Waiting for the Last Dance, Chapter Fifteen (End)

 

 

Links to the previous chapters are HERE

Chapter Fifteen

By Sunday afternoon, Akio and I both decided prom was actually a form of torture adults visited on graduating classes as a sort of final revenge.  Mom woke us early and started preparations.  The first wasn't so bad:  A personal massage, pedicure and manicure at a wonderful place in Thousand Oaks.  We left there to get our hair done, despite my misgivings.  They trimmed a little of Akio's beautiful long black hair, followed by a shampoo.  I knew the stylist looked at mine with hidden despair.

"What do you suppose would look best?" mom asked, leafing through the magazines.

"I think we should start with a color.  I don't think the blue stripe is going to cut it for prom."

"True," she said, nodding.  "I think a stripe or two with a bit of silver and gold, to match the dress would be better."

I love my mom.

They trimmed, dyed and plucked.  I wasn't sure I looked like me in the mirror, but I didn't mind for one night.  They also provided makeup and showed how I could cover most of the bruises.

We stopped and had salads for a late lunch, and got home with enough time to dress.  Mrs. Calabria came over to help Akio.  She had no older daughters and she seemed to take delight in everything.  She made Akio laugh.  I loved her for it.

At six Mr. Avison's limo arrived, having already picked up Gian.  He came to the door, looking incredibly nice in a tux.  He had corsages for us both and he didn't make Akio feel as though she intruded on our first date.  I loved him all the more for the way he treated her.

We held the Deervale prom at a fancy club by the beach, which meant a long ride in the limo.  We joked about the people we passed, and the faces turning our way.  I knew how lucky we were, on so many different levels that the feeling nearly brought me to tears.  I held back my emotions, determined not to let anything spoil this night. 

Mr. Avison had rented the place for the prom, arranged for the food and the music -- which turned out to be a group who had their first top ten record on the charts.  There were reporters, which I thought odd, until I saw how they turned their attention on Akio, Gian, and me.  But they stayed back, taking pictures and not intruding as Akio and I flanked Gian's wheelchair on our way in.

I had a night out of a dream.  We laughed and talked with everyone, marveling at how well most of us cleaned up.  How adult we looked, though to be honest, we didn't act it much most of the night.

Some of Missy's friends were there, including Mary, but the fight had gone from them.  Mary even came and apologized to me.  I forgave her.  I forgave them all tonight -- at least the ones who attended the prom. 

Akio spent time with Gian and me, but sometimes others whisked her away and she even danced with both George and John Forest.  She had acted shy and awkward at first.  The others drove the shyness out of her and by the end of the night she was our Akio once more.

The party went until 1am and the call for the last dance.  I didn't want the night to end.  Friday afternoon was graduation and afterwards b we would scatter to the winds.  I might not see some of these people for a long, long time.

The band played a slow dance, just a guitar and the drums.  I saw Akio dancing with the lead singer.  My.  She had lost her shyness.

Gian pulled his wheelchair over in front of me.  Time to go, I thought and sighed as I stood.  I didn't want this night to end.

He leaned forward and took both my hands. 

And then he stood. 

My breath caught as he wrapped his arms around me and leaned close. "One dance," he whispered.  "If you hold me tight, we can do this."

And finally . . .

Finally, I danced with Gian.

The End

Waiting for the Last Dance, Chapter Fourteen

 

Links to the previous chapters are HERE

 

 

Chapter Fourteen

Akio and I stayed awake far into the night, talking about so many things I couldn't keep track.  I felt as though both of us had escaped from captivity and we giggled and laughed as though we were eight instead of eighteen.  When she went across the hall to bed, I saw she held the teddy bear Gian had given her.  I fell over on my bed, so tired I had trouble crawling under the covers. 

I would have slept late the next morning, except for mom.

"Marisha -- are you awake?"

"Oh, give it a break!" I mumbled into my pillow.  "Grant me one day where I can sleep past the dawn!"

"Marisha!  Akio?"

I began mumbling threats into my pillow when mom pushed the door open.  I rolled over, blinking and realized by the bright light from the window, that we had slept until late morning.

"Get up, Mar," mom said stepping into the room.  "Get ready and come downstairs.  "Mr. Avison is here."

Old Man Avi, at our house?  He never visited the homes of his employees because he wanted to be scrupulously fair.  He felt if he visited one, he should visit them all.  He never gave private dinners, either but we had wonderful group parties at all the holidays.

And yet he came here.  I looked at the house next door in sudden fear -- but no, nothing would have happened to Gian over night.  Even so, I felt shaky as I stood.  I hurried into the bathroom -- mom taking Akio to the bathroom in the master suite -- and scrubbed my face.  I tried to make my blue streak disappear into the rest of my hair.  I gave up: I couldn’t suddenly change myself.  Besides, he would have seen me on the news.  I did pull on good slacks and a nice blouse, however, rather than my ratty jeans and tee-shirt.

Akio waited for me in the hall looking a little worried.  She wore some of my clothing which was not her usual, meticulous style and everything looked baggy on her.  I glanced at my watch: a quarter to eleven.

"This is weird," Akio whispered as we went down the steps. "What does he want?"

"I don't know," I said and shrugged.  "Doesn't worry me, not after everything else we've gone through."

She glanced at me as we reached the bottom stair and nodded agreement.  Nothing could be as bad as what had happened over the last few days . . . and months.

We found everyone in the formal dining room, and not the den, of course.  Akio and I presented ourselves like young ladies of poise and breeding.  We could pretend for a few minutes, and I knew it would please my parents.

I almost snickered though when I realized Dad was in shorts and an old sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off.  Mom wore jeans and a pullover, and I could see a bit of flour on the corner of her shirt.  No one, plainly, had expected Mr. Avignon and his companion to visit.

"And the young ladies arrive." Mr. Avignon stood, giving us each his hand in turn.  "I am quite happy to see you both looking so well this morning.  This has been such a trying time, has it not?  Will you sit with me for a few minutes?  I have matters to discuss.  Do you know Mr. Sanchie?  He is AviTen's chief lawyer."

We shook hands with Mr. Sanchie and took the chairs across the table.  My mother brought tea and set cookies in the middle of the table before she and my father took chairs as well.  I would have thought the meeting very formal and worrying, except I knew this was Mr. Avison's usual way.

"I have a matter to discuss which concerns Miss Kimura," he said at last.  His face lost the little bit of his usual animation.  "And her poor father.  I liked your father very much, Miss Kimura.  I wish I had known -- but I didn't."

"Thank you." Akio bowed her head, and her hands wrapped around the cup of tea.

"So much of what happened this last week could have been prevented." Mr. Avignon shook his head with obvious regret.  "Please explain, Mr. Sanchie."

Mr. Sanchie was a young man, with longish black hair and a Mediterranean look.  He leaned forward in his chair, his hand on the cup, though he didn't lift and sip.

"I was, alas, on vacation when your father died, Miss Kimura," he said with an accent I could not place.  "Unseasonable weather kept me away for several days longer than I had expected.  When I returned to work, I found your father had sent me a note, which got lost amid the clutter of other papers arriving during the last three weeks.  I found the paper late last night after I returned."

Akio sat quite still.  I put a hand on her arm and she nodded, both to me and to the lawyer.

"I don't have the note, which the police took for evidence.  However, I can impart to you what he had written.  Your father was not aware of Nadine Kimura's duplicity until after she moved away to live with a movie producer.  She continued paying Missy, though blackmail is a more proper term.  We suspect this director talked her into confronting your father and threatening to tell Akio he had known the truth and chose her over you.  He knew Nadine had been in the car during the accident, but she convinced him she would be jailed and he would lose both of you.  He was in a vulnerable position."

"Damn her," my father said, very softly.

Mr. Avison nodded.

"I understand how troubling a time this was for him." Mr. Sanchie shook his head, regret showing in his face.  "No matter what else, he believed he had but one last honorable thing he could do; to clear Akio and put the blame where it belonged, and to remove himself so he would bring no more shame to his daughter."

The note would have cleared Akio, even if Nadine and Missy had done nothing, and we had never suspected them.  I felt better.  I liked Seiji Kimura once more, and hoped there were cherry trees, always in bloom, wherever he was.

Akio bowed her head.  I could see tears in her eyes but she remained steady.  "I wish I could have been with him.  He would have known he could not shame someone who loved him so."

"So many mistakes," Mr. Avison said softly.  "So much wasted, but much redeemed as well.  I am sorry for all that's happened to you, Akio.  But I am very happy to welcome you back where you belong.  You will stay awhile, won't you?"

"I would like to," she replied softly.  "But I can't bear to be in the house, alone --"

"Of course not!" Mom put a hand on Akio's shoulder.  "You'll stay here with us.  You need to start considering your future, Akio.  Have you made plans for college?"

Maybe she would go to UCLA with me, though we might be too late to get her in.  I glanced at Mr. Avison and suspected it wasn't a problem after all.  Money could make some things right.

"Thank you," Akio said.

"We have two more small matters to settle," Mr. Avison reported.  He sipped the tea and nodded, as though he liked it.  "These are graduation and prom.  First, there have been numerous messages from people within the community requesting you be reinstated as a Deervale student, and you be allowed to attend both graduation and prom.  I have already looked over your school records, and you more than qualify.  Would you do us the honor of allowing this to happen?"

"I -- I would like to be with my friends.  Graduation would be very nice.  But I'm not prepared to go the prom.  I haven't anything appropriate to wear --"

"That, Miss Kimura, is not a problem," Mr. Avison replied with a wave of his hand.  I almost giggled, thinking of him as a fairy godmother.  "I shall have things arranged.  I will send my limo to pick up you, Miss Fortier and Mr. Calabria tomorrow night.  I'm afraid I cannot arrange a proper date as well."

"I don't mind." Akio even smiled a little, finally. "I just want to see my friends again."

"Then it is settled.  Good."  He stood and nodded.  "You were both most brave.  I am proud to know you."

He left, my father walking him out.  We ate the cookies and even mom looked a little stunned.

Mr. Avison was more than good to his word.  He had been gone barely an hour when several dresses arrived, along with the designer who happened to own one of the most expensive shops on Rodeo Drive.  Mr. Renee brought a tailoring staff as well and they made needed alterations right there.  He even did a few nips and tucks on my dress and pronounced us both ravishing before he left.  I thought he was being uncommonly kind when he included me with my bruised arms and my scratched neck.

Three hours after his departure, a courier from the same shop arrived carrying a large box which held everything from shoes to underclothing, for both of us.  There was also a beautiful silk scarf, the color matching my dress so flawlessly I wondered how he had managed.  I went upstairs and tied the cloth around my neck, hiding the scratches.  Perfect.

That evening we watched TV.  We played Scrabble.  Akio's knowledge of the English language had certainly gotten better. We went upstairs, but we kept our doors open and rested with our heads at the bottoms of the beds so we could still talk across the hall.  She had the teddy bear again.  I suspected she wouldn't be without it for a long, long time.

Waiting for the Last Dance, Chapter Thirteen

 

Links to the previous chapters are HERE

Chapter Thirteen

I refused to stop running.  I don't know if anyone followed or tried to stop me and I didn't care.  I heard voices yelling, but I didn't listen as I did my best to follow after the car, keeping the blurry image in sight long enough to see what direction Missy took after leaving the school lot.  She wasn't driving very fast which meant she might be having trouble with Gian.  I wanted -- I needed to be there.  I had to keep going.

At first I thought Missy had headed for home.  I took short cuts while she took the long, curving route along the streets.  I darted between houses, skirted fences and pushed through hedges and didn't care if they scratched me.  I almost dropped my nearly-empty backpack, but I might need my phone and I didn't want to stop to dig it out.  I kept going, gasping and crying, and the pepper spray wasn't the only reason. 

I could hear sirens now. They'd save Gian.

But I continued to run.

I came through the last yard in time to see Missy drive straight past her house.  I cursed and gasped and kept going, racing along the sidewalk now since the car disappeared around a curve.  My eyes were clearing.  I hadn't gotten much of the spray in them.  At least I could try to keep her in sight before the police arrived.

I had a little downhill stretch, then up the next hill, but I'd gotten my breath back at least, if not my wits.  I reached a crossroad and didn't know which way to go.  The street to the right led to nowhere important -- a wide circle which would curve back to Missy's house and on to the library and the way out of Deervale.

The road to the left led to Gian's house and mine.  Would she go there?  Could Gian convince her to take him home?  I stopped and tried to listen, but the sound of the police cars drowned out anything else.  I didn't know where to head.  I started running again.

I found myself on the street to Akio's home.  Nadine's home.

If she went right, the police would find her before she could get out of the hills.  If she went left, she would take Gian home and he would be safe.  But if she went ahead. . . .

I ran towards the Kimura house and the danger I feared might lurk there.  As the road curved uphill and I could finally see the house. I went to my knees and gasped.  I couldn't even hear the police cars now.  No sounds at all, except for dogs barking.  I tried to listen, to hear Missy or Gian or --

I leaned against a brick wall and slid down onto the grass, fearing I would be ill.  My eyes hurt.

I heard a sound and found Akio running towards me. She came to a gasping stop and knelt in the grass.  She gasped as well and I knew she, too, had run here to help.

"I -- I was already dressed and waiting.  The police were still there at the clinic.  I heard them say Missy had taken Gian.  I ran and ran.  I could see you sometimes.  I feared she would go to Nadine.  If she hurts Gian -- if she hurts Gian again --"

I hadn't put the problem into the full context.  I wrapped my arms around Akio and held her for a moment.  We both stood. 

"We need to get in there, Akio," I said, looking towards her house.  I could see shadowed movement at the window and pulled back, my heart pounding. "How can we --"

"Through the back, like I used to do," Akio said.

"The alarms --"

"They are off.  I didn't know the new codes.  Neither does Nadine.  Should we?  Should we go in?  Or should we wait?  The police will come this way soon."

"I don't trust Nadine or Missy and the police won't let us help.  They won't be able to get in quietly."  I tried to pull some sanity into place, but I knew I was missing a few key pieces.  What I was suggesting wasn't sane.  "We can be there to help Gian if he needs us.  And we can get the door open for the police."

Akio nodded.  She led the way and I followed, grateful she had come along.  Maybe doing this was stupid.  Maybe we shouldn't, but I felt a growing rush of fear at the idea of Gian alone with those two.

We soon reached the edge of the yard and darted along the fence.  The cherry trees had lost the flowers on the lower branches, all gone to the gravesite, as I had suspected.  Akio led the way past them, her hand brushing against the trunks, as though she patted the arms of old friends.

I knew you couldn't clearly see this area from the house because of the garden and the trees.  I held my breath all the way to the backyard.  We passed the side door, ducking low below windows. The police weren't even here yet. 

I had to do something. 

In a moment we went around the edge of the garage which was a very narrow fit between the building and the fence.  I think the police would have had a hard time getting in through here which left us, right?

I spotted Missy's car, halfway into the garage, as though she'd had sense enough to try and get out of sight.  I think she must have hit Nadine's convertible, too.  I could hear loud voices and feared that even if Akio used her key, we might walk straight into trouble.  Better to go to the back of the house rather than facing them before we were ready.

Akio started climbing a tall cherry tree, ignoring the swarms of bees and butterflies.  I scrambled after her, wishing I'd had more practice in tree climbing in the last few years as I scraped my palms on the hard bark.  I heard a car go by in the street and then another one, all normal and calm.  Akio reached for a limb and swung out over a branch, and dropped into the hot tub area.  I hurried and did the same, without thinking. No one had used the fancy, oriental-designed hot tub in a long time, and debris even half covered the door into the house, which plainly wouldn't open without a lot of work.  Weeds had grown around the outer edge and dirt covered the bench by the wall.  The cover sat to the side and rainwater and leaves littered the bottom of the tub.  Akio looked around with a sad shake of her head, reminding me of how much her father had loved this spot.  The memory felt like a knife in my gut as I realized how little I had thought of Akio's loss during all of this.  I felt evil and self-centered.

She climbed the wooden bench, reaching towards the small window which led into the house.  Akio had slipped out of it to get away from Nadine some nights, turning off the alarm when she left and back on when she came home.  The opening looked tiny, I thought in dismay.  I feared I wouldn't be able to fit through there with her, even though I had a few times in years past.

How had our lives come to this?  I wanted not to do something which could get us killed.  Nadine could have easily killed Gian when she hit him with the car and luck alone saved him.  If she had that little concern for others, we wouldn't be safe with her.

The realization of how little she cared about Gian made me angry.  Probably not my best emotion, but the rage gave me strength, if not wisdom.  Akio had a little problem with the window and I helped her work at the edging.  Obviously, no one had opened it in a long time and dampness had made the wood swell.  We finally worked a corner free.  I felt as though we stood there for hours.

I could hear voices as the window slid upward.  Akio pulled herself to the ledge, stuck her head inside and began to slide through.  I watched until she was safe inside -- safe not being the word I really wanted to use.  I pulled myself up, blocking most of the light from the window, but I could see Akio by the door into the hall and hoped she had sense enough to wait for me.  Panic got me moving.  I shoved the backpack up so it draped over first and started to squirm through, holding my breath -- and panicked when I felt myself wedge into the opening.  My butt was too big!  I knew it!

Akio caught my arms and yanked hard, her face set in worry.  I heard cloth tear and then I came through, almost falling on her.  She took my backpack and put my hand on some sort of long horizontal pole -- clothing hanger, I thought -- and I swung over and landed quietly -- except for the pounding of my heart.

We were inside.

I fought the growing panic, reminding myself we faced Missy and Nadine, not horrible monsters, lurking in the dark.  They would not send me cowering into the corners.  I knew their faces.  I could even hear Missy, her voice strident and fast with panic. So much so, I couldn't make out many of the words.

"Oh, they'll figure where you went soon enough," Nadine said, sounding calm.  The words slurred a little.  I suspected she'd been at the liquor.  Maybe she'd pass out and we'd only have to deal with Missy. 

"They don't know!" Missy sounded panicked enough for both of them.

"There aren't many places you could run to, you twit.  If they have the connection figured out, they'll come here.  They'll have the roads blocked off and can search street-by-street anyway.  Unless you intend to hike out, there's nowhere you could go.  And if they have figured out about the accident --"

"They have," Missy said.  "What can I do?  What can I do?"

"There's always Kimura's way out.  You want my pistol?"

"This is your fault!  This is your fault and you'll pay for what you did --"

"Don't you dare threaten me!" Nadine ordered, her voice growing louder. "Shut up now, you stupid little bitch."

"Get me out --"

"I said to shut up!"

I heard the unmistakable sound of a slap and Missy yowled. I hadn't heard Gian at all and I hoped he wisely kept quiet in the face of this insanity.

Akio pulled the hall door open a little more and looked out.  I tried to remember the layout of this part of the house.  This little room opened to a long hall led to the living room and dining room on the left and the kitchen area on the right.  Nadine and Missy were in the living room, and we would have to go past the opening to get to the front door or to the side door to the garage.  Those were the only doors we could open to let the police in unless they climbed the cherry tree, too.

Nadine had a gun from what she had said.  The thought worried me.

Akio slipped out of the room, her steps almost silent on the carpeted floor.  I walked close behind her.  Missy wept, and I could hear movement.  A car went by outside and I thought I heard the sound of a curtain moving; the house felt uncommonly still except for Missy and Nadine.  Empty.

"There goes another cop car." Nadine sounded calmer.  Definitely on a rollercoaster ride of emotions all her own, and I didn't think the calm came naturally.  "They're heading to AviTen.  Now is the time to get out of here."

"Where can we go?" Missy asked, and sniffed.

"I don't give a damn where you go.  But as long as I have Gian, they won't stop me."

"You can't leave me!"

Akio gave me a worried glance as she slid forward along the wall, avoiding the artwork as she edged towards the living room opening.  I moved behind her, tempted to crawl because my legs trembled.  The run, the emotions -- Nadine had a gun! -- made me almost freeze.  I didn't want to do something stupid, though I suspected being in here had already put me far past that point.

"I'm going to get out of this," Nadine replied.  Her voice had the sound of someone who would do anything.  She had probably sounded the same way right before she ran down Gian.  "If you want to survive, boy, you better cooperate.  You and I are going places."

As we reached the opening to the living room, Missy screamed.  I froze in fear and horror, until I heard the sound of fighting.  Missy, I suspected, had gone mad and attacked Nadine.

Akio leapt past the opening.  I followed and --

Nadine saw me as I threw myself to the other side.

"Someone's here!" she screamed, shoving Missy aside with strength brought on by panic.  Her face bled where Missy's nails had scratched three long furrows into her cheek.  "Stop, you stupid bitch!  Someone is in the house!"

Missy still yowled and attacked again.

"Go!" I whispered close to Akio's ear.  "Get the door open!  I think she only saw me!  Go!"

Akio barely hesitated before she ran towards the side door.  Wise, since Nadine would have seen her if she had gone out the front.  I stayed still long enough to get some control and then I forced myself away from the door and into the living room.  I had to keep them focused on me for a few moments.  Akio wouldn't take long to get help in here.

Gian sat on the sofa, his head back but looking very calm, until I came into the room.  He panicked even when I tried to give him a reassuring nod.  He didn't know about Akio, unless he had been watching when she slipped past.

Liquor bottles and empty beer cans littered the table and floor.  The smell of weed was so thick I thought I would be ill.  I hadn't noticed the stink of the place until now, as though the scent clung to Missy and Nadine.  I knew this mess came from Nadine, the pig, which made me even angrier, as though she had desecrated Mr. Kimura's grave.

Missy knelt on the floor, sobbing hysterically, her makeup running in ugly black lines on her face.  She saw me at the doorway and hysteria turned to rage in a heartbeat.  Even before Nadine could react, Missy leapt like a wild animal springing from a crouch for the kill.  We collided with a force that took my breath away as we fell.

I was fighting an animal.  She clawed, bit, yowled as we rolled on the floor.  I looked at her eyes once and shuddered.  They didn't look human.

I tried to hold her at bay, aware that Nadine was going back for Gian and trying to get him up.  Once Akio got the door open, the police would get inside. They had to be close. I just had to --

I heard a shout from somewhere nearby.  Nadine cursed and reached for something on the table. 

Gun.

I panicked and shoved Missy away, not even trying to stop her from scratching me this time.  She fell and hit her head on the table, stunned, though not unconscious. Everything moved too quickly, though.  Nadine brought the gun around and aimed towards the doorway, but when I moved she turned on me --

Gian pushed himself up.   Standing!  He took a wobbling step forward.

Nadine's eyes narrowed. 

"Bitch," she said glaring at me.  "I should kill all of you children.  Ruined my life -- all of you --"

More sounds nearby.  The gun steadied --

Gian threw himself at her.  She yelped and staggered, the gun firing and a bullet hitting the wall.  She didn't fall, though he did.  He had created enough of a distraction, though.  I rushed to my feet, fished my keys out of my backpack and aimed my own pepper spray straight into her face.

She couldn't even scream as she gasped and swung the gun around, pulling the trigger.  Gian grabbed my ankle and pulled me down, though I was already diving for the floor.  I could hear the police yelling and the sounds of sirens in the driveway.  Distractions, I thought.  She fired again, but I didn't think she could see anything.  Her eyes streamed with tears and had swollen closed.  Someone leapt over the top of me and shoved Nadine to the floor as police crowded into the room.

Safe.

"Are you all right?" I asked, grabbing hold of Gian's hand. 

He turned over and sat up, using the table to support his back and wincing as he moved.

"The doctors told me I needed to get on my feet and move more," he said.  "Somehow, I don't think this was what they had in mind."

I laughed, hoping I didn't sound too hysterical, and held tighter to his hand as they dragged Nadine out.  Someone else took hold of Missy, but she cursed and tried to fight.  They put her in cuffs, which seemed to shock her and I watched with relief as they took her away as well.

"Ambulance on the way." Harley knelt beside the two of us.  "Just to get you to the clinic, Gian.  Don't argue.  You two all right?"

"I'm fine." I dabbed at the blood on my neck, feeling as though a crazed vampire had attacked me.  I began to shake in the aftermath of this insanity.

"And I'm okay," Gian insisted, but he winced when he tried to move.  I got scared for a moment, but he didn't seem worried.  "How did you get in here, Mar?"

"Akio and I climbed in the back window," I said.  "She went and let the police in."

"You're both crazy."

"Yeah, I know." I suspected he would be the first of many to say those words.  I wanted to tell him I feared what might happen to him here with Nadine and Missy.

He knew without me explaining.  I could see the truth in his face; the combination of embarrassment and gratitude.  Having him safe was worth all the crap I knew Akio and I were going to face.

Akio and I rode to the clinic with Gian who sighed and let the people fuss over him in the ambulance and in the building.  They checked him out, including more x-rays.  He was fine and could go home with a few pain pills to get through this.  The police asked us questions, and eventually brought his wheelchair, which had a few dents, but since he wasn't going to be in it much longer, he didn't seem to mind.

Dr. Webster cleaned my cuts and slapped on a couple bandages.  By then, my parents arrived and Gian's weren't far behind.  I felt so sorry for Akio until Gian's mother began fussing over her and my mother joined in.  Akio appeared so startled, I smiled.  Her mother had died when she was a baby, and I don't think she'd ever had someone fuss over her the way they did. 

She would come home with me tonight.

By the time we were ready to go, reporters had flooded the parking lot, and I think we even had a few moments of CNN's Breaking News as Officer Harley told the story, clearing Akio at last. 

I learned Missy was already heading for a private hospital where they would treat her drug addiction and test her mental state, though I think the last was pretty much a foregone conclusion despite her mother's tirade when she arrived about how they had mistreated her daughter.  I thought maybe they ought to be doing mental testing on the whole family. 

They had transported Nadine to jail and I hoped she rotted there.  I hoped her producer boyfriend was ruined and the people reviled her name as the worst of the evil step-mothers who ever lived.

Gian, Akio and I went out together, hurrying past the cameras, shouts and questions as we headed to the Calabrias' van and got in.  I didn't care what they asked or what they wrote about us this time. 

I held Gian's hand as we drove away.

Waiting for the Last Dance, Chapter Nine

Links to the previous chapters are HERE

Chapter Nine

I rushed through the door into my library sanctuary, the building filled with warmth and friendly faces. Gian smiled as I came in, but he must have seen something in my face. I glanced at the door, half-panicked, and gasping from my run. I couldn't see any movement, but I feared she lurked out there. I would not be out alone until we had this problem settled.

"Something else has gone wrong?" Gian asked, rolling towards me. I saw the few patrons turn our way, all of them locals, of course. And news does travel in Deervale. We're just as good at gossip as any soap opera.

"Missy arrived at the clinic and I got her stopped before she went in to see Akio," I told him.

My words drew startled glances, even from Mrs. Berlin. No one would have expected Gian and me to have a quiet discussion about Akio and I saw people look at him, worried. They looked at me as if I had gone insane even bringing up the subject.

"What is Missy up to?" Gian asked and sounded troubled.

The looks became almost comical in surprise at his reaction. I had to bury a grin, despite the situation.

"I think she followed me here, too." I didn't want to sound paranoid, but she scared me this time. "I really made her mad. Maybe I did something stupid, but I didn't trust her, Gian. I didn't trust her at all."

He nodded. I got paper towels and cleaned where I had been dripping water. I hadn't even realized how wet I'd gotten until now. Just as I finished, a car stopped outside and I stood as the door snapped open, a breeze of cool damp air slipping in, along with Missy Murphy.

Gian already moved to my side. Missy stood there, soaking wet, and glared at me, her face pale except for bright lines of red on her cheekbones. She hadn't gotten so wet from rushing from the car into the building. I'd been right about her following me. I didn't feel any better for having the confirmation.

"Don't start anything here." I had a nasty temper when cornered, and I didn't appreciate being stalked. I had to fight to keep my voice calm. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, Missy, but I'm tired of dealing with you."

"Me?" she demanded, her voice mostly a gasp of sound. "Me? Gian -- do you have any idea where she's been?"

"Yes, I do." He leaned back, looking calm and relaxed, which infuriated her. He did it on purpose, too. "She went to see Akio. My father and I dropped her off."

Missy swayed. She shook her head, denying Gian's words. "Why?" Missy asked. Her voice sounded faint. "Why would you take her there?"

"Because sometimes a person needs to leave anger and hatred behind. I can't forgive her, but I don't want to be like --" He stopped himself. He didn't have to say the words: I don't want to be like you.

Missy spun and ran out of the building. I saw her fall on the last steps, get up and rush into the car, though she remained there, a shadow within a shadow. I knelt and began cleaning the water she had dripped, trying to cover how shaken I felt.

"Damn. I don't think that's good." Gian pushed both his hands through his hair.

"I'll call her parents." Mrs. Berlin shook her head as she went to her office. The others returned to their books, but I could feel their eyes on us still. I stood and went to the nearest chair, feeling drained. Outside, the rain fell harder. Missy suddenly gunned the engine and raced away, far too quickly in this weather. I held my breath, expecting to hear a crash.

Instead, I heard the sudden wail of a police siren. Well, she'd created the trouble for herself this time. From the sound, I suspected she didn't intend to pull over, either. Maybe I'd get lucky and they'd take away her car and license this time, and I could feel safer on the streets for a while.

"What a damn mess." I turned to Gian. I had things I wanted to ask and this seemed as good a time as any for the subject. "I -- I want to ask you some questions -- about the accident."

He frowned and nodded.

"Akio told me something the other day. I think Nadine, or someone at the party Nadine took her too, gave her the drugs in a drink. Do you remember anything in the reports or the trial about Nadine?"

"I don't recall." He shifted a little, and lifted a hand before I could apologize. "I wasn't out of the hospital yet, and Akio wasn't mentally able to stand trial. They had a hearing and remanded her to the hospital. I never heard anything more."

I tried to figure out what I wanted to do next. I wanted to block Missy out of my mind. Unfortunately, she had linked herself to the problem with Akio, and I couldn't begin to guess why except she was trying to get her talons into Gian and maybe she thought he would appreciate her doing something nasty to Akio. She obviously didn't know Gian at all.

I shivered. I had to think of something else.

"Mar?" Gian asked softly.

"I want to check the newspaper reports. I would hate to think Nadine got off without anyone even realizing she'd been involved."

"I don't know if I care anymore," he admitted. Then he looked me in the face. I didn't want to see him so troubled, but before I could say anything, he shook his head and put his hand on mine. "No, that's not true. Of course I care. I'm just not sure I want to get dragged back into the nightmare again."

"I'll drop everything," I replied. I meant it, too. Gian was far more important to me than Nadine and anything she might have done. "Forget I mentioned anything."

He remained still for a long moment and finally took a deeper breath. "No -- I want to know, too. We'll check. I want the truth more than I want peace. I think there might be some newspaper files here we can start with after we get work done."

Mrs. Berlin came out of the office. She couldn't reach the Murphy's, but after hearing the police siren, I didn't think talking to them would matter anyway. No doubt they'd learn about their daughter's latest brush with the law before too long.

We rushed through shelving books, updating computer files and all the other little things we needed to do tonight. I cleaned the floor once more. I think Gian focused on the work better than I did. I couldn't decide what I wanted.

We barely had half an hour before closing when we finally went to work looking for information. We began with the Internet and found a remarkable lot of material available, though some had an access fee. Mrs. Berlin let us use the library's code to go through those files.

We didn't locate anything very satisfying, though.

"This one also mentions Akio was coming home from a party in West Hollywood." Gian tapped the screen. He had begun printing some of the material. We had a dozen reports already. "Not the kind of thing Akio would go to, but I see no mention of Nadine at all. And no address for the party. Maybe Akio doesn't remember things right. I know she got pretty messed up, mentally."

"Yeah, you could be right." I didn't want to admit how much I wanted Nadine involved, for fear I would sound -- well, too much like Missy, I suppose.

"There's an unnamed witness." Gian sorted through some papers and held one up. "Maybe that's her."

"Nadine, go 'unnamed' in a newspaper? She'd sue them."

He smiled agreement and glanced at his watch. "Let's hustle. Dad will be here soon. We can ask him. I know he has copies of the police reports and stuff."

I nodded, anxious to get my hands on those reports, but then I felt a cold sweat and wave of illness sweep through me. I didn't want to read about the accident and what had happened to Gian. I didn't want to read about Akio. But I would, if I wanted the truth, and I could see Gian felt the same way.

Mrs. Berlin shooed us out and locked the door. The rain had stopped but the night felt cool where the breeze blew past. I held the papers close and found myself staring at the bushes, waiting for them to move and for some Halloween version of Missy to leap out. I buried the image deep in my brain and hoped it didn't revisit me in the middle of the night.

Summer wasn't far away. I couldn't wait to go laze around in the pool for a while and relax. I would get past this trouble.

Gian's father had arrived, giving me a nod as though my being with his son was perfectly normal. I got into the backseat and Gian in the front, silent while his father put the wheelchair in the back and then got in.

"Dad, I need to ask about the accident," Gian said. His father frowned, but didn't appear particularly worried. "We found out Nadine took Akio to a party where she got the drugs. We think Nadine Kimura slipped her the drugs without Akio knowing. Was anything in the reports?"

His father pulled his seatbelt into place, and eased the van forward before he spoke. "I do not remember any reference to Mrs. Kimura at all. You think this may be so?"

"I think so," I replied, trying not to doubt.

"Then we shall check the reports."

None of us spoke on the way home. I wondered where Missy was tonight and tried not to get too upset over what I thought I might read. I went with them into the Calabria house and heard Gian say something to his mother in Italian.

Mr. Calabria brought out several file folders while I called my parents on my cell phone.

"Mom, I'm over at the Calabrias and we're checking something out. Maybe you remember. Was there any mention of Nadine Kimura being at the party with Akio before the accident?"

"I don't think so." I heard worry in her voice. "Mar? What's going on?"

"I talked to Akio -- and well, she mentioned something. I think Nadine slipped her the drugs, mom. If she did, she's not taken any of the blame."

"Oh." I heard her saying something and my father answer. "Your father says Nadine came to AviTen today, making a bit of a stink over the fact she isn't allowed into Seiji's office. People have begun to wonder why she's here and what she wants. Mr. Avison was pretty mad at her over not taking care of Akio. He had no idea Akio had no one to turn to. I'm glad you went to see her."

I felt better. "I'll be home soon. Oh, and I had more trouble with Missy today. You might hear from them."

"The Murphys are making themselves amazingly unpopular," she said. "Don't stay too late. You do have school tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye!"

I went into the dining room where I found files and papers spread out on the table. Mrs. Calabria brought in sodas, chips and homemade cookies. I patted my stomach, certain I put on weight just looking at the food.

Gian and his father sat close together, going over some of the reports. Both appeared very serious. I didn't want to intrude, but Gian patted the chair beside him. I settled there and took the paper he had held.

"This is the first report." His hand shook a little.

My hand shook as well.

I had trouble reading the reports at first. Gian had been badly hurt and the girl driving the car -- unnamed, underage -- was injured and crying hysterically and speaking in an Asiatic language they couldn't understand.

Then I found a part of the report about a minor who had witnessed the accident. I remembered reading that in the newspaper reports as well.

"Any idea who this other one is?" I asked, tapping the paper.

"No," Gian said with a frown. He shifted in the chair. I hated to see him so obviously uncomfortable. "I've been trying to remember if I was maybe walking home with someone. For a while I thought you might have been with me, but my parents said you were home. I know I was coming from the gym. I remember the night being damp and wishing I'd been smart enough to wear a jacket." He stared at the wall, silent for a moment. "I saw the car lights coming at me and swerve when I tried to jump out of the way. And someone screaming."

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"I'm getting past this. I'll be walking again soon. I need to settle everything, because there's obviously something about this has bothered me, Mar. So let's see what we can find."

He picked up the next paper.

We went through everything. Twice. I read the statement from the underage witness several times, trying to get a feel for the words. The police had blacked out the name on the papers, but this had to be someone from around here to be walking in the area at night. From the way the person talked -- there was a verbatim report, sans the name -- he wasn't too young. I wanted to find him and ask what he saw.

"Nadine wasn't there," Gian said. He nibbled at a cookie. "The police wouldn't have ignored her presence."

"She might still have been at the party," I suggested.

"No," Mr. Calabria handed over a paper. "See here. She was at the house, within half an hour of the accident. The police went straight there from the scene to say they had Akio."

"Mrs. Kimura had been in the shower," Gian said, looking at the report. "So she left Akio at the party and came home --"

"How? Taxi?" I asked. "I can't imagine Nadine leaving Mr. Kimura's fancy convertible behind and coming home in a taxi, and especially not leaving the car for Akio to drive. She hated letting her have the car at all."

"I don't know. Maybe she wasn't at this party." He glanced my way, as though fearing the words would upset me.

"True. Akio might not remember anything right."

Gian patted my arm and I thought maybe he even understood. I wanted to know the truth. We went over the papers some more, and eventually his father wandered off. Gian and I stayed and talked for a while, though not about the accident, just about life. He even made me laugh about Missy stalking me in her high heels . . . though he plainly worried what she might do.

"I like you, Mar." He bowed his head, dark hair covering a slight blush. I'm not sure he meant to say those words aloud.

I tried very hard to keep my voice calm. "Gian, I like you, too. A lot."

He appeared troubled. "Mar, I appreciate you saying so. I really do." I could hear the 'but' in his words. My heart dropped. "But I don't know if I can believe anyone right now. Everyone has treated me differently since the accident. I don't mean to mistrust people's feelings, but after dealing with Missy . . . I'm sorry, Mar. I don't want to put you in the same boat with her. But how can I be sure what you feel isn't pity?"

"I've cared about you for a long time," I said.

"We've always been friends. I care about you. And if this --" he tapped the wheelchair -- "hadn't happened, I might . . . How can I be sure, Mar? I'm sorry to distrust your feelings, but I can't sort things out. I don't think even you can be sure --"

"Oh yes I can." I suddenly grinned and stood. He looked at me, shocked and worried, shaking his head as though nothing could convince him. I thought I might have the answer, though. "I'll be right back!"

I went out front, told his parents I would return in a moment, and ran to my house, despite the cold and wet. I didn't dare think about this. I had to be brave and follow through. What I was about to do --

"Marisha?" dad asked as I rushed into the house. He stepped out of the kitchen, startled. "Something wrong?"

"No," I said, breathlessly. I slowed before I went up the stairs. He would think the color in my face came from the run and not imminent embarrassment. However, I would live with the discomfort if I could show Gian the truth. "I need to grab a couple things. Don't want this to go on for all night!"

"We got a call from the Murphys. They've hired a lawyer to sue us."

"Ha. One blood test on their darling little daughter and they'll need the lawyer for something else." My father blinked. He wasn't used to me being so blunt. I paused at the staircase, a little contrite. "Missy is getting herself in more trouble than she'll ever get out on her own. Her parents are blind. Worse than blind. They're making sure she doesn't get any help by blaming everyone else. I'm not going to feel sorry for them. Or worry about them."

"Good," he said. "Though compassion is not uncalled for."

"Maybe after they get Missy off the street and she stops harassing me I can feel more compassionate," I replied, giving him the honesty he deserved. "But right now, she's making my life miserable for no reason."

He nodded agreement and went back to watch television. I headed upstairs, working to recall the determination I'd had when I left the Calabria house. I went the closet in my room and pulled down a box from the shelf. Then I went to the desk drawer and pulled the journal out and dropped it in, as well. I didn't look inside. I feared I would lose my nerve.

Dad came out and got the door for me. He didn't ask.

By the time I put the box on the table in front of Gian, my hands began shaking. I dropped onto the chair.

"Mar?"

"This is proof." I reached over and pushed the lid off. "This is years and years of proof."

He began to pull out the diaries I had written over the last seven years. And my poetry. I cringed at the thought of those poems scribbled in pages. However, I had been careful to date everything, and I'd even written most of the poetry for Gian, though he never saw it, of course. He picked up one diary and began go through the pages: one page, another and as I watched, his face went bright red.

"Oh God." I buried my head in my hands, my heart pounding. "What have I done?"

I heard papers rustle and pages turn, and sometimes he made odd little noises. I didn't look. I could barely breathe. I had done something I swore I would never do: I had shown Gian what I had written about him.

He read some more. I wondered if I could crawl under the table and hide until I could escape.

"Mar?" he asked softly. His hand touched my arm. I shook my head. "Hey."

I peeked out between fingers. He smiled; a truly sweet smile, too. He pulled my hand away from my face, put my fingers to his lips . . . and kissed them.

You know in those old, silly movies how the woman swoons when the gentleman finally kisses her? I always shook my head in despair at such inane scenes. I won't again. Oh, I didn't faint or anything stupid like that, but I suddenly understood how they felt. My body went into absolute overload and I couldn't breathe for an entirely different reason. I couldn't even think clearly.

"You believe me?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

"Yes."

"And you don't -- you know -- feel as though you have to like me because --" I waved a hand toward the box.

He shook his head and laughed a little. "No. I feel nothing but honest to God relief. I didn't want to ruin our friendship by telling you I felt something more. Especially now."

Marisha Calabria. I had never dared try the name out before.

Gian pushed his chair away from the table, turned, and leaned close to me. We kissed, for the very first time. It took my breath away. I wanted to throw myself into his embrace but I was afraid to hurt him. We wrapped our arms around each other, and kissed again . . . .

"Well," Mr. Calabria said.

We pulled apart so fast Gian's chair slid two feet before he stopped. I turned to the doorway and found not only his father, but his mother as well. I know I went bright red. I couldn't move. I felt absolutely mortified.

"I have cake and ice cream," his mother said with a bright smile. "I think this is time for a celebration, yes?"

"Celebration?" Gian asked. He seemed as stunned and confused as me.

"Long past time the two of you go beyond the awkward age," his father said as his mother hurried away. I saw her shoo the other kids off, too, thank God. I couldn't have faced them as well. "However, I do expect the two of you to be --"

"Don't worry," I hurriedly blurted out. "Don't worry about anything like that."

This time Gian put his head in his hands, but I realized he had started laughing. A moment later, I did too, and his father joined us. His parents settled at the table and we had excellent spice cake with homemade French vanilla ice cream. We talked about odd things -- Italy, television, food -- and school and graduation. We didn't talk about the accident, Missy or Akio.

"I know this is kind of late." Gian gave a little embarrassed shrug. "But would you go to the prom with me?"

I squeaked. They all laughed as I nodded emphatically because I couldn't speak. They laughed some more. Prom was on Sunday. I needed a dress. I needed to do something with my hair. I needed --

All I really needed was Gian as my date. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this good. I think I would have been as thrilled if he'd asked me to go to the movies or the mall. This would be our first date.

"I better get home." I glanced at my watch and found it was after ten. "I'll see you tomorrow, Gian."

"Tomorrow." His hand caught mine when I reached for the box. "Can I keep these for a while?"

"Oh no! They're awful!" I wailed.

"But they're real." He looked serious, his dark eyes staring at me. "I want to read some more, Mar."

I calmed. Why not? "Sure. There's nothing I have to hide. Except the writing is mostly so childish."

He smiled. We didn't kiss good night, but he did come with me to the door. I think I flew across the lawn to home. I think I was even, God help me, humming by the time I came into the house.

Mom and Dad were still watching TV. They seemed tired, and I knew none of this had been easy for them, either.

"Sorry, that took longer than I thought." I headed towards the stairs. "Oh -- do you think I can fit into Ellen's prom dress? I'm going after all."

Mom grinned as she stood. "Gian finally asked you, huh?"

"That obvious?" I asked. I had, at least, stopped humming.

"Yes, that obvious. I think we won't have any trouble with Ellen's prom dress. Don't worry."

I went to my bedroom. I didn't sleep much, though. For a long time I remained at the window and watched the Calabria home slowly go dark and I quietly celebrated such a wonderful night.