CONVICTION (INTERFERENCE) (5 page)

I put my hand to my face to hide my embarrassment and then almost jumped out of my skin when my father honked the horn.

“Goodnight, Rebecca.”

I nodded and started to turn around. But I knew I needed to apologize for one more thing. “Shane, I’m sorry that I lied about my age. I don’t know why I did it. I don’t make a habit of lying. I guess I thought you were older than you are and you wouldn’t want to see me if you thought I was too young.”

“Did you really think a few months would matter?” he grinned again.

“I don’t know. The lie jumped out before I could stop myself. I’m sorry, and I promise I’ll never lie to you again. I hope you can forgive me.”

He took two steps toward me and said, “I’ll be honest, I’ve been lied to all my life, so I wasn’t exactly thrilled when I learned the truth. But I think I understand why you did it, so you’re getting a free pass…this once.”

“Thank you,” I said, wishing he could follow my sister’s advice and kiss me right then, but I knew he couldn’t. 

“REBECCA MARIE, Let’s GO!” my father shouted, back to his old self again.

I sighed, “Goodnight.”

Coming Out of My Shell

Normally the scenario would have been something like this when we got home from the restaurant:  My father would have ranted and raved and I would have just sat there listening and nodding at the appropriate times to appease him, fearful that I was going to do or say the wrong thing and disappoint them.  But, not this time.  This time I stood up to him and when I was done, I left him no doubt as to my feelings for not only Shane and Parker, but my father’s behavior as well.  I was angry and I said things I didn’t mean.  But, he pushed me all night and he was so rude to Shane that when I got home I didn’t wait for him to start.  Instead, I laid into him full force.

“Don’t you ever embarrass me like that again!”

“I’m your father and I’ll do…”

“That’s right, you’re my father. You’re supposed to want me to be happy. To find the man of my dreams…and for the last time, Parker’s not HIM!”

“And this Shane is?”

“I don’t know. I just met him. But, I like him! He took everyone’s CRAP tonight without so much as returning a snide remark. He was polite and kind and he treated me and all of you with respect…which is a hell of a lot more than I can say for you tonight!  He also apologized for causing any trouble…which most certainly was not his fault…IT WAS YOURS!” I was irate. 

“Young lady, you’re walking on thin ice!”

“Well, it’s a good thing I can swim, because I’m not done! I’m only going to say this one more time; THERE IS
NEVER
GOING TO BE ANYTHING BETWEEN PARKER HAYES AND MYSELF! I won’t date him, I won’t kiss him, I won’t talk to him on the phone, and I will not…under any circumstances marry him or bare his children! Do you understand that now? Have I made myself perfectly clear on this matter, once and for all?”

My father was speechless. I had never spoken to him in such a manner, but I found that the new feelings I had for Shane gave me the courage I needed to finally confront my father about Parker, and although I knew I was a little hard on him, I also knew he needed to hear it.

He walked upstairs without a word. He was either hurt or angry, or maybe both, but I knew I couldn’t back-peddle now and lose the ground I’d just gained. So, I left it as it was for the night, and went to bed. 

The next morning, I knew I needed to smooth things over, so I headed down the hall to talk to him before he left for work.

“Daddy, can I talk to you?” I asked meekly from the doorway to his bathroom while he was shaving.

“I’m running late, Rebecca.”

“Daddy, I know I was really hard on you last night. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you or make you so angry. But, you have to admit that you were very rude to Shane…and for no reason.”

“So you said all that stuff to get back at me?” he said, looking at me with one side of his face clean-shaven and the other still lathered with shaving cream.

“No, I said it…because it was true and you needed to hear it. But, I’m sorry for the
way
I said it. I know you want what’s best for me, but I don’t love Parker, Daddy. I never will. Can’t you understand that?”

“I guess I thought that you would…in time.”

“Daddy, I know you like him and I know that you and mom, and his parents always dreamed of us getting together, but when I think about dating him…I just…I just get the chills,” I said while rubbing my arms up and down to try and get rid of that creepy feeling whenever I thought of Parker.

“The chills?”

“Yeah, he makes my skin crawl. I’m sorry. The thought of him kissing me…or…” a shiver ran through me again, causing me to shake.

“Stop! I don’t want to hear this!”

“Sorry, but it’s true. We can be friends, but nothing more. I don’t have any romantic feelings for him…none at all.”

“But you do for this Shane?” he asked, looking back toward the mirror to finish shaving.

“Yes. I know you don’t want to hear that. But, I like Shane.”

“He’s a tire salesman!”

“So what?”

“I won’t have any daughter of mine…”

“What? You won’t have me what…dating a tire salesman?”

“Dating…or anything else! He has a past. I checked him out this morning. He’s been in trouble with the law. I’ll bet he didn’t tell you that!”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he did. But he hasn’t been in any trouble for over three years. He’s a nice guy, Daddy.”

“He’s a
bad boy
, Rebecca! Once a
bad boy
, always a
bad boy
! I told you, it’s just a phase. All girls fall for a bad boy once, but then they grow up…and so will you. Like I said, it’s just a phase, one I hope you’ll pass through rather quickly.”

“Daddy, I really like him. He’s paid for his mistakes. He works an honest job, and he helps to support his father, who lost his job. He got his GED and he’s saving up money to go to school, and taking pre-req courses online. How can you fault him for that?”

“He’s not actually
in
school,
yet
. I’ll believe it when I see it. Parker will be a lawyer in just a few more years.”

“Parker’s had everything handed to him on a silver platter. He’s never worked for anything a day in his life.”

“He does too, he gets excellent grades!”

“Yeah, and his parent’s pay a fortune for his tutors. I’m not saying that Parker doesn’t deserve his good grades or that he’s not going to make a good attorney, but I am saying that it’s easier for some…than it is for others. I’m just asking you to give Shane a chance. For me, please?”

“You really like this guy?”

I nodded. “Yes. We’re going to a movie when he gets off work today at 4:30. I’ll be home by nine. Okay?” I asked, hoping to get back into his good graces.

“What are you going to do from 4:30 to nine?” he asked with accusing eyes.

“The movie doesn’t start until 6:25 so we’re going to have dinner first.”

“Just dinner? Nothing else?” he asked.

“Dinner and a movie.”

“Fine. Just…be careful. He um, he may want more than…well, he may want…more,” he said, trying to get his point across without embarrassing us both.

“He’s been a perfect gentleman.”

“So far, but guys like that, well, he’ll want more…trust me,” he said, continuing to shave. 

He was just about done shaving when I said,
              “And you don’t think Parker ever wanted more?”

He turned his head quickly and caught his chin with the razor. “Parker would never expect…”

“Dad, I love you, and I hate to ruin the perfect image you have of Parker Hayes, but trust me, he’s a guy, too.”

He turned to look at me with a bloody piece of tissue hanging off his chin. “Did you and Parker…?”

“No! I told you, he gives me the creeps! But, we would have if it had been up to him.”

“Well, he is a young man. I guess it’s to be expected. It’s your job to keep him in line.” He was rinsing the shaving cream off of his face now.

“UGH! So, now you’re saying that it’s okay for Parker to want to have sex with me, but not Shane?!” I was furious with his double standards!

“OOOHHH SHHHH!!!! I don’t want to hear this!”

“Well, you’re going to! I’ve said no to Parker more times than I can count, so I guess I’ve done my job in keeping him in line, like you said. Daddy, you just
think
Parker’s a gentleman, but I know better. I also know that Shane has been
nothing
but a gentleman with me…no matter how he was raised or what he’s done in his past, he hasn’t asked for anything. So, just to set the record straight…I’ve never done anything! Are you happy now?”

He was actually covering his ears with his hands like a five year old being scolded by his mother. “I don’t want to hear this!”

“What’s going on now, you two?” my mother asked.

“I was just telling daddy that I didn’t have sex with Parker…even though he’s asked…NUMEROUS TIMES!” I yelled, over my father’s ridiculous ramblings.

My mother’s mouth dropped open, but no words came out.

“I’ll see you after the movie. Oh, and I’ll still be a virgin when I get home, because no matter what you think of Shane, I
know
he’s a gentleman!”

I drove to school early and sat in my car going over the conversation I just had with my parents. I didn’t know who the person was that was yelling and talking openly about sex to my parents, but I found I liked her. She gave me freedom and I suddenly felt empowered. I had stood up to my parents. Maybe I was a little like my sister after all. And, not only did I no longer have to go out with Parker, but I was going to be going out with Shane and I was thrilled!  I got out of my car and found myself glancing across the street to catch a glimpse of the young man who had given me the strength to speak up for myself. When I didn’t see him, I finally just headed into first period a little early, waiting for the school day to be over.

Up Against the Wall (Or
Porsche!)

I got out of school at 3:20 which gave me enough time to sit and study for my calculus exam until Shane got off work. I headed to the tables at the front of the school and pulled out my books when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I cringed as I looked up to see the one person I wanted to avoid more than any other.

“Rebecca, I think we should talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about, Parker.”

“Yes, there is. How could you embarrass me like that last night?”

“Parker, for the last time, we’re not a couple. I don’t want to hurt you, really, I don’t. But, I’ve told you over and over again, I’m not interested in you.”

“You don’t mean that. We’ve been together for…”

“WE’VE NEVER BEEN TOGETHER! Stop saying that! What’s it going to take to convince you of that? I told you, I don’t want to hurt you, but there is no us…and there never will be.”

“But, I love you. I’ve always loved you. We’re supposed to be together!”

“Why? Because that’s what our parent’s want? Don’t we get a say in this? Parker, be reasonable; do you really want a girl who doesn’t want you? Aren’t you worth more than that? You deserve to be with someone who’ll truly love you. Who will want to spend time with you…but I’m not her.”

“You could be. What can I do to fix it?”

“You can’t fix something that never worked, that was never meant to work.  I don’t love you. I’m sorry. I know it would be so much easier…on both of us, if I did, but I don’t.”

“Can I give you a ride home?”

“No, I have my car, thanks. Goodbye, Parker.”

“Why aren’t you going home to study?”

I looked up at him and rolled my eyes. “I’m not going home, yet. I’m trying to work on calculus. I have a test tomorrow.”

“Oh, I could stay and help you. I’m pretty good…”

“No, thank you. I won’t be here too much longer.”

“I’ll wait with you, then.”

“Wait for what?”

“I just want to see if he treats you right!”

“What does that mean? Please don’t tell me you plan on following us or anything?” I asked, not sure if I’d put it past him, or not.

“No, of course not. I just wanted to see if it was true. If you’re really going out with…this guy…or if you were just trying to make me jealous.”

I dropped my head on the table. He was unbelievable. He wouldn’t give up.

“Parker, come with me!” I said, standing up and grabbing my books.

I walked him to his car and opened the door for him.

“I’m not leaving.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Not until I get a chance to talk to him. See what his intentions are.”

“Are you kidding?”

“No! I’m dead serious. If I have to win you back, then I want to know what I’m up against. Get to know my competition.”