Chapter 4

DonÕt Touch The Merchandise

Toni sighed, she was tired. Alex had broken her arm the other day and it had caused them all to become worrywarts. She looked around for her brother, Shane; maybe she could hitch a ride with him.

She spotted him talking to Vanessa, this had been the fifth time she seen them together. She ran over to talk them. She snuck up behind Vanessa and surprised her with a big hullo.

ÒSo watcha talkin' bout?Ó Toni asked

ÒI was just askinÕ Nessa if I could take her home.Ó Shane explained. Toni looked at him hurt and confused.

ÒOh, Okay see ya later.Ó Toni walked away with her head down, this day was not going well for her. Someone beeped their horn at her startling her, out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Josh, VanessaÕs brother, pulling up beside her.

Ò Need a ride?Ó Josh asked. Toni accepted and got in the passenger seat. The car started rolling as they exited their school grounds. Josh pressed the FM button and turned the radio up loud. Playing was ÒIrresistibleÓ By Jessica Simpson.

ÒHeeeeeeÕs irresistible. UPPPPPP clossse and personal.Ó Squeaked Josh, while bobbing his head to the song. Ò DonÕt you try in tell me heÕs not type, cuz I know what I feel inside, when he makes me weak with desire. I know I'm supposed to make himmmmmmmmm wait. Let him think I like the chaseeeeeee. But something, something, something, I know I meant to say noooooooooooooooooo but-Ó Toni cut him by turning off the radio.

Ò WhatÕs wrong with you? Jessica Simpson?Ó Toni asked disappointed. She opened her backpack and popped in a CD. She changed the songs a couple times then stopped. She then began to sing, Ò This is my VIETNAM, IÕm at war, they keep on dropping bombs and I keep score. Thi-.Ó

ÒHands off the merchandise? You never, never, never, touch a guyÕs radio. ThatÕs... ThatÕs like trying to commit suicide.Ó Josh said playfully.

He pulled into her driveway, stopped, and looked at her. Toni had green eyes and brown hair with blonde streaks. Her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail with two strands hanging in her face. She had on Dog tags personalized to fit her.

Josh assumed she had tongue ring since he heard something click against her teeth every time she talked. She also had a belly ring that could be seen under her cut off gray shirt, around the belly ring was a big star tattoo. She also had thorns around her right arm with a rose in the center. She was wearing combat boots and camouflage pants.

Ò What are you looking at?Ó Toni asked a little insecure. She started to click her tongue ring nervously

ÒNothing, see ya tomorrow at school kay?Ó Josh said to Toni. Toni got out of the car and ran to her door. She then turned around and waved to the car pulling out of her driveway. As she opened her door to her house she noticed that her brother was already there.

ÒHey, dad IÕm home,Ó Toni said, while throwing down her backpack, ÒWhere you guys at?Ó she said while wondering around the hallway.

Ò WeÕre in here, pumpkin.Ó Toni traveled to the living room, where her father and brother were sitting watching the local news.

Ò Daddy donÕt call me pumpkin,Ó she said to her father. Mr. West cleared his throat. ÒPleaseÓ

Ò As long as youÕre under this roof youÕll always be my pumpkin.Ó Mr. West said smiling. He patted the set next to him. ÒCome sit next to me and your sister,Ó Shane rolled his eyes. ÒHow was your school day?" Toni peered over at her brother that set on the other side of her father. She glared at Shane and replied in her sweetest voice Ò Just fine.Ó

Toni got up from her spot and headed to her bedroom. Walking up the stairs she looked at the pictures hanging on the wall. There was a family portrait for every year, starting from the age of one. She thought of her of her dad calling Shane, Wesley and thought of how he would look in a dress. She laughed to herself, and then got back to the task of heading back to her room.

At her room she set at her desk and turned on the computer. There was knock on her door. Toni turned around as Shane popped his head through the door.

Ò Hey, Wesley.Ó Toni giggled she stood up and walked over to her bed and nodded for her brother to come in.

Shane walked in and said Ò How many times have I told you?Ó he reached over and smacked her on the side of her head and proceeded to the chair in front of her desk.

Shane gazed around the dark blue room with stars on the ceiling and a moon on the side of the wall. He felt small. He looked up at the stars and jets hanging on the ceiling. On the side of the walls were posters of military personal, and motorcycles.

Ò Look, IÕm sorry I didnÕt take you home from school like usual. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. For give me.Ó Toni thought about it for a moment then said she did as long as he would take her to school in the morning. Shane said yes, gave her a hug and left.

Toni lay on her bed and drifted to sleep, dreaming of thoughts about a motorcycle and Josh.