sorry to be missing in action lately, my brother took my lap top to his university but I have it back now. I will, however, not be able to rp on March 9th - 13th because I will be in Florida.
Michelle laughed and shook her head at him. “You better pick it up afterwards.” She warned Jeremy in a playfully serious tone.
“You must travel sometimes with your Dad being a senator.” Jeremy stated just as the lights were going out hinting the start of the advertisements for the movies. Michelle shook her head. “I’m not really supposed to go with him.” She told him. “Well, atleast that’s what my daddy tells me. Or maybe he just doesn’t want me coming with him. I’d like to, though. Susie doesn’t go travelling with him either.” She began to quiet down her voice..
“Your turn to ask a question. Last one before the movie starts.” Jeremy said to her with a mysterious smirk.
Michelle tapped her finger on her chin again, thinking up various questions that seemed almost pointless to ask. Then she thought of the perfect question to ask. “Have you ever been in love?” She asked Jeremy in an inquisitive manner. She figured it might have been a good question to ask.
Jeremy drummed his finger’s on Sheila’s hood as the drive-in began to scatter with other adolescents whispering their own conversations. He thought about her question for moment or two.
“Not really.” He said with a small realization. He been with plenty of girls and had a few girlfriends but nothing really stood out.
“Love’s a strong word.” He said, as any person would say. “I’ve had a lot of feelings for girls but - I don’t know - I just don’t like to throw that word around in a romantic way unless I really mean it.” He explained, thinking back on those old flames. He knew it was supposed to be the last question, but he couldn’t help but wonder the same.
“Did you love anyone? Douglas?”
Michelle shook her head at Jeremy in disapproval. “You’re not supposed to litter.” She told him, sounding almost like a hippie.
“Got any dreams?” He asked her. Michelle had a puzzled look on her face. She didn’t really have any. She wanted to be in charge, and do her own thing, but that would pretty much be impossible. She wasn’t sure if she wanted kids. She wasn’t sure where she wanted to live when she got older. She wasn’t quite sure of anything at that point.
“I don’t really have any.” She said in an honest manner. She thought about it for a moment more. The only thing she could actually see herself doing was traveling. She knew that it was rather unrealistic, but it’s something she always pictured herself doing. Traveling the world, learning about different cultures, trying new foods, meeting new people. It could never be dull.
“I guess i’d like to travel, but that’s not a job or anything.”
Michelle watched Jeremy as he adjusted himself and frowned. She pulled one of his arms from behind his head, and laid it on the windshield. She placed her head comfortably right in between the space between his inner elbow and his shoulder.
“Who said I was littering? Just don’t want to get any soda rings on ol’ Sheila. She hates ‘em.” He told her with a nudge of his elbow.
A warm sense strew inside of Jeremy’s hands, he figured as much as he heard Michelle’s desire to travel. When you’re in Tulsa for so long, the world only seems more captivating. You want to see every single thing that doesn’t relate to what you’re familiar with - that not every place is as boring as they fear.
“You must travel sometimes with your Dad being a senator.” He waged as they laid across the hood close together. The lamp posts that guided cars to their designated areas turned off in a snap. Socs and Greasers began to hush each other’s conversation as the movie began.
“Your turn to ask a question. Last one before the movie starts.” He said, his smirk looked promising as he shared a glance with Michelle.
They had small adverts before the feature film started - usually about cars, food commercials or signing up for the army.
Michelle looked away from Jeremy’s stare as soon as he turned to her. There was something so different in him that she never saw in Douglas — he intimidated the hell out of her. She was used to running everything the way she wanted, and having Douglas do exactly what she said to do, exactly when she said to do it. But that wouldn’t be the case with Jeremy.
“You’re so different from Douglas.” She mumbled, not exactly sure if he could hear her or not.
Michelle pushed his chest with the palm of her hand. “Shut up.” She rolled her eyes and laughed. “It’s different if I insult you. You can’t insult yourself.”
Michelle tapped her chin lightly, thinking of a question to ask Jeremy. “Why haven’t you left Tulsa?”
She wanted to ask that question to so many of the people of Tulsa. If Michelle could, she’d move right out of Tulsa. Bringing along her father, of course. Everyone always seemed to be complaining about how much they hated Tulsa, but no one ever seemed to be moving away.
Jeremy was enjoying making Michelle nervous. As he reviewed events of the past, it always seemed that Michelle was never frightened or unsettled by Jeremy when it came to arguing. So, he was having fun with the anxious Michelle Swift when it came to small come-on’s. Maybe because the idea of them doing anything beyond what they’re doing was almost deemed forbidden in society’s judgemental view.
“You’re so different from Douglas.” Michelle almost whispered the observation. He wasn’t really sure how Douglas Evans was like to anyone else, obviously he wasn’t always insulting people like he did to Jeremy - but it did leave Jeremy curious. If he thought Michelle Swift was a cold heartless bitch in capable of emotion, what could he not see in Douglas? He had no interest to find out but the thought sparked in his mind.
“Hope I’m not.” He said simply.
She gave him a weak slap with her palm to his chest. “Shut up. It’s different if I insult you. You can’t insult yourself.” She cracked into laughter. “I’ll keep that in mind, Swift.” Jeremy said, finishing his coke and dropping the bottle into the dirt beside Sheila’s wheel. He stretched his arms over his head and used it as a head rest on the wind shield.
“Why haven’t you left Tulsa?”
“Never really planned on staying, just sort of happened. Had found a few good connections in jobs and just stuck through it. Plus, I guess I’m a sap for not wanting to leave my friends just yet. I got a dream to leave - I’m thinking somewhere sunny without the segregation. Maybe Florida or LA. Got to rack in the dough before I think of packing my bags, y’know?” He said, tilting his head to look at Michelle. He guessed she didn’t know, after all. She didn’t have to rack dough in her life.
“Got any dreams?” He questioned, interested in what the girl who has everything could want.
Michelle felt his bicep flex in her hand and tightened her grip to feel the muscle for a second, then let go and let her arm drop down to her side. She knew he did it purposely, so naturally, she took advantage of the opportunity. She was just curious as to how his muscles felt.
“You’re not white trash.” Michelle told him as her eyebrows furrowed. “Don’t say that.”
When they got to the car, Michelle went back to her spot on the hood of the Thunderbird. She stretched out her legs, and opened her box of Swedish Fish.
“You thinking about going to University?” She thought about his question. She hadn’t thought about college in a while. She had already been accepted, but she was getting a little if-y about leaving her dad.
“Well of course I’ve thought about it.” She nodded her head. “I think i’ll end up going to Oklahoma State next fall.” Michelle definitely wanted to go to college, but she didn’t know what she wanted to do in her future. She didn’t want to just go to college and not have anything come out of it. Michelle couldn’t ever be a stay-home mom, not in a million years.
Michelle gripped on his muscle before dropping her hand. He looked at her with an inviting gleam peering through his blue eyes. There was a challenge through his stare. He had a lot of fun teasing Michelle through simple body language. She ought to know what she’s missing out on in comparison to Douglas. He had an advantage of being older, taller, more built from working.
“Just a few weeks ago, I think you’d love to use that insult on me.” His laughter exploded like a fire work. “Funny how things can change.” He said.
They made it back to Sheila and pre-ocuppied her hood once more. He stretched out his long legs and placed his back on the wind shield. He lifted his glass bottle of Coca-cola to his lips and took a swig, letting out a refreshed noise from his lips.
“Well of course I’ve thought about it. I think i’ll end up going to Oklahoma State next fall.”
Michelle uttered her plans, Jeremy nodded in approval.
“Not too shabby. I’ve heard good things.” He said, taking another gulp of the brown beverage. “Your turn, ask me something.”
Michelle frowned at Jeremy’s short story. “Sorry..” She told him, rather unsure of what to say next. She wasn’t used to showing feelings of sorrow and sympathy. She felt like it made her vulnerable. “I don’t know what to say.” She admitted as she took the candy from the cashier. “And thanks.” She told Jeremy.
Michelle pondered on everything Jeremy had told her. The fact that Jeremy’s dad’s girlfriend was another Susie? That made her skin crawl. Nobody should have to encounter someone who could possibly be worse than she was. Growing up completely on your own, with a point in your life not having a place to live? She couldn’t even imagine it. Michelle didn’t know what it was like not to have the things she needed. She was always privileged. Always had the finer things in life. Never had to work a day in her life. She always knew she was lucky. But the fact that somebody else could be working three jobs without having their parents around, no place to live, and having to go to school, all happening at once? It made her feel a lot more than just lucky.
She stepped out of line, and waited for Jeremy to head back to the car with her. “Let’s talk about personal things that are a little less, depressing?” Michelle suggested as she walked on over to the car. “Ask me anything, and i’ll answer honestly.” She said casually. She figured it would be nice to learn the little things about each other.
Jeremy picked up their drinks and offered one to Michelle. He paid the cashier before following her out of line. He didn’t seem to phased, he met her eyes again. “Nothing to be sorry about. Guess I’m just the poster boy of white greaser trash.” He forced a smile. Jeremy took a plentiful chug of his coke. With her hand around his bicep, he couldn’t resist the urge to flex in her grasp, he had to for his own amusement.
“Enough bout that, anyhow.” He said as they strolled to the Thunderbird. “Let’s talk about personal things that are a little less, depressing?” He laughed at her suggestion. “My thoughts exactly.” Jeremy said through a sheepish smile.
“Ask me anything, and i’ll answer honestly.” Michelle said nonchalantly. Jeremy scrunched his lips and stared up at the sparkling sky. He could have some fun with this little game.
“Alright.” He voice swam with mischief. “You thinking about going to University?”
Michelle nodded and gave Jeremy a half smile. “I know I shouldn’t let it get to me.” She rubbed her arm up and down, and scrunched up her nose. A routine she did when she was a little nervous. “I just can’t help it.” Whenever she encountered Piper, it always ended with the topic of their mother. How Michelle stole her from her, ruined both Piper and their mother’s lives. Every single time.
She listened to Jeremy as he briefly told her how and when his mom had died. Michelle was about the same age when her mother died also. She was surprised to hear that his father left him, and put her hand around his bicep. She stared at him in disbelief.
“Your dad left you..?” Michelle couldn’t bare to think what that must be like. Of course, living without a mother was hard enough, but Michelle had no idea what she would ever do without her father. “But you were so young. Why would he do that? How did you deal with that?” She knew many people who had single parents, but she didn’t know any who had neither a mother nor a father.
Michelle got to the counter and looked at the young boy behind the counter. “Can I please have, uhh,” She looked at the assortments of candy that they had. “Swedish fish please.” She smiled politely.
Jeremy’s eyes filmed over as he remembered his dad. Harvey was the reason for Jeremy’s flirtatious ways. It started as a way for something him and Harvey to talk about - because they never spoke much until Jeremy came home from his first date when he was twelve. It was all about sex. If Jeremy wasn’t getting some, he was a wuss. It was all they had between them after his mom died and Jeremy was desperate for some sort of bond. Which ended up turning him into a prick for a long time. He used as a way to keep a friendship with Harvey but then began to use it as a way to dull the pain of having lost his mother.
“Oh, yeah. He left in a heart beat after he met some dame; Priscilla. Let’s just say her and Susie would have gotten along swell.” Jeremy apprised as they made their way to the counter. A few weeks after Jeremy turned sixteen, Harvey was packing his things. He didn’t seem to troubled with leaving him behind. It was that day Jeremy found out he was never his father. “You’re not my responsibility. You’re not mine.” The words rang through his head. Jeremy broke back into reality, shaking his head, avoiding memory lane. He wasn’t going to tell Michelle the full story in front of a random cashier vendor.
“It wasn’t easy. I had to keep it a secret for a while so they wouldn’t put me in a boy’s home. I worked three jobs while I was a Junior in High school, couldn’t keep up though. Lost the house. Lived on the streets for a while after but I graduated anyway. Not a lot of people know.” He tried to keep his tone as casual as possible. He tried to leave Douglas out of the story - their beef began shortly after Harvey left.
“Oh, and two cokes, please. Thanks.” He told the vendor, who appeared to be eavesdropping. He couldn’t look Michelle in the eye as he told his story.
Michelle pursed her lips and shook her head. She didn’t exactly know why she was opening up to Jeremy about this. She had only recently spoken to Amy Lewis about her mother, and she and Amy had been bestfriends since they were in diapers. “Piper thinks it’s my fault my.. well our mother died. She actually blames me for my mom having fucking cancer.” She looked up at the sky, then back to Jeremy. “She says I didn’t deserve her as a mom. That I took our mom away from her. She still gives me shit for it.” Michelle turned away. Never in a million years would she ever think of telling something like that to Jeremy Smith. But she did, and she couldn’t take it back.
Michelle walked along side Jeremy to the snack stand. She leaned against a rope pole as they stood in line. “My mom’s dead too.” Jeremy told her. She didn’t expect him to say that, and was a little bit surprised. Michelle looked at him with sympathetic brown eyes. “I’m sorry.” She said.
The fact that Michelle could actually have common ground with Jeremy completely blew her mind. She always figured there couldn’t be one thing they could ever have in common. Now, she was certain that they couldn’t be as opposite as she thought they were to each other.
“When? And how?” She asked with obvious interest. She wasn’t sure if he’d answer the question though. It might not be something he was open to speaking about with anyone, especially Michelle Swift. But, it couldn’t hurt to ask.
Jeremy shook his head, realizing why Piper always had a scowl at the mention of Michelle. He lifted his eyebrows as he mulled the information over in his head.
“She had cancer,” He murmured. “It’s not like you gave it to your mother.” He stated obviously, although he was aware that when a family member dies, people find their own ways to grief. And he figured Piper’s way of reflecting the death of their mother was to blame somebody else. He could relate in a way. Jeremy leaned his arm into Michelle’s arm as they shuffled through the line.
“I know it doesn’t mean much, but don’t let it get to you. It’s not your fault.” Jeremy uttered his last sentence slower than the rest. He really wanted her to know that it wasn’t her fault.
As he brought up his own mother, she offered her sympathy. “It’s fine.” he replied, although it wasn’t fine at all. “She died withTuberculosis when I was nine. Then I lived with.. um, my father until he left when I was.. sixteen? Yeah.” He shrugged his shoulders effortlessly as he remembered. Stumbling with calling the man his father.
