The Purple Tux
With just enough education to perform.Thursday, August 26, 2004
Preceding chapter found at
www.livejournal.com/users/bipolarmagnet
Crossing Paths
Episode 4: Crumpled
“I think someone just knocked,” I said.
Josh nodded, and he got up and walked to the door. He squinted one eye through the peephole and then tilted his head at an angle, as if surprised by the visitor.
I swear I felt my heart rate just kick up a few notches. What if it was Kyle? No, it couldn’t be. He wouldn’t know how to find me. I relaxed a bit and toyed with my Scrabble pieces.
I heard another knock and looked back at the door. Josh was still standing there.
“Maybe you should open the door, silly,” I suggested.
Josh shrugged, but he opened the door.
“Hey. I know Sammie’s here. I need to talk to her,” the voice outside the door said.
I froze. It was Kyle. How in the hell?
Against my better judgment, I called out, “What, Kyle? I’m here. What do you want?” I did my best to sound firm and confident. That son of a bitch actually hit me earlier today, and I didn’t ever want to see him again.
Kyle walked into the house, soaking wet from the rain outside. Josh tapped Kyle’s shoulder and pointed to the coat rack by the entrance. I admired that about Josh. He can’t verbalize anything, and virtually no one in this town knows how to use sign language, but he’s still able to get by so well. Kyle shook some water off his coat (I’ll bet it was just so he could drip some water on Josh’s carpet) and hung it on the rack. The two of them then walked into the living room.
I couldn’t believe the arrogance of this boy! Here he was, this teenaged boy who excelled at sports, worked hard for good grades, and was so popular at school, and yet how hard was it to swallow the fact that he was also a complete asshole? And then there he was in someone else’s house, dripping dirty rainwater on the carpet, just for the sole purpose of coming up to me and telling me some half-assed bullshit apology!
I wanted to squeeze his nuts and rip them off.
“Sammie, look, I know I messed up today, but I think we should really talk,” he started. He had the nerve to sit down on the sofa across from me and act remorseful about what he did.
I was glad Josh sat down on the couch next to me. I wanted him to stay. I wanted him to know what an absolute prick Kyle is. Even without a voice, Josh would not be able to keep silent when he learned what kind of person Kyle really is deep down inside.
I crossed my arms and glared at Kyle. “I really don’t want to see you any more, Kyle. Go away.”
“But Sammie,” Kyle started, “please, you’ve got to let me explain myself-“
“Explain what? That despite your model appearance to the world as we know it, you are a complete phony? Well, why don’t you tell Josh here about how you like to shoot up with your dumbass friends? Or how you like to snort the powder and then urinate on your neighbor’s petunias? You’re just, you’re just,” I struggled for the words, “you’re just a future wife-beater, is what you are!”
I shouldn’t have involved Josh in this argument, but I was getting heated. I felt bad for Josh; he looked so uncomfortable in his own house. It was a small relief that his parents had gone out for dinner during our Scrabble game. They wouldn’t be back for quite some time now. I would have just about died if they’d witnessed this terrible scene.
Josh raised a hand to silence the both us. It’s the quiet ones who people are most willing to listen to. Swinging his head inquiringly to each of us, he demanded an explanation. Too bad stupid Kyle opened his mouth first.
“Look, Josh, do you think it’s okay if we maybe go to another room or something and work this out privately? It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes,” Kyle said, full of false sincerity. Now he was even setting a time limit on “working this out!” Frankly, I couldn’t wait to dismiss him offhand just to crush his neanderthal bravado. I wanted to take him down a few notches, and I’d love to have a witness.
So I said: “Josh can stay. I can’t believe you came here! I don’t want to see you any more.”
I ignored Josh’s discomfort. It must have been weird to sit in on what he thought was a typical teenage lovers’ quarrel, but as far as I was concerned, Kyle wasn’t worth the love I give to my goldfish.
“Sammie, please,” Kyle begged. He was so pathetic. Why do they always say “please?” It’s not like the magic word will change my mind.
“Kyle, you frickin’ hit me! You wanted to feel like a man and you hit me. I never want to see you again.”
At that, Josh stood up. He understood the seriousness of this conversation. He stared at Kyle and shook his head. Kyle made brief eye contact with him, and then he hung his head like a true loser.
“No, wait, let me apologize! I was so wrong, Sammie! I’d do anything to change the way I acted. I know I don’t deserve you, but-“
I was livid! “Hey, are you deaf? You don’t hit your girlfriend? Ugh! I can’t- I just can’t believe what the hell I was thinking when I thought I was in love with you! Ugh! You selfish, conniving bastard!”
Josh sat back down. He was totally at a loss, and I don’t blame him at all. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him shake his head, trying to figure out what to do. He picked up the little notepad he used to write things to people, grabbed a pencil, and began to jot something down. I had no idea what he was planning on saying at this particular moment, but I waited patiently for him to finish writing.
Kyle, being the self-centered jerk that he is, didn’t have the patience. He just droned on, “Please Sammie, I’ve know it was wrong, and I know I was wrong, and I know I should have told you sooner, but you have to understand-“
“You shut up! Understand what now? That you flat out are a complete dickless asshole? You fucking hit me, man! You think you’re so special that I’d go running back to your arms after you hit me? Jeez! Ugh, why don’t you just leave here and never come back!” All of a sudden, I found myself on my feet, my hands curled into fists, one of which I was shaking harshly at my former boyfriend. I was sweating from the anger.
I knew I should calm down, but just seeing him there, sitting on the couch, acting like he’s so sorry and that he’s a changed man- that really angered me to no end. I felt a huge rush from the adrenaline, though, and I felt like I was on a roll, so I continued. I said, “I fell for your lies once and it won’t happen again. I know what kind of a person you are! You’re just regular, run of the mill, overly aggressive hick. You lie and deceive to get what you want. You think people don’t see through you? You think people actually want to be close to you? You are the type of person that no one will care about in another six years. Do us all a favor and instead of waiting those six years, go fuck off now! And by the way, you aren’t even that good at basketball!”
Perhaps my use of profanity finally shut him down. He just sat there, looking at his feet, finally speechless. I didn’t like cursing, but I was so angry that I felt that no other words could convey my feelings. My elders always said that those who resort to four-letter profanities do so because they have small vocabularies. I disagree. If you don’t abuse the words, they retain the power society has imbued in them. Today was definitely the first time I’d ever used such language directed at him.
I looked at Kyle’s sad, sorry face. He was trying to hide it, but I could already hear him crying a bit. A part of me wanted to wrap my arms around his crumpled body on the couch and apologize, but I just thought of the bruise around my eye and held my ground firmly. Josh tore up the piece of paper he’d been writing on, scrunched it into his pocket, and started over.
Kyle sniffled. Hoarse, he whispered, “Wait, let me explain, please. I claim all responsibility for my actions, but you have to know this, and I’ve never told you before. I’ve never told anyone this.”
“You’re such a liar,” I choked out, “and you’re just despicable.” I turned my back, and I began to walk out of the living room. I had no idea where I was headed, but as I entered the dining room, I heard Kyle’s voice one more time.
“I have multiple personality syndrome.”
Josh crumpled up another piece of paper and tried again.
TO BE CONTINUED AT
www.livejournal.com/users/bipolarmagnet
Monday, August 23, 2004
Crossing Paths
[Note: Prologue 2 and Episode 1 can be found at www.livejournal.com/users/bipolarmagnet/ ]
Episode 2: The Target And The Bore
It was Monday morning. At 6:15AM, Kyle's alarm clock jolted him out of his slumber, and he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He usually woke up at about 7AM, but today he wanted to get in a little bit of extra studying in the morning. His father, a construction worker, was already at his job and his mother had the day off from her job as a waitress. She was still snoring softly in her room. That was fine by Kyle. He didn't like it when his mom fussed over him and cooked him breakfast and prepared him a lunch to take to school.
After quickly showering and getting himself ready for the day, he grabbed his book and went to the kitchen. Pouring himself some cereal, he flipped open his book and reread the chapter he'd read over the weekend. It was The Grapes Of Wrath, and his English teacher promised an quiz every Monday morning right at 8AM sharp. The quiz wasn't a big deal, but Kyle prided himself on being a dedicated athlete who also worked hard for good grades.
He read a chapter about a turtle, crawling in the middle of godforsaken Americana. Crawling, crawling, on its belly. What sad creatures turtles are, Kyle thought to himself. They're always working so hard, pushing themselves to their physical limits just to earn a miniscule bit of gain. In the scheme of things, really, how are turtles different from people? The only difference is, no one's ever tried marketing "Teenage Mutant Ninja People" as a collectible toy.
Around 7:15AM, Kyle got ready to leave the house. He checked his parents' room one more time, and after he saw his mother sleeping peacefully, he decided not to bother waking her just to say goodbye. Passing a mirror in the hallway, Kyle ran his hand through his crisp, black hair. He carefully placed his portable CD player in his backpack, making sure there was a little gap between the zippers so he could slide through the cord for his headphones, which he adjusted for maximum comfort. Then he left the house and began his usual one mile walk to school.
He liked walking to school. Sure, it was usually cold, but it really woke him up and prepared him for another busy day. Plus it gave him time to think by himself and listen to his music. Even after he'd gotten his own car, he liked walking to school. He thought that if he brought his car with him to school everyday, he'd be tempted to cruise around and go to useless places during his breaks, which he knew he ought to spend doing more studying.
All of these things were going through Kyle's head as he walked to school. Soon, the music playing in his ears shook him out of his reverie. It was the new Morrissey album. Sammie was always a big fan of The Smiths, and she'd gotten him this new CD for his birthday. The current track playing in his CD player perked his ears.
This world is full
So full of crashing bores
And I must be one
'Cause no one ever turns to me to say
"Take me in your arms
Take me in your arms and love me"
The song was aptly titled, "The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores," and for some reason it stood out to him. It was just so full of conviction and longing. It wasn't too long ago that he felt like he was a crashing bore, with no one to take him in and love him. When did things change?
-About 4 months ago-
"C'mon, Kyle, just ask her!"
"I really WANT to. I just don't know- well, I do, but I'm... Look, quit nudging me with your elbow, man! I will, okay? Let me just work up the focus. Give me a minute or two," Kyle practically begged his buddy Stew not to make a scene in the hallway.
He gathered the books he needed from his locker and, hiding partly behind the locker door, he surveyed the target of his affection, Sammie, who was getting a few things out of her own locker.
Stew prodded Kyle again, a little harder this time. "Come on, man, go walk her to class or something!"
Kyle inhaled and exhaled purposefully. "Okay," he said simply. Then, as if an after thought, he added, "Wish me luck." With another forced exhalation, he strode slowly across the hallway. He hoped he didn't look too casual, but he didn't want to look too desperate either. Self-conscious all of a sudden, he paused and bent over to get a quick drink at the water fountain. (Across the hall, Stew shook his head and rolled his eyes.)
Wiping his mouth, Kyle stole another glance back to his cohort, who brusquely waved him away, as if to say "Get on with it!"
She's only a few meters away now, Kyle realized as he got closer. By then, though, Sammie was done with her locker and she'd already turned her back and begun walking to her next class. As if that weren't enough, some other kid quickly (a little TOO quickly, Kyle noted suspiciously) walked up to her side and patted her shoulder. It was the deaf kid, Kyle thought. What was his name again? Oh wait, he wasn't deaf, it was something else. Mute, yeah, that was it.
What could he possibly want with Sammie? His heart started racing. Now what? Go on with it? Wait for another opportunity? Oh yeah, his name is Josh. Interrupt them? Luckily, it seemed after only greeting each other, Josh went his own way, leaving Sammie without a companion for the next two minutes, or however long it took for her to walk to class.
"Um, hey!" Kyle shouted. His palms were sweating, the back of his neck was on fire, and he was suddenly pleased he'd decided to "freeball" it today.
At the sound of his awkward greeting, Sammie turned around. As soon as her piercing green eyes flashed with recognition, she smiled and waved with a dainty yet dignified hand. Her rich blonde hair bounced a bit as she turned around.
"Hi, Kyle," she said.
"Oh, nothing much, how about you?" replied Kyle by reflex. His face reddened when he realized that she'd simply said "hi" and not "what's up?," or any of the things he usually said when greeting others. Feeling stupid, Kyle tried to play it off cool. "I mean, er, hi. What's up, Sammie?" he added lamely.
Sammie smiled that smile again. He noted how the imprint of her dimples complemented her perfectly round face and the eyes that danced with quiet laughter behind long black lashes. "Just going to class, Kyle."
"Huh," Kyle replied, "that's cool, me too."
"I know, silly, we're in the same class!" Sammie continued smiling at him. Was she being coy?
They walked a few steps in silence as Kyle racked his brain.
But it was Sammie who popped in first when she casually asked, "So, silly boy, are you going to the Winter Formal dance?"
Finding his voice once more, Kyle offered, "Yeah, I'm planning to. Just need to find the right lady to accompany me." At that, he tried smiling his smoothest, slickest, lady-killing smile, but all that came out was a nervous little twitch of his upper lip.
"Oh? Well, have you asked anyone yet?" Sammie's eyes widened innocently? hopefully? at the question, and for the life of him Kyle could not decide whether or not he should just shut up forever or proceed.
"I was wondering if anyone had already asked you to the dance, Sammie," Kyle blurted. Surprisingly, as soon as he popped the question, he felt a wave of calm. He wanted to close his eyes to prepare himself for the final blow, but he didn't. The two of them stood in the hallway and faced each other for a few long moments.
Sammie lowered her eyes. "Well," she began, "someone else has already asked me..." Kyle began nodding slowly, his shoulders slumped. All that work and aggravation, he thought dejectedly.
"But I didn't say 'yes' to him yet, and now that you've asked me, I'll go with you, Kyle. You silly Kyle!" Sammie laughed good-naturedly. She smiled her killer smile again and, looking into his eyes, she said more seriously, "This place is just full of crashing bores. Thanks for stepping up today, Kyle. Thought you'd never ask."
-Today-
These have been the best days of my life, thought Kyle. He looked up. Here he was, he was at school, he was at Nixon High again.
[To be continued at www.livejournal.com/users/bipolarmagnet/ ]
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Crossing Paths- Prologue 1
"Killer Smile"
Last night was the most incredible night of my life, thought Josh. He reflected for a few moments, recalling the company of his friends, the fullness of the moon, the serenity of the country sky, and the soft but steadfast chirping of tireless crickets in the distance. And then, of course, there was Sammie. Sure, it was typical teenage puppy love stuff, but this was different! But that's what every teenage boy thinks about his own situation, the rational part of Josh' mind thought. Everybody, especially teenagers, wants to be special and unique.
Then Josh thought of a profound line from the movie Fight Club, something about snowflakes, but he lost his train of thought quickly.
No. This was different. Josh knew this was special. Last night meant something. Sammie! Her cute, perfectly round face, the eyes beneath those long lashes and always brimmed with coyness, that short, rich blonde hair that curled just at the tips... Her face was all Josh could think of right now. And last night, when their eyes met for that one moment, it was as if the entire world was swallowed by the apocalpyse, but that didn't matter at all, because Sammie smiled right at him.
And then, of course, she had shifted her gaze and her smile was meant only for her boyfriend Kyle. Sure, Kyle was a senior and he had his driver's license, and he was the star point guard on the high school basketball team, but so what? Josh always felt he could compete with guys like Kyle. That one moment of bliss wasn't enough. He knew he could win Sammie's heart. What did Kyle have that Josh couldn't offer? What was so special about that kid? And how did he get so good at basketball?
The answers to those questions would have to wait. A knock on his bedroom door shook him out of his reverie.
"Josh, one of your friends is here to see you," his mom said as soon as he opened the door.
Josh nodded and went downstairs to meet this visitor. It was Sammie. And she had a killer smile that just about knocked Josh off his feet. If he could speak, he'd stammer like a slobbering idiot. This was one of the few instances in which he was actually relieved that he was mute. He picked up a pen and a notepad and prepared to write a message to her...
TO BE CONTINUED AT http://www.livejournal.com/users/bipolarmagnet/
