Inked in the Steel City Series(41)
“Mina?” Eric’s voice was a balm to her frayed nerves.
“Hey Eric. I have some bad news. Jess’s date backed out on her today at school and now she’s not going to the dance. She’s really upset, so I’m going to spend the evening with her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” There was more than a hint of regret in his voice, whether for Jess or for himself and Mina, Mina didn’t know. Probably both – he was sweet like that.
“Yeah. I’m sorry too.”
“So how are you and Jess going to spend the evening?”
Mina chewed her lower lip. “I don’t know yet. I’m trying to get her to suggest something, but I don’t know if it’ll work. I can’t even remember the last time she was this upset.” She lowered her voice, just in case Jess could hear her. “She’s feeling really down about using a wheelchair. Usually she doesn’t let it get to her, but I think this whole thing has her feeling left out. That’s why I want to try to get her out of the house. I don’t want her to feel stuck in here with just me while her friends are all out having fun.”
“Would you like me to take you two somewhere?”
Mina thought for a moment, taken aback by his offer.
“I mean, if you think it’d be better if it was just the two of you, that’s fine. But if not, maybe we could take her to Ruby’s – I know how much she likes that place – and to a movie or something. My treat.”
“I think that’s a good idea. She really likes you. I’ll call and invite Karen too – she offered to help me out with Jess tonight anyway. Hopefully between the three of us, Jess won’t feel so isolated.” Hope sparked in Mina. While a group of twenty-somethings wasn’t exactly ideal company for Jess, inviting Jess’s friends wasn’t an option, as they would all be at the dance. Jess really liked Eric and Karen, and at least this way, she wouldn’t have to be alone. “Do you want to meet us here?” Mina asked.
“Sounds good.”
“OK. Just give me an hour or so to get Jess calmed down and ready.”
“See you then, Mina.”
Warmth spread over her as he said her name. The night would be a far cry from what they’d originally planned, but she was touched that he was willing to sacrifice his evening to help her cheer Jess up. Her heart ached as she remembered his story, and she was sure that he would have done the same for his own sister, Amanda, if he’d had the chance. After saying goodbye, she ended the call and dialed Karen’s number, explaining their plans. When she agreed, all that was left to do was to get Jess on board.
“Hey,” Mina said, standing in the doorway to Jess’s room. “What are you drawing?”
Jess was sitting at her desk, bent over her sketch book, her hair hanging around her face like a curtain. She shrugged. “Nothing. Just a design.”
Mina crossed the room and stood behind her, craning her neck to see what little bit of the paper wasn’t obscured by her hair. “A floral design? It looks a little like my tattoo.” The vines Jess was sketching were gnarled and more thorn than blossom, but Mina chose not to mention that.
“Yeah. Kind of.” She sketched harder, her pencil scratching loudly across the paper.
“Have you thought about what you want to do tonight?”
Jess shrugged again.
“Well unless you have a different idea, Eric, Karen and I would like to take you out. We were thinking Ruby’s and a movie – your pick. How’s that sound?”
“Fine, I guess.” She agreed easily enough, but her tone was flat and devoid of enthusiasm.
“I’m really sorry about the dance, Jess.”
She kept sketching, and after a couple moments, Mina returned to the living room. She’d give Jess a few minutes to cool off before she suggested that they get ready. After all, she had an hour before Eric and Karen would show up. She took a seat at their small kitchen table and began cutting up an apple, snacking on the sweet slices as she watched a couple birds hop around on the sill of the kitchen window, where her favorite potted geranium was in full bloom. She was almost done with the apple when a knock came at the door. Had Eric or Karen arrived early? She frowned. Jess wasn’t ready yet.
But it was neither Eric nor Karen at the door. “Blake?”
Her teenaged neighbor stood at the threshold, a small bouquet of wildflowers clutched in one hand, the other shoved deep into his pocket. “Hi Mina.” His cheeks were a blazing shade of pink.
“Hi…” She eyed the colorful flowers, noting the similarity between the fuchsia daisies and his flushed face. God, could they be for her? Alarm coursed through her as she remembered the ways he’d been so helpful over the past few weeks, always helping her to carry things and never failing to say hello when they passed in the corridor or the parking lot.