The Circle of Friends

III - Different Worlds-2

“Okay,” she breathed.

James kissed her again before turning to leave. Maria remained frozen, struggling as she watched him reach for the doorknob.

“James?” she said quickly.

He glanced back at Maria, his hand still on the knob. She tossed her photo album on the bed and approached him. Suddenly, Mari threw her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes to reach. James returned her embrace, surprised by Maria’s spontaneous gesture.

“You’re really special, too,” she whispered.

He sighed and held her even tighter. “And I will be counting down the days until Lori’s party. You drive careful tomorrow,” he whispered in her ear.

She let James give her another kiss before he parted. Once alone in her room, Maria returned to her bed and sank onto the mattress. She caressed her photo album, a smile straying across her lips as she contemplated his reaction to her pictures. His interest and praise had felt genuine. His words afterwards really made her smile, though.

With a joyful cry, Maria leaned against her pillows and closed her eyes. James thought she was special!

James caught up on his sleep the next morning and spent most of the day sorting through papers. He even cleaned the bathroom before departing. Always neat and organized, it never ceased to amaze James how Drew could be a complete slob sometimes. However, he had seen far worse and considered himself lucky. At least one could see the floor of their dorm room.

On the road by four, James pulled up outside his father’s house before six o’clock. He had timed his arrival on purpose to coincide with his stepmother’s presence, as she worked until five on Saturdays. Lynn had promised a wonderful dinner tonight and he couldn’t pass up her cooking. Hopefully a good meal would put his father in a decent mood this evening, too, but James wasn’t holding his breath.

He opened the front door and entered the house. The television set was on in the living room, but his father’s favorite chair sat empty. He could hear voices in the kitchen and the smell of food lingered in the air. Opting to drop his things in his room first, he went down the hall to the first door on the left and set his bag on the bed. Taking a deep breath, James returned to the foyer and stepped into the small dining room.

The kitchen was a flurry of activity. Lynn had gone all out this evening and prepared several dishes. James’s father watched as she raced from one side of the kitchen to the other. Ben did not appear agitated as he leaned against the counter, a half empty beer bottle in his hands. James hoped that was his first one tonight.

Lynn set a bowl on the table and noticed him at last. “James!” she cried, setting down her potholders. “We didn’t hear you come in.”

She held out her arms and he gave her a hug, always happy to see his stepmother’s smile. She never failed to welcome him home and went out of her way to make James feel loved and appreciated. If it were not for Lynn, he would have ceased to return to his father’s house years ago.

James gave his father a nod. “Dad,” he said in a calm voice, trying to put forth an effort.

“About time you got home,” his father replied, taking a draught of his beer. “You’ve had three phone calls already this afternoon!”

“Oh, sorry. Guess I had my cell phone off,” he said, reaching into his pocket.

“Doesn’t do you any good if you don’t have it on!”

Wary, James glanced up from his phone. “I normally do,” he said, trying to control his voice.

“James, the last call was from Derrick,” his stepmother announced, breaking into the conversation. “He said to come on over as soon as you’re done eating. Your friends are gathering at his house to watch a basketball game.”

“All right, thanks,” he replied, giving her a warm smile.

His father said nothing more about the phone calls, for which James was thankful. Although still negative, it was one of the better receptions. James had come home to far worse scenarios.

Much to his relief, Lynn was in a delightful mood tonight. She always exhibited a positive attitude, despite his father’s efforts over the years to wear down her optimism. James answered her many questions, pleased to have a receptive audience. His father listened while they talked, concentrating instead on the food on his plate. He snorted and met his son’s eyes when James told them he remained on track for another semester of perfect grades. It wasn’t until Lynn inquired about Maria that he acquired his father’s full attention.

“You’re driving where next Friday?” he interjected.

“Greenville, South Carolina,” James said. “There’s a surprise party for Lori that night and Maria and I are invited.”

“Oh, isn’t Lori the one who’s a swimmer?” said Lynn.

James nodded. “She introduced me to Maria, too. They’re really good friends.”

“Thought you came home to work,” his father said, his eyes suspicious.

“I’m helping Shane this week,” James responded. “I’ll probably go back to Gainesville Thursday night and take off the next morning for Greenville.”

“Long way to drive for a dame,” his father grumbled through a mouthful of bread. James’s answer seemed to pacify him, though, and Ben said nothing more.

James finished his dinner, eager to depart. He thanked his stepmother for a wonderful meal and offered to assist with cleaning the kitchen. Lynn shooed him away, telling James that his friends were waiting. He retreated to his room for a fresh shirt and combed his hair, casting an apprehensive glance at the mirror. So far his father had not said anything, but sooner or later, James would hear about his long locks. It was only a matter of time.

He told his parents goodnight and escaped the house without confrontation. Derrick’s apartment sat on the far side of town and he used the long drive to force himself in a good mood. It had been several months since his previous visit and he looked forward to an evening with his friends.

Derrick answered the door. “There’s the college boy!” he said, thumping his friend on the shoulder. “Come on in, man!”

James stepped into the bright living room and was greeted with enthusiasm by everyone present. Derrick’s girlfriend, Kate, gave him a quick hug, as did Shane’s wife, Lilly. James accepted firm handshakes from Shane and Geoff, pleased they were both in attendance. Everyone seemed full of life tonight. After the cold reception from his father, this was a welcome change.

Derrick forced a beer on him and James settled into an empty chair. He answered the many questions his friends threw his direction. He was the only one in their immediate group to go off to a major university and these trips home had become precious to James. He missed their company and friendly acceptance. He didn’t care about the basketball game tonight, either. Derrick’s place was simply a safe haven away from his father and a remembrance of better times.

Kate grabbed a long strand of James’s hair and gave it a gentle tug. “So, what’s this? Trying to grow hair like Shane’s?” she said with a grin.

James grimaced and batted away her hand. A bark of laughter from the other side of the room caught everyone’s attention.

“Got a long way to go, brother,” said Shane with a wicked grin, running his fingers through his long, strawberry-blonde hair. The strands fell onto his broad shoulders, the trimmed ends reaching halfway down his arms. James envied Shane’s long locks and the freedom they represented.

“Just seeing how long I can get it,” he told Shane.

“Before your dad goes ballistic and shaves your head?” said Derrick.

James sighed. “Yeah, well, let’s not go there. He hasn’t said anything yet.”

Kate returned from the kitchen just as Derrick finished his beer. He held up the empty bottle and grinned mischievously at his girlfriend.

“Get me another one?” he entreated.

Kate sat down on the couch and c****d an eyebrow at him. “You’ve got legs,” she said, getting comfortable.

“Women!” Derrick growled, eyeing James. “And you drive how far to see that girl of yours?”

“Four hours round trip,” James said with a smile.

Geoff whistled. “Damn! That’s a long ways to go. Is she as pretty as that little swimmer of yours?”

“Prettier,” he replied in haste, hoping to forestall any more comparisons of Maria to her best friend. Lori had not crossed his mind for a very long time now.

Shane’s little boy came running down the hall. He tore through the living room without any regard for his safety and caught his feet on James’s outstretched legs. With a loud thud, the toddler went face first into the carpet.

“Oh, God, I’m sorry there, Bud!” cried James, reaching to assist the youngster to his feet.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lilly lean forward. James pulled the child to his feet and noticed his stunned expression and the quivering of lips. Before the boy began to cry, James lifted him into his lap.

“Hey, William, you’re okay,” he insisted, setting the youngster on his knee.

The boy stared at him for a moment with wide eyes. James continued to smile, patting his back, and finally won the battle. William returned his smile and reached for his hair.

Lilly leaned back and laughed. “James, it’ll take something harder than the floor to get through,” she said. “Takes after his father, you know!”

“That’s right!” said Shane, reaching for his drink. “You helping me Monday morning?”

“You bet!” answered James, his eyes still on William. “What time do you need me?”

“Seven. Gotta pick up a couple cars and have them cleaned and ready by three.”

James nodded and c****d his head at the youngster in his lap. “So where are all your toys? Did they not bring anything for you to play with?”

Derrick returned from the kitchen and snatched something out of his chair before taking a seat. “What about this?” he said, handing the tiny stuffed mouse to James.

“Derrick, that’s the cat’s toy!” Kate said.

William had already grasped the white mouse and was trying to pull it out of his hand. James hesitated and glanced at the boy’s parents. Shane shrugged.

“He chews on the dog’s stuff,” he said with indifference.

“Just don’t let him chew the ears off, James,” Lilly cautioned.

“Hey, game’s on!” cried Geoff, reaching for the remote. He increased the volume several notches and tossed the remote onto the coffee table.

Everyone settled in to watch the game. Despite Geoff’s continued efforts, he could not turn the set loud enough to drown out all conversation, but at least it centered on the game now. James merely listened as everyone carried on, enjoying the company of his friends. He didn’t even mind keeping an eye on William as the boy curled up against him, chewing on the toy mouse with joy. He felt comfortable here and the company was what he missed most. His friends were his family, and had Maria been present, it would have been perfect.

In between spending time with his friends and working for Shane, James did not forget Maria. She even called him on Monday night when he failed to call before eight. He had worked late at Shane’s garage and was on his way home when his cell phone beeped. James pulled into an empty parking lot and sat in his car for an hour talking with Maria. Friday could not arrive soon enough for either of them.

Derrick met James after work on Tuesday, and they went for a drive around town in his new Mustang. Shane recently located the five-year-old sports car and Derrick had taken possession of the car today. He showed it off to James, proud of his new toy. James grinned and let his friend revel in his pride. Not only had he cleaned it this morning for Derrick, but he and Shane took it for a test drive as well.