Filed to story: Love on the Sidelines (Natalie & Karl)
“I’ll tell you tomorrow night, I promise.” I figured that would give me time to tell Hugh first.
She leaned against the wall beside me and stared down at the ground. “This has something to do with Karl, doesn’t it?”
“What makes you say that?”
She shook her head. “Everything you do involves Karl in one way or another. After all this time, you’re still in love with him.”
I couldn’t deny it so I remained silent.
“There are dozens of rumors about him and Lindsey Swanner, you know.”
“I know.”
“But you still love him.”
“Yes.”
“Are you sleeping with him?” She shifted to see me better, and one look at my fiery face was all she needed. “Oh, my God. You are. Natalie, how could you do that to Hugh?
He loves you.”
I kept my voice low, afraid someone would overhear us. “No, Jenna. He doesn’t love me. He and I care about each other, but not that way. His mother is pushing him into asking me to marry him the same way mine is pushing me to say yes. Giving in is the path of least resistance, and as long as he isn’t in love with anyone else, he’ll do what she wants.”
“He’d probably do what she wants even if he were in love with someone else,” she said. If the trace of misery in her voice puzzled me, I chalked it up to her failing relationship with Scott Hastings. They’d been dating for most of the year, but things were cooling off rapidly as graduation approached. Scott had big plans to attend a prestigious college in the east while Jenna had already lined up a job with the Mid-Delta Real Estate Company here in town.
“Hey, cheer up. You and Scott can still write to each other.” She looked at me as though I’d suddenly sprouted a horn in the middle of my forehead. “I don’t think so. We both agree it’s better if we don’t see each other again after the prom.”
“I’m sorry.”
One shoulder lifted in a shrug. “No big deal. I don’t love him anymore than you love Hugh. He was only someone to have fun with.” She pushed away from the wall.
“When are you going to tell Hugh?”
“I’m not sure yet,” I hedged. “I have to break the news to my family first and they’re going to be in shock.”
“Want to borrow a roll of duct tape?” She smiled wanly. “You’ll need it for Aunt Darla’s mouth.”
We headed back inside, but she stopped me as we reached the door. “I know Karl is gorgeous, Natalie, and that you’ve loved him forever, but please be careful. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Maybe she had a touch of the second sight. Or maybe she was simply a pessimist, although she’d never shown signs of being one before. More than likely it was Hugh she was worried about. I just didn’t know it back then.
That evening I made a pure nuisance of myself, getting in everyone’s way while they cooked supper, trying to help rush things along. And I watched the clock on the stove like a hawk, imagining Karl’s every move. Right about the time we sat down to eat, he was getting off work. He’d go straight to Lindsey’s, I knew, and I pushed the food around on my plate restlessly. How long would it take? An hour? Surely not two.
Forty-five minutes later I was wearing a groove in the front porch when his truck finally pulled into the driveway. Dashing down the steps, I met him as he climbed out.
“You made it.”
“Of course I did.” He pulled me close and kissed me, right there in full sight of the whole world, and I knew everything was going to be all right.
“Come on.” I took his hand and tugged. “Everyone is still in the kitchen.”
“Hold your horses.” He laughed. “At least give me time to take a shower and change clothes before we face the music.”
I paused to check him over. He was wearing the dark blue uniform he worked in, and oil stains spotted it here and there. He looked wonderful to me, but I realized he’d never get past Aunt Darla in that condition.
“Okay. I’ll go with you.”
Once in his room with the door locked, he stripped while I got his clean clothes out and put them on the bed. The sound of running water drew me to the open bathroom door. Odd, but as many times as we’d made love I’d never watched him take a shower, and being there with him created a sense of intimacy I’d never experienced before.
The curtain around the tub was a clear plastic and I had no trouble seeing his every move as he lathered up the soap and scrubbed his body. I only wished it were my hands doing the honors, but I knew if I offered we wouldn’t make it back to the house for hours. Casually, I put the lid down on the toilet and sat so we could talk without yelling.
“Jenna gave me the third degree at school today.” 80
“Did you tell her?”
“Not in so many words, but I guess she figured it out. I don’t think she’s real happy about it.”
“A lot of people are going to be shocked, Natalie. You might as well get ready for it.”