Mahogany Blood

Mahogany and Brittany walked home together after school. Brittany’s little brother Steven walked with them. Mahogany lived a block away from Brittany. They had known each other since Mahogany’s parents died when she was seven. She had come to live with her aunt, Laurie. 1

They stopped in front of Brittany’s house. It was a two story, brick house.
“You want to come over for awhile?” Brittany asked.
“I can’t, I have to go home. I have to meet the people Laurie invited to live with us.”
“Why are they staying with you?”
“Their house burnt down and my hippie aunt had to play Mother Theresa and invite them to stay with us.”
“Oh, yeah, I would come over, and meet them with you, but I have to stay home and baby-sit.” Brittany ruffled the dark hair of a young boy, around the age of nine.
“I’ll call you, later” Mahogany said as she began to walk down the road.2

Brittany waved and watched her friend walk the block to her house. It was a large house; two-stories, three bathrooms, five bedrooms. Laurie thought it was a shame to have such a big house for only two people. She often invited tragic-struck families to stay with them. She went upstairs to her bedroom and left her backpack and books. She went downstairs to the kitchen, and found Laurie. Mahogany sat on the counter. 3

“How was your day?” Laurie asked.
“Okay, I got a 90 on my physics test.” Mahogany replied.
“That’s good. Mr. Croone and his son will be here in about an hour, and then we’re going out to dinner. I know you’re a little uncomfortable with this, but they’ve been through enough. Try to make this a pleasant stay for them.”4

Mahogany returned to her room to tend to her homework. Her bedroom was of interesting décor. There were posters of punk bands littering the walls, with her artwork. She enjoyed to draw, especially mythical creatures, and had her share of dragon drawings. She finished her homework, turned her stereo up, and lied on her full-size bed, with its dark purple and lime green bedding.5

She returned downstairs. Laurie was impatiently waiting for her guests and watching TV. Mahogany sat on the couch. The doorbell rang. Laurie jumped up, as excited as a kid at Christmas, took a deep breath, and opened the door. She extended her hand, and allowed Mr. Croone and his son to enter. Mahogany got up, and walked toward her aunt. 6

“Come on in. This is my niece Mahogany,” Laurie introduced Mahogany. She had previously met the Croones.
“Hello, Mahogany, this is my son Tyler.” Mr. Croone extended his hand to shake Mahogany’s as he introduced his son.
“Mr. Croone,” Mahogany said with a nod, while shaking his hand.
“Please, call me Sam.”7

Mahogany nodded to Sam, and moved her eyes to Tyler. He was around her age. He was tall, had short brown hair, but not too short, and was very handsome. She blushed a little as she took Tyler’s hand into her own to shake it. 8

“Hello” he said, with a hint of a peculiar British accent. He smiled at her.
“Why don’t you show Tyler to his room,” Laurie said.9

Mahogany led Tyler to the bedroom beside hers. It was always the first one Laurie rented out. Tyler had a duffle bag with items they had purchased since the fire, last week. He set it down beside a twin-size bed, with plain blue bedding. She sat on his bed, and he looked around his new room. 10

“My dad tells me we’re in the same grade.” Tyler said as he began taking clothing from his bag, and filling the drawers of a tall oak dresser.
“Yeah, I guess we are. My aunt never tells me anything. I was relieved to have someone my own age stay with us. The oldest we’ve had before was twelve.” There was a short silence. “I’ll show you the rest of the house.”11

Mahogany led him through the house; showing him bathrooms, the kitchen, dining room, living room. She showed him her room last.12

“And this is my room” she said as they entered.13

Tyler looked around, admiring the posters and beautiful artwork.14

“Did you draw these?” He asked, pointing to various drawings.
“Yeah, they’re nothing.”
“They’re incredible.” He smiled.15

Mahogany sat on the bed and watched him. He sat beside her, and they chatted about miscellaneous subjects. Finally, Mahogany couldn’t take it. She had to know.16

“What’s with the accent?” She asked, deathly curious.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to ask. My parents got divorced when I was young. My mum moved to Britain. I lived with her until she died a year ago. Then I moved back to America with my dad.” 17

Before Mahogany could say anything else, Laurie knocked on the door.18

“Ready to go?” She asked. 19

They went out to an Italian pizzeria; fancy, but not formal. Mahogany learned about Tyler’s mom dying, and about the house fire. Mr. Croone, and Laurie mostly talked while Tyler and Mahogany just listened. They returned home late and tired. Mahogany took a shower, and went to bed. She promised to show Tyler around the school building the next day.20

The next morning, Mahogany and Tyler left to walk to school. Mahogany told him that her friend Brittany and her little brother Steven walk with them. They were quiet until they reached Brittany’s. Tyler stayed on the side walk as Mahogany knocked on Brittany’s door. 21

“Hey, why didn’t you call? I want to know everything,” Brittany asked as she greeted her.
“Sorry, we went out to dinner. Come on, Steven,” Mahogany called as Steven raced to find his homework. 22

He ran out the door to the sidewalk. Brittany and Mahogany followed. 23

“This is Tyler” Mahogany introduced him.
“Hello” Tyler politely said. 24

When they arrived, Mahogany gave Tyler a short tour, before the bell rang. She showed him to his first class and walked with Brittany to theirs. They had English together. 25

“He’s cute” Brittany said as they walked.
Mahogany blushed a little “I guess”
“You guess? He’s gorgeous, and that British accent”
Mahogany remained silent, but she could feel her faced flush red.
Brittany smiled. “You like him, don’t you?”
“What makes you think that?” Mahogany said, coyly.26

The second bell rang and they hurriedly found their seats. Mahogany sat behind Brittany. She found herself distracted from the lesson. She passed him in the hall several times, and helped him to his classes. At lunch she showed him where she eats with Brittany, and he joined them. After lunch, they had class together. He was introduced to the class, and allowed to sit where he pleased. He took an empty seat next to Mahogany. She blushed slightly, and tried to hide it with a warm smile. 27

Brittany came over after school. She got to know Tyler better, and got Mahogany to confess that she likes him. Over the next few days Mahogany began to realize how much she liked Tyler. She was still a little uncomfortable around Sam, but she enjoyed being around Tyler. They spent most of their time after school together. Tyler didn’t know anyone else, and most of the time, Brittany had to go home to watch her brother. 28

A week has passed since Tyler and Sam Croone moved in. After school, they walked with Brittany and Steve. Mahogany invited Brittany over, but she had to watch Steve again. When they got home, there was a note in the kitchen saying Laurie and Sam were going to be gone for the night, and that Mahogany and Tyler were on their own for the night.29

Mahogany finished her homework in her bedroom, laid on her bed, and relaxed to her stereo. Something she hadn’t done since she met Tyler. There was a knock on the door and she turned down her stereo with a remote. 30

“Can I come in?” Tyler asked, as he opened the door.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Mahogany replied.
“Nothing, I was just thinking, and I wanted to see what you were up to.”
“Come on in” Mahogany sat up, and made room for Tyler. “What’s on your mind?”
Tyler sat beside her, he was nervous. “Nothing really, I just wanted to talk.”31

A song came on Mahogany didn’t care for much. She skipped the track to another, slower song.32

“Are you going to the homecoming dance next week?” Tyler asked.
“Probably not, why?” Mahogany replied, oblivious to what was happening.
“Would you go if you had a date?”
“I might.”
Tyler took a deep breath. He didn’t have much success in asking girls out in Britain and there hadn’t been any girls he liked since he moved in with his dad. “Would you go if I was your date?”
“Yes,” she replied with a smile. He smiled. His hand slowly took hers. The phone rang. She crossed her room to answer the phone on her dresser. She faced the wall as she spoke to her aunt. She hung up and turned around. Tyler had left. She turned off her stereo, and went downstairs to find him. He was watching TV. She walked over and sat next to him. 33

“I really like you, Tyler. I’m glad you asked me to the dance. I probably would have never gotten the courage to ask you.” She smiled and kissed him on the cheek before grabbing his hand, and laying her head on his shoulder to watch the TV.34

He didn’t say anything, just embraced the moment. She picked up her head. He looked at her, deep in her eyes; dark tunnels leading to dark thoughts. Spontaneously she leaned in and kissed him very lightly on his somewhat dry lips. He responded before she could pull back. His lips moved with hers, and invited her tongue into his mouth, just as readily as her aunt had invited him to stay with them. Their tongues danced with each other’s. DNA swirled between their mouths, connecting them in some unknown way. She had never felt this when she kissed a guy before. There was something special about this kiss, and something special about him. She loved it. Her hands ran through his hair before running over his warm torso under his shirt. 35

The phone rang again. She refused to answer it at first, but then decided she had to. She reluctantly left Tyler, and went to the phone in the kitchen. It was Brittany. 36

“What are you up to?” Brittany asked over the phone.
“Well, Tyler asked me to the dance, and we were in the middle of making out when you called. So, not much.” Mahogany replied, as casual as she could.
“Oh, wow, nothing much? I’ll let you go. I want to know everything, later.”37

As Mahogany returned to the couch, a car pulled in the driveway. They decided not to tell Laurie and Sam just yet. 38

“Hi kids, have a good night?” Laurie asked as she came inside, followed by Sam.
“You could say that” Mahogany replied and smiled to Tyler.39

Sam and Laurie watched TV with Tyler and Mahogany for awhile. Mahogany looked around, and realized she was happier than she had been in a long time. She smiled at Tyler, before standing and leaving, claiming she had a test to study for. After awhile Tyler left, and found her in her room. 40

“I can probably get the car from my dad Friday, if you want to go see a movie, or something.”
“That’d be great” Mahogany kissed him, realized she was falling in love with him. She had known him for a little more than a week, and she was falling in love with him. She told herself it was crazy, but she never felt like this before. 41

The next day in English, Mahogany told Brittany all about the previous night; about him asking her to the dance, about kissing him, and going with him to the movies tonight. She told Brittany everything, except that she thought she was falling in love with him. Brittany didn’t readily believe in love, much less teenage love, after knowing someone for only a week. She believed in lust. 42

After school, Tyler went up to his room, while Mahogany sat on the kitchen counter being interrogated by her aunt about her day. 43

“So, got a date for the dance?” Laurie asked.
“Maybe” Mahogany replied, playfully.
“Maybe? Maybe sounds like a yes, to me kiddo. May I ask who the strapping, young lad is?”
Mahogany smiled and replied. “Tyler”
“Oh, that’s good. He’s a good kid. I knew you’d like him, when I met him.”
“I’m also going to the movies with him tonight.”
“Sounds fun” Laurie smiled at Mahogany. It had been awhile since Mahogany had a date. Her last relationship ended badly, and Laurie was beginning to worry. 44

Mahogany went upstairs, and began getting ready. Tyler had gone downstairs to ask his dad for the car. He got permission, and waited for Mahogany downstairs. She appeared, after working hard on make-up, her outfit, and her hair. Tyler was breath-taken with how beautiful she was. 45

“Let’s go” She said. She hugged her aunt good-bye, and they left.46

They were silent in the car. Mahogany caught occasional glances of Tyler, and couldn’t help but smile. The night was perfect, and he was perfect. Mahogany couldn’t remember not having a better night. 47

“Thanks” Mahogany told Tyler in the car on the way home.
“For what?”
“For such making this a wonderful night.” She smiled.48

Her smiled faded as she looked forward. Tyler swerved, but it couldn’t be avoided. A large truck was heading toward them, in their lane. The driver was drunk. Tyler tried to miss, but the truck was moving to fast. It hit them dead-on. The small car flipped over the truck, landing on the top before rolling three times to the bottom of a hill. It landed on the driver side. Mahogany opened her eyes after a few minutes. She was dazed, and couldn’t remember what happened. She looked over at Tyler, and suddenly remembered. 49

Tyler wasn’t moving. Mahogany was terrified.50

“Tyler?” She called him. “Tyler, come on. We’re okay.” 51

Tyler still didn’t move. Blood trickled down the side of his face. She pulled on his shoulder. She pulled him up enough to see the other side of his face and neck. There was a large piece of glass in his neck. Blood poured from the wound. There was a pool of deep mahogany blood beneath him. Mahogany’s eyes filled with tears. She called his name again, and demanded that he get up. She refused to believe it. She faintly heard sirens. She looked up, and saw blue and red lights flashing on the hill. She tried to get out of the car, but couldn’t move her legs. Paramedics hurried down the hill to the totaled car. They worked fast to pull open the passenger door, and free Mahogany of her safety belt. She still held onto Tyler as they pulled her out. 52

“Don’t leave him” she begged the paramedics. 53

They gently laid her on the stretcher. 54

“Ma’am, can you feel your legs?” One paramedic asked her. She didn’t answer. “She’s losing a lot of blood” he called to the other. 55

She heard another on his walk-talkie. “…car accident, one teen female, severely injured, possibly paralyzed, losing a lot of blood, one teen male, not breathing, lost a lot of blood…” 56

Mahogany died on her way to the hospital. Her dying words being: “let me with him.” She received her wish.
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