Chapter 3

Dozens of candles flickered and cast a subtle light as they stood in front of everyone. A warm and caring voice was heard...

“Do you, Scott, take Karmen to be your wife? To have and to hold, to love, honor and cherish for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“And do you, Karmen, take Scott to be your husband? To have and to hold, to love, honor and cherish for as long as you both shall live?”

Looking at her intended, with eyes full of love, Karmen felt her heart pounding with joy. “I do.”

“Then, what God has placed together, let no man put asunder. I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss...”

BRRRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGG...!!!!!!!!!!!

Karmen’s eyes popped open and she groaned in frustration. She was ready to throw the alarm clock that sat on her night table across the room so that it smashed against the wall. She had not slept well last night because of the excitement that was building up inside of her. Today was Wednesday and Scott would be here tonight! The family would drive to the airport right after dinner in their minivan to pick him up.

“Come on, sleepy-head! Lots to do today! And we still have school!” Felicia could be heard laughing in the hallway as her sister pulled the covers to the side and got out of bed.

Hector had already left for his office, leaving Sylvia to eat breakfast with her daughters. Well, Felicia was eating. Karmen was just nibbling toast and sipping coffee with a far off look in her eyes. “Sweetie, you need to eat something. It’s going to be a long day. And you need something to get you through to lunch. And I do expect you to eat today!”

“Si, mama. I’m just so excited! It’s like I have tiny bats fluttering inside me. I just can’t wait to see Scott again! This day will be an eternity!”

“Oh, it’s not going to be that bad! He will be here in twelve hours and the two of you can sit in the third row seats so you can kiss and cuddle while papa drives home!”

“FELICIA!” Sylvia cast a stern look at her middle daughter, then burst into laughter. “I suppose I still have enough time to go to Walmart and get a tent for the back yard.”

Sitting with her friends at the lunch table, Karmen was sharing with her friends how Scott would be getting to Tempe this evening, and the school district had granted permission for him to attend classes with Karmen as her guest for Thursday and Friday. Karmen had finally told Scott that her dress for Saturday was a deep burgundy, so he could find a tie to match. She hadn’t let him see a picture of the dress, though, since it was a surprise.

Scott had joked that he might wear a Lodi High sweatshirt to the game on Friday. “You will do no such thing!” she had scolded him. “I got a nice sweatshirt from my school for you to wear! It’s orange! Our team color!” There was only one safe answer. “Yes, dear.”

The girls all teased Karmen and said that they planned to flirt shamelessly with Scott and be silly to make him feel at home. That would be allowed, they were told. But NO kissing!

“Karmen? May I have a few moments of your time?”

The giggling stopped as everyone turned to see Merced standing near the end of the table.

“What do you want?”

“I had hoped that you would have taken the time to rethink my request to escort you to the dance. I really do believe we would have a wonderful time together.”

“What part of ‘no’ are you not understanding?” Karmen glared. “I told you, I’m not interested. You want a date? Go find some girl in the 9th grade who doesn’t know about you. My boyfriend will be getting here tonight and again, I’M NOT INTERESTED. So go away!”

“Well, if he will be here, he can take your sister instead of you. I know she’s a senior.”

“Yeah. And she’s dating ‘Tank’ Hogan.”

Merced blinked. Thaddeus ‘Tank’ Hogan was a lineman on the varsity football team. He was rather large and built like his nickname. “I was not aware of that. But still, I really do like you and I believe I know you better than this stranger from California.”

“Know me? Really?” Karmen couldn’t help but laugh. “Prove it. When is my birthday? What’s my favorite color? What are my hobbies? What instrument do I play?”

“I ... I...” Merced was stumped.

“Again, not interested! Go away. Stop stalking me.” With a slightly raised voice, Karmen continued. “If you don’t stop, I will talk to someone in the office about this. I refuse to be a notch on your bedpost like so many others.”

“That’s not true! I just...”

“Dude! She said she’s not interested. Time to beat feet.” Merced turned and saw the previously mentioned ‘Tank’ Hogan as well as two other members of the football team looking at him with scowls. They had noticed the gathering and heard raised voices. ‘Tank’ had been kept up to date by Felicia about the pending visit of Karmen’s boyfriend and came over to help her.

Turning, Merced strode towards the cafeteria doors, thinking that he was going to find this interloper and explain a few facts to him about dating someone he had no business being interested in.

“Are you okay?” one of the other students asked.

“Si. It’s just that I can’t get him to understand I’m not interested.”

“Do you have a picture of your boyfriend? If we know what he looks like, we can have the guys keep an eye out for him, just in case that idiot tries anything.”

“Si. Felicia took this picture of us.” She held up her phone so everyone could see the couple sitting together on the porch swing at the house in Lodi.

‘Tank’ nodded as he studied the picture. “Have Felicia send me a copy of this so I can make sure the guys on the team know what he looks like. Don’t worry, Karmen. We got this covered.”