chapter 08

Almost like clockwork, as soon as school was dismissed for the day, another storm cloud blanketed Summit High and surrounding areas with a cold March rain. As students scurried to cars and buses, Kandi saw Troy swing by in his car. His passenger side front window rolled down and he called out to her, as she walked on the covered walkway to the busses.
"Hey Beautiful. Goin' my way?"
"And which way are you going?"
"The Springwater Apartments."
Kandi smiled coyly, "What a coincidence. That's where I live."
"Well now... That is a coincidence. Hop in. I'll give you a ride."
"I don't know. Mom always told me not to accept rides from strangers."
"It's always worth the risk. Sure beats taking the bus. I've got better CDs."
"You convinced me." She ran over to his Camero as he popped open the passenger door, the rain drenching her in just the few seconds between the walkway and the car. She dove in the car and then playfully shook her wet hair.
"Cut it out Kandi! So that's the thanks I get for rescuing you."
Kandi laughed and then leaned over to him, kissing him. Troy, then, looked at her with a deep inquisitive look. "What's the matter?" Kandi asked.
Troy just chuckled and shifted the car into drive. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we go get some ice cream or something. You wanna?"
"I'd better call my -
He tossed her a cell phone from his glove compartment.
"I'm impressed." She dialed the number. "Ms. Roper please?" During the long pause Troy divided his attention between the road and Kandi. He reached over and lightly squeezed her shoulder.
"Hey Mom-"
"Where are you?" Sylvia asked.
"I'm in Troy's car. We want to know if it's all right for me to go with him to get some ice cream."
"Ask her if you can come over for supper after that. You haven't even met my parents yet," Troy suggested.
"Troy wants to know if I can eat supper with him at his place. He wants me to met his mom and dad.
"So you're sure that they'll be there with you two."
Kandi rolled her eyes, "Mom, what did I just say. That's the whole point! To meet his parents..."
"OK. I guess that's OK. You sure you don't want me to come too?"
"Mom."
"Just joking," Sylvia said.
"So?"
"I guess that's fine. This is a major trust test for you."
"I'll be good."
"and Troy?" Sylvia asked.
Kandi paused and then said, "If he starts getting facial hair and fangs while we're out, I'll come straight home."
Troy laughed.
Sylvia replied, "Very funny."
"I don't know, hon. Ice cream and then supper? This younger generation...what will they think of next? I'm expecting you back by seven."
"Seven?!"
"Seven. Period."
"Eight?" Kandi pleaded.
"Seven."
"Seven-thirty?"
"Seven fifteen. Case closed."
"Wow a whole fifteen minutes more," Kandi said.
"Don't mess with me, little girl," Sylvia said.
"Love you, Mom."
"Yeah right. See you at 7:15."
Kandi put the phone back into the glove compartment. She turned to Troy. "So where's the ice cream, in this town?" She asked.
"Oh... you know, we really shouldn't spoil our appetite," he said slyly, with sarcasm.
"So what now... Dad?" Kandi asked mockingly.
"How about my house?"
"OK," Kandi said with some reticence. She was suspicious about the sudden change of plans. Why was he so anxious to get home? She quickly dismissed her concern.
Troy hit the gas when he merged onto the interstate. Sixty five, Seventy-five, eighty miles an hour. He tossed a Red Hot Chilli Peppers C.D. into the player. For a while they didn't talk. They just enjoyed the sights accompanied by the driving rhythm of the music. She cast aside any concern, thinking to herself, I never would have guessed a couple of weeks ago back in Amarillo, that I would be cruising Indianapolis in a Camaro with the senior guard of the basketball team. Adrenaline pumped through her veins. She snatched his sun glasses, that hung from the rearview mirror.
In a matter of minutes they arrived in the posh neighborhood of Englewood. Kandi was amazed by the huge brick habitations, the three and four car garages, the beautifully landscaped jogging trail that wove it's way around the wooded subdivision. She tried to mask the surprise but she couldn't help the look that was on her face. Now this is the life, she thought to herself. Troy slowed the car down as they approached the large two-story red brick house where he lived with his parents. Troy, an only child, enjoyed his life as the son two very successful corporate professionals. Sandra worked as a marketing executive for the Indiana Pacers. Gordon brought home more than his share of the bacon as a regional manager of Mutual Finance International. The house, with all its amenities, served as an outward symbol of their successful track record in the business world.
Kandi followed Troy to the back door of the house. Troy unlocked the door. It was hard for Kandi to imagine a more perfect home. She tried to hide her surprise at the undeniable wealth of Troy's family which was made all obvious by the pristene home. She smiled and tried acting casual
As they walked in, Troy turned her around and kissed her. He embraced her for what seemed to be just a few moments when she felt a slight sense of self consciousness.
"Where's your Mom?"
"Kandi," he said with a puzzled ?as if' look, "It's only 3:45. They won't be home until at least six or seven."
Kandi felt just a twinge of hesitance. Something didn't feel right. She felt like she had been drawn into a trap. First the ride home. Then the invitation to go get some ice cream and then a quick change of plans directly to his home where they'd be alone for an hour if not longer. But she perished the thought. This is Troy. He's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Troy kissed her again with more power and freedom. She turned from him and nervously blurted out. "So are you going to give me the grand tour?"
"I'd love to give you the grand tour," Troy said with a light laugh.
I'm so stupid! She thought. That didn't sound good at all. He may have read something into that.
But from all indications the tour was on. He showed her the kitchen, his mom and dad's room, the game room, and the back porch. At each room Kandi would struggle to make conversation, trying to waste as much time as possible before she was saved by the arrival of Troy's parent's. She had no doubt that Troy would steer her in a direction that she didn't want to go. Troy moved quickly, slyly. She wanted desperately for Troy to be a real man, to respect and honor her, but she feared the worst. When they got to the covered back porch Kandi sat down on the swing. She found a sense of protection in the open air. He sat down next to her and held her hand. She felt uncomfortable being alone in the house with him. He took her hand on the swing as they watched the clouds break and the sun settle between the trees.
They talked on the swing for a few minutes. "It's getting cold out here," Troy said.
"It feels good," Kandi said.
"Wouldn't you like to see the rest of the house?" Troy asked. He caressed her arm and looked into her eyes.
"What are you thinking?" Kandi asked.
"I'm thinking that... you're beautiful."
Her hungry heart melted and her inhibitions vanished. He kissed her tenderly.
"Come on," Troy said. "Let's go inside before you catch cold."
For some odd reason she felt safer now. Troy sounded just like her father did when he was sober and well.
They walked through the door and went down the hall. He showed her the home office and his bedroom. They talked casually but the conversation died down and they were both left staring into each others eyes. His eyes cut over to the bed and then back to her. It was very obvious now what he wanted although no words were spoken. He kissed her again. But this time with a sense of power and purpose. He pressed her back against the wall of the room as his hand reached for the second button of her shirt. She pushed him away, whispering- "No, Troy."
"Why not?"
"It just doesn't feel right to-"
"It will, I promise," He tried to kiss her again but she turned her head.
He looked at her in frustration and then pounded his fist on the wall a few inches from her face. She walked away from him. Her chin began to quiver. This was exactly what she wanted to avoid. At that moment she felt more like an object than a person, a mere utility of someone's personal fantasy. She felt a dark cloud of shame. She scanned across the events of the past few days trying to decide what she did that provoked him.
"I'm sorry," he said coldly. "I just thought you felt the same way I do."
"About what?"
"About our relationship."
"I think I do," Kandi said. "But I'm not ready to get that close right now. I've been through a whole lot in the past couple of weeks and I'm just so unsure about my feelings. I just didn't want to do something I'd regret. I don't know. Everything's moving so fast. Will you be patient with me?"
He looked down on the floor and then his eyes scanned up to her face. They stared at each other for what seemed to be an eternity. Kandi's heart pounded. His whole demeanor changed. He walked slowly and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her again, but this time Kandi's response was cold and unresponsive. He opened his eyes and stared at her. He pointed his finger at her. "You led me on," he said accusingly. He scorned her with obscene words and a growl in his voice. She could no longer hold back the tears.
"Please Troy, don't do this. Why are you doing this to me?"
He threw her on the bed.
"No!"
"Oh come on!" he laughed deviously.
He pressed her shoulders down.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion. She sobbed and plead for him to stop as he gripped the shoulders of her shirt. Finally Kandi's pleading turned to rage. She freed her right arm drew it back and then delivered a blow to his temple with enough force to knock him off of her. She glanced down at him for a moment, a bit shocked that she had the strength to defend herself so well. But she didn't waste any time. She ran to the front door, unlocked it, burst out still shaking in fright. The moment she opened the door a terrible high-pitched alarm saturated the air. Troy caught up with her just a few feet from the door and angrily grabbed her arm. She was no longer concerned about who heard her. She was angry!
"Get your hands off me!" Kandi screamed.
"You'd better settle down or you're going to have to walk all the way back to your little apartment."
The condescending tone in his voice infuriated her even more.
"Let go of me. NOW!"
Troy looked up and saw the mail-carrier who stood in total disbelief.
"Hey kid. I think she wants you to let her go."
"I'm cool," he said calmly, "Just a little argument with my girl friend."
The mail carrier shook his head in disgust.
She said under her breath, "I'm not your girl friend."
She started walking away from Troy and the house. Troy caught up with her. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know," she said at first, then "I'm going home."
"You're crazy. It's ten miles from here." He grabbed her arm and turned her around.
She jerked her arm out of his tight grip. "Don't touch me! Go away!,"
It began to drizzle again. "What is your problem? I invite you over. You come onto me in the car and then you fridge out on me. What did you expect?! You knew my parents weren't home. You knew what was up. You're a mental case."
"Leave me alone." she screamed. "I promise. If you ever touch me again-"
"What? What are you going to do?" He laughed.
She turned from him and began to run. She hardly knew the way out of the neighborhood. By the time she made it to the brick entrance, the rain was coming down in sheets. She was drenched, cold and sobbing. Kandi ran down the boulevard to a convenience store as she tried to clear her mind. She was humiliated. She didn't want to call her mom. She didn't even think she could explain to her where she was. Calling a cab was also out of the question, she left her purse in Troy's car.
"Is something wrong?" The store clerk asked.
"Can I use your phone?"
"Sure."
There seemed to be no other choice. She had to call her mom. But what would she say? She felt so gullible and when the story is told, her mom might suspect that she wasn't telling the truth about their plans. As she picked up the phone she reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of yellow paper with Justin's phone number. She had completely forgotten about it. Her eyes lit up. "I'll call him."
She was unsure about what to say but she knew that he offered his help at anytime. She dialed the number. Justin's three year old brother answered.
"Hello"
"Hi. May I speak to Justin."
"Mommy?"
"No. This is a friend."
"Who is this?"
"Kandi"
"Candy?? You got some candy?"
Even in the midst of all the stress she couldn't help but smile. She heard Justin walking over to the phone scolding him in whispered voice.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to answer the phone." He took the phone from him. "Sorry about that."
"Hi...Uh Justin?"
"Hey."
"This is Kandi."
"Hi Kandi. How's it going?"
"Not so good. I need a little help. I'm stranded."
"You are? Where? Did your car break down or something?"
"It's a really long story."
"No prob. You need a ride home?"
She looked at herself in the reflection of the storm window. She looked like a haggard wet cat, thus becoming even more embarrassed by the whole scene.
"I do but you don't have to pick me up."
"Of course I do. Where are you."
"You're taking care of your brother."
"Just for a few minutes. My mom, uh I mean my step mom's going to walk in any minute from now," he said feeling a little awkward as explaining his family configuation to her. He never thought of her as a step-mom. She was really the only mom he had ever known. "But I could put him in the car seat and pick you up in no time."
"If you could just call Melissa."
"Her mom won't let her drive."
"Do you know of anyone else who could come by?"
"I insist."
" No Justin, don't insist," she said assertively.
"Where are you, Kandi?"
She hesitated. "I'm at a the 7-ll near..." She stopped for a moment, knowing the conclusions he may draw from the location. "Near Englewood Estates."
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
"Does this have anything to do with Troy?"
"Justin!" I am so sick of guys! She thought.
"Sorry. My fault. Me and my big nose. Look I just heard Mom pull in. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"Justin I-"
"Don't leave with somebody else or I'll call missing persons and have your picture stamped on every milk carton in the county."
He made her smile but the moment she got off the phone her mind returned to the events of the past hour and what she would tell her Mom when she got home.