Fruit of the Vine

The scent of peach blossoms lingered in the orchard with a hint of saltwater if you moved towards the dunes. The setting sun peeked over the hill causing the slender grass to cast shadows on the faces of two teenagers lying in the orchard. Matt’s arm pulled Izzy close to him as they laughed and gazed at the clouds.

“So, what are you doing on Saturday?” Matt whispered in her ear. The air tickled Izzy and she smiled with a mischievous grin.

“Depends on whether or not I’m doing anything with you. If you’re not planning on anything… I might just have to call up the other boyfriend,” she said with a smirk. As she rolled away from him and propped herself up on her elbow, the sun graced her tan skin which was mottled with freckles and the grass moaned with her movement.

“Trying to be tricky and inconspicuous are we?” Matt laughed gently and his lips crept into a sly grin. “I guess I’ll have to call my other girlfriend and ask her to go to the prom with me.” Matt looked as if he had been hurt and turned his back on her, his face being poked with spears which were dried by the summer heat.

“Aww!” Izzy cried and shimmied on her elbows towards Matt. Her slender arms wrapped themselves around Matt and she kissed the back on his neck which made him shudder with delight. “Can I go to prom with you? Please? You know that I want to!” Izzy rested her head on his shoulder, but was startled when he rolled over onto her. It knocked her off balance and the two rolled, laughing, down the orchard’s gentle slope.

“Of course I’ll take you,” he panted.

“Thank you dearest,” Izzy said laughing. The two laid back once again, giddy as toddlers after pudding. The wind tousled the grass and Izzy’s locks, paralleling Matt and Izzy’s emotions. Their hearts were as pitiful as puppies.

It seemed as if a bee had landed on Izzy from the droning Matt could hear. He panicked and pulled her EpiPen out of her pocket and looked around to swat it off of Izzy. “It’s only my cell.” Izzy giggled and checked the caller. “Mom. I better get it Matt.” The phone flipped open with a snap as Izzy stood up and brushed herself off. Her voice quickly chorused a sweet, “Hello?” She needed to do all that she could to please her mother. I’ll be right back, she mouthed to Matt as she snuck behind a tree to take the call where it was quieter. “You’re still alone, right?” her mother said quickly considering Izzy had snuck out of her empty house to meet Matt.

“Uh huh! Of course,” Izzy mumbled. Why does she sound so nervous? Izzy thought, getting worried.

“You know how Steph was going to pick out her engagement ring with Chris today?” Her mother’s voice quavered and the ringing of phones and wailing of sirens nearly drowned out her voice.

Izzy nodded slowly and quickly replied, “Uh, huh.”

“Izzy, Stephanie was shot in her stomach. Some anonymous guy came in, intending to rob the shop,” her mother said, a sob breaking through her wall, “and Steph pulled out her cell phone to call the police. She got through to them, but the guy shot her in the process.” Izzy blinked furiously.

“What hospital are you at?” Izzy asked quickly.

“Madison,” she heard her mom mumble right before Izzy’s phone died.

“No!” Izzy said, closing her phone with strength enough to break it. The display flashed “No Battery” and when dark as it turned off completely. Izzy stalked past Matt, her head low and her hands shoved deeply into her jeans’ pockets. “Mom, um, needs me to make dinner. She’s going to get home late.

“Wait!” Matt exclaimed, standing up. “I’ll drive you home.” He quickened his pace to catch up with her, but Izzy shook her head and jogged ahead. She couldn’t bear the shame of having him see her crying. Matt, a track kid, grabbed her shoulders gently and pulled her towards him. “What’s wrong?” he said as he brushed away the tears slipping down her cheeks.

“Nothing,” she said, her shoes becoming her main priority.

“Please?” Matt’s question unfinished, Izzy sighed.

“I need to go home and get the car,” she said quickly, omitting her ominous destination.

“My car’s here. Where do you need to go?” Matt proclaimed, each of his hands lightly holding her shoulders.

“Fourth and Kingsley,” Izzy recited.

“I’ll take you there,” Matt rebounded. He had no idea what pain lay at this simple address that caused Izzy to burst out crying. “ Come on,” he said slipping his arm around her waist to guide her to his silver Ford Focus. Matt helped her onto the black leather seat and closed the door. “Will you tell me now why we’re going to Fourth and Kingsley?” he implored.

“That’s where Madison is Matt,” Izzy said softly. She sniffed and pulled a napkin out of the glove compartment.

“You’re baby cousin? Why--”

“No,” she interrupted. “Madison Hospital.”

“What?” Matt stuttered, pulling the car over quickly. “Who’s in the hospital?”

Izzy hesitated and took a deep breath, and she found Matt’s warmth on her knee. “Steph was shot when she went jewelry shopping. “

“Iz, you should have told me! I would have broken the law for that,” he said desperately trying to lighten the mood. “Everything’s going to be fine.” Unspoken words communicated the assurance Izzy needed and the wind gently rolled in through the sun roof, the scent of peach blossoms lingering there.

“Thanks Matt.”