Genesis

CHAPTER 10 Caught Up in You

I didn't get out of bed until after noon. I had tossed and turned all night and was exhausted, but I finally dragged myself downstairs to see if anyone was around. The kids were outside playing with the water hose and Mum was on the back porch swing. I couldn't face her right now. I needed to get out of here. I ran back upstairs, got dressed in a hurry, grabbed my secret stash of mmb's, yelled bye to Mum, and flew out the front door. As I approached my car, I noticed a folded piece of paper stuck in the driver's side window between the glass and the rubber guard. I snatched it out, crumpled it up, and threw it into my purse without looking at it. I whistled for Axl. A second later, he appeared and I let him jump in, over the driver's seat and on to the passenger's side, as though we did this every day. I love this dog!

I pulled out on to the road and just started driving, blasting my emergency song, "Don't Worry Baby". I wasn't sure exactly what it was about this particular song that mellowed me out, but those perfect Beach Boys' harmonies did it for me every time. I had no idea where I was going. I just knew I had to find somewhere secluded so I could lay on my blanket, jam the earbuds into my ears, eat mmb's till I was sick, and eradicate every thought of Ty Gregory. I was driving for about ten minutes or so when I realized I was headed toward Black Creek. The guys had mentioned that no one usually rode there during the day. I figured I'd stop by and see if there were any vehicles in the lot. Five minutes later, I pulled in and was relieved to see that no one was around. I retrieved my blanket from the trunk, picked up my bag, and called for Axl to follow me. We strode down a randomly chosen path, eventually stumbling onto a field that resembled the one I had had my first kiss in just the other night. I surveyed the area briefly and decided on the perfect spot — in the shadow of the branches of a large oak tree, complete with the ubiquitous Spanish moss sprinkled over it like tinsel on a Christmas tree.

I spread out my blanket, the one I always kept in my trunk for times like this, and flopped down in the middle of it. I reached into my purse for my phone, finding the crumpled piece of paper instead. I opened it slowly, not sure I really wanted to read it. In neat block letters, it simply read: "My sweet Essie, I will do whatever it takes". It was sweet and it made me happy, and yet, at the same time, angry with myself for feeling that way. I threw the note back in my purse, grabbed my phone, and opened the box of mmb's. I perused my playlists, looking for something calming, meditative. I decided on some classical violin, my standard choice for serious contemplation. There was something about classical music, and especially the violin, that spoke directly to my soul. It could make me smile in an instant and then, just as suddenly, bring me to tears. It made me feel "floaty". I laid back and closed my eyes, imagining the story Massenet had in mind as he was composing this particular masterpiece. The temperature had already reached ninety degrees, according to my phone, but there was a slight breeze that circulated the humid air just enough to make it bearable in the oak's shadow.

"Damn him!" I cursed out loud, as happy thoughts of last night ambushed my imaginary violin drama. I needed to be angry. I was insulted that he thought I was the kind of girl who would hook up on a quasi-third date, in a public park, no less. Yet, I had to admit that everything else prior to "the incident" was perfect. Maybe he was just used to girls who didn't say no. After all, he was beautiful and charming and rich. And, to be fair, most girls my age were no longer virgins. He probably just assumed. Ugh! I was rationalizing on his behalf. Did I at least owe him the opportunity to mount his own defense? Maybe. But right now I turned my attention back to the music and I drifted off as Ty and I became the leads in the Victorian-era tale I had dreamt up.

When I opened my eyes, I thought I was still dreaming. Ty was sitting cross-legged on the blanket, petting Axl, watching me. I blinked a couple of times, then sat up abruptly.