Summer Dreams

Concerned Friends

After sufficiently slamming the door, Linda plopped on her bed, angry at her father. She hadn't done a single thing wrong.... except possibly curse. She couldn't remember if she cursed; she knew her brother had. She frowned as her eyes looked at the posters on her light, pale pink walls. Posters of her favorite bands littered the walls; Karen and Richard shared the same beaming smile as they sat in Dumbo. Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Frida smiled at her, their bizarre outfits glittering under the light. Peter, Micky, Mike, and Davy looked too cute in their sixties garb. Leslie Gore, Aretha Franklin, Patsy Cline, and Dusty Springfield proudly sang from their spots on the wall.
Linda groaned and laid on her back. She was forced to stay up here all night, with hardly any dinner in her. Briefly she wondered about the secret stash of crackers and candies hidden nicely behind the stack of records.
She found her mind wandering to the new pool boy. Danny Reagan. He was a kind man, polite, obedient. Somehow, Linda knew there was a rebellious streak in him- she could sense it. She wonders if that was what would get him fired eventually.
"Pip, pip, an' cheerio!" A shrill voice came through the window, interrupting her thoughts.
Linda jumped up and immediately shushed it. "Sh, sh, sh."
"Don't shush me. It's rude!"
"Get your ass in there, Remington!" A female voice whispered loudly, whacking his foot.
"Guys, what're you doing here?!" Linda harshly whispered as they entered through her window.
"Have you talked to your Dad yet?" Laura wondered, dusting off her black skirt. She took her black sweater off to reveal a brightly colored tank top, "we talked to Daniel."
"He thought it was a fantastic idea."
"Mildred, too."
"You can't be here." Linda spoke quietly, hoping no one could hear.
"Why?" Remington asked loudly.
"Sh!" She covered his mouth with her hand. "Can't you just, for once, just, y'know. Shut. Up!"
"Alright, alright." Remington removed her hand, "why are we whispering?"
"Cause I'm grounded, and I don't even know why."
"Knowing you? You probably sassed or cursed at the table." Laura guessed, arms crossed.
"Maybe. I don't know. But Gertie is supposed to be here any minute, and you two can't be here." She looked around the room. "Ooh. The closet. Hide in there." She pushed the young adults into the closet, then shut the door. Taking her position on the bed, she waited for her fate.
**************
Two and a half days later, Laura and Remington ventured to Linda's house. They had asked Daniel if he could call Chester, and talk about the barbecue. Chester had said it was a bad time for them, and that got the friends worried. The last time it was "a bad time", had really turned out to be bad.
Laura walked in front of Remington as they made their way to the pool. That was Linda's favorite spot to be in the summertime. When they didn't see anyone, they were confused.
"Where is everyone?"
"Don't know," Remington looked around, frowning.
"Oh, hey, guys," Danny smiled at them as he dragged the hose from the shed. "What brings you here?"
"Linda. Or rather, the lack of Linda," Laura explained. "Is she okay? She called and canceled our lunch date."
"I think she's having cramps or something," Danny scratched the back of his head. "I asked, uh..... one of the maids, and she said Linda wasn't feeling well. Then she mumbled something about cramps, I think."
"Oh. Can we see her?"
"Mm, if we sneak in. She hasn't been out of the house since Wednesday? I've been hearing a lot of yelling from Chester."
"The last time that happened....." Remington trailed off and shared a look with Laura. "Ready to commit a felony?"
"Ready when you are."
"What? What felony?" Danny called after them, "guys!"