Chapter 20
While his friends were in the locker room attempting to figure out a way to get to the bottom of his strange behavior, Double Dee was in the process of unlocking the chain guarding his triple rider bike, the Ed Mobile as he once called it.. He had run as fast as he could and was the first one out of the school; there was literally no other student in sight.
Double Dee was finally able to unlock the bike and pull it free from the rack. He then hopped onto it and pedaled like he had never pedaled before around to the back of the school. He turned the corner to find himself in the middle of the staff parking lot. He stopped and waited a few minutes, looking all around him cautiously. He began to fear that Marie had forgotten about their little meeting.
Sure enough, a few seconds passed before Double Dee was hit on the back of the head by a balled up piece of paper. He turned around, and saw the face of Marie peering around the corner of the school smiling at him. He almost didn't recognize her without her blue hair. , it would still take some getting used to.
"Gotchya!" said Marie as she walked over to Double Dee, smiling along the way. Double Dee returned a smile of his own.
"How's my Oven Mitt today?" asked Marie as she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
"I am doing great Ms. Kanker. How are you?" he asked.
"I'm great, I'm just so glad that you finally loosened up and gave me a pet name, even if it is just my name formalized. I've only got like a million for you." Marie said as she giggled.
Double Dee couldn't help but giggle back with her.
"So this is your ride huh." said Marie.
"It's the best I could come up with on such short notice." said Double Dee.
"I've always wanted one of these Double Dee." said Marie, excited.
"If me and my sisters knew about this last summer, we would have stolen it and had some fun messing with you guys! You would have never out ran us" said Marie laughing.
She leaned into his ear as she mounted the bike on the seat behind him.
"You are just lucky I like you." she said while snickering.
"I suppose that means I'm the luckiest guy in the world then." said Double Dee as he smiled back at Marie. Marie gave him and equally warm smile.
"Alright Lance Armstrong," she said jokingly while chuckling. "Let's get out of here before we get busted."
Double Dee quickly pushed the bike off as he and Marie began pedaling out of the school parking lot. He emerged onto the main street of the town, and continued pedaling as they traveled down the road away from Peach Creek. Marie had no idea where they were even going, as it seemed like Double Dee was steering them into the middle of nowhere.
As the couple continued to ride, Marie broke the silence.
"May knows about us." said Marie
"What!" yelled Double Dee as he turned around to face her, nearly loosing control of the bike in the process. He promptly stopped the bike and pulled over to the side of the street.
"When I got home, I noticed my normal clothes were hanging on the line, so I grabbed them and tried to get changed out back before I went inside." said Marie. "May happened to be taking out the trash and caught me around the back of the house."
"Oh my! What did she do?" said Double Dee as if he was quite panicked, his heart was racing.
"Don't worry Double Dee, our secret is safe trust me." said Marie. "Me and May sat down and, for the first time, actually had a nice sister-to-sister talk, about our lives and other things while I told her about us. She promised not to tell Lee yet because it could bring more trouble than we need right now. You know how Eddy and Lee get with things like this" she giggled under her breath.
Double trusted Marie with all of his heart, and he was glad to hear that he was able to sit down and have a close talk with her sister. His mind was now at ease.
"Thank goodness, I would have thought she would have told Lee." He said while smiling at her.
"She might have if I didn't sort of blackmail her." Marie said chuckling.
"That's my Marie." said Double Dee as he turned around and began pedaling once again. Marie laughed at his last statement.
Soon, the stores along the main street disappeared, and Double Dee turned off onto a different street, which was now lined with houses similar to those back in Peach Creek. After about a twenty minute ride, the wooden fences that lined the yards of the houses suddenly turned into a wrought iron gate. Double Dee pedaled slightly further, before jumping the curb and positioning his bike next to the gate.
"We have arrived at our destination." said Double Dee.
Marie looked around as Double Dee began tying his bike up to the side of the gate. Within the gates, Marie could see nothing but hundreds of feet of grass punctuated with large, variably shaped obelisks of concrete. She then looked up at the sign that was located over the entrance gate. The sign read:
HOLY NAME CEMETARY
Marie now knew that she was in the town that Double Dee was born in, and she had a pretty good idea of why she was here. Double Dee had finished chaining the bike to the fence.
"Ready Marie?" asked Double Dee while he looked into her eyes, smiling.
"Lead the way cutie." replied Marie, in a slightly nervous tone.
As the couple passed through the gates to the cemetery, Double Dee reached over and grabbed Marie's hand. The two were now walking holding hands once again in a laced finger hold.
Double Dee led Marie to a medium sized gravestone. At its base, various flowers were planted, and next to them sat what appeared to be a violin case. Engraved on the stone was the following:
James Meriwether - November 12, 1998 – May 5, 2006
The last name could not be made out due to the stone being covered in moss. Marie placed her hand over her mouth. She had never even met James, yet she felt so sad at this very moment that he had passed away. She felt even worse for Double Dee, who missed his brother so much. She placed her hand on his shoulder as the couple stared at the stone for a few minutes.
"As you see, Marie" said Double Dee, "He managed to get quite the unusual middle name as well." He chuckled under his breath. Marie forced a laugh along with him. She didn't think that Double Dee could be as enthusiastic as he was at a moment like this.
"Greetings once again James" said Double Dee, leaning toward the stone. "This is my girlfriend Marie." said Double Dee as he put his arm around Marie's right shoulder.
Marie reached up with her right hand, and placed it on his.
"I had told you about her previously, remember those three absolutely insane girls that I met in Peach Creek that lived in the trailer park?"
Double Dee chuckled slightly, as Marie cracked a smile. Double Dee paused for a few seconds.
"She is the one that had the crush on me. I spent many days running from her and figuring out ways to avoid her until I learned more about the beautiful person she is. I know that when we used to talk, we used to say how gross and unsanitary the female gender was, but, I think you will understand now. After all you would be my age. I am truly happy with Marie."
Double Dee turned to Marie. As he looked up towards her eyes, he noticed that she was smiling, but tears were still running down her face. These were tears created by the combination of pure joy and admiration she had for Double Dee at this very moment, and the thoughts of the tragedy that the family had endured. Double Dee turned back toward the stone.
"I really wish you were here to meet her James, we still miss you so much." said Double Dee trying to hold back tears. "Nothing will ever suffice to fill the void that was left when you passed."
Double Dee sat down on the ground in front of the stone. Marie joined him sitting down directly next to him. As Double Dee continued to stare at the stone, Marie reached her arms around him and gave him a firm hug. Double Dee placed his arms around her as well.
The couple sat embracing each other for a few minutes until Double Dee broke the silence.
"I know it seemed highly unusual." said Double Dee. "But I feel comfortable being here next to this stone. It's seems extraordinarily odd to speak to a grave stone, but when I'm here talking to James, I feel as if I gain strength and confidence. It is as if he is still here next to me facing the same challenges I'm facing, and he assists me in overcoming obstacles in life."
"Double Dee." said Marie as grabbed Double Dees face with her hand, pulling it up so that he was looking directly into her eyes. "That is not unusual in the slightest bit. Don't you ever think that I'm bothered by being in here with you. In fact, I am honored that you brought me here."
Double Dee smiled at Marie as they sat in each other's arms in front of the headstone. They sat together in the afternoon sun for around a half hour, before Double Dee stood up.
"I guess we should be going, I really do not want to raise suspicion." said Double Dee.
"Whenever you're ready Double Dee, take all of the time that you need" said Marie in a serious tone as she squeezed his hand.
Double Dee and Marie stood up. After spending another minute in a moment of silence at the stone, the couple began their trek out of the cemetery, holding hands once more all along the way.
Marie and Double Dee had finally reached the outside of the cemetery. Double Dee began unlocking the chain on his bike
. "Thank you for coming accompanying me here Marie, I am really glad that you could make it." said Double Dee.
"I am really glad that you invited me here Double Dee." said Marie as she smiled and touched him on the shoulder, just as he unlocked the bike. He pulled the bike free from the gate. Double Dee held the bike out and looked at Marie.
"Your chariot awaits princess." he said while smiling. Marie grinned and walked over to Double Dee with an exaggerated amount of hip sway. She slid around Double Dee and placed her right leg over the bike before planting herself down on the seat. After kissing Double Dees cheek, the two were off once again, on their way back to Peach Creek, the brisk wind blowing in their face.
"Double Dee." said Marie, "Do you remember what the first words that you ever said directly to me were."
Double Dee thought for a split second.
"Well, it was probably some kind of scream, as I was extremely terrified of your methods of displaying affection." He replied.
Marie clicked her tongue and playfully slapped Double Dee on the shoulder.
"Double Dee." she said, with a playful shocked look on her face, "How could you not remember, I remember what you said?"
"Really, then why don't you tell me what the words were." said Double Dee.
"Remember when we gave you and your friends burgers the first time you came to my house?" said Marie.
"Yes, I do and those were pretty unique tasting burgers I may add." said Double Dee.
"Well, while you were on our couch inhaling your food, I was standing behind you trying to make you comfortable by putting a pillow behind your head, and do you know what you said to me for doing it?" said Marie.
"Thank you very much Angel." said Double Dee as he turned around and smiled.
"No, you said…." Marie now deepened her voice as if to make fun of Double Dee before finishing her sentence, "Please refrain from touching me while I'm eating, thank you."
Double Dee laughed,
"Now I remember." he said, "What was I to do, you were invading my personal space." said Double Dee.
"Well, I'll say the same thing as I did back then, I'll touch whenever I want Buddy boy." Marie began poking Double Dee in the back, laughing as she did so.
Double Dee couldn't help but realize the irony of the statement. A year and a half ago, when Marie and her sisters had moved to Peach Creek, he had not even wanted Marie within ten feet of him. Now, he wanted to be with Marie at all times. He actually longed to be touched by Marie, to be lost in her embrace, to never let her go.
The couple laughed and joked as they reentered the Peach Creek business district. Double Dee had decided to take the back streets, to avoid being seen by anyone. Before they knew it, they were within a block of the cul-de-sac, and they both knew that all of the kids in the neighborhood would probably be outside.
Double Dee stopped the bike.
"Do you think it's wise to stop here?" he asked.
"I think so." said Marie as she got off of the bike.
"So, I will see you again soon." said Double Dee.
"Of course you will sweetie." said Marie, smiling at him, "Maybe sooner than you think."
"I would really like that Marie." said Double Dee as he looked into Maries eyes.
Marie leaned into Double Dees face and kissed him for a few seconds. She quickly followed the kiss with a firm hug.
"Bye Double Dee." said Marie as she let go and began walking away.
"Goodbye Marie." said Double Dee as he began riding back toward his house
. As Double Dee rode back to his house, he couldn't help but wonder what Marie meant by 'see you sooner rather than later.' Either way, seeing Marie was always something good, so he really didn't mind the slightest bit.
Double Dee turned the corner of to the cul-de-sac. As his house came into view, he noticed that his two best friends happened to be sitting on his stoop waiting for him. Eddy was holding a shovel, while Ed was holding a bag of mulch. Double Dee jumped the curb and rode up the gravel path to his house.
"Hey sock head where ya been?" said Eddy, "It's a half day, I know you don't have an excuse not to come help us."
"Come help us Double Dee, we miss you." said Ed.
Double Dee knew that even though Marie was the most important person in the world to him right now, his best friends were still important to him as well. He felt slightly bothered to have not been able to catch up with them for the last few days. He had free time, and he knew that he would use it to help his friends.
"Okay gentlemen, I will gladly oblige." replied Double Dee.
"Does that mean you're coming with us?" asked Eddy.
"Absolutely" said Double Dee.
"Just let me change into a more suitable attire, I can't risk tarnishing my school clothes."
Double Dee walked into his house, and headed up to his room to put on a pair of old jeans and an old shirt. He also made a quick stop into his garage for a pair of rubber gloves. Meanwhile, Ed and Eddy conversed outside.
"Remember lumpy, we're gonna play into him for now. Don't say anything about the operation got it." said Eddy quietly to Ed.
"Skip to my lou my darling." replied Ed while smiling.
"I take it that that means you understand." said Eddy.
"Understand what Eddy." Asked Ed confused.
"Just keep your mouth shut Monobrow" said Eddy.
Double Dee had finally changed and joined his friends outside of his house. The three boys then made their way to Mr. Jenkins backyard, where they would spend the next few hours laying down mulch and replanting grass.