The Homecoming. Robyn Carr

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      Iris looked over her shoulder and saw that Grace, in the bar, was up on a bar stool, laughing with Troy about something. She was probably giving Iris time to work things out with Seth while waiting for their pizzas. Grace knew about the prom thing, knew Iris was pissed. She didn’t know everything, however.

      “I don’t know what it is about girls and proms,” he said. “You were absolutely crazed. And I never knew you to be that kind of girl, crying and carrying on. You used to beat me up, for God’s sake!”

      “Apparently, I fell down on the job,” she muttered, lifting her wine.

      He smirked. “I am an officer of the law, ma’am. Watch your threats.”

      “Why aren’t you out with some skinny blonde tonight? Like usual?”

      “I don’t think I know any around here. Is Sassy still around town?”

      “She is, indeed. Need me to hook you up?”

      “No, thanks,” he said. “She never left town? That’s a surprise. She was ready to move on. How’s she getting along?” he asked.

      Iris took another sip of wine. “It appears she’s gained a couple of pounds.”

      “That must thrill you.”

      “And she lost a tooth,” she added. She pointed to a very obvious incisor. In front. “Here.”

      He threw his head back and laughed so loudly that people actually turned and looked at him.

      “Stop it!” Iris hissed. “You’re making a fool of yourself!”

      “So you still hate her, huh? I’m honored.” He pushed back his chair and stood. “I think I’ll get a beer and order one of those little pizzas.”

      “Don’t you have to go home?” she asked.

      He leaned his face toward her. He shook his head and grinned. “Nope.”

      He went inside to place his order and grab a beer and was back altogether too quickly. He sat down and got comfortable. “I’d like us to talk about some things,” he said. “You’re obviously not quite ready to give up your anger, but there are other things. First—you’ve been really good to my mom. A good neighbor and friend. Losing Rose was probably as hard on my mom as it was on you. She’s so grateful to have you in her life and I’m grateful, too. At least your anger didn’t extend to her. Thanks for that.”

      “Your mom is wonderful,” she said. “And I love her.”

      “That’s very kind, Iris,” he said. “And I’d also like to talk about how we can work together on special programs for the high school. I have some ideas.”

      “I just expect you to let me know if trouble comes to my school and I’ll do the same. We don’t do those horrific movies of horrible car accidents right before prom and graduation anymore. You know those awful things, trying to scare the lives out of the kids before they drink and drive or something....”

      “That wasn’t what I had in mind, but if you like I can make an appointment.”

      “What did you have in mind?”

      “Maybe a few true stories on how to be successful in life. How not to be dead or maimed before the age of twenty-one.” He raised his brows. “How to have fun every day for life? Become millionaires in three easy steps? If I can figure out how to get their attention, I think I can hold it.”

      She relaxed back into her chair. “I think I’d like to see your proposal, Deputy.”

      “Sure,” he said. “And I’d like to try to make it up to you.”

      “Not necessary.”

      “I’d like to try,” he said. “What’s it going to take, Iris?”

      “A miracle,” she said.

      He lifted half of his mouth in a sly smile. “I’ll get right to work on that.”

      Grace returned, followed by Troy bearing two individual pizzas. “Yours will be out in just a minute, Seth,” he said.

      It was the three of them at the table and the conversation turned to general subjects. Troy brought a pizza for Seth and a beer that he claimed for himself. As a foursome, they told stories about the town, the people, old times and recent times. Troy thoroughly enjoyed hearing funny stories about Iris as a kid because, as Iris well knew, Troy had a crush on her. Before ten minutes had passed they were all laughing as though they’d been best friends forever. Laughing almost wildly.

      Later that night, at home in the house she’d grown up in, alone in her bed, for the first time in a very, very long time, Iris cried. Cried for all she had missed, all she’d lost, all she felt was forever out of her reach.

      She had missed Seth so much.

      * * *

      That pivotal Friday night so long ago, Iris woke Seth and took him home a little after midnight. He disappeared into his house after thanking her for the ride. She had expected a little more with the good-night than that, but she let it go. He was impaired, after all. But she did wake her mother and, sitting on her bed, told her that Seth had broken up with his girlfriend and asked her to go to the prom.

      “As friends?” Rose had asked.

      When your mother and your boyfriend’s mother were best friends, when you lived next door to each other, Iris knew she had to be very careful. “Maybe more,” she said, looking down shyly. Shy was never a word people used to describe Iris, because she had learned to compensate in high school. She could fake confidence she didn’t really have.

      Iris knew even buying a prom dress would be tough for Rose. Prom wasn’t far off and Pretty Petals was only closed on Sundays so they went right away. They were just going to look around, decide if they should drive farther than North Bend, see what was out there. But they found a dress right away and fell completely in love. Iris didn’t think she’d ever stumble on a dress that she didn’t feel fat or pale or stupid in, but she did. It was dark purple and sleek, making her height feel like an asset. It took every ounce of her willpower to keep from running next door to tell Seth about it.

      At school on Monday morning she could hardly stop beaming. Books clutched against her chest, she went straight to his locker. “Hey,” she said.

      “Iris! You’ll never believe it. I made up with Sassy! We had a long talk and decided we both deserved another chance. So—we’re going to the prom.”

      Iris couldn’t move. Her mouth stood open, her eyes watered and she felt all color drain from her face.

      “What?” Seth said. “I mean, she’s got the dress and everything. And she really wants another chance.”

      “Don’t you remember?” she asked in a whisper before she could stop herself. “You don’t!”

      “What?” he asked again.

      “You said you wanted to go with me. You said we’d have more fun anyway,” she said quietly.

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