Joel and Carrie Ch. 11

"Hey!" someone growled, pulling my shoulder and twisting me around. "What's going on here?" I didn't recognize Sean at first and almost hurt him before Jennifer's cry interrupted me.

"Joel no!" she cried. I froze. What was I doing? I put my hands down at my sides.

"Sean, I'm sorry," I said, shaking my head and trying to rid myself of my anger. He looked confused and uncertain of what to do next. His uncle Ian was standing next to him as well as Ian's friend.

"The other one swung first," Ian said. "The short blond one with the wide shoulders." This seemed to calm Sean down, which was good because I had no desire to fight him. I liked Sean.

"I need to go find Carrie," I sighed.

"She's in your car waiting," Jennifer said. She was clearly angry. "I saw her run by crying. I followed and caught her at the door to the restaurant. She only paused long enough to tell me what happened. She's very upset. You'd better go to her."

"Thanks," I said sadly. "I'll talk to you later."

"That's it?" Brian's father said, turning to Sean and his uncle. "You're not going to call the police? This pervert accosted my son!" By this time Sean's mother arrived. She grabbed my wrist and stopped me from leaving. Half the place was watching what was going on.

"I can call the police if you want," Francine offered. "But based on what I'm hearing, your son will be the one in trouble."

"What kind of place is this?" Tara father added. "Why would you even let someone like him in here?"

"Someone like him?" Ian asked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Everyone knows the story of what happened last summer," Brian's mom put in. "This pervert and his girlfriend had an orgy! The police had to come to break it up."

"An orgy?" Ian frowned, looking at me oddly. "And I wasn't invited?"

"Ian, you're not helping," Sean's mother sighed. I would have laughed, but I was too concerned about Carrie.

"Oh brother!" Sean groaned, clearly embarrassed.

"At least we understand why you serve their kind," Tara's father said. "Your own brother is a pervert!"

"I think it's time we left," Brian's father snapped.

"Past time, I'd say," Francine replied. "Just as soon as you're done paying your bill. Or do I call the police after all?"

"Here!" he replied, dropping a wad of cash. "Keep the change. I want to get away from this place. Too many perverts!"

"There's that word again," Ian sighed.

"I've had enough of this!" Jennifer snapped angrily. "You have no idea what you're talking about and frankly, it's offensive."

"Jen don't," I interjected. Whatever she said next would probably let everyone know that she was part of what happened last summer. I didn't want her to have to deal with that. I saw her glance at Sean and hesitate.

"I'm not surprised that you're defending them," Brian's mom said. "Didn't your father divorce your mother last year? I heard she was sleeping around. I bet you take right after her."

"Wow," I said, shaking my head. "What's gotten into you people? You can't possible really be like this. Can you?"

"Please just go," Francine sighed.

"Oh no!" Jen cried. "Not before they hear the truth." Her eyes were downright frosty. There was nothing I could say to stop her now. "First of all, it was my father who was sleeping around. Mom says he slept with half the women from the country club. You know the one I mean. I think you belong to it?"

"Ouch!" Ian cried with a laugh. "That hit them where it hurts." I shook my head. Jennifer didn't need anyone to edge her on.

"Let's go!" Tara father cried, moving toward the door. The others started following him. I sighed in relief. It was more for Jennifer than anyone else. I should have checked with her. She wasn't done.

"By the way!" she cried after them. At this point the entire restaurant was watching us. Just about every single person here was a local. "If you're curious, I was at the so called orgy! So were Tara and Brian! It was too bad it ended the way it did. I'd had so much fun at the last one right after prom! Brian was okay in bed, but Tara was a real dynamo!"

At this point Tara ran crying from the restaurant followed by Brian. I shook my head as the rest followed. The room was completely silent. Jennifer anger ebbed slightly with their disappearance and she started to blush.

"Was that really necessary," I sighed.

"No, but it felt good," she replied, refusing to regret what she said. She then looked at everyone watching her and shrugged. "Yes, it's true. I'm not a virgin. Get over it." Ian started laughing, but he was the only one. Jennifer turned to me and added in a lower voice, "I need to go find my mother and talk to her. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sorry," I offered.

"My decision," she shrugged. "Besides, I'm tired of this being this town's dirty little secret. Maybe a little light on the subject will help."

She turned to leave and saw Sean there. She hesitated, but then shrugged sadly to herself and left when he didn't say anything. I felt bad for her. I started to follow, but Francine was still holding my arm.

"I'm sorry for all of this, but I need to go to Carrie now," I said. "Would you mind letting go of my arm?"

"Of course," Francine said, releasing me. The poor woman was a bit taken back by what happened. I couldn't blame her. I turned to leave, but hesitated when I saw Sean standing there looking after Jennifer. I couldn't leave it like this.

"Sean," I said. He turned and looked at me, obviously in shock. "Jennifer clearly likes you. I know what just happened is a lot to take in, but honestly, you'd be lucky to get a girl like Jennifer."

"I like her," Ian put in. "She stands up for her friends and isn't afraid to tell it like it is." I smiled in thanks, but left it at that. Sean would have to make his own decisions.

Carrie was by herself and I needed to go to her. I flew out of the restaurant. I found her in the car. She was no longer crying, but her eyes were still red.

"I'm so sorry," I offered.

"I need to go home," was her only reply. I frowned in concern, but started driving. Carrie took my hand after a while, but she still seemed mostly unresponsive. Something was bothering her and it was more than just losing Tara as a friend. I knew better than to push though. My girl would tell me when she was ready.

We arrived at her parents' house not long afterward. We were back earlier than I expected. I hoped her mother was either asleep or past her mood. Carrie didn't need to hear Mrs. Capanna ranting right now.

"Are you sure you want to go in?" I asked. She just nodded and left the car. I got out as quickly as I could and followed her. I heard her father and mother still arguing as we entered the house. This wasn't going to be good.

"And she..." her mother was saying as we entered the living room. She stopped when she saw us. She was clearly angry, but it dissipated completely when she looked at Carrie expression. "What happened?"

Carrie went to her mother and surprised me by hugging the woman. Mrs. Capanna wrapped her arms around her daughter.

"Mom, I'm sorry," Carrie said, tears falling. "I'm so sorry!"

"What?" her mother asked in confusion.

"I didn't understand," Carrie sobbed. "I didn't realize. I'm sorry I cost you friends. I'm sorry I made you want to move. I'm just so sorry." Her mother did as best she could to comfort Carrie.

"What happened?" Mr. Capanna asked, looking at me.

"Tara," I said.

"She wouldn't even talk to me!" Carrie cried. "We've been friends since grammar school."

"Her parents made her stop being friends with us," I added. "Tara didn't seem happy about it, but she let them bully her. I think Brian didn't help."

"Her loss," Mrs. Capanna said, obviously angry for her daughter. "My daughter doesn't need friends like that."

"It's not that simple mom," Carrie said, no longer sobbing. "I understand that now."

"Maybe not," Mrs. Capanna said. "But it should be. Friends should stick up for each other no matter what."

"The sad part was that it was pointless in the end anyway," I sighed. Carrie looked at me in concern.

"You didn't?" she asked.

"Not me," I answered. "Jennifer. She was seriously pissed and I did my best to stop her. I thought I'd succeeded, but then they attacked her mother and that was that."

"What happened?" Mr. Capanna asked.

"Do you really want to know?" I asked in reply.

"Probably not, but tell me anyway," he sighed. So much for don't ask and don't tell. "I'm sure I'll be hearing about it from someone soon."

"Quite a few people actually," I said apologetically. "Jennifer didn't so much admit as trumpet that she was part of what happened last summer to everyone in the place, and you know Francine's clientele. She also made sure that Brian and Tara's parents knew that they were part of it as well."

"Oh my," Mrs. Capanna said. "I think I guessed, but to actually hear you say it..."

"May," her husband interjected, but it was too late. Carrie was sobbing again.

"Oh dear!" Mrs. Capanna sighed, not sure what else to say.

I stayed late at their house trying to comfort Carrie along with her parents. She eventually fell asleep in her mother's arms. I lifted her out of them and carried my poor girl to her room. She woke up when I put her down, but she was only half awake.

"Joel, I don't think I want to do it anymore," she said softly. I knew what she meant and there was only one answer.

"We don't have to," I replied. "You've always been more than enough for me." I leaned over and kissed her as she drifted back off to sleep. I turned and saw both of her parents by the door. I guess I should have been embarrassed by what they overheard, but it was beyond me at that point. They both smiled at me, but I couldn't really appreciate the fact that they didn't hate me anymore. I was too worried about Carrie.

I honestly didn't care if we shared our bed with our friends anymore or not. I was more concerned at how badly she was reacting and what else it might affect. It was going to be tough summer. I just hoped that everything would be okay by the end of it.