Hung Up (10 page)

James:
So what did you do for a diorama?

Lucy:
I used a shoe box. I put stickers all over the back wall and then tucked two small dolls in it. I also put a bunch of fake cherries in the box to represent the magic fruit.

James:
What about the Goblin men?

Lucy:
I cut out black shadows and stuck them on the wall with the stickers.

James:
What are the dolls doing?

Lucy:
They’re just sitting there. On a blanket. It’s not like I had to animate the diorama.

James:
Did it have a lid?

Lucy:
Why are you suddenly referring to my diorama in the past tense? Yes, it has a lid. I cut an eyehole out at the front of the box, so you can look in and see what’s going on.

James:
Isn’t it dark?

Lucy:
It’s a little dark. But you can still see the fruit and dolls and Goblin men shadows.

James:
It sounds good.

Lucy:
It’s fine.

James:
I’m sure you’ll pass. Hey, I just thought of something. I bet the reason you had your dream about losing your sister is because you built that diorama.

Lucy:
I guess.

James:
What do you mean, “I guess”? It’s so obvious.

Lucy:
I’ve had that dream before. When I wasn’t making a diorama.

James:
Well, what triggered it this time was the diorama. I’m sure.

Lucy:
I don’t want to talk about my nightmare. Moving on. My shoes will be ready tomorrow.

James:
Wow. Good to hear, because I’ve been stressed out about that all day.

Lucy:
Very funny. So when exactly are you picking me up?

James:
I thought I’d pick you up at exactly five o’clock.

Lucy:
That seems early.

James:
It will take about an hour to drive back to Burlington. I think five o’clock is sort of late.

Lucy:
Really? You can pick me up earlier if you want.

James:
I’ll pick you up at four thirty. Exactly.

Lucy:
Are you the sort of person that if it starts snowing a lot, you won’t drive on the freeway?

James:
We’re not going to get heavy snow in April.

Lucy:
It
could
happen.

James:
It’s highly unlikely.

Lucy:
Weather patterns keep getting crazier and crazier. I stand by my question. If it starts snowing a lot, are you the sort of person who won’t drive on the freeway?

James:
No.

Lucy:
Good.

James:
Why? Are you worried that I’m not going to come?

Lucy:
I was just wondering if severe road conditions alter you.

James:
They have to get pretty severe before I consider myself “altered.”

Lucy:
This is good to hear. Besides, I already checked NOAA and things look pretty clear. There might be a light snow. But apparently snow doesn’t stop you. Now I don’t have anything to worry about.

James:
So enough time has gone by since your last psychology class that you don’t think we’re still afraid to meet each other?

Lucy:
Yes. Time passed and I got over feeling that way.

James:
Good.

Lucy:
I think we’ll have a great time.

James:
So you’re not worried that things might feel awkward?

Lucy:
No.

James:
You sound so sure.

Lucy:
James Rusher, I think we have a genuine connection.

James:
You do?

Lucy:
I really do.

James:
That can only be jeopardized by road conditions?

Lucy:
Let’s drop that. I was just curious if a snowstorm could ruin things. But it doesn’t sound like that’s the case. I think this all goes back to our genuine connection.

James:
It’s good to know you feel that way. Because I might need to lean on that while being forced to confront the Nan/Jairo connection.

Lucy:
I try not to think about those two being at the same dance.

James:
Oh, they’ll be there.

Lucy:
Let’s just ignore them.

James:
I don’t know. I sort of think I should talk to them. I haven’t talked to them since Jairo and I had our fight.

Lucy:
They both sound like selfish pigs.

James:
So I should never talk to either one of them ever again?

Lucy:
Pretty much.

James:
I think I might be more forgiving than you, Lucy.

Lucy:
I don’t want to meet them.

James:
Couldn’t you at least say hi?

Lucy:
I don’t want to.

James:
But what if I want you to?

Lucy:
They seem like really crappy people. Especially Nan.

James:
You don’t even know them.

Lucy:
Well, I know what you’ve told me about them.

James:
They have their good points.

Lucy:
James, you’ve spent weeks telling me how awful they are and I believe you. Can’t you talk to them when I go to the bathroom or something?

James:
It’s weird to me that you might hate them more than I hate them.

Lucy:
Well, I guess I’m weird. I’m just saying that I’ve developed strong negative feelings for them, and if you want to be safe, you better keep us apart. Or I might say something or do something crazy.

James:
Crazy?

Lucy:
Sometimes I yell at people.

James:
You cannot yell at my dance.

Lucy:
If I see her and she says something shitty, I can’t make any promises.

James:
Oh, you’re going to make me that promise right now.

Lucy:
No.

James:
Lucy, I can’t take you to the dance if you’re going to go off on my ex-girlfriend.

Lucy:
Keep us apart.

James:
You don’t even know who she is or what she looks like and I can’t really keep her from approaching me.

Lucy:
I just want to have fun with you, James. And interacting with toxic people will kill that.

James:
Did I call them toxic?

Lucy:
No, but you used a bunch of other negative language.

James:
Okay. I’m not saying that I know for sure
whether I’ll talk to either one of them. But if I do, if that’s what I decide to do, I want to make sure that you’re not going to act psycho.

Lucy:
I have never acted “psycho” before in my whole life. I’m a civilized person. I’m not going to punch anybody in the face.

James:
I know that. I just think maybe we could smile and stuff.

Lucy:
I like the idea of staying separated.

James:
Yeah, but what if I want to ask Nan for one dance? Maybe you could dance with Jairo for one dance.

Lucy:
What planet do you live on? Your ex-girlfriend is going to the prom with your best friend. And you’ve asked me to be your date. You’ve told me that you like me. You can’t go off dancing with your ex-girlfriend in front of me. In this situation, it just isn’t done.

James:
You make my life and my judgment sound so awful when you talk about it like this.

Lucy:
It’s not awful. But you’ve got to follow some obvious rules of etiquette.

James:
Yeah. You’re right. I’m just trying to figure out how to handle the dance.

Lucy:
Separation. Avoidance. You’ve got plenty of options. Also, I’m not jealous of Nan.

James:
I never said that you were.

Lucy:
But that’s what you were starting to think, isn’t it?

James:
No. I was starting to think that I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do when I see Jairo and Nan tomorrow night.

Lucy:
You’re supposed to pretend like they don’t exist and dance your ass off.

James:
Lucy, that seems like a game.

Lucy:
It’s not a game. It’s a strategy for protecting your heart. And your image.

James:
I don’t care about my image.

Lucy:
That’s probably because your reputation is in good standing. But forcing a weird Nan encounter at the dance could change that.

James:
I guess you’re right.

Lucy:
I know I’m right.

James:
You’re sounding really bossy tonight.

Lucy:
It’s only the afternoon.

James:
Even that sounded bossy.

Lucy:
I didn’t mean to be bossy.

James:
Yeah. Okay. I’ve got homework.

Lucy:
Are you going to call me later?

James:
I’m not trying to blow you off. I’ve really got homework. I’m working on a report about America’s invasion of Grenada.

Lucy:
For what class?

James:
History.

Lucy:
But you just finished a report on the Rough Riders for that class.

James:
I’ve got a report due every week for the rest of the year in history.

Lucy:
That’s too many. Especially for somebody who is anti-essay.

James:
I don’t mind writing these. It’s for history.

Lucy:
You sound depressed.

James:
I’m not. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.

Lucy:
Is this about our date? I don’t want our date to stress you out.

James:
That’s not it. I’m looking forward to finally meeting you. Really. And I feel so much better knowing that you won’t be punching anybody in the face.

Lucy:
Ha-ha. But I didn’t say anything about not kicking certain people in the knee. Or the no-no spot.

James:
The no-no spot? What are we, ten-year-olds? I’m glad you can have a sense of humor about this.

Lucy:
I’m glad that you’re glad.

James:
I’ll call you tomorrow. I mean, I’ll
see
you tomorrow.

Lucy:
Does that mean you won’t call me?

James:
Do you want me to call you? Does that make our meeting more like a movie or less for you?

Lucy:
Um, good question. I guess less.

James:
So you don’t want me to call?

Lucy:
Um.

James:
You’re nervous.

Lucy:
No. Maybe. I don’t know why I’m sounding like this. I’m actually really excited.

James:
Okay. How about I call you after I exit in Montpelier?

Lucy:
Okay. Do you need me to give you directions again?

James:
I have them. Township Road. Fourth house. If I see the words “Cream Dog,” I’ve gone too far.

Lucy:
Right. So, four thirty tomorrow.

James:
Exactly.

Lucy:
Wow. Exactly.

April 18, 4:45 p.m.

Lucy:
You’re late. Are you lost? Did you hit traffic in Burlington? Hmmm. Call me. Okay?

April 18, 5:10 p.m.

Lucy:
If you don’t get here soon, I’m going to think that you were in some sort of horrible accident. Seriously. Where are you? I’m totally ready. I even have your boutonniere in my refrigerator. I also put the carrot cake in there to thaw out. Okay. Maybe you thought we said five o’clock. Maybe you aren’t
that
late.

April 18, 5:38 p.m.

Lucy:
I just tried to find your home number in the phone book. Then I called the operator. It’s unlisted, James. God, maybe you don’t even exist or something. Or maybe you said you were James Rusher, but you’re not really James Rusher. Maybe you’re some creep named Neil or Alexander or Ted. What’s going on? Where are you? It’s totally messed up to be this late. I’m worried. I’m angry. God! The road conditions are perfect. I’ve checked NOAA six times. Just get here, okay?

April 18, sent 5:43 p.m.

Lucy:
Are you okay? Are you coming? I’m worried about you. You said “exactly.” So now you’re late and you’re a liar.

April 18, 6:21 p.m.

Lucy:
So we’re not going to the dance. Because it will be too late now. Or maybe we could go to the dance and skip dinner. I’ll call Single Pebble and cancel our reservation. I really think you’ve been in an accident. I’m going to start calling hospitals. So if you got cold feet or you somehow patched things up with Nan and you’re just standing me up, you need to suck it up right now and not be a coward
and
a jerkface and tell me that immediately. Because after
hospitals, I might start calling morgues. Seriously. I’m breaking out in hives. All over. I’m so worried. Where are you?

April 19, 1:14 a.m.

Lucy:
You’re either the biggest asshole on the planet Earth, or you’re dead. Either way, don’t ever call me again.

April 19

April 20

April 21, 8:51 p.m.

Lucy:
Your phone still works. So you can’t be dead. You
are
just an asshole. I can’t believe it. What was the point of all this? Just to make another person feel like shit? Mission accomplished. If you ever feel tempted to call me again, don’t. Burn my number.