BeSwitched Page 12

  Chapter 12

  Pussface had snuck out and Surla felt there was a slim chance that he wouldn’t tell Idis. I should have tied him to the bed-post! Surla thought while leaving for school.

  As the next few days slowly passed, the scare caused by Idis finding out decreased. It was now Friday and Surla’s more ordinary thoughts were taking over.

  Since they played a new sport for P.E., basketball, the teams switched around. So, they couldn’t go up against Craig and Travis anymore. Surla and Chrissy now played against Olly Renfro and Dave Healy. They both were wimpy and couldn’t make one basket. They tripped over each other so much, defense was almost not needed at all.

  “It’s been an easy week, hasn’t it?” Chrissy said while changing out of her gym clothes.

  “Yeah, it has,” Surla said, after putting a tight red shirt over head. She noticed how upbeat Chrissy’s attitude had been since they changed sports from tennis to basketball.

  “What are you doing tonight?” Chrissy tied her shoelaces on a locker room bench.

  “I think I might be doing something with Craig.”

  “What?” she said, disapprovingly. “But tonight there is a really important football game for our school. We’re competing against Jefferson High. How can you miss that?”

  “You like football?” Surla was surprised.

  “Well, if it has to do with our school. I have a lot of spirit, you know.”

  “Oh yeah, Todd plays tonight, doesn’t he?” Surla recalled him asking her to come and watch him play.

  “Yes he does. Come on. You should go.” Chrissy was persistent.

  “What, go with you?”

  “Well, no. But just go. It will be fun.”

  “Why does it matter? The only reason I would go is to support Todd. Besides I have a date with Craig tonight.” Surla finished dressing and walked to a nearby mirror to check out how her eye makeup was doing.

  “I think Todd likes you,” Chrissy said, while stuffing her dirty clothes into a gym bag.

  “Huh?” Surla instantly turned to her. She often wondered if Todd liked Cathy, but wasn’t sure. How could someone be so sure? Was it that obvious to others? “Why do you say that?”

  “Cathy, it’s only obvious. He’s always around you, sitting next to you, helping you with your work in the library. I mean, it’s not every day that you see the quarterback helping someone with their studies in the library. Yes, I could just see you two together right now. A perfect couple.”

  Could she just be saying this because she doesn’t want Cathy to be with Craig? She kept warning me not to get with him. Or does Todd really like Cathy? “What about Craig?”

  “What about him?” she said as if he were her bratty brother. “Craig has a super ego.”

  That was the end of their conversation. Surla left for her next class, Chemistry. Everywhere she turned she saw Halloween decorations. Never had she seen so much of the color orange. That reminded Surla of the party that was to be taking place at Revere Park.

  “Hey, you earned a B+ on your test,” Todd said as he leaned, looking over Surla’s Chemistry paper.

  “Yep, thanks to you.” She smiled. Surla had been concentrating on Todd’s actions, because of what Chrissy said about him liking Cathy. She wondered about each little thing he did. Was it flirting or not flirting? And would it be noticeable to others? When he leaned over, his shoulder touched mine; is this a sign he likes me and wants to be close? Oh, maybe I’m being too analytical.

  “As a thanks, how about you come to the game tonight and root for your number one football player?” He smiled.

  Is that any normal smile? Would he smile so sweetly to any girl? What about how he said my number one football player? It sounded a little flirtatious.

  “Well, Cath? Are you going to go?”

  “Sure,” she answered absentmindedly.

  “Hurry up!” Cathy jumped onto the bathroom counter, looking at Surla curl her eyelashes in the magnified mirror. “Craig will be here soon.”

  “Shhh!” She waved her free hand at Cathy. “Your mom will hear you.”

  “Sorry, it’s just that I’m so nervous. It’s my first date, with the hottest guy at school.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Surla placed the curler back into a floral makeup bag and proceeded with some shimmery eye-shadow. “I’ll be ready on time.”

  “I hope so.” Cathy took a deep breath to calm herself. She then stared at her human profile. Surla was whisking and applying makeup like she had been practicing her whole life. She stared at the dramatic improvement that was appearing before her eyes. Her features were standing out so natural and pretty, from her rosy lips to her cleanly plucked eyebrows. For just a moment, Cathy believed she looked better than Tiffany.

  “Cathy, we can’t do this for much longer.”

  “Do what?”

  “Stay switched. I think just for another week will be good enough. We can switch back on Halloween night. That way, Idis will be at The Annual Witches’ Ball and we can recover the Spellbook safely. Also I would have gotten Craig by then to be wrapped around your finger in time for you two to go to the Halloween Party together at Revere Park.” Surla zipped the makeup bag and went to Cathy’s room to finish off her wardrobe.

  “Just one more week?” Cathy followed her in on little paws. “That seems so soon.”

  “Cathy, it’s the best time. Do you want to stay a cat forever?” Surla picked out a pair of white shoes to go with the nice khaki pants and white, silk shirt.

  “No. I guess that is the best time, but what if Pussface tells Idis before then?”

  “I don’t know. We just have to think positive. Idis hasn’t come for us yet. Maybe Pussface didn’t tell her for some reason.”

  Cathy leaped over to the windowsill and stared outside. Surla ran her fingers through her hair that was let down for the occasion. Soon headlights were spotted coming down the road from a distance. Cathy’s eyes followed them intensely until the car pulled up into the driveway. It was the red sports car. “He’s here! He’s here! He’s here!” Cathy whispered in excitement.

  “Okay, okay.” Surla stood straight. “How do I look?”

  “Cathy, I think your date is here!” Julie yelled, followed by the sound of the doorbell.

  “Thank you!” Surla called.

  “You look great!” Cathy said.

  “You mean you look great.” Surla fingered her hair once more before walking to the living room. Cathy followed closely behind.

  Craig wore a red polo shirt and black jeans. His hair was the same as usual, brushed with no gel, his bangs split down the middle hanging passed his eyes.

  “Hey!” he said, noticing Surla. His car keys jingled in his right hand. “You look nice.”

  “I was thinking the same about you.”

  “I expect you’ll be back by eleven,” Julie told Surla.

  “Mother.” Surla acted embarrassed. “What about eleven-thirty?”

  “Well, all right. I guess another half hour does no harm.” She smiled at the two. “I expected him to be that guy who was over the other day.”

  “No, Mom. I told you already, Todd was just helping me study.” That reminded Surla once again about the football game. Guilt entered her mind since she accidentally told Todd she would go.

  “Okay, we better be on our way then.” Craig opened the door.

  “You two have fun!” Mom called out, as they walked to his car. She stood watching until the engine started, then waved good-bye before closing the door.

  As they drove out of the driveway, Surla said, “You know, I never did ask you where we were going tonight.”

  “I thought I would make it a surprise.”

  “Can I have a clue?”

  “It will be a place where we can get to know each other a lot better.”

  “I guess it’s not a movie.” She laughed, expecting him to also, but he didn’t. “You know, because you can’t talk much during a movie.”

  “I know.” He
smiled, turning down a different road. Each road he drove down seemed more secluded than the last. After a while, they were heading down a long dirt path through the woods.

  “How will you know your way back?” Surla became worried.

  “I won’t get lost.” He was very confident.

  Surla saw tire marks in the dirt already, and the car soon stopped in front of a lake. The moon was casting a white glow across the soft ripples of water. How romantic, Surla thought. Craig took off his seat belt and turned to look at Surla while removing her seat belt.

  “Here we are.” His eyes appeared as a darker blue.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said while still looking at him.

  “Just like you.” He brushed a hand softly across her cheek and through her hair. “It’s amazing how I never noticed you before.”

  “Yeah, well, I noticed you.” Surla thought about kissing him that instant. Go ahead! Kiss him! Kiss him! Kiss him! she repeated in her head. So slowly, with passion, she leaned in, opened her lips, and licked his cheek.

  “That’s different.” Craig liked that. He leaned over to her and kissed her on the mouth, his tongue touching hers in a french kiss. Now that’s different. Surla was enjoying it very much. They did that for a long while when suddenly he pulled back to open his door. Surla noticed the windows were all fogged up.

  She saw his chest rise in a deep breath. “Let’s go out to the lake.”

  “Okay.” Surla was becoming fond of Craig. After all, she was in a body with human hormones. But she knew it was was more of a duty rather than for pleasure.

  Craig held her hand as they walked to the water. It was even more beautiful to see it up close, and the sound of crickets chirping was nature’s way of setting an even more romantic mood.

  Craig started to take off his shoes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Let’s go for a dip.” His socks were taken off.

  “Go swimming?”

  “Yeah, come on. It’s a warm night.”

  Cats do not like to go in water, let alone swim. She looked above to see dark clouds floating by. “What if it rains?”

  “That will make it even more fun.” He pulled his polo shirt off. His chest and abs were defined nicely. “I’m a water polo player. I’m used to it anyway. Come on, start taking off your clothes.”

  “Take off my clothes?”

  “Yeah, you don’t want that silk shirt to get ruined, do you?”

  “Well, no.”

  “Then come on. Haven’t you ever gone skinny-dipping before?” He laughed.

  “Skinny-dipping?” Surla had never even heard of it before.

  “I guess not.” He smiled, looking her up and down. “It’s all right. You haven’t done much with anyone, I can tell. If you want, keep your underwear on.”

  Surla hesitated while watching him unbelt and pull off his jeans.

  “Okay.” She gave into his calling and took off her white tennis shoes, then her pants, and lastly her blouse, which she folded on top of her other clothes, so as not to get ruined.

  They both left on their underwear. As Craig entered the lake, his boxer shorts filled with water, making them look like a floating device. Surla felt embarrassed she wore a bra and panty-set with little puppy dogs on them; not because it was childish, but just for the fact that they were puppy dogs. The water was surprisingly a mild temperature.

  “Come over to me.” Craig was further out and motioned her with a finger.

  Surla had never gone swimming before and was fearful to learn. “Craig, I can’t really swim,” she admitted.

  “Can’t swim?” He looked very surprised. “Well, okay. We’ll just stay over here.” He swam closer to her. They were up to their chests in water. “Cute undies.” He smiled, looking at her puppy bra.

  “I know. I hate it, too.” She laughed.

  At the same time Surla and Craig were at the lake, Washington High was playing football against their rival school. It was a few minutes into half-time and Chrissy was returning to the bleachers, carrying snacks. Tiffany and Lisa sat with a plaid blanket across their laps.

  “Here’s our dinner.” She could hardly hold the three hot dogs and soft drinks. Lisa helped by grabbing her and Tiffany’s portions.

  “Oh, Chrissy, I didn’t want a hot dog.” Tiffany looked around, then whispered, “You know I’m on a diet.”

  “Oops. I’m sorry. I forgot.” She sat down next to her. “I guess I can save it for my brother when I get home.”

  “You do that.” The hot dog was handed back.

  Chrissy set it on the cold iron bench. “Hey, guys, do you think I can have some of that blanket, too? It’s pretty chilly out here.”

  Lisa sighed and Tiffany spoke, “I don’t think it’s long enough.” Chrissy saw it falling onto the seat in front of them, but decided to say nothing. She was getting more bored as time went on.

  Chrissy had lied to Surla. She really didn’t care about football. It was just a way to try and get Cathy away from Craig. Chrissy was afraid for her. She knew how jealous Tiffany could get. The marching band in the middle of the field was also annoying her. All the drumming over and over was droning on her mind. Soon she was in a daydream. Her wide brown eyes stared ahead as she took the last bite of her hot dog.

  “Hey, girls,” she heard a guy call, breaking her gaze. It was Todd, re-energized from half-time. Being the star quarterback took a lot of sweat and Chrissy could see it across his forehead. His helmet dangled in his right hand.

  “Oh, hi, Todd!” Tiffany smiled. “How ya doin’? You looked really good out there and because of you we’re winning.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a good game so far,” he said, looking at all the people around them. Chrissy could tell he wasn’t in the mood for chit chat. He was looking for someone. “But, uh, I just came over to ask if any of you have seen Cathy around.”

  “Oh.” Tiffany’s smile faded, then reappeared suddenly. “Oh, yes. I-I did see her a while ago.”

  “You did?” He paid full attention to her now. “Where?”

  Lisa looked at her friend curiously.

  “Yeah,” she continued, “I saw Cathy during the first quarter.” One eyebrow raised. “Some really hot looking guy came and sat next to her. They were talking the whole time. I bet she didn’t pay attention to any of the plays out on the field, ’cause they started their own action, right behind us.”

  Todd looked stunned. “Really?!”

  “Yep, and soon after the second quarter began, they left together… hand-in-hand.”

  Chrissy’s mouth dropped as she turned her head away from the conversation. She knew Tiffany was lying and Todd was believing every word of it.

  “Well.” He turned his head also, then looked back. “Thanks for telling me.” Then the red helmet was placed back on his head and he went back toward the field.

  “You’re welcome!” Tiffany yelled.

  The majorettes started the last performance before the third quarter, twirling their batons in perfect timing and order.

  “I can’t believe you told him that.” Chrissy shook her head, but her friends just turned to each other and laughed.

  “If only he knew where she really was, huh, Lisa,” Tiffany said.

  “Yes. You are sooo bad.” Lisa laughed more.

  “Where? Where’s Cathy?” Chrissy asked.

  “Nowhere.” Tiffany ignored her.

  “Yeah… in the middle of nowhere,” Lisa said.

  “What do you mean?” Chrissy was becoming very worried. She knew they were keeping something awful from her. “Where’s Cathy?”

  “Don’t say anything to her,” Tiffany warned Lisa.

  “Oh, what’s the big deal? It probably already happened.”

  “What?” Chrissy pleaded to know.

  “Cathy got abandoned on her date with Craig, with no way to get home, except to walk most of the way.” Lisa laughed as if it were a really funny joke. “Left at a lake.”

  “Shut up, Lis
a!” Tiffany slapped the girl’s arm.

  “And you two were behind this?”

  “Yep.” Lisa ignored Tiffany’s demand. “Well, mostly Tiff was.”

  “That’s sick… really sick.” Chrissy scooted over a bit. “Look at the weather. There’s rain clouds. What will she do? She could catch pneumonia and the nearest lake is miles from here.”

  “Oh, settle down, Chrissy.” Tiffany took hold of her shoulder. “I always thought you were too much of a ‘goody-goody.’ Only my mom would have been worrying about something like pneumonia.”

  “Really?” Chrissy put on a fake smile and reached for her soda. “Would a ‘goody-goody’ do this?” Orange soda was poured onto the girls’ blanket, immediately soaking to their laps as Chrissy stood up. “I guess there isn’t any room for me.” She walked off quickly, not caring to see their response.

  “I can’t believe she did that!” she heard Tiffany say, exasperated.

  Chrissy jogged over to Todd, who was stretching on the sidelines. “Todd, I need to tell you something.”

  He lunged forward, stretching his calves. “What is it?”

  “It’s about Cathy.”

  “Cathy?” He looked up with more interest. “What is it? I have to go play soon.”

  The majorettes were going into their last routine and Chrissy had to hurry up. “Okay.” She brushed her hair behind her ears. “I was sitting with Tiffany and Lisa as you saw earlier, and the truth is Cathy didn’t leave with some cute guy. She didn’t come at all because…”

  “Yeah, hurry please.” Todd fixed his knee pads.

  “Because Craig took her on a date and…”

  “Okay, that’s enough I wanna hear.” He turned away and started walking out on the field with his teammates.

  “He left her there, Todd! At a lake, with no way home… as a mean joke!” She called out while the band was drumming to pump up the crowd.

  “What?!” He turned quickly, with concern in his eyes.

  “Yeah! Meet me at the refreshment stand after the game!”

  He nodded and went to his position. Chrissy watched the rest of the game from the opposing school’s side, to be as far away from Tiffany and Lisa as possible. She was sure they saw her talking to Todd.

  For the rest of the night, Washington High didn’t score. Todd was obviously distracted thinking about Cathy. His throws were constantly off, and what made it even worse was whenever the team messed up, Chrissy had to hear everyone around her cheer in excitement.

  At the lake, Surla was wondering if she and Craig were getting too intimate. They had been kissing for a very long time now. What would Cathy think? Would she be happy or mad to know what I was doing right now? But she went along with it still. His hands rubbed up and down her back. It was all okay with her until she felt his fingers working the back of her bra to come off.

  “Stop,” Surla said, pulling back.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “You said I didn’t have to take off any more.”

  “You don’t have to…” He smiled. “I’ll take it off for you.”

  “What?” She was surprised he would say something like that.

  “I said, I’ll take it off for you. You don’t have to do it.”

  “Get away from me.” Surla took a couple steps backward, feeling the mushy floor of the lake squish between her toes.

  “You aren’t as mature as I thought you would be.” He walked toward her.

  “I said, get away.”

  “Cathy.” He reached for her arm.

  “Get away!” Surla pushed him off of her, but in the process made herself go back further. The water encircled her neck.

  “Fine.” He put up his arms, in a surrendering stance. He then quickly swam to shore, grabbed his clothes, and headed to his car. “I thought you were different than before, Cathy! I wasn’t going to follow through with this, but all you are is a tease!” He turned the key and the ignition started.

  “Wait!” Surla knew she had no other way home. “Don’t leave! Wait!” But it was too late. Craig sped, like usual, leaving only a cloud of dust.

  “Now what can I do?” She felt short of breath. The first thing she had to do was reach the beach. She was at least thankful she hadn’t stepped back any further.

  Slowly, she walked back toward shore, but not before heavy drops were hitting her face. It began raining, like she thought it would, and her body shivered. The drops fell harder and harder, stinging her skin. Her hair matted to her face and neck. When Surla noticed all that was left of her clothes were Cathy’s shoes, she started to cry. Craig was even more rotten than she thought.

  “Poor Cathy,” she cried. “I-I shouldn’t h-have been so stupid!” She wiped her face with her forearm, even though the tears blended with the rain.

  After the football game ended, Todd and Chrissy met up at the refreshment stand as agreed.

  “Did I hear you correctly?” He took off his helmet and brushed a hand through his hair.

  “Yes. Cathy is stuck miles away from here at a lake with no way home.” Just then the rain started to pour. “Oh no, what should we do?”

  “Did you drive here?”

  “No. I just live a couple of blocks away.”

  “Okay, good. How about you ride along with me, while we look for this place? My cell is in the car in case we need to call someone for help.”

  The rain made Chrissy’s mascara run. “Okay, sounds good. Let’s hurry.”

  Surla hiked through the woods with underwear and shoes as her only covering. Her arms were folded tightly as she consistently trembled. Cathy’s once sparkling blue eyes now looked vacant like a zombie. Surla had stopped crying; sadness was replaced by anger.

  It seemed as if she had been trudging through mud for miles before she came upon a phone. It was in a booth of an empty parking lot. Cathy had taught Surla every trick there was about phones the day Craig asked for her phone number.

  Her fingers were jittery as she started dialing a collect call, but hung up before finishing. “If I call her mom to pick me up in the middle of nowhere in my underwear because my date abandoned me, that would make her not trust Cathy’s wisdom.” She could dial 911, but even to have an officer see her tricked like that felt too humiliating. Surla contemplated a long time before she thought of someone who she could trust and confide in to help.

  It was extremely dark out and the rain made it worse as it slammed against Todd’s windshield. “Craig is a jerk. I could’ve told Cathy he was bad news.” He gripped the steering wheel like it was Craig’s neck.

  Chrissy nodded as she helped read road signs. They were headed to Lake Sequoia. “I tried to warn her also. I knew Tiffany was capable of doing something like this. I feel really stupid. I remember when Cathy asked me why I was friends with Tiffany.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  Chrissy laughed at the foolish comment that was going to come out of her mouth. “I told her because I played Barbie with her when I was just four. I’ve put up with her for a long time.”

  “People change,” was his response.

  “Yeah, I know. Like Cathy. She made an incredible change.”

  “For the better.” A smile crept on Todd’s face. “The truth is, though, I always thought Cathy was pretty and nice, but when she came to school a couple weeks ago looking, you know, so different, all I could think was, Wow! She also talks a lot more.”

  “That’s cute, Todd.” Chrissy leaned her head on the door’s cold window. They were nearing Lake Sequoia. The speedometer got higher in anticipation, when suddenly Todd’s cell phone rang. Chrissy’s nerves jumped.

  “Hello?” Todd answered.

  “Todd?” he heard the faint voice say.

  “Yeah, is this Cathy?”

  “Yes!” She laughed, happy to have reached him. Surla almost forgot his number. One day while writing notes back and forth in Chemistry class, she slid the folded paper in her lap and opened it so no one could see. It surprised her to find 555-7
327 written down. “How did the game go?”

  “We lost,” he said quickly. “Where are you, Cathy? I’m here with Chrissy, looking for you. We know what happened.”

  Surla’s voice choked up. “You know? How?”

  “Don’t cry. We’re coming to get you. Where are you calling from?”

  “I-I’m at a vacant gas station, using the payphone. I think it’s at the first station off the exit, by the lake.”

  “Okay, we’re not far from there. Do you want to stay on the line with me?”

  “Actually, I think I should go. I don’t want anyone to see me. It’s kind of an embarrassing situation. I’ll be hiding behind a bush. You could just honk your horn three times so I know it’s you.”

  “Okay, Cath. Stay safe. I’ll be right there.”

  “Thanks, Todd.”

  The blue truck soon pulled up to a small gas station. The parking lot was empty and boards were nailed up in the windows. A sign said, Temporarily CLOSED For Reconstruction.

  Honk! Honk! Honk! That was Surla’s signal, he was there. Chrissy and Todd peered out the rain-splattered windows impatiently. Thunder boomed and lightning that looked like spider webs flashed through the sky.

  “Where is she?” Chrissy’s brown eyes searched desperately.

  “There’s the only bush I can see.” Todd pointed to a hedge fifteen feet away from a phone-booth.

  “Are we at the wrong place?” Chrissy asked, worried.

  “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t think so… Maybe I should honk again.” Honk! Honk! Honk! Another ten seconds passed.

  “Where is she?” Todd was tense. “Okay, I’m going to look.” He opened his door. Instantly, sheets of rain poured in and onto the seat. Thunder boomed again, then more lightning.

  “Hurry back, Todd! This is scary.” Chrissy said a quick prayer. She saw his shadowed figure run to the hedge. He carefully looked behind it, then dropped to the ground suddenly.

  Todd was horrified by what he saw: Cathy face down in the mud. Her cotton underwear clung to her wet body. “Cathy! Oh, God, please don’t let this be what I’m thinking.” He lifted her head and listened for breath. He was happy to feel the cool exhalation on his cheek. He turned her over, sliding one arm through the mud and under her back. His other arm held under her knees, so he could cradle her in his arms. Slowly, he lifted her limp body, then jogged to the truck.

  “Open the door!” he called to Chrissy.

  Chrissy obeyed immediately. Her hands shook tremendously as she helped drag Surla inside. Todd shut the door and the fainted sixteen-year-old’s body laid across their laps.

  “Is she alive?” Chrissy asked.

  “Yes. She’s still breathing. She must have fainted, walking so far in this weather. Cathy!” he said, trying to wake her from the deep state.

  “Cathy!” they both said over and over. Chrissy held and rubbed her icy hands. Todd turned on the heater, then proceeded by shaking her shoulders.

  “She needs something warm. Why is she in her underwear?” Chrissy said, then instantly pulled off her own sweater-jacket to place over Surla.

  Color was coming back to her cheeks and lips. Her wet eyelashes fluttered and the first vision she saw was Todd’s green eyes staring down with delight. “She’s awake!” Surla heard him say.

  “Oh, good!” Chrissy exhaled in relief.

  “Meow?” Surla uttered.

  “Did she just say ‘meow’?” Todd asked.

  “She must be delirious.”

  “Wh-what just happened?” Surla sat up dizzily.

  “You fainted, but you’re all right now,” Chrissy said.

  “Craig and Tiffany need the daylights knocked out of them for doing this to you,” Todd said, heated.

  “Why Tiffany?” Surla asked.

  “She was behind the whole idea of leaving you there,” Chrissy revealed to her. “I found out at the football game. That’s why Todd and I came as quick as we could.”

  “Boy, did I mess up.” Surla held Chrissy’s sweater tightly.

  “It’s not your fault,” Todd said.

  Surla saw the digital clock above the radio said 11:25. “Oh no! I’m supposed to be home in five minutes.”

  “It took us a half hour to get here.” Todd pulled out of the parking lot, heading back down the highway. “You’ll never make it in time. Maybe we should take you to the hospital. You don’t look so good.”

  “Thanks, but really I’m feeling better!”

  “Hey, I have an idea,” Chrissy said. “Tiffany was going to spend the night at my house tonight, but no way is it going to happen after what she did to you. Do you wanna come over instead? It will be a good way for your mom to not worry about you.”

  “Yeah, that does sound smart.” Surla smiled.

  “Here, you can use my cell phone.” Todd handed it to her.

  The rain was still coming down hard.

  “Mom?” Surla said after reaching an answer on the other end.

  “Yes, Cathy. You’re supposed to be here any minute. What’s going on?”

  “Well, um, after the school’s football game, I ran into my friend Chrissy and, well, I was wondering if I could maybe spend the night at her house tonight.”

  There was a sigh. “Well, I don’t know. Is it all right with her parents?”

  “Yes. I know for sure.”

  “I guess it’s okay then, but I was really interested to hear how your date went.”

  The horrible night’s incident flashed through Surla’s mind again. “I don’t think there will be a second date.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. At least you went and gave it a shot. Have fun with your new friend Chrissy. I’m glad you’re being more social lately, honey.”

  Surla just smiled, then Cathy’s mom continued, “Be home around noon tomorrow.”

  “Okay, thanks, Mom. Bye.”

  Surla hung up and returned the phone to Todd.

  “Cathy, there’s some sweats in the backseat you can put on. I’m sure you must be freezing.” Todd pointed to the red pile.

  “Thanks.” Surla quickly put them on and maneuvered her wet bra off without anyone seeing.

  “Um, Cathy…” Chrissy turned in her seat. “Do you mind me asking what happened to your clothes?”

  Surla laughed. “No, I don’t mind. I know this situation looks really bad, but it’s probably not what you’re thinking.”

  Todd was especially interested in what the explanation would be.

  “Well, I went swimming in the lake with Craig. He talked me into taking off my clothes, since I was wearing a silk shirt. I’ve seen less in bathing suits, so I didn’t think much about it, but when he tried to go further than that I wouldn’t let him. That’s when he sped off with my clothes. I should have scratched him or bit his ear like I wanted.”

  “Oh, I’ll do more than that to him when I see him,” Todd said, angered. “I hope you don’t think all guys are like that.”

  “No, I don’t think all guys are jerks. Especially not you! Tonight you saved me, Todd, and so did you, Chrissy. You two are like my heroes.”

  “What do you say about your ‘heroes’ wanting to take you out to eat?” Todd looked at Chrissy and she agreeably smiled.

  “That is an offer I cannot refuse.” Surla was feeling warm again and her spirits were lifting, but her stomach growled of hunger. “It has to be a place with chicken though. I love to eat birds.”

  “Oh yeah, and I love burgers, so let’s go eat some cow and birds,” Todd quipped.