“You mean Erin?” I asked. She had always had a crush on him. And if he could take her out, that might even get her off my back. Hell, she would even owe me one. “She’d love to,” I said before he could answer.
“Actually, I meant your other sister,” Bobby said. “Michelle. The one who works at the hooters.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling my heart drop. That wasn’t good. That wouldn’t get Erin off my back at all.
“I dated Erin back in high school,” Bobby said. “Well, we didn’t really date, but… uh…” he paused, seeming to realize who he was talking to. “Anyway, I always liked Michelle, but she never showed me any interest at all. She doesn’t like football?” He asked.
“Uh, not really,” I said. “I don’t know, Bobby. Erin really likes you. I’m not sure Michelle would want to do that to her.”
“Look, Jake,” Bobby frowned, and took a step forward. He towered over me. “If you want to take my little sister out, then you need to put in a good word for me with your sister. Got that?”
“Uh… I’ll see what I can do,” I said. “I can’t make any promises, though.”
“Well you better…”
“Bobby, leave him alone,” Ella called out, and then emerged onto the porch. She was like a ray of sunshine on a cold and cloudy day. She was wearing a simple blue dress, and she looked gorgeous.
“I’m just talking to Jake here,” Bobby said, and clapped me on the back, hard. He glanced over at me as his hand slapped the cold wet back of my shirt.
“Ignore him, Jake,” Ella said, and walked right past her brother. She was smiling, and it lit up her whole face. I wondered if anyone had ever looked so beautiful as she did. “He thinks he has a say in what I do and who I see.” She grabbed my arm, and pulled me away from Bobby, and toward her white Camry parked behind his big Ford truck.
“Think about it, Jake,” he called after us as Ella unlocked the car and we both got in. Once the doors were shut, she turned to me, and I just stared at her, a bit taken aback by how good she looked.
“You…uh…you look really beautiful, Ella,” I finally said.
“Thanks, Jake,” she smiled at me. “You look very handsome yourself.”
“So…um, where are we going?” I asked. Now that I was alone with Ella, both of us dressed up and on a real date, I felt totally overwhelmed and out of my depth.
“Jack’s,” she said as she drove us away from her house. “The steakhouse. Have you been there before?”
“Uh, no,” I said. “I haven’t. I’m sure it’s good, though.”
“It is,” she laughed. Her laugh was cute and lively. Everything about her was cute. She had more makeup on than she wore in school. It highlighted her exotic green eyes, and the smooth contours of her cheeks and jawline. I glanced down, saw the way the pretty blue dress hugged her slim body, and quickly looked back at her face. We sat in somewhat awkward silence on the drive.
When she parked, I got out and tried to hurry to open her door for her, but she got out before I could. Instead, I offered her my arm, she took it, and we walked into the fine dining establishment together. It was dimly lit inside, and quite crowded. I thought for a moment that we wouldn’t get a table, but Ella had made a reservation. The hostess walked us to a nice dark table in a corner, and we sat across from each other. I had to focus on not looking down at Ella’s body. But I kept getting lost in her eyes instead.
“So, Jake,” she smiled at me. “Tell me something about yourself that I don’t already know.”
“Um…uh…like what?” I asked, feeling dumb. I tried to think, but it wasn’t working. All my mind seemed to be able to conjure up was the fact that it very much liked the way Ella’s eyes looked. My mind also managed to conjure the possibility that other parts of her might look even better.
“Well, what are your plans for next year?” She asked.
“I don’t really have plans,” I said. “I didn’t get in to any schools.”
“None?” She asked, and I shook my head. “How come? You always seemed to do ok in school.”
“Not good enough, I guess,” I shrugged. “I didn’t really try very hard. My grades were just good enough to keep passing, and I didn’t do any extra curriculars. So, no, I didn’t get in. I only applied to a couple of schools, though.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find something to do,” Ella said, looking slightly dejected. “What about Ryan and Shannon? Are they going anywhere?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “They both got in. Ryan’s going to Wayne. And Shannon’s going to State.”
“Oh cool, my brother goes to State,” Ella said.
“Yeah, I know,” I nodded.
“Sorry if he scared you back there,” she said, tilting her head cutely to the side. “He has a tendency to do that. Frank took me out back in tenth grade, and Bobby scared him so bad he went into the bathroom for twenty minutes before our date.” I felt like I could very much relate to Frank, which was not a common feeling for me.
“Bobby is a big guy,” I said with an awkward smile.
“Well, from what I hear, you’re a pretty big guy too,” Ella said with a playful grin. I felt my neck burn all the way up to my ears as I smiled back awkwardly. At that moment the waitress came walking over. I looked up, and my mouth fell open as I saw Rachel standing there smiling down at me.
“Hey, Jake,” she said cheerfully. “I didn’t know you come here.”
“Uh…” for a moment I couldn’t speak. The shock of seeing one of the women from my orgy the other night had driven all thought from my mind. “Uh… I don’t. I mean, I haven’t. I’m on a date,” I finally said. I looked back at Ella, who was giving me a funny look.
“Lucky girl,” Rachel smiled at Ella. Her smile looked totally welcoming and non-threatening, and Ella seemed to relax. “I’m Rachel,” she said, and shook hands with Ella. “I work with Jake’s sister. But I work here too. Got to pay the bills, right?” Rachel laughed pleasantly, and Ella joined in. I finally managed to close my mouth, and chuckled as well.
“I didn’t know you work here,” I said.
“Yeah, the tips aren’t as good as they are at hooters,” Rachel said, and Ella’s eyebrows went up. “But at least no one tries to touch me. Anyway, what can I get you lovebirds started to drink?”
“Um, do you want a glass of wine?” I asked Ella. She looked surprised, but nodded her head. “Two glasses of the house red,” I said to Rachel, who smiled and nodded.
“And do you need more time with the menu? Rachel asked. I looked at Ella, and she ordered a steak before I could even open my mouth. I smiled to myself, and then ordered the same thing. Rachel jotted it down, nodded, and then left us alone again.
“She didn’t card you,” Ella said once she was gone.
“I know,” I shrugged. “She knows we’re not twenty-one. I just thought I would give it a shot. She works with my sister.”
“I didn’t know your sister works at hooters,” Ella said. “She never seemed like that kind of girl. She always seemed so… I don’t know, rigid.”
“Not my sister Erin,” I said. “My sister Michelle. She’s a few years older than Erin.”
“Oh, ok,” Ella nodded, andthe slightly confused look disappeareding from her face. “Does…um… does she like working there?”
“Actually she does,” I nodded, and laughed. Ella laughed as well. “For the most part anyway,” I added. “Rachel was right, guys do try to touch the waitresses there. And their boss is a creep too. But they all make pretty good money for waitresses.”
“I’m sure,” Ella said.
“Enough about my sister, though,” I said, hoping to change the subject. “Tell me about you. What are you going to do next year?”
“I’m going to California,” Ella said, also looking glad at the change of subject. “I’m going to UCLA.”
“Wow, good for you,” I smiled, trying not to look disappointed. I had hoped she would be going somewhere in state.
“Thanks,” Ella smiled, her pleasant smile returning. “I’m hoping to try to find some acting or modeling work while I’m there.”
“You should,” I agreed fervently, and she blushed. “I mean, you should be a model, Ella. You’ve always been beautiful. And I think you might just have gotten more beautiful every single year since we were about five. I doubt that’s going to change anytime soon.” Now her blush grew deeper, and I could see her cheek muscles struggling to contain the smile that wanted to burst forth.
“Wow,” she said, and her smile finally broke through. “I didn’t know you liked me that much. Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“I guess I didn’t think I was in your league,” I said. It was the honest truth. I never would have dreamed of even talking to her a month ago, let alone go on a date with her.
“Why not?” She laughed cutely.
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. I tried to think about it for a moment, and couldn’t quite remember the feeling. “I guess, I thought we were just in different social statuses. And so you wouldn’t want to date someone like me.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to date you?” She asked, and I could tell she was being genuine. “You’re a good guy, Jake. Everyone knows that. I know you’re not good at sports, but so what? You’re good at plenty of other things.”
“Like what?” I asked, both fearing and yearning for the answer.
“Like being nice to be aroundfun,” she smiled at me. “And making people laugh. You’re good at being yourself, Jake. You always just seem to have things figured out.”
“Well, I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I said with an uneasy laugh. “Because that’s not the way I feel.”
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“I mean,” I began, and then paused, trying to really say what I meant. “I guess lately I’ve been feeling kind of down on myself. And I never really felt that way before. But with everyone going off to college, and me staying behind, with nothing to do. No plans, no skills. No friends once everyone leaves. No future. Just stuck here with my mom and sisters. I’m afraid I’ll end up fixing cars or some damn thing, drinking and watching the Tigers every night, alone. The highlight of my week will be Fridays when I get a check and go down to the hooters my own sister works at. I’ll get old, and fat, and bald. I’ll do nothing, be nothing. And I’ll do it all alone.”
I looked up from my hands that were clasped together on the table, and saw Ella staring wide eyed at me. I could feel all the blood rush into my face and neck. I released my hands and gave a shaky chuckle.
“Sorry,” I said with an awkward smile. Ella reached over the table and took my both of my hands in hers. Her hands felt soft and smooth, and warm.
“Jake, that doesn’t have to be your future,” she said seriously. “You’re only eighteen years old. Who cares that you didn’t get into college? Lots of people don’t go to college. You can still find something you love to do. Or, at least something you don’t hate doing. And you definitely don’t have to be alone. You’re a catch, Jake. Everyone seems to know it but you. You may not have the most glamorous life you can imagine, but it will be good, if you let it. And if you try. That’s all it really takes. As long as you try, you’ll find something.”
“I hope so,” I said, feeling comforted by her words. “I have been feeling better lately, though. Things have finally been going my way this past week. It’s almost like your party was rock bottom for me, and ever since then my luck has been turning.”
The change seemed obvious. All the way up to and through Ella’s party I had been my regular old self. And then I met the lady in the woods. And ever since everything has been going my way. But why? Was it really as simple as getting a better and more active sex life changed everything? Or did something else change? I know I’ve been far more confident lately than I ever was before. But was it really just my dick? Or was it something more?
Even as I said it I could sense the danger. It wasn’t just my dick that had changed that night. It was more. I felt better. Things went in my favor, when before it never felt like they did. I even felt smarter. I had read a few hundred pages yesterday, and the book had been slow. I hadn’t been getting tired when I rode my bike. Everything had changed that night. My luck itself had changed.
“Well I’m sorry my party was that terrible,” Ella said, but I could tell she was teasing.
“No, it wasn’t,” I said anyway. “The party was great…until I ruined it. I was the only problem that night. And… I guess I just don’t ever want to go back to feeling like that.”
“It wasn’t that bad, Jake,” Ella smiled softly at me. “I was being dramatic about the floor. It will cost like fifty bucks to clean. As for whatever happened with Amy… don’t worry about it. People moved on quick.”
“Amy wasn’t lying, you know?” I said without thinking. Ella looked surprised, and confused. I opened my mouth to speak, and then closed it again.
“But,” Ella began, and then frowned. “Do you know what she was saying about you?”
“No,” I shook my head. “But Amy’s not a liar. And whatever she said happened is probably the truth.”
“Well, not from what I’ve heard,” Ella said, wagging an eyebrow at me. “Stephanie tells a very different story.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she does,” I sighed. Ella’s slightly excited smile faltered.
“Jake, what is it?”
“What if Amy was the one telling the truth, and Stephanie is lying?” I asked her, and looked into her gorgeous green eyes. “If I’m not… what Stephanie says, would that change anything?”
“What do you mean?” She asked, confused.
“I mean, would you have gone out with me if Stephanie hadn’t started those rumors?”
“I don’t know,” she said, looking somewhat uncomfortable for the first time. “You never asked me. But, yeah, I think I would have.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I like you, Jake. What Stephanie said definitely peeked my interest a bit. But I always liked you. Honestly, I always thought you liked Shannon.”
“Shannon?” I said in surprise. “No, we’re just friends.”
“Well that’s not what most of the girl’s always thought,” Ella said. “You two just seem so natural together.”
“We’re good friends,” I shrugged. That gave me a twinge of regret. I hadn’t even spoken to her in days. Ever since she gave me an ultimatum. To do the right thing.
“Well, I’m happy to be on a date with you, Jake,” Ella said, and took my hands again. “And not because Stephanie has been talking about you all week.”
“I’m happy to be out with you, too,” I smiled at her. Rachel came walking over with our food. I saw her smile at the way Ella and I were holding hands as she approached. We let go of each other, and sat back as Rachel set our food down.
“Need anything else?” She asked as she stood up. We shook our heads no. “Enjoy.” She said, and walked away. The food looked very good, and we both dug in. I was pleased and impressed to see Ella eating her steak with true vigor. We chatted sparingly as we ate, enjoying the fine food. As the eating slowed, the conversation picked back up.
“So, tell me about LA,” I said after swallowing a mouthful of steak and potatoes.
“I’ve only been there twice,” she laughed. “I’m not really an expert yet.”
“Well, what do you know about it?” I asked. “Where are you going to be staying?”
“In the campus dorms my first year,” she said. “Then hopefully I can get a place of my own, or with a roommate.”
“I’m sure you can get your own place in no time,” I smiled. “You’ll probably get modeling work pretty fast.”
“Are you teasing me?” She asked, looking at me with an air of suspicion that made her cuter than ever.
“Not in the slightest,” I said. “I mean it. You’ll make a great model. Now, as for being an actress…” I trailed of slowly.
“Hey!” She laughed playfully. “I’m a great actress. Didn’t you see me in Romeo and Juliet last fall?”
“Uh, no,” I said sheepishly. “Sorry. I didn’t go to many of the school plays.”
“Well then don’t tell me I’m not a good actor,” she said.
“Ok, sorry,” I said quickly. She laughed, and I smiled, and it felt nice.
“Well, it’s not quite that simple, anyway,” she said. “In LA pretty girls are a dime a dozen. I appreciate you saying I’m beautiful, but it’s not like I’m the most beautiful girl in the world. I…”
“Yes you are,” I interrupted her. She smiled and blushed, and went on.
“Well, I’m not, though. I hope I can get work there. But I won’t know until I try.”
“I wish I could be there to see it,” I smiled.
“Well, maybe you will be. Who knows?” She said with a playful grin.
“Hey, don’t tease me. I’ve got nothing to do next year. I have plenty of time to come and bug you.”
“But what about your terrible, misserable fantasy of depression?” She teased.
“Things do change,” I said, and we laughed together. Rachel came by and subtly dropped the bill as she took our plates away. I moved to take the bill, but Ella beat me to it.
“Hey, I’ll pay,” I said.
“Too late,” she shrugged as she took her wallet out. I frowned, but let her do it.
“Ok. Thanks for dinner then,” I said, feeling awkward and slightly unmasculine.
“It was my pleasure,” she smiled as she placed four twenties on the pad.
“I guess we should get going,” I said, glancing around the busy restaurant. “The longer we sit around here the more of Rachel’s tips we’ll be taking.”
“Good idea,” Ella said, and we rose and walked out together.
“So, are you friendly with all of the waitresses at the hooters your sister works at?” Ella asked teasingly.
“Pretty much,” I shrugged and nodded. We both laughed again. “She’s been working there for years. I guess everyone there has always kind of treated me like their younger brother too.”
“That’s nice,” Ella said. She took me by the arm as we walked down the street to where her car was parked. The ride back to the neighborhood wasn’t a very long one, and I didn’t want the date to end yet. I had already pretty much made up my mind that I didn’t want to sleep with Ella tonight. It was going better than I could have imagined. If I slept with her tonight, then in four days I might change back. But if I waited until after the dark of the moon, well, whatever I would have to offer would be what I would have moving forward. It seemed like the smarter thing to do.
“Want to get some desert?” I asked as we reached her car.
“Sure,” she nodded. “Ice cream?”
“Yeah,” I nodded back. We got in her car, and she drove us to the Ben and Jerry’s a few blocks away. We both got a scoop of vanilla, and sat outside, enjoying the warm evening. We chatted a while longer, about old times mostly. We joked about the things we had seen over the years. We had shared them without even knowing it. It made me wish I had spoken to her a long time ago.
I used to talk to everyone. When I was young I was friends with everyone I knew. And then, somewhere along the way, I had withdrawn. It had been me. I could see that now. At some point I had lost confidence in myself, and just started avoiding people. But I could tell the disconnect had just been on my end, rather than being mutual. Talking with Ella made me regret spending so much time with my head buried in the sand. But it also made me realize that I still had all the time in the world to change it. I had my confidence back. And it wasn’t just what had happened to me in the woods. It was all of it. It was me. I was changed. Not just physically, but emotionally. Spiritually.
A while after we finished our ice cream, we got up and went back to her car. We continued chatting and laughing as she drove us back home. She pulled into her driveway, and we both got out. I walked around the car, and met her on her side. She was fiddling with her purse, looking down at the ground, and I could tell she wanted me to kiss her. I stepped forward, leaned in, and pressed my lips to hers. Her head rose as mine approached, and her lips met mine. They felt extraordinarily soft, and good. I felt a sort of spark that I hadn’t yet felt kissing anyone else. It made my whole body tingle. My body had its natural reaction to such sensations, and when she pressed her body against mine, I could feel my cock press against her stomach. She smiled into the kiss.
“I guess the rumors are true,” she smiled as we broke the kiss. I was about to say something back. Something witty and suave no doubt. But the front door of her house banged open, and we both looked over to see Bobby running out.
“Jake!” He called out. Ella and I released each other, and both took a step back.
“I didn’t…” I began.
“The cops are looking for you,” Bobby said seriously. “Something happened. Your mom and sisters have been calling.”
“What happened?” I asked, feeling the pleasantness of the date quickly washing away.
“Your friend,” Bobby began, and then stopped. “There was some kind of accident.”
“Who? What happened, Bobby!” I shouted, trying to remain calm. All of a sudden the warm feelings of a moment ago were a mile away. Cold fear sank into my bones as I saw the look on Bobby’s face.
“Your friend, Ryan. He’s dead,” Bobby said. It felt like I got shot in the gut. I hadn’t been prepared for that in any way.
“You… but… what do you mean?” I finally managed to say.
“I’m not sure,” Bobby said apologetically. “You better get home, Jake.”
“Come on,” Ella said, and took my arm. I looked over at her and saw tears on her cheeks. “I’ll drive you.”
I felt like I was in a sort of daze as she walked me to the passenger side of her car and sat me down. She got behind the wheel, and then we were on the road. My mind was in a total haze. I was trying to think, and falling quite short. As the car jerked going over the train tracks, I looked over. There, sitting on the side of the road, was the white cat. It stared right at me as we drove past, its head turning and its yellow eyes glaring at me through the night and the window.
Ella pulled up to my house, and I saw two cop cars, lights flashing, parked on the street. Both of my sisters’ and my mom’s cars were all there as well. I got out, and Ella hurried over to help walk me in. I made it about halfway up the lawn before everything started to go swimmy on me. I took a final step on a leg that felt like rubber, and then saw the grass rushing up at me. My head smacked against the ground with a thud, and then everything went black.