Out of Time (Book 1)

Beaches, Books, and Boys

1933

April

"Ouch, that stings!" complained Steve, hissing in a breath to the sound of Bucky sniggering behind him.

"Well, if you stopped punchin' people then I wouldn't have to keep patchin' you up." Betty admonished, dabbing his knuckles with rubbing alcohol. She turned an angry finger on Bucky. "And don't you start, Barnes! You're just as bad as he is!"

Bucky raised his hands in mock surrender, still laughing. "Don't blame me Betty, I'm just helpin' out a friend."

With a roll of her eyes, she turned back to Steve. Taking his chin in her hand, she lifted his head and turned it back and forth, inspecting for further injury. Seeing none, she dropped his chin and tapped his shoulder a couple of times.

"Right, you're done, up you get. You," she pointed at Bucky and then the chair, "sit!"

Spluttering his protests, Bucky sat in the chair and Betty tilted his head back. There was a graze on his left cheekbone, which she proceeded to clean non-too gently with the alcohol.

"Aww c'mon Bets!" Bucky grumbled.

"You're a pain in my ass, the pair of you." Betty rolled her eyes. "Any other boo-boos? Or is that it?" she snarked.

"That's it. You should see the other guys." Bucky smirked.

Betty gave his shoulder a shove to shift him from the chair. Tidying away the first aid kit she watched the pair sniggering together about their escapades. Steve looked over at her and gave her a half-guilty smile.

"Thanks Bets" he said, and then, almost as an afterthought; "Hey, we were gonna head to Rockaway Beach tomorrow. Do you wanna come with us? It'd be a blast." Bucky nodded in agreement.

"Gee, thanks fellas, I could think of nothin' better" she replied, sarcasm evident. Then she offered her brother a warm smile. "Really Stevie, thanks for the offer but I already have plans."

"Oh yeah?" Steve raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"Yeah. I, uh, I have a date." She blushed.

Both boys dropped their jaws in shock.

"A DATE?!" Steve was incredulous. "Since when do you date?!"

"Since I was asked, jerk!"

"OK, who are we fightin'?" asked Bucky, rolling up his sleeves in mock aggression. "Stevie-boy, time to go and defend your sister's honour."

"Ha ha. Very funny" responded Betty, flicking him a look of disdain. "If you must know, it's John Finlay, from school? We're just goin' to the diner."

"Actually, I know him," said Bucky. "He seems like a good guy."

"Well now I have your approval then I guess it's OK" Betty fired back. "Anyway, if you'll excuse me boys, I have some homework to do." She headed on into her bedroom, leaving the boys to plan their trip the next day.

The next morning came with bright skies and warm temperatures, especially for April. Betty was eating her breakfast and reading at the table when Bucky came in through the door with just a perfunctory knock.

"Hey Bets, that punk awake yet?"

"Mornin' Buck, I think he's up. Steve! Bucky's here!"

"I'll be right out" came the muffled reply from Steve's room.

Bucky joined her at the table and snagged a piece of her toast, earning him a baleful glance.

"Whatcha readin'?" he asked, pulling her book around to see the cover. Betty pulled it back with a huff.