Sparked (17 page)

“Why don’t you put the details together and get back to me?”

Clayton beamed. Bless her, Cora had been right.

“I will,” he said, getting up. “Thank you.”

“Oh, and Clayton?”

Clayton stopped at the door. In his excitement, he had almost forgotten that his father had been the one who wanted to talk to him first.

“Your mother asked me to remind you about the Briggs Foundation Gala.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“How about taking that Powell girl downstairs? Her mother’s an abomination, but she seems nice enough. And pretty.”

“Maybe,” Clayton said. He didn’t want to commit to a choice for the ball. He didn’t even want to think about it. He’d have fun with June, of course. He was sure she’d be willing to go as friends. But the very idea of wasting an entire evening on anyone but Cora seemed completely unappealing at the moment.

“I don’t mean to meddle,” his father said. “It’s your choice, of course. Just pick someone soon, will you? I know it would make your mother very happy.”

“I will.”

Clayton looked at his father. The pride he had seen in the old man’s face had been replaced by a hint of worry around the eyes. But he was proud of Clayton, wasn’t he? He had changed his mind when Clayton presented a new idea in a compelling light. Maybe he would do the same with Cora. Clayton just needed more time to figure out how to convince his family that she was different from the rest of the Murphys. He needed more time with her. 

He met his father’s eyes. “I will, Dad. Thanks.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cora

Cora scrubbed the window in the front room, wishing for the millionth time that she wasn’t the only adult in her household who cared about cleanliness. The scrubbing would be easier if she used her power, of course. She’d been practicing every chance she got, but that wasn’t possible today. Bethany was out back with Ella, and the two girls could walk in on her at any moment, so she scrubbed by hand.

The old windows were set inside old wood casings. Old wood casings in an old wood house that had seen many filthy occupants before her. The first culprits were the miners that had emptied the mountains beyond, tracking dirt and ore through the house nearly seventy-five years ago. The stain of them was still there, layered over by the marks and grime from her own family. Sometimes it seemed like the house
wanted
to look dirty, and so held on to its history with an unbreakable grip.

As she washed—digging into the corners to pry out the dirt—she thought about Clayton. Or rather, the impossibility of Clayton. Last night had been one of the most beautiful in her life. And Clayton had been so much more than she ever expected.

If someone had asked her a week ago, she would have told them that Clayton Briggs was just another spoiled rich boy. And, well, part of that was true. But he was more. He was so much more. He was charming and bold and thoughtful, too. She had been honest with him—perhaps too honest—but he hadn’t gotten angry. He had listened to her, considered what she had to say. Cora hadn’t realized until that moment how long it had been since someone actually listened to her. It was as surprising as it was intriguing. 

Part of her almost wished he hadn’t listened. Part of her wanted him to tell her in no uncertain terms that he didn’t
need
to think about their dilemma—that being together was worth any price. Her skin prickled at the realization that he might be considering things right now—weighing the pros and cons of
her
. 

She doubted very much that the equation would work out in her favor. It made no practical sense, for either of them. There were so many risks involved: his family, hers. Not to mention their hearts.

She tried to comfort herself with the knowledge that no matter what he decided, she would have the memory of last night. His kiss had given her hope again. If kisses like that existed, what other magic was out there in the world?

That kiss. 

His
kiss. 

Her lips felt stained by him—branded with his. It felt like all someone had to do was look at her to know that his lips had been on hers. Those perfect, perfect lips. A soft smile bloomed on her face.

“What’ve you got to be so happy about?” her father asked from the doorway.

“Nothing,” she said, settling a more neutral expression onto her face.

Cora wasn’t quite sure if he had just come in or was just going out. It was ten in the morning, but that didn’t make much of a difference where he was concerned. It was just as likely he’d slept off his drink in Butch’s old truck as it was that he’d passed out in his bed. Usually, she could keep track of his comings and goings, but she’d been out late last night.

“Knock that off and come over here,” he said, sitting on an old sofa that was so worn in places the springs popped through. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Worry shot through her. Confusion too. He rarely asked to talk to her. Their interactions were normally at mealtimes and normally short. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a real conversation with him. She wished she could refuse it—nothing good had ever come from speaking to Huck—but it was safer to at least see what this was all about. She sat down in an old rocker across from him.

“I hear you caught the eye of the Briggs boy,” he said with pride in his eyes.

Cora’s heart quickened. How had he found out? She was certain he hadn’t been home when Clayton had picked her up last night. But it was such a small town. Word traveled fast. Had someone else seen them? Why did she let him pick her up? They should have been more careful.

“You always were a pretty one. Just like your mother.”

Now Cora was really worried. He was complimenting her. And that could only mean one thing: he wanted something.

“Thank you,” she said warily.

“So what kind of a game you running?”

“Excuse me?”

“With the Briggs brat. What are you lining him up for?”

“I’m not running a game, Dad.”

He sighed in annoyance and leaned back. “Then why the hell’d you snag the sap?”

“I didn’t,” she said.

“Don’t you lie to me, girl. I won’t stand for any more of you squirreling away money. We’re a family. We stick together.”

Funny how they always seemed to be a family when it was her resources to be shared, but never his.

“So you’re going to tell me what you’re trying to pull on the Briggs kid, and I’m going to help you.”

“It was just a date.”

Confusion furrowed his brow. Then he broke out into a laugh. “You’re even dumber than I thought, girl. Jesus,” he said, slapping a hand on his knee. “That kid don’t want to date you. He wants something, but it sure ain’t a date.”

Cora squirmed, and the rocker teetered underneath her. She had wondered the same thing, but now that she had been with Clayton she was certain he didn’t want to use her. She had been the one to kiss him first last night, after all. He didn’t want anything that she didn’t want in return.

Huck kept laughing, “And you just gave it to him for free?”

Cora sat up straighter. “I did no such thing.” They’d done a lot of things last night, but not that. Nothing that could get her in trouble.

“Well, that’s good at least. You can still salvage this.” He leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees, gesturing with his hands. “Here’s what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna string it out. Make him wait.”

Cora’s hand shook. Was her father suggesting—actually suggesting—what she thought he was?

“The next time you’re together, you’re gonna ask him to buy you something. Nothin’ too big. Not at first. Just something small. All you want is to get him used to saying yes.”

“Dad—” Cora said, fuming. But he wasn’t listening. He bowled right over her.

“Then you make him feel real good about it. Tell him thank you, give him a little smoochie, act like he’s the greatest guy you’ve ever met. You know, just treat him real good—but not too good. Not yet.”

“Dad, stop.”

“Maybe not ever, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s about floating the idea of it. You give him a little reward. Then next time, you ask for something bigger. See? You play this right, we could eat for a year. Or buy a new car, maybe.”

There was a rattle next to her. The water pail—vibrating on the floor, threatening to douse her father. She hadn’t even realized she was doing it. 

Cora had to get herself under control. 

She had to put a stop to this.

She stood to her full height. Her face was flushed and her hands were still shaking, but she couldn’t listen to this anymore. “I’m not going to run a con on him. And that’s final.”

Huck scowled. “Don’t be a dolt. You’ve already hooked him in. We might as well get something out of it.”

“I said no.” Cora grabbed the water pail to make it stop shaking. She tossed the rag inside and tried to leave the room. But her father stood, stopped her.

“You’re useless, you know that?” he said. “You’re useless and you’ve always been useless. If I was a lesser man I’d have kicked you out a long time ago.”

She pushed past him, trying not to let him see the tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

Cora decided to take Bethany and Ella for a walk into town. Maybe she’d even treat them to a penny candy from the general store. That might make her feel better.

She walked behind them, not really listening as they exchanged all the latest gossip about boys from their school—who liked who and who had said what and who was doing what over the summer.

Why did she always let her father get to her like that? It wasn’t like he was being any different than his regular awful self. Granted, today marked a new low. But still, she should have seen it coming. Eventually he was bound to see every part of her as a commodity that could be exploited. So why did it hurt her so much?

Maybe it was that this time there was truth in his words. She had to guard her heart around Clayton Briggs. Look how close she’d come last night. Even if he wasn’t a skirt chaser, there was no way that they could have any sort of real relationship. It just wasn’t realistic.

“I want a Lik-M-Aid,” Ella said as they entered the general store. 

“Or we could all split something. Maybe a Bit-O-Honey?” Bethany asked.

“Oooh. That sounds even better,” Ella said.

“What do you want, Cora?” Bethany asked.

“Surprise me,” she said, reaching into her purse. Perhaps the expenditure was foolish, but the girls had so few treats. “I’m going to sit outside for a bit.”

But as she reached for the coins, her hand settled on something that shouldn’t be there: a full dollar bill. And she knew exactly where it had come from. What she didn’t know was how he’d managed to sneak it in without her noticing. She felt instantly shaken by the cash, especially in light of her conversation with Huck. She absolutely couldn’t accept it. But how to return it? He’d be sure to fight her. She’d have to sneak it back to him somehow. 

“What’s the matter, Cora?” Bethany asked.

“Oh, nothing.” She smiled and handed Bethany the coins, gripping the dollar in her other hand. “Go on, pick us out something yummy.”

The moment she walked out the door she spotted Clayton coming out of a shop down the block. It was a women’s dress shop and he had a bag in his hand. He was probably picking up something for his mother. It gave her an idea.

He spotted her too and made his way over.

“What luck,” he smiled. “It seems I won’t have to find you at all.”

Cora blushed. Could that mean he’d come to a decision already?

But being out here together wasn’t safe. The street was full of people, all of whom would be sure to report they’d seen Cora Murphy and Clayton Briggs speaking to each other.

“Meet me out back,” she said.

He nodded then disappeared around the corner of the building. Cora went back inside and looked in on the girls, still deep in discussion about which candy to buy.

“I’m just going to stretch my legs. I won’t be long,” she said to them.

They nodded, and were back to the candy before she made it out the door.

Clayton was waiting for her in the alley.

The moment he saw her he circled a hand around her waist and pulled her close. “I thought about it, Cora, just like you asked.”

Cora braced herself. His next words took so long to reach his lips that her mind filled in the empty space.

This was impossible.

This was foolish.

This was a mistake.

“I have to see you again.”

“You do?” her voice faltered as she asked it. He didn’t just want to see her. He
had
to see her. The thought made her dizzy.

He had decided. But had she? What about her father?

“Are you free tonight? They’re running a picture at the theater called
Them
. It’s about giant mutant ants.”

“Giant mutant ants?” Cora asked.

“A side effect of radiation. Bomb testing. It’s supposed to be pretty scary.”

Cora’s tongue stalled. Wasn’t that exactly what she was now? A mutant? What would he say if he ever found out? Fear and humiliation surged through her body. She was a freak. What had she been thinking? It was all the more reason to end this.

She must have looked offended because Clayton’s expression faltered. He looked truly horrified for a full second before recovering. She took advantage of the moment and slipped the dollar right into his shopping bag.

“Unless you’d rather see a comedy?” he asked. “I think it’s a double feature with
M. Hulot’s Holiday
, but we don’t have to see both.”

There was a patter of feet approaching and Cora pulled away from him just as the girls rounded the corner. 

Both the girls went silent at the sight of Cora speaking to Clayton Briggs.

Clayton glanced at the girls, then dropped his voice low. “What do you say? Ants or vacationers or both?”

“I’m afraid I’m busy tonight,” Cora said. It was painful to say the words, but she knew it was the right thing.