She Walks in Beauty…
Dean Portman walked out of his English class feeling discouraged. He'd
failed yet another test, and he only had one more chance to pull his
grade up before the final. Determined to find something positive in the
day, he put the test in his locker and went to hockey practice.
Coach Orion was waiting for him in the locker room. "Hey, coach
howya doin'?" "Not too good, Portman. I found out a few hours ago
that you're failing English. To be eligible for the Ducks, you have to
maintain at least a C average in every class. I'm sorry, but I'm going to
have to suspend you from the team until your grade goes up." "But,
coach…" "No buts. I hate to do this, but your schoolwork comes first. I
spoke with your teacher and she has a student in mind who's willing to
tutor you. Her name's Haley and she's waiting for you in the library."
Defeated, Portman changed and went to the library. He started flirting
with some cheerleaders when he felt a tap on his shoulder. "Uh, excuse
me, Dean Portman?" Dean turned around to see a tall, slender girl in
glasses looking at him. "Yeah, that's me." "I'm Haley Davidson." "Nice
to meet you." They shook hands and Portman followed Haley to a
table. "Mrs. Notestine told me you're flunking English Lit. I got an A in
the class last semester and she asked me to help you. What is it exactly
that throws you so much about it?" "I don't know.. I can never
understand what they're trying to say, and half the time it's so boring I
don't even want to try. Anyway, the only reason I'm taking it is because
I need it to graduate, so if you can help me get a passing grade, that's
great." "Oook. Your next exam is over Romantic and Carpe Diem
poetry and selected works of Shakespeare. We only have three weeks
to get you familiar with all the material, so we're going to spend a week
on each. Now, I really hate studying here, so how about we alternate
my house with your house for your sessions?" "That's fine. When do
you want to start?" "We can start right now if you want. I have to go to
my locker and get my things, but I'll meet you in the courtyard in 10
minutes." "Ok, see ya."
They were in Haley's living room going over some romantic poetry.
"Dean, most of the…" "Portman." "What?" "Call me Portman. Only
my mom calls me Dean." "Ok. Portman, the poetry you find so boring
was a way for people to express their feelings. It's a way to let someone
know how you feel about them with just a few words." "Like Casey
Kasem and those long distance dedications." Portman smirked. Haley
glared at him. "Sorry Haley, but I don't see why I need to care about
some dead guy tryin ta mac on some chick." 'Oh boy.' she thought.
'This is gonna be harder than I thought.' So started their Monday,
Wednesday and Friday routine.
The following week, Haley was in the library waiting for Portman. She
glanced at her watch for the fifth time. She'd been waiting for twenty
minutes and there was still no sign of him. 'I have to be at rehearsal
soon, if he doesn't show up we're not going to be able to…' Just then,
Portman walked in with a beautiful girl on his arm. She was very giggly
and it was painfully obvious that she wasn't very…complicated. He
kissed her on the cheek and walked up to Haley. "Sorry, Hale I got a
little..detained." "Forget it, let's just go."
In his living room, Portman sensed her hostility and tried to apologize.
"Hale I'm sorry, I just…" "Save it." She said sharply. "I don't care. If
you want to just throw the hockey season away, that's fine with me,
but you can't just keep me waiting like that! I'm doing you a favor, you
jerk, how dare you just blow me off to pick up some airhead?!!" "Hey,
what's wrong with Jasmine?" "Trust me, you could do a whole lot
better than little miss Barbie-doll." "Like who, you?" Haley glared at
Portman, gathered her things and left.
Haley was pounding away at the piano in the music room, pouring her
frustrations into the black and white keys. 'Why do I care if he flunks
English? Why should I care if he has a bubble-headed girlfriend?
Because…I like him.' As she played the final two bars, she started to
feel a lot calmer and sighed contentedly as she played the last chord.
The sound of someone clapping came from the doorway and Haley
turned to see Portman standing there. "Wow, you're really good!"
"Thanks." "Look, I'm really sorry about before. You were right; I had
no business making you wait like that. You're a really great tutor and
I'd hate to lose you. You know, today I realized for the first time that
"To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" isn't about sex." Haley
laughed until she saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Can we start over
today?" "Haley looked at her watch and frowned. "No. I'm sorry, but I
have rehearsal, then work and then I have to do homework." "What
show are you in?" "It's for the talent show coming up. My group is
doing a song from the musical "Chicago". Tell you what. If you want,
we can have a special session tomorrow afternoon. Can you meet me in
the library?" Portman beamed. "Yeah, I'll see you then."
The next day, Portman walked into the library right on time, but Haley
was no where to be found. The librarian came up to him. "Dean, Haley
wants you to meet her at the ice rink." "Thanks, Mrs. Robinson."
Puzzled, Portman walked to the rink, to find Haley skating with the
Ducks. "What's goin' on?" "Well, I've decided that you've been off the
ice long enough. You have a big game coming up and you haven't been
on the ice in two weeks. You're going to practice while I quiz you."
Portman looked at her like she was crazy, but then said "Whatever you
say, sunshine."
The next week, Portman and the rest of the Ducks were in the Recital
Hall to watch Haley perform. They were the last act and just about to
go on. The lights went down in the hall as the curtain went up. The MC
went onstage and said, "And now, the six merry murderesses of the
Cook County Jail present their rendition of the 'Cell Block Tango!'"
The stage lights came up on six girls, all wearing skimpy black leather
outfits. Portman gasped in shock when he spotted Haley. She was
wearing a leather mini-skirt, black mid-rif top, fishnet stockings and
high heels. Fulton noticed the look on his friend's face and said, "That's
a switch from the shirt and jeans she was wearing at practice." "Yeah,"
said Luis. "She can tutor me anytime. I do need extra help in anatomy."
"Watch it Mendoza." Portman frowned, not liking the tone in his voice.
He was so stunned at her appearance (and how his hormones were
reacting) he could barely pay attention to the song. Everything was a
blur for him as the song ended and they were declared the winners.
It was two days from the game and one from Portman's big exam. He
and Haley had just finished their last session. "Portman, you're gonna
ace that test. You practically know it better than me." "Thanks." Haley
got up to leave when he stopped her. "Hold on a sec, I'll be right back."
Portman left the den and returned holding a rectangular package and a
purple rose. "Portman…" "Don't argue with me, I wanted to do
something nice for you." He handed the package to Haley and watched
as her brown eyes grow large when she saw what was beneath the
wrapping paper. Haley couldn't believe her eyes when she saw a
beautiful leather bound edition of Wuthering Heights with gold-leaf
pages. "Oh my God." "Mrs. Notestine said it was your favorite." "Yes,
I…thank you." She put her arms around Portman and hugged him.
"You're welcome." As they started to pull away, Portman looked
deeply into Haley's eyes and realized he didn't want to let her go. Ever.
The next day, Haley was pacing with the Ducks outside Mrs.
Notestine's room waiting for Portman. Slowly, the students started to
file out of the room, each looking drained. Portman was the only one
left; Haley could see him scribbling and erasing furiously. "Dean, I'm
afraid I have to call time. Please bring me your test." As Portman
walked to her desk, Mrs. Notestine continued, "I'll grade it first tonight
and call you and Coach Orion about your game eligibility."
"Well, what did she say? How'd you do?" Fulton asked. "I don't know,
she's not grading them til tonight, but she said I'd be the first. She's
gonna call and let me know." "Don't worry," said Haley. "I know you
did great. Why don't you guys go down to the rink and blow off some
steam? You should get some more practice in before tomorrow." The
Ducks thought it was a great idea, and dragged Portman away.
'Coming to the rink was a great idea.' Portman thought. It felt good to
be back on the ice, bashing skulls with Fulton as usual. Though he was
having a great time, Portman found it hard to concentrate on the plays
they were running. Something was missing. 'But what?' he thought.
Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. 'I miss her.'
Haley was in her living room, doing homework. Her parents had gone
out for the evening, so she decided to make a night of it. There was a
big pot of spaghetti warming on the stove and a copy of her favorite
movie The Princess Bride in the VCR. Just half an hour more of
calculus and she'd be in slacker heaven. Her thoughts were interrupted
by the sound of her doorbell. "Portman, come in, what are you doing
here?" "I just wanted you to be the first to know that I passed the test!
Mrs. Notestine was so surprised she dropped it off at my house." He
held it up for Haley to see. "A --minus! That's great Portman!" She
threw her arms around him. "I knew you could do it!" "Thanks Hale."
Portman looked at Haley. She was just wearing a baby-doll shirt and
baggy flannel pants; her hair was up in a bun, but some wisps of hair
framed her face. To Portman at that moment, she was the most
beautiful woman in the world.
"I get it." He said quietly. "What?" "Remember our first session when
you told me that poetry is a way to let someone know how you feel
with just a few words?" "Yeah." "I finally understand what you meant.
When you care about someone, you could go on forever about how
much you love their laugh, how special they are to you…or how
beautiful you look in a shirt and flannel pants. Sometimes you need to
borrow someone else's words because nothing you could say would
ever be good enough to express what's in your heart." Haley just looked
at him, unable to speak. Portman took a deep breath, held her hands
and continued. "She walks in beauty like the night, of cloudless climes
and starry skies, and all that's best of dark and bright meet in her
aspect and her eyes." Haley was still silent; he was inwardly willing her
to say something, anything to fill the void. She still didn't say anything
as she put one arm around Portman's neck and pulled him to her. Their
kiss was delicate at first, very slow and tender. Then Portman pulled
Haley closer to him and it took on urgency as it deepened. When they
finally parted, Haley's cheeks were slightly rosey. She kept her arms
around his neck as they smiled at each other. Portman held her close,
knowing he would never have to let her go.
The next day, Haley and Portman walked into the Ducks locker room
holding hands. He was a little nervous because he hadn't really been
practicing with the others as he should. "Don't worry about it, you'll be
fine. Look for me in the stands, I'll be cheering you on." Portman put
his hands on her hips and drew her close for a kiss when a towel
suddenly covered his face. "Come on, there are people getting sick
here." Said Averman. "Alright, alright, I get the hint." Haley said
smiling. "Good luck guys," she said tugging on Portman's shirt. They
kissed quickly and Portman looked on as Haley walked away. Coach
Orion walked in from his office. "Ok guys, huddle up, we've got a
game to win. Nice to have you back, Portman." "Thanks Coach." After
their pep talk, the Ducks took to the ice, the auditorium thundering with
cheers.
A few weeks later, Portman and Haley were together at her house,
making out on the couch. Portman pressed her body against hers and
let his hands wander up her shirt. Haley pushed his hands away. "Not
yet, ok?" "Sure, I’m sorry." His cheeks were flushed, Haley thought he
looked absolutely precious. "Thanks for being so sweet about this…"
"No sweat. You’re worth waiting for." He kissed her forehead.
"Actually, I just remembered I have to meet Fulton and go over a play
for next week’s game." He started to put on his letter jacket, but
stopped. "Haley, I know it’s corny, but I want to give you this. Will
you wear it?" "It's not corny at all, I’d love to wear it. That’s the real
reason I’m dating you, you know. It’s all about the jacket." "My girl,
the smart ass." Portman kissed her and started walking to the door. He
turned, wearing a strange expression. "Haley?" "Yeah?" "I …I
uh…nothing." They kissed quickly and Haley watched as he walked to
his car. "I love you too, Dean." She whispered.
Portman was kicking himself as he drove. "Why can’t I just say it!? I
love you, I love you, it’s not that hard." His thoughts were interrupted
by a car spinning out of control, heading straight for him. Haley was
cleaning up when the phone rang. "Hello? Hi Scout, what’s…oh my
God, I’ll be right there."
Scout was an EMT with the local hospital. Her latest rescue was a
teenage male who was hit head on by a drunk driver. The driver was
killed instantly, but Portman was all right for the time being. Scout
recognized him and called Haley. In the hospital lobby, Scout could see
Haley running up to her. "How is he? Where is he? Is it bad?" "He’s
stable, but in ICU for observation. He’s not supposed to have visitors,
but I can sneak you in."
Portman was a mass of tubes and bandages. When Haley walked into
the room she gasped at the sight of him. She silently sat down on a
chair and held his hand. About an hour later, a nurse walked in. She
was startled by Haley and asked her to leave when she saw the jacket
Haley was wearing. "Are you his girlfriend?" "Yeah. How is he?" The
nurse took some readings and his
blood pressure. "If he stays like this, he’ll be in a regular room in the
morning. How did you two meet? I’m sorry, I’m just curious. You
don’t seem like the type to hang out with him." "He was failing English,
so to keep his eligibility to play hockey, I tutored him. Somewhere
between Shakespeare and Tennyson, we just clicked." "That’s sweet,
you must mean an awful lot to him for him to give you that jacket."
"Yeah." "Do you love him?" Haley nodded. "Then everything will be
just fine." Haley smiled at the woman. "Thanks. I’m Haley, by the
way." "Nice to meet you, Haley, I’m Debra." They shook hands and
Debra promised that as long as she was quiet, Haley could stay as long
as she wanted.
Haley stayed at Portman’s side all night. Debra came in every few
hours to look at his vitals and she and Haley talked a little. When Haley
opened her eyes the next morning, Portman was smiling back at her.
"Dean! Are you ok, how are you feeling? Why didn’t you wake me
up?!" "Easy, easy. I’m fine,
but my head hurts like crazy. And I like watching you sleep, you looked
so
cute." He gave her a look that was so adorable she couldn’t stay mad at
him. She sat next to him on his bed and kissed him gently. "Have you
been here all
night?" "Yes." Just then, Debra walked in. "And this is Debra, she’s
been
watching you all night too." Portman smiled. "Hi Mom." Haley’s mouth
dropped open. "Hey sweetie." Debra kissed his cheek. "So, what do
you think of my girl?" "Oh, she’s very special; hold onto her, Dean.
Haley, we’re going to move Dean to room 315 this morning. Why
don’t you go home and get some sleep? I’ll keep my eye on him here."
"Ok. I’ll come by later with some magazines or something." "Thanks
babe." They kissed and she turned to leave.
As Haley walked away, Debra nudged her son’s arm. Tell her." She
whispered. "What?" "You gave her your letter jacket, I know what that
means." Haley was almost out the door. "Haley wait." She turned and
looked at him sweetly. "Mom, can you leave us alone please?" "Sure,
I'll be right outside." "Haley, I've been trying to tell you something for a
long time, but I just don't know how." Haley walked over to his bed
and squeezed his hand. Portman took a deep breath and looked into her
eyes. "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds or bends
with the remover to remove: Oh, no! It is an ever-fixed mark, that
looks on tempests and is never shaken. Love alters not with his brief
hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom. It this be
error and upon me proved, I never writ nor no man ever loved."
Just then, Debra came in with two orderlies. "Haley, I’m sorry but it’s
time to move Dean." "It’s alright, I was just leaving." Haley kissed his
hand and stood up. She could feel Portman’s eyes on her as she walked
to the door. Right before she opened the door, the Ducks stormed in
and rushed to Portman’s bed. Through the large group of kids around
his bed, Haley managed to hold Portman’s gaze long enough to mouth
the words ‘I love you too’.
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