Short Stories
Chapter One
Best Friends
Mary will never forget that night four years ago when she got the call that her best friend had been in a car accident. Her world seemed to stop at that moment and that split second phone call changed her life forever. She didn't know how much could change in a year, but she was about to find out.
Mary and Stephanie had been best friends since elementary school and were finally seniors. This was the year they had been waiting for. They did everything together...lived in the same neighborhood, had the same friends, and went to the same church. Big plans for the future had been made. They had always said they wanted to go to the same college. Now that the time was quickly approaching to choose a college, they knew no matter where they ended up, they would be together. Ever since they began thinking of someday getting married, they thought it would be the greatest to have a double wedding. Even though the spouces hadn't been chosen, many of the wedding plans had been made during Friday night sleepovers and long summer walks by the water. Plans that had been changed many times over the years as the girls changed. The two girls had walked to school together since they were in second grade, but this year would be different. Stephanie's parents had actually bought her a car right before she went back to school. Both girls had dreamed of a car, but neither thought she would actually get one in time for her senior year of high school. Mary and Stephanie had big plans for this year. Not only would they have a car to drive to school, but they had a car for entertainment too...they were free...no more depending on others for rides. They could go where they wanted when they wanted. They knew this was going to be the best year of their life. This is the year they had waited their whole life for...the year they would never forget. And they were ready.
This day started like any other day. Stephanie pulled up at Mary's house at exactly 7:15 and honked the horn. Mary was ready and ran out the door. They always greeted each other with a smile and an excited hello...like they hadn't seen each other in years, even though it had just been overnight. Just like other friendships, this one had its ups and downs. But, the downs never lasted long and each one could easily forgive the other. That is one thing that made this friendship so special to each of the girls. They couldn't remember what it had been like not to have the other one as a best friend.
"Hey there, Mary! How are you doing this morning?"
"Great! I am ready for this week to be over so we can concentrate on our first weekend as seniors...with a car. Your parents are so awesome to get this car for you."
"Are we still going to the back to school party at church? It should be fun and I was thinking that maybe we could see a late movie afterward. I was also thinking that since Jeff was going to be there, maybe we could ask him and Mark to go to the movie with us," Stephanie said with a smile as she glanced over for Mary's reaction. She knew that Mary had liked Jeff for about a year now but was too shy to ever do anything about it.
"Well, I guess that sounds ok," Mary said as her face started to turn a light shade of pink and she couldn't help but giggle. Of course, she also knew that Stephanie liked Mark, but although they dated off and on, it still wasn't a serious relationship.
The rest of the ride to school was filled with idle chitchat about the plans for the weekend and the classes they were taking at school. They both loved each other's company and couldn't imagine their senior year without the other.
The day seemed to drag by. The only interruption for Mary came when she received a message that she needed to call her mother immediately. She walked to the office to use the phone with several scenarios playing in her mind concerning all the possible emergencies that could have happened. She had become extremely nervous as she reached the office. While opening the door to walk in, what a part of her really wanted to do was turn and run back to class. She could tell her mom that she never received the message. Of course, logic told her she had to call and there was a part of her that was curious to find out what the emergency was.
She picked up the phone and waited anxiously as it began to ring. "Hey mom, what's wrong?"
"Oh nothing is wrong. Sorry if I worried you. But, I need you to come straight home after school. I was called into an emergency meeting at work and I need you to watch Aaron. I will probably be home late so I will leave money on the table for pizza. Maybe you two can walk up to the store and get a video. Aaron would really like that."
"But, Mom," Mary hesitated slightly before continuing, "Stephanie and I have plans to go to a party at the church and then a movie. We have been planning it for weeks."
"Well, Mary, I am sorry, but this meeting is important and it is such short notice that I don't have time to get another baby-sitter. I will make it up to you, Honey. Tell Stephanie that I am sorry that you two have to cancel your plans for tonight." Mrs. Dalton hated to interfere with her daughter's plans, but she hoped Mary understood that she is doing the best she can for her family and this kind of thing didn't happen often.
Ok, Mom. I will see you later tonight."
Mary knew she sounded less than enthusiastic when she hung up the phone, but she couldn't deny that she was disappointed. Her mom's job was important though and she wouldn't stand in the way of that. After her parent's divorce, her mom had to start all over in the working world and had worked her way up to a vice president position in a large company from an entry level secretarial position. Mary was proud of the progress her mom had made.
Mary really didn't mind looking after her brother, Aaron. He was six years old and thought Mary was the greatest person on Earth. He did everything Mary told him to without complaining and they did have a lot of fun together. She had to make sure she didn't make Aaron feel responsible for her having to cancel her plans for the evening...after all he had nothing to do with it.
Mary had one hour to figure out how to give Stephanie the news.
The two girls met at Mary's locker after the bell rang. There was excitement in Stephanie's voice as she said "hello" to Mary. The excitement soon faded as Stephanie sensed something was wrong.
"Mary, what's wrong?"
"You know me too well," Mary said with a slight smile. "My mom called me and said I have to come straight home after school today so I can watch Aaron. She has an important meeting at work that will probably last until late tonight. I have to do it, Steph, so I can't go to the party or the movie. I am so sorry."
Stephanie tried to take the news without being upset but she knew her real attitude toward the situation showed. She spent the next few minutes coming up with ways Mary could attend the party. She suggested other people staying with Aaron and even bringing him with them. Mary did not feel comfortable with either suggestion and again apologized.
"Well," Stephanie finally said, "I guess there is nothing we can do about it." After a brief hesitation, Stephanie added, "Why don't I just stay home with you and Aaron? It'll be fun."
"I won't let you do that, Steph. You and I have been looking forward to this party for weeks. I don't want you and I both to miss it. Besides, you would be bored staying home with us...you know, doing the kid movie thing. No, you should go and have fun...have enough fun for the both of us."
Mary was trying to make light of the situation-trying not to make her friend feel guilty for being able to go when she couldn't.
They got into the car together and headed home. The heaviness could be felt in the car even as light-hearted chatter was heard. They both waited for this weekend for a long time...finally seniors with a car. But, Mary knew there would be other weekends with her friend and she sincerely hoped Stephanie had a great time at the party.
Stephanie pulled up at Mary's house and stopped in the driveway. Again, Mary told her to have fun as she gave her a friendly hug. The two girls made tentative plans to go to the mall the next day and Mary got out of the car.
As Mary reached her door, she turned around and yelled back to Stephanie, "Make sure you call me tomorrow morning and tell me how your night went. And let me know if you are up for the mall, OK?"
"No problem. Hey, I will stay home with you tonight. I really do not mind. Are you sure you don't want me to?"
"I'm sure, Steph. I said go and have fun. I will talk to you tomorrow."
"Ok...talk to you tomorrow."
Stephanie drove away from the house and went home to get ready for the party while Mary waited for Aaron to get home from school. Neither could have guessed what was about to take place or could have prepared themselves for it.
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