Saving Georgia (11 page)

“What are we waiting for?” Jason asks me.

“Shane.” I say, holding his hand. Jason looks at me confused.

“Shane Dalton?” Jason asks me.

“Yes. He’s my best friend and I need to see something.” I say, not taking my gaze away from Shane.

“Uh huh.” Jason mutters, as if he is a little disappointed and mad.

“Not now Jason.” I warn him.

Finally, Mrs. Dalton is wrapping things up, and Shane is walking with her. Shane starts walking towards me and he nods at me ‘hello’. I smile and he fakes it back, and I can tell.

“Shane.” Jason says, holding his hand out for greetings.

“Mr. Grimes.” Shane says, shaking his hand. “Can I see you later?” Shane asks looking at me.

“Of course,” I answer, under my breath. I exhale knowing that all isn’t lost. “Please come by.”

“I’ll see you tonight.” Shane winks at me, and he kisses my cheek and leaves with his mother.

We walked out to Elsie in silence, and I can tell that my exchange with Shane made Jason uncomfortable.

“I know he has feelings for you, Georgia and I can’t blame him.” Jason says, refusing to look at me.

“I know. But he is my best friend and he has been there for me even when I wasn’t there for myself. I can’t lose him.” I admit to him, wringing my hands in my lap.

“I will do my best to not upset him.” Jason mutters, placing his hand on mine.

“I really appreciate that.” I said, turning to face him and our eyes lock.

“I can’t wait to get you to some place where I can kiss that pretty, little mouth of yours.”

My mouth just popped open, complete with sound effects and all. How can he just say that, especially after church, and cause that feeling inside me that sends me over the line. Holy crow!

“Yeah, you are looking forward to it too. I can tell.” Jason winks at me.

We pulled back up to my house, and still no one is home. We walked out to my favorite spot on the property, and lay out under the big, old oak tree. My head is across his chest, and I can hear the galloping of the horses in the field below. The smell of Jason’s musk is still strong, even for a day old. I love the aroma of his breath and cologne, and the softness of his skin. His fingers dance along my almost bare spine, and my hair is falling out loosely from the bun it was pinned up in earlier. The heat of the sun is felt on my bare shoulders. We napped just like this for most of the afternoon.

When we awoke it was to the song of cicadas and the dance of fireflies. The bullfrogs are heard like a bass in the background. The scent of twilight is in the air, and it’s as sweet as honey. Just as I am taking this all in, I am met with an eager open mouth playing on top of mine. His lips are soft and malleable, and gentle as can be. His hands are stroking my neck and ears, lightly grazing me with every touch. He lifts my thigh on top of his, and he pulls his face back and just looks at me. His eyes are full of emotion, and bewilderment.

“You’re the most amazing and beautiful person I have ever met.” Jason says, looking deep into my eyes, and it is this moment that I first ever felt my soul. I think my heart just burst inside of my chest, and I was overcome with emotion; fervently I grabbed Jason’s face and passionately kissed him with all I have inside me. I can feel the warmth and need of his body against mine, and it’s like two lost souls finding each other from across the great divide.

“Jason, I can see myself falling for you.” I admit breathlessly.

“I hope you do,” Jason whispers, “And I’ll catch you when you do. Because Georgia, I hope to eventually be the man that is good enough for you.”

“Why do you do that?” I ask, hoping to find out exactly where he sits emotionally at this moment.

“Do what?” Jason asks me, confused.

“Put me on such a high pedestal? I’d rather see us as equals than one being better than the other.” I gaze up, looking at him perched atop of me.

“Georgia you don’t get it. You have morals and values that I have never had before. You’re honest and pure and still believing in things that I have long lost faith in. I have no idea on what you went through at such a young age, but I know it was grisly at best and here you stand in front of me a strong, faithful girl with a heart of gold. So yes you may want to be equals, but I could never hold a candle to you, and that will never change.” Jason says, looking down at me, caressing my face and hair. “You look so beautiful with dirt in your hair, I can’t wait to see what you look like at prom.”

“About that…” I started, “I’ve already promised Shane that I’d go with him.” I close my eyes, and try not to peak because I can feel the pinged of disappointment and pain.

“I see, any reason why those plans can’t change?” Jason cocks an eyebrow at me.

“No reasons you’d want to know.” I offer as an answer, thinking this is the most real answer I can give him without mentioning the whole “I wanted to kill myself” speech.

“Try me.” Jason begs, with a sweet boy smile.

“I’m not ready to talk about those reasons yet.” I admit nicely but sternly enough to get my point across.

“OK. I trust you.” He says, giving me one sweet kiss. “Save a dance for your boyfriend, OK?”

My boyfriend
?
I didn’t even conceive that notion yet. I have a boyfriend! Jason Grimes is my boyfriend… oh, no
. Excitement, fear, pain all hit at once. If I keep thinking of everyone else, I am not going to be able to enjoy the things that fall in front of me. I take a breath, relax and smile back at the handsome boy in front of me, and give him one last, sweet kiss.

“Shane will be here any minute; I need to call it a night Jason. We have school in the morning. I will see you tomorrow.” I say, pushing myself up.

“OK sweetheart. Let me help you.” Jason stands, holding his hand out. We walk together back to the house, and I saw him off in his truck.

I am waiting outside for Shane, thinking of everything that has happened this past week, and about what I can do to alleviate any pain for my best friend. 20 minutes roll by, and ever so faithfully I see the familiar pick up that I have come to know and love the past few years. Like the cowboy he is, he jumps down from the cab of the truck and strolls right on up to the stairs of the house.

“Hey” Shane says, looking right at me.

“Hey” I call back. “Want to have a seat?” I ask him.

“Nah, let’s take a walk.” Shane smiles, nodding off to the side.

I jump down the stairs and walk, hand in hand with Shane. We make it out a good ways before he even starts to say anything.

“Have a good day?” He asks me.

“Yeah, I did actually.” I answer, truthfully. “Can we cut to the chase?” I ask.

“I guess so. You go first.” Shane nudges me, looking more at his feet than anything.

“Look, Shane. I love you, I honestly do. And, it’s because of that love that I can’t let myself fall in love with you. And I know that I could fall in love with you, so easily that it frightens me, and that’s something I cannot jeopardize. Do you understand?” I explain.

“Yes.” Shane answers me, shortly.

“Look, you have many gifts, many talents and are a very,” I breathe in deep, “very handsome boy. You will make someone very happy.” I offer as some type of truthful condolence.

“OK. You’re right Georgia. God has given me many gifts, and the best one yet is you. And, I am not going to let you go without a fight.”

And with that, he leaves me speechless.

At school the next morning, everything for the most part was as usual, except that Jason kept trying to kiss me between every single class. I saw Harper Kelly in the halls, and man did Jenn give her a good shiner. It was something else to experience being on the other side of the situation and see that she’s being the outcast of the situation. Thinking that made me happy at first, but then I realized what type of person that would make me, so I put in an extra effort to try to smile to her.

I tried to remember Shane’s feelings, and reel in Jason’s PDA to a minimum, though it was hard as heck. His inviting mouth and strong but gentle touch sings to every fiber in my body.

Jenn was walking around on cloud nine today, so I guess things with Nick must be going well. It is so great to finally see her happy. It tickles me to see that smile on her face, and it brings me this calming feeling that everything is going to be ok.

At lunch, it was Jenn and I on the bleachers outside, watching some of the baseball players practice, and I figure it is so she can watch Nick play. I see Shane down there and wave to him.

“What are you going to do?” Jenn asks me.

“What do you mean?” I wondered out loud.

“About the Jason, Shane thing.” Jenn continues, “I think you’re in a good pickle here. Two boys who care about you, and it’s kinda interestin’ to see which way you lean.”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking me here Jenn., I admit to her. What is she talking about which way I lean? Shane is my everything, my best friend, my support and my lifeline. Of course I love Shane and it’s natural to fall in love with him, but it’s all natural comfort like it should be. Jason challenges me, and keeps me on my toes, not to mention that if I lose Jason, the world doesn’t end.

“Yeah, Shane is like gorgeous and amazing and just perfect for you. Jason is bold and daring – which could be a good match or just a disaster. I hope it’s not the latter.” Jenn gushes.

“Yes true. It is a pickle.” And she has quite the point. This Jason thing could blow up in my face. He could become as important to me as Shane and then he could be gone, but then again it could lead to something wonderful. And that kiss with Shane, was nothing short of just remarkable and my heart races when I think about it. Shane is thinking about it too, because he is looking up at Jenn and I, and he is smiling. If it weren’t for Jason, I would just run down there and kiss him now.

After school, I went into work for a bit for some free mental time. It was nice, and Robertson’s feed store was slow, so I can keep myself busy with menial work. It was so calming and relaxing, I lost track of time. Before I knew it, my cell phone was buzzing.

“Hello?” I answer, without looking at the caller ID.

“Baby, where you been?” Jason asks.

“Working,” I respond, blushing so hard I can feel the heat from my cheeks. Jason Grimes calling me baby is something that will take some time to get used to.

“Well stop it.” Jason whines, and it sounds like pouting and it made me smile.

“Actually, I am done. I can maybe call you when I am home and see if we can meet up somewhere.” I offer, and it does sound nice.

“That sounds just about perfect.” Jason says, and I swear I can hear the smile in his voice.

“OK. I will call you when I get home.”

I was the only one in the store, so I locked up and started cleaning the place up. I straightened up the back room and counted the till out. I started gathering my things so I can leave and I can’t find the bracelet I was wearing. I thought I took it off next to the register? Someone didn’t take it did they? Odd, I must be imagining things.

I headed to my car, locking up the store behind me. I put the car in drive, and it made this God awful noise. I will have Shane and Mr. Hyde look at it once I get home. There’s an idea… I should call Shane.

I pulled out onto 321 and called him.

“Hello?” Shane answered.

“Hey! My car is making a weird noise. Can you check it out?” I ask.

“Sure, sure!” Shane sounds overly enthusiastic.

“Umm, thanks for being so excited about my car being… oh sweet lord. It just died. I have got no power. Can you please come scoop me? Please!” I beg.

“I’m on my way. Heading home from work?” Shane asks, and I can hear him putting something on and the door slam behind him.
That is quick.

“Uh huh.” I mutter. It’s really dark and I have no power, I’m scared that I am going to be hit. Also I am afraid to get out the car for who knows what that lurks in woods; coyotes for certain are around these parts and angry deer for sure. I think I would rather take my chances in the car.

I kept hearing noises, waiting for Shane. It’s getting really dark, and I’m kind of freaking out. Headlights are shining in on me, and it relieves some of my anxiety. 15 minutes later, a familiar pickup pulls along the side me. Thank goodness it’s finally Shane! I ran right to him.

“You ok, sweetheart?” Shane asks, walking up to me.

“Thank goodness you’re here!” I yell out, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Let’s see what we’re working with.” Shane smiles, releasing me from my hug. He walks over to my engine and takes a look at it.

“Looks like your alternator belt is torn.” Shane says, after taking a look at it for all of 3 minutes.

“You’re kidding! Why is my luck so crappy lately? Now what do we do?” I yell, freaking out.

“I’m going to call my dad, have him tow it to his shop out back, and I’m going to take you home.”

“Just like that? All fixed?” I question him, putting my hands on my hips and looking him straight in the eye.

“Just like that. It’s a simple fix, chill yourself out woman.” Shane says, picking up the phone to call his dad.

“Dad! Hey, yeah I need a tow. No, it’s the alternator belt. I’ll get it tomorrow. Yeah off of 321. Thanks, I’m taking her home now.”

“Let’s roll” Shane says, motioning me to go to the truck.

“You’re the best Shane. What would I do without you?”
I
squea
l
running at full speed to the cab of his pickup.

“I don’t know, you tell me.” He laughs, climbing behind the steering wheel.

“Probably wither away and die somewhere.” I say, lightheartedly.

We drove down 321 and pulled off some country dirt road in the middle of nowhere. The grass is slick with dew on both sides of the road. The smell of kudzu is dancing in the air, and the cicadas are singing a beautiful melody. On both sides of us are willow trees, but they don’t touch because the road is wide enough.

“Get out. Follow me.” Shane jumps out of the cab of the truck.

“What? I need to get home!” I cry out.

“The faster you follow orders missy, the faster you get home.” He says, closing his truck door.

I jump down and follow him to the truck bed. “Get in and lay down.” Shan
e
orders
 
me, pointing to the truck bed.

I climb up in the back and just did as I was told.

“If you’re going to have crazy car trouble and almost ruin my plans, you’re going to at least make it up to me and enjoy this moment with me.” He laughs, climbing in behind me.

“What are we doing here?” I ask him.

“Waiting,” Shane says, laying down and holding my hand.

“For what? And why on a dark, dirt road?”

“You can see it better in the dark. The lights will misguide you.”

“Misguide me?” Okay, I am totally confused.

“Yes, and you won’t see it clearly. It’ll be blurry.” He rambles.

“Shane what on earth are you talking about?” I push, trying to figure this out.

Shane wouldn’t answer me, he just sang softly, holding my hand, waiting for whatever is it that he is waiting for. We stayed like this for quite some time, and my eyelids were getting heavy. The smell of Shane’s cologne, the grape soda aroma from the kudzu and the sweet North Carolina summer air is intoxicating. I wish this moment would never end.

“There it is.” Shane says softly, and I turned my head to the sky and I see this beautiful meteor shower against the purple and blue horizon; tons of silver light trails with specks of green, dusting the sky with its soft glowing light. Shane stopped singing and hitched his breath. The light trails are dancing and gliding across the great plane of space, moving so fast that it seems like the earth is standing still. It amazes me how beautiful and intricate God spun this web of life. Baffled and floored about the beauty that is laid out before me, I just lay there gaping, listening to the song of bullfrogs, cicadas and crickets and watch the falling of the stars.

Finally, I turn to Shane and against everything I felt in me before, I turn and look at him and say “If there ever was a time to kiss me, Shane…” I started, but Shane beat me to it and rolled onto his side and embraced me completely. It was like out of a fairytale . I can feel my best friend’s heart beat against mine, his breath entangled with my own, his soft lips perched upon mine massaging back and forth and all I can think of is how perfect this is. I feel my heart swell in my chest, my hands clenched deep in his hair, and it’s a spiritual moment. I know Shane felt it too; I can see it in his eyes. I am lost in the beautiful mess, and there’s no way out, and I don’t think I want to be found.

His touch is soft, and sends my body into overdrive. It’s an out of body experience and I don’t think I can get enough. This moment, this beautiful, indescribable moment is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. I swear a part of my soul left my body and entered Shane’s at this exact moment. I exhaled deeply and found this resonating sense of peace and contentment, mixed with passion and fever. I have never wanted him more, never felt so at peace than now – but this pain of guilt for my newly found adoration for Jason complexes things.

“I need to go home. You will have Elsie fixed tomorrow?” I ask Shane, caressing his face.

“I promise, sweetheart.” Shane looks down at me, and we locked eyes for the most intense moment of my life. I was covered in goose bumps. “Come let me help you up.” He says standing and pulling me to my feet.

We got down from the truck bed and Shane opened my door for me. His southern, gentleman ways really touch my heart. I love those qualities about him; like the ways he address women as “ma’am.”

Once he got into the car, he turns to me and says “Shall we?” and I nodded in response. We were on our way back to my house. We drove off with the radio on, and Lady Antebellum was on with “Kiss Goodnight.” Shane looked at me, and grabbed my hand and kissed it. “Now whenever I hear this song, I am going to think about you. You know that right?”

Did Shane seriously just say that to me? I am swooning. I can’t believe the turn of events that is happening in my life. How did I end up here? I feel this perma-smile on my face and I know I am ten shades of red right now, against my pale complexion.

My cell phone started buzzing and I switched it to voicemail. I know its Jason and right now I want to enjoy this moment with Shane. I will deal with my guilt later. As we pulled up to the house, Shane helped me out the truck and walked me to the front door.

“I will have it fixed tomorrow evening. If you need a ride, you’ll call me tomorrow morning?” Shane asks me.

“Yes, of course. And Shane, thank you for letting me watch that with you. It was…” and I find myself at a loss for words.

“Yeah, it definitely was.” Shane says, looking at me, then down at his feet. He finally looks up and gives me a smile. “Don’t forget we have to get ready for Prom. You need anything let me know? Think we should match?”

“I’m going to buy a dress this week. I’ll let you know.” I say, looking down at my feet. Why am I feeling shy now?

“OK, that sounds good.” He says, looking around. He lifted his hat off his head, and scratched his scalp I think in a way to try to think of something to keep the conversation moving. “Well, I’m glad you’re home safe. I’ll see you tomorrow. In the morning maybe?” He offers.

“Yes. Thank you.” I say, turning around and putting the key in the door. I hear his footsteps off the porch and making his way to the truck. Then something crazy happened. I felt this huge magnetic tug, and a strong compulsion. “Shane wait!” I yell and drop my bags, running full force to my best friend, my soulmate, my everything. I jump straight into his arms and kiss him with everything I have. “I can’t say goodnight like that, not after we experienced; something so… amazing, so…” I breathlessly confess while kissing him.

“Oh Georgia, please pick me, please don’t pick Jason.” Shane begs me, holding me close to him.

“Shane please… don’t ruin this moment.” I plead.

“I know sweetheart. I’m sorry.” Shane says, brushing the hair from my face. I can tell that his heart sank a little. I hate myself for putting everyone in this situation, but how can I be true to my heart if I don’t know what it wants right now? If it was Jason who took me to see the stars tonight, would I be doing this to him? I don’t know. “Just hold me, please Georgia?”

And I hold him tighter, and his face cradles in my neck. I can feel him breathing me in, and kissing me against my vulnerable skin. “I love you, Georgia.” Shane sighs, breathing into my flesh.