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Brenda smiled while tears ran down her face when Amber arrived. She wanted to hug her so badly. She actually missed this girl and knew how hard it had been on her. "Brenda, it's so good to see you." She placed her open palm on the screen and Brenda did the same. It was as close as they could get.
They talked for a while about the old times and dancing together. The new music, new dances and who was dating who. Her aunt sat at the table behind them. She listened to make sure that nothing was said that could jeopardize Brenda's secret. That secret that everyone knew. Finally, the aunt seemed satisfied that this was just girls gossiping about other kids. She excused herself to the bathroom.
When she walked away, Amber spoke quickly. "Brenda, what did my mother ask you to do?"
Brenda looked shocked. "You don't know?" Amber shook her head. "She wants me to talk to a reporter from WBAL. She wants me to name Corny Collins as this baby's father. If I do it, she will pay for me to go to college. I'll be set." Brenda looked down.
She knew it. It was just too obvious. "You don't want to do this Brenda. You don't want to go to college. You want to get to Eddy. Your baby needs it's father." She exclaimed.
"My parents want me to do it." She sobbed, "They want me to lie. I guess it looks better that a girl was taken advantage by an older man, than the fact that she loves her boyfriend"
"You can't do this to Corny." She stated simply.
"Amber, you don't understand. If I get that money, I can go. I can take the first payment and say that I'm signing up for classes. That money will buy my ticket. I'll be gone before they even know it. I have my passport from my trip to Europe last year. Before they realize it, we'll be gone." She caressed her abdomen and smiled.
"You don't have the time. When is the baby coming?" Amber scrambled for a plan.
"Six weeks."
"You won't be able to sign up until fall. Who's going to have your baby? Where will that baby be?" Amber whispered as Brenda stared. It seemed like a good plan but….Amber interrupted her thoughts, "How much money do you need?"
"Seven hundred dollars."
Amber had it. It was her own college money but she would make it up. Amber looked at her watch. The bank closed in an hour. If she hurried, she could make it home, get her bank book and pull the money. She turned to Brenda. "If I can get you that money, will you tell my mother no? Will you go and not look back?"
"Amber, you can't do this….."
"Yes. I can. And I will." Amber kissed her palm and put it back up onto the screen. "Tell me Brenda, will you?"
"Of course!" She kissed her palm as well and pushed it against Amber's.
"I'll be back."
Her little car couldn't move fast enough. She ran up the steps and pulled her drawer open to retrieve the bank book. She snatched the book and a few pictures. She was running out of time. She had to be quick. She would fill out the withdrawal slip as she drove. Into the bank and back out. It would all be simple, no one would know. Brenda would be happy, Eddy would be happy, Mother would be livid when Brenda was gone, but she could deal with that. This was going to work out.
She walked up to the counter and spoke with the teller. The girl was new and nervous. Amber tried to set her mind at ease. Take your time and it will be okay. As long as Amber was in that bank with money being counted into her hand, she would be fine.
She counted the money twice and Amber stuffed it into an envelope. She ran out the door.
Suddenly, the teller's supervisor pointed at her work. In order for that girl to get money from this account, she needed another signature on the slip, her supervisor said. This was not a mistake she could make again. The girl was lucky, Mrs. Von Tussle was a very good customer. They would call her at her new job and inform her of the mistake. Everything would be alright.
For the teller, that is.
Amber arrived back at Brenda's aunt's. Could she see her one more time, please? She wanted to give her these photos which Amber had gathered from home. She would meet her in the back. Amber made her way to the window and pushed the photos with the envelope under the screen to Brenda's waiting hand.
"Take care of yourself Brenda. All my love." She blew her a kiss and knew she would never see her again. She was sad, but in the long run, it was best for all concerned. Brenda deserved to be happy, Corny deserved to be happy. Seven hundred dollars was a small price to pay for it. Amber felt quite satisfied with herself as she headed home. She had absolutely no clue what this evening held for her. None at all.