Читать книгу Lasting Impressions - John Schlarbaum - Страница 9

After cruising the countryside for two hours, Susan's thighs were getting saddle sore, while Jeremy was prepared to ride forever. With each person they encountered, Jeremy would stop to get their opinion on his new bike. It isn’t made of gold, Susan kept thinking, wanting to go home for a hot bath.

"Can we rest somewhere, Jeremy?"

"Stop complaining," Jeremy said. "My legs are cramped. My bum is sore. My thighs hurt," he mimicked Susan. What a wimp, he thought. "Okay already. We'll go back to my place. My parents are at some convention until tomorrow, so we'll have the whole place to ourselves."

In the fading light, she could see the smile on Jeremy's face. She wanted to be alone and here he was smirking. Will this night ever end? Susan asked herself.

She'd discovered one benefit to being the passenger was you could let your mind wander. She took advantage of this perk and tried to come up with a way to tell Jeremy she'd fallen out of love with him. Was there an easy way to say such a thing?

By the time they arrived in Jeremy's driveway, Susan felt confident that the timing was right. "It's me, not you, Jeremy," she repeated to herself.

Jeremy jumped off the bike and helped Susan dismount. "Pretty nice machine, huh?" he said, inspecting the bike.

"Yeah, Jer. Nice machine," Susan said.

Jeremy looked at her as she took off her helmet. "Don't sound so thrilled."

"I'm just tired."

Jeremy didn't reply, opening the garage door and pushing the bike inside. Returning a minute later, they started up the walkway.

"After a couple weeks, we'll have you toughened up." He placed his arm around her waist and pulled her close as they approached the front steps. When he attempted a kiss, Susan turned her head slightly forcing his lips onto her cheek.

"Playing hard to get?"

A wry smile crossed Susan's face, as it occurred to her that if she went ahead with her plans, she'd be very hard to get tonight or any night afterwards.

Susan soon found comfort for her aching body on the living room couch while Jeremy put away the helmets. She was certain she'd fall asleep. The sooner this night is done, the better.

Jeremy entered the room at the moment Susan closed her eyes. "Don't go to sleep on me, unless of course, you are going to fall asleep on me." He laughed and headed to the liquor cabinet. "What do you want to drink? The bar is fully loaded." Jeremy turned with a big smile on his face and was disappointed to see Susan staring blankly at him. "I wish you'd loosen up," he said, turning back to the bar.

"I bet you would," Susan said under her breath.

"What was that?" Jeremy asked.

"Ah . . . I said a rye and cola will be fine."

"B-o-r-i-n-g. I've got every kind of liquor known to man and you want rye?"

"Yes, I want a rye, okay?" she snapped.

"Fine!" Jeremy responded, as he began to fix their drinks. "What's your problem?"

"It's nothing. Forget it."

"Hey, fine with me. I have no interest in starting a fight. Do you want to watch a movie?" he asked, handing her the glass.

"Sure."

Jeremy grabbed the TV remote and began reading the movie listings. "In a few minutes Love Actually is coming on. Do you want to watch that one?"

"That's fine."

Susan's glass was empty in no time. She didn't care how fast or how much she had to drink tonight. She was feeling depressed (although the alcohol was cheering her up), and her emotions for Jeremy were getting mixed up, confusing her even more. There were simply too many memories connected to this house.

Oblivious of Susan's internal breakdown, Jeremy positioned himself behind her on the couch to watch the movie, and not so subtly put his hand under her top, on her stomach. After a few minutes he began to gently rub the area, with each stroke becoming wider until his hand brushed against her bra. For Jeremy, this procedure was a tried and true method of gauging how far his girlfriend was willing to let him go, and in the process, how far she wanted to go.

Once this charade began, Susan could usually decide rather quickly, but tonight was different. Jeremy's hand did feel good on her skin. She had been a willing participant in this game many times before, knowing that Jeremy had only one thing on his mind. The alcohol was supposed to give her strength to say, "No," to his sexual advances and their relationship. She knew Jeremy's next move would be to unclasp her bra, and if she allowed that it was like giving him the green light, which she didn't want to do.

Jeremy almost professionally unsnapped Susan's bra. Yes!

What am I doing? Susan thought. Now there's no turning back. One thing would lead to another and soon they'd be sprawled across the couch, moaning into each other's ears. One would say, "I love you," to which the other person would reply, "I love you, too." Sometimes it was as if the words were merely thrown in for effect.

Soon Jeremy's hand was at her jean button, which he expertly popped and then undid her zipper - all in one smooth motion. As he slid his hand under the waistband of her panties, he turned her over and began to kiss her.

I don't want to do this! Susan's mind was cautioning, but her physical desires were fighting her emotions. She enjoyed being with Jeremy like this. His hands on her skin and her hands exploring his body. Tonight was not right though. I don't love him! This isn't making love, it's cheap sex!

Jeremy was unaware of the volcano about to erupt. As usual, everything had gone according to plan and after a respectful rendition of those three magic words, he'd drive home how lucky Susan was to have him.

Susan couldn't kid herself any longer. As Jeremy uttered, "Susan, I love . . ." she shoved him away, her arms flailing in all directions.

"What are you doing?" Jeremy asked, losing his balance and crashing unceremoniously to the floor.

"Leave me alone!" Tears streamed down Susan's cheeks as she covered her exposed body, fumbling with her bra.

Jeremy couldn't believe his eyes. He stood up, watching Susan pull her jeans over her hips. "Have you gone crazy?"

Jeremy's question only further infuriated Susan.

"Who do you think you are, Jeremy? The king of the castle? The charmed prince? Tell me - I really want to know!"

Jeremy remained in shock. What went wrong? "Look, Susan," he said in a calmer voice, "I don't know what's happening here. I want to help you though, really I do."

"That's a laugh," Susan yelled. "You only help yourself! If there is nothing in it for Jeremy Atkins, then it's not worth doing, right?"

"Hold on a minute," Jeremy said, frustrated by the evening's odd turn of events. "If you're talking about what happened on the couch, don't be so critical. You were enjoying it and you know it!" Jeremy marched to the liquor cabinet and poured a stiff drink. Susan collapsed on the couch. "If you didn't want to do anything, why didn't you stop me, huh? It would've been a lot easier than this bullshit!"

"You don't get it, do you? It wasn't the sex - it was you! I didn't want to do it with you." She pulled her head from her hands and glared at Jeremy.

"What do you mean? Of course it was me. There's no one else in the house," Jeremy said in an amused voice, trying to lighten the tension that engulfed them.

"I don't love you anymore, Jeremy. That's what I have been trying to tell you all night." Susan felt relieved that she'd finally got it out in the open. She was free at last. "I'm sorry."

The emotional weight that Susan had been carrying landed squarely on Jeremy's shoulders. His hand shook as he took a mouthful of liquor. He couldn't believe what she was saying. It sounds like she’s breaking up with me. That would be social suicide! Why would she want to do that? I'm Jeremy Atkins!

"Look, babe," he said, approaching her cautiously, "you don't know what you're saying. You might have had too much to drink. I'm sure by tomorrow you'll forget all of this."

Susan headed to the front door. "I want to go home, Jeremy. Are you going to drive me, or do I have to walk?"

"Hold on, Susan, we can work this out - you don't have to rush home." He coaxed her back to the couch. "If you don't tell me what's wrong, how am I supposed to know what's the matter?"

"I told you," she said, a new round of tears welling up.

"You said you don't love me anymore," Jeremy countered. "What do you mean by that? I already apologized for messing around tonight. It's not like it is the first time that happened."

Susan's emotions were in hurricane mode, no longer knowing what she meant or how she was going to get home. Still, she needed to remain strong and not hurt Jeremy's feelings.

"Look," she said, making her way to the door again, "I told you how I feel and you'll just have to accept that."

"You said you don't love me! How can I accept that? What happened - did you find another guy? Are you dumping me for him? Is that it?"

"I knew you'd say that, Jeremy!" she replied, trying to hold back her anguish. "Instead of blaming me, for once why don't you look at your flaws? You're not perfect!"

The front door slammed shut, leaving Jeremy to mull over what had occurred. A few more drinks would be required.

Susan soon found herself on a park bench near Jeremy's house. She hadn't planned on getting him angry. Why did he have to accuse her of cheating and why had she said those things to him?

Susan remained in the park for an hour, wondering what it would be like when the sun rose in the morning, if it rose at all. She'd finally done something she wanted to do, and not because someone had told her to do it. In that way, she felt satisfied. It was the hurt and worry that was troubling her.

How will Jeremy act toward me now? What will he say behind my back? What friends will he turn against me?

She didn't want to think about these questions, but couldn't stop, either. This is for the best. If he tells any lies about me, I'll tell some about him!

After several drinks at home, Jeremy headed to Burt's to check out the action. None of his friends would be there, but he remembered asking that hitchhiker to meet him at 11:00. Dale looked like a man who'd seen the world and had conquered women at every stop. He might be the best person to talk to regarding Susan, being totally objective, not really knowing them at all. What would he have to gain from that information anyway? He was only going to be in town a couple days.

Jeremy decided to walk to Burt's. The night air might help him decipher what Susan meant by her bizarre outburst earlier.

Surely it was the alcohol talking, he concluded.

***

Burt's was a quarter full, made up of the usual Friday night crowd. "Jer, how's it going?" someone asked as he made his way to the bar. He ignored the question, pushing forward, and relieved to see Burt mixing drinks.

"Burt," Jeremy said, taking a seat on a stool. "Give me a couple of your Irish Monkeys."

"As in two?" Burt asked. "Are you sure you want to completely erase tonight from your memory?"

"Definitely!"

Burt turned to the mini-fridge for a pre-mixed concoction, paused and faced Jeremy. "You didn't drive that new motorcycle of yours here?"

"No. I want to forget tonight, not try and kill myself."

"Glad to hear it." Burt poured the drinks and collected his money. "You usually aren't in here until later. You and Miss Susan get in a squabble?"

"Not that it's any of your business, Burt, but it is possible we had a minor domestic altercation earlier tonight. By morning everything will be back to normal."

Burt smiled and said, "I hope so."

Jeremy drank alone, rarely acknowledging anyone as he tried to break down what had transpired in his living room. What did she mean she didn't love him? Everyone loved him!

After downing his second Irish Monkey, he debated if he required a third. Before he could decide, someone ordered one for him.

"Barkeep, another one of those for Jeremy and a beer for me."

"Done," Burt replied, trying to place where he'd seen this young man before.

"Jeremy, how's life treating you tonight?" Dale asked as he sat down. "You look like you're celebrating."

Jeremy's mind took a few extra seconds to unravel exactly who this generous person was beside him. "Dale!" Jeremy responded. "How do you like our little town?" he asked, flinging his arm up in a sweeping motion.

"I must admit, I think it has some real charm to it."

"Charm? Did you hear that, Burt? Dale thinks that Lasting is charming!"

"You ate in here late this afternoon, didn't you?" Burt asked, putting the drinks in front of the two men.

"I take it you're the infamous Burt?" Dale replied. "I must admit your steak was the best I've had in a long time."

"For that I'll give you a beer on the house," Burt said with a smile, "but there's one condition."

"And what's that?" Dale asked intrigued.

"That you find a way to cheer up Jeremy."

"I didn't know that the most popular guy in town would have anything to get depressed about," Dale said smiling.

"Have you been checking up on me?" Jeremy asked. "Most hitchhikers say, 'Thanks,' and that's the end of it." He leaned toward Dale and whispered, "You're not a cop, are you? Because if you are, I swear I won't reveal your cover."

"Don't worry," Dale whispered back, "I'm a drifter, not the law."

Jeremy straightened up. "I knew that. I was only kidding." After taking a swig of his drink, Jeremy concentrated on his power of speech asking, "You've been around, haven't ya?"

"I've seen my fair share, if that's what you mean," Dale answered.

"And I'm sure that you've had a few affairs along the way, right?"

"A few," Dale conceded.

Summoning his courage, Jeremy resolved he'd confide his problems with Susan - confidentially, of course – with Dale. Man to man. "Have you ever had a big fight? You know, over something that comes out of left field?"

"You and Susan have a fight?" Dale said, looking concerned.

"I guess that is the civilized way of putting it," Jeremy admitted. "After dropping you off, we toured on my bike, saw some friends and went back to my place - my parents are away for the weekend. Then we settled down to a movie . . . and one thing started to lead to another, if you know what I mean, and then Susan claims she doesn't want to be with me! It was insane. When I said we could work out any issues, she slammed the door and left." He stopped long enough to gasp another breath of air. "Not that I care if she comes back. My question is, why would she say that, Dale? Everything was going great."

"Man, it sounds like a pretty rough fight you two had. You sure you didn't say or do anything to upset or offend her? Think. Was everything really going okay?"

"It was going terrific!" Jeremy countered. "We were on my couch - she was sleepy from the drinks I'd made - and once I had her bra and jeans undone, I figured it was going to be business as usual! Next thing I know I'm on the floor with my fly open and she's bawling her eyes out. It was bizarre."

"So she was drunk, or at least tipsy?"

"She wasn't drunk-drunk, but kinda mellow. She gets that way when she drinks. She says it puts her in the mood."

"Obviously that wasn't the case tonight," Dale said, taking his complimentary beer from Burt. "I'm guessing she was tired and the alcohol made her cranky. You know how women get."

"Yeah, maybe I went too far," Jeremy said. "Who cares? There are other fish in the sea, right?"

"True, but from the sounds of it she didn't actually say she wanted to break up, right?" Dale had to be certain what had taken place earlier.

"No, she said she didn't love me, which is the same thing."

"She said that in anger. Now, did you say anything in the heat of the moment that you regret?"

Jeremy thought for a minute. "I accused her of cheating on me with another guy," he said with a nervous, almost mocking laugh.

"Please tell me you didn't."

"I know I shouldn't have, but she was asking for it."

"Do you have any proof that she likes someone else?" Dale awaited Jeremy's reply. He wasn't sure if the strong signals Susan had given off when they met were harmless flirtations or something quite different.

"No, I said it to get back at her. Actually, I hope it hurt." Jeremy looked at his empty glass and turned back to Dale. "Why would she want someone else when she has me? She was a wallflower until I found her." Jeremy pushed his glass away. "Would a Queen abandon her King? No! Would a Princess reject her Prince Charming? No, I say!"

"Is Jeremy back to normal?" Burt asked Dale, who nodded his head affirmative. "I don't know what you said, but it's worth at least another beer."

The rest of the night breezed by and at closing time Burt was escorting patrons into the cool night air. "I don't have to worry about you guys getting home, do I?"

"Dale's staying at my place," Jeremy said. "We'll be fine."

Once home, Jeremy rushed to the washroom to throw up, while Dale waited on the couch he'd heard all about from his drunken friend. After several minutes of silence, he found Jeremy sprawled on the floor with vomit everywhere, except in the toilet. Dale could see he was still breathing and left Jeremy to his own destiny, exiting the house and heading for the hotel.

"What an egotistical bastard!" Dale cursed as he walked down the sidewalk. "I'm the greatest! I'm the most popular! I'm loved by everyone! If he thinks he's the centre of the universe, he's going to crash to Earth pretty hard when I get through with him."

Back in his room, Dale was still cursing Jeremy Atkins.

"If he only knew what he had. He has the world at his fingertips - he told me so! And while people like me have to scrounge for every piece of decency, he could just go out and buy it!"

Dale ripped off his shirt, not noticing its buttons flying in all directions. He looked at his blood stained sheets and pulled them off the bed. The corner of one sheet snagged on the wall mirror, sending it crashing to the floor. Dale walked to the broken mirror and peered into it. What he saw frightened him; staring back were dozens of miniature distorted images of himself.

"No matter how many mirrors you break, you'll never get the upper hand. You haven't evolved far enough to take me on, so why not take a break? Rest up for the next time I let you out."

He grabbed the frame and hurled it against the wall, creating more fragments of glass.

"Here's the deal: when I am done my work, I swear to delegate away my power for a few weeks. How does that sound?" Dale's eyes were now blood-shot and his face strained.

"These kids all want a better life," he said bitterly. "Olivia wants Jeremy. Susan wants a real man, and Jeremy wants to rule the world with self-importance and good looks! They all want more, and I - Dale Hawks - am the only one that can grant their dreams."

He collapsed on the bed, exhausted from the past few hours' struggles, which were becoming hard to control. He rolled onto his side, pulling his knees to his chest.

"I can make all their dreams come true," he said to the empty room. "Without me, they'll achieve nothing."

Dale concentrated on how exactly he'd help these three teenagers. Almost asleep, his eyes flashed open revealing a devilish look - the kind that children have nightmares about.

Several seconds later, Dale's eyes closed, but from deep within him, a growling voice wished those in need of his help to sleep tight.

"See you in the morning, my new friends. Tomorrow will be full of surprises. I promise you that."