Summer Dreams

LaRue's Interrogation

Linda slammed the car door shut, eyes brimming with tears. She refused to cry in front of her Dad, she refused to give him that satisfaction. She was halfway up the stairs when her father stopped her.
"Linda, come into my study."
"Why? So you can embarrass me some more?"
"One more remark like that, and I'll whack you right here."
She pushed down her snarky remark, and stood a few feet from him. Her arms were crossed, her face halfway between tears and rage.
"Follow me."
She complied, and was met with a young man around Jimmy's age, and an older man she assumed to be his father. "So? What, is this like... the welcoming committee?"
Chester landed a hard smack to her backside, making her jump. "I'm sorry, dear. You had a bug on your backside."
Dear? "Thanks." And is that the best excuse you can come up with?
"Linda, this is Thomas LaRue, and Thomas LaRue, Jr."
Ego much?
"We're working on merging our companies."
"We're going to be seeing a lot of each other.... we were thinking that you and Tommy might become friends?" LaRue Sr. questioned, although it was more like an order.
Linda looked LaRue up and down. He was tall, with jet black hair and glassy blue eyes. He wore a powered-blue leisure suit and shiny white shoes.
"You got a white belt, too?" Linda raised an eyebrow.
LaRue moved his jacket out of the way to revel a white belt. "You must be clairvoyant."
"Why don't you show Thomas your room, Linda?" Charles suggested, once again sounding more like a command.
Linda sighed, disgusted. "Do I look like I'm five to you?"
This time, Charles didn't hesitate to hit her across the face. The LaRues were completely unfazed by the action. "I'm sorry, but she's been acting up lately."
"Typical," LaRue Jr smirked.
"Got any kids?" Linda raised an eyebrow, momentarily forgetting about her burning cheek.
"No....?" Is she coming on to me?
"Wan' 'em?"
"Someday. But I don't see-"
Swiftly, she barely kneed him between the legs. Without another word, she swiftly made her way up the stairs. She slammed her door shut, and looked in the vanity mirror. Frowning, she rubbed her cheek again; she sighed as the tears slowly made their trek. Her Dad had found out about her going commando, and he was furious. Her bottom was still on fire, and she wasn't sure how- or even if- she wanted to sit down.
A few minutes passed, and there was a knock on the door. "Go away!"
The door opened nonetheless, and LaRue Jr walked in. "You're feisty." He sat on the bed next to her, "I like that."
"Eww." She pushed his chest, effectively getting off the bed and walking to the vanity.
"You know, women are supposed to obey their authorities... their fathers, brothers, husbands...."
"Says who?"
"The Bible." He stood directly behind her.
"That was 200 plus years ago! Get with the times! Besides, that doesn't translate to domestic abuse." She pushed passed him again, walking to the closet this time. Abruptly, she turned around, "and there is no way in the world that I'm going to obey you!"
"Why not? I'm older."
"So what? That just makes me younger!"
"I'm taller."
"Again, that just makes me shorter."
"I'm smarter."
"I'm— not falling for that! Look, I don't know who you think you are, but I don't want anything to do with you."
"Oh, that's right. You're secretly dating that snoopy-nosed pool guy."
"He is not a snoopy nose! And he's more than a pool boy. He's the Gardner and care taker, and he has a name! It's a very nice name—"
"I bet you know nothing about him," LaRue accused, trying to see how Linda functioned.
"I know plenty!"
"Then what is his name?"
"Danny."
"What's his last name?"
"Reagan."
"Oh yeah? What's his favorite food?"
"Fried chicken."
"Best friend's name?"
"... probably John?" She remembered him mentioning a roommate, but never a best friend. Maybe they were one and the same? But was the rommie's name really John?
"Eye color?"
Linda looked to the ceiling, sighing, "dreamy."
"Foot size?"
"Excuuse me, sir. I haven't seen him naked! Only half-naked." She answered almost airily, crossing her arms.
"Which half? Oh, wait. The part that doesn't matter."
"Get out. Get out of my room." She pushed him to the door, and angrily pushed him out. "Honestly."