Jovial Memories

Chapter 21

            So everything was agreed. A few days after Mandy had called Dustin and had convinced him to fly out, he told her new information about how he'd be out in a week for the weekend. Mandy had been filled with joy, but now the tough part came—getting everyone else to cooperate.
            She'd told Roy and Iris that Dustin would be coming the day after she made the phone call. While Iris had been somewhat happy, Roy seemed skeptical and only muttered to himself, claiming Dustin might not come at all. But she had told them more information once Dustin had confirmed his visit, explaining to them that they probably would not get a chance to see him, as it was strictly a quick visit.
            Telling her parents had been harder. Mandy had used the excuse that Dustin had been flying out to Vermont for old's time sake and had called on some old friends to see. Her father had been happy for her and more accepting of this fib, while Mandy's mother didn't know if it was a good idea to see Dustin.
            Mandy harshly argued it would be fine, even adding in that Abby might be joining them. At this, her mother seemed even more confused and concerned, seeing as how Mandy had experienced much heartbreak on account of both of them.
            But Mandy let the past slip away. Now, it was her turn to convince Abby to come to her house for a mere twenty minutes to see Dustin and have a discussion about Jessie. It was here Mandy planned to reveal the Time Precedent to them and explain how Jessie could still be alive. If everything went well, maybe their friendship would be restored.
            Mandy headed to the bus stop nervously on yet another cold winter day. It was today she planned to confront Abby and reveal her plan to her. She knew it would be difficult, considering Abby avoided every moment of acknowledgement from Mandy. But she had to try...for Jessie.
            Mandy came to a halt at the bus stop with the other students, swaying from side to side as she tried to warm from the cold and calm her nerves. She jumped as the bus came rolling down the street, screeching as the brakes were applied to let the students on.
            Mandy slowly followed the others onto the bus, her eyes peeled for Abby. She noticed Abby sitting in the back with her friends, which made it even more awkward, but she had to try.
            As she came towards Abby, she slowed. Abby looked up, confused as to why Mandy was stopping in front of her.
            "Hey, Abby, can we talk?" she wondered.
            Immediately she watched as anger grew in Abby's eyes. Unfortunately, Abby couldn't say all the harsh things she wanted to with all her friends and other students nearby. Instead, she growled as politely as she could, "Later, if I get around to it."
            "But why can't we--"
            "Everyone, find a seat!" the bus driver interrupted.
            Mandy sighed and found a seat farther in the back, her eyes fixated on the back of Abby's head. She could see Abby whispering to the other girls, presumably about Mandy. Mandy sighed, knowing Abby wasn't planning to talk to her at any time.
            She sighed as the bus traveled down the street, beginning to doubt herself and her plan even more. This had to work...it just had to. If it failed, she'd be stuck in a lonely world again. This was her chance to somehow recreate the wonderful life she'd had before.
            The bus came to a halt outside of the school, and Mandy immediately rose, hoping to catch Abby. Students began coming off the bus, and Mandy pushed her way to the front, shouting, "Abby! Abby, wait!"
            But Abby had already descended off the bus and was now heading to the entrance of the school. Determined not to lose sight of her, Mandy rushed after Abby through the snow angrily until she caught up to her.
            Abby spun around, surprised to see Mandy fuming there. Her friends froze for a moment, then one girl tugged on Abby's arm.
            "Come on, Abby. Ignore her," she murmured.
            "No!" Mandy growled at the girl. "Abby, I need to talk to you right now. It's important!"
            "What could be important coming from you?" Abby snapped.
            Mandy ignored her stinging comments and persisted in getting her to talk.
            "I wouldn't bother you if it wasn't completely important. I know where you regard me in your life, and I'm not trying to change that. But can I at least speak to you?"
            "I'll see you guys in class," Abby murmured to her friends. They looked at her for a few moments before heading off, leaving Mandy and Abby behind in the snowy parking lot.
            Abby stood with her arms crossed over her chest.
            "And what is it that's so important?" Abby wondered.
            "Dustin's coming out," Mandy explained.
            Abby laughed. "That's it? So what do I care if your ex-boyfriend is coming out? Why is he even coming out? From my understanding, he broke up with you when Jessie died."
            "I asked him to," Mandy explained.
            "And he just came?"
            "That's what I'm trying to tell you. Can you meet with him at my house for just twenty minutes or so this weekend? There's something important I need to tell both of you...about Jessie."
            "Oh, God, what now?" Abby murmured. "She's dead, Mandy! When will you learn that?!"
            "But, Abby, this is important. I wouldn't be asking you to do this if it wasn't important. I really think you'll want to hear what I have to say about Jessie. Please, just twenty minutes," Mandy begged. "Dustin will be there too. You don't have to stay long. But after you hear what I have to say, you're welcome to stay longer."
            "If I say no, you're going to keep bugging me, aren't you?" Abby wondered, annoyed.
            Mandy nodded.
            "I hate your tenacity," she mumbled. "Fine, twenty minutes, but that's all. I don't think this will be anything exciting, but at least you'll promise to leave me alone afterwards, right? Because I don't want something like this to become normal."
            "I'll never speak to you again," Mandy promised.
            "Fine." And with those words, Abby sulked off, leaving Mandy behind. It had been a small victory, but Mandy's hope for the success of the plan grew even more.

When Saturday rolled around, Mandy excitedly traveled with her father to the airport where they would meet Dustin and his mother. They were staying in a hotel nearby for a night or two, but Mandy had wanted to be there when they arrived to welcome them. Her father had also offered to drive them to the hotel, which basically gave Dustin no choice but to welcome Mandy as she came to the airport.
            As Mandy impatiently waited outside of security, she couldn't wait for all that would happen. Her mind was filled with ideas of fun activities, laughter, love, and friendship. It was a silly thought, seeing as how she'd had to force both Dustin and Abby to get together for a mere twenty minutes, but if everything went well, it just might be worth it.
            Her heart leapt in her chest as she saw Dustin and her mother coming from their terminal, dragging their bags behind them. Dustin looked similar, but three years had changed him. He was taller now and more muscular, his long hair had been cut shorter, but he still had a glow in his eyes that Mandy remembered well.
            Mandy waved her arm up and down vigorously, an uncontrollable grin spreading across her face.
            Dustin noticed and awkwardly waved back, though he looked nowhere near as excited to see her. His mother seemed even more emotionless as they met Mandy and her father.
            "Hey!" Mandy exclaimed, throwing her arms around Dustin with no warning. He awkwardly hugged her back, though it had been nothing like the hugs and kisses he'd been accustomed to giving Mandy. This hug felt cold and awkward, and Mandy pulled away quickly as soon as she realized he would not be giving her a warm greeting.
            Mandy glanced down, embarrassed, but was still glad to see Dustin.
            "How was your flight?" her father asked.
            "It was fine. Thank you for offering to drive us, Bernard," Dustin's mother replied. "Shall we?"
            Her father nodded and began to lead the way toward the car. Mandy walked with Dustin, offering to help with bags, but he refused. They walked in silence through the small airport with Mandy desperately searching for some way to spark conversation.
            "Abby's coming tomorrow over to my house," Mandy explained.
            "Good. I was thinking this trip was for nothing," Dustin muttered. "Do you have any idea how much trouble I got in for doing this? How many lies and excuses I had to make up? This better be worth it."
            His harsh words stung, and Mandy turned away for a moment to regain herself. She then turned back to Dustin.
            "It will be worth it," she promised.
            Still, she couldn't help but hide her disappointment. She guessed she had been hoping to find the Dustin she'd fallen in love with. She had hoped he'd be the one running to her, sweeping her up in his arms and kissing her. When he first moved, that was all she imagined. She never imagined their reunion to be this cold and awkward with anger filling the spaces in between them.
            Mandy made her way out to the car feeling more dejected than usual. As they took their seats, Mandy sat shotgun away from Dustin and his mother, aware of where she stood in Dustin's life. She just hoped that would change when she revealed the truth about Jessie.