Caroline & Michael & Scott

Chapter 5

Fred Duffy entered through the front door carrying a greasy paper bag. After hanging up his coat, he entered the living room and handed the bag to Caroline.

"Here you go, Puddin'. As ordered, some fried cheese curds from the Hilltop Bar and Grill."

A somewhat anxious Caroline replied "Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate you going out and getting these for me. I just suddenly had a yen for them."

"No problem, Puddin'. Nothing's too good for my princess. Besides, you're gonna be 16 tomorrow, consider them an early birthday present."

As she tasted one, Caroline offered "You want some, Dad?"

"I bet they're delicious, but I'd better not. You're young, you do that ballet stuff all the time, you can get away with eating that stuff more often than I can."

"Suit yourself." Caroline managed a weak smile. "More for me."

"Puddin', would you answer a question for me?"

"Sure, Dad."

"You're gonna turn 16 tomorrow, I reckon I've been there almost every day of those 16 years, so I know you pretty well. A yen for junk food usually means something's wrong. Something's bothering you, isn't it?"

"Uh, Dad I…"

"You're worried about the driving test tomorrow, aren't you?"

"The driving test?" thought Caroline. "I have to pass that! The whole plan falls apart if I don't! But I've been so preoccupied with what I'm gonna say and do with Michael, I almost forgot…"

"You know me so well, Dad."

"Well, don't you worry Puddin', you're gonna do just fine. And even if you don't, there's no law that says you have to get your probationary license on the day you turn 16. You can always study and practice some more and try again later."

"Thanks Dad. You always know just what to say" Caroline responded as she hugged her father.

******

The next day, Caroline took some time out of school and her father took her to the nearest Wisconsin DMV for her driving test. It was as nerve wracking for Fred waiting as for Caroline actually taking the driving test, but Caroline scored well enough to pass. Fred let her drive back to school. Caroline got out, and Fred slid over to the driver's seat.

"My little girl… sweet sixteen…You're growing up so fast! Well, you can get around without your old man having to be with you now. Congratulations!"

"Thanks Dad. Can I borrow the car tonight?"

"It's your birthday… I think your mother was planning something at home for you. And it's a school night… Hmm… since it's your birthday, I suppose we can make an exception. I suppose that you'll want to be celebrating with your young man. I'll tell you're your mom we'll do something with you for your birthday this weekend."

"Thanks, Dad."

"What are you going to do…? Wait, don't tell me… Let an old man keep some illusions." He smiled at Caroline before he drove off. "Bye Puddin'"

"Bye, Dad."

******

Before her next class, Caroline approached Michael by his locker.

"Hey, Michael."

"Hey Caroline" he responded, giving her a barely tolerated "hello" kiss. "I can tell by your smile that you must have passed your driving test. Congratulations! You want me to take you out tonight and celebrate? I'm sure I can get my old man's car."

"Uh… I have a better idea. I'll borrow my parents' car, let me drive tonight."

"Sure, I understand. Got your new license, wanna spread your wings."

Sally had carefully scripted the whole plan, including…

"And I have a special surprise for you." Uncharacteristic for her in front of other people, Caroline gave him a passionate kiss.

Michael, thoroughly aroused, could barely respond "That… sounds… great."

Once Caroline had gotten over the mental hurdle and accepted that she was going to follow Sally's plan, she was actually starting to enjoy it a little. As Caroline left him, she had a tiny smile on her face.

******

Now that it had come time to actually put her plan into action, Caroline was having second thoughts. "It seems so mean… I'm not like this… am I?" Caroline thought of how hurt he would be. Then she steeled herself by doing what Sally told her to do when she was having doubts: Think of Thanksgiving, think of the Macy's parade. Caroline remembered watching her classmates on TV with envy. That was her one chance to be part of something BIG, to hear millions of people cheering for her and the band, to have family and friends point with pride towards her. It was almost as good as she imagined being prima ballerina in a packed theater would be. And Michael had denied her that… on purpose. He didn't think of her feelings then. Why should she consider his now? Still…

That evening, for the first time, Caroline drove the family Buick to Michael's house to pick him up. He spotted her driving up and walked briskly from his front door to her car.

"Brrr… It's chilly out tonight." Michael gave Caroline a quick kiss and handed her a small gift-wrapped package. "Happy birthday, Caroline…! Let's go someplace and really celebrate" he leered at her. Then he noticed she seemed nervous. "Must be because it's her first time driving without supervision" Michael reasoned.

"Do you wanna open this now, or wait?" he asked impatiently.

Caroline knew that no matter what she did, she was going to hurt somebody. Still, she struggled internally, between her natural instincts to just accept being hurt, against the desire, for once in her life, to gain satisfaction. "It's my birthday, but he's the one that seems awfully eager to 'celebrate'. It's always about him." Caroline made a decision and finally answered "I wanna go someplace first. Let's wait 'til we get there."

"Sure… So, where're we goin'?"

"It's a surprise… you'll see… You know, in some cultures, it's the birthday person that gives gifts. I have a surprise for you."

"Oh?" Michael spotted a bag in the back seat and pointed to it. "Is that for me?"

"It is, in a way… It's for you, but I wear it."

Michael grinned from ear to ear. "I think I'm gonna like this surprise!"

"Maybe not… but I will" thought Caroline, nervously.

******

Caroline parked the car in an out of the way spot near some trees and bushes, about five miles from town.

"So, what's next, Caroline?"

Steeling herself, Caroline followed the script and said "See that bush?" Michael nodded. "Get behind it and wait for me while I put on your surprise."

"But it's cold out there!"

Caroline's prearranged glare burned at Michael, so he quickly added "Not complaining, just making an observation."

"Oh… and to be properly prepared for when I come… pull down your pants."

Michael's eyes opened wide at this surprising request. "Going right now!" he excitedly said, as he hurried out the door.

"Sally said I should build up the suspense, take my time" thought Caroline as she put on Michael's 'surprise'.

Caroline finished changing. "Remember, get angry. Remember the parade" she reminded herself as she slowly walked to behind the bush, calling out "Oh, Michael…" in a seductive voice.

Michael, pants around his ankles, saw Caroline… and was surprised to see her wearing a white t-shirt with "MICHAEL SHEEHAN IS A PIG!" emblazoned on it, along with the cartoon drawing of Michael's face on a pig body, wallowing in mud and eating slop.

"Hey…! What is this?" a shocked Michael asked.

Caroline retorted angrily "It's your surprise, Mr. I-don't-wanna-be-alone-so-I'll-get-my-girlfriend-sick-too!" She turned and strode quickly back to the car.

"Caroline…! No…! Wait!" Michael tried to follow, but with his pants around his ankles, he only bunny-hopped a couple of times before he tripped and hit his head. "Oww!"

"So long, Michael… Have a nice walk back to town!"

"Caroline…! Wait!"

"Thanks for the gift!" Caroline shouted, as she tossed Michael's package out the window towards him. With that, she hit the accelerator and sped off.

Relieved and smiling broadly, Caroline thought "Thanks, Sally! Man… that was the first breakup I actually enjoyed… What a great birthday!"