Free Unbroken Promises by Dianne Stevens

had a perfect view. Although it was close, the yellow car was the clear winner.”
    Allen had an ice chest of beer in the truck. Beth had drunk a couple and was enjoying the excitement. They had a few more races but none were as close as the first. Beth was about to open another beer when she saw Cody. Knowing he would tell on her if he saw her, she started making her way back to the car. On her way back Beth thought she saw Jesse’s truck. Beth did not want him to see her but she did want to see him. As she was making her way closer, Annette walked up beside her. “Hey, Beth, where are you going? Come on; let’s go back to the gang and see what they’re up to.” Annette grabbed Beth’s arm and gently tugged.
    “I’ll be there in just a minute. I think that’s Jesse’s truck.” Beth pointed to a dark area far away from everyone where no fires were burning. “I was going to sneak around and see if I could see him without him seeing me.”
    “Uh…I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” The worried frown on Annette’s brow made Beth’s heart drop. She had a sickening feeling about the reason why Annette was trying to steer her away.
    “Okay, tell me the truth, Annette. He’s making out with a girl, isn’t he?” Annette didn’t say anything for a few seconds then her shoulders drooped and she said quietly, “Yes. I had to go pee, so I walked where I thought no one could see me. On my way back I walked near Jesse’s truck.”
    “Di-did you happen to see who the girl was?”
    “No, all I saw were a girl’s legs sticking out of his truck and Jesse was…um…pumping inbetween them.
    “Thank you for sparing me that sight, Annette. I’ve known what Jesse has done with his girlfriends for a very long time, but that doesn’t make it any less painful. Please excuse me. I don’t want to face anyone right now. Will you tell Tammy I’m not feeling well and I’ll be waiting in her car when she ready to go.”
    “Sure, Beth. I’ll tell anyone who asks that you’re not feeling well.” A sob caught in Beth’s throat as she turned and ran back to Tammy’s car.
    The next night at dinner while they sat around the table, Cody asked Jesse, “Which car do you think won, Jess, the blue, or the yellow? I think the blue car won.” Before Beth could stop herself, “No, Cody, the blue car did not win. The yellow car was the clear winner, and, no, Jesse does not know who won because he was otherwise preoccupied with other things more important,” Beth said sarcastically.
    Beth felt a little slash of guilt when she saw the hurt come across Cody’s face. Beth really shouldn’t have been irritated with Cody. He hadn’t done anything to deserve her wrath, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. She was so mad at Jesse that rage spewed from her.
    Jesse and Cody both stared at her. Cody was open-mouthed. Jesse arched an eyebrow, put down his fork, and gave the situation his full attention. Susan and Jordon hadn’t heard anything because they were having their own conversation.
    “And how would you know, Miss-Know-It-All? Surely you were not there.” Cody, sitting beside her said.
    “It’s none of your dadblame business how I know; I just do.” Beth shot back, “Why were you there, Cody? Hmm? How did you get there and who were you with?” Cody bristled at that. Although he had always been Beth’s little snitch, he always felt he did it for her own good.
    Jesse was watching them exchange barbs. He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and listened intently.
    “Well, to answer your questions, I rode there with Jesse to watch my best friend race his car that I helped him work on. Whoever informed you was wrong. My friend Ronnie’s blue car won. They just need better judges out there.”
    “No, they most certainly do not, and no one had to tell me. I was there with my friends and I saw for myself who won,” Beth shot back.
    “Yeah, well that’s not surprising to hear you and your