Evan’s Story
a free read short story
LK Hunsaker
©2008 LK Hunsaker
Smashwords Edition
revised Oct 2011
This story may be printed and shared as a free read in whole with title page and copyright notice attached. It may not be copied in part or posted anywhere online without express written consent by the publisher. Governed by United States copyright laws.
Elucidate
Publishing
staff@elucidatepublishing.net
Cover photo and design: ©2008 LK Hunsaker
** ** **
Evan’s Story
LK Hunsaker
Evan searched the stands for Susie, glad to see John was able to be there after all. With her dad and Evan’s mom on either side, she would stay warmer on the metal bleachers through the chilly drizzle and dark’s approach. She caught him and sent a smile. He appreciated seeing it again.
“Hey man.” Their running back bumped against his shoulder. “Wasn’t sure you’d be here. I’m sorry about your brother. You okay?”
He nodded, although he wasn’t. One week ago they buried Jeremy. None of the team was there. They had a game – the only one in four years of high school football Evan had missed. He nearly didn’t come to this one. He managed through a couple of days of school, refusing to talk, refusing to attend practice. His coach called his mom to ask if he would be at the game. She pushed him to go and he gave in.
But he shouldn’t have been playing. Rules were always no practice, no play. The coach bent them for him with the team’s agreement. His cynical side figured the winning mattered more to them than what he was going through. Their words, though, and the eyes throwing pity he didn’t want to see said differently. They were helping him step back into his life – the life he had to keep living, without his little brother.
His brother, who’d wanted Evan to throw darts with him that night although they’d already been shooting hoops earlier, before the rain started. Evan had homework, an essay to finish, a test to study for. He told Jeremy “no” about the darts. If not for Susie following him into the dark rain to try to talk him off his bicycle, it could have been ... his brother would have been alone at the end, after the speeding car ran him over. Evan shivered. If he ever caught the guy...
“I’m starting you.” His coach’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “You okay to go in?”
Meeting the coach’s face, Evan noted a few of his teammates waiting for his answer. “I’m fine.”
With a light nod, Patterson tapped his shoulder and moved away yelling instructions at the assistant coach.
Evan glanced back into the stands. His mom was talking with an acquaintance, a tissue raised to her eyes. Evan moved his to Susie. She was watching him. The sadness still shadowed her face but concern for him showed even stronger. Raising her hands, she signed, “Show them what you’re made of.”
He couldn’t help but grin. It was what he said to her before her first dance solo, when she was so nervous she didn’t think she could go on. Three years ago. She was nine. And she’d been the stand-out performance of the night.
Slipping his helmet strap over his arm, he signed back, “Anything for you,” and threw a wink. Her smile lifted him the way it always did.
He knew people were watching. They wouldn’t know what they were saying to each other. Only a couple of people in Glen Heights bothered to learn even enough sign language to say hello, how are you to Jeremy. Mainly, they let Evan or his mom or Susie interpret. Susie wouldn’t always agree to relay messages. She let Jeremy know anything she thought he would be interested in knowing, ignored the rest, and signed with him privately. Evan found it rather funny, although the town used it as another excuse to shut her out. They said it was rude. Susie said it was rude for them not to learn to talk to him.
Jeremy loved her for it. He adored her, maybe as much as Evan adored her. Or close.
Pulled into game preparations, the announcements, the band encouraging them while they ran out onto the field, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the fans cheering, Evan threw himself into it. Yes. He would show them who he was.
**
Leaving the field at the end of the game, another victory in hand although it meant little to him tonight, Evan signed her a thank you for being there when he so badly needed her to be there. Thoughts of her watching helped pull him through the game when he wanted to walk off the field, when he wanted to go sit beside his little brother’s grave and apologize for saying no that night.
He heard the whoops and hollers around him as he was swept along into the locker room. An important game, they said. Most years, he’d join in agreement. What was so important about it? It was a game. The first his little brother wasn’t there to watch.
“Great game, Evan. You were on fire tonight. If you don’t win player of the year, there’s something rigged.”
Dropping his helmet onto the bench, he threw Troy an appreciative half-grin.
“Or someone objecting to your associations.”
At the thrust against his back and the sarcasm of the comment, Evan turned and shoved Ron up against the lockers. “Don’t screw with me tonight.”
Troy nudged in. “Ignore him. He’s jealous he’s never been a starter and you always are. Can’t handle the competition, Ron?”
“Can’t handle the hand flinging up to that little Indian girl. It’s embarrassing to the team.”
Evan shoved him again and pressed his arm against the scrawny neck. “Not one more word. I’m not in the mood…”
He heard several of his friends yell their support to knock him out. He knew they were keeping Ron’s buddies away to prevent interference. And he wanted to do it. The guy had harassed him about Susie ever since she lost her mom and came to stay with them, from another town, one less small-minded to make such a big deal over the fact she was American Indian. Half. Her other half was Irish. A beautiful combination.
Ron struggled, tried to push him off. It wouldn’t happen. The idiot didn’t have the strength or know-how to get away until Evan wanted him to get away.
“Okay, break it up.” The coach set a hand on Evan’s arm. “Let him go.”
Obeying, Evan let the other guys explain what happened. Ron got a suspension warning, and was sent toward the other end of the room to his own locker.
“Don’t pay any attention to that.” Patterson blocked his view of the guy retreating. “It was a noble thing for your mom to take that girl in when she needed a family. Her dad still travel a lot?”
“Yes. He’s here tonight.”
“Good. I’m glad he’s here for all of you right now. Go home and celebrate your victory. Do something fun this weekend. You’ve earned it.” He gave him a firm pat on the arm. “By the way, there’ll be college recruiters at the next game looking for scholarship possibilities. I put your name in to watch. Wish they could have been here tonight. Amazing play.”
“I can’t accept it.” Evan saw the running back drop his jaw and a protest coming from the coach. “I’m not heading straight to college.”
“You’re pulling my leg. With your football skills and your grades? You’re a sure thing…”
“I’ll be working full time. At least for a couple of years first. But thank you.” He turned away and pulled off his mud-soaked jersey, avoiding further conversation.
He couldn’t. He couldn’t leave his mom and Susie alone to go off to school, not until the funeral bills were paid off, and not until she was older, not while so many in Glenn Heights still resented her presence. An “Indian” girl in the midst of their storybook small town. Staying with a woman abandoned by her husband amidst rumors of the girl’s father interfering. Her full-blooded Shoshone-Cherokee father who worked in the field of computer technology, which seemed alien in itself in 1966 in eastern Pennsylvania. Never mind the rumors about their parents weren’t true. Or that Susie’s mom had been full Irish from a wealthy family.
Or that Susie, never in her lifetime, ever bothered anyone. She was quiet and watchful, but so open and generous when she knew she could be. A mature twelve-year-old, though small for her age, she often did the cooking, enjoyed cleaning until everything sparkled, helped entertain Jeremy without tiring. Even if Jeremy was two years older than Susie, he was such a challenge at times, getting so frustrated, and she was so good at calming him when no one else could.
Realizing he’d been standing and staring at the open locker, Evan grabbed a deep breath and finished undressing so he could shower and change. They would be waiting for him.
**
“There he is.”
Dodging cars pulling out of the parking lot, their wipers swishing light rain away, Evan heard her voice and turned that direction.
“Little sis waiting to congratulate you again.” His friend pushed an elbow into his arm. “You know she’s going to be a heartbreaker when she grows up. Cheerleader probably, if these stuff-shirts will allow. And then you’ll have all these idiots now making stupid comments trying to get her attention.”
Evan watched her leave her dad’s side in order to come meet him. “I doubt she’ll be interested in cheerleading, and don’t call her my sister.”
Susie interrupted the response as she pushed through those in between them and ran up to give him a hug. “You did so great! The best one out there!” She looked over at Troy. “Sorry…”
He grinned and rubbed her head. “No problem, kid. I’m not arguing.”
Evan noticed the water drip from her hair into her face and wiped it away. “You shouldn’t have stayed. You’re soaked.”
“I’ll dry.” She shivered.
“Here.” Setting his things down, Evan grasped her jacket and helped pull it off, then removed his own, still dry from being in the locker room, and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Evan, no, you’ll freeze…”
“I’m warm enough and I don’t want you to get sick from sitting out here watching my game.” He pulled the hood he never used over her wet, dark hair. The jacket overwhelmed her small frame, hiding most of her fingers and face.
**
She was still shivering when they got home and her dad sent her to take a hot shower. It was quiet while she was upstairs. It would take Evan a while to get used to not having Jeremy making whatever noise he could make. They never figured out why he insisted on banging on everything when he couldn’t hear it. A compensation maybe – proving his presence with the banging since he couldn’t yell and complain and talk like everyone else.
Sitting in the kitchen warming themselves with coffee, they talked about the game, about the rain that had barely paused in rare moments over the last two weeks, about the amount of frozen leftovers still lingering that had been brought by church members before and after the funeral. Evan admitted to being hungry, as he always was after a game, but didn’t want his mom to bother, especially with the funeral casseroles. He forced himself to eat it whenever she heated them for dinners, only for her sake.
Susie wouldn’t touch them. She said it was an Indian belief to fast while mourning. John threw her a look, not arguing exactly but letting his daughter know he did not want her to fast. She was small already and was always too close to fasting as it was. So she didn’t fast, aware of his scrutiny and knowing Evan’s mom would relay her actions to him when he was away, but she wouldn’t touch anything brought for the funeral.
Maybe
she would have a sandwich with him, though. Halfway through making
two ham and cheese sandwiches with pickles on the side, Evan was glad
to see her return. Her face flushed pink, showing she’d followed
John’s instructions to make the water hot enough to steam out the
cold, and she was wrapped in her big, thick cotton robe and matching
slippers.
He set her plate on the table. Her eyes questioned him while he sat next to her.
“Figured you’d be hungry since you didn’t eat earlier.”
Her expression said she knew he purposely said so in front of her dad so she wouldn’t refuse it. “Thank you.” Her voice held a sarcastic tone.
John glanced from one to the other, and focused on his daughter. “How was school this week?”
She shrugged. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t stay. I tried…”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you got back tonight.” She barely acknowledged him.
“Yes, it was a heck of a game.” He moved attention to Evan. “I was glad you decided to play. It’s important, to keep going.”
Susie raised her eyes toward her dad and dropped them again. Evan just nodded. He didn’t want to talk about it.
“And next weekend, the fall recital.” His mom held her tea cup with both hands. “I look forward to it.” She smiled at Susie. “Imagine, a twelve-year-old being one of the lead assistants for the younger ages. You must be nervous seeing how they’ll do.”
“No.” Susie kept her focus on the table.
“No?”
“I’m just an assistant, and they’re cute no matter how well they do. My solos aren’t ready, though. I’ve had too much homework.”
“Junior high will do that to you, as I warned. But you’ll be beautiful to watch even if they aren’t as perfect as you wish.”
Evan studied her while she picked at her sandwich, pulling off the extra bread. Homework wasn’t the problem. She hadn’t practiced at all during the last week and a half, only going to the studio long enough to fulfill her job as an assistant.
It was his turn to encourage her to make time for her own practice. To keep going.
** **
“Honey, I’m so sorry your dad couldn’t be here. I told him he should have taken less time off last weekend so he wouldn’t be in a bind…”
“He had to be there, like you were for him.” Susie avoided her. “I have to go.”
Evan grasped her fingers. “Relax, you’ll be wonderful.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek, getting a touch of a grin in return.
Evan watched her slide through the crowd of girls of all ages and in various stages of costumes, dodging between and around to get to the dressing rooms, then escorted his mom into the gymnasium that always held the recital. They were stopped several times to be given condolences, some from people who didn’t normally bother to speak to them. Evan was glad to finally get seated and scanned the crowd chatting and fidgeting in the metal chairs.
He knew many of the whispers nearby were directed at them, with supposedly sly glances they weren’t meant to see. Evan met their eyes, the looks dwindling the more he did so.
Relieved when the lights lowered, he gave every routine polite applause but was fully attentive to those classes Susie assisted. With the youngest ones, she stood along the side and reminded them of their steps. The way they followed her was precious, their eyes wide and trusting and their little legs and arms trying to cooperate as well as hers did. She would be a wonderful teacher as she got old enough, and eventually, a wonderful mother.
**
Waiting in the crowded, noisy space normally used as a cafeteria, Evan grew impatient with the rude pushing from those dancers already emerged from the changing rooms, now back in their street clothes, and more with the families still waiting and trying to get as close to the doors as possible.
“You should have left the flowers in the car, honey. They’re going to get smashed in here.”
Evan blocked a woman from stepping in too close to his mom, a big woman who paid no attention. “No, they’re not. And I want her to have them here.” He nodded down the hallway. “There she is.” The only one walking alone in the midst of the crowd. Some day that would change.
He saw a couple of older girls stare and whisper. He saw her notice but act like she didn’t. They continued behind her back until he caught their eyes. Quickly, they stopped talking and turned away.
She looked over when he called her name and a soft grin lit her face. Waiting for others to go by, Susie swerved around and stopped as he raised the flowers.
Evan moved up to her. “You were wonderful. By far the most elegant.”
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” She lowered her face to breathe in the scent of three yellow roses surrounded by baby’s breath and a couple of white carnations.
He let his mom press in to give her a hug and then took Susie’s bag and guided them both out of the school, listening to the chatter around them while they remained silent. Thankfully, the rain had passed and the night was crisp and fresh-smelling and dark. His mom talked about the program when they were back in the car, Evan driving and Susie in the back by herself. She answered enough to be polite and otherwise, he could see her lifting the flowers to her face, taking in their scent. Some day, he would do more than three roses. When it was appropriate.
**
When he didn’t find her in her room or the kitchen, Evan frowned and then knew where she had to be. Slipping into his jacket, the one she’d borrowed after his game, he grabbed a heavy blanket and went out the back door. She was there, in the yard swing, pushing herself slowly with her toes barely touching the grass.
He said her name as he approached, soft enough not to startle her, loud enough she would know he was there. While lowering next to her, he pulled the blanket over her legs.
“I didn’t want to be there tonight.” She gazed up toward the few visible stars.
“I know. But I’m glad you did.”
“I couldn’t very well give up since you didn’t. You didn’t want to be at the game last weekend, either.”
“No.”
“But then … after it started, after the youngest classes went on….” Susie shifted, turning to face him, pulling a foot up onto the wooden swing. “Did you enjoy playing after you got started? Because … I did. I was glad I was there doing my routines. And I felt guilty, but…”
“You shouldn’t.”
“No?”
He wrapped an arm around her. “No. Because if you do, then I have to, and I’d rather not.”
“You enjoyed playing.”
“Yes.”
She was silent a while, leaned into him, giving up trying to rock and letting him take over. “Then it’s okay.”
“Yes. It’s okay.” He kissed the top of her head. “I do wish your dad could have been here for your show.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Evan tilted his head, trying to see her face. “Doesn’t it?”
“No. You were there. If no one else was there but you, it would be fine.”
Turning his head up to the sky, the blackness dotted by a few very bright specks of light accented by dimmer smaller planets, the cool air still smelling of wet grass and rain, Evan felt the weight of it invade his chest. He couldn’t leave her to go to school. He didn’t want to leave her to go to school. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
And it didn’t bother him. “I’ll always be there, Suse.” With her light squeeze answering, he set his head back against the top of hers. He could lose anything else in the world, but not her. He would be there always.
--
-- --
Evan and Susie are main characters in the Rehearsal
series – literary romance novels featuring friendship, family, and
a young rock band trying to make their way to the top during the
turbulent 70s.
-- -- --
LK Hunsaker
~Literary Romance with an Artsy Twist~
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lkhunsaker