A WOMAN APART: Chapter 10 - 1988

by tarskeewee08

Evangeline heard the school bell and jumped from her seat. She was glad the day was over and hurried out of the classroom.

If she didn't hurry she would miss Dennis before he had to go to practice. She needed to talk to him.

"Vangie! What's your hurry?" Candace called behind her.

Evangeline turned around and smiled "Gotta catch Dennis that's all" she said still pushing past other students to get to the practice field out back.

Candace ran up two her, her big triangle bangle earrings flapping against her neck. Evangeline turned and saw her coming and stopped to wait on her.

Candace was the most popular girl at McNealy High and she was her best friend. She saw the new earrings she sported and felt jealous. Her mom wouldn't even let her cut her hair in the new Salt & Peppa style.

"Hey girl" Candace said reaching her out of breath.
"What's going on?" Evangeline said
"How about you and Dennis come to my house this weekend, my dads out of town and my mom will be drunk as usual. We can have a party," she said

Evangeline frowned. There was no way her mom and dad would let her out of the house and she was already having hard time bribing Layla to cover for her. "I don't know, the last time I did this things got out of hand," she said looking away

Candace rolled her eyes "He's your boyfriend girl! You were supposed to give him your cherry," she said laughing.

"I need to go" Evangeline said turning to leave
Candace grabbed her hand "I'm sorry, Vangie I just wanted to have some fun, I didn't mean to upset you," she said feeling bad for hurting her.

Evangeline smiled "Well let me see what I can do. I gotta run now though, I have to stop by the junior high and get Layla to walk home before my mom starts looking for us." She said smiling.

"Cool! I got the new Public Enemy album and its bad girl!" Candace said all excited.

Evangeline never wanted to hurt her friend's feelings but she hated rap. She smiled at her "Good I will tell Dennis, I'm assuming that Charles is coming." She said looking toward the exit hoping she hadn't missed him already

Candace popped her gum "Girl I'm done with him, Bryce is coming!" she said grinning.

Evangeline shook her head and started walking away. "I'll call you! I promise," she said running toward the exit.

Candace waved bye and went the other direction.

When Evangeline came out of the door she saw Dennis standing with his friends on the varsity team. She smiled and waved. He nodded and came over to her picking her up and swinging her around.

"Stop!" she squealed feeling dizzy from the way he swung her.

Dennis let her go and brought her face to his "Did you know that I love you?" he asked
She smiled "I love you more" she said wrapping her arms around him. Dennis kissed her sweetly at first and then more passionately. She melted into him and ignored the snickers and hoots his boys were making..

Then from out of nowhere "EVANGELINE MARIE WILLIAMSON!" she heard her mother scream.

Dennis released her and she turned around to see her mother approaching from the side of the building dragging Layla by the arm. Evangeline looked at the few kids that were at he back of school turning to look and dreaded what she knew was about to unfold.

Lisa charged at her and grabbed her arm shaking her violently "What do you think you are doing! I told you to meet me at the front of school today!"

Evangeline forgot that Layla had a dentist appointment and her mom was picking her up. She looked at Layla who was grinning evilly at her and knew she told her mom she was behind the school with Dennis.

"Mom" is all she could mutter

Lisa glared at her "And I find you behind the school humping this boy after we specifically told you not to see him!" she shouted.

Dennis saw the hurt and embarrassment on Evangeline's face and stepped up "Ms. Williamson I can explain" he started trying to protect her.

Lisa shot him and angry look "You keep your hands off my child. I will report this incident and have you thrown off the football team," she hissed

Evangeline snatched away "No! Mama stop it, it's not his fault I kissed him" she tried to say before she felt the crushing slap that Lisa delivered across her face.

Evangeline stumbled back in shock. Dennis stepped in front of Lisa challenging. "Don't you ever do that again!" he screamed at her.

Before more could be said the coach and school counselor came out of the back door to see what the crowd had gathered for. Normally a crowd like this meant students were fighting. When Coach Warren saw Lisa Williamson he walked over concerned. Lisa was well respected in the school system and her husband was principle of the elementary across town.

"Lisa" Coach Warren said concerned. He looked at Dennis and then Evangeline who held her face.

Lisa turned around and faced the coach "Coach Warren, one of your players just threatened me!" she spat.

Evangeline looked in horror "Mom, no you're lying, Dennis only wanted to protect me" she said weakly

Dennis put his arm around Evangeline and pulled her close. She held onto him. Lisa glared at them both.

The coach shook his head "I doubt that Dennis meant to threaten you Lisa" he said calmly

Lisa put her hands on her hips and glared at the coach "Are you calling me a liar?" she snapped.

The coach looked at Dennis who could care less as he rubbed Evangeline's back.

Lisa scowled "What is school policy when a student threatens an adult?" she asked.
The coach said nothing and guidance counselor Griffin touched Lisa's arm "Lets take this inside from in front of the students" she said pleadingly.

"Fine!" Lisa said smiling "I want to see the principal" she said glaring at Evangeline and Dennis.

Evangeline let go of Dennis and glared back at her "If you do this mom I will never forgive you. I'LL HATE YOU FOREVER! DO YOU HEAR ME I'LL HATE YOU FOREVER!"

Evangeline shot up in bed screaming "I'LL HATE YOU FOREVER! I'LL HATE YOU FOREVER!"

John jumped and flipped on the light. Evangeline's eyes were closed but she kept yelling. He grabbed her and she fought against him at first so he shook her some "Evangeline your dreaming, wake up baby, wake up" he said trying to calm her.

She opened her eyes and saw him. She saw the look on his face and realized she'd had one of her nightmares again. She burst into tears.

John pulled her into his chest. "What is it?" he asked extremely concerned.

Evangeline hadn't had a dream like that in years. All this stuff with Layla has her at her wits end. Now she started dreaming of Dennis again. She didn't want to bring it all up again. She looked up into Johns face and suddenly knew the reason why she was thinking of Dennis. It was because of him.

Despite herself she was falling in love with him and that meant pain and more pain.

John saw the pain on her face and felt she wanted to tell him what caused it. He moved her hair from his face and wiped at her tears. "Please Van, tell me what it is." He said gently

Evangeline put her head in his chest "I can't" is all she would say.

John held onto her. "It's okay, I'm not going anywhere," he said pulling her back down to the bed. She clung to him and let the dread she felt drift away. John stared up at the ceiling.

She'd said "I'll hate you forever" he thought. What could that mean? Who was she talking too? He rubbed her back until he felt the tightness in it soften. They'd had a wonderful magical night at the Palace. Her awakening screaming made him really alarmed.

Evangeline lifted her head and looked at him "I'm fine" she said coolly maneuvering out of his grasp and turning over. John saw how she put distance between them in bed and felt pained. He put both hands behind his head and looked back at the ceiling. Whatever it is that keeps trying to tear you from me won't win. You'll see that soon, he thought.