Like Raspberry Wine

Chapter 4

4

“These ribs are excellent, Uncle Charlie.” When her mom pointed at the side of her mouth, Elise chuckled, reached across her plate and picked up another paper napkin. She wiped her lips before licking her fingers of the sauce and drying them on the napkin. “Sorry!”

“Locally produced. Everything you see here is. The meat, salad, fries, everything.” Her uncle picked up his glass of wine. “Even this.”

“Well, it’s delicious.” She picked up another pork rib and took the meat off the bone in one swift motion, savoring the flavor. “And the steak is so tender. I’ve never eaten anything that good before.”

Elise noted Rachel’s look of distaste as she chewed the rib meat. “You haven’t eaten much, Rach. Are you not hungry?” Embarrassed, she covered her mouth with her hand.

“Oh no! I don’t kill animals. I’m a vegetarian.” Rachel, in her cheerleader’s uniform carried on eating her salad.

Looking to her mom for backup, Elise was disappointed. Her mom said nothing; she drank some wine, leaving her to be judged by her cousin. “I don’t usually eat meat. Mom asked me not to say anything. She didn’t want to offend anyone.”

Her Aunt Sara slapped her forehead. “I knew it! I’m so sorry, Elise. I should’ve asked before I loaded your plate. Abbie, you should’ve told me she doesn’t eat meat.” She got up and started fussing around the table, trying to get everyone to eat more. More salad in her case. “From now on, it’s vegetarian options for both of you.”

“No, really Aunt Sara, it’s no bother. I’m only half vegetarian, really. I think I like the idea of it more than the practical part of not eating meat. I’d miss bacon and pork too much, I think. Please don’t go to any trouble on my account.”

“You see, Sis? No harm done. Stop fussing; we’re all good.”

For the first time, Elise could see how hyperactive her aunt was, always flapping, never still, not for a second. She guessed running this farm must have had something to do with it.

A car horn blasted in the distance.

“That’s my ride. Thanks for dinner, Mom, Dad. It was delicious.” Rachel got up from her seat, brushed off her whiter than white top and skirt. “Come on, Elise, we’re off.”

Alarmed, Elise looked to her mom for support. “Where are we going?”

“The racetrack, silly. It’s demolition derby night, and my squad are the half-time entertainment. Come on, or we’ll be late.” She held her hand out for Elise to take.

With no choice, she got up, wiped her face one last time and kissed her mom goodbye. “I guess I’ll see you when I get back.” She gave her mom a worried look before taking Rachel’s hand and walking through the house to the front drive, where a pristine black 2015 Ford Mustang GT was waiting for them.

Stopping outside the passenger door, Rachel turned to her. “Let me introduce you to my boyfriend, Tommy. He’s the running back for the school’s team. And his family are loaded, as you can see. They bought him this Mustang for his sixteenth birthday, can you believe that?” She opened the door.

When Elise bent down to get in the rear seat, she was met by a beautiful smile. The blond owner of the smile said hi, as she got in and adjusted her posture to fit with such little leg room. When comfortable, she locked her seatbelt in place.

“Tommy, this is my cousin, Elise. Elise, my boyfriend, Tommy.” Rachel put her seatbelt on and started playing with the car’s stereo.

“Rachel’s told me a lot about you, Elise. She’s been so excited for you coming here.”

Rachel playfully slapped him. “You make me sound like a total dork.”

He watched her through the rear-view mirror. “You’re here for a couple of weeks, right?”

Turning in her seat, Rachel smiled at her. “You’re here for the best two weeks of the year. There’s so much going on. The summer fair is on your last Saturday. It’s nothing like the Sandusky County Fair, but it’s still so much fun. And the race to end all races is on that Sunday; it’s the biggest race of the year, and Mike’s team is in the best position to win it.”

With information overload, Elise looked for help from Rachel. “Who’s Mike?”

“My cousin, funnily enough.” Tommy put the car in gear and accelerated gently towards the end of the drive. My uncle owns the repair shop in town. My cousin is the Messiah of mechanics. He’s going to take over the repair shop one day. My uncle also owns a team of drivers locally, and this year’s looking like their year. Mike’s a pro-driver, too. A really cool guy, a total motor head.”

Rachel smiled at her. “Plus, he’s cute. You’ll like him.”

Elise was not comfortable in the back. Fortunately, Tommy was driving sensibly.

Tommy snorted. “Don’t go getting your hopes up, honey. Have you ever seen my cousin with a girl? He’s too into his cars and racing to worry about all that. No offence, Elise.”

Listening to Rachel and Tommy chattering away, Elise watched all the houses go past. When they reached Main Street, she managed a closer look at the stores, bars, and diner. They were all quaint little stores by the look of them, small-town, independently run. There were no big names there.

At the end of Main Street, Tommy took a left and carried on along another country road until they reached a dead-end. Through the seats, a huge grey building appeared. Elise assumed it had to be the racetrack.

“Here we are, Elise. This is where all the action is. Anyone who’s anyone hangs out here. Even if they’re not into the racing, they come to hang out in the car park, or just come along for the ride. They do everything here, demolition derby, like tonight, stock car racing, motorcycle racing, you name it.”

Elise had no interest in motor racing, none whatsoever. She loved driving her Jeep, but that was the extent of her love affair with cars. “What’s demolition derby?”

Her cousin turned to her in the front passenger seat. “Where they race and smash into each other, too. It’s really cool. You get to see loads of smash-ups.”

“Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, crashing on purpose sounds a bit stupid.”

The car came to a stop in a space right at the back of the parking lot.

Tommy put the handbrake on and unclipped his seatbelt. “They’re not crashing, really. They try to nudge each other out of the way. There’s no head-on collisions or anything. Come and see for yourself. The first half is finishing soon.”

“Oh no! Look at the time. My squad’s going to kill me.” Rachel opened her door and got out, moving the front seat forward so that Elise could clamber out.

As soon as Elise stood up straight, three cheerleaders appeared out of nowhere. They glared at Tommy, then Elise. The tallest, a blonde, took Rachel’s hand and dragged her away. “Sit in our regular spot and I’ll find you after we’ve performed. Elise, enjoy yourself,” Rachel said as she rushed off.

Elise walked with Tommy. He sure was a good-looking lad, with short blond hair. He was a lot more solidly built than she’d estimated, with strong arms and a big chest. “So, how long have you been dating Rachel?” she asked him.

“It’s funny you should ask that, but it’s six months tomorrow.” He stopped her walking and dug into his right jeans pocket. “I’m going to give her this tomorrow night. What do you reckon? It’s not an engagement ring, or anything. It’s a friendship ring.”

“Is that diamond?” She took a closer inspection. “You’re giving her a diamond friendship ring?” When he nodded, it was done with no clue about the cost. “Wow! She’ll love it.”

She wondered what he might give her for a real celebration, like their first anniversary?

After Tommy paid for Elise’s entry fee of five dollars, she followed him to the front of the staggered rows of seating. They were on the lowest seats. Elise noted the front rows were full of jocks, Tommy’s team-mates, who all seemed friendly enough.

Elise had never been to a racetrack before; she didn’t know what to expect. Right in front of her was an oval-shaped track. They were seated right on the Start and Finish line. In the middle of the oval were what looked like mini garages, with lots of cars being worked on by multiple mechanics. Elise could make out a couple of guys in helmets, who she figured were the drivers. “What’s going on now, Tommy?” She had to shout over the noise.

“The first half has just finished. They’ll bring on Rachel’s squad in a minute for a bit of entertainment, while the next load of racers get ready. What do you think?”

“It’s more exciting than I thought it would be. So noisy, full of adrenaline. I don’t know, maybe I’m nervous for Rachel.”

Tommy leaned into her. “You don’t need to be. She’s flawless. They’re using her choreography now, she’s that awesome. I can’t wait for you to see her in action. It’s a sight to see, I can tell you. I love watching her perform.”

“Say that again, you love her, did you say?” She’d heard perfectly well.

Tommy glanced at her. “You know what? I do love her.”

“Have you told her that yet?” He shook his head. “I think maybe you should. I see how she is with you. There’s no doubt in my mind she’s in love with you.”

“I will. Tomorrow, when I give her the ring. You really think she loves me?”

“I really do. Oh wait! Here they come now.”

A loud, booming voice came over the loudspeaker. “Will you give a huge round of applause for tonight’s viewing pleasure, tonight’s half-time entertainment, The Ridgmont Rosettes.”

The volume of cheers and clapping made Elise jump, as everyone surrounding her got to their feet. Joining them, Elise stood and clapped for the squad, who were encouraging the standing ovation before they got into their positions.

Loud, bass-heavy music filled the air. The cheerleaders started dancing in unison to the music, some doing cartwheels across the green grass in front of the pits. Two of the cheerleaders were doing what Elise could only describe as aerial manoeuvres, being thrown in the air by their male squad members. “They’re incredible!”

“They sure are.” He clapped while they were still performing. “That’s my girlfriend!”

He shouted it to whoever was listening. Elise found her mouth open in shock again; she had to physically close it. “Which one’s Rachel?” They were too far away to tell.

“The one on the right being flipped. She’s the bravest one there. Most of the others won’t be flipped, or thrown about, but not Rachel. She’s fearless.”

“She sure is. She’s amazing.”

After three songs and three vastly different sets, the announcer asked everyone to applaud, not that he needed to. Everyone remained standing. The clapping and cheering lasted for ages. Elise’s hands hurt by the time everyone took their seats. In front of her, Rachel raised her arm, waving them to join her.

“Come on, Elise. Let’s go and say hi to Mike.”

Elise got to her feet and joined Tommy in climbing the safety wall. She ran across the track into the centre of the oval, where she met Rachel and the rest of the cheerleaders.