Chapter Twenty-One
He was grounded for two weeks. His driver’s test was cancelled. And it all happened two days before his sixteenth birthday no less. He was certain he’d never see November again. Her brother would probably pack her and her mother up and leave town. He’d had a horrible dream last night about her brother. Rocky had woken up this morning feeling the man’s hands on his throat, squeezing the life out of him.
Julie plopped down on the couch next to him.
“I’m sorry about your test,” she offered.
“It’s…I deserve it.”
“And about your girlfriend.”
He turned to her. He would have shed a tear, but he was all cried out.
“Thanks.”
“They think Derek…” she began. “I think something’s happened to him.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think the killer got him.”
“What? Why?”
“He was supposed to pick me up two nights ago and never showed. His mom said she’s not sure if he’s been home since he left.”
“Julie, what the hell is happening here?”
“I don’t know, but I’m really scared.”
They embraced.
For the next two days, none of Rocky’s family went anywhere alone besides work. Julie called out of work. She said her boss had a crush on her so she wouldn’t lose her job. She stayed home with Rocky and the two of them tried their best to distract one another from their pain. It didn’t work, but it made them both feel a little better having each other to lean on in their first post-relationship days.
The whole family was gathered around the television, TV dinners on their trays when Dad switched to the news.
“Old Orchard police are urging residents and tourists alike to stay in pairs and to be on alert. If you do decide to go out tonight, remain in well-lit areas, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and if you think you’re being followed or see anyone suspicious, locate the nearest officer or enter the closest shop or bar, get around others and phone Old Orchard Police. Police Chief Michael Donnelly says his crews will be out on patrol in full force borrowing extra help from Saco and Scarborough police departments, even placing two officers on the beach until sundown.
“A strict ordinance was voted into place by the town council in an emergency gathering yesterday afternoon. The ordinance renders the beach off limits after dark and will be in place until further notice. Police still have no suspects in the disappearances but have some clues and evidence that they’re hoping lead them to the responsible party or parties soon.
“I’m Peggy Block, WGME Channel 13 news.”
* * *
It was like a movie Rocky had seen last summer at Axel’s, The Town that Dreaded Sundown. Only, this wasn’t Texas, and none of the bodies had been found yet. It seemed surreal. His birthday was tomorrow, and it had gone from being possibly the greatest week of his life to the worst. His Salisbury steak no longer looked appetising.
“Can I be excused?” he asked.
“Sure,” his dad said.
His mother glanced at his father, but she let it go.
Rocky was glad. The last thing he needed was to start a fight. He slid his TV tray in the space between the fridge and the wall, emptied his plate in the garbage and left it in the sink. In his bedroom, he put on his headphones and hit play. November had given him a copy of Purple Rain. He never thought Prince would be his cup of tea, but ‘The Beautiful Ones’ and the title song were really hitting him in the right spot. He was also pretty sure ‘I Would Die 4 U’ couldn’t be truer. As upset as he was about losing out on the driver’s test and the Buick from his uncle, he’d lost the only girl he’d ever loved.
Staring at the window, he wished she would appear and call him outside. He envisioned them slipping away and being together again like they were under the pier. What had her brother been doing there? How had he found them? And why was he such an asshole? Had they left? Were they miles away now?
The first verse of ‘Purple Rain’ played in his headphones as he felt the tears in his eyes. He put his hands over his face and cried. He didn’t care if he was being a baby. There was no one to see him, and even if they did, to hell with them.
Did she feel like this? Did her heart keep falling to pieces every few minutes?
When the song ended, Rocky rewound the tape and played it again, wallowing in the hurt. By the time he’d rewound it and played it a third time, he was asleep, caressing his pillow.
* * *
He woke up with a start. His mother sat on his bed, stroking his head.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Listen,” she said, “I don’t want to ruin your whole summer. I called this afternoon and rescheduled your test for Tuesday morning.”
“What? For real?”
She nodded. “And if we can come to an agreement, I’ll let you out of being grounded.”
“Anything,” he said.
She poked at his stomach, hitting his brace. “You wear this like you’re supposed to. I don’t want to find it hiding in your closet again.”
“Okay.”
“And you let one of us know where you’re going and who you’re going with for the rest of the summer. No ifs, ands, or buts.”
“Yeah, of course.”
“And I want you home and inside by nine o’clock every night. Deal?”
“Deal.”
She hugged him and he squeezed her good.
“We haven’t really talked about this girl, this November.”
He looked away and shrugged.
“Do you want to tell me about her? Or is something wrong?”
“I don’t think I can see her again.”
“Why not?”
“Her older brother caught us…together. And he said he doesn’t like me and that he’ll beat me up if he catches me around her.” He left a lot out, like what he meant by ‘together’ and how he’d not get beat up but ‘killed’. That the guy was a total psycho.
“What were you two do—” Clarise Zukas went tight-lipped and averted her eyes.
Rocky felt his cheeks get hot.
“Oh,” she said.
“We…we were careful.”
“I hope so.”
He didn’t know what else to say.
And she got up, apparently out of words, as well.
His mother slipped out of the room.
Rocky wasn’t sure he should have admitted anything, but he hated lying to his mom.
He expected his dad to pop in any minute, but he didn’t. He’d given Rocky ‘the talk’ two summers ago.
Rocky got up and shut off the light.
He was about to lie down when something zipped past his window.
He crossed the room, his heart beating faster, and pressed his face to the screen.
“Hello?” he whispered.
There was nothing there. He pressed his face onto the screen so he could see to the right and left better.
Satisfied that it was just his hyperactive, nervous brain, he went back to his bed.
Lying down, he wondered if he’d see her tomorrow. And if she’d be alone or even willing to talk to him.
He didn’t want to give himself any hope, but he couldn’t help it; it was all he had left.