Chapter Four:
Patricia opened the front door and she could hear the television on in the other room. Next to the front door were two glass doors that opened into a cozy little room with a sofa, chairs, television, and cabinet full of movies. The cabinet was similar to the one her family had in England. Maybe they did have something in common.
She said hello to her gran and then walked out of the room, shutting the doors behind her. She walked across the hall to the staircase and then up to her room. She sat on the little bed and pulled her laptop onto her lap. She turned on her music and closed her eyes.
/
Eddie had wandered around the boardwalk for nearly three hours. She clearly wasn't there now or never was to begin with. He started walking home. It was getting late and his mom would be wondering where he was, not that he cared, but if he wasn't home he'd have to answer questions.
He walked home slowly. The sky was turning from a bright blue to dark purple and small fires started around the beach. It was too late to try to talk to Patricia. Her grandmother's car was in the driveway, and with her there Patricia wouldn't have to open the door.
He opened his door and hung his jacket on the coat rack. His mom was home and was making something in the kitchen. Eddie walked in and she turned around.
"Eddie, did you know that Lynda's granddaughter is in town and is your age?" She asked waving around a spoon.
"Yes" he answered not wanting to say anything more.
"Well have you met her?"
"Yes" he said again.
"Can you please give me a little more of an answer?" She asked kindly.
"That's Patricia." He blurted out. His mom had never met her, never seen her.
"Your girlfriend?!" She said excitedly.
"Yes" he said for a third time, except this time he tried to hide a smile as he said it.
"Aww maybe she came here to see you." His mom said.
Eddie started to blush, he couldn't help it. Then he remembered that she was mad, and all he wanted to do was go fix it.
"Maybe you could invite her to the bonfire by the beach tomorrow?" She asked. It was too late to go now, but he knew what he was asking tomorrow, that is if she opened her door.
He left the kitchen and mounted the stairs to his room. He sat on his bed balancing his laptop on his lap. He then checked his inbox for anything from Archie, nothing like usual. He would have to tell Patricia. She would want to stop him. He couldn't let her.
/
Eddie woke up his laptop by his side; he must have fallen asleep searching for anything to do with his title. He listened and heard his mom's car pull out of the driveway; it must be almost 12:00 he thought.
He got out of bed, threw on clothes, a jacket, and shoes. He didn't even have a chance to get food; he was already out the door. He walked across the street almost absentmindedly and was standing outside her door in seconds.
Eddie hadn't remembered to check if her grandmother was home, and it was too late now so he knocked. He heard someone coming. The door cracked open.
"What?" Patricia asked slightly annoyed.
"Yacker it's" she slammed the door in his face not even giving him time to finish his sentence.
"I'm not going away until you open the door" he yelled to her on the other side of the door.
"Then I guess you have a long day ahead of you." She retorted. He started to hear footsteps backing away from the door.
"Come on Yacker, hear me out." No answer but also no more steps backing away. She was on the other side standing there thinking about what to do.
"Please" he almost said it in a whisper. The footsteps were back this time coming towards the door. He heard a click, and there she was standing in the door frame.
"I'll give you one minute, make it good."
He told her about Archie and what they were doing, except for the detail that he was trying to get rid of his title. She went to shut the door, but he caught it with his foot.
"Trust me" he said it again. There was something about the way he said it that made her want to believe him.
"Okay, but why didn't you just tell me?" She said at last
"I didn't want to put you in danger, I'm not sure what Archie is capable of. "Eddie replied.
"I guess since you were only trying to protect me, I'll forgive you." She said.
"Is that so Yacker? So you wouldn't mind me asking you a question then?"
"And what would that be?" She asked trying to hide her smile.
"Will you come with me to the beach tonight?" He asked with a shy smile.
"Why not" she replied no longer able to hide her smile.