Chapter Thirty Seven
After an unsuccessful couple rounds of fetch, where Zorena never brought the ball back, I suggested that we try this in the house. Taylor agreed, so I handed the leash to Taylor and headed home.
"So when do you leave?"
"Next Monday."
"Today's Wednesday, so, four more days."
"Yeah." Zorena stopped to sniff a tree. We walked the rest of the way in silence. We went into my back yard and closed all the gates, and unleashed Zorena. We watched her run around a few times, then stoped to watch us. I handed Taylor the ball I had put in my pocket. He threw the ball so hard that it bounced off the fence on the other side of the yard.
"Good arm Tay."
"Thanks." Zorena chased after the ricocheting ball, and finally cought it.
"Zorena, bring it back." She looked at us, wagged her tail furiously and tried to bark. "Come here girl." She didn't move. I walked over to her casually as if I was going jto pet her. I tugged and pulled at the ball, and when she let go, I was knocked off ballance and fell over. Taylor started laughing at me. Well, at least I had the ball, so I threw it at him and hit him on the leg, with Zorena chasing close behind.
"Hey!"
"That's not funny." I stood up and brushed myself off. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground again, without Zorena. She was chasin the ball Taylor had thrown. He began laughing again. "Isn't it time for you to leave?"
"No." And continuted laughing. I got up again.
"Fine. Stay here then. I'm going to get a drink. You want something?" I looked at Zorena who was happily playing with her ball. I went inside and made a straight line for the fridge, with Taylor close behind. "What do you want?" I asked, opening the fridge.
"Um, what do you have?"
"Same as last time."
"Then I'll have another Root Beer."
"Kay." I handed him his pop, and took a Coke for myself. "So where in Asia are you going?" I sat down at the table, and Tay sat across from me.
"I think mybe Hong Kong first, but I'm not positive though."
"Sounds like fun."
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it."
"What do you guys do about school?"
"We're home schooled. But we have a math tutor."
"How convienient."
"Works really good."
"I suppose it has to."
"It's kind of important." Taylor glanced at his watch. "I have to go."
"Oh, okay, well, have fun practicing." We went to the front door.
"We will. Maybe you could come over and watch sometime."
"Sounds great. Maybe I should do that sometime."
"Maybe you should." He started moving closer, like he was going to kiss me.
"Maybe you should get going." He paused.
"Maybe."
"Good bye Taylor."
"Bye Love." I went over to Zorena.
"Sit Zorena." She stood, looking out the gate, watching Taylor. I put a hand on her haunches. "Zorena, sit." She sat. Wow! "Good girl Zorena, now, stay." I walked over to the door of the house. "Zorena, come." She came. "Good girl! Good girl! Come in and get a cookie." She followed me inside. "Sit." I held a cookie over her head. She sat. "Good girl." I gave her the cookie, then dashed upstairs to my room. I layed down on my bed to read a book. Five minutes later, Zorena came pounding up the stairs. "Hey Zorena. Up." I patted the bed and she jumped up, circled a few times, then finally layed down. We sat there until my parents came home. I told them about how I trained Zorena to sit, stay and come over dinner. Soon my dad's pager started beeping. He checked it, then announced that he had to make a call to the office. He came back ten minutes later informing my mother and I that he had to go back to work, and he didn't know how long he'd be.
"What's wrong Ian?" My mom asked him worriedly.
"Lots of things. Our computer system has crashed because there was a fire in the building, setting off the sprinklers, ruining most of the computers, and fried the main computer. Our offices have been ransacked because somebody was looking for somthing, so I have to go now."
"Love, stay here. Your father and I are going to his office. Take care of the house, kay?"
"Yes mom." They put on their coats and left.
"Well Zorena, looks like we're by ourselves, again. How 'bout I give you your dinner, then we'll try rollerblading. Sound good?" She barked and wagged her tail. I went tot he cabinet under the sink, got a cup of food and poured it in her bowl. While she ate, I cleared the table from our dinner mess. When we were both done with our activities, I went to my room to get Zorena's leash and my rollerblades. I came back down, clipped on her leash and went out the front door. We sat on the step and watched the sun for a couple of minutes. When a car went by, I woke up from my trance and put on my blades, and stood up. "Ready to go Zorena?" She jumped up from her laying position and ran down the sidewalk. Of course, me holding on to the leash, I was spun around in a half circle, then jerked forward, almost falling on my face. I tugged hard on her leash. Finally regaining my balance, we went to the park. Then down the street to the mini town. At a busy street corner, we finally stopped for the first time. Zorena sat, with her tongue hanging out of her head, slobbering and drooling all over the sidewalk. The light changed and I decided to go home. on the way, I spotted a drinking fountain, so I pulled Zorena over and stopped to drink. When I was done, I slipped the leash around my wrist, cupped my hands, cought some water, bent down and let Zorena lap it up. After the third handful of water, she decided she was done, so we sat on a patch of nearby grass to rest a while. Something behind Zorena cought her attention. She stood up and growled. I tured to see what the fit was about. "It's just a squirrel Zorena. Settle down." We were watching the squirrel scurry around, climbing trees and gathering bits and pieces of stuff from the ground.
"Hi." I turned around, expecting a Hanson.
"Hi. Do I know you from somewhere or something?"
"Or something. I've been watching you and your dog,"
"Zorena." I inturrupted.
"Zorena." The stranger said politely, smiling down on us.
"Yeah, so?"
"So I was wondering if I could get to know you better. Can I sit?" He pointed to the corner of grass next to me.
"I guess so."
"I'm Andrew, but call me Andy."
"Okay, Andy, I'm Love."
"Pretty name."
"Uh, thanks."
"Where do you live?"
"Over on Shoreview Lane."
"Nice neighborhood."
"Why? Do you live in a not so nice neighborhood?"
"No, I'm in middle nice neighborhood, but the famous people live over there."
"Why do you say famous like that?"
"They're kind of annoying, once you get to know them."
"Who?"
"The whole Hanson family."
"There's nothing wrong with them."
"Fine. Whatever you say. Anyway, do you mind if I had your phone number?"
"Only if you're not going to respect them, I mind. They're very nice."
"Okay."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"You wouldn't happen to have a pen or paper."
"Here." He dug around in his pocket a bit, and pulled out a crupmled, folded piece of paper and a pen. I wrote my number down, folded the paper again, and handed it back to Andy.
"Thanks." Someone across the street called for him. "I have to go, so I'll call you later, kay?"
"Kay."
"Bye."
"Bye. Well Zorena, ready to go home?" She barked in reply.
When we got home, I gave Zorena a cookie and went into the den to watch t.v. I watched MTV for a while, then checked the clock. Only 8. Ten minutes later, the phone rings. I leap off the couch and run across the room to the phone.
"Hello?" It was my dad, informing me that they had another two hours left, and they should be home. I flipped of the t.v. and trudged upstairs. Half way up, the phone rang again. I ran up the rest of the way and dived across my bed for the phone.
"Hello?" I asked again.
"Is Love there?"
"Speaking."
"Hi Love, it's Andy."
"Hi Andy, what's up?"
"Not much. Hey. I'm sorry had an attitude about the Hansons this afternoon. It's just that, I've never met them, but we already have problems."
"Like what?"
"Well, this one girl I was sorta serious with, well, the Taylor one knew her too. And when he became famous, she left me for him, but he never liked her that way."
"Ouch."
"So what are you doing tonight?"
"Sitting home, by myself. Fun, huh."
"Sounds like a blast. Would it be okay if I came over for a while? I need to get away from my family. They're driving me crazy."
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
"What's your address?"
"716 Shoreview Lane."
"That's pretty close. I'll be over in ten minutes."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye." I went into my bathroom to fix my hair that had come loose from a low ponytail. I went to my closet, and pulled out a pair of blue jeans and a wool heavy green sweater. It was getting cold, and having the air conditioner on all day, it was kind of chilly. The door bell rang. I ran downstairs and answered the door.
"Hey Andy."
"Hi Love."
"Oh. Come on in. What do you want to do?"
"Where's the warmest room?" He asked, rubbing his hands together.
"My room or the den."
"How 'bout the den."
"Kay. This way. I was just noticing that Tulsa nights can get kinda cold myself." We got to the den and seated ourselves on opposite ends of the couch. While he was admiring the room, I took the chance to look at him completely for the first time. He was a little taller than me, dressed in tennis shoes, jeans and a light long-sleeved green shirt. He had light brown short hair and- he turned back to me after thuroughly inspecting the room.- Intense hazel eyes with flecks of gold in them.
"so. Like I said before. I was wondering if I could get to know you better. I haven't seen you around here before."
"It's because I just moved here a couple of days ago."
"From where?"
"San Jose, California."
"Why did you come to Tulsa?"
"My dad's-parents- company transfered him here."
"Do you like it?"
"It's okay. I mean, right now, I don't have exactly tons of friends to hang out with. I miss all my old friends." Just then, Zorena came to the doorway and growled at the stranger. "It's okay Zorena. You know Andy. You met him this afternoon, remember?" She walked over and sniffed him carefully. "See? All better." She layed down next to me.
"Where's everybody else?"
"My mom and dad are at work for a little bit."
"Brothers? Sisters?"
"Nope. Just Zorena and I. Oh. Want anything to eat or drink? I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies this afternoon."
"I'll have a couple cookies."
"I'll be right back." I left the den and went to the kitchen. Zorena chose to stay back and guard Andy. When I came back with the plate of cookies, I noticed that Andy had moved to the middle of the couch. I set the plate of cookies on a nearby end table. I looked at him, spread out on the couch. He cought my question and patted the couch next to him. Of course, his arms were out along the back of the couch. I walked over slowly, and sat down next to him. He didn't put his arm around me. Andy reached over and took a cookie and gingerly took a bite.
"Mmmm. Theses are good Love."
"Thanks."
"So, what do you usually do on nights like this?" He shifted towards me. "I mean, when you're alone for a long time?"
"Either read or listen to the radio or c.d's."
"Sounds fun."
"Yeah. Party time."
"You can sit back Love. I'm not gonna hurt you." I was sitting on the edge of the couch.
"No, that's okay. I'm fine right here."
"If you insist." He smiled slowly, showing strait perfect teeth. "Show me your room Love." I looked at him for a few seconds, contemplating his request. "What's wrong Love? You don't trust me?" He tried to look insulted and hurt. "Think of it this way. If I see your room, I can learn so much about you, and you won't have to answer all my dumb questions." He smiled bashfully. I sighed.
"I suppose." I got up and led him to my room, with Zorena at my side. I opened my door and went in, but didn't dare close the door. Andy went to my sterio and turned on the radio. When he recognized the station, he nodded, then turned on my c.d. player and pressed play. The first song began. The first notes of 'Honey' waifted through the air. He let that song play while he looked through my pile of c.d.'s. I went over to my window facing the Hanson's, and parted the curtains, wondering what they were doing at the moment. Their shade was down, but there were lights on in the room. I jumped when Andy put his hands on my shoulders and spun me around.
"What'cha lookin' at?" He didn't drop his hands.
"Just seein' what's going on outside. Nothing happening though."
"Oh really." He let go of me and looked out the window. "Who's house is that?"
"The Hansons." I said quietly, looking over at the door.
"You live next to them?!"
"Yeah."
"Lucky you."
"Hey. Stop that. You promised."
"You're right." He stepped closer to me, and put his hands back on my shoulders. "I"m sorry. I don't even know them." He stepped closer, against me, and tightened his grip on my shoulders.
"Andy, could you please step back a bit?"
"They're probably great people for all I know." He completely ignored my question.
"Andy, back up." His arms slid around me, holding me in my place, and my arms plastered to my sides. He just looked at me and smiled, as if nothing were wrong. I twisted and squirmed, trying to get out of his cold embrace. I looked up at him and said again, "Andy, back up. Let go of me." I was starting to get a little nervous. He started to laugh at me. "Let me go!" I pleaded. "Let me go!" I tried breaking away, but his arms tightened their hold the more I tried to get away. Now fear was taking over. "Let go Andy!" I was on the verge of tears. He took a step forward, forcing me backwards. A few more steps, and I was agains a wall. He lowered his head and tried to kiss me, but I turned my face away from him. "Let go Andy! Please let me go." I struggled again, but he had no intention of doing so. Instead, he started kissing the side of my face. I tried to crouch down, buy was blocked by his leg. He reached down and pulled me back up by my pony tail.
"Settle down Love. Man you're fiesty."
Previous Chapter
Next Chapter
Story List
Home
Email: express@angelfire.com