Chapter 20: Learning

In a few short minutes following the 9-1-1 call, the Milverton and Northbrook University Campus Police arrive, along with an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) squad. After an assessment to ensure the girl has no serious injuries from the attack, the police move in to take her statements while her memories of the events are fresh. Being I was the first to see her running towards our dorm building, they take a statement from me as well. They want to know if I saw any other persons in the vicinity when the girl arrived, unfortunately, I did not.

“How could this happen?” one of the bystanders asks, “I thought they arrested that asshole Flasher last weekend?”

“Must not have the right guy,” I quietly answer. I already suspected this was the case, but keep my opinions on the matter to myself.

A few more officers enter the building and I overhear them discussing footprints they found in the snow by the dumpster area. Sounds like they followed them, but they eventually met up with other footprints on the main path and they lost track of where the perpetrator could have gone.

With not much else to do and the girl now in good hands, I hike up the four flights of stairs to my floor. It’s after four o’clock in the morning, I’m probably going to sleep the better part of the day away tomorrow.

A total of three inches of snow fell through the night, respectable for early November in my opinion, but I guess that’s normal for being farther north. One good thing about living up here is, I won’t have to take my turns clearing the snow off the walks and driveway as I did at home, that’s the job of the Campus Grounds Crew. I’m sure this fact will sink in with Luke on their first snow of the season. He’s already been bitching about me not being there to help him rake the leaves.

I slept till 1:00 pm in the afternoon. Somehow, I miraculously escaped a hangover, staying up so late probably helped wear off the effects of the beer. In the cafeteria, there’s plenty of conversation buzzing again about the Flasher at large. Seems word about what happened last night has already spread around, no surprise with everyone connected via social media.

Alex is happy things are working out with Nicole, he’s been talking a lot about her and says she seems genuinely interested, I’m happy for him. He told me he was a little confused by the way Caroline kissed him at the party last night but figured she was probably a little drunk. He did admit he liked it and feels more confident now about the possibility of eventually kissing Nicole, score one for Caroline for helping my friend over a hurdle.

On Monday, when I return to the dorm after my classes, Jack stops me in the hallway. “Oh, hey Kyle, thanks for returning my wallet the other night, I appreciate it.”

“No problem, Dan found it in his truck.”

“I don’t where my head was at to leave it behind like that.”

“How have you been?” I ask, and then broach the subject of his odd behavior, “You seem a little preoccupied lately, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah ... everything is good...” and, there he goes again, a simple question about his well-being and he’s off to never-never land. He holds out his hand to shake, “Listen, I gotta run ... Thanks again for returning my wallet.”

As Jack begins to leave, no doubt to dodge my questions, I try for one more, “What is it you’re building?”

“Hard to explain,” he calls over his shoulder, “Basically ... a bridge or sorts...” With that, he’s gone.

‘A bridge of sorts’? That doesn’t make much sense, a bridge for what? Unless it’s some sort of shop assignment for a structural engineering course or something...

On Tuesday morning, Abby texted me that she will be taking Caroline with her to classes. Most of the professors are fine with occasional visitors. Who knows, if there’s interest, it could lead to a future, tuition-paying, student for the university. The three of us meet in the cafeteria at the Halsig Center.

Normally, Abby is more cheerful at lunchtime, but today, she seems on edge, like something is bothering her. With our trays loaded, we find a table. “Hmmm, the food ain’t bad around here,” Caroline remarks, taking a bite of her pastrami sandwich, “A lot better than that hog slop they fed us in high school.”

“Oh, come on,” Abby rolls her eyes, “It wasn’t that bad.”

“This, coming from the daughter of a chef?” Caroline mumbles.

Behind me, I’m listening in on the conversation of the people at the next table, they’re talking about the Omega Alpha guy from the bonfire. They’re saying that, “Considering what happened early Sunday morning, and that the police confirmed his whereabouts when previous Flasher incidents occurred, he’s been cleared of all charges and will be allowed to return to the university.” I snicker to myself that he’s probably still pissed that he missed out when the Super-Sucker showed up at his fraternity house last weekend.

I flick my thumb in their direction and say to the girls, “Did you hear that? That Frat guy was cleared.”

“Yes,” Abby answers, “Belinda, Tanya, and I were talking about it this morning.”

“So, what did Tanya have to say about it?” I only asked because she was so certain they had arrested the right guy when I wasn’t.

“She admitted you were right.” That’s good, I think to myself. It’s not that I have a deep need to always be right, but everyone likes a little validation from time to time.

“Her exact words were, ‘Hmmph ... Bathrobe Boy could be right,’” Caroline adds.

“‘Bathrobe Boy?’” I ask.

“Yeah,” Abby says, “Remember that morning you were wearing my robe and had nothing on underneath? You gave her a good peek at your-”

“Oh, for god’s sake...” I shake my head, “With everything going on, she had to remember that?”

“Well,” Abby smirks, “It was pretty funny.”

“Maybe for all of you ... but, for me? Not so much...”

“Now that, I would like to have seen!” Caroline laughs, “Oh wait, I guess I already did! In a creative, photogenic, sort of way...”

“Shhhh!” Abby shushes her, “Not so loud. And, I told you to forget that ever happened!”

“How could anyone forget a blunder like that? You made me proud that day, Abigail!”

“‘Proud?’”

“Hell yeah, girlfriend! Nothing beats getting an unexpected pic of your bestie’s hoo-hah with her boyfriend plugged in! Talk about - Wow!” Okay, Caroline is just pushing buttons for the hell of it now, this is going beyond awkward and might get ugly.

To make matters worse, we’ve been overheard and hear snickering from the people at the next table. Abby is getting understandably pissed and turning red. “Knock it off, or you can go back to the house and be bored!” she scolds, like a frustrated parent.

“Who the hell do you think you are? My mother?”

“I’ve about had it with you! All day yesterday, you’re complaining because we don’t have Netflix, or Hulu, complaining because I had homework to do, complaining that it’s ‘so boring around this house’,” Abby mimics a whining Caroline, “Then today, in class, you’re constantly fidgeting, clearing your throat and exaggerating yawning. You’re acting like a spoiled child!”

“Well, excuse my fuckin’ existence! You should have told me it was going to be a damn snooze-fest in there, sheesh!”

“You’re the one that wanted to get out and come with me. Remember?” Abby snaps back. “This may be a little vacation for you, but the rest of us have responsibilities, you know.”

Caroline mutters something unintelligible, but it’s probably for the best we couldn’t make it out, I’m sure it wasn’t good. Now, I know what’s been irritating Abby. It’s clear that spending every minute of the last three, or four, days together is wearing thin with these two. I remember Jeff, Marc, and I would get bitchy with each other, just like this, if we spent too much time hanging out.

As if some higher power has also noticed the escalating catfight, I hear my phone bloop from a text. It’s a group text from Mr. Janks, my Philosophy professor, telling us that this afternoon’s class is canceled due to an unexpected appointment he needs to attend. He also informed us that, Miss Dovey, our student teacher-aide, is out sick today.

“So, Caroline, wanna spend the afternoon with me?”

“I guess...” she rolls her eyes, more at Abby than me, “As long as your class isn’t a complete snore-gasm like hers was.”

Abby shoots her a quick, middle finger, flip-off.

“Well, we’re in luck, my Philosophy 101 was canceled today, we’re free to do whatever.”

“Great! Let’s go get drunk! I could use a stiff drink about now.”

Abby drops the spoon in her soup, “And, what’s that supposed to mean?”

The dialing-in, aiming-look on Caroline’s face, tells me she’s lining up to fire back. I hold my hands up making a quick time-out, T-motion to break up this ugly exchange, “I’ll just take Caroline with me and give you a little break, okay?”

“I don’t need a fuckin’ babysitter,” Caroline mumbles, getting up to take her tray of dirty dishes to the return line.

“I’m sorry you had to hear all this,” Abby whispers once Caroline is out of earshot, “I like having her here, but dang, she’s really getting on my nerves.”

“It happens. Friends are great, but and we all need a breather every now and then.”

“No, kidding!” She looks at the time, “I’m gonna get to class before she pisses me off even worse.” With a kiss, Abby whispers, “Thank you, Kyle. Love you!”

Outside, I tell Caroline, “Let’s walk over to the Marketplace, I need to pick up my paycheck.”

“Lead the way, Studly.”

“So ... other than today, have you been having fun here?” I ask.

“Yeah, I am ... I know I get on Abigail’s nerves, my mouth gets the better of me, I can’t help it sometimes.”

“Can I offer a little advice?”

“It’s probably nothing I don’t already know, but go for it...”

“Poking people’s buttons can be funny, but you need to know when to ease off. Know what I mean?”

“Yeah ... I know I get carried away ... I think I do it as an escape from all the other bullshit in my life. Like, why I’m even here...”

“Your parents?”

“Exactamundo!” she snaps her fingers, “Lookee here, we have a winner, give this handsome bloke a prize.”

I get the sense she needs to vent, but I don’t want to be nosey and pry into Caroline’s family life. On the other hand, I can’t really offer much if I don’t know what’s really going on. After walking the better part of a block and not saying much, I mention that “I’ve been told I’m a good listener ... if you ever need a couple of fresh ears.”

“‘Fresh ears?’” she laughs, “You sound like an ad for a new shipment of corn in the produce department.”

“Well, I do work in a grocery store,” I smile back.

“Okay, if you want me to lay it out, I will. It’s like this: Historically, my parental units never got along very well, but they kept it under control around me and my older brother. After I turned 18 and graduated, it’s like all hell broke loose.”

“How so?” I ask.

“The fights became more volatile, screaming at each other, slamming doors, all that fucked-up shit. Last summer, I spent a fair amount of time at Abby’s house or working as many hours as they would let me. A week ago, they were getting into it again over the same stupid shit as always, like who forgot to buy eggs and milk, or who forgot to pay the bills, you get the idea. Long story short, I had enough, told ‘em both to grow the fuck up, jumped in my car, and headed north.”

“Wow ... I didn’t know it was so bad...”

“It is what it is,” she shrugs, “I’m not looking for pity; just saving up so I can get the hell out, rent an apartment or something.”

“Where would you go?”

“Don’t know. I wouldn’t mind getting out of Spring Haven; god knows, I’ve seen enough of that place. Maybe, I’ll get lost in a big city like Chicago, New York, or even L.A.”

“That would be an adventure.”

“Probably too much adventure, the thought of it actually scares the shit out of me. I’ve heard it’s pretty damn pricey to live anywhere decent in a city – look-out ghetto, here I come.”

“How about setting your sights on something smaller?”

“That’s the reality, unfortunately. Hell,” she says, looking around, “this place ain’t so bad, maybe I’ll settle my ass in this podunk town ... at least I know two people here.”

“I’m sure Abby would like that.”

This elicits a half-hearted chuckle out of Caroline, “After this fucked-up morning? I doubt it. I’ve overstayed my welcome, and as the old song goes, ‘I think it’s time for me to fly.’”

“Abby will be fine. All friends get pissy with each other every now and then.”

“Is that how it is with you and Alex? Do you two ‘get pissy’ with each other?”

“Sure,” I shrug, “It’s no biggie, we work our issues out.”

“Like hiding out for days at your girlfriend’s place? Abby told me about how she dated Alex when she was being Gail, and then found you when she was Abby.” Of course, Caroline had to call me out on that event. “Quite a bit a drama from what I heard...”

“Yeah ... that one was a pretty big blow-up, but it was more of a situation of lousy coincidence. I was referring more to when friends spend too much time together and let little things tick them off.”

“I hear ya, but I should be getting back, probably head for home in the morning. My boss is easy going about letting me pick my schedule, but I don’t want to push my luck.”

“Where do you work?”

“At Spencer’s in the Mall.”

How did I know this? Spencer Gifts sells adult novelty items like, concert t-shirts, black-light posters, incense, bong pipes, drinking games, gag gifts, scented oils, and body piercing jewelry. They also have a naughty section with a variety of sex games, lingerie, items for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and even a few sex toys.

I remember, as kids, Jeff, Marc, and I wandered in there and couldn’t believe what we saw, it was so cool. Later, Mom overheard us talking and wasn’t too happy, she told me that store was inappropriate and to stay out of there. That only made the place even more attractive in the “forbidden fruit” way. If our parents forbid it, then the drive to explore is increased. It’s no surprise that Caroline works there, a perfect fit for her look and quirky nature.

“What’s so funny?” she asks, seeing me snickering.

“Oh nothing, I was just remembering the first time I was in Spencer’s as a kid.”

“Tell me about it! That store is a trip, ain’t it?”

“My mom forbade me to go back,” I laugh.

“Ten-bucks says you went anyway, didn’t you?”

“Hell, yeah!”

Our walking has led us to the Milverton Marketplace. “I’ll just be a minute, I need to go in and grab my check. You want anything from here?”

“How about a couple of chocolate-covered ice cream bars?”

“On a cold day like this?”

“Sure,” she shrugs, “They won’t melt so fast.”

Strolling up Main Street, each with an ice cream bar in hand like it’s a Summer day brings a few strange looks from the passer-by. “What’s your brother like?” I ask, “Does he still live at home?”

“Nah, he moved out a few years ago. He’s cool, five years older than me. Got a job in Saginaw and moved in with his girlfriend, they have a kid on the way.”

“You’ll be an Aunt soon.”

“Yup ... I’ll be Weird Aunt Caroline who says and does the oddest things. His girlfriend doesn’t like me too much.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it, that’s her problem, not yours...” After a bit, I say, “I was thinking about your parents ramping up the arguments last Summer. Maybe, when you were younger, they kept it tame to, at least, try to be parents to you and your brother? Now that he’s on his own, and you’ve graduated-”

“The demons don’t feel the need to mask their horns any longer,” Caroline finishes my thought. I might not have used the word ‘demons’, but from her point of view, it’s probably accurate. “You’re right, still sucks though, forcing me to grow up pretty damn fast.”

As we pass the Game and Card Shop, I hear the door fling open and Zach calls out, “Hey Kyle! Kyle, wait-up.”

We stop and go back, “What’s up?” I ask.

“Last night, I was visiting one of my friends in Leecliffe Hall. While I was waiting for him to come down, I saw Nicole from our dorm on one of the couches.”

“Okay...” I shrug, “What’s so special about that?”

“You tell me? Take a look,” Zach shows us a short video on his phone that he took over his shoulder. Yup, there’s Nicole, and look at the close-contact way she’s straddling some guy’s lap with her arms around his neck. His hands appear to be roaming rather freely all over her ass while her lips are locked with his. I notice this dude is different from the Aiden guy we saw her with at Tony’s Pizzeria the other night. How many boyfriends does this chick have? When the video ends, Zack asks, “Isn’t she supposed to be dating Alex?”

“That’s what I thought ... What the fuck?” For clarification, I ask, “And, you’re positive this was last night?”

“Yup,” Zach nods.

“Told you that bitch is nothing but a rotten whore,” Caroline scowls.

“I don’t know what to do here,” Zach shakes his head, “Should we tell Alex? Or, do nothing and let it go? I feel so bad for him...”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Caroline plants her hands on her hips, “Why is this even a question? Why would you even consider ‘doing nothing and letting it go?’ Alex is your friend, he needs to know exactly what this skanky, stretched-out, cunt is up to when he’s not around.”

Bitch, rotten whore, and, skanky, stretched-out cunt, there’s nothing quite as venomous as one woman verbally gunning for another; Caroline does not mince words over how much she despises Nicole. Although, I do find this level of animosity odd, even for her. Normally she acts like she could care less about most things, except this ... Makes me wonder if she’s developed some sort of soft spot for Alex?

“We’ll tell him,” I say.

“You need to,” she curtly agrees, “I think I’ve just changed my mind about going home tomorrow, seems I need to stick around a few more days...”

Zach needs to get back into the Game and Card Shop, apparently, he’s working here now. “See you later at the dorm?”

“Sure,” I wave.

Continuing our walk, my black-haired, black attired companion seems deep in thought. If I could read minds, I would say she’s plotting. “So, you’re gonna stay longer?” I ask.

“Yeah ... And, we need to do this right...” she mumbles.

“Do what right?”

“Put that festering twat, Nicole, in her place.”

‘Festering twat’, there’s a new one...

Back to my dorm, Caroline and I and share a couple of beers from the small fridge. The whole time she’s coming up with wild schemes to get back at Nicole. One of her crazy ideas is to find a nude pic on the internet of some super-hung dude getting a suck-job and then have Alex “accidentally” send it to Nicole with a text message thanking some fictitious other-girl for a “great night”. Laughing, I told her we wouldn’t have to waste time searching the web, we could probably arrange the whole thing and take our own pics via Leona’s special services. Her stone-cold look to the idea let me know she didn’t think it was as funny as I do...

Abby texted, asking how it was going. I told her everything is fine. She wants to spend a couple of hours in the Library researching a project and will meet up with us for dinner.

Liking the pizza from Tony’s, Caroline asked if we could go back there, Abby and I agreed. Meeting at the Library, Abby tells us she needs to stop by the house to get her glasses, her contacts are bugging her today.

Walking a few paces ahead of us, it’s clear that Abby is still perturbed with her friend from earlier. Caroline reads the body language and catches up to put her arm around her shoulder, “Look, I’m not very good at this, so here goes ... I’m sorry for being such a whiny bitch this morning. I know I get on your nerves, but I’ll knock off the horseshit. I promise...”

Sometimes, a simple acknowledgment and apology is all it takes, Abby stops and hugs her, “It’s okay,” she sniffles, “I wasn’t ... that mad...”

“I’ve known you for what, ten years now? Trust me, I know when you’ve got a stick jammed up your ass!”

“I do not!” an embarrassed Abby laughs, “And, for your information, I’ve never had anything ... up ... my ass.”

Caroline shoots me a smirk and I hold my hands up, “Don’t look at me, I’m a front-door kinda guy.”

“Really?” Caroline fakes disappointment, “So, there’s no probing it up the ‘ol poop-chute? Because I’ve heard anal sex can be-”

“Okay! Okay,” Abby plugs her ears, “I do not need to hear this!” In a way, it’s good to see Caroline doing what she does best, dishing out the awkward in truly glorious form, but also keeping it light-hearted and fun. When we get to the house, Abby digs in her backpack for her key. “Oh, look! I had my glasses the whole time, they’re right here.”

“So, we walked all the way over here for nothing?” Caroline mutters, “Sorry, sorry, not complaining...”

“Since we’re here, can I use your bathroom?” I ask, “I gotta take a leak.”

“Sure.” Abby hands me the key, “Just go in my back door, then you don’t have to take your shoes off.”

“Yeah, that’s it, Kyle, just go in her ‘back door,’” Caroline repeats, still snickering over Abby’s reaction to the subject of anal sex. I laugh about it too, it is pretty funny.

“You two have been spending wayyy too much time together,” Abby rolls her eyes, “I should have just stayed at the library...”

At Abby’s, when you enter from the rear... “Enter from the rear,” here we go again ... Anyway, when you come in the back-door... “Come in the back-door...” Good god, is there any way to describe this, and avoid the obvious minefield of double entendres following a conversation about butt-fucking?

Let’s try the technical approach to describe this: When using the house entrance that faces the backyard, one would find themselves in the laundry room. Through the laundry room, is the kitchen which has an opening on the right that leads to the hall and bathroom. There’s another opening on the opposite wall that leads to the front room in a straight shot.