Short Story: "Ice" Part Two (Conclusion)

 Before reading this, be sure to read the beginning of the story found here.

7. Shelby

            Shelby was just walking in the house from the college library where she had been researching for a big paper that was due, when her cell started ringing.  She guessed right when she saw it was Paula calling, a call she had been expecting all morning.  She dropped her backpack and answered, “So, how was it?”

            “Oh, Shelby.  It was a disaster.  I just couldn’t hang in there, I just couldn’t let him get close. I tried, I really tried.”

            “Tell me what happened.”  This opened the door for Paula to tell her version of the story…how they had dinner and went dancing, that she tried to let Drew get close, but it was too hard.  Shelby suspected that Paula was leaving off a few ripe details.  Perhaps that she had gotten plastered, maybe led Drew on, then shut him down. That had been the pattern in the past, one that Shelby noticed Paula didn’t discuss with her anymore.  Paula sensed Shelby was sick of hearing it, and if she wanted her sympathies she needed to make it sound like something else altogether was happening.

            “Well, how did you leave it with him?” Shelby inquired. 

            “I don’t know.  The night just ended, kind of abruptly.  He left me sitting alone in Applebees parking lot.  Do you think a guy should be doing that, I mean, leaving me alone?  Anything could have happened.  I think that was really cold.

            Well, you aren’t always so warm yourself, ice princess Shelby thought to herself. But to Paula she said, “Well, it sounds to me like you pissed him off.  What did you do, Paula?”

            “Nothing.  Honest. I had a few drinks at Cristina’s but that was all. I thought we were having a good time.”

            If Shelby knew anything she knew that Paula was covering her butt with her story.  Ever since high school this had been happening to Paula. After three different instances of being date raped by various jocks, and once beaten by the student council vice president for not giving in, she was shut down on men. Shelby was the only one who knew these things happened, but had sworn an oath of secrecy at Paula’s request way back in high school. Sometimes Shelby felt downright guilty at not getting Paula help. She had seen the bruises on Paula’s back from Jerry Pines, the one who didn’t want to take no for an answer. But Shelby wasn’t sure who to go to. Paula’s mother and stepfather were workaholics. They owned their own restaurant, which kept them busy 24/7.  Shelby never saw them when she was at Paula’s house.  Paula had been close to her grandmother, but the woman had died of cancer when they were in ninth grade. It had always felt like Paula was left alone in a cold, hard world, except for her friendship with Shelby. This had caused Shelby to act against her better instincts many times. Paula had confided in Shelby about the attacks, asked her to keep it to herself, and Shelby, being a loyal friend, kept her promise.  But now that they were both twenty-one, she was beginning to feel the weight of her silence wearing on her. It often crossed her mind that she would like to be rid of the burden.

Paula obviously needed psychological help. For years, however, has resisted any of it, insisting instead she could get better on her own if she could just meet the right guy. Taking courses in psychology had only bolstered her resolve to fix her problems herself. Thus the dramas continued, and Shelby was always there, picking up the pieces.

 Shelby was about to make an excuse to hang up when Paula said, “Hey, what do you think about me having Drew fix you up with one of his friends?”

Paula’s offer got her attention.  It had been several months since she had gone out with anyone, the last one being Mike who was a lot of fun, good in bed, but so angry inside that at times he scared her. After witnessing what Paula had gone through, she finally had to break it off.  She was really afraid that one night Mike might go off on her. That was in September, and it was now January – a long, cold spell for Shelby.

            “Well, who do you have in mind?”

            “His friends were all pretty cool, but Eric was the best looking.  If I can figure out a way to get back in Drew’s good graces, maybe we can make it happen.  Would you like that?”

            Shelby took a big gulp. Here it was – she was being reeled in again, hook, line, and sinker. Damn loneliness. “I think it might be okay.”

            “Good,” Paula said, excitement rising in her voice, “because I have an idea.”

            Oh God help me, Shelby thought to herself, as she opened her ears to hear Paula’s plan.

8. Drew

            When he had left Paula in her car after their crazy date, he had vowed never again: he had no use for bitches who played games.  Yet, here he was a week later, sitting at her friend Shelby’s apartment, watching the news footage of a huge Noreaster that was dumping snow and ice on the entire east coast of the U.S. 

            Paula had called him on Sunday evening begging forgiveness. He was not that interested in forgiving her, but then she laid all this stuff on him about how difficult intimacy was for her because of lack of connection with her real father, and all kinds of other psychobabble that he didn’t quite get.  He was able to put off seeing her until Wednesday evening, when she managed to show up at Donatello’s where he was with the guys.  She weaseled her way into their table, drank their beer, told hilarious dirty jokes, had a belching contest with Josh, and won all of their hearts.  She was the freakin’ life of the party. Paula kept leaning against Drew, but at first he didn’t respond. Eventually, Drew could tell his friends thought he was a cold, heartless asshole who couldn’t see the charms of this amazing woman.  As he drank more beer, he began to think, yeah, maybe I am an idiot for thinking of dumping her so fast.  Her arm was soft against his, hips against hips, her long thigh pressed into his jean-clad thigh under the table. Sometimes her head dipped close to his shoulder, her perfume wafting his way. His memories of Friday night --  the headache, the overspending, the cold chill he received from her – all faded away as he felt like he was “the man,” his friends openly envious as Paula lavished attention on Drew.

            When Paula was away from the table in the ladies room, Josh was the first one to say it. “Drew, she is a blast.  And sexy as hell.  I hope you are going to give her another chance.”

            Drew had been up front about what had happened on Friday night.  The guys had all agreed he had done the right thing – that is, until Paula sat down at the table with them.  It all changed in a flash.

            Drew said slowly, with a grin, “Well, yeah, I’m thinking maybe she isn’t so bad.”

            “Isn’t so bad?  She’s great. Does she have any friends?” Eric asked.

            “Well, she does have a friend named Shelby she is trying to fix up with one of you.  I haven’t met her, but I understand she is a redhead.  Aren’t you up for a redhead these days, Eric?”  Everyone knew that Eric liked to alternate between blondes, brunettes and redheads.

            Eric smiled his evil grin.  “I’m actually looking for a blonde, but I think I could kill some time with a redhead.”

            So, it was set.  And now it was Saturday afternoon, and Drew had driven over to Shelby’s place in San Carlos Park.  Paula didn’t live with Shelby, but had spent the night there, so she was in the shower while Drew stared at the television, pondering life in snow country.  He was there early to hang out until Eric got off from his job selling digital cameras at Best Buy, then they were all going to a dinner and a movie.  Drew was glad he worked in the campus computer center during the week so that he had weekends completely free.

            “Can I get you a beer?” Shelby asked.  She had been in the kitchen since he got there, and hadn’t had much time to talk with her.  He thought she was pretty cute.  Petite.  Gold-flecked green eyes. Sweet smile. Eric would like her just fine.

            “Sure. That would be great.”   He started to get up from the couch, but Shelby was already in the living room, handing him a cold Heineken.  “I like imported beers,” she confessed, as she took a swill from her own bottle and sat down on the chair next to the couch. “Can’t stand that watered down Bud stuff.”

            “That’s cool.”  Silence. Then, “How long have you known Paula?” He wasn’t always good at initial conversation, but this girl seemed friendly enough.

            “We’ve known each other since middle school. I moved here from Indiana in seventh grade and Paula became my best friend right away. I was from Bloomington, but still, a Hoosier is a Hoosier.”

            “That’s cool.”  Drew didn’t know what else to ask, and he wanted to avoid saying that’s cool again.  He was beginning to sound like a dweeb.

            “How about you?  Do you like Paula?”  Shelby seemed suddenly serious, which took Drew by surprise.  Made him feel uncomfortable, too, although he couldn’t quite figure out why.

            “Sure, she’s okay.  Don’t really know her that well yet,” he waffled.

            Shelby laughed.  “Oh, I think you probably know her pretty well.”

            Drew was confused. What had Paula told her?  He sat quietly, not sure what to say next.

            “What about your friend, Eric?  What is he like?”

            Drew was glad she changed the subject. But then he realized he didn’t know what to say about Eric.  He didn’t think saying He’s looking for the next redhead to screw sounded like the best answer.  “He’s cool.  Majoring in Public Administration.  Kind of a politician, if you want to know the truth.”

            Shelby smiled and started to pull the label off of her beer bottle.  She stared at the television, cars off the road, snowplows barely getting down streets, people bundled up in mufflers and big, bulky coats.  “Thank God we’re in Florida,” she said, lifting her bottle toward him.

            “You got that right.  Here’s to Florida,” and he tipped his bottle back.

9. Shelby

            The rant rolled through Shelby’s head: Everything was going so well.  Drew and I were enjoying our beer, watching the television with no need to say anything to each other at all.  Drew is an okay guy and surely Paula does not deserve him.  He’s nice looking in an every day kind of way:  like he would be the roadie, rather than the big music star.  He definitely doesn’t have that anger overtone I was so used to with Mike. And then she has the nerve to come trouncing out here wrapped in just a towel.  I had to say something. I mean, come on, this is my apartment and I don’t even run around like that.  She laughed it off, of course, calling me a prude, and then sat there with her legs crossed, the towel not covering a bit of her bare ass or anything else.  What the heck was that all about?  I could see Drew was getting really jangled. I can’t say for sure if he was immediately turned on, or if he, like I, was upset that she ruined our ambience.  Whatever it was, it sucked big time, and even though I’m going ahead and getting ready to go out, I really would prefer to not be spending any time with her.  Drew, yes.  Paula, no.

            And when she was done with the rant in her mind, done finishing up her make-up and putting on her earrings, she realized something: this was the first time in her life she was angry with Paula.  Every time before it was about compassion and understanding given her “circumstances.”  All of that has come screeching to a grinding halt. Shelby realized that the circumstances didn’t matter to her anymore.

10.  Paula

            God, Shelby is so uptight, Paula thought to herself as she went into the restroom at the movie theater.  All evening Eric – who in Paula’s estimation was a darn great-looking guy, with his gently curly golden blonde hair, Roman nose, and deep brown eyes – was trying to talk with Shelby, make her feel comfortable.  Paula noticed how Eric kept casually touching Shelby, yet Shelby just kept flinching, like he was pinching her or something.  Guess I haven’t been on a double date with her in a long time.  I didn’t know she was so, well, untouchable.  Paula checked her make-up.  The movie was boring her so she had left the theater by herself.  She wanted to think about how to liven up this group, and she thought maybe a trip to Cristina’s would do the trick. After all, it was 80’s night at the dance club.  Who doesn’t love 80’s music?  She decided that she would do what she could to get the party started.  After this dull movie, they would all need a boost.  I bet that Eric is a good dancer she thought.  She went back into the theater, her intention set.

11. Drew

            All through the movie Drew was hyper-conscious of Shelby sitting next to him.  He couldn’t help but notice she made a point of seeing that they were seated together, with Eric on the other side of her, Paula on the other side of him.  He felt a wave of jealousy when he noticed Eric had put his arm around her.  He chuckled to himself when he noticed Shelby took his arm off of her.  Eric was striking out big time.  Good for Shelby.  Eric was just a leech anyway.  If Drew had known how great Shelby was, he would never have set her up with a snake like Eric.

            At Shelby’s apartment he had felt a momentary happiness. Then Paula made her entrance, and a fool of herself at the same time, wrapped in that towel.  Oh, Drew knew that he she had managed to give him a thrill – it really was hard not to with a girl like Paula.  But that feeling quickly passed and he mostly felt irritated at her presence.  Dinner was no better. She yammered on constantly about all kinds of nonsense, continually demanding more ice for her drink, a habit he already detested. Yet it was obvious Eric found it all delightful. Well, he was up for a blonde.  As far as Drew was concerned he could have her. Drew knew that if nothing else, tonight had sealed his fate with Paula. He was done with her.  Once this movie was over, he just wanted to go home.

12. Shelby

            When Paula made the proposal to go dancing, Shelby looked quickly at Drew.  They were standing outside the movie theater, and the suggestion took her by surprise.  “Yeah, let’s do it,” she heard Eric saying.  Shelby was sunk. She didn’t want this evening to go on any longer. She just wanted it over.

            Drew asked her, “Shelby, what do you want to do?”

            “Oh, c’mon Shelb. When was the last time we were out with two such fine-looking dudes?”  Paula was giving her the look, the one that said, Do this for me.

            Shelby looked at Drew again. He was hard to read.  Did he want to go, or not?  Finally, she just said, “Well, maybe for just an hour or so.”

            “Great!” Paula declared, and they walked to Drew’s Jeep.

            Shelby noticed Drew was very quiet.  He never said he wanted to go, yet here he was driving them there.  Oh, well.  Just an hour won’t hurt.

            They got to the club and immediately Paula reminded Drew that he shouldn’t drink much since he was driving. Then she proceeded to order a Mango Tango martini, and screamed when “It’s Raining Men” came on.  “Let’s go, Shelby.  Remember this song?”  Shelby remembered the song, but had no intention of dancing.

            “I really am not in the mood, Paula.  You go have a good time.”

            Eric, Drew, and Shelby pulled up a table, and watched as Paula made her way around the dance floor.  There were plenty of other single women dancing to the song, so she fit right in. 

            Eric looked at Shelby and said, “Boy that Paula, she sure is a ball of energy.”

            “Yeah.”  Shelby really didn’t want to talk about Paula to Eric.  It seemed weird, since he was her date.  Although, truth be told, she really didn’t want to be on this date with him.  Everything seemed out of balance.

            “Burning Down the House” was the next song.  Paula came to drag Drew out on the dance floor, but he begged off.  Smart move, Shelby thought to herself.  So instead, Eric was dragged – albeit willingly – by Paula out to the dance floor.

            “I guess that is supposed to make me jealous,” Drew said with a rye smile.

            “Oh yeah, me, too,” Shelby laughed.  It felt good to laugh. The evening had been pretty dismal. She felt like she was fighting off Eric every five minutes, and it had made her very tired.  He was obviously in this for only one thing.

            “Well, it is probably better that Eric is with Paula. After all, he is up for a blonde,” Drew said matter-of-factly.

            “What?”  Shelby didn’t understand what he meant.

            “Oh, Eric likes to alternate: brunette, blonde, redhead.  He recently had a brunette, so a blonde is up.  Paula has those blonde highlights, so that suffices.”

            “Wow.” Shelby could not believe Drew’s honesty.  “Why are you telling me this?”

            “Because I’m sick of the game-playing I see. Eric.  Paula.  It’s so old.  I’ve been trying to figure out why I feel so bored all of the time, and now I know.  It’s these damn games people play.”

            Shelby felt something ignite inside of her. Something fierce and hidden and powerful. The music was too loud, but she knew what she wanted to do.  “Drew, do you want to step outside for a minute?  I need a break from this music.”  A slow dance was coming on, Cyndie Lauper’s “True Colors,” and Paula and Eric had fallen into each other’s arms.  Shelby didn’t care, but she didn’t know what Drew would think.

            Once outside, Shelby let it rip.  “You know what you said in there?  About game playing?  Man, I feel the same way.  I have stood up for Paula what seems my entire life.  When she had tragedies, when her grandma died, when her parents were non-existent, I was always there.  Well, today I decided I don’t want to be there anymore. Most of the time she is out having a good time, screwing up another relationship with her lies about alcoholism in her family and who knows what else, and by alternating between sex siren and ice princess, while I’m home lonely and worrying about her.  I’m sick of it. I have held her secrets and they are too heavy.  I carry them – she doesn’t. “

            “What secrets?” Drew asked.  He was fascinated by what she was revealing.

            And Shelby let it spill.  Everything that had happened to Paula in high school, how Shelby had taken a vow of silence about the rapes and beating, how Paula used that against her all the time and used it as an excuse not to get help.  “It wasn’t until today I really saw it,” Shelby confessed.  “Today when she came out in that towel. That was it.  Like I was finally able to admit the emperor has no clothes.  I thought it would be betrayal to tell someone everything I just told you, but you know what? She betrayed me all those years ago in high school. I’m done!  I just don’t know why it took me so long.”

            Drew reached into his pocket and dangled the car keys in front of her.  “I drove,” he grinned.  “Do you want to get out of here?”  Shelby nodded. And with that Drew reached out his hand and took hers, and together they walked to his Jeep, the ice they both felt in their hearts for so long melting along the way.

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