Part 10 (1/2)
”I thought maybe we could hit the State Fair.” she said, looking down at me. ”Don't you think, Em?”
”Uh, yeah. It's the last weekend and all.”
”Sounds like gobs of fun!” Beth told Casey which way to go, and the blonde skillfully steered the large truck onto the street, and we were off. Beth was good, and kept the conversation away from anything that would be beyond me, and stayed to safer subjects like school, and Colorado, and we both asked Casey questions about England.
It did not take us long to reach the fair grounds. Beth directed Casey to park in the church parking lot across the street, and we walked to the main gate. The three of us stood in line, and I glanced around to see if I saw anyone I knew. Part of me hoped I wouldn't. I did not want to explain who Casey was. People said enough about Beth as it was.
”So, Emily,” my head snapped to see Casey smiling down at me. I hated being short sometimes. I never felt intimidated by Beth's height, but this girl intimidated the h.e.l.l out of me! ”Beth tells me you want to be a lawyer.” I glared over at Beth for just a second before turning my attention back to her friend. I smiled and nodded. ”Oh, was Beth not to tell me that?” she asked, a worried look crossing her features as she once again looked from me to Beth. Beth shrugged her shoulders, and narrowed her eyes at me.
”No. Not at all. That's fine.” I said finally. Things had started to get uncomfortable, and the blonde had done nothing wrong. ”Yes. I do. More than anything.” Casey turned back to me, with a lovely smile. Lovely? I never use that word! Ugh.
”That is so wonderful, luv. I am going to be attending Oxford Medical, but for a long time I was torn between the two; Oxford Medical, or Oxford Law. Medical won out, though, I'm afraid.” she said with a shrug. We moved forward as the line moved, and Beth paid for all of our tickets, much to my disdain, but she insisted.
Casey looked around the grounds seemingly utterly pleased.
”This is all so charming.” she gushed. ”How wonderful to have this in your hometown every year.” Without discussion Beth and I automatically headed for the concourse to get our ride arm bands. Casey followed our lead, and let the man snap her neon pink band on, and smiled at us both. ”What shall we ride first, girls?” she asked, staring at all the rides that surrounded us.
”I wanna do the Zipper!” Beth exclaimed. I glanced over at the ride, the small covered cars that held people flopping every which way, and shook my head.
”Un uh. No way. You know I won't go upside down, Beth.” I said, glaring. She grinned at me.
”Still a chicken, Em?” she asked with a raised brow.
”Absolutely.” I stated. Casey chuckled.
”I'm afraid I'm with Emily on this one, luv.” she said, placing her hand on Beth's shoulder. Beth looked disappointed.
”Okay, okay. We can skip it.”
”Absolutely not!” Casey said, walking off toward the ride. Beth looked over at me, and I shrugged. What was she doing!? No way was I getting on that thing. I had managed to avoid it for the past fifteen years, and had lived quite a fine life. ”Go on then, Beth. We'll wait for you.” Beth looked at the long line, and shook her head.
”Nah. I'll do it later. The line's really long, and-”
”Go.” Casey said, her eyes narrowed, one long arm pointing. Without another word, Beth headed toward the line of people. I stared at the blonde in amazement. I had never seen anyone get Beth to do anything once she'd set her mind to it. Even I had a tough time.
”How'd you do that?” I asked, incredulous.
”What?” Casey asked, leading us toward a near-by bench. We sat.
”Beth is one of the most stubborn people I have ever known in my entire life.” I said, glancing over at my friend, then back to the blonde who was grinning.
”She is, isn't she?” we both laughed. ”Yes, well, t'isn't very easy, but I am quite persistent, and much more stubborn than she is.” she turned to me and winked. I grinned back.
”So, what made you decide to go into medicine instead of law?”
Casey turned to me, and we began the most intense, interesting discussion about law, and the good and bad of it in the United States. She was incredibly insightful, and even explained some of the practices of Europe. I watched her as she talked, watched how she moved, and suddenly it dawned on me. She and I were a lot alike. We thought much the same way, and saw things much the same way, especially where law and politics were concerned. I could have easily imagined her in a court room, standing before the members making her summation, and convincing all present of her case. She had charisma, intelligence, and the innocent face of an angel.
As I watched her talk, I realized that though she'd decided on medicine, she'd be just as good at that. Her likeability was immense, as well as her obvious compa.s.sion and kindness. She told me of her mother's dying from MS, and how she had stayed by her bedside, working with the doctors and nurses, learning their trade, and the thought of being able to help someone live, be the force behind their survival, or help their death's be as painless as possible, had been her determining factor. I saw what Beth saw, and I understood. My anger and jealousy with Beth dissipated with each word Casey spoke, and each touch of my arm or knee as she explained something, or to emphasize a point. She was an incredible human being, and I felt honored to have been able to meet and talk to her. I felt at peace.
Until I caught them by the bathrooms.
I watched as Rebecca slept, her feature still and peaceful. Her breathing was even and regular, so I laid down next to her on my back, my arms over my head. Instinctively she cuddled up next to me, her head resting upon my breast, arm across my stomach. I reached down and absently ran my fingertips over the smooth skin of her forearm as I stared up at the dark ceiling.
After a long afternoon of going horse from screaming on rides like the Arctic Express, the Sea Dragon, and b.u.mper Cars, we all decided to get some lunch. Baskets of cheeseburgers and fries in hand, we found a spot of gra.s.s under the shade of some tall trees. We laughed and joked, occasionally throwing a fry or two, mostly Casey and I ganging up on Beth. She never got mad; she just got even.
”You wouldn't. No, Beth, please, no!” I cried out as the cold water from Beth's cup spilled over my head, and ran down my face and neck. The chunks of ice settled nicely in my bra and in my lap. Beth tossed the cup into a near-by trash can with a triumphant smile as she plopped down on the gra.s.s again. I glared at her from under sopping bangs. ”I cannot believe you did that. You are evil, Beth. Do you know that?”
”Yup.” she grinned, leaning back on her hands. Casey glanced from one to the other with a bewildered smile on her face.
”I can't believe you just did that to your best friend, luv.” she breathed, taking in my wet T-s.h.i.+rt, and shorts.
”I warned her not to throw that fry.”
”Well yes, but,” one look at Beth told Casey all she needed to know. ”Well, perhaps I should watch myself then.” Beth winked at her.
We managed to find a bathroom near the Bud tent, and I hurried in to try and dry as much of myself as I could. The day was hot, and the water had actually felt good, but wearing a wet, white s.h.i.+rt was not high on my list of top priorities in life. I smiled and shook my head as I stared at myself in the mirror. I had no comb with me, and did I ever need one. I ran my fingers through the tangled strands as best I could before pulling it all back into a tail. With one final glance, I walked out of the bathroom into the late afternoon heat again. Beth and Casey were not where they had been when I'd gone in. Drawing my brows, I looked around when I heard a low giggle coming from behind the building that backed up to a dark alley made up of trailers from big rigs and tents. I followed the noise, and stopped cold. Beth was pushed up against the side of a green trailer, Casey pressed against her, their hands roaming as they kissed pa.s.sionately. I could only stare, not sure what to think. My eyes darted down to Beth's hand as she reached down and cupped one side of the blonde's b.u.t.t, pulling their bodies closer together. Casey moaned softly.
I wanted to leave, to just walk away and pretend I had seen nothing, but I could not move. Beth had told me about the nature of her relations.h.i.+p with Casey, but deep down I had not believed it, had tried to see Casey as just a friend of Beth's, and no more. But then it was before my eyes in living color. No pretending on that one. Beth and Casey were lovers. Then that meant that Beth was, that Beth was....
I turned and walked out of that darkened alley, and headed back toward the crowds that bustled about, wanting to be with them, be where I understood, and felt comfortable. I stood just at the edge of the main-beaten path, my arms crossed over my chest as I tried to catch my breath. I felt a hand gently lay on my shoulder, but did not turn toward the owner.
”Em. Em, please look at me.” I couldn't. I shook my head, and looked down at my sandals. ”Em, please.” Beth's voice was soft, and somewhat shaky. ”I'm sorry. You weren't meant to see that.” I swallowed back my shock.
”It's okay, Beth.” I whispered. ”Not a big deal.”
I could feel her eyes on me as she studied me, weighing my words against what she knew of me. Finally she spoke, lightly squeezing my shoulder.
”I guess we kinda need to talk when we get home, huh.”
”If you want to, Beth. We don't need to. I understand.”
”Do you?”
I finally glanced up at her, saw the tortured look in those blue eyes. I smiled a bit. Did I? No. Not really.
”I don't know. I think I'm a little confused right now.” she nodded.
”Fair enough.”
BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPSMACK!.
I sat up with a groan. I hated that d.a.m.n alarm clock. With red, heavy eyes I looked around our dark room. Isn't the sun supposed to be up by, I glanced at the clock, four in the morning? Oh, G.o.d. I plopped back into the pillows.
”What time is it?” Rebecca mumbled as she cuddled up against me, her warm breath tickling my neck.
”Early. Entirely too early.” I answered, running my fingers through her hair.
”I thought so.” she muttered. She hugged my side tighter as I continued to stroke her hair, which could nearly hypnotize her. She sighed contentedly. ”You know you're going to give me a fro if you keep doing that.” she mumbled nearly unintelligible into my neck. I chuckled, and kissed the top of her head. ”We're supposed to get up about now, aren't we?”
”Yup.” I breathed with a sigh. She groaned again, but pushed herself up so that she lay over me, her weight supported by her arms.