As long as they didn’t take away her Altoona trip, Phoebe had no cause to ruffle any feathers. She just had to grind it out and get through the last 4 weeks of school.
Still, Phoebe was Phoebe and that was easier said than done.
Her best friend, Tracie, was the one who scoffed when Mr. Tanner blamed himself for the competition problems. She was the one who circulated stories about spoiled Portia and how she ruined the solo. She also knew about ‘Portia’s Little Secret’.
On the Friday night before graduation, Phoebe and Tracie were in the parking lot behind Ace’s apartment. The place was crowded as usual, People grilled out and worked on their cars.
“”You got any money?” asked Phoebe.
“Why?”
“I want to get a bag from Ace.”
“I got friends,” said Tracie, “we don’t have to pay.”
They went upstairs to Ace’s apartment. The girls went to the kitchen and fixed a mixed drink. Darren Miller was there, playing poker with some of Ace’s friends. Phoebe found a chair next to Darren.
“Where’s your sister?” Darren asked.
“I don’t really keep track of her.”
“Isn’t she dating Marcus?” asked Tracie.
Darren nodded then turned his attention to his cards. Phoebe leaned towards Darren and whispered in his ear.
“Ace is in his room, right, George?”
“Yeah,” said George, “but he’s busy.”
“Can you get us a dime bag?”
“I’m watching the lock box,” said George as he nodded towards a small black safe in the corner.
“I’ll take you back,” offered Darren. He took Tracie by the hand, leading her to Ace’s bedroom in the back. Phoebe sipped on her drink while the rest of the guys played poker. Darren and Tracie returned about fifteen minutes later.
“You got it?”
Tracie opened her purse, flashing the dime bag for Portia to see. It was more than a dime bag, though, enough for a couple dozen one-hitters.
“How did you get that much?”
“I told you, I got friends.”
Ramona’s cousin Jimmy came down the hall and stood next to Tracie. He rubbed her back and gave a quick nod to Phoebe.
“You good?” he whispered.
Tracie nodded.
“Why don’t you guys come to the back room and we can light up?”
“Nah,” replied Tracie.
Ace wandered in and grabbed a seat at the table. He threw down a couple of $20s and cashed in for chips. A guy named George took the money and placed it in a small cash drawer in the corner.
As he leaned over, Phoebe spotted the handle of a .44 sticking out of the waist of his jeans.
“Hey Tracie,” said Ace, “What are you doing this summer, baby?”
“I dunno.”
“I got a friend.”
“Yeah, you got all kinds of friends.”
“He owns The Executive Club.”
“Yeah…and?”
“He’s always looking for new girls. It’s good money and it’s all under the table. What do you think?”
“I’ve thought about it.”
“Your friend could come, too,” said Ace as he motioned to Phoebe.
“How do I get in touch with him?”
“I’ll give him your number.”
Tracie led Phoebe out to the parking lot and to her car. She split a clove cigarette down one side and replaced the cherry tobacco with pot. She carefully tucked it into place and folded the outer wrapper back into place.
“Let’s light up,” said Tracie.
They smoked the blunt until someone came up on the driver’s side and knocked on the window. Phoebe jumped in fright. It was Portia’s friend, Sophie.
“Jesus, Sophie!” exclaimed Phoebe, “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Where’s Portia?”
“How the hell should I know?”
Sophie leaned across the door ledge and looked over at Tracie.
“What were you doing with Darren?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“If it’s Darren, it’s Portia’s business.”
“What do you mean?”
Sophie shrugged.
“Are you keeping a secret?” asked Phoebe.
“No.”
“I think you are. That’s why Darren was bothering me about her.”
Phoebe and Tracie cornered Darren and got him to come clean about him and Portia. He told them everything. He wanted it all out in the open. He knew he was better for Portia than his brother.
By the time Monday morning came around, the cat was out of the bag. Tracie texted the news on the social networks and everyone knew, including Portia.
Portia kept telling herself she’d remain calm when she confronted Tracie. When Portia got to Mr. Tanner’s class, the smug little smirk on Tracie’s face was all that Portia could take. She knocked a can of soda out of Tracie’s hands. It splattered across the front of Tracie’s blouse. Tracie got up and shoved Portia. Portia grabbed the smaller girl by the hair and yanked as hard as she could. They tumbled to the ground and Portia leaned on top of Tracie and shoved her face into the side of the bleachers.
“Get off her!” called Phoebe.
Portia grabbed Tracie by the arms and pinned her to the ground.
Phoebe grabbed her sister by the waist and pulled her off.
‘Mr. Tanner just came out of the staff restroom! He’s coming!”
Phoebe jerked backwards on her sister. Tracie reached up and smacked Portia in the face. Just as Mr. Tanner arrived at the door, Sophie slammed it in his face and held onto the knob tightly. Mr. Tanner tapped on the glass pane and directed Sophie to let go.
The three girls stood there, their blouses untucked and their faces beet-red.
“Three more days, girls. I’m just asking for three more days.”
Mr. Tanner went to his office and closed the door. He waited for a little while before coming out. He went directly to his piano. The piano bench shuttered as he moved it into place. He sat down and began to play songs the children never heard before. He played and played until the final bell rang.
“Now get out of here,” he stated simply. With a wave of his hand, the entire class was gone. Two days left.
Across town, Alex had returned for his first full day of work in a little over a week. The set of knobs on the right hand side jittered whenever he shifted them from one position to the other and he was eating a dozen Ibuprofen each day, trying to keep the pain in his right pinky finger to a minimum. On his last trip to bathroom, Frank noticed his forklift outside the men’s restroom.
“You’ve been taking a lot of breaks today.”
“It’s my right hand.”
“Maybe you should go to the hospital.”
“Maybe.”
As the evening wore on, the pain in Alex’s hand became unbearable. He went to the emergency room at the University of Pittsburgh and waited for someone to see him.
And waited.
And waited.
He spent four hours in the waiting room and another hour sitting on the gurney in room D. It wasn’t a room at all, but a row of beds, cordoned off by translucent white curtains. When someone finally arrived, it wasn’t a doctor. It was Brian, a medical student at Pitt.
“My first question is, ‘How are you feeling?’”
“Good, I guess.”
“What brings you in tonight?”
“My hand.”
Brian held Alex’s hand and gingerly poked different areas with the back of his pencil. Brian instantly diagnosed the problem.
“You’ve got a little bit of infection.”
Brian used a small needle to prick a hole in the healing wound. He squeezed the pinky between his fingers. Pus oozed out of the hole. Brian applied a new bandage and pressed it into place.
“Good as new.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“I’ll set you up with a penicillin prescription and some pain killers, too. Take the penicillin until it runs out. This should get rid of all the infection.”
After he left the E.R., Alex visited the billing clerk.
“Who is your insurer?”
“I don’t have one.”
“Fill out these forms.”
Alex completed the paperwork and returned it to the clerk. She signed off on it and Alex went home, as good as new…again.
Portia was in the basement watching Penny.
“Where have you been?”
“At the hospital.”
“Again?”
“My hand was infected.”
Alex tossed his pills, keys, and wallet on the desk beside the bed before heading to the bathroom. By the time he showered and changed, Portia had fallen asleep. He tucked her in with a blanket and then went to bed, too.
The next morning, he woke early and tried getting Portia up, too.
“I’m not going to school today.”
“Why not?”
“I only have one exam left tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll see you tonight, then.”
Portia nodded.
And that was how she (and Phoebe) survived the last two days of school – by staying as far away from each other as humanly possible.
Even on Graduation Day, Portia hung out with Sophie and Phoebe hung out with her friends until the very last moment, when they had to wait, one-two in the commencement line.
Afterwards, the graduates mingled with their friends and family and made plans for the evening. As Phoebe and Portia waited with their parents, Darren approached.
“Hey, looks like you made it. Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” said Portia.
After an awkward moment, Darren and Portia hugged. Then, they stood there for a moment.
“I think we should celebrate.”
“Where are you taking us?” asked Phoebe.
“Your choice.”
“I think we should eat somewhere nice.”
“How about seafood?”
“Seafood it is,” replied Phoebe.
“Darren, do you want to come?”
“Uh, I can’t.”
“It’s no problem, really.”
“No, dad, he can’t.”
Just then, Marcus approached. He wedged himself between Darren and Portia.
“Hey, Mr. Gatteau, Mrs. Gatteau, Alex.”
He went from person to person, shaking their hands. As he gripped Alex’s hand, Alex squeezed Marcus’ hand tightly and met him eye-to-eye. He didn’t need to say one thing more. Marcus knew just what he was thinking.
“Well, congrats, P.”
He embraced her tightly, lingering for just a moment.
“Hey, Marcus, why don’t you come with us to dinner? We’re having seafood.”
Marcus nodded.
“You going, little brother?”
Darren shook his head.
“Alright then, I’m in.”
Phoebe’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t been too excited about going until now.
“Let the fireworks begin!” she blurted.
They rode in two cars, Marcus to follow the Gatteaus.
“Portia, why don’t you ride with Marcus?”
“Yes,” added Phoebe, “why don’t you?”
Portia glared at her sister but said nothing.
So, she rode to the restaurant with Marcus. When they arrived, Marcus sat next to Portia. Again, it was another situation she could not control. Throughout the meal, his right hand found its way to her left knee under the table. She fidgeted and pushed it away time and time again. Finally, she stood up and went to the restroom.
“Phoebe, can you come with me?”
Phoebe shrugged.
“Come! On!” she commanded Phoebe, grabbing her by the hand and dragging her to the restroom.
“You’ve got to trade places with me.”
“I’m doing no such thing.”
“Marcus is groping me under the table.”
“He’s your boyfriend. Do something about it.”
Portia grit her teeth and steamed the whole way back to the table. When she finally sat down, she edged her chair away from the table. Still, Marcus casually rested his hand upon her knee for everyone to see.
Alex cleared his throat. Marcus glanced over but went on with his meal.
“Let’s go,” said Alex.
“I’m not finished eating,” said Phoebe.
“Yes, Alex,” added Mrs. Gatteau, “let’s relax. Tonight’s a celebration.”
“I’m tired and I need to put Penny to bed.”
“She looks fine to me.”
“Alright, Alex,” said Mr. Gatteau, “Let’s get out of here.”
“But I haven’t had dessert,” said mother.
“It’s getting late.”
When they went to the parking lot, Portia went with her family.
“I can take you home,” said Marcus.
“No, I’m tired, too.”
Portia pulled away from Marcus. On the way home, the car was quiet. Portia ignored her mother’s prodding questions. She immediately went downstairs with Alex and Penny. They watched television for another hour or so and commiserated about mom and Phoebe and Marcus.
“I could’ve just knocked his block off,” said Alex.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be the last time you have to deal with him.”
Finally, Portia put Penny in her crib and when she fell asleep, the other two decided it was also time for bed. Tomorrow, they’d both be going to work.
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