November 21, 2010

• nanowrimo, day twenty-one! ♥

  guess who passed the 40K mark today? that'd be me.

  

  “How long have you been creeping back there, Nadia?” I ask, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye.

  “I just caught the last part, and thought I’d butt in,” she smiles, shrugging her shoulders as she sits on a nearby ottoman. “What were you two discussing, anyway?”

  I look directly into her eyes. We’ll talk about it later.

  “Secret conversations with Regina Ward,” Lucas speaks up, giving me a curious look.

  “Oh really? Since when do you two have any secrets? I thought that was kind of impossible,” Nadia smirks.

  “Yeah, kind of,” I roll my eyes. “I do have some self-control when it comes to my thoughts, Nadia.”

  “Not since I’ve known you,” she counters. “But I guess you’ve developed some skills I am unaware of. Fair enough.”

  “That’s right. And don’t you forget it,” I nod once.

  “Charlotte is looking for you,” Nadia informs me. “In fact, she came in our room and said, and I quote, ‘Where the hell is Georgia Lynn?’ And I said, ‘I’m not sure.’ And she said ‘well, why don’t you help me find her?’ So, that’s what I was doing, before I got sidetracked by the smell of old books.”

  “I think we’re the same person,” I laugh. “God just kind of put us in two different bodies.”

  “He’s capable of anything,” Nadia shrugs, smiling.

  “You should probably go find Charlotte, before she finds you,” Lucas warns. “She’s… kind of intense.”

  “Kind of?” I snort. “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “I’m sure,” Lucas allows.

  “Okay, you’re definitely right. Why do you have to be such a nice guy?”

  “It’s a curse,” he sighs. “I get that from my dad, too.”

  “Well, aren’t you just his little mini-me,” I tease, pausing to ruffle his hair as I get up and walk past him.

   

  Back out in the foyer, I mosey to the vast staircase leading to the girls’ bedrooms in the east wing of the gigantic house. I am halfway up the steps when Charlotte’s fierce golden-brown eyes bore into mine.

  “THERE you are,” she hollers, looking relieved. “I thought you’d been abducted or something. So, I heard Regina Ward is here. Is it true?”

  “Yes,” I roll my eyes, unable to keep it a secret. “She’s… interesting.”

  Charlotte’s eyebrows try to reach her hairline. “You met her? Oh my gosh, jealous! I am dying to.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get to while she’s here,” I shrug.

  “Yeah right,” Charlotte argues. “So anyway, that isn’t what I wanted you for.”

  “It isn’t?” I smile.

  “No,” Charlotte pulls on my arm so that I will follow her up the stairs. “I’ve been thinking about our party, and about Thanksgiving break next week…”

  We reach our room and she closes the door behind us.

  “And?” I prompt, flopping into one of the massive bean bag chairs that take up various places in our rooms.

  “And, we have to find some really good music equipment to rent – or even a DJ to go with it,” Charlotte says.

  “I thought Lydia was going to handle the music?” I frown.

  “Yeah, about that…”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to tamper Charlotte’s impossible-to-curb enthusiasm. “Lottie. We really don’t need a gigantic hoopla happening here. We just want to have a big, loud party. Right? That’s all. It doesn’t need to be expensive. I mean, who’s going to pay for it? You and I don’t have that kind of money.”

  “I know, but, I figured Lydia might be willing to…”

  “Lydia feeds us. She lets us use her car and her gas when we make mini road trips. She lets us live in this huge, gorgeous house while we pay absolutely no rent. Do you really want to take advantage of her like that?”

  “Not take advantage of her… just see if she’d be willing to help us,” Charlotte frowns.

  I give her a look. “She’s already helping us. She’s giving us the venue. We’ll have it in the lounge, or the den, or both. They already have really great surround sound, and all we’d need is mixed CD’s, or people to bring their iPods – or if we let Lydia be in charge of the music, which she’s very good at, by the way, she could use her giant stash of music and play DJ. You know she’d love it, Charlotte. Why do you want to take that away from her?”

  “I don’t want to take anything away from her,” her brow furrows deeper. “I just want it to be like a real prom, not like something we threw together on a whim. It’s two months away still.”

  “I know that,” I sigh, trying to be sensitive and understanding, despite my bold pragmatism. “And I understand why you want things to be a certain way. But it’s going to be a lot of fun, and totally beautiful. We have more than enough friends who are good at different things to help us make this night happen.”

  “Okay,” she sighs. “So, about Thanksgiving break.”

  “What about it?” I ask, twisting a lock of my hair.

  “My parents are going on a cruise.”

  “What?” I frown.

  “Yeah, they’re not really big into family holidays. None of my biological grandparents are alive anymore, and my dad’s stepdad was a huge jerk who disappeared after my Aunt Hannah was born, so, my mom and dad both kind of hate Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

  “That… really sucks,” I put my hands in my lap. “What are you going to do? Stay here? Doesn’t Lydia always do a big feast for the kids who don’t have family or don’t want to go home?”

  “Lydia is still doing her big feast, yes.”

  “Okay?”

  “But I was kind of hoping that you’d invite me to come home with you,” Charlotte sighs. She looks down at the holes in the knees of her jeans, and I feel embarrassment from her.

  “Oh!” The thought hasn’t occurred to me – I assumed everyone wanted to go home to their relatives for these amazing days of the year. “Of course you can come home with Nadia and I. I’ll call my mom and let her know, but I’m sure you’ll be welcome.”

  “Are you sure, Georgia? I really don’t want to be a burden to your parents, or intrude on any traditions you guys have. I just get really lonely during this time of year, and you made your house sound like it’s heaven for the holidays.” Charlotte looks up, and I see years of unshed grief shining in the depths of her eyes.

  “You could never be a burden to me, Charlotte,” I assure her. “You are one of my best friends – practically my sister. I’d love to have you join us for Thanksgiving.”

  Charlotte sighs. “Are you sure it won’t bother Lucas?”

  “What?” I give her a look like there is an alien bursting from her guts.

  “You’re not planning on bringing Lucas home with you, to meet your parents?” Charlotte asks, looking at me like I’ve lost all brain function.

  “No,” I balk. “I’ve known this kid for a week. Why would I be taking him home to meet Mama and Daddy?”

  “Because you’re in love with him already.”

  I laugh. “Charlotte, don’t be silly.”

  Charlotte frowns. “I’m not being silly at all. And don’t be condescending, I’m only two years younger than you are. I’m not a stupid child. I can see when people belong together, Georgia, and you and Lucas are like puzzle pieces.”

  “I think you’re looking into it too much,” I pull on an invisible thread along the seam of my pants leg.

  “Georgia, look at me.”

  I look up slowly, stubbornly.

  “Tell me that you don’t think of him that way at all.”

  I frown. “I do think of him that way.”

  “Yeah, and he thinks of you that way, too, doesn’t he?”

  “He flirts with me a lot. But that doesn’t mean he wants to marry me, Charlotte. That means he’s a guy and he thinks I’m cute. Whatever. That’s not a basis for a relationship. I’ve had guys lead me on for years, and then they run off and get married and cut me out of their lives completely.”

  “Lucas is different,” Charlotte shakes her head, and I feel her getting angry at my obstinacy.

  “How do you know that?” I scoff.

  “I just do,” she shrugs. “I don’t know how I know it. But I do.”

  “Are you sure you know? Or is it that you think we would make a cute couple, so you want to play dolls with us in real life?” I give her a look.

  “Again with the child references,” Charlotte makes a disgusted sound in the back of her throat. “Ask Nadia what she thinks. Or better yet, ask Lucas.”

  “Asking Nadia is unfair – she can see inside of his head. She’s the one who asked him to sit with us at breakfast.”

  “I know. And, do you know why she did that?” Charlotte prods.

  “Yes,” I frown. “She told me that she saw my face inside of his head, so she brought him to me.”

  Charlotte snorts a laugh, like I’m a fool.

  “What? What didn’t she tell me?” I reach out and smack her on her bare knee.

  “Like I said,” Charlotte smacks my hand. “Ask her.”

  I put my face in my hands. “I don’t know if I want to ask her. That feels like cheating.”

  Charlotte shakes her head. “It isn’t cheating, Georgie. It’s having some reassurance that most people wouldn’t ever get. Take advantage of what we are, if only to put your obsessive mind at ease.”

   

  I walk down to lunch by myself, wrapped in a fog of brooding thoughts and disbelief, curiosity and dilemma.

  Why did Nadia see my face in his mind? What was I doing there? He only saw me once – why would he be thinking about me when he didn’t know my name?

  Suddenly I feel grateful that Thanksgiving dinner is mere days away, and that I will be flying home very soon.

  Right on cue, my cell phone rings in my pocket, and I recognize the ring tone as my house number. My heart seizes in my chest as I pull the little cellular device out and up to my ear, pressing the answer button.

  “Hello?” I ask.

  “Hi, baby,” my mama’s voice makes my heart stop and fill with nostalgia and excitement for the days that are coming.

  “Hi, Mama!” I say happily, despite the tightness in my throat. “What’s new?”

  “I’m just reminding you that your flight time is 7:30 on Wednesday morning, and that your father and I will pick you up from BWI that afternoon, okay?”

  It dawns on me that we are flying. And that I have invited Charlotte to come home with us. Uh-oh…

  “Mom, can you guys possibly get your money back if you change the flight plans?” I cringe, waiting for the onslaught of questions.

  “What? Why are you asking me that? Is something wrong?” her voice is just as I expected – worried.

  “Nothing is wrong,” I sigh. “But we were thinking about making a road trip out of it, and bringing Charlotte home with us. Her parents are going on a cruise next weekend instead of being home so they can visit with her.”

  “That is unacceptable. What kind of parents are they? Who freaking does that to their only child on one of the greatest days of the year?” Mama is fuming.

  “I know, that’s what I said. That’s why I told her I’d ask you if she could come home with us. We can take my car, I’m sure all of our stuff will fit since it’s just us three girls,” I explain.

  “That would work, but I know I’d feel more comfortable if you had a more reliable car… plus, I hate you girls driving that far on your own. Are there any nice boys who could join you for the trip? You know I never mind extra company, as long as I’m told ahead of time…” Now her tone is prodding, because it’s far too nonchalant.

  “What are you getting at exactly, Ma?” I pinch the bridge of my nose. Is it like, inevitable that Lucas is going to be at my house for Thanksgiving?

  Her ‘concerned mother’ tone replaces the ‘teasing best friend’ voice from before. “I’d just feel more comfortable if there was a young man along, honey. You’d be safer that way, I think. Your dad won’t like it, especially if he doesn’t know the boy, but I’ll talk him into it…”

  My voice is too loud as I emphasize, “I never said there was a guy that would come home with us, Ma!”

  I feel my face getting red as two boys I don’t really know that well brush past me, giving me a strange look and snicker as they walk away. I rest a hand on the side of my head, feeling more and more impatient.

  “Well, is there?” she prods, knowing I am the ‘good’ child, who cannot lie to her.

  “Yes,” I growl through clenched teeth, wishing I didn’t have to tell her everything.

  “Really! Oh, thank God. I’ve been praying since the day you left that you’d be with someone by New Year’s – that was my vision, you know.”

  Did I not mention my mother is a seer?

  “Yes, I know. He’s tall and has dark hair and I’m with him on New Year’s Eve, instead of at home with you and dad,” I roll my eyes.

  “Is he tall?”

  Another growl escapes my throat. “He’s like, six-three, Ma.”

  “Oh, yes. And he has the Patrick Dempsey hair, doesn’t he?” Her voice is way more excited than it should be.

  “It’s more like, milk chocolate brown, but yeah, it’s got that texture…” my tone is totally forced, and she knows but does not care.

  “Oh, baby, please, do your mother a huge favor and bring him home so that I can meet him! I want to see if it’s him… though, I’m sure it is. God always lets me in on these things. I don’t doubt that this is just the fulfillment.”

  “He probably has his own family to go home with, Ma,” I heave a huge sigh. “Besides, I only met him like a week ago. It would be so weird to bring him home. I mean, we’re just friends, you know?”

  Mom scoffs on the other end. “Then what’s weird about it? You’re bringing Charlotte home, and I assume you did not become a lesbian since you left home, correct?”

  “NO, Mother. I am not a lesbian,” I groan.

  One of the Baxter boys runs his hand through his red hair as he walks past me, and gives me a huge grin. I flip him off quickly, before anyone else can see. He puts a graphic picture of Charlotte and I kissing in my head, and I mouth, I know where you sleep. I will kill you.

  He laughs and just keeps heading for the dining hall.

  “Exactly,” Mom confirms. “So, you’re just going to bring two of your friends home, there is nothing awkward about that. It’ll be so much fun! Oh, and if Nadia wants to bring anyone home, tell her she is more than welcome. You’ll just have to get everyone to pitch in for gas.”

  “Are you serious? What if Lucas ends up being a rapist or something? And you want to send him in a car for eight or nine hours with three supposedly helpless young girls?” I plead with her to change her mind.

  “Who are you talking to?” Lucas asks, his brow creased and his eyes curious.

  My mother, I mouth.

  “Did you just tell your mother I’m a rapist?”

  No!

  Lucas gives me a look. “It sounded like you said, ‘What if Lucas ends up being a rapist or something?’ which is basically calling me a rapist.”

  “Lucas, be quiet,” I growl.

  “Is that him?” Mama asks, too much hope and glee in her voice.

  “Yes, Mom. Lucas is standing right here. And he is very offended that I called him a rapist, even though I didn’t call him one,” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

  “Ask him if he wants to come home with you girls for Thanksgiving at our house!”

  “I am not asking Lucas if he wants to come home with us for Thanksgiving,” I mutter. “Stop pushing this.”

  “Why aren’t you going to ask me, exactly?” he says loudly enough for my mother to pick up on it.

  “Yes, Georgia Lynn, why aren’t you asking him?” she prods again.

  I hate you, I glare at him.

  “Because, I’m from Maryland, so I guarantee you it’s not a far drive to my house from yours.” His voice is even louder this time.

  “Ooh, ask him what part of Maryland!” Mom laughs.

  “Do you just want me to give him the phone?” I give him a triumphant look as she agrees.

  He gives me a cocky grin and takes the cell phone from my hand.

  “Why, hello there, Mrs. Freebird, how are you today?” he is looking directly at me as he talks to her.

  She’s wonderful, he mouths.

  “I’m from Westminster, actually,” he informs her.

  Piss.

  “I know, that isn’t far at all.” Pause. “Well, I would love to, but I’ll make sure it’s alright with Georgia first.”

  “She says she doesn’t care what you say,” he covers the receiver with his hand, “that if I want to come for Thanksgiving, I should.”

  “If you want to come spend your Thanksgiving weekend with my crazy-ass family, be my guest,” I sigh, defeated. “But it’s your funeral.”

  “I will definitely be there,” he tells my mother, all of the charm he is capable of in his already-gorgeous voice. “And I appreciate the invitation very much. I can’t wait to meet you and Mr. Freebird.”

  Oh my lord, Lucas, give it a rest!

  He turns to me and his crooked grin is in place. “You, too. Here’s Georgia back.”

  When he holds the phone out to me, his expression is pure victory.

  “Well? Is he a rapist? Because, if he is, I’m going to feel really bad that I just went over your head inviting him like that,” Mom sighs dramatically.

  “No you won’t,” I chuckle.

  Mom’s voice is amused. “You’re right, I don’t feel bad; because, you’re just too scared for your own good sometimes, and you need a push. That’s what mama birds do – they push their babies.”

  “Out of the nest, Ma – not bringing baby boy birds back to their crib,” I sigh.

  Lucas gives me another curious face. I hold one index finger up near his nose.

  “I love you, Georgia. I need to call your sister now,” Mom’s voice is gentle now. “I will see you…Wednesday?”

  “Maybe Tuesday night, I have to discuss that part with my road trip buddies now,” I roll my eyes again. I hear my grandmother’s words, ‘they’ll get stuck’, and it makes me laugh.

  “Okay, honey. See you soon!” Her alto voice is bright and cheery.

  “See you soon,” I promise, and smile despite myself.

  When she hangs up, I turn to face Lucas’ triumphant smirk.

  “See, you think you won some great prize by getting my mom to side with you, but really, she’s just trying to marry us off.” I tell him, my expression cocky.

  “Don’t all mothers do that?” he asks, nonchalant.

  I search his face. “I guess so.”

  Lucas shrugs. “Well, okay then. Your mom sounds totally normal.”

  “Yeah, except for one little thing, smartass.”

  He grins at my caustic tone. “And what might that be?”

  “My mother is a seer.”

  Lucas’ face is blank.

   

  • 11:07 pm
  • 1 Comment