Chapter 14 – Xs & Os

Angelica

Hector knocked on the rear door while I reflected on my relationship with him. I sought to understand how his two conflicting sides functioned. He chose not to help. My mind shifted in numerous directions while he scrutinized me. His upper body leaned in my direction as he pressed his lips on mine. The kiss lasted less than a minute, but the trembling lasted an hour. His eyes pierced mine. Our gaze locked on each other.

All apprehension evaporated as his mouth absorbed mine. Our tongues merged and tangoed as our tips titillated us. His hug intensified which sent waves up and down my spine. My legs weakened, and my heart galloped. We relaxed for a moment to suck in air.

His hands and arms travelled my back. I attacked his mouth repeatedly. He mumbled, backed up and peered at me.

Hector said, "I love you."

He left me standing as he veered away. He said good night to my dad as he departed. I ran to the window and watched him back out the drive. My lips curved down.

My Dad's chuckle boomed throughout the house. He said, "Don't blow it again. Your Mom might not help you next time."

He called it correct. I said, "I will evaluate the situation before I react. I embarrassed myself and my family. I am sorry Daddy."

"It's OK. It is part of the growing process. You have a powerful left hook." He chuckled again.

Mary Louise

I noticed Mary Louise (Lou) Mc Ghee my first day at Peabody High. A skinny little girl who shadowed Horace. Her closest approach toward him seemed limited to fifteen feet. She glanced at him often but never spoke to him. The other students did not shun her. They neglected to see her. At lunch she sat at the farthest table by herself. Trish and Beth walked with me through the lunchroom door. They followed me to her table where I stopped. I said, "Hi I'm Angie. I'm new here, but you probably know Trish and Beth."

"Not really, but I've seen them at my grandmother's fruit and vegetable stand, and I've seen you at church." A studder surged from her voice, her face reddened, and arms shook.

"Is it OK if we sit with you. I met a few people that live on the lane behind my house, and a few more in the church youth fellowship."

"Please, have a seat. I am just a freshman, and don't have many friends. My teachers declare I am a gentle learner. I study General Math and Special English. The only kids that talk to me are slow students like me. Regular students like you either ignore me or tease me, and are afraid I will embarrass them."

Trish walked around the table, bent down and hugged Lou. Beth followed Trish. By the time I trailed Beth, whimpering rattled her body, and her breathing became strained. All four of us sobbed and rendered tears.

After we wept a calm surrounded us. Lou's lips turned up and a quiet giggle erupted from her. She said, "Thank you, no one hugged me before except for my grandmother and Miss Clark, my first grade teacher."

Trish said, "If you hang around us you will get a lot of hugs."

"I'll like that." Lou said.

A boy walked past the table. Trish shouted at him, "Horace come here, I want you to meet Mary Louise McGhee. She goes by Lou."

"I know Lou. She and her grandmother run a produce stand on our farm. How are you Lou?"

Lou gaped at Horace, but no sound issued from her mouth. Horace said, "Goodbye Lou," She remained quiet.

After Horace departed, I grabbed Lou's hand. She stared at me and whispered, "I've never been able to talk to him."

"That's OK, he's just a good 'ole' boy from Gibson County."

"No, he's my hero. He doesn't charge us to glean his farm for 'pickens' or use his stand to peddle what we gather. What we don't sell, we eat. The money we make pays our electric bill and buys a gas cylinder."

Hector

I searched for her in church the next morning. I wrestled with the action of our kiss. I kissed many girls. Kisses failed to impress me. Her kiss heated my body and froze my mind. I never experienced a kiss like hers. It petrified me but induced me to desire more. I deserted her standing there as I departed. Her Dad sat in the next room. He chuckled as I disappeared.

Did I select the wrong time to leave? I intended to provide both of us an interval to reflect. I neglected to say I will see you tomorrow. What instigated me to flee? Do I apologize or act like nothing happened? My life changed as the result of one kiss. Actually, we swapped a dozen kisses and a hug. During the night I considered my actions. I smiled, then I frowned and concluded to wait and consider what tomorrow would recommend.

I arrived at church earlier than Angelica. I put my cap next to me on the pew. Several ask me if anyone was sitting there. I said, "I'm reserving it for Angelica." They smile and shuffled elsewhere. I started to consider she might not attend church today. We stood as the opening hymn finished its first verse. She entered, and I waved at her. She slid in the pew next to me.

As we sat, our hands merged like a magnet. She gripped my hand tight. I rotated my hand on top of hers and massaged it with my fingers. A lady stood next to her and pointed to a spot on the other side of me. Angelica and I moved to the aisle and permitted her to sit in the middle of the pew. When we returned to our seats, our hands creeped together gently. Time ripped and the final prayer rendered to a chorus of 'amen.' We exited the front door and shook the minister's hand. He smiled at us and said, "I'm glad to see ya'll today."

Angelica's mother rushed to me and said, "Hector come to our house for dinner."

The invitation rang as a command rather than an invitation. I sat across from Angelica, and our eyes locked, and Joey elbowed his sister. Her trance broke, and she snarled.

Ralph slithered under the table. His tail wagged across my ankles, and his head rested on Angelica's shoes. He gazed at her and said, "I told you."

She reached under the table and petted him and whispered. "I love him."

"I know. And he loves you as much."

Angelica and I smiled. I could not believe I heard Ralph's voice for the first time. I reached down and petted him.

Mrs. McGhee asks, "Hector, Are you enjoying you dinner? Mr McGhee and I believe you are an honorable young man. It seems like you and Angelica made peace."

"Thank you Mam. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. Hector did you know that I use to be in the circus in my early twenties."

"No Mam."

"I threw a knife like the one with which I cut up chickens. See that board leaning against the wall."

"Yes Mam."

"On that board Joey drew a quarter inch red spot. Can you see that spot?"

"No Mam."

"Go look at the board."

I found it and pointed in the direction. Within a second an object flew past by my eyes in a blur. The knife divided the spot and the handle vibrated.

"I'm not threating you, but if anyone hurts my little girl again. They better run for his or her life."

She sat in her chair and laughed. "Can I pass you another piece of chicken?"

"No Mam. Thank you Mam."

Angelica said, "Mom you told Joey and me that you work in the circus, but you neglected to disclose you were a precision knife thrower."

"Have you ever noticed that I can throw a knife at a chicken thirty feet away and cut off his head."

"No Mam. Joey and I plucked their feathers, but we assumed you chopped their heads with a hatchet."

A knot formed in my stomach and a sour taste invaded my mouth.

Angelica's Mom said, "Hector. we respect you and recognize you are a gentleman."

My voice quivered when I responded, "Yes Mam."

Ralph said, "I've seen her throw a knife at a chicken. She is serious."

Ralph and Joey joined Mr. McGhee watching the Philadelphia Eagles play football with the St. Louis Cardinals. I remained quiet. Angelica and her mother lingered in the kitchen washing dishes. Their talking registered low, but the volume escaped my understanding.

Angelica and her Mom joined us, Her Dad gave her a dollar and asked me, "Hector, will you take my daughter and son to Momma's Café and General Store for a frozen custard?"

"Yes Sir."

Ralph jumped in the back seat with Joey.

"I grasp Ralph's voice when he talks."

"That's a sign."

"I love both you guys. Mom also loves you as much as both her children. She understands life changed for you and Angelica. She will defend you with her life. Don't disappoint her."

"Ralph, it is essential for me to take heed of that Thank you."

"Your welcome, you are not the beast you were."