Meet Me At Midnight, page 14
"Ah, that's better," Winston said with a smile, wriggling his toes. Then he picked up Maria's letter and ripped it open. "Time to face the music," he said.
Fearing the worst, Winston read through the letter quickly. His heart nose-dived into the sand as he skimmed the contents.
Dear Winston,
My horseback riding skills are getting better and better. . . . Hank and I go out every day. . . . Now I can even ride bareback. . . . I'm going to the country for a few days with my grandmother and Hank, so I won't be able to write.
Maria
Winston winced. Now she was running away with Hank. He just couldn't understand why she wouldn't be more direct about it. I've had it, he decided. I'm sick of not being appreciated. I'm going to write her a letter and break up with her myself.
He picked up the envelope to stuff the letter back in, but a picture fluttered out and fell in the sand. Winston looked at it in alarm. What if it was a wedding shot? Relax, man, he told himself. Don't go jumping to crazy conclusions. After all, Maria was only sixteen. She wasn't getting married anytime soon.
Winston picked up the picture cautiously and brushed the sand off it. He stared at the image, and his eyes almost popped out of his head. Thinking his imagination was playing tricks on him, Winston closed his eyes and looked again. Then he fell back in the sand and laughed and laughed. The picture was of Maria and an old man in a cowboy hat and chaps. The man had a weathered face and light blue eyes. Winston turned the photo over. Me and Hank was written on the back.
Winston was flooded with relief. He couldn't believe he had ever doubted Maria. Or himself. Most of all, he couldn't wait to tell her all about it. He knew she'd have a good laugh.
An hour later Jessica stood up on the pedals of her bicycle, struggling to make it through the last stretch on the two-lane highway in town. She breathed a sigh of relief as she caught sight of the blinking neon light of the restaurant ahead. Braking slightly, she coasted down the road. Her whole body was screaming out in agony. Her lips were parched, and her body was drenched in sweat.
As she reached the restaurant she wiped a hand on her brow and steered the bike into the parking lot. She slid off the bike and pushed down the kickstand with her foot. Her body trembled from heat and exhaustion.
Crossing the lot, Jessica swung through the door of the restaurant. She knew she looked like a wreck, but at this point she didn't care.
The restaurant was almost deserted. A few customers sat at the tables, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. One of the regulars was perched on a stool. But it looked like nobody was working behind the counter. Jessica hopped up on a stool and waited.
Then a waiter came out of the kitchen, holding a tray in his hand. He was a young guy wearing black pants and a white shirt. He had long, dirty blond hair pulled back in a ponytail and a tiny gold hoop in his left ear.
He set a plate down in front of the man at the counter and turned to Jessica. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"Yeah, can I have a drink of water?" Jessica asked.
"Sure," he said. "Coming right up." Moments later he placed a tall glass of ice water in front of her. Jessica drank it down in one gulp and set it on the counter.
"Thanks," she said, sliding off the stool.
The waiter laughed. "Is that all you wanted?"
"Actually I'm looking for Paul," Jessica explained. "Is it OK if I go in back?"
"He's not here," the waiter said.
"What do you mean, he's not here?" Jessica asked.
"Wednesday is Paul's day off," the waiter explained.
Jessica collapsed into a booth. She had come all this way for nothing. Then she sat up with determination. Wherever he was, she'd find him.
"Do you know where he is?" Jessica asked.
"He's probably at home," the waiter replied.
"Can you give me the address?" Jessica asked. "I've got my bike, and I could ride over there. I've got to see him. It's extremely important."
The waiter shook his head. "I'd be happy to give you the address, but unfortunately you can't get there by bike. You have to take the highway through a tunnel, and there's no bike path."
Jessica's face fell.
"Tell you what," the waiter said. "I've got a break. Leave your bike here and I'll take you to the Mathises' house in my Jeep."
"Oh, thank you," Jessica said, giving him a grateful smile.
A half an hour later the waiter dropped her off in front of a small white house in a residential area. A rickety old porch led to the front door and a white picket fence surrounded the yard. A little terrier was playing in the grass.
"See you!" Jessica waved, jumping out of the car and hurrying across the lawn.
The dog yapped at Jessica as she moved toward the house.
Jessica put her finger to her lips and the dog abruptly quit barking. "Good dog," she whispered.
Jessica ran up the steps of the porch and lifted her finger to ring the bell. But before she reached the doorbell, the door swung open. Paul stood in the doorway, barefoot and unshaven. He was wearing faded torn blue jeans and a white cotton shirt.
'"What are you doing here?" he asked rudely.
"I had to find you," Jessica said.
"Well, I'm busy," Paul said in a curt voice, turning around abruptly and letting the door shut behind him.
Undaunted, Jessica pushed open the door and followed him down the hall to a big yellow kitchen. Pots and pans hung on the wall, and fresh orange tulips stood in a vase on a butcher-block table.
Paul wheeled around when he heard her footsteps. "I told you, I'm busy. Now would you mind getting out of my house?"
Jessica shrugged out of her backpack and rubbed her aching neck. "Would you just hear me out?" she asked.
"No, I won't," Paul responded, his arms folded across his chest. "I don't want to hear any more false promises from you. I already told you what I think about dumb blondes. And you haven't exactly shown me that you're any different from the rest of them."
Jessica could feel her blood boiling. If there was one thing she couldn't take, it was being called a dumb blonde. "Fine, have it your way," she said, her face set. "I'm sorry I sent you the letter in the first place." She grabbed her backpack and stormed down the hall.
Paul ran down the hall after her and yanked her around by the arm. "What letter?" he demanded.
"The letter I sent you explaining that I couldn't come Monday night," Jessica said, tapping her foot impatiently. "Lacey almost caught me and gave me a major lecture."
Paul's face softened. "I never got the letter," he said.
"Well, good," Jessica said, still burned up by his attitude. "Now if you wouldn't mind letting go of me, I've got a play to perform."
Paul looked at her intently. "Jessica, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you'd tried to get in touch with me. And I shouldn't have doubted you in the first place."
Jessica tried to look stern, but she could feel her anger fading away. "OK, I forgive you this time," she said, a smile playing on her lips. She waggled a finger at him. "But if I hear one more dumb-blonde comment out of you—"
"Never again, I promise," Paul said, dropping an arm around her shoulders and steering her down the hall. When they walked back into the kitchen, he pulled her into a bear hug. "Oh, Jess, I've got to learn to trust you," he whispered into her hair.
"Yes, you do," Jessica agreed softly. "Because I don't feel like taking any more long bike rides."
Paul pulled back and looked at her in astonishment. "You came on your bike?"
"Well, I only got as far as the restaurant," Jessica said. "A waiter drove me over."
Paul shook his head. "You are really something, Jessica Wakefield."
"That's right," Jessica said, her blue-green eyes sparkling happily. "And don't you forget it!"
"I won't," Paul murmured, pulling her close and bringing his lips to hers. Jessica closed her eyes, lost in his embrace. All she could hear was the whirring of water in the dishwasher and the ticking of the wooden clock in the foyer.
Suddenly the ticking penetrated into Jessica's consciousness. The time! Jessica pulled out of Paul's arms and looked at the clock on the wall. It was after six. She had to get back to the camp—immediately.
"Paul, I've got to get back!" Jessica exclaimed. "The play starts in two hours. In my letter I sent you an invitation to the play. Do you want to come with me now?"
Paul frowned. "My parents have my truck. They're out of town until tomorrow, attending a restaurant conference."
"And my bike is at the restaurant," Jessica said slowly.
Her heart began pounding slowly as reality dawned.
"Paul, is there any way to get to the restaurant?" Jessica asked, her voice rising in panic. "A bus or a train?"
Paul shook his head. "I'm afraid not."
Jessica's heart dropped. I'm stuck! she thought.
She bit her lip as she contemplated the situation. Because it was such a small production, they didn't have understudies. And they couldn't reschedule the play for another night. All the kids' parents were coming, as well as important people in the movie business.
Well, there was only one solution. Elizabeth would have to fill in for her. Jessica just prayed that her twin would come to the same realization. Otherwise she was dead.
"Oh, well, let's go outside and look at the stars," Jessica said.
"But what about the play?" Paul asked.
"I'm going to have to worry about all that later," Jessica said with a smile. "Right now I've got more important things on my mind."
"Like what?" Paul asked.
"Like you," Jessica responded. Paul took her hand and led her outside.
"Lila, what are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked in surprise at the drama cabin on Wednesday. She had come backstage looking for Jessica. She wanted to wish her sister good luck, but she couldn't seem to find her anywhere. She had stopped by the JC cabin, but Jessica wasn't there. And it looked like she wasn't in the drama cabin either.
Lila glanced up, a needle in her mouth. A little girl stood in front of her in a long dress, fidgeting impatiently while Lila adjusted the hem of the costume.
Lila took the needle out of her mouth. "Joey asked me to help out with last-minute art direction before the play," she explained.
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "You can sew?" she asked in astonishment.
Lila snorted. "Of course I can sew," she said with a toss of her hair. "I took a basic fashion design course at the Sweet Valley Art Academy when I was going out with Robby."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to insult you," Elizabeth said quickly. "You just don't seem the type to, you know, work with your hands a lot."
That didn't come out right. Elizabeth hurried on. "I mean, I'm just surprised to see you on this end of the fashion industry. Usually other people design your clothes for you." Elizabeth bit her lip. She didn't think she was making this any better.
Lila looked annoyed. "Elizabeth, did you want something or did you just want to chat about my design skills?"
"Actually I was wondering if you've seen Jessica," Elizabeth said.
Lila looked down and shifted her feet. "Uh, I think she said she wanted to be by herself for a while. She's got last-minute jitters."
"Do you know where she went?" Elizabeth asked.
Lila shrugged. "She said something about communing with nature."
"Thanks, Lila," Elizabeth said, dashing out of the cabin. She headed for the lakefront. If Jessica wanted to calm down, she was sure to head straight for the water. But when Elizabeth got to the lake, the beach was deserted. Nobody was lying out on the sand, and only a few windsurfers were in the water. She looked in the boathouse and the supply shed. Nobody was there.
That's funny, Elizabeth thought, walking in the direction of the activities cabin. She peeked in the door of the dance cabin, thinking Jessica might have gotten caught up in a dancing lesson. But the long mirror reflected back an empty room.
Then Elizabeth quickly checked all the other activities cabins. They were deserted. Elizabeth was beginning to feel concerned. Maybe something had happened to Jessica. Maybe she had taken a boat out alone on the lake and capsized.
Elizabeth felt panic rising in her. Hurrying to the mess hall, she quickly ran through all the rooms, peeking her head into the lounge, the rec room, and the auditorium. Jessica wasn't in any of those places. Then she dashed back to the drama cabin. Something was wrong. She could feel it in her bones.
A flurry of activity greeted her as she pulled open the door. Stage managers were running around fitting costumes and putting on makeup. Actors were walking around reciting their lines. The stage crew was setting up scenery on the stage, pounding in nails and adjusting the lighting.
Elizabeth hurried up to Lila and Maria, who were sifting through costumes in the wardrobe closet. "Jessica's nowhere to be found," she announced. "I've searched the entire camp. I can't understand it."
"I think I can," Lila said with a sigh.
"Oh, no!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Jessica's up to something, isn't she?"
Lila nodded, a guilty expression on her face.
Elizabeth put her hands on her hips. "Lila Fowler, did you just send me on a wild goose chase?" she asked angrily.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Lila said. "Jessica made me promise to keep it a secret."
"To keep what a secret?" Elizabeth demanded.
"Well, I'm not supposed to say anything, but I guess this is an emergency situation," Lila said, looking around to make sure nobody else could hear them. "You guys promise to keep this totally confidential?"
Maria and Elizabeth nodded. Elizabeth tapped a foot impatiently.
"Jessica's been seeing Paul Mathis, a guy who lives in town," Lila explained. "She sneaked off to see him this afternoon. For some reason she must not be able to get back to camp."
"Nothing ever changes," Maria said. "Jessica's pulling the same tricks she did in junior high."
"How did she get into town?" Elizabeth asked.
Lila sighed. "On a bicycle."
"On a bicycle?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Lila with a stunned expression on her face.
"Don't look at me," Lila said, throwing her hands up in the air. "She's your sister."
"Well, it must be love," Maria said.
"I can't believe this!" Elizabeth said, pacing back and forth. She was both worried and infuriated. Jessica could have gotten into an accident or have been abducted on the road. On the other hand, she might have just lost track of the time. After all, Jessica didn't wear a watch, and she wasn't known for being responsible. She was probably just hanging out with Paul in the restaurant, having a good time. Elizabeth was furious. This was one of the stupidest stunts Jessica had ever pulled.
Elizabeth looked at her watch. It was seven o'clock, just an hour before the play. "We've got to borrow a car and find her immediately."
Maria sighed. "Elizabeth, you know that old saying, The show must go on'?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Exactly—that's why we've got to find her immediately."
"I don't think we have time," Maria said.
Elizabeth bit her lip. Maria was right. They'd never get to the restaurant and back before the opening.
"It looks like you have no choice," Maria said.
Lila nodded. "Maria's right."
"No choice about what?" Elizabeth cried.
"The twin switch," Lila said.
"What?" Elizabeth exclaimed. "You want me to play Jessica's role?"
"Sure, you'd be great," Maria said. "Nobody would be the wiser."
"No way," Elizabeth said, shivering at the idea of getting onstage. "I'm a writer, not an actor. I'm a behind-the-scenes kind of person."
"You wrote the lines of the play. You know them," Lila insisted.
"C'mon, Elizabeth, we need you here," Maria added. "It's our only option. Otherwise we're going to have to cancel the production. All the campers will be crushed. And all their parents—"
Elizabeth stopped her with a wave of her hand. "All right, all right, I'll do it," she said.
"Oh, Liz, thanks! You're a lifesaver!" Maria said, giving her a hug.
I'll fill in for Jessica now, Elizabeth thought. But afterward I'm going to strangle her.
Chapter 14
"Summer love is sweet but cruel," Elizabeth intoned in her final monologue of the play on Wednesday evening. "As fleeting as the light of a firefly." The spotlight was on her as she stood in the middle of the stage.
As she spoke, Elizabeth remembered writing those words. She must have unconsciously known that this summer would be tough on her heart. She almost forgot that she was supposed to be acting as she went through the rest of the monologue.
Turning a profile to the audience, she gazed up to the sky and pronounced her final words. "But I am not choosing my fate. It has chosen me."
A tear ran down her face as the curtain fell. The audience burst out in spontaneous applause.
Wiping her cheek, Elizabeth hurried into the wings to find Derek. She and Maria had had to let him in on the twin switch. He would have realized immediately that Alexandra wasn't Jessica. He had promised to keep it top secret, and he had been coaching Elizabeth before each scene.
"Derek, what next?" Elizabeth asked in a stage whisper.
"We're hunting for berries to survive," Derek explained. "You enter stage right, I enter stage left. We meet in the middle, feed each other, kiss, and disappear into the woods."
"Got it," Elizabeth said, rushing around behind the stage to the wings at the other side.
The curtain opened to reveal a tangled, enchanted forest. The campers were dressed up in tree costumes, waving their arms slowly to achieve the effect of wind drifting through their branches. Two white doves swung from wires, and a bright orange moon hung suspended from the ceiling.
Elizabeth and Derek entered the stage opposite each other, plucking berries from the trees. When they reached each other, they linked hands and walked to the front of the stage. After they dropped the berries solemnly in each others mouth, they kissed to seal their fate. Then they linked hands and drifted backward, disappearing in the sea of trees. The curtain fell.
Moments later the curtain rose again to reveal a black stage. The sounds of chopping wood filled the auditorium.
