I can't help but smile as I walk home. I picture his face as it had been so joyous on the field. His happiness shown throughout his smile and flooded over and into me during the game. I can't help but wish there was a brief moment during the game where his eyes met mine. Or, maybe there was. Yes. There definintly was. I remember it so perfectly now. So vivdly. There he was, on the soccer field, paying close attention to the ball, when, without a doubt, his gaze cought mine. Without consiousness, I believe my expertly brewed story and there's no question in my mind.
I look up and down the vacant street of West Lincoln and when I'm sure no cars are coming, I cross to the white house. Paint is chipping off of the siding, and the front screen door is falling off. It only hangs from its top hinge. I climb up the three wooden steps and onto the porch. I notice that my dad's red, Ford pickup isn't in the driveway. I walk inside and kick off my worn-out white Nike sneakers. I push them into a corner behind the door, and then close it. My eyes keep to the dark wooden floor as I make my way into the living room.
"Jesus!" I exclaim with little breath left in me. Kay sits nonchalantly with her legs crossed on the floral printed sofa. Her arms are folded across her chest and her eyebrows are raised as if she's wating for the answer to a question she's not yet asked me.
"How'd you get in here, Kay!?"
"Your door wasn't locked. I let myself in". My right arm, I let rest horizontally on my forehead. I run my fingers through my wavy, chesnut hair. I let out a heavy sigh.
"Where were you?" she questions flatly.
"I was-I was going for a walk".
"You were going for a walk..." She then nods once. "I have been sitting on the curb outside the fair entrance for one and a half hours, Brad". She emphasizes the "one and a half hours". Damnit! I now remember making plans two days ago to go to the fair on Washington street with Kay. That's what boyfriends are supposed to do anyways right? Take their girlfriends to the carnical, buy them cotton candy, and win them a gigantic teddy bear. I raise both my hands and place them behind my head. My eyes close and I face away from her. After a few seconds of trying to conjur up a plausable excuse to as why I left her alone on a curb, I come up with nothing and turn to face her once again.
"I'm sorry" I say with the most sincerity I can find within myself. Kay rolls her brown eyes and stands up. Her arms remain crossed. She's a pretty girl. Her short, auburn hair is worn in two stubby pigtails. Her shorts remind me of Daisy Duke, and her grey tank top reveals her flat stomach. She walks slowly over to where I'm standing. I watch her with eyes full of guilt. Her arms wrap around my neck and her chest presses lightly against mine. Her gentle, forgiving voice whispers in my ear as our cheeks touch.
"I think I'm in love with you, Bradley, but I'm not sure you do, or ever will feel the same." Her voice is soft. I can tell that she is crying, but I don't let her know that I can. She'd be embarassed. She clears her throat.
"I'm leaving for Montana Tuesday" today is Saturday "and I'm not coming back". She pauses and waits for me to respond. I don't. I should pull her close to me and beg for a second chance, but I'm so tired. I'm just so damn tired of everything. My arms remain at my sides. She pulls away and grasps my shoulders carefully. She searches hard for something deep within my eyes. She doesn't find it. The puzzled look on her face disappears and is replaced with pain as she looks to the ground and walks out the door.
For ten minutes I am left staring at nothing, thinking of nothing. Standing as a statue. I am numb.
1 comment:
This is so great! I can't seem to get enough of it. :) I don't know much, but I know you've got talent.
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