Page 6 of A Girl Named Summer

  David was very obliging. He laughed until tears ran down his cheeks. It soon became infectious. She finally laughed along with him. It was heady relief from a bad case of nerves. He may never ask me out again, but at least he’s still taking me to the party, she thought. Not too many boys had the stamina—or courage—to actually date someone with a loony-tune family.

  “That was really something,” he said when he calmed down. “Do you think your grandfather would let me help him with his work sometime? I wouldn’t get in the way, and I’d do whatever he told me. I’m good with electronic stuff. Will you ask him please?”

  She was too shocked to reply. He was serious! He wasn’t laughing at Grandpa and really wanted to help him. “Sure,” she stammered. “I think he’d like that.”

  The party was in full swing when she and David arrived. Right away, Ann Logan took one look at David and began to bat her eyelashes furiously.

  David didn’t know a soul, but within fifteen minutes he was eagerly discussing the coming football season with Regina’s brother.

  Where was Regina? Summer hunted inside for her for a good five minutes and had started back toward the pool when she finally spotted her. Her friend was standing near the cabana and something was very, very wrong. The tightly clenched fists and the furious expression on Regina’s face shocked her. Summer knew that look. Regina was going to make a scene. Having recognized the signs, Summer immediately went into action. She grabbed Regina’s arm in an iron grip and literally propelled her around the crowded poolside, oblivious to the stares directed her way. She didn’t stop until she had maneuvered her onto a secluded redwood deck on the side of the house.

  “What is the matter with you?” Summer whispered frantically. One look at her friend’s normally glowing complexion, now a definite three shades lighter, convinced Summer of the gravity of the situation. “You look like a vampire attacked you.”

  “He’s here.” The words were no more than a ragged whisper, but Summer caught them just the same. She understood Regina’s mumblings.

  “Who?”

  “Carl, that’s who.”

  “Carl? Here?” Incredulity raised Summer’s own voice an octave. “Impossible.”

  “I’m telling you, he’s here. I just saw him with Marilyn Nordstrom,” she insisted emphatically. “And he told me he was going out of town!”

  “Nonsense,” Summer muttered. “You’re seeing things. He’s out of town, just like he told you.”

  The chilling look Regina shot her told Summer to revise her logic. She turned and edged around the corner of the house. Quickly she scanned the area, finding the object of her friend’s hysteria standing by the diving board.

  “That creep.”

  Regina was too unglued to reply, shaking like a cube of Jell-O, much to Summer’s disgust. Her tall, willowy friend was shrinking before her eyes. It was time to get her spine rigid again.

  “Okay, what’s our plan? What are we going to do about it?”

  Summer waited for a response but gave up after a long minute. Regina’s dark brown eyes seemed to look right through her, so lost was she in her misery. “So, my dear Watson,” Summer continued in her best Sherlock Holmes voice, “it’s quite elementary. We ignore him. Right?”

  “Wrong!” Regina whispered. Her pain was almost visible now, slapping like a cresting wave between them. “I’m going home.”

  Summer thought quickly. What Regina needed was a little reverse psychology. “You’re right. You should just sneak out the side door and go home. It would take too much courage to stay and ignore Carl and pretend it doesn’t matter. Even though no one knows you invited him. Still…I don’t blame you…”

  “No way. I’m not sneaking anywhere. I’m staying,” Regina said.

  The sound of steel in her friend’s voice made Summer smile. “That’s the spirit. You stick with David and me, and we’ll circulate. Don’t even look at Carl once. Pretend he doesn’t exist. And you were right,” she added as an afterthought. “He does lisp.

  “Come on. I want you to meet David. Then let’s impress everyone and do some laps in the pool.”

  Side by side, the two girls strolled toward the pool. Suddenly Summer stopped in her tracks.

  “I should have known,” she said.

  “What?” Regina asked.

  “Find Ann Logan and you’ll find my date. She’s draped all over him.”

  Regina spotted Ann and gave the couple a long look. She turned back to Summer and said, “David is gorgeous.”

  “Ann certainly thinks so. It was a bad idea to bring David here. I never should have let you talk me into it,” Summer muttered in a defeated voice.

  “I talked you into it? It was all your idea, remember? Now, shape up. You sound like you just lost the war, and the first battle hasn’t even begun.”

  She’s right, Summer thought. “Come on, Regina. I’ll introduce you to David.”

  David looked happy to see Summer. Ann didn’t look as pleased, and that fact made Summer very happy. She quickly introduced Regina to David, and while they talked, she considered one idea after another to get Ann’s hand off David’s arm.

  “David, want to swim a couple of laps with me?” Summer suddenly asked.

  “Why, Summer, do you really swim?” Ann coyly inquired.

  “Of course she does,” Regina snapped. “Summer’s extremely athletic. She might even go out for the swim team next year, if it doesn’t interfere with…with her running schedule.”

  What running schedule? Regina was being a little too enthusiastic.

  “Do you run?” David seemed impressed.

  Before Summer could open her mouth, Regina answered for her. “Does she run! At least ten miles every single morning. You should see her, David. She’s like a…gazelle.”

  The none-too-gentle nudge Summer gave Regina finally stopped her praise.

  “I run, too. Have you entered any races?” David pulled away from Ann and came to stand just inches from Summer. He seemed excited. “I’m glad you don’t just jog,” he added with a trace of disgust. Obviously there was a difference between the two, but for the life of her, Summer didn’t have a clue as to what that would be.

  “No…no, I’ve never entered any races.” That much was true, Summer admitted. She just didn’t bother to add that she hadn’t run as far as the mailbox in front of her house in all her life, let alone the outrageous ten miles Regina had boasted. After all, the little “fabrication” had served its purpose. Summer now had David’s undivided attention—not Ann Logan.

  “Let’s run together sometime,” David said with a great deal of gusto.

  “Oh, I don’t think so, David,” Summer replied with a sugar-sweet smile. “I usually run early in the morning, before my parents leave for the flower shop, and I sort of use that time to…contemplate. You know, think things over. I wouldn’t be good company.”

  Summer noticed that Ann was staring at her with a strange expression on her face. David looked as if he was going to argue the point, so Summer swiftly changed the subject. “Let’s swim for a while, okay?”

  David agreed and left to change into his swimsuit. Summer waited until Ann had wandered off and then turned to a guilty-looking Regina. She rolled her eyes heavenward and groaned. “A ‘gazelle’?” she whispered. “I run like a ‘gazelle’?”

  “I could have said a greyhound,” Regina began to tell her. “But I didn’t think you’d want me to compare you to a dog.”

  “You should have said a snail. That was a close one, Regina. I don’t think Ann believed a word of it, either. You and your big mouth.”

  “Well, it worked, didn’t it? Who cares if Ann believed us or not? I got David away from her, didn’t I?”

  It was useless to argue with Regina. “Come on, let’s put our suits on.”

  “Don’t look so upset, Summer. So I lied a little. What’s the big deal?”

  “Okay,” Summer placated. “You’re absolutely right. There was no harm done. What can happen?”

r />   “Brace yourself.” The furious warning came from Regina, who was waiting outside the bathroom door when Summer emerged. Regina resembled a tightly coiled spring, just ready to explode into motion. Summer almost dropped her wet bathing suit and frowned in exasperation.

  “What happened?”

  “You aren’t going to take this well…” Regina stalled.

  “Tell me, Regina. Just tell me,” Summer implored.

  “I’ll tell you, Summer.”

  Summer and Regina turned as one to face Ann Logan. David was standing right behind good old Ann, beaming. “I’ve just had the most fantastic idea, and David is really excited about it.”

  “What might that be?” Summer asked with false cheerfulness. She was so anxious to hear any idea Ann had.

  “Why, the Regis Run for Charity! Daddy’s in charge of the event this year, you know,” Ann told her.

  No, Summer didn’t know, and she didn’t care. Things were taking a very bad turn, and she didn’t like where this was all leading.

  “I’ve signed us up, Summer. Okay?” David asked in an eager voice. He looked so proud of himself. Summer had the almost uncontrollable urge to throw a tantrum, after she pulled Ann’s eyelashes out, one by one.

  She opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Regina elbowed her in the ribs and then began chattering. Talking nonstop was one of Regina’s biggest pluses.

  “It’s only six miles, Summer, and it’s not for two months.” Regina’s eyes were flashing the message that they had plenty of time to figure something out.

  Summer hated what was happening. She felt like a puppet being manipulated by Regina and David and Ann.

  “Six miles?” Summer’s voice sounded as if she had a bad case of laryngitis. Ann Logan folded her arms and smiled with that satisfied, knowing smile. That tipped the scales. Summer only wanted to wipe that Cheshire cat’s grin off Ann’s face. Nothing else mattered. “Only six miles?” she repeated. “Good!” Her voice held just the right tinge off disappointment, and Summer had the wonderful satisfaction of seeing indecision appear for a fleeting second in Ann Logan’s big blue eyes. It was almost worth it.

  “I already paid our fees,” David explained. “Mr. Logan says we’re the first entries.”

  “Terrific,” Summer replied, glaring at Regina.

  “It’s for charity, but there’s a first-place cash prize for the winning boy and girl. We won’t be running against each other, Summer.” David’s voice stressed the last sentence.

  “How much?” Regina demanded.

  “Five hundred dollars,” David answered.

  “Wow,” Regina said with a whistle.

  “Time to eat,” Ann announced to everyone, and then turned to Summer with a purely hateful gleam in her eyes. “Summer, why didn’t you tell me you were such a…jock?”

  Chapter 7

  The best course of action was to tell David the truth. Summer was convinced that he would understand how she got a little carried away on the spur of the moment. That would be the sensible thing to do. Still, a nagging uncertainty remained. In order to explain her rash behavior, she would have to voice her insecurity where Ann Logan was concerned. Did boys understand such feelings? Summer doubted it.

  Once Ann left them alone, she and David really did have a good time at the party. Summer knew she was being envied by all the girls, and she loved every minute of it. After all, David was her date, and he seemed to be having a good time. If only he wouldn’t talk so much about the stupid race.

  When they finished eating, David took hold of her hand and pulled her over to a lounge chair. The two of them were all alone, sitting side by side. He continued holding her hand, rubbing the palm with his thumb as he watched the crowd of people.

  “Do you like my friends?” she asked.

  “All but that Terry guy. He’s kind of a jerk,” David said.

  “Why do you think so?”

  “He was telling a group of girls about all the trophies he’s won in football,” he answered. “It sounded like he was exaggerating.”

  “Well,” Summer said, “he probably was exaggerating a little to get the girls’ attention.”

  “You shouldn’t lie, no matter what,” he answered. His statement was so firm. A knot was forming in Summer’s stomach, and she began to wish she hadn’t eaten anything. It would really be tacky to throw up on her third—and probably last—date with the boy of her dreams.

  “Honesty is really important to you, isn’t it?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  “Yeah,” David answered. “You feel like swimming again?”

  I feel like drowning myself, she wanted to answer. “No, I’m waterlogged.”

  “Let’s get our stuff and go for a drive before you have to be home, okay? Just the two of us,” he whispered.

  “Okay,” Summer answered, smiling. Why not, she asked herself. She might as well have one, wonderful, romantic evening with David before he dropped her for good. When he found out she was nothing but a lying, deceiving creep, he would never talk to her again!

  She sighed in frustration as she gathered her towel and swimsuit. David went to thank Ann for inviting them, and Summer trailed behind, stopping to say good-bye to Regina and Gregg. When she caught up with David, Ann was beside him, doubled over with laughter. David looked like the cat that ate the canary.

  “What’s so funny, Ann?” Summer asked, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice.

  “David!” Ann replied, wiping the tears from her eyes with a lacy bit of cloth. She was the only girl Summer knew who carried around a real hankie. Everyone else used tissues, but not Ann. Probably had perfume on it, too, Summer decided, after she watched Ann wave it in front of David’s nose a couple of times. “He’s just been telling me the funniest joke.”

  So that was why David looked so pleased, Summer thought. Ann laughed at his jokes. Chalk one up for Ann, Summer thought with another sigh. She certainly did know how to make a boy feel good, and Summer decided that she was batting zero in that department. She hadn’t laughed at any of his jokes, didn’t think they were the least bit funny, and had lied through her teeth about running. And he had to be such a fanatic about telling the truth! What a mess I’ve gotten myself into, she thought. What a huge mess!

  “Why are you frowning?” David asked on the way to the car.

  Tell him now, an inner voice demanded. Just explain it was all a silly mistake. Maybe he’ll forgive you.

  “Nothing,” she whispered. “I’m just relaxing.”

  David took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  They drove around the park in comfortable silence and then stopped at Dairy Delight. Summer sipped a chocolate shake and watched David down two hot fudge sundaes.

  They talked about his family and hers on the way home, and all too soon they were parked in front of Summer’s house. It was time to end the charade, she decided. She was going to tell him the truth, go inside, and cry herself to sleep.

  “David, about the race…”

  He responded by giving her his full attention and his heart-stopping smile. She promptly lost her train of thought, noticing for the first time the tiny silver flecks in his eyes. And his teeth, they were so white and even—a dentist’s dream, she thought.

  “I’m really excited about it,” he said. “Are you sure you don’t want to run with me every day? We could pace each other and—”

  “No,” she interrupted, inwardly grimacing at the sound of panic in her voice. Coward, she berated herself. “I do better when I’m alone,” she lied. Disgusting, she thought. I am a disgusting, lying…“I’d better go inside,” she added. “It’s late and I like to get up and uh…exercise first thing in the morning.”

  “I had a good time tonight. I’m glad you invited me.” He carried her towel to the front door and handed it to her. “I’ll call you tomorrow after work.”

  “Great,” Summer whispered. She knew he was going to kiss her and tilted her head back. He didn

’t disappoint her. The first touch of his lips sent tremors racing down her legs. It was a perfect kiss, not awkward or clumsy.

  After David left, Summer went to her bedroom. She wasn’t sure if she walked or floated up the stairs. She was in love! For the first time in her life she knew what loving someone was all about. It was heaven and it was torture. The race! She had lied to David. He would find out soon enough, when she fell flat on her face after the first twenty paces, and then what would he think of her? How could he possibly love a lying, no-good cheat? It would be so easy to blame Regina, but Summer was honest enough with herself to admit that she had willingly gone along with the fabrication.

  The problem had to have a solution. Didn’t Grandpa say that often enough? A good night’s sleep and she would be clearheaded. Answers would come with the morning sun. On that positive thought, Summer went to bed, hugging her pillow tightly, pretending it was David.

  “So much for positive thinking,” Summer muttered the following morning. She had been up for hours and still not a single plan of action presented itself, and Regina’s phone call didn’t help matters. She actually suggested that Summer start shopping for something to wear to the dumb race!

  In desperation, Summer decided to confide in her grandfather. She knew he would never betray her confidence. Besides, he would probably forget what she told him before the day was out. And more important, she did value his opinion. He was a wise man. He would think of some way for her to save face and get out of the race. She was sure of it.

  Chapter 8

  “What do you mean, I ‘better get in shape’?” Summer stammered. She leaned against the workbench and decided to try again. “Grandpa, you don’t understand. I want you to help me think of a way to get out of the race. Not get ready for it!”

  Grandpa finally gave her his full attention. He placed his hammer on the table and sat on the edge of the chipped oak chair he was going to refinish someday. “What are you telling me, girl? That you’re a quitter before you’ve even begun?”

  “There isn’t enough time,” Summer argued. “And I’m not in shape for this, mentally or physically. I’m…puny.”