Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 14)
Chapter 4 Part III
Cindy Bradford
Over dinner Patrick talked more than he had in the last two and half months. “I still can’t believe it” he kept saying.
Sue decided when he didn’t mention anything about her going to college near Notre Dame that she would broach the subject. “Patrick, you know it is too late in the year for me to apply to a major university like Notre Dame for the fall semester. So I think I’ll go talk to the career counselor at the college tomorrow between classes and see what the entrance requirements are at nearby small colleges.
Patrick’s expression turned serious. “I’ve been thinking, Sue. Maybe you should go to a university near here so you are not too far from Alice. I’ll be really busy the first semester at Notre Dame. You could fly up a couple of times during the fall.”
Feeling heartsick, Sue quickly interrupted, “But Patrick, I want to be near you. I won’t be in your way or interfere. I know you will want to concentrate all your energies to the basketball court, but at least I could see your games and maybe we could be together on weekends.”
“Sue, I think you would be really lonesome, not knowing anyone. I would worry about you, and I just can’t take that on and do what I need to do. This will be the best for now.”
Knowing that she should stop pushing the subject, she decided instead to go talk to a counselor so she would have the information to bring up again when Patrick had time to settle down from all the excitement and news of the scholarship.
A week later, when Patrick had not brought up the subject of Sue going to school near Notre Dame, she decided to mention it again. “Patrick, I still want to go to school near you. I’ll make friends and be okay. I plan to live in the dorm just so I can meet people.”
“Sue, we have already discussed this. I just think it isn’t a good idea–not at first. Maybe our senior year you could transfer, but it won’t work next year,” he said with a slight irritation in his voice. For the next hour they didn’t talk much about anything and Patrick said he needed to get back to the dorm. “I’ll call Jay to come pick me up tonight. I don’t want you to have to get out.”
Sue thought this strange, since she had been getting out taking him to the dorm for almost two years, but not wanting a fight, she refrained from saying what was on her mind. Already, their relationship appeared fragile; she dared not chance making things worse.
While Patrick waited for his friend, they spoke little and he looked relieved when he heard the loud muffler of the car. “See you tomorrow,” he said as he kissed her lightly on the cheek.
Sue sank in the big recliner that had been her father’s. Sometimes when she sat here she thought she could still smell his cologne, yet she knew it was her imagination. She longed for that connection again and times like tonight she missed her parents dreadfully. Tears came to her eyes as she thought about them, something she always did when she was worried or sad. Tonight she was both, but even more, she was scared, scared of losing Patrick. Something was bothering him and she could not figure out what.
She started to call Alice, but decided to call her best friend Jane, hoping she was in her dorm room. They had been inseparable before Patrick, but had drifted apart when Sue began spending so much time with Patrick. Since Jane was attending the University of Texas this year, their conversations were even less frequent. Now she really needed to talk and knew Jane would listen.
Just as Sue was about to hang up Jane answered a bit out of breath.
“Hi, what are you doing?”
“Sue, is that you? I can’t believe it. I’m so glad you called. What’s up?”
“Oh Jane, I’m so worried. Patrick and I are having trouble. I need to talk to you.”
“Hang on a second while I set this pizza on my desk! Okay, now tell me what’s going on.”
Lately any conversations they had, had been about clothes, make-up and gossip around town. Sue had never mentioned that she and Patrick were having sex or discussed details about their relationship. Suddenly, she was telling Jane everything she and Patrick had done in the last two years. They talked like old times for more than an hour. Laughing, they gave each other a pep talk because Jane was having roommate problems. When they hung up Sue felt better.
The next day upon seeing Sue, Patrick apologized for his actions the night before. “Can you pick me up after practice today?”
“Of course, Patrick. At the dorm or in front of the gym?”
“Give me a few minutes after practice to shower and clean up. If you can be out front of the gym about 5:30 p.m., I’ll watch for you.”
Sue felt better after seeing him and decided she was worrying too much. After classes she rushed home to prepare his favorite meal, chicken cacciatore, as a surprise, knowing he would be starved after practice. Although the formal season was over, Patrick continued to practice on his own with some of the guys from intramurals. He’s definitely committed to being the best, Sue had thought many times.
Patrick ate like he hadn’t tasted food in months. “That was great. Thanks for the surprise.” Patrick said, leaving to turn the television on in the den, while Sue continued cleaning the kitchen. When she finished she went in and snuggled up to Patrick on the couch. He kissed her and before long they both had their clothes strewn across the den and were making love on the couch. Patrick seemed like his old self again, smiling and saying tender and loving words to Sue.
When Sue returned from taking Patrick back to the dorm she called Jane again. “I think everything is okay now,” as she recounted the night.
“Well, it’s not here. She’s a witch,” Jane reiterated, referring to her roommate, “and a slob too.” Both girls laughed.
“I’ll never be able to pay the phone bill from last night, so I’d better go. Just wanted you to know. Good luck with the witch,” Sue giggled.
“Bye.”
“See ya.”