Chapter 10: Carpe Diem

Red had forgotten just how noisy a summer night in the country could be. Though it certainly wasn't how a city such as New York was cacophonous, with all those damn cars whizzing around, vendors yelling, dogs barking, cats shrieking, birds calling, people talking, laughing, walking, jogging, running, their shoes clicking and slapping on the pavement...a constant tumultuous racket that at times Red could certainly appreciate and revel in.

But the sounds of the countryside were different. Not noisy-Red took it back. These particular sounds were beautiful together. Harmonious. A person born and raised in the city, or even the suburbs, would probably refer to the country night as "quiet," but it really wasn't. One had to sit still and listen attentively to pick up on the harmony.

The night breeze moved gently through the valley, rustling the leaves of all the trees of the bordering forest and making the long grasses of the fields slip and slide sensually against one another. The creek gurgled and babbled, obliviously happy as it flowed through the land. The crickets and other nocturnal insects whirred all around him, singing unabashedly into the night.

Somewhere an owl hooted lowly. Another answered soothingly. The wooden pieces of the various-sized wind chimes hanging around the patio clucked hollowly against one another, making rather lovely music that reminded him of a tribal ceremony he had witnessed in Africa long ago. The rocking chair creaked every so often as he rocked it slowly back and forth, back and forth. Red was even aware of Bronn's breathing adding to the music.

But he wasn't asleep. Oh no. The dog was awake and alert at Red's feet. His sharp eyes were trained on the dirt road that wove its way from the front of the house, winding around the lake and fading from sight.

He was waiting for Lizzy to come home.

And so was Red.

It was actually quite late. Or rather, quite early in the morning. She was out past her curfew. From the anxious and angry look on Sam's face, Red could tell that this wasn't the first time Elizabeth had stayed out past curfew, nor would it probably be the last since she was still dating that Derek.

Red didn't need to know every dirty little detail about the relationship. The strained expression in Sam's eyes told him everything he had suspected and now knew for certain about the boy.

He wasn't a good influence on Lizzy.

Not that Elizabeth was a victim in all of this. Oh no. Every person was an individual and had the freedom to choose how they would behave.

What was frustrating to Sam, and to Red, was that she knew better than to make these fucking dumbass decisions. And yet here she was, staying out late most nights, partying, drinking-stealing?-playing hooky...

"Is she having sex?" Red had asked Sam bluntly.

"I don't know," his friend had growled, fists clenching. "She gets mad when I ask her and won't say. Which, to me, is a big, fucking yes."

Well, at least she wasn't lying outright.

"I want to kill that little piece of shit Derek," Sam had continued savagely.

He wasn't the only one who cherished that macabre fantasy.

Suddenly Bronn lifted his head from the floor, ears pricked forward.

Red followed the animal's intent gaze to the road where a pair of lights could be seen flashing in the distance, bobbing closer and closer.

The man stayed sitting in the shadows of the house as the unfamiliar, beat-up truck pulled up, large tires crunching in the dusty gravel as it came to a halt.

The mud-splattered, scratched passenger door groaned open and Elizabeth tumbled out of it, snorting in tipsy laughter.

Derek followed her out, grabbed her hands and pulled her tightly against him. His mouth fastened on hers as he turned her around and pushed her against the truck.

Bronn sat up, growling deep in his throat.

"You don't like him either, do you, old son?" Red asked softly, green eyes gleaming as he studied the teenagers, possessive anger slowly building deep down in him.

That little shit was going to leave bruises on Lizzy's neck, kissing her like that. He was all teeth, tongue, and slobber. There was no finesse. No affection. Just raging, hormonal lust.

Red's disgusted growl echoed Bronn's and he stood up, walked down the steps, and leaned against the wooden rail, arms folded across his chest. They were so inebriated they hadn't even heard or noticed him.

And that made him angry.

"Lizzy," Red snarled.

Elizabeth started so violently at the sound of his voice that she nearly tripped over her own two feet as she jumped away from the boy.

Derek's face had gone white. "Who the Hell are you?" he demanded, reaching around for the knife that hung at his belt.

"Someone who will give you a black eye if you pull that fucking knife on me," Red replied, tone pleasant, but expression murderous.

"A family friend," Liz explained quickly, glaring at Red.

"You're late," Red told her mildly.

"What are you, the fucking curfew police?" Derek asked cockily, laughing.

Red uncrossed his arms and took a step closer.

The boy's laugh died a truly pitiful death at the menacing expression in the man's eyes.

"Time to go." Red bared his teeth in a predatory smile and pointed demandingly to the truck. "Now."

He had to admit, the boy had gumption. Derek did his best to stare fiercely back at Red in challenge, but the man just continued to smile at him. It was a lazy, arrogant smile that didn't flicker or falter one iota. His eyes held the boy's until the teenager swallowed audibly, face paling slightly.

Then, all at once, Derek suddenly cleared his throat and looked away from Red to Elizabeth. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Liz," he told her before turning around. He didn't run, exactly, but he didn't really walk to the driver's side with much dignity either.

Red snorted, shaking his head as the truck peeled off down the road. Then he turned his full attention to Elizabeth, who was glowering at him.

"Thanks so much for that," she growled, irritated. "Now I'm going to have to come up with some sort of explanation-"

Red waved her words away unconcernedly. "No. You won't need to."

"He's going to want to know who the Hell you are exactly-"

His grin was malicious. "Just remind him that I'm the fucking curfew police."

Liz's snort turned into a hiccup.

Red's eyes narrowed and he really looked at her. Her clothes were wet. So was her hair. "Since when do you drink and then let someone who's drunk drive you home?"

"He's not totally plastered and neither am I," she rolled her eyes, turning away from him and stomping up the stairs. "It's not like he's going to get into a car accident at two-thirty in the morning. No one is on the road anyway. He was being careful."

"Oh, sure." This time Red snorted sarcastically, following her up the steps. "You're playing with fire tempting fate like that, Lizzy. Don't do it."

"You sound just like Sam." She knelt down to greet Bronn, who licked her chin, tail waving enthusiastically.

"You mean I sound like someone who cares for you and is looking out for you."

"Like a father cares for and looks out for his daughter."

Her tone was clipped, angry, and Red didn't understand it. "Cut that out, Lizzy."

She stood and turned around to face him. Her eyes were like chips of ice. "Cut what out?"

"The attitude. Just stop. I'm trying to talk to you."

"So talk. I'm listening."

Red regarded her severely. "How much have you had to drink?"

She shrugged, eyes shifting away from his. "A few wine coolers. And a beer, but I didn't like it." She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "It was disgusting."

A "few" wine coolers indeed. She was going to have a Hell of a headache tomorrow. "Why are your clothes all wet?" he demanded.

"We went swimming in the river by his house but I forgot a towel." She made a face. "Ugh! I hate the feeling of wet clothing against skin." And then she began peeling off her shirt.

"Lizzy!" he admonished, immediately averting his gaze.

The girl rolled her eyes as the wet material dropped with a unceremonious slap onto the porch. "I'm wearing a bikini, Red."

He glanced over at her. If that was meant to be a fucking bathing suit, it was two sizes too small.

Lizzy stared back at him defiantly as she wriggled her way out of her short denim cut offs. Then she stood there in front of him, eyes flashing, as if daring him to say something about the inappropriate, skimpy cut of the bikini.

He gazed at her, refusing to rise to her wordless baiting.

It was at that moment when the breeze decided to pick up again. Goosebumps rose on her bare skin, and she finally crossed her arms over her breasts, glancing away first.

Without a word he handed her the blanket from the rocking chair. Once she had it wrapped around her slender frame, he pointed to the chair. "Sit down. I'm going to make us some tea. And then we're going to talk."

"What, like an intervention?"

"Lizzy," he warned.

"Sorry," she sighed as she flopped down. "Fine. We'll talk."

Ten minutes later, they both sat side by side in the rocking chairs. Elizabeth was curled up in hers, her legs tucked up against her chest as she gratefully nursed her hot drink.

Red had known the tea would help in more ways than just how she felt physically. In the brief time he'd spent in the kitchen brewing their drinks, her temper seemed to have finally simmered down, which had been his intent. It was easier to get truthful answers out of her when she was calm and reflective. Not that truth didn't come pouring out of her when she was angry, but this was the better approach for both their sakes.

"Tell me, Lizzy," Red said at last, breaking the heavy silence, "and be honest... Are you bored?"

Her eyes snapped to his, confused. "Bored?"

"Do you not have enough to do around home or at school?"

Immediately seeing where this was heading, she pursed her lips and looked down at her mug.

"You've been doing a lot of things that seem...out of character for you. That's why I'm asking."

"Sam has a big mouth," she muttered.

"So do you." His tone was firm. "I want truth from you, Lizzy."

"This is about Derek."

"Mostly, yes," Red agreed easily, unfazed by her simmering temper. "You weren't doing any of this shit-and yes, I mean shit-before you started dating him seriously."

"He's different than all the other drones who live here," she said stiffly, ignoring his reprimand.

He raised a brow. "Drones?"

"Yeah," she replied defensively. "Drones. Everyone thinks the same around here. They're all caught in this wheel of routine. But Derek isn't like everyone else. He...he thinks outside box. Sees things differently." She shrugged. "Kind of like me."

Deciding to table his original point, he allowed her to guide the conversation. Perhaps she'd open up to him, and in so doing, he would be able to get through to her. "So he's intelligent."

Some of the tightness in her shoulders eased when she realized he was willing to listen to her. "Yeah," came the reflective response. "He's smart. He'd ace all his classes if he showed up more, or, like, tried harder on tests..."

"But?" he prodded when she trailed off uncertainly.

She hitched a shoulder. "He thinks it's a waste of time since he feels like he doesn't need to prove he's smart to a bunch of teachers and state officials."

"Do you think school is a waste of time, Lizzy?"

She hesitated before hedging, "I kind of agree with him. I mean, why should I have to prove out to these people? I know what I'm worth."

"It's the way the system is. It's not perfect." He shook his head. "It never will be. But proving yourself in class is what you need to do to go to a good college and have a rewarding career."

"But what if I don't want to go to college?"

Red laughed.

She glared fiercely at him. "Don't laugh! I'm serious, Red."

"Let me guess: Derek isn't going to college after he graduates in June?"

Her silence was answer enough.

"Lizzy, you shouldn't feel ashamed of doing well in school and wanting to go on to higher education just because the guy you're dating isn't doing well and doesn't want to further his own education."

She frowned, pressing her lips together.

"If he's not encouraging you to pursue those things-things that would help you make a better life for yourself, by the way... Then he's not treating you the way you deserve to be treated."

Elizabeth ran her finger repeatedly around the rim of her mug and wouldn't look at him.

He switched tactics. "If you don't want to be like everyone else here in this little corner of the world, wouldn't going to college be a step in the right direction to get out?"

After a moment, she nodded reluctantly.

They were silent for a time as Red allowed what he had told her to sink in. The more she mulled over it, then perhaps she would acknowledge the truth behind his words.

"I had sex with him."

The man looked sharply over at her, and he was shocked to find tears glittering on her cheeks.

"I told you I wouldn't do it. That night. On my birthday. But I did, Red." Her red eyes flicked defiantly-angrily-to his. "I slept with him."

"Did he pressure you?" he asked quietly, wondering at her anger, and her tears. Despite Derek's bad-boy reputation and obvious failings, she seemed to like him well enough...so why was she crying?

"No! No." She shook her head vehemently. "I...I started it. I did it because—" she swiftly bit her lower lip against the confession threatening to escape.

I was mad at you.

The words hung unspoken between them.

"I'm no better than all the other girls he's been with," the admission burst from her to fill the beat of awkward silence, and he wondered if she were really speaking to him, or to herself. "I thought I was. I acted like I was." The tears were streaming steadily down her cheeks and her hands were shaking so badly tea spilled onto the blanket. "But I'm not."

Red certainly didn't approve of Derek, or her more recent, wild behavior, but he couldn't stand to see her so distressed. He stood and took her mug away from her. After setting both drinks down, he held her hands gently in his.

"There now, sweetheart," he murmured. "Come here."

She rose, burying her face into his shoulder as he folded her into his arms. Every shudder her body made against his own made his heart constrict for her.

The man pressed his cheek against her hair, stroking her back soothingly. "Ssssh."

Frustration seethed hotly inside of him. He wanted to murder that damn boy. But he couldn't do away with Derek for just being a boy who took what was willingly offered.

Elizabeth's rebellious behavior made sense now. She had held herself to a higher standard than most teenagers did. That was the perfectionist in her. And when she had failed herself, breaking her promise to him, to herself, making that mistake, she had decided to fall further, because, well, why shouldn't she? She'd already taken that first step off the precipice. Might as well continue her way down.

That was a dangerous way of thinking. And Red would know, for he had traveled those shadowed paths himself many times before. He had to show her the way out of that self-destructive behavior while she was still young enough...before the habit was set.

Once her tears had subsided and he sensed she was aware of herself and him again, he pulled back slightly to look down at her. She was studying his chest, worrying her lower lip.

"Lizzy."

Hesitantly she lifted her gaze to his.

Red could see her soul cringing behind her blue eyes. She knew he was disappointed in her. But he could see now that she thought he would hate her, too. And he didn't hate her. Could never hate her.

His hold on her was gentle. "What's done is done. The past is over. You can't change it," this last was a gravelly murmur. It was the same litany he had said to himself thousands of times over throughout the years. "You can, however, take each new day as it comes. Seize it. Make of it what you will."

"Carpe diem?" she asked softly, and Red was relieved to see a tiny smile ghost at the corners of her mouth.

He smiled back encouragingly. "Exactly. The past can only define who you are if you allow it." Tenderly he stroked a lock of hair behind her ear.

Her eyes flickered to his face at the touch.

"We all make mistakes, Elizabeth. We all do things we regret. If you allow those mistakes and regrets define you, you'll become stymied. And you deserve so much more. You are so much more than your mistakes and regrets."

"So are you, Red," she whispered.

Startled by that, he met her eyes.

She didn't know much about his life, but she knew him well enough to understand that he spoke from experience...and that, perhaps, he needed someone besides himself telling him the same thing.

As he searched her gaze, realizing this, he suddenly and unexpectedly caught a glimpse of the woman she would become: devastatingly beautiful, confident in her abilities, strong in her convictions...gentle and hard all at once.

Then Elizabeth blinked those big eyes of hers and the vision was gone. She was sixteen again. Young and searching for assurance. Needing guidance to become that woman he saw in her.

He became aware of the insects chirring softly in the fields beyond, of the creek singing, of Bronn stretching, yawning sleepily.

Slowly Red released her. "We've talked about a lot tonight, sweetheart. The rest can wait, I think, until tomorrow."

"Today," she corrected with her best unsure-but-game smile.

"Today," he agreed with a small smile of his own. "In the morning I'll concoct something potent for that headache of yours that you're going to have."

The girl wrinkled her nose, grimacing. "Thank you?"

"You'll genuinely thank me after you drink it," he teased gently, leaning back against the wooden planks of the patio railing. "Off to bed with you."

Rewrapping the blanket tighter around herself, she bent and gathered her wet clothing. Then she made for the front door, Bronn following loyally at her heels. As she began to turn the knob, she suddenly paused, looking over her shoulder at him. "Aren't you coming in?"

"I will in a little bit. I'm going to stay out here and enjoy the night for a while longer." And think about what he had seen in her, what she had confided in him, what other pearls of wisdom he could impart to her that she'd listen to and hopefully take to heart.

"Okay." She hesitated, as if she were about to say something else, but then changed her mind. "I'll see you in the morning, Red."

"Goodnight, Lizzy."