The Beginning, Section II
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Chapter 9 Posted on Wednesday, 18 September 2002
"Wait a minute, Lizzy! Where are you going?" followed Charlotte Ann.
"Away from here!" she spouted, stopping at the grill door.
"What happened?"
"Oh, just an inspiring message from the good Reverend Darcy!" answered Lizzy, her eyes filling with tears.
"What did he say?"
"Just more of the same. You know, don't go to the dance with George, or I would have stayed at home, or you could go with us, the same thing that everyone else has felt compelled to say." She replied, wiping at errant tears. "Why doesn't anyone trust my judgment? I've known guys like George before, I can fend for myself."
"I know that you can. But I guess everyone just knows how he is." said Charlotte Ann.
"I know! And so do I! I've heard it a hundred times!" whispered Lizzy, noticing a few stares. "All I know is that it hurts that no one trusts me."
Charlotte Ann leaned close to her friend. "Is it everyone opinion that bothers you, or is it just William's?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm just so tired of this. I wish it was over." Lizzy sighed, pushing open the door. "Anyway, I'm going home. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Tell your Dad that I said Happy Birthday, okay?"
"Okay. Bye Lizzy." replied Charlotte Ann.
William made his way over to the wall. He leaned back hard against it, still stunned at what Lizzy had said. Did she really say that she liked him or was he imagining it? Why did she think she couldn't date him? The thoughts confused him.
"What happened?" asked Dickie, walking over.
"Everything and nothing." He replied.
"Is she leaving?"
"I guess so." He sighed.
"Go after her!" urged Dickie.
"No. She's determined not to listen to anything anyone tells her." replied William.
"She won't listen to anyone or she won't listen to you?" Dickie leaned forward, pointing. "Look! She hasn't left yet. Go after her!"
"No! She doesn't want me to." replied William, adamantly refusing to look.
"How do you know unless you do?" replied Dickie. "Did you say something to her?"
"I guess ...I mean, I don't know." answered William, flustered. "I didn't mean to. I was only trying to protect her."
"From George?" he asked, shrugging. "William, she knows what George is and according to her, it's just one date. Now, to George, it's a conquest."
"Why?" William was asking.
"Because he's big man at school and he's got this reputation for getting all the girls. And, it doesn't help that they all swoon over him anyway."
"You sound as though you envy him?"
"I guess I do. I've never had his or your luck with girls." Dickie shook his head. "I've never had any luck with girls. I don't have too good of a track record."
William sighed. "It's not like running a race, Dickie."
"Its not?" He grinned. "Sometimes it feels like it."
"Hi Lizzy!" came the call.
Lizzy let the grill door close and quickly turned around. Coming up the walk, was Carolyn. She took a step closer to meet her friend.
"Hi Carolyn! When did you get here?"
"Just now." She stopped. "What's wrong? Are you crying?"
Lizzy wiped her face. "Oh, nothing. Just the same old George stuff."
"Great! Who's offering advice now?" smirked Carolyn.
"Well it all started when William and I were dancing and..."
"You were dancing with William?" interrupted Carolyn.
Lizzy began again. "Yeah, he asked me, and we started talking about..."
"He asked you?" said Carolyn, in a different tone.
Lizzy's brow furrowed. "Yes, he asked me to dance and I danced with him. But, we're just friends. I am no threat to you. There's no need to be jealous, okay?"
"Oh, I'm ... not. I'm not." Carolyn smiled halfheartedly. "Did he say something to upset you?"
"Nothing anymore than anyone else has said." She replied, shaking her head. "He's all worried that I am making a mistake by going to the dance with George. And I tried to explain that I turned down offers because I was waiting on a certain someone to ask me, and when he didn't, it was getting so late that I almost had to accept George, and that I couldn't date...." Lizzy swallowed hard and didn't finish the last part of the conversation. Suddenly, it had dawned on her that she had just admitted to William that she liked him! "Oh well, anyway!" she began again. "Its just so frustrating."
Carolyn shifted her weight. "Why is he acting all concerned? All he knows is what the rest of them have told him."
"Beats me!" exclaimed Lizzy, grateful that she not pursued the last comment. "I think he's just joining the crowd."
"What are you waiting for?" exclaimed Dickie. "If you like her, tell her. What do you have to lose?"
"I guess my pride!" answered William. "What if she not interested anymore? What if she says no?"
"She just left. She might be mad, but I doubt she's changed her mind that quickly." replied Dickie, pushing William towards the door. "Go!"
"Oh, well," smiled Carolyn, reaching for the grill door. "It'll be over soon.
Lizzy turned to go home. "Are you going in?"
"Yeah, you know, Buck's birthday and I don't want Charlotte Ann to be mad."
"Okay, see you tomorrow." waved Lizzy, turning the corner.
Carolyn watched her friend leave and then pulled open the door. William pushed through past her.
"William?" called Carolyn, letting the door close. "Where are you going?"
"Oh ... uh, I'm expecting a phone call from my, umm ... Aunt." William stammered. "And I'm running late. If I don't go now I'll miss it."
Carolyn looked disappointed at William. "Oh, no! And just when I'm getting here. I thought we might dance together."
"I thought you were going to your Aunt's house tonight?" asked William, shifting his weight, nervously.
Carolyn's heart swelled that William had remembered her plans. "We got back early and I had Daddy drop me off here."
"Oh." answered William, stepping away. "Well, Charlotte Ann's inside and the party's still going strong."
"I can see!" smiled Carolyn, looking in the glass. "Was Buck surprised?"
"Yeah, he was." He replied, nodding his head. "Well, much as I hate to I really do have to go. You don't keep Uncle Jim waiting!"
"Uncle? You said the call is from your Aunt."
William eyes darted as he searched for the words. "Well, what I mean is that Uncle Jim will be there when Aunt Cathy calls."
"Oh..." answered Carolyn, slightly doubtful. "You know, I better go in. I see Charlotte Ann."
William hurriedly began walking, turned the corner and waved. "Alright. Bye!"
Carolyn watched him go out of sight. She waved her hand slightly and whispered. "Bye..."
"Did Lizzy leave?" asked Dickie, meeting Charlotte Ann at the refreshment table.
"Yeah, she did. She's so upset with William." answered Charlotte Ann at a grimacing Dickie.
"Why?" asked Dickie. "What did he say?"
"It's the same old stuff. You know, about George. She'll probably tell me the details tomorrow."
"Oh, I'm sure." continued Dickie. "William was all down in the dumps, too."
"They'll work it out. You know, I just feel like those two belong together. Lizzy's already admitted to liking William." Charlotte Ann smiled.
"Yeah, and William likes her, too." confessed Dickie.
"I knew it!" Charlotte Ann smiled, looking across. "Hey, my Dad is opening his gifts, lets go watch!"
As Charlotte Ann turned to go around the table, she saw Carolyn walking toward them. She nudged Dickie.
"There's Carolyn!" she whispered. "Not a word about William and Lizzy!"
Dickie nodded his head and he and Charlotte Ann waited at the refreshment table.
"Hi Carolyn, when did you get here?"
William ran as hard as he could. He could see Lizzy crossing the street up ahead. She was almost home. If only he could catch up with her...
"Lizzy!" He called, getting her attention, but trying not to wake sleeping neighbors. "Wait! Please!"
Lizzy stopped and exhaled slowly in exasperation. Why not? What did she have to lose? The evening was already ruined. Perhaps this conversation with William would finally seal the lid on their friendship.
William stopped in front of her, panting and holding his ribs. She waited until he caught his breath. He stood up and looked her in the eyes.
"What?" she finally asked.
"I like you, too!" William smiled.