Page 57 of Missile Tow
“That stuff is easy. Because you are special to me.”
“And there’s another example,” he added, gesturing toward the tow truck. “You remembered what I said last week in the garage.” He leaned closer, waiting until he was sure my eyes were on his. “I know displaying the tow truck wasn’t easy for you. And yet, I suspect you knew I needed an act of assurance like that.”
“Same old truck, but a whole new life,” I said.
“About that,” he began. “Something has been on my mind about us.”
Noting the worry descending to my stomach, I pushed any negative thoughts away. “Go on.”
Van flicked snow from my ski pants, hesitated, and then turned away. I squeezed his hand to let him know I was prepared for whatever he might need to express. Shortly after gathering his thoughts, he turned to face me.
“Do you think we jumped into bed too quickly?” he asked. “I mean, I need you to believe I’m notthatguy. Because, like I told you, I’ve never had a one-night stand before.”
“I believe that about you,” I confirmed. Van mouthedthank you. “Plus, you’re missing one key detail,” I continued. “You didn’t leave the next day, remember?”
We studied one another. I was overflowing with emotion about this guy. Truthfully, I was growing so attached, so quickly, and so early, that I ached inside. Literally and physically hurting at the thought that what we shared so far wouldn’t stand the test of time.
Van was about to say something when Sadie Hatfield’s Cadillac came to a screeching halt in front of the snow pile, barely missing coming up the side. The car window rolled down.
“Mrs. Hatfield,” Van acknowledged, sliding all the way down on his cute butt to her car.
I joined them and greeted her as well. Mrs. Hatfield didn’t respond. Instead, she glared at us, causing us to look behind us in case we’d missed something. She pushed her door open, stepped out of her luxury car, and crossed her arms.
“So, it is true,” she snapped, shifting her eyes between us. “And I thought Bertie was just trying to get under my skin.”
“And what might that be, Mrs. Hatfield?” I asked, stepping beside Van. “And don’t let Bertie rattle you, Ma’am.”
Sadie faced Van. “Bertie isn’t the real reason I’m perturbed,” she rebutted. “You are,” she stated, staring at Van with disgust.
“Now wait a minute, ma’am,” I injected, instinctively stepping in front of Van. “Please don’t be like that.”
“It’s okay, Chip,” Van said, moving from behind me and acknowledging Sadie’s unusual reaction with a kind smile. “Have I done something to upset you, Sadie?”
“You are not the right choice for Calvin,” she explained, using my formal name, and adjusting her neck scarf while maintaining her nasty disposition. “He cannot live through another heartbreak.”
“What are you talking about, Mrs. Hatfield?” I interrupted.
“I saw you two hugging and kissing from clear over at the liquor store,” she announced. “Mr. Jenkins pointed the two of you out. He said how happy he was that the two of you found each other.”
“And that has you angry?” Van asked.
Sadie’s head spun back to Van so abruptly, her gaudy earrings damn near flew off. “You are not fooling me, city boy,” she hissed. “Acting like you could live in this town. I see youhanging out at the mercantile and ingratiating yourself with the townsfolk. I, for one, am not buying it.”
Van turned to me. I assumed he was unsure about how to respond to her. I’d learned in the matter of a week or so that Van could not be rude to others. Her attack warranted afuck off, but I recognized that would not happen.
“Not that it’s any of your business, ma’am, but Van and I just started dating,” I confirmed. “Whether he stays in Missile or leaves for another place, we’re not jumping that far ahead. That prediction would be premature, and you’re being unkind as well as unfair to him.”
Mrs. Hatfield delivered one more nasty glare to Van and then backed away toward her car, pointing at me. “He will run out on you just like John did. Trust me, Calvin,” she warned. “Boys like him do not stay in towns like this. For one, he is ill-equipped for the climate. Also, the loneliness and lack of activities will drain his will. And I am urging you not to become further involved.”
“Let’s not forget John was born here, ma’am, and he still left. And let me also remind you that it was of his own free will after twenty-some years,” I stated, reaching for Van’s hand. “Van is new to town, and whether he chooses to stay or to leave doesn’t affect you.”
She stepped forward, leaning into my face. “Trust me on this, son. He will leave, too,” she hissed. “There is nothing for Van in Missile because this town is a dead end.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Van tapped my elbow and stepped forward. “I’ve been on dead-end streets before, Sadie. And I intend to explore this one because Chip resides here.”
She cackled, her face registering a hatred I’d never seen in her, and I’ve known her my entire life. Mrs. Hatfield was known community-wide as a polished, well put-together,mannered woman. The person standing in front of me today was unrecognizable.
“Do you actually believe Calvin is over John?” she interrogated, not pausing for an answer. “And you truly believe he’ll replace a local, born-and-bred boy like John with you?” She tossed her head back and laughed like a witch whose spell worked fantastically. “Not going to happen, young man. So, I suggest you pack up your designer labels and move along.”
