Chapter 5: Unsettled Nerves

As she settles down to finish her homework, Tara's cellphone rings. The number on her caller ID indicates it's her best friend from Little Rock.

"Hey, Janet, what's up?" Tara asks with excitement, but out of nowhere, her best friend begins to rip into her.

"Well, I don't know. You never called me today to let me know what it's like up there or if you found out how long it'll be before you're coming back home."

Rolling her eyes, Tara turns over onto her back to explain what's happened. "Bad news. I ain't coming home. Mom said the factory is shutting down, for, like, ever, and she's taking over my grandmother's sto—"

She's cut off in the middle of her statement.

"What? Doesn't that fucking blow cow chunks on a hog's ass! I need you here. Stan is getting out soon, and I need you to be my maid of honor."

Her eyes clinched shut, Tara shakes her head.

"Girl, he's always gonna be nothin' but a jailbird. You can do so much better than him."

Janet huffs into the phone before she speaks again. "Uh, whatever, girl. It ain't your life, ya know. Speaking of which, Bobby said he wants to surprise you by coming up there to get you when you're eighteen and bring you home. I think he got a trailer for you guys that way you can finish school back here."

That's when the bombshell drops out of nowhere. "Um ... I kind've found someone else already. Bobby just wants me to stay home and have babies while he's out working for his uncle with a state job and forget about my dream of culinary school."

"Excuse me, honey, but what's wrong with that? What, you too Yankee for us now?"

"No, I just wanna manage or run my own place. I don't wanna be a stay at home, Mom, especially this young."

That's the final straw for Janet to lose her cool. "Let me tell you something, princess. I am not going to sit here and listen to you go on about some guy you just met when you got a real man back here who wants to take care of you. But fine, whatever, be that way. When you come back to your senses, call or text me. Until then, peace out, homegirl."

Tara scoffs at her best friend, giving her hell for wanting something more in life. She tosses her phone on the floor and gets comfy in the middle of her bed, cracking open her book to complete her assignment.

About an hour and a half later, Tara's temperament settles back down. A hot, steaming shower along with her favorite CD helps most of the relaxing. She's coming back into her room when her phone begins to ring.

"Uh, hello," she answers, unable to recognize the number.

"Hey, it's Cory, I just wanted to call and see if you needed a ride in the morning."

"Oh, oh, hey cutie pie, I need to save your number. Nah, my mom will drop me off, but I hope I get there early enough to see you before class."

Cory gives her details for the morning. "I'll meet you by the office then. I wanna talk and get to know you more. I'm sure you hear this all the time, but you are the most beautiful girl I've seen."

Even though Cory can't see her, he hopes she has the biggest smile on her face, hoping it'll improve his chances that no one will swoop in to steal her away.

"Aw, thank you. I don't think I'm that pretty, but you are pretty damn cute and sweet."

"Thanks! I'll let you go. I just wanted to check. I will see you tomorrow. Bye, baby."

Using her sweet and innocent tone, Tara replies with "bye" as she closes her phone and places it on the charger on her nightstand.

After yawning and stretching, Tara makes sure her door is locked and drops her towel into her hamper as she returns to her dresser, getting a pair of mini-shorts with a pink tank top, slipping them over her soft, silky skin. She stops when she tugs her shirt down to glance at herself in the mirror.

"He thinks I'm that beautiful, huh? I hope he thinks that, because Bobby never told you that once, girl," she tells herself, frowning as she stares at her reflection.

She lowers her tone so her mother doesn't hear her as she continues to glare at herself in wonder. "Sure, he wanted me, but outside of wanting to sleep together, did he ever listen? Am I just good for that, or could I actually be pretty enough to find a good guy?"

A few minutes later, a soft knocking echoes from her door. Her mother is calling out to her. "Tara, honey, time for bed, sweetie. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too, Momma. Night," she calls back, walking away from the mirror to kill her lamp beside the bed, crawling under the covers and snuggling to get comfortable.

The next few days leading up to Friday night's double date, Tara and Kayla go off at lunch for their girl-talk sessions while the boys generally choose to shoot pool or stand around chatting while they eat.

Other than those few moments at school and after practice, Cory would spend his time chatting over the phone with Tara. They get closer as they discuss anything that they can to keep a conversation alive. The night before their date, Cory finds out what gets her going more than anything.

"There's something I have to know. What made you decide on culinary school?" he asks, hoping it can rekindle a sluggish evening between them.

"Well, I watched the cooking channel a lot since my mom always worked overtime, and my dad is an over-the-road trucker. I got tired of microwavable TV dinners, so I started getting into more of it. From there, I started making dinner for me and my mom every night."

"Oh, well, that's neat. Yeah, I'm not much of a food maker." They finally share a laugh together.

Cory is caught off guard when he's given an offer. "Tell you what: I'm sure tomorrow is going to be fun, but Saturday, why don't you come over here and let me show you a few things. I don't want to say I'm comparing you to my ex-boyfriend back home, but I want to see if you can show interest in something other than my looks."

Not taking a nanosecond to think it over, he answers immediately.

"Hell, yeah, baby girl, I'll be there after my game. Shoot, I'll come get you, and you can go to my game at one, and afterward, I'll chill at your place."

Her giggles travel through the receiver when Tara thinks it over. "You got it! I will see you almost all day then. I like that almost as much as I like you."

"Good, I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight and sweet dreams, my Tara."

In a soft, sweet, seductive tone, Tara tells him, "Rest easy, handsome. I can't wait to taste your lips."

They each end the call and settle in for the night. In the morning, they meet up and walk around the hallways until they reach Tara's Home Economics class.

"I guess I'll go see my counselor and register for classes out at the votec."

Tara has a baffled look on her face.

"Wait ... why would you be going out there?"

Taking hold of her free hand, Cory begins to explain.

"Well, they have a surgical tech program that I can enroll in from next semester through graduation. It'll give me college credits and help me understand surgery a little better."

A gesture of disappointment creeps into his girlfriend's eyes. "Oh, well, have fun with that then, babe."

Able to sense her sadness, Cory suggests an idea to her.

"Hey, why not ask your teacher about going out there for the advanced classes? Buses run from there to here and such."

"Really, they do that here?"

Cory's mouth pops off before he realizes he's talking. "Well, yeah, doesn't your old school have programs like that?"

Shaking her head, she reveals a little more about where she came from in Little Rock. "Most girls by now are pregnant or have a baby. I want more, which is why I don't mind being here now."

He is amazed by that fact, but Cory doesn't show it. "Well, go ask your teacher and let me know, baby girl. I'll drive you there and back if I have to."

Cory releases one of her hands so she can rub the side of his cheek.

"See, you're sweet and so thoughtful. I got to get in there, though, cutie pie. See you around after class."

Cory leans in, giving her a kiss on the cheek, and walks away as she slips inside to her seat, along the stationary island in the middle of the classroom.

Knowing Cory could be around less in the coming semester messes with Tara's head. It goes unmentioned until lunch, when Kayla has her alone for their girl-talk session.

"Hey, girl, what's up with you?"

Sitting down along the edge of the bench just outside the game room, she broaches the issue in a hushed tone.

"Cory told me about going to the votec program. Well, I want him to stay here with us."

Kayla begins to giggle when she motions for her girl to come closer. "Honey, if you keep thinking he's gonna find someone else, then chill."

Shrugging her shoulders, Tara sips down the last of her milk before she mentions what Cory told her to do.

"Well, it's not just that. There's something about him that makes me wanna be around him all the time. I've never felt this way—not even with my last boyfriend."

A hand on her friend's shoulder, Kayla makes sure she has Tara's undivided attention. "He is a really good guy. So who can blame you for that? C'mon now, girl, relax. It'll be cool. I'll be here still. Rick's going out there too, for pre-engineering classes."

Tara's still unsettled about how she feels inside. She gets what Kayla is telling her, but the sudden rush of feelings for Cory makes her feel a little uneasy.

"Okay, but he mentioned going out there too, for Home Ec stuff."

"Then do it. If he wants you around and it feels right, then do it."

That's when she lets it slip out. "It feels too fast. I like him and all, but I mean, I just got here, and we're making plans."

Rubbing her shoulder to maintain her attention, Kayla eases those fears. "Okay, tonight, then, I will do this. I'll pull ol' boy over to the side and remind him to go slow."

Their eyes meet as she spills out the rest of the news. "Girl, he's crazy about you from what Rick's told me."

"I'm crazy 'bout him too. He makes me smile and feel good 'bout myself."

"Then just chill. I got your back, girl. That's what I do. C'mon, let's ditch the boys and do our own thing." The girls dump their trash and walk away with their arms locked together.

When the bell rings and Cory can't find Tara to walk with her to class, he gets a nervous sensation in the pit of his gut. It nearly causes him to be tardy for class. When he slides through the door, he sees her sitting there with a blank expression on her face.

"Hey, I was looking for you," he says, taking his seat.

While keeping his eyes locked on hers, she pretends to ignore him.

"I'm sorry, but we need to talk," Tara whispers when she finally turns her attention to him.

"Oh, okay, did I do something wrong?"

She returns to ignoring him for the duration of class as she takes notes and doesn't break her concentration from the teacher.

Butterflies fill his stomach for nearly ninety minutes. Cory begins to overthink what he might have done to make Tara this pissed off.

I don't get it. Everything was fine when we got here this morning. Wait ... is she pissed that I'm going to votec next semester? Ugh, damn it. Hurry up, ya fucking bell. This is killing me.

Cory then begins to tap his index finger frantically on his desk until the bell gives him the chance to shoot out the door and wait for Tara. Over by the edge of the lockers, he's dying to know why she's acting strange.

"Listen, you've done nothing wrong, but let me explain before you say anything, please," she begins as she stares at the tiles on the floor.

Cory stands there motionless with his thumbs hooked together against the straps of his backpack when she begins to mumble.

"I like you, Cory—like, a lot—and it's really fast for me to feel this way. I feel like you're actually a really good guy. That scares the hell out of me because of how my last boyfriend treated me and what he wanted me to do for my life." She pauses for a moment. "And, and, and here you are, just openly ready to help me make my life better. You wanna be there to support my dreams. You scare me because you are so sweet, and when I kissed you ... well ..."

Cory is fearing the worst is about to slip from her lips.

"I never felt that kind of spark hit me before. It was so hard to let it go because I wanted it to last forever. I mean, we're only seventeen, and you know ..."

Without realizing it, Cory has shifted his right hand under her chin. Slowly pulling her face so they can meet eye to eye, Cory ignores her request to stay silent.

"I like you a lot too, Tara. I would never stop you from living your life, and anyone who would is an idiot." That's when his maturity virtually slaps her in the face.

"If you need some space, then fine. I have a team meeting after school to prepare for tomorrow's game, and then we have our date. If you want to cancel, then cool. No biggie."

Playfully punching Cory in the midsection, Tara goes from timid and scared to a lip-curling, eyebrow hunkering scowl.

"I don't think so, mister!"

Cory playfully laughs, taking a step back. "Okay, chill, snow kitten. Reow." He continues to taunt her with hissing noises for a few seconds, causing her to laugh.

"There's my beautiful smile. So I'll see you tonight when I pick you up?"

"No, I will see you there. I'm riding with my bestie, Kayla."

Cory nods and walks away, leaving Tara feeling a little more relieved as she walks to her final class of the day.

Since clearing the air with Cory, things instantly begin to feel like they're going to be okay. While in her final class, Tara goes over everything and considers taking up his offer of checking out the classes at the votec on Monday.

Time seems to soar as the week comes to an end as Tara rushes for her mother's car.

Slamming the door shut after shucking her backpack into the floorboard, Tara hurries to fasten her seatbelt.

"What's the rush. Got a hot date tonight?" her mother jokes, forgetting about Tara's plans.

"Yes, actually, I do, and I wanna be ready when you meet Cory tonight."

Shocked, Tara's mother lets her jaw drop. "Oh, my goodness, I forgot, but good, I can finally meet this mystery boy that keeps you smilin' all the time." Tara blushes as they pull away for home.

"Now does that mean you like it here?"

Shaking her head yes, Tara goes on about what all she likes about RiverCreek. "It's not only Cory I like here. It's the snow on the ground. I have friends who want more than being housewives. Here people have dreams of wanting more."

Her mother listens as she continues to babble.

"I can be open and be me here. Like, for example, this morning, I found out they have like classes at the votec that could help me get into a good culinary school. And, oh, Momma, I wanna do it."

Chuckling at her excitement, Tara's mother develops a renewed sparkle in her eyes. "Yeah, I forgot this place can be a blessing with good people. I loved Little Rock, but yeah, people there are a little old fashioned."

The chitchatting continues as they drive home.

Swiftly, the afternoon evolves into the early evening. The sun sets by six twenty-five. Tara's just getting out of the shower with only a towel wrapped her torso. She's taken by surprise when she overhears laughter coming from downstairs.

Curiosity gets the best of her, so she struts down the steps and stops at the next-to-last step when her mother sees her there with soaking wet hair and her towel wrapped around, barely covering her lower half.

"Tara! Get back upstairs, young lady!"

Tara's frozen when she notices Cory is sitting there with his back to her, talking with her mother. It isn't until she's screamed at once more that she regains her senses.

"Tara, upstairs now, or you're not going!"

Hearing her rush back up the stairs, Cory sits there trying his best to keep from turning around. He wants to see what the commotion is all about but knows it will not go well if gives in to temptation. Seeing the relief in Mrs. Rose's eyes, Cory smiles, trying to appear as innocent as he is polite.

"Thank you for not trying to turn around to see her standing there like that in only her bath towel. You really are a good, kid, aren't ya, Cory."

Blushing, he sits there kicking himself on the inside now. Cory just sits there, smiling for a moment.

"My mother wouldn't have me any other way, Mrs. Rose. Besides, she is the sheriff, and if I don't treat ladies with respect, well, it's not a good thing with her."

Oliva sits there, laughing lightly at the rehearsed corny response. "If you say so, kiddo, and please call me Olivia."

"Sorry, Olivia."

"It's okay. And tell me this: I understand you play hockey, and you asked my daughter to come watch you play tomorrow. Now, why should I allow my innocent little girl to go see something so violent? Before you answer that, I heard about what went down during that first game."

Taking his time thinking it over, Cory comes up with what he hopes is the best answer.

"Well ... Olivia, why don't you bring her and see for yourself. You can come watch the game, and afterward, I can come here for dinner because Tara wants to show off her cooking skills."

"Is that a fact? Hmm. Well, then, I guess I'll consider that offer to come watch, and then I'll let Tara show you how good she is at what she does best. Thank you for the invitation."

As he smiles nervously Cory begins to fumble with his thumbs.

"Tell ya what, I can tell you're a little uncomfy with this, so just relax. I'll go help Tara get ready so you can get going. I mean this. You do seem like a polite kid. And you are good to her. The last feller she went out with took advantage of her."

That's when she turns on mommy mode.

"So just a little warning—hurt my daughter like he did, and I'll hunt you down and mount your ass on my wall."

Swallowing hard, Cory nods his head while giving his response. "Yes, ma'am. I'll remember that."

Pulling her body from her seat, Olivia trots up the steps into Tara's room, where she sees her daughter struggling with what to wear.

"Hey, gorgeous, need some help?" her mother offers as she sneaks through the door.

"Yes, please, Momma. I can't pick out which blouse to wear. Or should I go with a sweater since it's already getting dark and cold?"

With the door behind her, Olivia goes over to the bed to see the assortment of options spread across the blanket.

Olivia glances over at what she sees and leans over, picking up a low-cut gray tank top along with Tara's favorite black button-up blouse.

"Try this. You wanna make an impression and wow him tonight. Then either leave this open or leave a button or two undone and watch him drool," Olivia suggests, advising her daughter on the art of foreplay.

"Mom!" she lets out in a whispered tone.

"What? I was young once too, you know. And hey, nothing like drawing in a good man with a little teasing at first. It worked with your father, and hey, after sitting and chatting with Cory, well ..." She shrugs her shoulders as she finishes her statement. "He's a bit of the shy type I think, so c'mon, bring that boy's wild side out and make him proud to be seen with you. Make a bold statement. You're my daughter, and this is a brand-new start for you." Holding up the options, she continues. "So hurry up. He's down there waiting alone. Go blow dry your hair quickly and let it curl up some, then slip this on and go have fun. Love you." Olivia turns to leave, knowing she's embarrassed her daughter by suggesting she use a little sex appeal.

"This ain't you, Momma. What changed you to be more open like this?" Tara asks before her mother opens the door.

"You said he supports you. Well, if he does, then why not get your hooks into him and keep 'em around. Trust Momma. She knows a thing or two about boys."

Able to shake off the embarrassment, Tara slips into what her mother suggests and stands in front of her mirror as she blow dries her hair, hoping it's good enough for the evening.

Once it feels dry in her hands, she rushes downstairs to meet Cory, who's still sitting there.

"Ready to go?" She's caught off guard when she sees what Cory is wearing.

"Um, nice jersey, and what's with the khakis?" she asks when he stands up and turns to greet her.

"Team tradition. All starters wear this the night before we play, and since I am now team captain, I have to set the example."

A puzzled look creeps over Tara's face

"Okay, well, we better get going if we wanna make dinner before the movie."

Cory twists back around to give his farewell to Mrs. Rose. "Well, it was nice talking to you, Mrs. Rose ... I mean, Olivia."

"It was nice meeting you too, Cory. You two have fun. Remember, young lady, curfew is eleven thirty." Tara nods her head, slipping her jacket on and grabbing Cory as they rush out the door.

"Bye, Momma. Love you. Mean it. See you later."

She's literally dragging Cory to his car so they can get away from her mother before she has another opportunity to embarrass either of them again. Anxious to get their first official date underway, the couple pulls away to meet up with their friends.

Olivia stands in the doorway, staring at the snow flurries, and wraps her arms across her chest. Still unsure if moving back home is the right decision, she at least gets to see her daughter more often now with a boy that gives her a positive vibe and treats Tara like a lady.