Big Tree Village

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

            The summer was speeding by; I worked alongside Chance in his flower business. I delivered and learned something new every day. My father finally nailed a job in a small cubicle, he was bummed that just hunting couldn’t support him anymore. And as for Larry, Ms. Murray came back several times that day and soon they set up a date and are now officially dating. I am their permanent babysitter for Jon, I don’t mind though because the TV and Oinkers keep him very entertained. Artie had dropped by to hang out about a week after he gave me those flowers. When he saw Chance there he sighed and shrugged. “I’m a married man,” and then smiled quickly. Chance chuckled as Artie walked back to his small blue car. As far as I can tell he is happy, and I haven’t seen Bryan since the day I had called him out. My mother called once, and apologized. It was strange, but when I called her back the number had been disconnected and she never replied to e-mails or letters my father and I sent. We gave up on her, like we should have two years ago.

My phone bleeped from my pocket. “How’s this one?” Chance shrieked from behind a line of cars. I was about to purchase my first car, or well my father was. I took my best car judgment people along; my dad and Chance.

“One sec, babe,” I called as Siri came to life. Demona had an urgent message; all caps lock.

OH MY FUCKING GOD! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE ASAP! IF YOU’RE NOT HERE IN FIVE MINUTES I’M GOING TO DIE!

My heart raced as my throat almost closed. Was she in trouble or what? “Chance,” I yelled, “CHANCE!” He could hear the terror in my voice. I watched as a blonde head bobbed toward me.

“What? What’s going on?” He screamed approaching me. I looked around and could feel others staring at us.

“I don’t know, but Demona needs me at her place.” I wiped my face and tried to calm down. “Dad!” I yelled I heard Peter mumble something. “I trust you to pick out something good, I have got to go.” I dragged Chance along. In no time I was on Demona’s black and white couch, she was sobbing on to my lap.

“I don’t know how this happened to me!” She screeched. Chance had ditched just when he heard the treacherous wails of Demona from the driveway. “We were always careful!” She yelped wiping her snot on my jeans. I winced. She looked up at me and then back at the tiny red plus on her pregnancy test. “Oh fuck! This is so real! I am not dreaming right now. Am I?” She wondered gripping my thigh as she let out another cry. I was still wrapping my head around the fact that she was pregnant when there was a knock at the door. Silence fell over us both as Rocki opened the door. He looked ever so worried. Demona threw the stick at him and it hit his chest and fell to the floor with a small thud. “This is all your fault! I fucking hate you!” She shrieked. He looked at me, Demona, and then the stick. It was facing up, the red plus barely visible. He sighed deeply.

“Demona-”

“Get out! Get out of my fucking house! I hate you! I really do, you’re such an asshole!” She really started crying then when he turned around.

“HEY!” I yelled. She got quiet and Rocki paused. He turned back around and widened his eyes. “Don’t you dare walk out on her right now, she needs you. Very, very much.” I explained.

“She just told me to leave,” he said confused.

“Oh please,” I rolled my eyes, “she is really overwhelmed right now. Extremely overwhelmed. She doesn’t know what she’s saying or how she feels, but she needs you by her side telling her it is okay.” He trudged over and took my place on the couch. I stood up and tried not to glance at the snot stain. Rocki started humming as Demona’s face started to scrunch up and she wailed again. He looked up at me in desperation. “Through the thick and thin Rocki. That is what true love is. Keep your cool, and she will slowly get there too.” He nodded and continued humming through the cries. I didn’t find it rude leaving Demona now, she had Rocki and I had a car to get to. As I left the room I was ripping myself from this whole situation and handing it to Rocki. Good luck to him. 

A truck. Better yet, a retro, teal, rusted truck. I licked my lips as I approached my house. I had walked home, my feet were raw from not wearing socks and I could see Chance walking around and around the truck. “There she is!” Peter yelled from the porch. He held up his beer. I nodded and plastered a fake smile on my face.

“What is this?” I ushered at the car and Chance hugged me. My eyes were still on Peter.

“A truck. I got it just for you, surprise.” Peter said a little late. I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t understand. This is the best you could do?” I could feel Chance’s hand running up and down my back. “Demona’s prego.” I whispered to Chance. Peter shrugged and took another swig of beer. Chance sighed deeply.

“It was bound to happen eventually.” He whispered back. I nodded in agreement. Peter opened his mouth and yelled.

“This is the best there is! Besides, I’ve always wanted to see my little girl driving a truck! I got it cheap and it runs fine. She’s a beauty huh?” He smiled at this comment and chuckled loudly. I untangled myself from Chance and pulled open the driver’s door. Inside it smelled like beer and the steering wheel was silver and sparkled. The radio was somewhat new and the leather was a light brown. I couldn’t see any stains and there were no obvious broken things. I sat down and rubbed my hands across the wheel.

“How does it feel?” Chance asked. He looked up at me with blue eyes. I nodded.

“It actually feels,” I hated to admit it, “pretty good.”

“Take me for a ride!” Chance hopped in and crawled over me to the passenger seat. He waved at my dad who smiled as I turned the keys that hung in the ignition. The car grumbled to life and I swiftly pulled down the street and made sure to not hit the bump. Once we got to the place I had finally told him I loved him, that area overlooking the mountains; our spot. I pulled over. We both hopped out and he brushed his finger across my cheek. “You’re sexier in a truck, Zo.” He whispered. My face flushed as I gripped him for balance. The wind blew me in to him and I stayed there for an instant while he kissed my neck. I felt good at that moment. I had a beautiful boyfriend and car… So I pulled back from him and smiled. He grinned right back at me. “Do you have an idea babe?”