Between You & Me - By Marisa Calin Page 0,30
embarrass you.
The conversation fizzles out and Ryan throws his arm around Tony’s neck in a semi-headlock as they turn away.
RYAN
Forget it, man. She’s cold.
Tony shrugs him off as you appear. For a vivid second, I imagine punching Ryan in the face (Tweety Birds circling). Or I could fling my arms around Tony’s neck and kiss him like everyone else—to protect myself from comments like that. I choose neither. And in my hesitation you find your protective streak.
YOU
Don’t talk about her like that!
Ryan stops. I can see him toying with the idea of sarcasm, or something really eloquent like “shut up.”
RYAN
Come on, I’m just playing.
YOU
Yeah, you’re funny. Go play with someone else.
Ryan scoffs but I can tell it’s because you got to him. Tony turns back, trying to regain the tone he started with.
TONY
Well, good luck in the play.
It doesn’t work. He leaves with a smile but it’s half-assed and I wonder if this time he really will give up. The hallway is quiet again.
YOU
You okay?
ME
(Lying)
Fine!
THEATER. AFTER SCHOOL. THE NEXT DAY.
Everyone is in the theater. Sarah, in character as usual, gives me a kiss on the top of the head on her way past. I look to see if Mia is here yet, as if that were necessary. I can see her without looking because of the place in my consciousness that is reserved just for her. She pushes through the door, her mind sweetly engaged by something far away, but she smiles when she sees me looking. I watch her set down her bag as I climb up onstage behind Sarah. Is Lily’s life any simpler than mine? Maybe hers will put mine into perspective. My moments of perspective seem only to last until the next time I see Mia.
THE PRICE HOUSE. SATURDAY EVENING.
Lily’s mother stands at the sink, humming. Outside, Bobby arrives nervously at the front door in a suit and tie, with his hair neatly combed and a bunch of flowers in his hands. He rings the doorbell. As Mom crosses to open it, she sees him from the window brushing his shoes against the bristles of the hedgehog boot cleaner. She opens the door:
MOM
Well now, don’t you look handsome. And such clean shoes!
BOBBY
Thanks, Mrs. Price. I heard that Miss Price didn’t have the best of evenings yesterday, so I thought she might like me to take her to the pictures.
Lily, having heard the doorbell, skips downstairs and peeks around the kitchen wall. She can’t see past her mother.
MOM
(Calling)
Lily. Someone’s here to see you. A very dashing young man, if I may say so.
Lily sails around the corner and stops short.
LILY
Oh. It’s you!
Bobby’s face drops.
MOM
Give us a moment, Bobby.
Lily’s mother lets the screen door swing shut. Bobby turns and sits down on the front step.
Honey—
LILY
Mom, I’m not going anywhere with Bobby. I couldn’t. To be seen with Bobby—
MOM
I’m surprised. That’s just how Michael treated you and you didn’t like it very much.
Lily starts up the stairs.
But it’s as you wish.
Mom turns back toward the front door.
Can’t see the harm in an evening out, myself, and on such a nice night. Oo, but if you’re going to be home, we could play cribbage. I’ll tell him to be getting along—
LILY
I suppose I could give him a chance.
MOM
Well, I suppose.
Lily looks at Bobby on the step, picking at the bouquet of flowers.
MOM
Then shall I let him in?
Lily is all at once agitated.
LILY
Wait, I have to get ready. I can’t go out like this.
Her mom suppresses a smile.
MOM
So run upstairs. He’ll be here when you come down.
Lily nods and runs upstairs. Mrs. Price returns to the front door. She winks at Bobby.
Looks like you got yourself a date.
Gabe is still standing on stage at the end of rehearsal. I go over to him since he seems to be waiting. Being around him makes me nervous, maybe because I still find the line between him and his character a little hazy. Maybe because he’s always smiling and stands really close so that when I look up at him my chin practically rests on his chest. As it does now:
ME
Hey.
I am super-aware of the closeness. His T-shirt smells unexpectedly nice. When we’re next to each other he has a good six inches on me and seems to enjoy it. I feel safe in scenes with him at least, like he won’t forget the words because they’re his own. But in these unscripted moments, I’m more nervous …
Case in point:
OUTSIDE PEELE’S. EARLY EVENING.
There’s something about Gabe. He didn’t ask me out like other people