These Children That You Spit On

Day of Sentencing

Day of Sentencing

Claire

"I swear to God," Claire said into the phone. "He looked right through me yesterday morning."

"Steff McKee looked right through you," Brenda gasped. "I can't believe it."

"I know," Claire elaborated. "I was sure he was gonna ask me to junior prom. But yesterday, he didn't even look at me."

"That is so mean," Brenda replied. "Are you gonna say anything to him?"

Claire flopped on her bed. "I don't know. Maybe. Should I?"

Suddenly, that telltale beep went off in her ear. "Call you back, Bren," Claire said. "Call waiting."

"Call waiting? And your own phone line? Claire, you are so lucky."

Despite her mood, Claire grinned. Even though it was a shallow compliment, it pleased her. Then again, Brenda always could cheer Claire up.

"Thanks," Claire replied, and switched over.

"Hello," she answered. "It's Claire."

"I know," an all too familiar voice replied.

"Steff," Claire asked, already knowing the answer.

"In the flesh," he replied. "We have a date. Right now."

Claire sighed, knowing what he wanted. She looked out of the window and saw him on his car phone. "I have school in an hour. As far as I know, you do, too."

"Let's cut," Steff said. "No big deal."

"Cutting's for burnouts," Claire said, confused.

"Not cutting is for prudes," Steff replied. Claire swallowed and looked out of her window again.

"Fine," she agreed. "Just wait for me to get dressed."

Claire quickly threw on a blue cardigan, white tank top, and blue jeans and rushed down the stairs. Jacob Standish looked up as his daughter rushed to the door. "Claire," Jacob asked. "Where are you going?"

"School," she replied.

"It's early," he noted.

"Project," Claire murmured. She rushed out the door and slammed it behind her. Then she raced down the steps and jumped into Steff's convertible Datsun.

"Watch the interior," he said as she slid her knees over the backseat to sit down.

"Steff," she asked. "Where are we going?"

"My place," he replied, sliding on a pair of Wayfarers and pulling away from Claire's house. Claire pushed herself back into her seat. She was now too nervous to make a move into the passenger seat. Steff was taking her back to his place? What could he want? Well, she knew what he wanted. But they had only ever been on one date. And besides that, she was a virgin.

Claire eyed Steff in the rear view mirror and he grinned back at her. "Is anybody else going to be there," Claire asked.

"This girl from my Algebra II class, Amy," Steff answered. "And a few of the guys. Jake Ryan's back in town, so it's a bit of a party. He's seeing some girl in our class, Sarah Laker or something, tonight, so we're having the party now."

Claire automatically relaxed. A party meant they wouldn't be alone. A party meant she talk to her friends. "Did you invite Angela and Brenda," Claire asked.

"Yeah," Steff said. "They're coming." Claire still didn't see why they couldn't have just had the party after school, or invited Jake's girlfriend that night. But she accepted the fact that she had to make an appearance. Besides, entering with Steff would cement their relationship. Steff McKee and Claire Standish. Claire McKee. Claire smiled to herself. Money was still no object to her, but after the divorce, the family was seen as broken and scandalous compared to the other country club members. The McKees, on the other hand, were perfect. Claire would much rather be thought of as "That McKee boy's girlfriend" than "that poor Standish girl." By the time they had pulled up to Steff's place, a few people had arrived. Blane McDonough and Benny Hanson were there together. Amy, the girl Steff had mentioned was surrounded by a group of boys Claire vaguely knew from the neighborhood. A few sophomores, like Amanda Jones, had come too. Angela and Brenda were sitting on the couch on either side of Jake Ryan, who looked sort of annoyed. Steff walked Claire over to him. "Hey, Jake," he said. "You remember Claire, right?"