Chapter 8 - Home
Dawson and Pacey sat at the end of the pier on the Leery property, their feet dangling over the edge. The sun was setting, turning the banks of the creek to gold as a soft breeze eased by.
"He never would've caught us, if you didn't bail and decide to surrender," Pacey was saying.
Dawson chuckled, "Of course he would've caught us. Your choice of transportation for the getaway wasn't exactly the most brilliant plan ever conceived."
"It could've worked, man!"
"Pace, Principal Green's car would've caught our bikes if it was out of gas, had a flat and the spark plugs exploded."
"Okay, granted," said Pacey, then he grinned, "The look on his face was worth it, though."
"I can't believe you convinced me that gluing his golf clubs together was a good idea."
"Ah," Pacey wagged a finger at him, "No, no, no. That little detour down the road of adolescent hi-jinx was your idea. Not mine."
"Give me a break."
"Oh yes it was. Remember? Joey flipped out when you came up with it 'coz she thought I was rubbing off on you. Seriously, Dawson, you have severely limited powers of retrospect when it comes to the times you screwed up."
"As opposed to you bronzing and mounting your more disastrous escapades?"
"Ah, but you see, my escapades are so riddled with class and ingenuity that they deserve nothing less."
"True, Pace," Dawson admitted, "Nobody caused havoc in grander fashion than you."
They sat and watched the sunset for a bit, getting lost in the maze of colour on the creek.
"Dawson, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For Joey and I."
"Look, Pace..."
"No, don't get me wrong. I don't regret it. Not for a second. That girl was a true ray of light in my life. But I do regret those months we lost as friends. And I regret that my happiness may have cost you yours."
Dawson shook his head and slung his arm across Pacey's shoulder. After a time, Pacey stood.
"Let's head over to the Potter B&B for some food," he suggested.
"Yeah, sure," said Dawson, "Just let me get some cash."
Pacey headed out front to the car as Dawson climbed the ladder to his bedroom.
-----
Charlie brought the bike to a stop outside Dawson's house. He gunned the revs a couple of times, then killed the engine. Joey swung her leg over and got off.
She and Charlie stared at each other. He threw her a lopsided smile, and Joey cracked. With waves of tears streaming down her face, she threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercely.
"Thank you, so much," she sobbed.
"Hey," he pushed her away and, with gentle hands, wiped her tears, "Don't thank me. Ever. This is a small repayment for the gift you gave me, Joey Potter. I mean, who knows? With a little work, a little time, I might actually be able to look at myself in the mirror with pride someday."
Joey gave him a kiss, "I think that day's already upon us, Charlie Todd."
He grinned and looked away. Pacey came out front and waved.
"Hey!" he called, "Took you guys long enough."
"It's a bike," said Charlie, "Not a jet."
Pacey grinned, "Don't take this the wrong way man," he said, "But I'm more than a little surprised to see you here."
"I'm a little surprised myself."
Pacey turned to Joey, "Dawson's upstairs," he said.
"Thanks."
"So," said Charlie, "Feel like giving me the full Capeside tour?"
"It'd be my pleasure."
-----
Joey stood frozen at the foot of the ladder. She could still remember the day Dawson's dad had put it up.
-----
"Listen, Joey. I don't want you climbing up the terrace anymore, ok?" said Mitch, "Its dangerous. You could hurt yourself, and if that happened, I don't think my son would ever forgive me."
"Yeah. Right."
"Sooner or later, Joey, he's gonna pull his head out of the sand. He'll figure it out. Probably not as soon as you like, boys are stupid like that."
-----
She drew in a long, slow breath and started climbing. She reached the top and slipped through the open window, like so many times before.
Dawson wasn't there and she just stood there a moment, unsure. She glanced around the room, remembering the nights she'd spent here.
Her entire childhood seemed encased within these walls.
-----
"I just don't think it's a good idea to sleep over anymore."
"Come on, you've been sleeping over since you were seven."
"I just think our raging hormones are destined to alter our relationship and I'm trying to limit the fallout."
"We can still remain friends despite any mounting sexual theoretics."
"Things change, Dawson. Evolve."