Chapter 7

Mother said little to me that night. I ate a cold dinner of pork chops, green beans and macaroni and cheese. “Vivian, we eat promptly at 6 p.m. Not a second sooner nor a second later. Art isn’t important enough to suffer through a cold meal. If you’re going to be late, please let me know ahead of time. Thank God, we’ve only got one year to get through and then this art nonsense will be finished."

Father waited until she went upstairs to ask about my day. I told him about exams and how excited I was about the art show. He smiled at me in his usual mild way, before returning to his newspaper.

I was upstairs studying my biology notes when Mother came to my door with the phone in her hand. Her voice wept ice. “Trent’s on the phone. Don’t talk too long. You’ve got exams to study for.” She tossed the phone on the bed . I waited until I heard her steps hit the bottom of the staircase, before answering the phone.

“Hi Trent.” I hadn’t prepared myself for his interrogation about Javelin. It caught me off guard. Mr. Watts was right. Word had traveled fast.

“Viv, what’s this I hear about you painting Little James Bow-Ridge? Eva called me, babbling about a painting you did today in art class. She swears it’s Bow-Ridge. That asshole.”

“Trent, it’s just a painting. I don’t know why Eva’s making an issue out of this. You know, I’ve painted a lot of people, even Mr. Tippet, the mailman. So what if I painted ‘Little James‘ . I saw him the other day and to be honest, he’s a good subject.” Calling Javelin, ‘Little James’ felt strange. Talking about him to Trent felt even stranger. I tried to change the subject. “How did your finals go today?”

Trent refused to let the “Bow-Ridge“ subject die. “I don’t like it. That guy is a low life. Stay away from him, Vivvie. If he comes around, you tell him you‘re my girl. And if that doesn‘t phase him, you call me. I‘ll straighten his ass out.”

“I’m not a possession, Trent. He knows I have a boyfriend and isn’t interested in me. Eva is starting rumors. She probably has her eyes on him and thinks I want the guy. Why would I want him, when I’ve got the best boyfriend in the world? I’ll put a stop to it tomorrow.” I resented Eva. She liked to stir up controversy, especially the type that had Trent running over to her for comfort.

He didn’t want to let the subject drop, but there wasn’t anywhere to take it. “What are you wearing?” He asked in a low sexy voice. I laughed. “Trent, you’re impossible.”

“We’ve been going steady since we were nine. Don’t you think it’s time we went to the next level. I’ve got needs, Vivian. Don’t you? Don’t you want me?” He was back on the old debate--sex.

“I want to get married first. Trent, going all the way is a big step. We both need to be ready. I’m not. There’s contraception to discuss and other things like that.” My face was bright red and I spoke in a whisper, fearing Mother would overhear the conversation and I would get the ‘talk’.
“If you get pregnant, it’s no big deal, Viv. We’re going to get married one day. We‘ll just get married sooner than expected. You can finish school, even if you are my wife.”

“It’s a big deal to me. I don’t want a shotgun wedding, Trent. Plus, I want to go to college. Education is important. Speaking of which.. I have to study for my advanced biology exam. I’ll talk to you tomorrow after first period. Goodnight.” I didn’t feel like going over the same conversation we had almost daily. And my biology book was staring at me.

“Ok, Viv. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Sleep tight.”

It was a good thing he couldn’t see the doodle art on my biology notes. I had drawn hearts around the word Javelin, during our conversation. What was happening to me? Why was I drawn to this boy? Once summer was over, he would go back to Miami. There wasn’t a reason for me to continue to pine for him. Even if the kiss was great, I was sure Trent and I would have even greater kisses. These thoughts were getting me nowhere. I pushed them aside and resumed my biology studies.

A few hours later, I sat in front of my vanity brushing my long hair. It fell past my waist in soft waves. My thoughts were on Javelin and the uncanny combination of peppermint and cinder, when Mother charged into my room. Her face was livid. I knew she had heard the gossip.
“Vivian Carol, I’ve heard some disturbing news from a few of my friends at the country club. Are you secretly involved with James Bow-Ridge III? Are you trying to drive me insane? First this art nonsense and now you’re sneaking with a boy who has a questionable reputation! I won’t have it. You will not ruin your future. We’ve worked to hard on getting our feet on society’s floor. Do you understand me, young lady?’

“But Mother...”

“No buts! I won’t have a slut living in this house.”

“That’s enough, Gladys. You’re listening to rumors. Vivian is our daughter. We should hear her explanation before judging her.” Dad said from the doorway.

“Take her side. You always do.” Mother stormed away. Dad stood in the threshold of my door, torn between which of us to comfort. As always, he turned to follow Mother, while I resumed the brushing of my hair, letting it absorb my tears.