Crush Me

Five

Wilson

Wilson bit his cheek to keep from groaning as Leanne's hand tightened to the point of crushing his knuckles.

I would have never guessed she's this strong.

"Umm, can you ease off?" He wiggled his fingers.

"Oops, sorry." She let up on the squeeze.

"Thanks. How did your hands get so strong? You don't play the piano, and I didn't think the flute would do that for your hands."

"You wouldn't think so, would you? But hours of practice does it, and it gives me stronger arms, just by the resistance of holding the flute. Took years to happen though."

He swallowed twice to get his ears to pop. Leanne yanked on her hand, so he let it go. She covered her ears and shook her head.

"My ears. I can't get them to pop."

"Move your lower jaw down and back, it will open your Eustachian tubes and make it easier."

He watched her wiggle her jaw and noticed a couple of crooked teeth in the back of her mouth.

"Did you get it?"

Leanne nodded. "Neat trick. Thanks."

"I learned when I was a kid. Before Dad quit taking me up and quit talking about work."

"That sucks. I don't even have any memories of my real Dad."

"Which sucks even worse for you. I'm sorry," he continued, "we'll be up to altitude in about another thirty minutes, but because the cabin is pressurized, you might only have to pop your ears another couple of times. They keep us at around ten thousand feet of altitude."

"You know, I'm kind of glad your Dad is a pilot. At least you know all this stuff, and it helps. I always like to know as much as I can about anything I'm going to do. I didn't have time to do the research."

"That's sweet. You're so smart to do that. I have to study like crazy just to get decent marks, let alone anything else. Bet you could help me out there. Dad won't get me a tutor for math and physics. Says figure it out. He did. Then he cuffs me one to reinforce it. That seems to be his solution for everything."

Man, it feels good to talk about this.

"Sorry, I shouldn't be putting this on you." He closed his eyes and leaned back into the seat.

He felt Leanne's arm come around his shoulders, and he almost buried his head against her.

I can't let this tension go right now. If I cry, she's never going to respect me again. I've stifled the tears every time Dad's yelled at me or hit me. I can do it again.

Wilson squeezed the armrest and then a bubble of nervous laughter broke through. He was going to fall apart.

And now these feelings for Leanne. Never for a girl before. So talented and intelligent. Why now? And will Dad be perverse and try and destroy it for me. Mom, help.

"Oh man, I thought you had it so good. Always in the middle of the in crowd and surrounded by kids that adore you. But.... Oh man, what a big but." Leanne pulled his head down on her shoulder. "Relax. I've got you. Been there too many times. You know, I've got something to confess."

"What?" he mumbled.

"Your voice exercises, and the songs you sing. Always, the sad songs about broken love. You do know if you could hear me and my flute, I could hear you in the theater."

"Shit," Wilson swore softly. "We always lock the theater doors so no one will bother us. I get wrapped up in the songs. I can't explain it, but the music kind of takes me."

"Yeah, I get that. My flute does that for me. Kind of an altered state. Time stands still."

Wilson looked up to see Leanne's cheeks flush bright red. "Don't be embarrassed. It's a beautiful place to be. Makes the rest of my life bearable." He felt her tighten her arms around him. "Now, you're taking care of me. I should be the one taking care of you. You're the one getting bullied all the time."

"Ha! That's nothing compared to home." The bitterness coming off her was palpable. "But I'm going to forget about all of it for the next ten days. Paris in spring is supposed to be one of the most amazing places on Earth. And Jo-Jo is going to overstep in the wrong place one of these days and get what's coming to her."

Wilson pulled away from her hug reluctantly. "You said something about tracking down some ice? Do you think you could ask one of the flight attendants?"

She reached up and pushed the call button. "We might not be able to get up and move around, but I think your bruises are an emergency."

Look at her. I can't believe how she's taking charge. I hope they don't turn the plane around because of me. I can tell them I'm going to my mother. It should be enough. Dad would kill me for causing a fuss. I can't believe she cares enough already. Why so quick? She's amazing.

"Hey Wilson, what's going on up there? You've got the aisle seat, can you see?" Leanne asked at the same time he heard raised voices from the seats close to the barrier between them and the business class seats.

Wilson clicked the release on his seat belt and pulled himself up by the top of the seat in front of him. Wincing, he dropped down immediately. "This bruise up here, is really getting bad." He pointed to it. "I think one of the kids from our school is acting up. Sounds like Jo-Jo is being stupid."

"I don't think her Mommy can save her here," Leanne said.

"I'm sure we'll find out what went on. Someone's bound to come by and spill the beans. They all love to tear each other apart," Wilson said. "Hey, thanks for putting up with me."

"Can't help it," Leanne admitted. "You're hurting."