Wednesday morning Therese walked into math class and gave Peter another drink. Their teacher stood to correct her choice of behaviors, as drinks were still not allowed in class, but neither was sleeping. Then Therese handed another cup to her teacher. “It was hot when I left the house.” she explained.
Her teacher, Mr. Shank, drank some of the coffee. It was a damn good cup of coffee. “What the hell are rules?” he thought. “What are rules when you have a good cup of coffee. This coffee is really stimulating”, he thought, he wished all the kids drank it, they might pay attention.
“Thank you. Honestly, I’m not sure if I should accept it, but I hope you don’t want it back.” said Mr. shank before taking another sip of the coffee. If he had ever drunk coffee this good, Shank could not remember it.
“No. I do not want it back.” said Therese to her teacher while walking to her seat. Ed Shank kept his smile hidden behind his cup, Therese’s literalness often made him smile but unlike others who did it at her expense, he did so out of a very deep and genuine friendship that had grown over the years.
“Pete has a new girlfriend.” whispered the girl next to him.
“Better than herpes on your mouth.” said Peter, drinking his coffee. The girl blushed and put her cold sore ointment away, the little yellow lidded jar disappearing into her purse. She threw a jealous look at Therese, who did not either notice or would understand if she did.
Mr. Shank asked if anyone knew the answer to problem twelve. No one raised their hands, it was the hardest problem, and he knew it. “Therese, can you give us your solution?” asked the teacher.
Therese rose out of her chair without hesitation, she was hit with a burst of confidence she needed. As she caught up with herself, Therese wanted to sit back down. She wanted to run out the door. She took a step forward, then another step forward, then two steps, she walked to the front of the room. Therese took a marker and wrote her solution on the dry erase board. Mr. Shank smiled, and knew if he did bother her about the coffee, his best chance at a teaching award this year went with her.
“Good job.” Mr. Shank told Therese, the problem was perfect. Peter raised his hand for a high five as she walked by. Therese stopped, put her feet together, then slapped his hand and finally walked to her seat. The bell rang.
“Can I give you a ride home?” asked Peter.
“I want to meet at your car, the flagpole is too noisy,” said Therese to him. She sounded monotone, but Peter heard a hint of excitement.
“And my car isn’t?” asked Peter.
“One loud engine is quieter than a hundred voices.” said Therese. Therese hated being in a crowd, she wasn’t sure if it was because people stared at her or that she was simply overwhelmed by all the conversations.
Peter smiled. He liked the loud sound his car made and said, “You know, if you want, you can visit me at work tonight. I mean if you are still doing makeup lessons with Erin tonight?”
“Shh.” Therese put her finger to her lips. She was embarrassed to have anyone hear she did not know how to do her own makeup. She wished she did, she would have worn it this morning. She looked at the other girls walking down the hall. She guessed next she would have to ask Erin to go clothes shopping with her. She would ask her mother, but her mother already picked out these clothes for her.
Therese went to her English class, they were learning about love sonnets. Therese had read some of them before, but they lacked meaning, now they all seemed to relate to Peter. Fear swept in, that she might get hurt, that he might reject her, a little voice inside told her that he would never love her. A tear pooled in the corner of Therese’s eye, and she feigned trying to remove an eyelash with a tissue because she would be embarrassed if anyone saw her tear. Therese looked at the pictures in the books and read the captions, and did her best to avoid eye contact with the teacher to be spared being called on. Therese skipped ahead in her book past the love sonnets and read:
“Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;”
A little voice inside Therese, told her the world would be better without her. Therese did not like that thought, she flipped forward several pages. Therese feigned removing another eyelash. Therese read:
“My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;”
Therese smiled, she liked rainbows. She imagined she was in her garden with the bunnies, happiness came back into her, and the color in her cheeks improved. Therese smiled and felt a little warmer inside, but she still did her best to hide in plain sight until the bell rang.
Therese walked into art class as she always did, but a little slower this time. She walked past the paints and grabbed acrylic inks and started brushing a radiant sun in a garden, then she took a bottle of ink and a dip pen and began drawing around the colored ink. Therese smiled, there were no painful thoughts in art class, she drew, and she smiled, losing track of time until the bell rang. Therese smiled as she put her pictures away, relieved by the hour of therapeutic drawing. She took the picture and carefully put it in her art bin, she would give it to Ben after it fully dried.
Benjamin was surprisingly in Chemistry class on a Wednesday, which he often affectionately referred to as the middle weekend. Therese always had difficulty reading people’s emotions, but she did know odd behavior, and Benjamin’s presence on a Wednesday was off behavior.
“Is everything okay?” asked Therese softly. Benjamin, her lab partner, was sitting silently.
“My counselor talked to me, they said I might not graduate if I keep missing classes.” said Benjamin with a sigh. He shrugged his shoulders.
“So go to class?” asked Therese, not wanting to state the obvious, but she found herself unable to avoid the subject.
“That’s what she said.” said Benjamin. Therese smiled slyly.
“Not like that, I mean not like that, you know what I mean.” said Benjamin. Therese rolled her eyes at him and twisted her head. Benjamin found himself laughing and grinning. He loved working with Therese, she always found a good side to all his problems.
“Benjamin, let me see your notebook.” said Therese. Benjamin obeyed and slid his spiral notebook over to her, he always smiled and laughed when Therese insisted on calling him Benjamin. They had time, the teacher was still arguing with his computer and she could see it was unplugged, she knew she had a few minutes until he either realized it was unplugged or started using the chalkboard. Therese started drawing a picture of rabbits and a happy sun, and wrote below it, “Don’t give up, you have this. Always.” Then she turned the notebook and smiled and passed it to Benjamin.
Benjamin choked up in a good way and smiled. Clouds and storms in Benjamin’s life calmed, even for a brief moment, as the sun showed through the gloom, and even if it was just a little bit, it was enough. Benjamin smiled, and the inside of his chest felt a few pounds lighter.
“Thank you, that was just what I needed.” said Benjamin.
“Anytime.” Therese said, smiling back. She felt a little warmer inside, because helping people always made her feel better. Dr. Witee gave up on the computer and turned to the chalkboard as pens struggled to keep up. Therese thought dimensional analysis was fun but struggled to keep up. Eventually, the bell rang, and Therese rested her pen.
“How are you doing?” asked Therese.
“I think the sun is going to come up tomorrow. I’m still a little screwed up inside, but you help me a lot.” said Benjamin.
“Everyone is screwed up inside, it’s how we fight it that counts.” said Therese, reflecting a quote she had learned from someone who was helping her through her own difficult time.
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“Hey, you want to go get lunch?” asked Benjamin, and then felt a little fear that Therese might say no, even though he was only asking to go as a friend.
“Will you get me back here in time for fifth hour?” asked Therese.
“There is a first time for everything.” said Benjamin.
“I’m holding you to your word Mr. Benjamin.” said Therese.
“Have I ever let you down today?” asked Benjamin, smiling, he still thought it was cute when Therese called him Benjamin.
Therese did not answer, it was a trick question and she was not going to give him the satisfaction, she followed Benjamin to his car, and was relieved to see it was as bad as Peter’s car. She didn’t know why she was relieved, but she wondered if it was because she didn’t want Benjamin competing with Peter.
“The locks don’t work, hop in.”, said Benjamin as he opened his door reached over, and popped her door. Therese climbed in and was relieved the seat belts worked. Benjamin turned his key in the ignition, and no sound occurred. Benjamin checked his dash light, a small bolted-on trailer light he had added. There was no light.
“Battery is dead. Hang on.” said Benjamin as he opened his door and kicked backward several times with his foot, put the car in reverse, and popped the clutch which caused the car to jump to life. Therese was relieved when the car started, but Benjamin reacted as if it was normal, and maybe it was.
“Me and her only need a few more months together, but we’ll make the most. Do me a favor and lean back and roll the back window down on your side.” asked Benjamin of Therese, who reached back and turned the crank opening the window. Her wondering why he asked her to roll the back window down was answered as they rounded the corner and Elijah jumped through the back window and slid across the back seat.
“Thanks, Binger. I mean Benjamin.” said Elijah as he landed inside the car. Benjamin shook his head at the latter part of Elijah’s words.
“I saw you and thought you might be hungry.” said Benjamin.
“Good call. Hi, Therese.” said Elijah, seemingly unsurprised at her presence.
“Hi.” said Therese, surprised someone had jumped in the back seat but not surprised it was Elijah.
“Where do you want to eat?” asked Benjamin to Therese.
“Wherever you guys want.” said Therese.
“I have three dollars.” said Elijah.
“Me too. Taco Bell?” asked Benjamin.
“Taco Bell.” answered Everyone.
Benjamin was less reserved in his driving than Peter, and Therese quickly discovered the grab handle located above the door. Benjamin darted in and out of traffic and viewed the traffic laws as suggestions as they quickly made their way to Taco Bell. Therese was very much so questioning reality, but the momentum forces shifting her left and right reminded her it was real. The car quickly rounded the corners and they were in the drive-thru lane before most of their friends had left the school.
“Two minutes longer than the record, but still not too bad.” said Elijah while checking his watch.
“How did you get here faster?” asked Therese.
“Fifth amendment.” answered Elijah and Benjamin at the same time. Therese shook her head at them, but was equally surprised Benjamin had not dodged answers by muttering “it’s complicated” like he usually did.
They reached the speaker. “Usual.” said Elijah, handing his cash to Benjamin.
“Two seven-layer burritos and a water, please.” said Therese handing her money to Benjamin.
“Two bean burritos, two soft taco supreme no tomatoes, two seven layer burritos and three waters please.” said Benjamin, to the speaker, verified his order, and pulled forward.
“Do you guys do this all the time?” asked Therese.
“No, sometimes the old lady gets here faster.” said Elijah, mocking their drive time.
“You want to come with us again, you are always invited.” said Benjamin.
“It might be a while.” said Therese, still gripping the handle above her despite the car was stationary.
They pulled forward, took their order, and Benjamin barreled the car down the road. Elijah glanced at his watch as they darted down the road. Ahead an accident blocked the road.
“Idiots.” said Benjamin as he avoided the accident by driving through an area of desert. “Grab the drinks” said Benjamin to Therese, who reluctantly let go of her beloved handle to keep the drinks from spilling. The car bottomed out as they caught a small bump too fast. “Good thing that’s water.” Benjamin said. Therese was half scared, half thrilled and did not want to give either boy the satisfaction of her complaining about their speed first, so she did her best to keep from spilling the drinks. Benjamin steered the car down something that resembled a dirt road until they reached the back parking lot of the school, and he entered carefully now that they were under the watchful eye of school property.
“Still a minute short coming back.” said Elijah, sighing. He was disappointed because the drive felt so much faster than he calculated.
They pulled back into their parking spot, and Benjamin parked the car. Therese relaxed, said a silent prayer of thanks. Elijah passed the food out, and Therese said a second prayer of grace. “Car picnic.” Benjamin told her.
“Freaking glad the car is stopped picnic.” thought Therese to herself, but also thought their little adventure was pretty amazing. Her face was flat, but her grin was real even if it was hidden.
“I got you back in time.” said Benjamin, smiling and between burrito bites.
“The one time you don’t let me down.” teased Therese.
“What’s wrong with your next class?” asked Benjamin.
“Mrs. Smith.” answered Elijah and Therese at the same time. Benjamin turned the radio on, leaving the engine running to charge the battery. Benjamin shrugged his shoulders, he had heard of the teacher and had nothing left to offer.
“Thank you for taking me to lunch with you guys.” said Therese, mentally checking lunch run off her dream high school bucket list. Neither boy knew how much that lunch run meant to her.
“Anytime.” said Benjamin as Elijah nodded in agreement.
“And I’ll let you know when that time happens again.” said Therese politely, still grateful the car was stopped. They finished their lunch listening to the radio and headed to class as the bell rang. Therese smiled, she liked the guys, they might be misguided, but they were hers. Benjamin had veered off and disappeared but Elijah walked with Therese and opened the door for her.
“You do encourage him, you know that, right?” said Therese to Elijah.
“It’s high school.” replied Elijah, unsure why he shouldn’t have encouraged the skilled driving maneuvers, he smiled at Therese calling his friend Benjamin, no one else did that, but he wondered if they should.
“Thank you.” said Therese, shaking her head and walking through the open door.
“Shit, my math was off, I think he really did break the record. Don’t tell him, a man needs goals” said Elijah to Therese as they sat down. Therese again shook her head at her boys’ behavior. Elijah and Therese were the first students in class, but Mrs. Smith waited until other students arrived to the other side and then passed her attendance sign-in sheet to them. Elijah and Therese shrugged their shoulders at each other. At this moment, Therese was grateful for Mrs. Smith’s dislike of her, because she feared if she was going to be called on to answer a question, she might burrito burp.
The hate paid off and by the time the bell rang, Therese escaped answering questions unburped. Therese waited until the class had left except Elijah and Therese released a very loud burrito burp that smelled of sauce. Mrs. Smith rolled her eyes in disgust and Elijah gave Therese a high five. They walked out of class laughing.
Therese was upset when she entered economics class, the teacher was a substitute and that meant either worksheets or if they were ambitious, actually learning something. Therese was relieved to find out it was a worksheet substitute. She took the worksheets that were passed out and started filling in the blanks. Therese fought the urge to doodle herself, Benjamin and Elijah jumping cars all over the worksheet, then she gave in and doodled until the bell rang.
As school ended, Therese walked to Peter’s car, and met him there, he had hurried to be there for her. “Hi.” said Peter with his boyish grin.
“Hi. I want to have lunch together tomorrow.” said Therese to Peter.
“I’d like that a lot.” said Peter with a big grin, as he opened Therese’s car door open for her. Therese climbed into the car and unlocked Peter’s door for him. “Still a keeper.” said Peter to himself.
“Do you work tonight?” asked Therese.
No, I’m off.” said Peter.
“Don’t forget to study then. I need you to pick me up on the way to school tomorrow. I don’t want to walk in the rain. If that is okay?” asked Therese.
“Yes, Yes I can.” said Peter, his heart racing at the thought of seeing Therese early in the morning, and spending a little extra time with him. Peter drove carefully for Therese not knowing there was not much he could do to shake up having ridden a lunch run through the desert with Benjamin and Elijah.
Peter dropped Therese off at home, and she thanked him, hurrying inside to finish her homework before one of her parents got home so she could borrow their car. Therese stopped at the door, and looked back, Peter was watching her from her car to make sure she entered her home safely. Therese grinned with her flat grin and waved. Peter waived back and then drove away, watching her in the rearview mirror so intently his car bumped a garbage can on the street and he didn’t notice. Therese smiled a little bigger and laughed.
When Therese’s mother came home, Therese quickly borrowed the car and drove to the Cowffee Cup. Erin smiled when Therese entered the door, she finished helping a customer and then grinned at Therese. “Makeup time?” Erin asked.
“Yes, please!” said Therese, holding up her makeup bag. Erin had given her several different items of makeup after she decided what colors looked best on Therese who was grateful. Although she hoped one day to pick out her own makeup, Therese deferred to Erin’s expertise on the subject.
“Get over here, we're doing makeup.” said Erin into the phone after she called Ben, who came over, and minded the counter as Erin and Therese went into Erin’s office which was used as a small storage room for papers Erin thought might be important. Ben had sat anxiously waiting for Erin to call him to help, but did his best to hide it when he arrived.
“All right, first I want you to do what I showed you, I think you have this.” said Erin. Therese carefully and deliberately applied the makeup as Erin had taught her. Therese still stared in disbelief at the little mirror, unwilling to believe it was really her she was staring at.
“You look great. Go show Ben.” said Erin. Therese reluctantly got up and walked out to show Ben.
“You’re still beautiful, kid.” said Ben. Therese grinned her big flat grin boldly.
“You think so?” asked Therese.
“Are you still kind?” asked Ben.
“Always.” said Therese.
“Kind people are always beautiful.” said Ben. Therese continued to grin boldly.