Something Feels Strange…

A minute or so after I ring the bell the door opens to reveal Dr. Lang–and he doesn’t look very happy once he figures out who I am.

“You’re that girl from the office,” he observes. “One of Susan Harrison’s lackeys. What are you doing here?”

It’s not quite the reception I was expecting–so much for being subtle. I must look pretty stupid standing here with a shocked expression on my face. I mean, what’s a girl supposed to say?

Chapter 29: Fireworks

While I’m trying to figure out how to deal with this unexpected twist, Andy arrives at the door.

“Hey, Tina,” he says brightly. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“You know this girl?” Dr. Lang asks his son suspiciously.

“Sure, Dad,” Andy replies, “I met her while helping her cousin with watercolors and it turns out that we have some common interest in computer stuff. I invited her come to see how I do my websites and to help with some programming. We’re going to the fireworks later.”

Turning to me he says, “Tina, this is my Dad, Dr. Lang. Dad this is Tina Jeffers. She’s down from Alaska visiting her aunt and cousin for the summer.”

“Hi, Dr. Lang,” I give him a tentative girly finger wave. It doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to shake hands. To Andy I say, “We’ve met at work.”

“Come on in, Tina,” Andy invites.  Dr. Lang stands aside and eyes me with suspicion as I scoot in the door.

“Thanks,” I reply as I step inside.  I’m not sure where to go with Dr. Lang but decide that a smile won’t hurt. “Nice to see you again, Dr. Lang.”

About this time a woman comes from somewhere in the house. She holds out her arms for a hug.

“Welcome to our home, Tina,” she says. “I’m Suzanne, Andy’s mother. You’re just as pretty as Andy says.” Just in time, I glance in his direction to see him turn a bright red. “We are just getting ready for dinner. I’ve had Andy set you a place at the table. You don’t mind joining us do you?”

“Thank you, Mrs. Lang,” I reply gratefully. “I’d love to.”

“Great, Tina,” she smiles. “It’ll be just a couple of minutes until everything’s ready.”

Dinner is an extremely tense affair. Dr. Lang keeps glaring at me and Mrs. Lang is obviously displeased with her husband’s demeanor. I also feel like I’m being interviewed by Mrs. Lang. In short order, they know about my being from Alaska, my supposed reason for being in California, the fact that I like to run, and that I’m learning about computer programming. I find out that Mrs. Lang actually owns the small art store where Andy works–something that I did not know.

“Tina’s running with the kids from the high school cross country team this summer,” Andy tells his parents.

“I didn’t know that they practiced over the summer,” Mrs. Lang observed.

“Actually, they don’t–officially, that is,” I respond. “I just met one of the girls on the team and asked for advice on where to run and before you know it, we’re working out as a group in the evenings during the week. I’m used to running alone at home so at first it was strange, but now I think it’s great fun to run with my new friends.”

“Do you run races?” she asks.

“Yes,” I reply, “when I can. I ran as part of a marathon relay at home before coming to California and the high school coach here has recommended that we start running races in the region on the weekends. We’ve got one in some place called Castro Valley next weekend.”

“So, you’re interested in web site design,” Dr. Lang abruptly enters the conversation. “Are you a computer geek too?”

This last comment is the first from Dr. Lang and it comes across as an interrogation. I can sense that Mrs. Lang would like to kick him under the table for being rude to a guest. I really need to find some way to settle him down. Unfortunately his guess as to why I’m here is really pretty accurate.  I need to work on my acting ability right now.

“I don’t know about being a computer geek,” I reply as mildly as I can, “but I am really interested in how web pages work. Andy’s done some really cool stuff. I really want to see how he does it. I learned a little about database programming in school last year and think that there must be a way to use that to help him organize all the images that he has on his site.”

“Is that why they recruited you to work at the Lab?” he challenges me; “because you’re more than a pretty face and can keep an eye on the rest of us?”

“Horace!” Mrs. Lang exclaims. “I will not have you treating our guests like this. You heard her. Her aunt got her the job to keep her busy for the summer. Why are you so suspicious of everyone? We’ll talk about this later.”

Jeez, talk about uncomfortable situations: this is one of major proportions. Even Andy is squirming in his seat. For the rest of the meal, Dr. Lang keeps his mouth shut and Mrs. Lang tries to get the conversation on to more pleasant topics.

At the end of the meal, I help clear the table and offer to help with the dishes, but Mrs. Lang shoos us off to work on our project.

“I suppose you’re going to be working on the computer in your room,” she says to Andy, “Just make sure to keep your door open.”

Andy goes through several shades of pink and red as he replies, “Mo—om, we’re just friends.”

“Even so, Honey,” she admonishes him, “it’s best to avoid compromising situations.”

With that piece of advice we head upstairs to Andy’s room to see what it is he does. I bring my laptop with me, although I did manage to leave my bag and cell phone in the entry way. The recording feature is turned on–of course. I just hope that Dr. Lang isn’t so paranoid as to sweep for listening devices.

Entering Andy’s room, I notice that it is quite a bit different from your typical teen boy’s bedroom.  For one, there are no posters on the wall–just some artwork that he has done. Along one wall are a desk and a bookcase. There are also three computer monitors crowding the desk. I find that two of them go to his working computer and the other goes with his web server that stays on all the time. His room is also very neat. The bed is made, the closet door closed and his other belongings are neatly arranged.  Andy appears to be either very organized, or he is trying to impress me.

“Sorry about that,” Andy apologizes. “My dad seems pretty touchy about things at work these days. Ever since he had a run in with Mrs. Harrison a year ago, he doesn’t trust anyone connected with her. And Mom–well, she is just pleased that I’m making friends. I tend to keep to myself which concerns her.”

“I’m guessing my being a girl also has something to do with your mother’s interest,” I observe. “Mothers are just that way. Just how many girls have you hung out with before?”

“Since grade school,” he grudgingly admits, “exactly none. In fact I haven’t really had any friends since we moved here a couple of years ago.”

“I can’t believe that,” I tell him, “you seem like a pretty nice guy. But I know how things change when you move–I’m an Army Brat after all. You never know which way things will go when you get to a school. Maybe I can hook you up with some of the kids that I’ve been meeting on the running team.”

“I don’t know,” he says, “I’m just not all that interested in sports and stuff like most of the other guys. Actually I don’t mind not having friends too much.  I’ve my photography and computers which keep me pretty busy.”

“Anyway,” he changes the subject, “let me show you how to set up a web page. We’ll do a page about you and your California adventures. Kind of like a blog, but you can do so much more when you’re not tied to a particular format like Facebook or MySpace. If you’ve noticed a lot of the commercial web sites, they have all sorts of layouts and embed lots of different media and your imagination is the only limit to how you can organize and present your information.  The thing that I haven’t learned how to do is to use databases to make a site that requires logins and allows users to search and sort stuff. Mostly my pages are non-interactive.”

“I’m not doing anything interesting enough for a blog,” I say, “maybe we can do a page with showing off some of my better pictures. You know, something artsy like yours. I know a little about databases but I don’t know how to interface them with web pages yet. Maybe we can work together to figure this out.”

Over the next two hours Andy and I lose ourselves in web page development. He sets up a Tina page on one of his websites and we play around with some basic formatting. We take a couple of pictures off my computer and he works some magic with them to crop them, improve the color and lighting, add some text and drop shadows–I really think that drop shadows are cool. They add depth to the image–and make the images into links of their own. He also shows me how to use tables to organize things spatially on the page, adjust color of the background, and link to files that contain just about anything. As we go, I keep a list of the software that he uses to edit the pages and images. He also has software for editing audio and video. I want to buy the same programs for my computer. Maybe the Lab will spring for it. He points out which ones are free to download and I note them on my list so that I can download them when I have more time.

I’m so fascinated as we work through this that it’s a while before I notice how close we are to each other. He’s so engrossed in what he is doing that I’m sure that he doesn’t notice; just like a typical geek. That is, he is oblivious until his mother walks by the room and loudly clears her throat when she sees him reach around me to help me with the mouse. Looking up, he is momentarily confused, then he looks at me and blushes again as he withdraws his arm and scoots away a couple of inches. I noticed that Mrs. Lang had a slight smile on her face.

Brain Central sends a feeling of slight disappointment as Andy moves away.

Whoa! Where did that come from? Looking deep into my feelings, I try to determine if some sort of attraction is going on here. Brain Central is being evasive about giving me a straight answer to my inquiry. This is NOT a good sign. Or is it? I’m getting confused. I move away a little from Andy as I try to sort this out in my own mind.

“Sorry, about that,” Andy apologizes when he sees me draw away. “I wasn’t trying to get fresh.”

“I know,” I respond. “I guess it did look a bit intimate to your mother.”

“Yeah,” he admits, “I imagine it did. Listen, Tina, I don’t want to send the wrong signals here. I think we’re starting to get along great as friends. I’m not ready for anything romantic right now, plus romance would screw up a perfectly good friendship. You don’t mind of we keep it at being just friends?”

“That works for me,” I reply. “I could use a good guy friend right now. I get the sense that the guys that I’ve met here so far are trying to take it to another level. I’m getting more than a little tired of being a target. I’m not interested in romance either. Why is that boys and girls our age just can’t be friends like we were when we were younger?”

“I know what you mean,” he replies. “Before we moved here, I seemed to have more friends who were girls than were boys and it was no big deal–we were all part of the gang. Since I got here and started high school it seems as if boys and girls can’t interact without being labeled as an item.”

“Well,” I declare, “we can break the mold.”

“I was getting worried about your cousin,” he continues. “She was coming on a little too strong for my liking. She was making me pretty nervous. Not that she isn’t quite a catch; it’s just that I’m not ready for a girlfriend right now. In addition, I’m pretty sure that she has a boyfriend and I don’t want to get in the middle of breaking something up.”

“I guess she does come on a little strong,” I tell him, “but really she’s just trying to get some help with her art. I think that she’s trying using her feminine wiles on you. I don’t think that she’d do that if she didn’t need the help.”

“Well, you might find a way to get her to cool it a little,” he suggests. “I’d be happy to help her–as a friend. She’s a very nice girl, you know.”

With the ground rules set we return to finishing my first web page. By the time we are done, I have a web page up on his server which has a couple of images from both Alaska and California, a little text about the images and what they represent. Andy insisted on putting the image of Caitlin and I in our swimsuits at the reservoir on the page. He was impressed at the image quality coming from my cell phone. Most of the other images were scenic. Andy does a masterful job of enhancing some of my images to make them look almost professional.  He is very good with the photography and image editing.

He has also helped me complete the list of software that I need.  We did download and install a free FTP (file transfer protocol) client that will allow me to work on my web page on my laptop then upload the page to his server. All I need is the web and other editing software to keep the project going.

When the time comes to go meet Laurie at the fireworks we agree that bikes will be the best way to go since there will be cars everywhere. I get permission to leave my computer and messenger bag at Andy’s house so I don’t have to carry them around with me. Andy’s house is on the way home. Of course, the record feature is on and I’ve left it in the Lang’s living room. The adult Langs don’t seem to be that interested in the fireworks so are staying home. Mrs. Lang says that crowds make her nervous and that they can get a reasonably good view from their front porch.

What I didn’t tell them is that I could leave it in Aunt Jen’s car during the fireworks, but I figured that they didn’t need to know that. I’ll just act clueless if confronted with that fact later. After all I am the girl from out of town who doesn’t know the local drill.

It’s only a short ride to a good viewing place where we meet up with Laurie and Aunt Jen. I’m delighted to find that the Quinns are also a part of our group. Amanda and Aunt Jen have packed some snacks and drinks for us all. It’s actually more of a tailgate party since they’ve spread a blanket out and set up chairs behind their cars. There’s quite a party atmosphere.

Andy seems intimidated by the crowd, but I grab him by the hand and pull him over to meet everyone. When Dr. Quinn sees me holding hands with a boy, he raises an eyebrow and you can almost see the cogs turning in his head. He is about to go into his protective father mode as I quickly drop Andy’s hand. I’ve seen him do the protective father thing with boys that my sisters have brought home. Fortunately Amanda also sees it coming and elbows him in the ribs then whispers in his ear. I see a disappointed look come to his face as he is apparently reminded that I am not his child this summer. Unfortunately for Tiff, the same rules don’t apply when her latest interest wanders by even though she is technically an adult now.  Tiff, however, has experience with this situation, and quickly grabs the unfortunate young man’s arm and drags him off to see some of the other happenings that are going on while we wait for the fireworks, and before Dr. Quinn can get up to full steam.

Several of Marla’s friends stop by and I get introduced around. Before long, Marla excuses herself to roam with her friends, leaving Andy, Laurie and I with the adults.

“Why don’t you kids go see the sights,” Aunt Jen suggests. “Us old people will just hang out here. Come back here when the fireworks are over.”

That’s our cue to join the wandering hoards. As we roam the area, we stop off to visit with a number of groups. Laurie’s friends Amy, Cindy, and Marjorie join us at one point.

I see Dan and Suzie and we visit for a few minutes. I make sure that Andy is close by and I’m happy to see that Dan seems to be paying Suzie more attention than he did at the pool party last night. It seems that neither of them had really met Andy so I made the introduction, being sure to point out that he is my friend. Suzie gives me a wink during the introductions.

“Hey, girl friend,” she asks me, “are we still on for tomorrow? I did some checking today and there are some great sales going on. I’m pretty excited about it. A couple of my other friends are coming also. It will be great!”

The guys look confused. Apparently no one has told them about our plans.

Laurie pipes up, “Girls’ day out, guys. You know, a shopping binge? I’m sure that you’d be bored out of your minds.”

“Yeah, I’ve got something else going on,” Dan mentions. I’m sure that if he doesn’t he will soon.

Andy quietly just shrugs his shoulders. Strangely, I swear I saw a slightly wistful expression on his face for an instant. I wonder what that is all about?

Eventually we come across Caitlin and some of the girls from the running team. I don’t see her two infamous sidekicks around.

“Girl friend,” she asks after giving me a hug, “Why didn’t you tell me that you’re doing a shopping outing tomorrow? I thought that we are best friends.” She has a hurt expression on her face.

“You told me that you’re working tomorrow,” I say with a shrug. “I didn’t think that you’d be able to go.”

“Well,” she said. “When I heard about the trip from Suzie I pulled in a favor and switched shifts. I’m working in the morning but can come in the afternoon. You don’t mind me coming do you? I’ll give you a ride.”

“Sounds great,” I reply happily. Inside I cringe a little, hoping that Caitlin doesn’t plan on trying to recreate me in her image. The last thing I need is another shopping experience like I had in Alaska.

A couple of the girls from the team who are with Caitlin ask if they can join the fun. This is going to be quite the outing; maybe we should hire a bus. After a bit, cell phone numbers are exchanged and ride arrangements are made.  We all agree to meet a one o’clock by a big fountain that is located in the middle of the mall.

When I tell Caitlin of our excursion into San Francisco earlier and my new acquisitions, she asks to come over early tomorrow to pick me up so that she can see what I got.

While all this girl talk is going on–and at an extremely rapid rate it occurs to me–Andy just stands there trying to take it all in. He is definitely on the outside of this conversation. He is being very patient, however. It appears that he is studying the interactions with interest.

As the time for the fireworks draws near, we decide to head back to where the parents are. Andy excuses himself for a few minutes to go see something. Dr. Quinn takes the opportunity to casually chat with me.

“Did you find the report on Tuesday?” he asks.

“Yes,” I reply. “I took pictures of the pages and sent them on but I’ve heard nothing since.”

“Neither have I.” He ponders; “If a personnel action was to take place it would have by now. This is strange. Did you get the voice recording too?”

“I think so,” I reply. “My phone was in the break room most of the afternoon but it was cleared before I could find the time to listen to it.”

“There should have been some real juicy stuff said,” he mentions. “Either the data did not make the transfer or something fishy is going on.”

“What should we do?” I ask.

“Are you going to work at the same place this week?” he asks.

“I think so,” I reply, “Mrs. Harrison says that they’ve asked to keep me for the summer and she’s thinking about it.”

“Interesting,” he ponders. “She must think you’re getting close to something there.”

“Let’s try the same thing this week only it’ll have to be on Wednesday since the Lab is closed the first two days of the week due to the holiday,” he suggests.

“Are you thinking it’s possible the data is not getting to Mrs. Harrison?” I ask.

“It’s a good possibility,” he says. “If she’s doing her job she’d have to take immediate action to plug any known leaks. Either she’s not getting the information or she’s ignoring it for some reason. If she’s not getting the information then the leak is between you and her in the data collection stream.”

“How do I find who’s between me and her in the stream?” I ask.

“I don’t know,” he replies, “but I have some ideas. Let me work on it.”

“Okay,” I say, “I’ll look for a file on Wednesday and leave my phone in the break room as much as I can.”

“Good plan, kiddo,” Dr. Quinn says. “By the way, let’s plan on sleeping in tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I grin, “I’ll let you off the hook this week. Also, we’re going to be running races in the area on Sundays starting next weekend. We’ll have to find another time to meet.”

“Let me know when you can work me into your busy social life,” he says with a grin. “What’s going on with the boy?”

“Dad,” I whine like my sisters do when he pries into their relationships, “he’s just a friend. I’m supposed to be watching his father.”

Andy has come back so the three of us teenagers grab a place on a blanket and settle into watch the fireworks. I imagine it doesn’t hurt Andy’s public image to be seen lying on a blanket looking up at the fireworks overhead with a pretty girl on each side of him.

The temperature has dropped to about 60 degrees F under the clear skies making me wish I had more to wear than the shorts and light spaghetti strap top I have on currently. The light breeze isn’t helping either. I’m half temped to snuggle up to Andy to get warm, but I’m sure that would freak him out and I’d never hear the end of it from the rest. Fortunately there is an extra blanket which I commandeer to huddle under with Laurie. Everyone else was smart enough to bring a light coat or sweater.

I really like fireworks. The best part is lying almost directly under them and feeling the concussion as they detonate. I really get a kick out of it. This year was no exception, except that I get to squeal, clap and giggle in delight with Laurie. We are like a couple of schoolgirls. I don’t know why, but acting like a girl makes the fireworks more fun.

All too soon, they are over and the crowd erupts into spontaneous applause. This is where having a bicycle is handy. There is quite a traffic jam as everyone heads for home and the bicyclists have little trouble leaving the park.  As it is still relatively early in the evening so many of the teenagers just continue to hang out as the traffic clears, but I feel the need to get home where it is warm.

As Andy and I work our way through the traffic I encounter the Harrisons. I introduce Andy and Mrs. Harrison confirms our run for tomorrow. Ben’s ears perk up when he hears about the run and asks if he can come, but changes his mind when we tell him that we’re planning a ten miler. I notice that he’s eying Andy with some suspicion. I make sure that I stand close to Andy.

When we get to Andy’s home, the lights are on and Mrs. Lang are still out on their porch. Dr. Lang is nowhere in sight. The little bit of exercise riding the bicycle has taken care of my chill, but I still would like to get home.

“Andy,” his mother asks, “you’re not going to make Tina ride home alone are you?”

“I’m okay, Mrs. Lang,” I reassure her.

“Girls these days,” she says disapprovingly. “The world is not a safe place for young women alone in the dark. You’re a nice girl, Tina. My son should treat you with the respect that you deserve.”

Turning to her son, she says, “Andy will you get the poor girl one of your coats or a sweater that she can borrow so that she won’t freeze to death.”

“I’m really okay, Mrs. Lang,” I plead.

“Nonsense, child,” she authoritatively responds. “Now, Andy, please be a dear and bring her bag out when you come back.”

After Andy disappears, she turns to me, she says with a frown, “I’d apologize for my husband’s rudeness but there’s no excuse for it. I really don’t know what’s gotten into that man lately. I don’t know what to say, but he’ll have to apologize himself. I’m so embarrassed that he’d treat a guest like that.”

“On the other hand, Tina,” she continues. “I can’t thank you enough for coming tonight. I’ve worried about Andy for so long. It seems that he hasn’t made any friends since we moved here. He has just withdrawn into his art and computers. Thank you for being his friend. He’s seemed to come alive this week. Thank you for putting life back into him. Maybe you can get him connected with some of the other kids before you have to go home. He really needs some friends.”

“Andy’s a sweet boy,” I tell her. “I’m surprised that he doesn’t have more friends. I’ll do what I can to help him.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” she says giving me a hug, “That’s all I can ask. Come back again soon.”

Andy comes through the door with my messenger bag and a sweatshirt that is a couple of sizes too big for me, but at least it’s warm.

With some final goodbyes we are on our way.

“Tina,” Andy says as we get away from the house. “I hope that my parents haven’t scared you off. Dad’s been pretty sullen the last few years and Mom worries too much about me.”

“I really like your mom,” I tell him. “She’s very nice, but I think I need to work on my relationship with your Dad.”

“Good luck with Dad,” he sighs. “When can we get together again to work on your web site and figure out this database stuff?”

“I’m off work Monday and Tuesday,” I tell him. “I don’t know if my Aunt has anything planned but maybe we can do something one of those days.”

“I have Monday off,” he says, “how about then? I’ve been meaning to go for a hike in the hills south of town to take some scenic pictures. You could bring some of your friends with you.”

“I’ll check and get back to you on that,” I tell him.

When we get to the Mercer’s house, He stops and thanks me for the evening.

“Tina,” he says with sincerity, “This has been the most fun that I’ve had in a long time. I like working with you on computer stuff and going to the fireworks. Thank you and thank Laurie for me. Nobody’s included me in their plans for a long time.”

“I had fun too,” I tell him as we part for the night.

Getting back into the house, Laurie teases me, “What? No goodnight kiss?”

“Ha, Ha, cousin,” I tell her with a wink. “I’m saving my kisses for someone special.”

“Oh,” her eyes light up, “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Who said anything about a guy?” I reply.

After getting ready for bed, we take my computer and cell phone to my room to listen to the recordings. We lie on our stomachs in our night shirts in classic girl fashion–something I still find strange, that is, not having the male equipment to get crushed but having to lean on my elbows to keep from crushing my breasts.

The cell phone recording which was made while I was up in Andy’s room reveals some real tension between the two older Langs. Mrs. Lang really laid into the not-so-good Dr. Lang about his behavior towards their guest. Dr. Lang insisted that I was a spy sent by Susan Harrison who is trying to get him fired. She replied that he was just being paranoid and he has nothing to worry about since he did nothing wrong–obviously referring to the undefined past action against him. Things got pretty heated between the two of them; it wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t confined to discussion about me. Dr. Lang in particular wasn’t very kind towards his spouse. In fact, he was quite condescending towards her in a very sexist way. At least they kept their voices down. I got the impression that arguments are pretty common between these two.

The computer recording is much more interesting.

After Andy and I had left for the fireworks, the Langs had another argument that ended in a stalemate. This one was more brutal than the first. I got the sense that Dr. Lang was bordering on physical violence. Whatever the reason, though, Mrs. Lang left to “go for a walk”.  While she was gone, Dr. Lang made a phone call. We could only get the one side of it.

“Hello, it’s me.”

“Yeah, I know I’m not supposed to call you at home, but I have a situation on my hands.”

“I think the Harrison woman’s found a way to get a spy into my house.”

“No, I’m not just being paranoid. This little slut is from the temp pool that Harrison runs at work just showed up at my house and is hanging out with my son. She was asking about my son when she first showed up at the Lab and now she’s here. How likely do you think it is for a son like mine to pick up a girlfriend on his own? I just bet she’s been sent to look for evidence against me.”

“It’s too strange to be a coincidence. I’m sure the little whore is trouble.”

“I know, I know. I won’t say anything incriminating, but I don’t like having her around–particularly right now. Just check her out, will you.”

“Her name is Tina Jeffers. All I know about her is that she’s Mercer’s niece from Alaska and is here for the summer. Oh yeah, and she likes to run. She’s running most evenings with the local high school cross country team.”

“Okay, okay–I’ll play it cool, but if she so much as looks sideways I want you to find a way to get rid of her.”

This last comment was followed by his slamming the phone back on its cradle and some expletives attached to comments about meddling women and his perception of their role in life.

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Thanks to Gabi for polishing this chapter. I've learned a lot from her!