My Blue Eyes (6 page)

     The first thing when I woke up Sunday morning, I tried to call Mary.  I didn't have any luck. Hopefully she was still sleeping, recovering from the drama of last night.  I needed to see her, so I jumped in the shower and quickly got dressed.  I rushed downstairs expecting to be greeted by my parents, but all I found was a note saying they were going to church and then out to eat.  I appreciated this.  Now I wouldn't have to explain how last night went.
     I made my way to Mary's and knocked on the door several times.  I knew someone was home.  The old beat up VW was in the driveway.  I went around to the back of the house and knocked on the back door.  No luck with this door, so I went back to the front door.  The neighbors probably thought I was crazy, but they didn't understand.  After several more knocks on the front door, Mary's mom answered looking half asleep.  It was 10:30 A.M. and she was still sleeping.  I assumed she spent half the night comforting Mary.
     "Hello Darrel," Mary's mom answered barely able to open her eyes.  "Thanks for waking me up from a dead sleep."
      "I'm sorry Ms. Wizcowski.  Can I see Mary?"
     "She's not here Darrel. I will have her call you when she can."
     "When she can," echoing the words she just said.  "She's not home?  Where is she?"
     "Honestly Darrel, it's not my place to tell you where Mary is.  She will need to tell you herself when she's ready.  Now, if you don't mind, I had a long night last night and really want to get back to bed."
     "Sorry, just please have her call me when she can.  I feel awful about last night."
     Walking back to my truck, I tried to figure out where she was.  The only thing I could think of was she worked herself in such a panic she had to be hospitalized.  I thought, 
certainly Mary's not crazy.  
     I went back home and started watching football, hoping Mary would call.  I couldn't concentrate on the game.  I would intentionally get up and go outside hoping when I returned, her voice would be on the answering machine.  It never happened.  It always showed the same number ten on the machine.  That's right, ten.  Anytime my nieces or nephews would call and leave a message my mom would save it.  She probably had twenty full tapes of her grandkids' messages.  And God forbid if Dad or I accidentally deleted one.  During storms, Dad and I always prayed the power wouldn't go out.  If it did, we would have to go through every freaking message to get it caught up so the machine was current and didn't have to see the flashing red light.  Don't get me wrong, I love my nieces and nephews, I just don't like to listen to the same damn message over and over and over.
     My parents finally made it home from their "Sunday Date" and were eager to tell me all about it.  I was in no mood to hear about how lovely of a time they had when I was miserable.  I sucked it up and listened to every bit.  I will admit, it did boost my spirits a tad.  I liked the fact my parents were so in to each other.  They were never like this when my brothers and sister lived in the house.  They always had so much to do with such a full house, they never had time to reconnect.  Plus, I was their favorite, so I pretended we were just a happy family of three.
     After they got done telling me about their date, they asked how my haunted house went.  I didn't want to talk about it, but I felt obligated since she did convince Mary to go.
     "So tell me Darrel, how was the haunted house?" Mom asked.  "I heard the part after the maze is a little crazy.  You know, a lot of parents have complained about that part."
     "It sucked," I said in a disgusted voice.  "It caused Mary to freak out and she wouldn't stop screaming, so I had to carry her out.  I was so embarrassed.  I drove her home and her mom said she would have her call me today.  I went over there and her mom told me she was gone, and now I have no idea where she is.  She's probably on the fourth floor with the rest of the crazies."
     Now, the fourth floor was the psych ward of our local hospital.  The only thing I knew about the place was it’s where you go when you're crazy.  My brothers used this against me all the time to get me to do what they wanted.  If I wouldn't go get them something to drink, they would threaten to tell Mom I needed to go to the fourth floor.  So I did what they asked, because I didn't want to be stuck with a bunch of crazy people.  
     I didn't honestly think Mary was there, but I was trying to sound cool in front of my parents.  I was trying to sound like I didn't care.  My mom was looking at my dad as I was talking and was giving him one of those smiles like they knew something I didn't know.  I hated when they did this.  No matter how many times I would ask them what they were looking at each other like that for, they wouldn't tell me.  This time I ignored it and pretended I hadn't seen them doing it.
     Mom came over and sat by me and squeezed my knee.  "You know Darrel, not everyone that has to go to the fourth floor is crazy."
     "What do you mean Mom?"
     "Well, sometimes people need be hospitalized so they can get their head right.  Not everyone is wired the same way in their heads and they just need a little help.  Just because they have to go there, doesn't make them any different than anybody else.  As a matter of fact, your sister spent three nights there when she was your age.  You don't think any less of her, do you?  Now, I will skin your butt if you ever repeat that!"
     "I always knew there was something wrong with her," I said smiling while looking at my dad.
     My dad laughed and got up from his chair.  I guess the conversation was getting too deep for him.  "Darrel, just make sure you listen to what your mom is saying."
     I looked at my mom who now had her arm wrapped around my shoulder pulling me closer.  "You don't think Mary's there, do you mom?"
     "I don't know Darrel.  Would you think any less of her if she was?"
     I thought for a minute.  Being the youngest kid of seven, I learned over the years to think before I speak.  "I don't know Mom.  I already get enough grief from my friends for dating Mary.  Could you imagine what it would be like if they knew she was on the fourth floor?"
     Mom sighed and pulled me closer to her as I was now laying in her arms like a young boy.  "Darrel, how many times do I have to tell you, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of you?  As long as you’re happy, that's all what matters.  Remember how I told you others only make fun of people because they're hiding insecurities of their own?  Seriously Darrel, you make sure you remember that, and don't ever let anyone try to take away something that makes you happy."
     I slid down until my head was resting on her waist and my arms were wrapped around her.  I knew it was babyish, but I needed it.  I hadn't snuggled with my mom like this for years.  "Thanks mom."         
 
Chapter 15

     
It took five days before I was able to see Mary again.  She didn't go to school the following week and I had a million questions for her.  It was Friday night, and I was getting ready to meet up with Matt for a party.  As far as I knew at the time, Mary wasn't coming back.  She never bothered to call like her mom had promised and I needed to get rid of this heartbroken feeling.
     My buddy Mark always said the best way to get over a girl is to sleep with the first girl you see.  This was easier said than done.  It had long been our belief that it was a lot easier for a girl to sleep with any guy, than it was for a guy to sleep with any girl.  I'm not saying I was going to do this, but it had crossed my mind.  That was until I walked out of my house and saw Mary sitting in her car.  
     She must have just pulled up, because she turned off the car and exited shortly after I got outside.  I caught her a little off guard as she looked stunned to see me approaching her.  She looked great.  Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail with her bangs pinned back.  This was the first time I had seen this look and I was sold on it.  All the animosity I had growing for her was quickly swept away.
     "Hey Darrel, I just pulled up."
     "Hi Mary," I said quietly.  "I was just getting ready to leave."
     Disappointment covered her face, "Can I talk to you for a little bit?"
     I looked off in the distance debating whether or not I should, knowing darn good and well I would.  "I don't have to pick up Matt for another hour, so I guess."
     Mary approached me reaching out her hands wanting to join ours together.  I obliged.  "Darrel, I'm so sorry for last Saturday.  I don't know what happened to me.  I just freaked out."
     I still felt guilty for making her go. "I should have never kept asking you to go.  It's my fault Mary.  You didn't want to go and I kept pushing."
     Mary took my hands and wrapped them around her waist pulling herself closer to me while clutching her hands behind my neck.  "It's not your fault Darrel.  I agreed to go and I know I embarrassed you.  I am so sorry.  I thought about you every day I was gone.  I missed you so much Darrel.  I was so afraid you would never want to see me again."
     One at a time, tears began running down her cheek.  Man, I was so completely and undeniably in to this girl.  I squeezed her tightly in a full embrace, slightly lifting her off her feet.  "Mary, I don't ever want to not see you again.  You have to stop disappearing.  Where the heck were you?"
     Mary laid her head on my chest reaching around my waist, holding onto me with the intent of never letting go.  "I had to go away for a little bit Darrel.  I will tell you sometime.  I'm just not ready yet.  Remember when I told you I was complicated?  Well, I'm very complicated."
     "You know you can tell me anything Mary.  Promise me this is the last time you will disappear."
     "I can't promise you that Darrel.  I do promise to talk to you about it soon."  Mary looked up, "Don't you need to get going?"
     I glanced at my watch, "Why don't you come with me?"
     "I can't do that Darrel.  Everyone would make fun of me."
     "You're going to have to face them sometime.  You might as well do it now and get it over with."
     Mary shook her head, "No, I'm really not up for it tonight.  You go, have a good time.  Can I see you tomorrow?"
     There was no way I could wait till tomorrow to spend time with her.  I knew Matt would be pissed off at me for bailing, but he would have to get over it.  All I wanted to do was be with Mary and make up for the week we lost.
     "Let’s go inside." I grabbed her hand and led her inside.
     Mary stopped as we entered the house and with sincerity said, "Darrel, you need to be with your friends.  I can wait for tomorrow."
     "Mary, I want to be with you."
     We spent most of the night cuddled up on the couch watching movies.  Thanks to my parents watching too, there was no chance to make out.  I would forever be stuck on first base with no chance of stealing second.  I love my mom, but man was she a pain in the butt.  She kept trying to talk to Mary until my dad finally made them go in the kitchen so we could finish the movie.  
     So there I was, watching a movie with my dad.  The girl I was completely head over heels for was in the kitchen with my mom, acting like she hadn't been gone for a week.  My parents never brought it up about her being gone.  It was almost like they were shielding me from something I didn't want to know.
Chapter 16

     Mary and I had a strong November.  We continued our normal weekend routine of one night with my buddies and one night with her.  I would never tell my friends this, but I enjoyed my night with Mary so much more.  I was still stuck on first base and knowing the fragility of Mary, I only pushed a little.  There was one time I went for second base and I over ran the bag and was called out.  I did cop a feel though and her breasts were spectacular.  They were every bit of the C-cup I first estimated when we first went to Colapi Creek.  Normally, if after two months there wasn't a sniff of hitting a home run, I would have moved on.  Not a chance with Mary.
     Mary made a drastic change in her appearance midway through the month.  She finally, yes finally, ditched the glasses and went for contacts.  The contacts really made her eyes pop.  I thought there was a remote chance we would both get voted prettiest eyes at our school.  Mary even made a drastic change to her hair.  She went for the Sandra Bullock look of 1992.  Not that she didn't look good before, but she was looking damn good now.  Her shirts were fitting a little better and she had committed to wearing the combat boots full time.  I don't know where she got the money for all these changes.  With her mom's salary at the gas station, I knew money was tight in her house.  It was none of my business though.
     We continued to work on our project at Colapi Creek.  After several pH tests of the water, my suspicions were confirmed.  The water was polluted.  One day, we made the mile trek up the creek to check out the hog farm.  The barn was on the edge of the hill that went down to the creek.  This was convenient for the owner.  The only cleaning they had to do was to wash the waste down to the creek.  How this guy managed to get away with this was amazing.  We tested the pH of the water by the farm and it was very acidic.  Normally at my spot we would get a consistent number of five.  Directly behind the farm ,we collected samples of three and two.  So, one could assume that some of the pollutants went away by the time it got down to my spot.  
     We decided to test the water a quarter mile up the creek.  The pH test for this area was nine indicating a base, and free of the pollution that contaminated the water down from the hog farm.  We also tested the water a mile down from my spot and the pH was six.  I wanted to check the water before it emptied into the Mississippi, but Mary told me I was getting carried away.  I checked it one day without Mary and got a reading of seven, which is neutral.  This was good news, because the pollution from the hog farm is getting weeded out by the stream of the creek.  Further testing would need to take place in the winter and the spring.
     School was going well.  Mary even made a couple new friends, but never did anything with them.  Lisa continually tried to engage Mary in conversation in science class, and Mary never wanted any part of it.  She once told me she couldn't stand her, and she thought Lisa was fake.  Mary needed to get over it, because Matt and she were going strong.  They had even slept together and a day didn't go by when Matt wasn't bragging about it.  He would go on and on about Lisa's perky tits and tight ass, and how they have sex almost daily.  I doubted it was that much.  Matt never missed out on an opportunity to give me crap for still being on first.  There was a rumor she was messing around with some college kid.  Matt didn't care.  He claimed he just wanted a steady piece of ass until he left for college.
     The off season weight lifting program was in full swing.  The weight room is what separates a division one player from a division two player.  I took my lifting serious, having gained fifteen pounds of muscle from last year's program.  I wanted to do the same this year, which would put me right over two-hundred pounds.  
     Mary walked with me every day from seventh hour science to the weight room.  I would give her my keys, and she would go home for a couple hours.  She would then pick me up when I was finished, and we would hang out for a few more hours.  This was our normal routine.
     To get to the weight room, you had to cross through our school's gym and out a door into our weight room building.  The basketball team would be practicing every day.  They were all pricks.  The basketball players and we baseball players hated each other.  Basketball was the school's most popular sport and they often produced a sold out gymnasium and a winning team, while we were lucky to have twenty people at our games.  That was the only difference, because we produced a winning team every year since my freshman year.
     We would talk smack back and forth every now and then as I walked to the weight room.  It was honestly in good fun.  They directed their comments towards me and never said anything to Mary.  It was kind of an unwritten code.  Say what you want about each other, but don't ever cross the line and say something about someone's girlfriend.
     That line was crossed the day before Thanksgiving Break.  And his name was Bo O'Neill.  Bo came from a long line of O'Neill brothers in which every one of them was a stud basketball player.  Every single one of them went to the University of Illinois and Bo had a full ride scholarship as well.  I think there were six of them total and Bo was the youngest.  He was such a douche bag.  He looked like an overgrown ogre.  He stood about six-foot-ten and weighed close to two hundred and seventy pounds.  Bo was the number one recruit in the State of Illinois and wasn't afraid to let anyone know it.  We've pretty much hated each other since kindergarten.  I would find out later, the hatred was a family thing that existed long before Bo and I ever met.  It wasn't as serious as the Hatfields and McCoys, but it was close.
     There were several times over the years when we almost came to blows.  He was a big son-of-a-bitch, but I always thought I could take him.  The fights would always get broken up before they got started, and we would be on our way.  This day was different.  Bo wrote a check with his mouth that his ass wasn't going to be able to cash.
     Mary and I were almost out the double doors to the weight room when the line got crossed.
     "Hey Darrel!  Since Scary Mary is finally looking half way decent, you mind if I break off a piece of that ass?"
Chapter 17