I'm Comin' Home To You

Chapter One

We both came from trash – white to be exact. That is what drew me to Lucille to begin with. She was obviously white-trash, but not in a bad way. She just had that toughness to her eyes that all people who had seen a hard life had. The same toughness reflected from her sea-foam eyes to my ice-blue ones. She smiled. She had dimples in her cheeks when she smiled. She had an innocent face but I could tell by her eyes... Even though we looked nothing alike, we went together better than a cloak and a dagger. I knew this all by looking in her eyes.

When lunch rolled by, I found her standing in line. “I wouldn't eat that, if I were you.” I warned as she reached for a serving of mashed potatoes. “See Marcus there?” I pointed to the man with a hairnet around his greasy black hair and a white apron on. His back was to us. “It's rumored that he” I made the motion of someone jerking off. “Into the potatoes.”

She hesitated then drew her arm back. “Really?” Her voice was soft and sweet. Shivers ran down my spine.

“Yep. I made the mistake of trying them once. Way too salty. Caught him one day, too.” I smiled mischievously. “He was standing over the potatoes just goin' at it. I got a new iPod and $300 dollars out of him to keep it quiet.” Her eyes were huge with disbelief. “He likes his job. And he isn't too bad. Sells some good bud.”

“Never tried it.”

It was my turn to stare in disbelief. “Where do you live?”

“Glacier's Edge Trailer Park.” She looked down. “We just moved there.”

“I live there too! We should get together sometime and I'll show you a good time.” her eyes got huge again. “Oh, jeez. I mean I will get you high. Can't live in Glacier's Edge without smokin' at least once.” We had arrived at a table occupied by few kids, among them Hanna, Jane, Mark, James, and Wyatt. I sat. She looked warily at everyone. She was obviously not used to being popular. “C'mon, sit down. We won't bite.” I smiled.

“Unless you ask nicely, that is.” Wyatt snapped his teeth at her and barked a laugh. She picked the seat closest to me – farthest from Wyatt.

“So,” Jane stuffed a piece of her roll in her mouth and continued talking. “What's your name?” Although it came out more “Whaa ou ame?”

She understood just fine anyway. “Lucille.”

“Did your parents stop at Lucille?” Wyatt leaned onto his elbows.

She smiled shyly. “Lucille Opal Crystal Kane.”

“Damn, some long name.” Hanna smiled at her. “It's like mine. Hanna Clarice Dia Janice Reeves.” She rolled her eyes. “Three grandmothers, all of whom wanted me to have their name. Luckily, Hanna isn't a family name.” She bit into her veggie-burger.

“So, Lucille Opal Crystal Kane –” Wyatt took in a huge, over-exaggerated breath. “Where ya from?”

She smiled. “Oakridge.”

“No offense, but where the fuck is that?”

She laughed, a clear, happy laugh. I noticed it was strained though. Or maybe that was just my imagination. “Near Eugene.”

“Did you know?” Mark spoke up. “That Eugene. Is the lesbian. Capital of. The country?” Mark reached for his inhaler and puffed a few times on it. His face had turned red. And this was why the boy didn't speak often.

“Uh – uhm – I – ” Lucille stuttered.

“Oh, don't mind him. He is full of useless facts!” James shouldered his brother.

“They aren't useless. I happen to think that is an awesome fact.” I glared at James for putting his brother down. We did not need a repeat of last year. James had been giving Mark more and more shit for knowing random facts – I swear, the boy is like a walking Encyclopedia – until Mark broke and took a blade to his wrists. James should know better.