want to know what’s in my brain?”
“Yeah, what are you thinking about?”
Scott remained stoic as an idea materialized. Pamela and Destiny were easily bored with academic subjects. “I’m reading a good book.”
Widening her eyes, she asked, “What’s it about?”
Scott took a sip of water, placed his glass on the table, and looked at Destiny. “It’s about the four quadrants in space and the ionized particles located in them. Did you know that ionized particles are radical atoms? Scientists believe that radical nuclei are fused in supernovas that create black holes.” Pausing, he patted her arm. “That’s what I’m thinking about.”
Destiny stared at him with a blank expression. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She released her arms from Scott’s and turned to the group. “Does anyone have something more interesting to talk about than Scott?”
Brett replied quickly, “I read a book yesterday too.”
Destiny glanced at the boy to her left who was handsome, had a masculine body, but was severely lacking in intelligence. She was surprised Brett had even read a book. “Was it more interesting than Scott’s?”
“Yeah, there was a girl in it who was a fox. She reminded me of you.”
“Why?” Destiny asked, doubting he could recite anything romantic.
Brett scratched the side of his face. He hadn’t expected to give an explanation. He moved his attention behind Destiny, looking at Scott, pleading for help. Scott cleverly touched his hair while Brett added. “Her hair was long and pretty like yours.”
Destiny wrapped her arms around Brett’s right arm. “What else?”
Brett stroked his chin and glanced at Scott who subtly pointed to his lips. “She had a beautiful smile like yours.” Before Destiny could ask another question, he asked, “Do you want to go for a walk and look for black holes?”
Scott watched Brett and Destiny leave The Parlor and resolved their newfound relationship would last less than one full rotation of the earth.
Margie moved closer to Scott and smiled shyly. “I think you’re interesting.”
Great, Scott thought. He studied Margie’s sweet smile she had constantly given to Derek in the eighth grade. Back then, Scott dreamt her smile would be directed at him. It never was.
He grinned in return. “You do?”
“Yes.” She hesitated and rested her chin on her hand. “We don’t talk anymore. What have you been doing?”
Scott ignored his friends who had become quiet again. He knew exactly how to discourage Margie. “Well, I’ve been thinking about getting a hunting license. I hear deer meat is really tasty.”
Margie stared at him in astonishment as her right hand flew to her throat. She dropped her jaw. “You’re going to kill Bambi?”
Frowning and shaking his head, Scott replied, “No, you can’t hunt in the summer. Hunting season is in the fall when the fawns get older.”
Scott’s friends rubbed their mouth and suppressed their laughter while Margie jumped off her chair and looked at her best friend. “Can you believe him, Shelley? He wants to kill Bambi.”
Shelley gazed at Scott. She couldn’t picture him as a hunter.
Margie scanned the table. “What do you guys think about hunting?”
Lance spoke first. “I can’t image anyone killing a little critter. If I see one injured, I run it right over to the vet.”
Softening her look, Margie studied Lance, the huskiest boy in their grade. His robust body and his light-brown hair gave him the appearance of a big lovable teddy bear. “You do?”
He nodded his head. “Yeah, do you want to look for an injured animal?”
Margie folded her arms across her chest, doubting his request. “You want to look for an injured animal right now?”
Lance grinned. “Not really. I’d rather walk you home.”
Scott watched Lance and Margie stroll out The Parlor door. That couple will last as long as the one that just left.
Jess leaned over toward Scott. “You never change. You’re still offending the girls.”
“You know me. I’m the one that does the choosing,” Scott replied as he leaned back on his chair, pleased he had diverted the girls’ attention. The conversation at his table returned to normal while he sat comfortably, keeping his eye on Felicia who left The Parlor at eight-fifty. Three minutes later, he remarked, “Well, I’ll see you guys later.”
It was dusk outside. Felicia sat on the wooden bench, waiting for him. They took the same route home while she rambled on about her opinion of the couples who left together. “Matt’s too kind and handsome for a spoiled brat like Pamela. Destiny will leave with any boy who happens to say something charming, but I was really surprised to see Lance and Margie leave together. What do you think about those two as a couple?”
Scott shrugged. “Unharmonious.”
“Oh please, why can’t you just say they don’t belong together?” While they jaywalked across Oak Avenue, Felicia added, “Randy wanted to walk me home, but I told him my feet were sore. I knew you’d be trailing right behind us.”
Scott kicked at a rock. “It’s my responsibility to make sure you get home safely.”
Felicia rolled her eyes. “Randy can walk me home. Besides I think he wants to kiss me. He’s always telling me I have nice lips.”
As they strolled up to the same rock, Scott kicked it harder. Felicia was a hopeless romantic with a fixation for kissing. Like the girl in the park, Felicia seemed younger than the other girls their age. Scott had to admit, he was relieved since most girls their age were well past first base, and he was sure Randy wanted more from Felicia than kissing. He said, “Knowing Randy, he probably has some type of disease. You better think twice before kissing him.”
Felicia laughed. “You’re just saying that so I don’t kiss him.”
“No, I’m telling you that he’s been around.”
Crossing her arms in a stubborn protest, Felicia answered, “Well, I’m going to ask him if he has a disease. I don’t want to go into high school having only kissed you.”
Scott kicked the same rock a third time while he thought about their kiss last summer. He had finished mowing the lawns and pushed the mower into the garage. Felicia followed, wanting a favor. He could still hear her voice. Scott, I never kissed a boy. Most of the girls at school have done more than that. I just want to know what it’s like…so will you kiss me?
He remembered studying her, making a subconscious list of the pros and cons about her request. Finally it came down to the fact that he hadn’t kissed a girl either, so he accepted her request on one condition—their kiss must remain between the two of them. When she agreed, he led her to the shadowy corner of his garage, tilted
