Chapter 41
After around twenty minutes of driving, Rod's truck had finally entered the city limits. Double Dee was astounded by how drastically different the city was than Peach Creek. The street they were traversing happened to be named "Market Street" as was the main business street in Peach Creek. However, the streets were completely dissimilar, the greatest difference being that the cities Market Street ran directly under the cities elevated train. The street was completely covered by the large blue trussle, and the booming sound of a train passing overhead filled the air every few minutes. The area was plagued by crime, and Double Dee couldn't help but notice many of the businesses lining the streets had steel bars placed over their windows as a measure to prevent theft.
After a few moments, Rod had finally turned onto a street labeled Kingsessing Avenue, which was lined with twin houses that were narrower than tall, each with a front porch. Rod stopped in front of a twin house with white vinyl siding. Above the roof of the front porch, two double hung windows peered out from the second floor bedroom; a large single double hung window marked the third floor front room, which functioned as the girl's bedroom when they stayed over.
Double Dee was treated to his first experience of parallel parking, as Rods house did not have a driveway. Once the truck was parked, the group exited the vehicle and approached the front porch.
"Welcome to the city!" said Marie, as she smiled at Double Dee.
The city was much different than the suburbs. There were far more houses, and the street lights seemed more plentiful. The peace and quiet that characterized Peach Creek estates was replaced by the distant sounds of ambulance sirens.
"Come on cutie!" yelled Marie as she pulled Double Dee up the porch steps, "Let's get out of this cold air!"
Just as Rod had unlocked the front door to his house, the door on the house next door opened. An elderly woman, who appeared to be a septuagenarian emerged from the door as a small black and white cat ran quickly out to the front porch. The elderly woman enthusiastically greeted Marie, and opened her arms for Marie to give her a hug. Lee and May also hugged the woman before heading into Rod's house to escape the cold air.
"Double Dee, this is my good friend, Ms. McKinstry. Ms. McKinstry , this is my friend Double Dee." said Marie.
Although Marie really admired Ms. McKinstry, Marie had introduced Double Dee as her friend to her because she was a devout Christian and sometimes came off as a strict disciplinarian when it came to social issues such as dating. However, Ms. McKinstry smiled and told Marie to "put a lid on it". She knew they were more than just friends, and smiled at the fact that Marie had been able to find a nice boy to date. The group of three conversed for a few minutes before Ms. McKinstry returned to the warmth of her house.
Marie turned to the front door to open it, and she and Double entered the house. Lee and May had ran upstairs to their room to do who knows what. At the same time, Rod entered the living room and switched the television on, preparing himself for his favorite program NASCAR racing, and suggested that Marie and Double Dee could hang out in the family room in the basement if they wished. Marie obliged and led Double Dee to the basement stairs.
The red carpeted family room was lined with dark 70's style wood paneling. There was an entertainment center on the wall, equipped with a CRT television set, as well as a single couch sitting in front of the TV.
"Come sit with me." said Marie as she sat down on the couch. Double Dee joined her.
"So Marie, how long have you known Ms. McKinstry?" asked Double Dee. "I have known her pretty much since I can ever remember. She is such a nice woman Double Dee. We used to play jump rope outside all of the time, and Ms. McKinstry taught us fun Double Dutch rhymes that she used to do as a little girl. She would even bring lemonade that she had made out for us on hot days in the summers. We would return the favor by helping her with chores around her house. She's like a second grandmother."
"I think that it is wonderful that you have such a great relationship with Ms. McKinstry." said Double Dee.
"And she really liked you too!" said Marie smiling, "Nobody I know can resist that sweet, caring personality of yours!"
Double Dee blushed. He glanced around the room, and took notice of what appeared to be an old Steinway upright piano, sitting in the corner of the room.
"Marie, is that a piano over there?" asked Double Dee.
Marie glanced over at the instrument, and stood up off of the couch.
"Yes it is Double Dee." said Marie as she walked over to it, "Do you wanna play it?"
"I'm afraid I don't know how to Marie." said Double Dee.
Marie pulled the bench out from underneath the piano, and opened the lid, exposing the keys. She sat down on the bench, and patted the space she left next to her. This signaled Double Dee to walk across the room and take a seat next to Marie in front of the pianos 88 keys.
"Hmmm, what shall we do?" asked Marie to herself while looking up towards the ceiling, "I know!"
Marie reached her hands to the piano's keyboard; her blue nail polish stood out prominently against the white keys.
Double Dees jaw dropped as Marie's fingers stroked the keys, producing stormy melody of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement. Double Dee was astounded as Marie played the music so fluently and flawlessly, stopping after the first phrase of the song.
"That's all I know without the sheet music!" said Marie as she smiled.
"Marie, that was beautiful!" said Double Dee, "However did you learn to play the piano?"
"You probably won't believe me, but I pretty much taught myself. We had this piano as long as I can remember, along with old books of piano music. I would sit down here for hours, going through songs over and over again, and even making up some of my own. It just always came natural to me for some reason, and I could never quite explain it. Nobody else in my family has any kind of musical talent, but I really love it."
"Marie, I thought that that piece that you just played was amazing. I would really enjoy to hear more of your playing." said Double Dee.
"Hmmm" said Marie jokingly, "Okay, but you have to play a song with me first!"
"But Marie, I have no idea how to play!" said Double Dee, "I'd much rather hear you!"
"Double Dee," said Marie, "You obviously have musical talent judging by the way that you thrashed that pedal steel guitar at your house, so it can't be that hard to learn an easy song on piano."
Double Dee appeared nervous. Marie put her hand on his shoulder, playfully frowning.
"Please, for me!" said Marie.
Double Dee couldn't resist that cute little face of Maries, and before he knew it, he was learning a song. After around ten minutes, Marie determined that they were ready to try their duet.
"Okay, so you got it now?" asked Marie.
"I believe so." said Double Dee.
"Okay, ready," said Marie, "1..2…3…4"
Double Dee used both of his hands to play a shuffle pattern on the bass section of the piano. After playing it once through, Marie joined him on the upper register, at which point the song that Marie had intended to play, "Heart and Soul", was recognizable. The couple finished playing at which point, they both chuckled and clapped for each other.
"See, aren't I just the best teacher?" asked Marie.
"You sure are!" said Double Dee, "Although my hands did cramp up from being in that awkward position."
Marie chuckled.
"So my lady, may I request some more beautiful music?" asked Double Dee playfully. "Yes you may on one condition." said Marie as she smiled.
"And what may that be?" asked Double Dee.
"A kiss silly!" said Marie playfully.
Double Dee conformed to Marie's wishes, after which she grabbed sheet music from the drawer next to the piano. She proceeded to play other classical pieces, including Fur Elise, and Piano sonata No. 14. In addition she played a Scott Joplins The Entertainer as well.
Once Marie had finished her last song, Double Dee applauded her playing.
"Well done Marie, that was, spectacular!" said Double Dee.
"Thank you Double Dee." said Marie.
Marie stared down at the piano keyboard for a few moments, blushing as she did so. After a few seconds, she began speaking.
"Double Dee," said Marie, "If you don't mind I'd like to play you one more special song."
Marie looked up into Double Dee's eyes.
"And please forgive me for sounding horrible" said Marie as she giggled, "But I am going to sing."
Double Dee placed his hand on Marie's shoulder.
"Marie, I would love to hear your special song." said Double Dee as he smiled. Marie smiled back, as she returned her attention to the piano keyboard, placing her hands on the keys.
"I used to play this every time I came over here since I met you." said Marie, "I always felt as though it described us perfectly, with you running away from me and me being persistent." Marie chuckled.
"This is called Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey." said Marie.
As soon as Marie had finished her sentence, she began playing her song. Double Dee watched as Maries fingers produced the songs introductory chords, which consisted of sustained arpeggios in the key of E major. After the first few bars of music, Marie began singing the lyrics, causing Double Dee's eyes to widen with surprise. As his ears absorbed the sound of Marie's singing voice, he couldn't help but think about how beautiful and professional she sounded. He stared with a genuine smile on his face, as he watched his beautiful girlfriend display her musical talents.
After Marie played the final chord on the piano, she took her hands away from the keyboard. She placed them on her lap as she stared down towards her feet blushing. Double Dee decided to break the silence.
"Marie!" said Double Dee, "That was absolutely amazing! If I wasn't sitting next to you, I would have been sure that that was a professional vocalist performing that piece. How could you have ever of assumed that you sound horrible."
Marie smiled and looked into Double Dee's eyes.
"Thank you Double Dee," said Marie, after which she looked towards the piano again, "For some reason, I always had this feeling that I would have you ever since I first laid eyes on you. Even though I thought you hated me, and ran away from me all of the time, I had this hope that you would someday like me back, and I knew I could never give up on you. When I heard this song on the radio, it pretty much summed up my life with you at that point. I know it sounds really silly, but I used to sit down here and play it, and imagine I was singing it to you."
Marie chuckled, as did Double Dee.
"Well, all's I can say…" said Marie as she leaned into Double Dee's face, "Is that no matter what, you will always be my baby."
Marie kissed Double Dee on the check, after which she smiled. Double Dee turned towards Marie and placed his hand on her face. Marie smiled, as she moved her lips towards his initiating a gentle kiss.
The couple kissed on the piano bench for a few minutes, after which the sound of Lee's voice echoed down the stairs.
"Hey Marie, it's 10 o'clock, Daddy's gonna take us back to the trailer!" said Lee.
"Alright, we'll be right up!" said Marie.
The ride home from Rods house was rather peaceful. The truck was much less cramped than it was on the way to the ice rink. Lee was sitting in the front passenger seat, while Marie and Double Dee held hands in the back seat. May had opted to stay over Rods tonight. He would drop her off at school before work the next. Before Double Dee had left, May was sure to give him a goodbye hug.
Lee was sitting in the front passenger seat, while Marie and Double Dee held hands in the back seat. Rod's truck pulled into the trailer park, and stopped directly in front of the Kanker's trailer. Double Dee, Marie and Lee emerged from the truck and bid goodbye to Rod. Rod was sure to shake Double Dees hand once again, and told him that it was his pleasure to meet him. He also welcomed Double Dee to join he and his family over his house in the spring for a barbeque, as well as for their yearly trip down the shore over the summer.
The girls and Double Dee bid a final goodbye to Rod, after which the red truck briskly exited the trailer park. It was 10:30 p.m. and a school night, so Double Dee and Marie would be forced to say their goodbyes.
"Alright love birds," said Lee as she walked over to the trailer door, "I'm gonna head into the trailer so you two can have your little make out session."
Lee snickered and stuck her tongue out at Marie. Marie merely smiled.
"Alright Lee, just get in the trailer will ya!" yelled Marie playfully.
Lee smiled as she opened the trailer door and pushed it shut behind her. Marie seized the opportunity to embrace Double Dee and gently kiss him on the lips.
"Marie, thank you so much for inviting me to participate in your family skate night." said Double Dee as he smiled at Marie, "Even though I will probably be covered in bruises by the morning, I have had the most spectacular time learning how to ice skate."
"I am so glad you came!" said Marie, "I almost thought you were gonna back out on me with your fear of meeting my Dad. See you worried for nothing" said Marie, "He really liked you, I myself was surprised when he invited you down the shore with us!"
Double Dee blushed and felt extremely proud that his first time meeting his girlfriend's father went so well.
"So are ya gonna kiss me, or what Oven Mitt?" asked Marie playfully.
Double Dee looked into Maries smiling face. He closed his eyes and leaned into Marie, touching his lips to hers. Marie moved her body closer, touching it to his and wrapping her arms around his neck. The couple shared a kiss for around 20 seconds before a loud bang sounded from the trailer door.
"Yo!" yelled Lee out the window while laughing, "Get a damn room!"
Marie said nothing but joked back with her sister by repositioning her and Double Dee so that she was sure Lee would have a clearer view of their kiss.
"Like what ya see?" asked Marie playfully as she began making out with an extremely uncomfortable Double Dee once again. Lee laughed and closed the window blinds, giving the couple their peace once more.
"Sorry, I just had to do that!" said Marie as she giggled. Double Dee, although quite embarrassed, managed to crack a smile.
The couple once again exchanged a passionate kiss, and goodnights. Double Dee watched as Marie disappeared behind the large steel door of the trailer before he began his trek home through the winter air.
As Double Dee walked home, he thought about all of the talent that he had witnessed tonight from the all three sisters. He had never expected the bullies he had met last summer to be interested in such things as the piano, or figure skating, although he was glad he finally was able to see them expressing their talents. He was especially enamored by Marie's ability to play the piano and sing, as he was a fan of instrumental music.
As Double Dee was walking home, Eddy and Kevin were discussing the final stages of his plot which he called "Operation Kankerless", a perfect name for the sting in Eddy's eyes. Although he and Kevin quarreled over the somewhat half baked name of the plan, there was one thing that both boys were definitely sure of.
They would strike first thing tomorrow morning.