Chapter 17

As the truckload of Chapel Forge wrestlers rolled east toward New Jersey on Sunday morning Zach thought about the New Year’s party that Beth Ellicott had mentioned. If he didn’t go, he knew he’d be sitting at home moping about the band. Besides, he thought, he liked hanging out with Beth even if he couldn’t remember whose party it was. It could be fun. He decided to go.

The only problem was that he didn’t know where or when the party would be held. All Beth had told him was that Mark Easton knew all about it. Going to Easton for information wasn’t something he wanted to do. If he was going to do it, though, it would never be easier to do than when he and Easton were sprawled across the floor in the back of the truck with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

“Hey Mark,” Zach said after crawling over to the corner that Easton had crammed himself into. “Beth Ellicott told me about a New Year’s party that you know all about. It’s tonight, right?”

“Yeah,” Easton said. “Most New Year’s parties are on New Year’s Eve. Hey, I think that’s the first time you ever called my real name.”

“Where exactly is the party?” Zach asked. “I think I’m going.”

“You?” Easton asked. “At a party? Now that’s something that’s not hard to picture.”

Zach fought the urge to snap back the way he usually did. “I told Beth I’d come by,” he said. “I didn’t think I was going to, but I changed my mind.”

“This may not be your kind of party,” Easton warned. “There won’t be any pot or biker dudes.”

Zach laughed. “Biker dudes?” he asked.

“Well, it might seem tame to you,” Easton said. “You’re used to big-time serious partying.”

“How do you know what I’m used to?” Zach asked. “I haven’t smoked or anything else in almost a year. I swear, man. You can’t wrestle doing that stuff. I’ve been dying for a smoke since last April but I haven’t had one.”

“Take it easy,” Easton said. “I can tell. I’m just busting your chops. I knew you were invited. She didn’t think you’d come.”

It jarred Zach every time he was reminded that Easton and Beth were friends. “She took the time to invite me,” Zach said. “So I don’t want to be rude. She’d probably never know if I was there or not.”

“She’ll know if you’re there,” Easton said. “Trust me. I’ve seen her when you’re around. Chicks are good at pretending not to notice. But she always finds you when you’re around, doesn’t she?”

“I’m not very good at that kind of stuff,” Zach said.

“Who is?” Easton asked. “When it comes to chicks, we’re all at their mercy.”

Zach smiled. “I thought it was just me,” he said.

“It’s Kate Harford’s party,” Easton said. “She’s just like Beth, plays on all the girl’s teams.”

“Is the party at her house?” Zach asked.

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure she lives over by Liddy’s Garden Center on Cross Key Road,” Easton said. “I’m not exactly sure. I was going to call around to find out.”

“Cool,” Zach said.

“So what was it like wrestling Sonville?” Easton asked. “He’s pretty tough, huh?”

Zach snorted. “I thought I was doing pretty good,” he said. “Then all of a sudden it was ten to two.”

“You did good,” Easton said. “You kept it close until the third period.”

“I couldn’t believe that ref didn’t give me the call on the Peterson,” Zach said. “I had it in all the way.”

“I’ve seen that before,” Easton said. “Some refs call it no matter what. Some only call it if you put the guy flat on his back right away. And some guys just don’t call it at all.”

“I guess I had one of those,” Zach said.

“Salisbury had a ref like that down in Virginia last summer,” Easton said. “But it was with back points. Kevin must have tilted him five different ways, but the guy wouldn’t give him any back points. But as soon as he used a half nelson he got back points right away. Maybe they just don’t like our ‘city boy’ moves out here in the country.”

“I didn’t know they could do that,” Zach said.

“They can’t,” Easton said. “But they do anyway.”

Another minute passed as Zach tried to think of a way to ask for a ride to the party without actually asking. “So this party’s over on Cross Key Road, you said?”

“Somewhere around there,” Easton said. “There aren’t any houses on Cross Key so it must be one of the side streets. You could just drive around until you see the crowd.”

“I don’t have my license,” Zach said quickly, seeing an opportunity.

“No joke?” Easton asked. “I never would have guessed it.”

“No joke,” Zach said. “I wouldn’t have a car to drive anyway. We only have one and my mom needs it.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re fishing around for a ride?” Easton asked.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Zach said. “I don’t know where it is and I don’t know how I’d get there.”

Easton agreed to pick Zach up at his house and take him to the party. Zach was surprised that he’d been able to make the offer happen. It hadn’t been very long since he and Easton were literally trying to rip each other apart. Zach drew a map showing how to get to his house, and scrawled his phone number at the bottom. Then they both lay back down and closed their eyes.

~~~

Dumphries came by Zach’s house that afternoon. Zach was uncomfortable at first. It still bothered him that Dumphries hadn’t bothered to call to see how he was doing. Even Herndon had. “Hey,” he said as he opened the door to let Dumphries in.

“Hey,” Dumphries answered. “How was the tournament?”

“It was cool,” Zach said. “I came in fourth out of eight guys. Want some water?”

“No, man,” Dumphries said.

“How did the gigs go?” Zach asked. “Did you find a bass player?”

“Joe rustled somebody up,” Dumphries said. “He was okay. I don’t even know his name.”

“And of course Shiny was there too?” Zach asked.

“He was there. It’s like having two Joes on stage,” Dumphries said. “Bo told them he wasn’t sure which one’s prettier.”

Zach laughed. “So was it cool?” he asked. “Are you guys sticking with the new lineup?”

“For tonight, at least,” Dumphries answered. “I’m still planning on you coming back.”

“I didn’t go anywhere,” Zach said. “You guys dumped me.”

Dumphries said nothing. Zach hadn’t really meant what he said. He knew he’d left them with no choice but to replace him. He’d said it hoping his friend would say something to make him feel like he was still wanted in the band. When Dumphries didn’t, Zach began to wonder how temporary the new arrangement was after all. Maybe he wasn’t the only one with hurt feelings.

~~~

“You live here?” Easton asked when Zach came to the door that evening. It was almost nine o’clock, and Zach had begun to think Easton had changed his mind and wasn’t coming. “I never knew anybody lived in these old houses. Or it was just old people or something.”

“My mom and I have lived here since elementary school,” Zach said.

“What about your dad?” Easton asked.

“Never knew him,” Zach said. “He split when I was born.”

“Oh. Sorry,” Easton said. “Well at least it’s close enough to walk to school.”

“Sometimes that’s a bad thing,” Zach said.

Zach eyed the gleaming black Ford Excursion that Easton had parked in front of the house. “Nice wheels,” he said. “Is that yours?”

“Pretty much,” Easton said. “It’s my dad’s, really, but he always drives his other car. But I always let him have this one when it needs gas.”

Zach thought Easton was a little overdressed in his button down shirt and khakis but he didn’t say anything. After all, he had more experience at these kinds of parties with these kinds of kids than Zach did. Besides, Easton probably thought Zach looked too sloppy in his flannel shirt and scuffed boots.

“So, like, who else lives around here?” Easton asked. “Anybody I know?”

“I doubt it,” Zach said. “I don’t know any of my neighbors myself.”

“I called around and found out what street the party’s on,” Easton said once they were on their way. “I don’t know how late you want to stay. If we don’t hook up you might have to find your own ride home.”

“That’s cool,” Zach said. “I’m used to it.”

When they turned off Cross Key Road Zach was amazed at the size of the houses. He could see in the floodlights that bathed them that many had brick faces, but that was where the similarity with his house ended. These looked like miniature mansions. Nearly all had three-car garages and with entrances on the side. He wondered to himself is Easton lived in a neighborhood like this. No wonder he was surprised at where I live, Zach thought. My house could fit inside one of these garages.

When they walked in the door at the Harford house it was still reasonably quiet because it was early. Beth appeared immediately and hugged both Easton and Zach. “I’m so glad you came!” she said, looking mostly at Zach when she said it. She walked him around and introduced him to some friends. Zach had seen most of them around school but didn’t know any of them. He felt more and more uncomfortable as he met more people, most of whom were dressed like Easton. This was not the crowd that he usually hung out with. Nobody seemed to recognize him as Zach Bowie, the long-haired rocker that always did just enough to get by. Just like at school, most seemed to think he was just some wrestler that they’d never noticed before.

Zach was relieved at how easy it was to walk past the keg in the basement without slowing down. According to everything he’d read during his crash course on dieting, drinking beer would have a disastrous effect on the weigh-ins that he faced in the near future. Even more importantly, he feared the taste would weaken his resolve and lead to something even more harmful. Instead he opened one of the bottles of Poland Spring that he found on a table nearby.

While standing uncomfortably sipping the water he heard the familiar sounds of musicians tuning up. He walked into the next room and found a band setting up for a show. They looked to be junior high school age, Zach estimated. At least he’d found somebody he identified with even if they were a few years younger. He walked over and introduced himself.

“I’ve been doing this for years,” he told them as he waved towards the makeshift stage. He saw no reason to mention that his band was playing that very night without him.

“What do you play, rock?” Brian Harford asked.

“Yup, pretty much,” Zach answered. It turned out that Brian played bass too. They spent a few minutes feeling each other out, each trying to assess the other. Brian looked like a younger version of most of the kids upstairs. Zach wasn’t sure if he was a jock who liked to play rock music or a musician with an athletic sister. Brian probably didn’t know yet either.

“My sister said we should start at ten,” Brian said. “You should hang out. If you want you could sing a few with us.”

When they started with a cover of a Bon Jovi song Zach was disappointed at how much he disliked the music. It wasn’t that they didn’t play well. Nor was it the high-pitched voice of the pubescent singer, although that was something he could do without. He wasn’t sure what was wrong but he just didn’t enjoy it the way he usually did. Maybe the difference was that for once he was listening with a clear head. Maybe he was just tired from a weekend of wall-to-wall wrestling away from home. Or maybe he just didn’t want to be there. He slipped away carefully when he thought nobody in the band was watching.

He wandered through groups of kids, looking unsuccessfully for somebody he felt comfortable with. Eventually he came across Beth, who was standing in the kitchen. For first time he noticed how slim, almost frail, she looked in her tight jeans, especially in comparison to the bulkier athletic girls that were around her as he watched. The tight jeans she wore to the party were a stark contrast to the oversized sweats he usually saw her in.

It was only ten-thirty but he made an on-the-spot decision. “I don’t feel good,” he said. “I think I better go home.”

She stood up and pulled him gently away from the group. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

“No,” he said. “It was a hard weekend. It’s just hitting me. All of a sudden I can’t keep my eyes open.” It was all he could think of.

“Awe, I was hoping you’d be here for a while,” she said.

“I just don’t feel good,” he said again.

“Do you need a ride?” she asked. “I haven’t had anything to drink. Yet,” she added with a smile.

“Would you mind?” Zach asked. “Otherwise I was going to hitch, but it’s probably not a good night for that.”

“I’d love it,” she said. “Just hold on a minute.”

“Can I meet you out front?” he said.

Minutes later he was in the passenger seat riding across town in Beth’s car. “Feeling any better?” she asked.

Zach wasn’t sure whether she was being sarcastic or not. “I don’t feel that bad, to be honest,” he confessed. “I just had to get out of there.”

“Why?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”

“I really am pretty tired,” he said. “It was a long, hard weekend.”

“I bet,” she said.

“Plus, I just didn’t know anybody there,” he said. “The people who didn’t recognize me just ignored me. A few knew who I was, and they just don’t like me. I guess I don’t like them either.”

The next traffic signal turned green as they approached. Beth was momentarily occupied as she accelerated and maneuvered through the intersection. “Zach, Zach, Zach,” she finally said as they passed in front of the high school. “How are we going to make this work?” she said, shaking her head with a smile. “You don’t like any of my friends.”

It was a joke, but he knew she wasn’t joking. He felt a strange pulse of excitement when she said it but he didn’t answer. When she pulled up to the curb in front of his house her words still lingered in the air. She cut the engine and slid over to Zach. “I hope nobody’s in there watching,” she said.

“My mom had to work,” Zach said.

Five minutes later he stepped out of the car wondering whether she knew what she was doing, getting involved with a guy like him.