Hope For Garbage (5 page)

CHAPTER
10

Lorene was doing her thing in the
kitchen.  She truly loved cooking.  On the center island sat a cutting board and a colander full of fresh vegetables.  She was stuffing some pasta shells with spinach and ricotta cheese.  Bea walked in from school and dropped into a kitchen chair.

“Hey Bea, how was school?”

“It was okay.”  She sounded a little down.  “What’s for dinner?  I’m starving.”

“Oh just some stuffed shells with salad.”

“Sounds good.”  Bea started digging through her bag for her homework.

Lorene began chopping the vegetables for the salad.  “So, did you talk to that boy over the weekend?  The one you were telling me about—what’s his name—Trevor?”

“Yeah, I actually went over to visit him on Saturday.  He’s really sweet.”

Lorene remembered Bea had mentioned he was from Westwood.  “So, does he go to school in Westwood?  That’s where he’s from, right?”

“Yeah.  He goes to Westwood High.  He’s a junior.”  The girl didn’t seem to be in the mood to talk.

Just then Lorene dropped the salad spoons and ran over to the range.  “Oh shoot!  I forgot to put on the oven.” 

“Trevor told me he is a vegetarian you know.  Do you think that’s weird?”

This did surprise Lorene.  “Really?  You don’t see many teenage boys turning vegetarian.  But I wouldn’t say it’s weird—more like unique.”

Lorene went back to tossing the salad.  “So what are his plans for after high school?”

“I’m not sure.  We didn’t really talk abo
ut that.”   Bea didn’t like the question.  Lorene could hear it in her tone.

Lorene placed the bread dough in a loaf pan.  She couldn’t help herself.  Just one more question, “Do you think—?”

Before she could finish, Bea was shouting, “What the hell is this Lorene?  An inquisition?  Like I said, we didn’t talk about it.  And what if he doesn’t want to go to college?  What if he just wants to be an artist, or a plumber, or a fireman, or whatever.  Does it really matter?”

Lorene had pushed too far.  “Honey, I’m sorry.  I was just curious, that’s all.  Sometimes I just don’t know when to shut up.”

Bea wouldn’t look her in the eyes.  She slumped down in her chair, a pitiful frown on her face.  “Sorry.  I just feel kind of stressed out lately.  On Saturday, I kind of just ran out on him.”

Uh oh.
  “You did?  Did something upset you?”

Bea sighed, “Not really.  I mean, he didn’t do anything.  I guess I just freaked out, you know.  Everything was a little overwhelming.”

An idea popped into Lorene’s head, “You know what?  Why don’t you call Trevor up and ask him over for dinner?  This is a completely vegetarian meal.  Your mom won’t be home until late tonight.  And, I’d really like to meet him.”

Bea’s eyes lit up.  “Really?  That would be awesome.  I just hope he’s not mad about the way I left on Saturday.  Talk about embarrassing.”  In seconds she was digging in her bag for her cell phone.  “Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to call him up and see.  I know you’re really going to like him Lorene.”

Lorene could hear her leaving a message, sounding very casual.  Bea must really like this boy, and Lorene was happy for her.  She truly hoped she would get to meet him tonight.

***

On his way home from school, Trevor checked his phone.  He had a voicemail waiting from Bea.  She invited him over for dinner, saying her parents wouldn’t be around and they’d have the place to themselves.

He was surprised.  After Bea left on Saturday, he thought she wanted nothing more to do with him.  And,
dinner was a tempting offer, but the whole situation was starting to stress him out.  As much as he liked Bea, he wasn’t used to the drama.  I mean, she walks out right when he was about to kiss her?  He would never understand girls.

But the big
ger problem was that Bea was living in another world.  She hadn’t asked him about the rest of his family yet.  She didn’t even ask why he was living with his uncle.  What would she think when she found out the truth?  How could she ever understand?  And shit, what would her super rich parents think?

Trevor didn’t want to deal with it now.  He just wanted to work in his Box and clear his head.  He would just send her a text and say he couldn’t make it.

He typed into his phone: 
Hey, I’m really tired and not feeling up 2 dinner 2nite.  Maybe another time?  Thx 4 the offer.
  At least it was honest.

A couple of minutes later he got a response. 
That’s fine.
  She was pissed.

He texted back,
I would like to c u.  Just tired 2nite

Ok I understand
. 
Sorry about the way I left Saturday. 

Now the guilt started settling in.  He imagined her sitting there with a pouty look on her face and suddenly he had an overwhelming urge to see her.  Did he really want to do this
?  Screw it.

I am pretty hungry
.
Be there in 20?

Just as he was sending the text, Trevor realized he would have to ride his bike there.  Uncle Gary wouldn’t be back for hours.  Harbor Village was about twenty minutes by car, so who knew how long it would take on a bike…unless.

Trevor ran over to Mr.T’s.

CHAPTER 11

The damn mail was wet again.  That was it—he was going to Home Depot tomorrow to get a new mailbox.  Better yet, he would give it to Trevor.  The kid could probably make it like new again.

Tom sorted through the junk mail while Jip lay under the table at his feet.  “Well Jip, you and I can hang out a little longer.  But then I have to leave you for dinner.  I’m going to meet my friend Carol for some real food.  Don’t worry though—I’ll bring you home a treat.”

Just then he heard pounding at the back door.  Trevor was peeking through the glass.  “Come in!” Tom shouted.

Trevor burst through the door, “Okay, Mr.T, I need a big favor.”

“I’ve told you a million times you don’t need to knock kid.”

The kid was panting like he had just run a marathon, “Yeah, okay.  I just need to borrow your car.”

Well, this was a first.  The kid always rode his bike—always.  He liked to call Tom’s Grand Marquis, the “Grand Polluter”.  He supposed Trevor was like a lot of kids of his generation—wanting to save the planet from ignorant old coots like him.  He liked to remind Tom of little facts he had learned, like a cloth diaper takes five years to decompose, but today’s plastic diapers take five hundred years.  He had to admit, that one was pretty compelling.  But Tom wasn’t in the business of buying diapers—yet.  And if God forbid, that day ever came, he sure as hell wasn’t wearing cloth!

Tom suddenly remembered his date with Carol and frowned, “Hmm…you know anytime I would say yes kid, but wouldn’t you know it, I actually need it tonight.”

Trevor’s face fell.  “Really?  No offense
Mr.T but why would you need it?  You never go anywhere after like four o’clock.”

That was pretty much true. “I know but I actually have a date tonight with Carol.”

“The noodle lady?  Seriously?”  Trevor looked amused.  “What if I drop you off at dinner?  Then I’ll pick you up a couple hours later.”

Wow, the kid really was desperate.  Tom had a feeling this had something to do with the girl.  “Well, maybe I should ask you what you need it for.  That would be a start.”

“Well…I have a date too, sort of.”  Was the kid blushing?  This was a side of Trevor he had never seen before, and it was refreshing.

“Really?  Let me guess, a pretty little brunette with a fancy car?”

Trevor started to ramble.  He told Tom about the dinner invitation, and how she lived up in Harbor Village.  Yes, she was rich, but not snobby.  She was smart, nice, and hot.  “Or in your language, Mr.T, she’s a looker,” he explained.

“Okay slow down.  How about I drive you to her house and then pick you up later?  Carol and I are
going to dinner downtown, so it’s too far to be dropping us off.”

Trevor seemed to relax a bit, “Yeah, I guess that should work.  But when are you going, because I told Bea I would be there soon—like around six.”

“‘Bea’?  What’s that short for?  Beatrice, Betty?  Or maybe beautiful?  Huh?”  He nudged Trevor with his elbow.

“
Mr.T you can be so cheesy sometimes.  Her name is Barbara but she doesn’t like it.”

Tom chuckled, “I see.  Well no worries kid.  I will get you there by six o’clock sharp.  You can always count on me.”  And that was the God’s honest truth.

***

The doorbell rang and Lorene shouted, “Bea!  I think he’s here!”  Bea had been primping in the bathroom for over an hour.  It could be another hour if Lorene didn’t get the girl out of there.  She tapped on the bathroom door.  “
urHu
Hurry it up Bea.  They’re here.”

Lorene went to the front door and opened it.  To her surprise there were three people standing there—a teenage boy and an elderly couple.  “Hello!  Come in, come in.”  She motioned them in and then focused her attention on the young one, “You must be Trevor.”

He was a handsome boy with sandy brown hair and light brown eyes.  He looked scared silly and just nodded.

The older gentlemen extended his hand to her.  “Hello, I’m Tom Tyminski and this is my friend Carol.”

“Well it’s so nice to meet all of you.  I’ve got a wonderful dinner planned.  Bea will be out any minute.  You know how girls can be.”  Carol nodded knowingly, while Tom and Trevor looked like they didn’t have a clue.

“Can I get you something to drink?  Soda, juice, maybe something stronger, Tom and Carol?”

Trevor finally spoke, “No, they’re not staying.  Well, Mr.T has other plans.  But he wanted to meet Bea before he took off.”

Just then Bea emerged from the bathroom.  She looked especially pretty in a light
blue shift dress that matched her eyes.  They all made their introductions and then Tom took Bea’s hand and kissed it.  “You are just as lovely as Trevor told me you were.”  At that, the boy’s face turned crimson.

“I wish we could stay, but we have reservations we don’t want to miss.  It was nice to meet you both.” Tom said.
             

Lorene showed Tom and Carol to the door and then she got dinner on the table.  They sat down to a feast of spinach stuffed shells, garden salad and Italian bread
dipped in olive oil.  Lorene even offered them each a small glass of merlot.  She figured these kids could use something to help them relax.  Both Trevor and Bea were quiet, and Lorene found herself initiating most of the conversation.  Getting those two to say anything was like pulling teeth.  She asked polite questions, and got short answers.

Thankfully, as the dinner progressed, everyone began opening up a little more.  Lorene learned all about Trevor’s workshop, the ‘Box’ as he called it.  She heard about how talented he was from Bea, who wa
s overflowing with compliments.

Lorene had to admit, she was very impressed with the boy.  How could she not be?  Giving away all t
hat stuff, and visiting the children at the Haven House.  Not many kids today were unselfish like that.  It seemed like the youth today just wanted more, actually expected more.

She was a little concerned about his family life though.  She had learned he lived with his uncle, and judging from the way the boy spoke about him, Lorene could tell Trevor didn’t care for him much.  But there was no mention of his parents, or any other family for that matter.  The boy seemed very alone; much like Bea in a way.  Maybe Tom was that one person that Trevor counted on, just as she was the one person Bea counted on.

After dinner they had ice cream sundaes with all the toppings.  Trevor might’ve been a vegetarian, but he certainly seemed to be a good eater.  He had two helpings at dinner and one of the biggest ice cream sundaes Lorene had ever seen.  They all cleaned up in the kitchen together and Lorene decided it was time to say goodbye.  “I hope to see you again soon Trevor.”  And she truly meant that.

“Yea, me too Lorene,” he said smiling.

All in all, it was a very pleasant evening.  Lorene could only hope the best for those two kids.  She picked up her purse and her bag of leftovers, and was out the door.

CHAPTER 12

Trevor could definitely see why Bea considered Lorene her best friend.  She was down-to-earth and
very friendly.  She really knew how to make people feel comfortable.

Finally it was just him and Bea—alone. He was feeling things he had never felt before: excitement, nervousness, and anticipation all rolled into one.  The more time he spent with her, the more he tho
ught about kissing her, holding her, touching her...

After Lorene had left, they walked out onto the back terrace.  Trevor was amazed again.  The stone terrace was enormous, jutting out to the edge of the lake.  Wrapped around the banister were thousands of tiny twinkle lights, creating a glowing boundary between them and the endless water.  To the west, the setting sun
had turned the sky into wild shades of pink and orange.  To the east, the Cleveland skyline sparkled far off in the distance.  Trevor could never imagine being able to come out here every night and enjoy this view.  This truly was a different world.

A minute of silence passed before Trevor got the nerve to turn and face her.  He had been thinking about kissing her all night.  What if she freaked out again?  He felt like a nervous idiot, but he didn’t want to scr
ew it up.  It was now or never.

He put his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “You’re really pretty, you know that?” 
Oh God, did he just say that?

She obviously didn’t mind, because she leaned into him, and the next thing he felt was her lips on his.
  Her mouth was so soft and warm… She was kissing him!

Without thinking, his body seemed to take over.  He wrapped his arms around her back and kissed her more deeply.
  He felt a little dizzy as her body pressed against his.

He began working his way down her neck, kissing all of the
soft skin he could find.  It seemed to come naturally now.  He found his hands sliding under her sweater and working their way up her back.

Unfamiliar sensations shot through his body and he could feel his self-control slipping away.  He wanted more.  He couldn’t help himself.

Suddenly she pulled away from him.  “Trevor, I think maybe we should take it slower, you know.”  Her face was flushed and her eyes were on the ground.

At that moment, a breeze of lake air hit him in the face and he seemed to snap back to reality. 
Shit.
  He came on too strong.  “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not you.  I’m sorry…God this is embarrassing.”  She wouldn’t look at his face.

“No I’m sorry, really.”  This was torture.  Why couldn’t he be satisfied with just a kiss?  He grabbed her hand, “Hey, do you want to watch a movie or something?”

She looked relieved, “Yeah, okay.”

He led her back into the house.  They got comfortable on the couch and starting flipping through the channels on the big screen.  He felt like a jack-ass and just hoped he hadn’t ruined everything.

“The Avengers” was the movie of choice.  Trevor watched the super heroes fly around saving the world, but he wasn’t really interested.  Maybe it was the Black Widow in her tight bodysuit, but all he could think about was kissing Bea, and kissing her more...

She was curled up next to him under a big fluffy blanket.  Giant pillows on both sides of the couch seemed to swallow them up.  He could just lean over and…
Stop it Trevor
.  He had to get it out of his head.

She put her head on his shoulder and he suddenly felt exhausted.  He would just rest his eyes for a minute.  Trevor wasn’t sure when it happened, but they both fell asleep.

***

He had the nightmare again.  Trevor was flying, and the man-in-black was chasing him.  He was falling fast this time.  Suddenly the man grabbed him and started shaking him.  He couldn’t get away.  “No!” he thrashed out, trying to free himself.

“Wake up!  Trevor wake up!”  He was jolted awake to see Bea standing in front of him.  “Trevor, you have to get up.  My mom’s home.”

Oh no.
  He suddenly realized where he was.  What time was it?  Trevor sat up on the couch adjusting his eyes to the light.

Standing next to Bea was a woman dressed in white.  As she came into focus, he realized she was wearing some kind of lab jacket.  The name “Garden of Eve” was embroidered in fancy black letters on her left shoulder.  She was tall and thin, maybe even taller than him, and had long, blond hair. She was the woman in the portr
ait, and she was very attractive.

“Hi, I’m Evelyn Stewart, Barbara’s mother,” she said in a cool voice.  The woman oozed sophistication and confidence.  Her eyes seemed to bore into him.  He wasn’t quite sure how to read this lady.  He instantly felt uncomfortable, and a little intimidated.

His eyes quickly went to the floor. “Hi, I’m Trevor.”

“Well Trevor, Barbara tells me you guys had a nice dinner.  She said a friend of yours was supposed to pick you up?”

Mr.Tyminski—where the hell was he?
  “Yeah, my neighbor.  What time is it?”

“Past midnight.”  Bea answered.  She was chewing on her nails looking extremely uncomfortable.

“Well, I’m not sure what happened.  My neighbor should’ve been here.”  Trevor said.  He was a little worried now.  There was no way Mr.T would’ve forgotten him. 

Evelyn Stewart picked up her coat and turned to Bea.  “All right, I’ll have to take Trevor home then.  Barbara, I want you to go straight to bed.  You have to be up early tomorrow.”

Bea walked away quickly and didn’t say a word.  At the top of the stairs she gave him a little wave and an apologetic look.  Trevor waved back.

Then he
followed Evelyn out the door.