Suspicious Minds (Stranger Things Novels #1)(56)

“Hi, Mrs. Rich…” Terry shifted from foot to foot. Stress eating was making her pants too tight, so she’d worn a skirt today. The ridiculously named nylon Panti-Legs beneath were a million times better than the girdles and garters she grew up with, but her prized pair was currently digging into her waist. That’s how the patriarchy keeps women down, she thought. Uncomfortable undergarments. “Is Andrew around?”

“I’ll get him for you.” Andrew’s mom sniffled like she had a cold, but before Terry could ask about her health the loud drop of the receiver on the table rattled in her ear. She held the phone away for a second, then gripped it tighter, waiting.

“Babe,” Andrew said, moments later, his voice a low rumble. “Say something, I need to hear that voice of yours.”

“Something.”

His familiar husky laugh in her ear now, and it was the best sound she’d ever heard.

Terry wished they could be alone so she could tell him about the Fellowship’s all-for-nothing field trip. Mostly, though, she just missed him.

“Your classes start today?” he asked.

“Yesterday.”

“And you have the lab tomorrow still?”

“Still.” She hesitated, leaning her forehead against the wall. “We probably shouldn’t discuss that over the phone.”

“Okay, paranoid…” His voice changed, a serious note entering it even though his words were teasing. So she was almost prepared for him to say: “I have something to tell you.”

Terry wanted to chase the sudden solemnness away. “Let me guess…You were born on September fourteenth, which just happens to be the first pick of the draft lottery. Protesting the war ended up with you in the war.”

“Funny girl,” he said. “It’s about that. I got the notice to report for my physical examination.”

That’d be it then. No one was healthier than Andrew. Zero hope for some dismissal for a medical infirmity, especially because he wasn’t going to fake one like the rich, privileged kids unwilling to serve their country would. Even if his country was sending him on a futile mission no one should’ve signed up for.

“How soon?”

“Next week. I wouldn’t deploy immediately but…”

“Soon.” Terry sighed a breath into the phone. “You remember what you promised me?”

“Don’t worry. It’s been hard enough going a few weeks without seeing you.”

“Okay then.” Terry was afraid she’d cry if she stayed on the line. Andrew didn’t need that. “I better go—I’ve got class in fifteen minutes and I see Claire White coming this way with murder eyes.” Claire was always yelling into the phone at her boyfriend back home.

“Love you, babe.”

“Love you, too.”

Click. He hung up.

She’d never felt so far from someone she wanted to be right next to her. She hung the receiver in the cradle slowly, imagining the echoing goodbye sound.

Click.

Being an adult about things was a total bummer.





2.


Terry drove solo to the garage that night. She’d wanted to think, and driving helped with that sometimes. She left an hour early to detour on a lonely highway that was all straight lines with occasional curves, and she’d cranked up the radio loud and alternately sung and cried along to the music. An Elvis hit came on, “Suspicious Minds,” and though Elvis wasn’t her usual favorite, she cried harder and smiled through the tears, thinking of how her mom and dad loved his music.

They’d always dreamed of going to Vegas, and if they were still here they could have seen him while they were there. Who knew he’d end up there? So she belted out the lyrics about being in a trap and not being able to leave.

Cathartic.

She hoped she’d gotten the worst of her funk out of her system. But when she walked in to discover Ken, Gloria, and Alice already assembled, sitting in the usual floor spot, she realized the singing hadn’t been cathartic enough for that. Emotions roiled through her, and a stray tear rolled down her cheek.

Gloria noticed her first and got up to meet her. “What is it? Are you okay?”

She held out her arms and Terry stepped into them and then her tears became sobs. “I’m sorry,” Terry said. “I don’t…”

Alice and Ken appeared over Gloria’s shoulder. “Terry?” Alice asked.

Terry shook her head at her own ridiculousness. “Sorry. I tried to get it all out before I got here but…Andrew got called to report. Physical.”

“I’m getting you some water,” Alice declared. “That’s what my mom does when anyone cries.”

“Sounds good.” Terry nodded and Gloria released her.

Alice rushed off and disappeared into a corner office area. She returned with a paper cup filled to the brim. The contents sloshed over the sides, but Terry grasped for it. The first sip calmed her. She swallowed, and again.

“Better,” she said.

“Moms know as much as science,” Gloria said.

Alice watched Terry and added her take. “Science has yet to discover as much of heaven and earth as moms.”

“I come back and Alice is quoting Shakespeare.” Ken had gone into the same corner as Alice and emerged carrying a chair. “You sit here,” he said, and Terry didn’t protest.