Page 48 of Until Now
“The tarantula. They aren’t poisonous. It could have lived in my bedroom.”
“Oh, I bet your mother would be thrilled with that idea,” Kim says, chuckling.
“Actually, she hates spiders. I have to catch and release them, or she freaks out,” Bing admits.
“You two ready for school tomorrow? Eight grade’s a big deal,” I say.
A kind of private message passes between Bing and Hunter, followed by sly smiles. Kim sees it too.
“What’s that look for? What are you two up to?”
“Hunter already has a girlfriend. She wants to eat lunch with him,” Bing says, spilling the secret.
He gets a scowl for his reveal. “Why? Why did you tell that?” Hunter says only half-pissed.
“Is that the Beth girl?” Kim asks.
“Yeah. It’s no big thing.”
“What is it you like about this girl, son?”
Hunter looks about seventy-five percent uncomfortable telling his mother. There are a few beats before he speaks.
“She’s nice. She’s pretty. And she likes sports and going camping. Her family goes on big hikes.”
“She acts all crazy-eyed when she watches Hunter sing. And she likes dogs,” Bing adds. “She can’t be all bad if she likes animals.”
So that’s what changed Hunter’s relationship with Cali. I thought it was the effect of Bing when all along it was the girl.
“Make sure you act as I raised you. Do not do anything I wouldn’t be okay with. You’re only thirteen; there’s plenty of time for girls.”
The three of us pause for a moment before catching each other’s gaze. Does my sister really think she can stop the tsunami that is puberty?
* * *
My cell sounds over the noise of the midday traffic. My brother’s name pops up on the screen.John.
“Hey.”
“Hey. How’s it goin’?”
“Good. Real good. Kim’s upright and taking a few steps at a time. I think by the time you’re here, the nurse will be relieved of her night duties.”
“That would be great. I’m getting my shit together for the trip. Crap, it’s unbelievable what you need to take for a few months.”
“Don’t make yourself crazy. Tennessee isn’t a third world country. You can pick up what you need. If I didn’t need to get back to my job, I’d stay here a little longer.”
There is a pause before he continues. And I know what it means.
“Is it about the girl?” John asks.
“Yeah. It’s about the girl.”
“Listen, brother, don’t go making impulsive decisions. You’ve been down this road before.”
My blood pressure rises with his words. I know he means well, but Dominique isn’t Donna, and I’m not the man I was when I was young.
“No need to worry. This is completely different. I haven’t forgotten the mess that was.”
