Chapter 21

I did my best not to show that I was upset, but Trent knew immediately. “Vivian, what’s wrong?” he asked. I shook my head. I didn’t dare talk about it.

Javelin grasped my hand so hard that it hurt. “Don’t worry about it, Sawyer. She’s not your girl anymore.”

“I still care for her, Bow-Ridge. You better not hurt her or I’ll..” he let his sentence dangle in the air.

“Man, I’m shaking in my boots.” Javelin was angry with his father but it was Trent he planned to take it out on.

“Stop,” I cried. “This isn’t about either of you. I can’t stand it if there’s fighting.”

Kayla came over and took my arm. “Let’s go to the powder room.” To the angry boys she said, “People are looking, guys.”

We weaved through the crowd of people. I saw Mother staring at me with a thoughtful look. I wondered if she noticed the tension between the guys and if she saw my stricken face before I got it under control. In the bathroom, I composed myself with deep breaths, listening to Kayla chatter.

“You know, Vivvie. Things were much easier before Little James came to town. You and Trent were happy. Freddy and I were happy. Paul was happy that all of us were happy. Eva wasn’t around, bossing me and Freddy, trying to talk Trent into getting engaged. She stayed with her kind, didn’t mingle with us much. We all were happy. If I close my eyes, I can still picture the future. You and Trent married. Freddy and I married and Paul, watching over us all. A perfect life.” Kayla’s voice had a dreamy sound. I sighed.

“Kayla, I’m finding out that nothing in life is perfect...not even love.” I ignored her hurt expression. “We should get back to the party,” I said.

Kayla said, “Life is perfect if you believe it is. That’s what my mother told me once.”

I didn’t reply, as I walked out of the bathroom. There was a calmness inside me. I don’t know where it came from, but I knew that if I was going to keep it, I would need Mr. Bow-Ridge’s grandfatherly presence to cultivate it. With grace, I turned my back on my peers and my boyfriend to seek the comforting smile of Mr. Bow-Ridge. By his side is where I stayed through dinner.

Dinner was delicious. Every one loved the food. I let the laugher and smiles of good conversation and drink drone out the words in my head, the ones Javelin’s father had said to me in the sitting room. I hadn’t thought past the summer. Marriage was far from my mind. I knew that once school started I would begin anew the battle with Mother about going away to college, mainly to an art school. The stress of being a senior would override any girlish fantasies I had about a boy. Javelin would go back to Miami. I’ve always know this. I figured we would deal with it the best we could and if things worked out, and we could be together that would be wonderful. If not, life goes on.

After dinner, Javelin told his grandfather, “I’m stealing my girl back. You’ve had her sweet company enough for one evening.” We walked outside to the pool. Trent and the others were there, listening to music. He said, “Sorry Vivian. I didn’t mean to get you upset.”

“It’s over. Let’s have fun.” I held out my hand to Javelin and said, “Shall we dance?’ He took my hand and we danced. I was happy to see the others taking turns dancing with Kayla. Her face shown like a star, twinkling in the dark.

After a few songs, Trent asked Javelin if he could dance with me. I was surprised to see Javelin give consent with a carefree smile. It was a semi-slow song, so Trent took my hands and we danced close together. “Vivvie,” he said, “you look lovely tonight. I sure screwed up. I pushed you right into Little James’ arms with my accusations.”

“Let’s not talk about this. It was a little of us both, making the decision to part. It’s for the best. I believe it would have happened eventually.” Dancing with Trent made me sad. I wanted to be elsewhere. With a silence cry of joy, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Paul, breaking in.
We danced a while, laughing at each other’s goofy dance steps. Paul could do the monkey better than a monkey could. After everyone got tired of dancing, we sat around the bar talking.
Trent sat beside me, while Javelin played host by mixing up strange concoctions from the soda fountain that was conveniently installed at the bar. Trent took my hand and said, “Vivvie, I want to apologize for being an ass. You’re my friend and if that’s all I can have, I’d rather have that instead of nothing at all.”

“Trent, I don’t know what our future holds. All I hope for is that we do have one.” It occurred to me that I was probably speaking vaguely, but it was all I could offer him.

Javelin’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the exchange. He hurried over to claim a spot beside me. But before he could say anything, Trent asked, “Have you had any luck fishing in the lake this summer?”

Javelin said, “Uh?” Trent’s question was a curve ball.

“At the lake, fish. Have you caught any.” Trent spoke as if Javelin didn’t understand English.

“No, but I’m gonna give the fish another chance to nibble on my hook tomorrow after lunch. This time, they’re going down.”

Trent asked, “Hey, Little James, did you know Vivvie believes in sea monsters?”

I laughed, “Now Trent, don’t go there. I was eight or nine when I believed in monsters.”
Javelin said, “Are you afraid of water, baby?”

“Yes, but I know sea monsters don’t live in them. Trent’s talking about a trip to the beach our third grade class took. I wouldn’t go into the water because I thought they would eat me.”

“It’s a good thing you didn’t,” said Javelin, “or you might have been kidnapped by mermaids.”
Trent laughed, “I can see her on a rock, playing a harp and lurking ships to their doom.”

Kayla said, “Those are sirens. And they look like birds. Not girls.”

Paul said, “Are there male sirens?”

“Yeah,” said Freddy, “They’re called the police.”

Our laughter was interrupted by a snide voice. “My, isn’t this cozy. Queen Vivian holding court.”
We turned as one towards the voice. Eva and Dirk were emerging from one of the trails leading into the woods. It occurred to me that every house had at least one or two trails leading from them into the woods. “Dirk told me about your party, Little James,” she said. “Trent told me he had church tonight. Is this a holy party or a holier-than-thou party?”

“Eva,” Trent said, “my parents wouldn’t let me invite you. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I should have known Mr. Jealousy would have ran to you. Happy now, Dirk. You’ve created a scene that needn’t have happened.”

“Trent, you didn’t have to lie to me. I’m a big girl and can handle the truth,” said Eva. “Dirk’s would never lie, would you?” She smiled at him and he melted at her feet. “Never,” he said.
“If it’s any consolation, Eva, Trent wouldn’t have taken me either, if we were still dating.” I said. She turned on me, claws extended.

“No but Javelin did. He’s a rebel and doesn’t care about social standings.” Eva made all of us uncomfortable. “You’re loving this, Vivian. If Mavis and Jerome were here, your court would be complete. All your subjects fighting to make Queen Vivian smile.”

“That’s enough, Eva.” Javelin said, “This is my home and you’re an uninvited quest. I suggest you go back down the trail you came.”

She tossed her blonde hair, putting her arm through Dirk’s. “Wasn’t Dirk invited? Isn’t his mother here? I’m his guest. I don’t have to leave.”

Dirk’s chest puffed out. “That’s right. She’s my guest and can stay.” They stood by the bar, while all of us looked at each other.