Rapid Falls(52)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

June 1997

When Jesse and I walked into Wade’s house after prom, everybody cheered. Anna, Sandy, Wade, and his parents were all gathered around the kitchen table. I could hear Skoal’s little tail thump out a welcome even before she bounded toward us to lick our hands in greeting. Out of courtesy to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, Jesse and I went to separate rooms to change out of our prom attire, even though I was dying to see if Jesse looked as good out of his tuxedo as he had looked in it.

As I peeled the pantyhose from my legs, I remembered the feeling of Jesse’s body against mine on the dance floor. I was glad I had asked him to match his tie to my dress. I had been able to claim him all night without even saying a word. Everyone knew that Jesse was mine. After the dance, a sudden summer storm had opened up just as we got to Jesse’s truck. Both his tux and my dress were soaked, but the rain had stopped just as suddenly as it started, leaving us with nothing but puddles and a chill that I couldn’t shake. As I folded my dress and carefully slid it into my backpack, I had realized that the next time I wore anything that fancy, I would be standing at the altar with Jesse. But that was a few years off. We both needed to finish college, maybe travel a bit. Then we’d think about marriage. He hadn’t asked me yet, but I knew he would soon, maybe even that night.

I made my way back to the kitchen. Jesse was wearing a T-shirt and jeans with his grad jacket on top. Wade put a beer in Jesse’s hand and a wine cooler in mine. I couldn’t stop smiling. Prom was fun, but we all knew it was just the preview before the real show began.

“Just one,” I said to Jesse as he grabbed the beer from Wade. He was supposed to stay sober until we got to the Field so we wouldn’t get hassled going through the roadblock. I was pretending not to know about the flask of whiskey he and Wade had been sipping out of at the prom. Mrs. Turner smiled indulgently at the two guys. She had always let us have a few drinks here before parties. She knew Jesse had a high tolerance. We would be fine. Jesse took the empty seat beside Mrs. Turner.

“You looked so handsome tonight, Jesse,” said Mrs. Turner. “And you were stunning, Cara. Just a picture!”

We both grinned happily.

“Thanks. Wish I weren’t already taken, Mrs. T. I’m sure you’d make it a night to remember,” Jesse said, making Wade’s mom scoff and slap his arm playfully.

“Come on, man. That’s my mom.” Wade’s tone was light, but his face shot Jesse a warning.

Mr. Turner hooted and poked him in the ribs. “I’m sure Cara will take care of that for you.”

I blushed. I knew I would make this a night he would never forget. I turned to Jesse to smile with a promise of things to come, but he had already turned away. I followed his gaze to Anna, who had arrived just before us with Sandy.

“Drinking game?” Wade suggested.

“We really shouldn’t, Wade. We’ve got to go to the party,” Anna said. I felt a little sorry for her. It would be boring to stay sober all night.

Jesse chimed in. “Yeah, let’s take a break on Anna. Drinking games are no fun when you have to drive.”

Sandy slapped his hand in a high-five. “Thanks, Jesse. We promise we won’t make you guys play them next year when you have to drive us around.” She slung an arm around Anna. “Besides, Anna has something better to do than play a boring drinking game.”

“Yes,” Anna said, switching to a terrible British accent. “I’m ready to screen my masterpiece.”

Wade groaned louder and Sandy kicked him.

“Come on! She’s been working on this for ages,” Sandy said, trying to herd us toward the living room. “It’s so good!”

“Wonderful!” Mrs. Turner said. “Does anyone want snacks?” Jesse and Wade cheered in response.

“I just sent it off to film school today,” Anna said.

“If only Ross could be here to see it,” I added. Something about the pride on Anna’s face made me feel petty. Anna shot me a glare. I would rather play drinking games, but I was curious to see what Anna had done. I still hadn’t shaken the weird feeling she and Jesse had given me that afternoon at Rapid Falls. We crowded into the living room. Wade passed around more drinks. Everyone was happy on prom night in Rapid Falls. I could be gracious, even if my little sister was trying to make this about her.

As Anna fiddled with the camcorder, I thought back on the night so far. Right after my dad had snapped the final photograph, he asked me to join him in the house.

“What’s going on, Dad?” He looked so serious it made me wonder if something bad had happened.

“I have something for you, Cara. It’s not much.” He reached into the breast pocket of his suit and pulled out a faded velvet case. “It was your grandmother’s.” My dad stretched his arm out, and I took the box from his hand. It was warm from being pressed against his chest.

“Dad. Thank you.”

He nodded and looked right into my eyes. His were shining with tears. I opened the box and a golden oval caught a ray of sunshine from the window. A locket.

“I, uh, had it inscribed,” he said shyly. I turned it over, fighting against tears that would run my mascara. I read the date on the back: June 24, 1997. My graduation day.

“There’s room at the bottom. I told the engraver to make sure. For your daughter.”