The Year I Almost Drowned

Chapter 18

The morning sun shimmered through my window. I could see dust particles floating in the air. A blue bird had formed its nest inside the large laurel oak tree that stood outside my window. Baby birds were chirping. Someone was outside mowing the lawn; the roar of a John Deere tractor echoed into my bedroom. I stepped out of bed and opened the window. The smell of freshly cut grass filled the air.

I peered out the window, trying to see who was on the tractor. It was Jesse. I could tell from the tanned, built physique sitting on the tractor seat. He had on a baseball hat and a pair of shorts and nothing else. I tried not to gawk, but it was hard not to.

I finally quit ogling and decided to go downstairs to eat breakfast. The scent of cinnamon and cooked apples filled the entire bottom floor. My pace increased, and I jumped off the last step in haste to see if Nana was in fact baking or if I was having a hallucination.

There she was, standing in front of the stove, with Sidney next to her, cooking. She was cooking! Cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, caramelized sugar–a welcome bouquet.

“Hey, Finn,” Sidney said, glancing at me and then watching Nana as she stirred rapidly. “Lilly is teaching me how to make an apple pie.”

I was ecstatic. She was actually baking again. “It smells great in here,” I said, taking another whiff of the heavenly aroma. I reached for a cup off of the mug rack and filled it with warm, freshly brewed coffee. After I added cream and sugar, I stepped over near them. Nana continued to stir with precision and fierce movement.

“Let’s get the crust out of the oven,” she instructed Sidney. Sidney bent down and opened the oven door. She pulled out the golden crust and placed it on top of the stove. “We’re going to pour these apples here on top of this crust and let it cook for a while.” She held the pot by its handle and poured it onto the pie crust. “In a little while, we’ll add the crumbles to put on top of it.” Sidney acknowledged her with a quick nod and picked the pie up, placing it back into the oven.

“I wish you weren’t baking this for the movie night tonight.” Sidney sulked. “I really want a slice.”

Nana let out a laugh and said, “There’ll be plenty of time for you to try a slice of my pies. I may just make another one.”

I widened my eyes at that statement and hoped that it was true because I really missed her pies. I missed the warm, familiar feel that they gave me–the smell, the taste, the way that they gave me comfort. Her pies were like that for me.

“Please do, Lilly, because I don’t know how long I can keep my hands from digging into it,” Sidney said, while licking her lips.

Nana snickered. “We can make a peach pie. We’ll have to go pick some off the tree outside, though.”

“I’m so there.” Sidney marched out of the kitchen and toward the front door. “Just point me in the direction of this said peach tree!” she hollered.

Nana grinned, snorting at Sidney’s humor. It was good to see her happy, to see her laughing so much, and to see her baking again. A little part of her old self had resurfaced. “Finn, you show her where the tree is and make sure she only picks ripe peaches. I’ll clean up this mess.” She frowned at the remnants of flour on the kitchen counter and dirty dishes that hadn’t made their way to the dish washer yet.

I slid into my flip flops, which were by the front door, and opened it to walk outside. My hair was a disaster and my t-shirt and pajama shorts were wrinkled from being slept in. I caught up to Sidney, who was haphazardly walking all over the front yard searching for the peach tree.

“It’s behind the house!” I yelled.

We wandered to the back yard on a mission to pick some peaches. Grass clippings stuck to my flip flops. As I meandered through the yard, the grass crept in between my toes. “It’s over here.” I pointed.

“Cool,” she said and ran up to it. She took a couple off the tree and held them in her hands. “Think this is enough?” She squinted.

“No. She’ll need more than that.”

“We should’ve brought a bag or something.”

“We’ll use my shirt,” I said and stretched my long t-shirt in front of me. “Dump those in.”

Sidney carefully placed one after the other in the make-shift basket I had created. She snagged more off the tree and dropped them on top of my stretched shirt.

“Think that’s all you can hold, Finn.”

The heaviness of the peaches weighed me down. I precariously tiptoed through my grandparents’ yard. Sidney stopped in her tracks and purred, “Hello hotness.” She was gawking at Jesse, who was clipping one of my grandparents’ hedges. “Finn, seriously, how did you not jump his bones when you dated?”

I ignored her and focused on keeping the peaches in my shirt. I increased my pace, which caused them all to spill out of my shirt and onto the grass. “Shoot!” I shouted.

Sidney snorted. “Nice one, Finn. I can really tell you’re mad.”

We both started to pick the peaches up off of the ground. I bent over, seeing Jesse’s shadow behind me. I stood up and spun around.

“Looking for these?” he asked, holding a few peaches.

“Yeah,” I answered. “Nana’s making a peach pie.”

I stretched out my shirt; he placed each peach carefully on top, one at a time. Sidney came over to us and laid the rest of the peaches on top of my shirt. “Thanks,” I said to him.

He wiped the sweat off of his forehead. Beads slowly trickled down his chest. “Walk slow,” he teased. He walked back to the hedge and picked up the clippers and started cutting away again.

“I could’ve walked up here naked and he still wouldn’t have noticed. He just burnt holes through you with those pretty blue eyes of his,” Sidney said as we reached the front door.

“He. Broke. Up. With. Me.” Sidney would not let this go, and it was really starting to irk me. Jesse was just a nice guy. He was friendly to everyone. Maybe he was being so helpful because my grandfather passed away? Maybe he thought he was helping my Nana that way? Maybe he just felt sorry for me?

But what if she was right? What if he did still have feelings for me? I couldn’t read him, and I didn’t know his reasons. All I knew was that we were broken up, and neither of us had spoken to each other for almost half a year until that fateful day he showed up to tell me about my grandfather.

***

Sidney rode in my car with me to downtown Graceville. We decided to go to Graceville’s Movie in the Park Night. It was the first time I’d gone out in weeks. My life was nothing but the diner. Getting out of the house for one night was exactly what I craved and needed.

Sidney held Nana’s pie in her lap, while I drove with one hand on the steering wheel, going up and down the mountainous roads. Driving on the narrow, winding roads had become so effortless that I could do it in the dark with my eyes closed. The days of having both of my hands on the steering wheel and holding on for my dear life were long gone. Sidney messed with the radio stations, trying to find something decent to listen to.

“The stations here suck,” she said.

“We are out in the country. What’d you expect?”

“Um something better than this.” She kept switching stations and finally decided to give up on her fruitless task.

The windows were rolled all the way down; cooler air blew through the car. It wasn’t a typical summer’s night. Mother Nature had been kind and had given us the perfect weather for watching a movie outside.

We arrived at the diner and parked the car in the parking lot. I looked across the street at the park. Several people had already arrived and were staking their claim for the perfect viewing spot to see the movie.

The park didn’t consist of much: a grassy lawn filled with wildflowers, a few park benches and a weathered gazebo that needed a fresh coat of paint, and the best view in town. Mountain upon mountain could be seen off in the distance. On a clear day, you could almost see the leaves on each tree on top of every mountain. On a cloudy day, the blue haze from the Blue Ridge Mountains hovered above, creating a beautiful foggy mist. Sometimes, after I got off of work, I liked to sit in the park and enjoy the scenery.

“We should’ve charged a parking fee,” Sidney said. “You could be rich right now, Finn, you know what I mean?”

“The people of Graceville would never pay to park their cars. They’d revolt.”

She shrugged.

We got out of the car lugging our stuff, and we headed to the park. Sidney held the pie. I carried a blanket. “There’s the dessert table.” I gestured.

Sidney set the pie down on the dessert table. It was next to a row of many desserts. “Is that one of Lilly’s pies?” an elderly woman asked. I recognized her face, but couldn’t remember her name. That’s how it was in Graceville–familiar faces who seemed to know me but I couldn’t remember them.

“Yes,” I answered.

“It’ll be gone lickity split.” She smiled, five of her front teeth were missing. “Everyone loves her pies.”

I gave her an appreciative smile. Sidney and I searched for the perfect place to sprawl our blanket out on the lawn.

“This is good.” She indicated by pointing to an area in the front and near the decent-sized movie screen.

I unfolded the blanket and laid it on the ground. She plopped down on it almost instantly. I looked over to my left and then to my right and saw cups of Coke and bags of popcorn in people’s hands. “We need Coke and popcorn,” I said. “I’ll be right back.” I ambled toward the popcorn cart.

“One large bag and two Cokes, please,” I said to the person bagging the popcorn.

“Hey, Finn,” Everett said, coming from behind me.

“Hey, Everett. I didn’t see you there.”

“That popcorn may put you in cardiac arrest. They don’t ration the butter.”

“Good. That means I’ll like it.” I grinned. “Are you on duty?” I noticed his light gray police uniform.

“Yeah. I have to make sure things don’t get too chaotic,” he said. “I don’t mind. I get paid twenty bucks an hour for this, which is more than I make on the force.”

The popcorn vendor handed me my bag of popcorn and the two Cokes. Everett held the Cokes for me, and I clutched the popcorn bag. I took a handful of popcorn and put some of it into my mouth and chewed. I offered some to Everett.

“No thanks,” he said.

“Can’t eat butter on duty?” I kidded.

“More like, I don’t want to be one of those cops who can’t chase criminals.” He patted his firm stomach.

“You’re missing out,” I said and then things were silent.

He finally said, “The diner seems to be doing well.”

“Yeah. I’m trying. It’s a lot harder than I thought it’d be, but we’re managing.” I put a few pieces of popcorn kernels in my mouth and coughed.

“You okay?” he asked with a concerned expression.

“It got stuck,” I said in between coughs. He handed me a Coke, and I took several sips.

“Better?”

“Yeah. Thanks.” I smiled at him appreciatively.

“So, are you going to the dance next weekend?” he asked.

I hadn’t thought about going; I hadn’t even discussed it with Nana. She usually helped plan it but I didn’t know if she was this year. So much of what she used to do was all but a distant memory.

“I don’t know.”

“Would you like to go with me?”

“You mean you’re not on duty?” I teased.

He laughed. “No. Not for the dance,” he answered and then looked at me, gauging my reaction.

“Sure,” I answered quickly.

“Good. I’ll pick you up at your place then, say around seven?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll need the address, but I can get that from you some time this week. Can I help you carry these?” He gestured to the Cokes and popcorn.

“Please,” I said. We walked through the maze of blankets and camping chairs, finding our way to Sidney.

“Sidney, you remember Everett,” I said. They had met in the diner.

“Hi.” She eagerly reached for the Coke and took it out of his hands. She sucked on the straw and took several sips.

He handed me my Coke. “Thanks,” I said.

“You’re welcome. Y’all enjoy the movie,” he said. “I’ll see you later this week to work out the details for next Saturday.” He touched me on the arm and smiled.

“See you later, Everett,” I said and then sat down next to Sidney who was giving me a strange expression.“What?” I said to her when he left.

She raised her eyebrows. “Work out the details for what, Finn?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “We’re going to the dance next Saturday.”

“Jesse won’t like that,” she said and took a handful of popcorn.

I rolled my eyes. “That doesn’t get old to you, does it?”

“Nope.” She smirked.

***

The credits rolled for the old, 1980’s flick and people cleared out as quickly as they had come. Sidney and I lingered, while the bulk of the crowd disappeared. Even for Graceville, it would’ve meant driving in traffic, so waiting around a little while longer to avoid sitting behind a long line of cars was fine by me.

Meg and Hannah had come to the movie, too. Hannah brought Matt and Noah came with Meg. They were inseparable, like Jesse and I used to be. I had never seen Meg so happy. Noah was the perfect fit for her. She had a knack for attracting the wrong guys; I was happy to finally see her with someone who wasn’t a jerk.

There was a slight chill in the air. Even though it was a summer’s night, it felt more like autumn. I was wearing a pair of jeans and a zipped up gray hoodie over my t-shirt. Yet, I was still a little cold. Sidney and I stood around talking to Meg and Hannah. Matt and Noah were off to the side talking about sports or some other type of men’s only subject that I had no interest in.

“So, what’d you think of the movie?” I asked Meg.

“It was a typical 80’s classic, campy but cute,” she answered.

“I miss seeing you,” I told her. And I did. With our work schedules and her relationship with Noah, we rarely got the chance to hang out.

“Me, too. We’ll have to go out some time this week,” she said reassuringly.

“Sounds good.” I smiled.

“Maybe you’ll come, too, Hannah?” I said to her.

“Sounds like fun, Finn,” she said.

“Sidney, too,” Meg added.

“I’m so there. Make sure that where ever we go, there are lots of boys,” she said. “I need a date for the dance. Finn already has one.”

“You’re going to the dance next weekend?” Meg asked. “With Jesse?” She perked up.

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m going with Everett.”

Hannah gave me a strange look and stayed silent.

“He’s not as good a dancer as Jesse. Watch those feet of yours. You may want to actually wear shoes,” Meg joked.

“I don’t always wear flip flops,” I said and then realized that was exactly what I was wearing right then.

She arched her eyebrow and smiled. “Sure,” Meg said. Her forehead creased. “Ev’s kinda old.”

“We’re just going to the dance. We’re not getting married,” I said.

“Just saying. He’s like twenty-six and you’re nineteen.”

“We’re just friends,” I said.

“What are you going to do if Jesse has a date?” Meg asked.

“Nothing,” I said, but then felt pain to my heart. Seeing Jesse with anyone was going to be heartbreaking.

“Well, for your sake and his, I hope he doesn’t go,” she said.

“Me, too,” Hannah chimed in.

Everett came over to us. “I think that was the easiest sixty bucks I’ve ever made,” he said, interrupting our discussion.

“It almost seems wrong,” Meg said. “Why did they need a cop here anyway?”

“Anytime there’s a crowd, you have to have police on duty,” he answered.

“I hear you’re taking Finn to the square dance next weekend,” Meg said to him.

“Word travels fast,” he said. “Yeah, I am.” He looked in my direction.

“Don’t step on her feet. I remember dancing with you when I was a kid. I had bruises on my toes for weeks,” she said.

He rolled his eyes. “My cousin exaggerates, Finn. Believe me, I can dance,” he said to me.

“I’m sure you can,” I said. What did I know? I wasn’t the world’s best dancer anyway. Anyone could dance better than me, especially Jesse.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jesse walk up to Matt and Noah. I hadn’t seen him all night and wondered if he had been at the movie, too.

“You guys ready?” I heard him ask them.

“Yeah, just waiting on them to quit gabbing,” Matt answered in his typical sardonic fashion.

“We’re not gabbing. We just don’t want to stand around and discuss sports. If you guys are ready, then let’s go,” Hannah said.

“Where are you off to?” I asked.

“No where, just home. I think these bozos are going out. Ev, you should go with them,” she said to Everett.

“Can’t. I have to be on duty in a few hours,” he said. “One of your cups of coffee would be good right about now, Finn.”

I smiled. “I could open the diner up and make you a pot if you want,” I offered.

“No. Don’t go to all that trouble,” he said.

“If you’re making a pot of coffee, we’ll have some too, won’t we guys?” Jesse said.

“Yeah. I guess.” Matt shrugged.

“I’ll take a free cup,” Noah added.

“Okay. I guess I’m making a pot of coffee, then,” I said.

Everett took the blanket from my hands and carried it for me as we all moved across the grassy lawn to the concrete road and into the parking lot of Lilly’s Diner. I unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and punched in the alarm code.

I went behind the counter and scooped the coffee grounds into the filter, poured water into the pot and turned it on. “It’ll be a few minutes,” I said.

Meg turned on the jukebox and randomly selected a song to play. It was an old Motown tune. Hannah, Meg and Sidney began to dance on beat to the music. Everett, Jesse, Noah and Matt sat in one of the booths chatting, while I stood in front of the coffee pot watching it percolate. I didn’t know what else to do. So I stood there and watched tiny drops of coffee fall into the pot. I felt awkward just watching the coffee, but I didn’t feel comfortable with Jesse and Everett in the same room–which I didn’t understand.

“Hey Ev, now is your chance to show Finn you don’t have two big left feet,” Meg said, moving to the tune.

He sprang up and came over to me. “Finn,” he said, extending his hand.

I gave Meg a “thanks a lot” look and hesitantly walked from behind the counter and grabbed his hand. Being the center of attention was never my forte. In fact, I hate any attention called to me. He pulled me close to him, and we swayed on beat to the music. He wasn’t a bad dancer, in fact he was pretty good, but dancing with him was nothing like dancing with Jesse. Jesse didn’t have to think about dancing; he just moved. Whereas Everett had to think about the way he moved, where his feet went. He just wasn’t as natural.

I could smell the night air on him, the mix of buttery popcorn, grass and flowers in bloom. His aftershave still gave off a subtle scent. I felt my body pressed against is. His muscles were tight and firm, almost rock solid. His arms were wrapped tightly around my waist.

The music was upbeat, the tempo fast. We moved together, laughing and looking at each other the entire time. Yet he continued to hold on to me, and I allowed him to. The song came to an abrupt end and his hands slipped from my waist and back to his sides. My face felt hot and was almost a little red. And I realized that everyone in the diner had been watching us the entire time; everyone–including Jesse.

I glanced in his direction and couldn’t read his expression. Was he angry? Did he care? Was he indifferent? Nothing. I couldn’t tell a thing. Considering that at one time he used to be my best friend, I couldn’t read him at that moment and it was frustrating. Very frustrating.

“The coffee is ready,” Jesse said briskly and stood up. He brushed by my side and moved behind the counter. He reached for a cup and poured coffee in it. It seemed he didn’t care. But why did I want him to? “Everett, you better get your cup before the rest of these pigs take their share.”

Everett stopped staring at me and walked over to the counter. Jesse handed him a cup. He quickly looked at me with that same serious, unreadable expression, and then began talking to Everett.