocolate for your cornflakes!”
“Pretty poetic for a dude with two-toned hair.”
“Pink and silver hair is what poetry is all about. Expression! Creativity! Besides, orange is old. That was yesterday. Gotta stay fresh, my man.”
“Gotta stay alive. Don’t want those Devildogs to keep hasslin’ me and Romi.”
“They have no poetry—they have no individuality. They’re just parts of a large, dirty organism, like that alien monster thing in that Star Trek movie—unthinking, but very, very dangerous.”
“So how do you fight stuff that makes no sense?”
“You gotta be smarter than they are, Julio. And quicker.” Ben did a quick little dance step.
“Easier said than done, Ben my friend. There’s been a lot in the news lately about gangs in schools. They don’t have solutions either.”
“Hey, Julio, did you see Channel Six last night?” asked Ben as the bell rang.
“Yeah, did you see Nannette? Now that’s an example of no brains. Whew!”
“You got that right. For about ten minutes yesterday she was looking into the wrong camera. I guess at the commercial break they told her what to do.”
“You know what, Ben? I watch Romiette’s dad every night to see how the show is put together. I’d give anything to work at a TV station.”
“And you get Nannette Norris as an extra treat!”
“Don’t remind me. Why do you think they keep her on the air?”
“Who knows? So why don’t you ask Romiette’s dad for a job?”
“A job? I’ve never even met him. I’d be scared to death just to be in the same room with him.”
“So let Romiette ask him.”
“No, maybe by summer I’ll get enough nerve, or I’ll go down and apply for a summer intern job on my own. I don’t believe in people asking for favors.”
“There’s the warning bell. I think I’ll go to class on time today and give the teacher a heart attack.” Ben jogged down the hall and around the corner. “Later, Julio!” he called out.
Julio grinned and went to his own class.
29.
Hall Conversation—
Just Before Lunch
Romiette was in a hurry. She hadn’t seen Julio all day. She’d missed him earlier that morning in the front hall, and hadn’t run into him between classes the way she usually did. Teachers talked extr
a long, or someone asked her a question, and her timing had been off all day. Just as she got to the lunchroom steps, Malaka stopped her.
“Can I speak to you, Romiette?”
“Looks like you’re already doing that,” Romi replied with a grimace.
“What you been up to, girl? I don’t see you much at lunch anymore,” Malaka challenged.
“I usually eat with Julio, Malaka. I guess the whole school knows by now.” Romi wanted to rush by Malaka and up the steps, but she knew it was better to act unconcerned.
Malaka knew she was interfering with Romi’s plans. She spoke slowly and with purpose. “You got that right. You know, you got the Devildogs on edge.”
“Why should they care who I eat with?”
“It’s a pride thing—a turf thing. You know how it is.”
“No, I guess I don’t. I’m minding my own business, eating my own lunch, and talking to my friend. Why should they care? And you sound like you’re on their side.” Romi was getting impatient.
“I’m not on nobody’s side. I just figured I’d warn you that they don’t like what you’re doing. They wouldn’t like it if you were eating with a white boy either. That’s just the way they see things.”
“How do you know so much how they see things? You still talking to Terrell?”
“Yeah, me and Mr. T—that’s his gang name—we’re pretty tight. You know how that is. I really shouldn’t even be talking to you, but since we’re friends—or used to be—I figured I’d let you know they’re watching you.”
“You still didn’t tell me what they plan to do.”
“I don’t really know. I just know that you better stay away from places where you might be caught alone—like bathrooms and stuff.”