She turned away, and he followed her as she returned to the front of the house.
“You all right?” Matt asked.
“Yes, very much all right. Don’t worry,” I said. He took my hand, and we followed them.
Haylee and Jimmy kissed good night so passionately, his hands moving all over her, especially her rear end, that Matt and I looked away, embarrassed. We got into his SUV and silently stared ahead.
Jimmy came around and knocked on Matt’s window when Haylee got into the rear after another passionate kiss. They looked more like two vampires drawing blood out of each other’s lips. Matt rolled the window down.
“I hope you saw more than some constellation tonight,” Jimmy said.
“I did. I saw something more beautiful.”
“Yeah, yeah. Save it for your emails. Later,” he said, and stepped away as Matt backed out of the driveway.
Jimmy waved to us. Haylee barely waved back. “It’s so embarrassing having to go home so early,” she said. “I hope you two had a good time, at least, although I doubt it was as good as we had.”
I turned around. “We did.”
“Sure. At least we made a party out of it.”
“I don’t think we should give Mother too much detail about our party, Haylee. You know you can say the wrong things when you brag.”
“Don’t worry. You tell her about the party. I’ll be too tired,” she promised, and sat back. She was sobering up quickly now, and I could see that made her even angrier than having to go home early.
I turned back and looked out my window as we passed more homes. It was interesting how houses could look as tired as people at the end of the day, their lights dimming, with fewer signs of activity in and around them. Inside most of them were families asleep or going to bed, families with parents who still loved and cared for each other and lived to protect and enjoy their children. I felt more like a foreigner dropped in a strange land and told to find her way alone, protected and strengthened only with past memories that were dwindling. I feared the truth: tomorrow might not replace yesterday. No matter what I was told, it could be disappointing.
“The Jacksons have a nice house,” Matt said. I thought he was uncomfortable with the silence and would say anything that might revive conversation.
“It’s all right,” Haylee said, making sure that Matt knew she wasn’t impressed. “It’s half the size of ours, I think.”
“I guess you wouldn’t be impressed with mine. It’s not bigger than the Jacksons’.”
“Invite me over, and I’ll see,” Haylee countered. “I might even watch that movie with you.”
I looked back at her. How could she leave one boy and flirt with another within minutes, and my boyfriend to boot? She smiled gleefully, but after that, no one spoke until we were home. Matt drove slowly up the driveway and stopped.
Haylee groaned. “Home sour home,” she said. “We’ve got to get her to let us stay out past midnight, Kaylee. We’re the only ones in our class with this stupid curfew.”
“I wouldn’t push it tonight,” I said.
“No, I know you wouldn’t,” she replied bitterly, and opened her door. She paused. “Well? Give him a real kiss good night so he dreams of you, at least,” she said.
“I’ll dream of her, no matter what,” Matt said.
“Oh, you’re so easy,” she told him, and got out.
“Sorry,” I said. “I hope Mother can’t tell what she’s done.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow, and you can give me a full report.” He leaned over and did kiss me softly. “I had a great time, Kaylee.”
“So did I. Despite my sister,” I said. He smiled, and I got out.
Haylee was standing and waiting for me, obviously wanting me to be the first one Mother greeted. Matt waved and backed out. I watched him drive off and then turned to her.
“Just be tired but not so tired that she’ll decide we were out too late or something,” I warned.
“I can’t stand this. No other girls in our class have to go through this third degree, I’m sure. Their parents trust them.”