Chapter 15

Time flew rather quickly for everyone on this Monday school day. In Double Dees case, time flew exceptionally quickly. There was an algebra test, which Double Dee easily aced; the same could not be said about Eddy or Ed, Eddy simply for lack of study, and Ed not being able to grasp the subject. The afternoon bell had just rung and all of the students were beginning to make their way home from school.

"This stinks!" yelled Eddy. "Who needs algebra anyway?"

"Algebra is actually a quite interesting and useful subject, Eddy." replied Double Dee. "I mean just this morning, I used it to…"

Double Dee was cut off by Eddy.

"Whatever sock head, now I have to deal with failing the test, as well as working off my damage to Mr. Jenkins window. I already got Ed's help mowing his lawn, wanna join us Double Dee?" said Eddy.

"On the contrary Eddy," said Double Dee. "I have other plans, I apologize for not being able to assist."

"Ohhh I get it." said Eddy, "Its Maryanne right?"

"Yes that's who it is." said Double Dee smiling. He was extremely thankful Eddy was satisfied with that excuse.

"So when are we gonna meet her?" said Eddy.

Double Dee froze at the last question. He knew he once again had to come up with something to clever to cover himself up. As he tried to think of something to say, Eddy chimed in once again.

"Oh I forgot, you probably don't want to bring her around me, seeing as how I'm so good lookin'." Eddy said with a grin.

"Ha ha very funny Eddy." said Double Dee.

Feeling much more confident, he was able to come up with a reasonable explanation.

"For your information, Maryanne has very strict limitations set forth by her parents, and like myself, has plenty of chores and duties to accomplish around the house. Therefore, until she has free time, I must meet her at her house."

"I knew this girl had to have the same lame-o attitude as you." said Eddy jokingly.

The boys all reached the entrance to the cul-de-sac. Double Dee began to turn towards his house.

"Alright gentlemen, I shall see you tomorrow in school." said Double Dee as he began to walk up the path to his door.

"Alright sock head, go have fun while we do work." said Eddy sarcastically. "But Double Dee, don't have too much fun!" he said grinning.

"See ya later Double Dee!" yelled Ed .

Double Dee waved to his friends and went into his house. He quickly dashed up to his bedroom, and began working on his homework. Finishing all of the homework in 20 minutes was no challenge to Double Dee. After he finished his homework, he began preparing himself for another evening alone with his Marie. He slipped on a green button down shirt, which he admitted looked good on him, as well as a pair of blue jeans. After applying a significant amount of cologne, he inspected himself in the mirror to be sure everything was perfect. By the time we was finished preparing himself, it was already twenty minutes to seven. Double Dee walked down the stairs.

He decided to exit out the back door and cut through his yard, as to not be detected by anyone. Double Dee had left his house earlier so that he would have time to walk down to the business district flower shop. He bought a bouquet of roses using the last of his allowance. After purchasing the roses, Double Dee walked down the cross street, attempting to be as stealth as possible, until he reached the front yard of the abandoned house. He was extremely curious why Marie would want to meet him at such an undesirable location. Nevertheless, he brought himself to walk through the dark front yard, and up to the front door.

The front door was cracked open, and inside, the foyer was pitch black. Double Dee pushed the door open slightly and began walking in.

"Hello!" he yelled. He continued to walk deeper into the house, the little light that was coming from the street lights illuminating his steps.

"Marie!" he yelled.

Just then, the front door slammed behind Double Dee, cutting off all light into the house. The windows that would have let in light were covered by old drapes.

"Marie, is that you!" yelled Double Dee.

A familiar soft voice began chanting.

"Edd and Marie, sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" said the faint voice, which seemed to come from nowhere particular.

Double Dee could not see anything in the darkness and was surprised when Marie ran up to him and embraced him from behind, placing her head on his shoulder. Double Dee could smell that she was wearing Crankshaft #5.

"Guess who cutie pie?" said Marie.

"Hmmm, lets see…Marie?" Double Dee said jokingly.

"Correct" said Marie, "Now here's your prize."

Marie spun Double Dee around and embraced him as she touched her lips to his. Double Dee quickly placed his arms around her back. After about, ten seconds, Marie pulled away from him.

"How's my cutie doing this evening?" she said, her face close to his.

"I am doing great Marie, how about yourself." replied Double Dee. "I just wish I could see you."

"Hmmm. I can arrange that, follow me!" said Marie.

Marie grabbed Double Dees arm and pulled him along the floor, Double Dee had no idea where he was going. Marie walked for a ways and then stopped. At that moment, a flood of light from the street entered the room as Marie opened the curtains that were covering the large window. The room was now illuminated enough for him to see where he was going. The foyer of the home was rather large, with a two story ceiling and a curved staircase leading up to the second floor balcony. He remembered it quite well from his previous visit.

"Come on cutie, let's go upstairs." said Marie.

Marie grabbed Double Dees hand and guided him up the curved staircase. They arrived on the second floor balcony and walked down the hallway to the end, where they reached a door. Marie opened the door, and the couple walked in.

The room was lit well, due to it being directly next to a street light and having a large window. Double Dee took a look around. The room had old deteriorated pink wall-paper. The room was completely empty, sans an old brown wardrobe

"I hope you like what I have done with the place." said Marie chuckling.

"It's quite charming," said Double Dee while he chuckled back at her.

"Sit down." said Marie as she pulled him down to the floor to sit on the blanket. Double Dee held the flowers he had out toward her.

"For the beautiful lady." Said Double Dee.

"Double Dee, they're beautiful," said Marie as she took the bouquet off of him. "Thank you so much."

"You're quite welcome," replied Double Dee. Double Dee paused before continuing.

"Marie," said Double Dee. "If you don't mind me asking, why have you chosen this as the location for us to meet?"

Marie paused for a few seconds before speaking once again.

"Well, I sort of have a personal connection with this house." She said while looking at Double Dee.

"What sort of personal connection?" Double Dee asked.

"Well, Double Dee, this room we are sitting in was my mother's room when she was a little girl." said Marie.

Double Dee was speechless. He had no idea that this house that had sat on the corner of his cul-de-sac once belonged to the Kanker family.

"Really?" said Double Dee curiously.

"Yes." said Marie. "All's that my mother has told me is that my great-grandfather somehow acquired an acre of land here in Peach Creek, and used it for farming. My grandfather inherited the land and had this house built on it. It was in this house that he raised his family, which consisted of my mother and her younger sister. Around the time that my mother was 9 years old, home development executives approached my grandfather, and convinced him to sell his land. The finances didn't work out, and the whole ordeal left my grandfather without his farm and jobless, while the executives executed stage 1 of the Peach Creek estates project, resulting in what is now the cul-de-sac you live on."

Double Dee was shocked at this story.

"My mom hates telling us that story," said Marie, "I have a feeling there was much more to the story than she is leading on, but she is just too hurt to tell us. Regardless of what happened, I do know that they were forced to move to a small house in the city."

"That is truly as sad story," said Double Dee. "I don't even know him, but I feel terrible for your grandfather."

"Yeah," said Marie. "I love coming here. Even though it's old and shabby, it just feels like I should be living here. I know it sounds weird, but its like I actually lived here before in a past life or something...It's like the house I never had. This is usually where we sisters all hang out, as sort of a second home. In fact, I want to eventually, if I am able to, buy this house and fix it up when I'm older."

Marie put her hand on Double Dees.

"But right now I'm just glad I get to share my quiet time with the best and cutest boyfriend in the world."

Marie leaned her head on Double Dees shoulder, to which he responded by leaning his head on hers. They stayed like this for a few more minutes, until Marie asked a question that Double Dee dreaded. "

"Double Dee, I wanted to ask, do you have a middle name?"

"Why did she have to ask that?" Double Dee thought to himself. Even though he was quite embarrassed, he knew he wanted to be completely honest with Marie.

"I do have a middle name Marie, but it's quite embarrassing." said Double Dee

"Oven Mitt, you don't know embarrassing until you have Kanker as a last name." said Marie while smiling.

"Here's a little incentive for you to tell me." Marie shoved Double Dee on the floor. She forced both his arms to his sides, and straddled her legs on top of him, trapping his arms under her knees.

"Marie what are you doing?" yelled Double Dee extremely distressed.

"Forcing you to tell me your middle name." she said calmly.

She then began tickling Double Dee, who was extremely ticklish. He writhed around while laughing, but as hard as he tried, he could not escape Marie's grasp.

"Give up yet Double Dee?" she said.

Double Dee couldn't take it any longer.

"MARION! My middle name is Marion!" he yelled.

"See that wasn't so hard was it cutie?" said Marie.

"That isn't a bad name at all, in fact, it was my grandfathers first name, what a coincidence."

Double Dee still recovering from being tickled, decided to play back with Marie. "So" he said while he slid closer to her, regaining his composure.

"What may yours be?"

"Eve." said Marie quickly.

"Annemarie Eve Kanker." said Double Dee. "I think that's a beautiful name."

"Yeah right," said Marie, "How could the last name Kanker be considered beautiful."

The couple chuckled at the last statement. "By the way, pardon my curiosity, but what nationality does that surname come from?" asked Double Dee.

"It's a Dutch name." said Marie. "I did some research and found out that either comes from the word for super, or on the bad end, the word for cancer. What luck?"

Marie began giggling.

"I'm just glad it's not spelled with a C or that would be even worse."

She began laughing, Double Dee joined in.

The couple sat staring out the window for a few minutes.

"Marie," said Double Dee. "Thank you for the drawing. I was completely stunned by the hard work and talent you demonstrated. I can tell that you truly love the visual arts."

"You're welcome Double Dee," said Marie while she blushed slightly, "I just hoped you liked it."

"You don't have to worry about that" said Double Dee as a he smiled at Marie, who smiled back at him. Marie turned her attention to window .

"It's really a shame, but from here you can't see all of the stars in the sky." said Marie

"From this altitude, and with all of these lights causing pollution, I doubt we would be able to see anything but the brightest stars." replied Double Dee.

"Hmmm I'll prove you wrong brainy boy," Marie said playfully, "I have something to show you come on!"

Marie grabbed Double Dees hand and picked him up off of the floor. The couple ran out of the room to a door at the other end of the hallway. The door led to a short stairwell, which had another door at the top of it. Marie led Double Dee up the stairs and opened the door. To Double Dees surprise, the door led to a decent sized balcony, facing the backyard of the house. The balcony was completely bare, and was surrounded by a wrought iron railing. It was at this point that Double Dee was able to get a good glimpse at Marie under the street light. She was wearing a pink blouse, as well as a pair of blue jeans. .

"Wait till you see this." said Marie.

Marie walked over to the edge of the balcony and leaned over as far as she could, with the street light in sight. She carefully grabbed the bulb, and began loosening it until the light went out.

"Look up." said Marie.

Double Dee glanced up toward the night sky. To his surprise, turning out the street light filled the sky with stars, as all the light pollution on the balcony had gone away.

"Marie, this is beautiful!" said Double Dee.

"Isn't it?" she said. "I just love the night sky, I think it's the prettiest thing in the world."

"It truly is one of the most beautiful things nature has to offer." said Double Dee, as he sat down leaning against the wall of the house. Marie walked over toward Double Dee and sat down next to him. As they gazed at the stars, Double Dee got up the nerve to put his arm around Marie's shoulder. She responded by moving closer to him and slightly in front. After a few minutes, Double Dee found himself embracing Marie from the back; she was sitting between his legs leaning backward with her head resting on his chest. After a few minutes, Marie spoke.

"Double Dee," said Marie.

"Yes Marie." He replied

"I am so glad that I met you, and I am so glad that we are here together like this." she said. "Over the past few days, you have made me the happiest girl in the world. You actually made me feel like I mattered, you showed me that somebody cares about me. I am so glad that I was able to meet a guy like you."

"Marie, you don't know how happy I am to call you my girlfriend, you are truly a special girl. Don't you ever doubt that you are a beautiful person I am so glad I got to know the real you." Replied Double Dee Marie turned around and smiled up at Double Dee.

Marie then brought her face up towards Double Dee. She leaned in and touched her lips to his. This time, it was a truly passionate kiss, the kind that seemed to last forever. Double Dee had never felt as happy as he did at this very moment. Although he did not want it to end, a few minutes later, Marie pulled away smiling as she did so. She retook her place leaning on Double Dees chest. Double Dee wrapped his arms around her once again. After a few minutes, Marie broke the silence.

"So how did you like my little trick when you first walked in?" She asked smiling.

"To be honest I thought you forgot to show up!" said Double Dee.

Marie gasped and turned around, giving Double Dee a playful slap on the arm.

"Double Dee, how could you think I would do such a thing?" she said laughing. "I was trying to make it romantic, like the first time we met. Remember we teased you with the K-I-S-S-I-N-G?"

"Yes I do remember quite well." said Double Dee. "Before you kidnapped me, cooked me dinner, forced me to clean your house, after which unreasonably kicked me out." He said playfully giggling.

"Ah you were just lucky you got the dinner!" said Marie as she laughed.

Double Dee knew that the last statement would make a great segue into the question he was about to ask her.

"Marie." said Double Dee. "I was wondering if you would perhaps like to come over my house tomorrow, around 6:00? My parents are home this whole week during the evenings, and I would really like to have you over for dinner and for you to meet them."

Double Dee sat nervously waiting for a response from Marie.

"I would love to go to your house for dinner Double Dee." said Marie. "And it's perfect, because tomorrow night May is working with my mom, and Lee just sits around the house anyway, so I would have no problem getting out of the house."

"Great!" said Double Dee, laughing off nervousness, he still had to get used to these kind of situations. "My mother is making Sheppard's pie, and an exquisite roast, have you ever had Sheppards pie before Marie?"

Marie sat rather looking rather melancholy before answering him.

"No," she said why looking down away from him. "We don't usually eat things like that. We are lucky if there is even cereal for us to eat in the morning before school. Usually, we just grab the free school breakfast and school lunch. As for dinner, we usually just boil frozen hotdogs, or sometimes fry burgers."

Double Dee could not believe that Marie and her sisters lived in such poverty stricken conditions. He now began to really become angry at himself for judging the Kankers from their outward actions. He truly had no idea what kind of life they really had.

"Marie, that's terrible." said Double Dee. He didn't know what else to say.

"Hey, but tomorrow night dinners on you, so I'll be waiting." said Marie in a playful tone, lightening the conversation. Double Dee laughed back with her.

Unfortunately, time did not cease even for romance, Double Dee had checked his cell phone and discovered that it was 10:30 at night, fifteen minutes before his curfew.

"My goodness." Said Double Dee, "It's already 10:30, I don't want to leave, but I must be going soon."

"That late already?" asked Marie. "I better get home too before Lee throws a hissy fit."

Double Dee and Marie stood up, walking back down the stairs from the balcony. The couple walked down the hallway and descended the curved staircase.

"You know, now it makes perfect sense to me." said Double Dee. "You girls know this house like the back of your hand, that's how you were able to trap all of us using the secret passages. Very clever indeed I must say"

"That was the plan." said Marie as she laughed. Double Dee laughed back with her.

The couple reached the front door of the house, and walked out into the yard.

"Marie," said Double Dee, "I really do not believe any of our peers would still be outside at this time, so would you mind if I walked you home?"

"I can walk myself thank you!" snapped Marie as she began walking away from Double Dee. Double Dee stood upset as if he was heartbroken until Marie snapped back around and ran into his arms, kissing him on the lips.

"Psych! Of course you can walk me home." she said.

Double Dee stood chuckling at Maries joke. He could not believe his naivety had once again got the best of his emotions. The couple walked down the cross street. As they reached the boundary of the old houses yard, Marie reached her hand over toward Double Dee, who was walking directly next to her, and grabbed his hand in a laced finger hold. Double Dee could not believe that he was actually walking through the neighborhood, holding Maries hand. Although he felt an adrenaline rush for the fear of being caught by his friends, he felt amazing. He was proud to be able to hold his girlfriends hand as they walked down the street.

Marie and Double Dee walked through the construction site, and finally reached the trailer park. They approached the Kankers trailer, walking very quietly as to not alert Lee.

"I had a great time with you tonight Double Dee." said Marie. "And thanks for these flowers, I'll tell Lee I picked them up at the store for the kitchen table."

Marie snickered.

"I had a great time with you too Marie, I can't wait to see you tomorrow at dinner." said Double Dee.

"Me too," she replied. Double Dee then did something he had never expected himself to do. He placed his hand on Maries face, and moved his own towards hers. He slowly touched his lips to hers, and kissed Marie for about 10 seconds. Marie placed her arms around Double Dees neck as they shared their kiss. Double Dee pulled his face away from hers and looked into her eyes.

"Good night Double Dee." she said smiling.

"Good night Marie." He replied while staring at her.

Marie opened the door and quickly darted inside to avoid suspicion, Double Dee walked away from the trailer smiling. As he walked away, he heard the voice of Lee from inside the trailer.

"Geez, Louise what took ya so long. There was no one here to wait on me!" she yelled

"Ah shut your trap Lee!" snapped Marie right back at her.

Double Dee couldn't help but chuckle as he walked out of the trailer park, Marie and Lee's conversation fading as the distance between he and the trailer grew. As he walked, he began day dreaming about the wonderful time he had just had with Marie.

Double Dee quickly came back to reality and realized that he had bumped into Eddy. Ed was standing directly behind him. Both were holding trash bags in their hands.

"Eddy!" Double Dee said startled, "what a surprise, what are you two doing out this late?"

"We're taking Mr. Jenkins' trash out to the curb for him." said Eddy. "For being an old man this guy sure has a lot of trash, this is our second trip."

Eddy paused for a second.

"I thought you went to Maryannes house?" said Eddy as he placed the bag on the curb.

"I did, I am on my way home now, seeing as it's almost 11:00 on a school night I might add." replied Double Dee.

"But Lemon Brook is that way." Eddy said while pointing in the opposite direction of where Double Dee was coming from.

Double Dee had no idea what to do. He could only think of one thing.

"Sorry gentlemen, I will explain later, I really must be going. Mother must be worried sick, I will see you tomorrow morning." Double Dee ran down the cross street toward his house.

"Something's up with Double Dee." said Eddy. "Something tells me he may be stretching the truth. What do you think Ed?"

"Double Dee is for sure acting weird Eddy." Said Ed as he drug his trash bag out right next to where Eddy's was sitting.

"We're gonna have to get to the bottom of this." said Eddy. "I get the feeling that something sneaky is going on with this Maryanne character, if that's really her name. On Friday, when my punishment is over, we'll round up Kevin and Rolf, form a steak out team and find out what's up with this so called girlfriend of his"

"Sounds like a plan Eddy!" yelled Ed as he put Eddy in a headlock.

"Now I just have to figure out how to get your pits to stop kickin!" yelled Eddy as he forced himself out of Eds grasp.

Back at his house, Double Dee was already tucked under the covers of his bed. He quickly drifted off to sleep, with the thoughts of Maries smiling face accompanying him to the world of dreams.