Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97337 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
LIZ
I can’t believe the day we had. After buying all the plants that would fit in the back of his truck, we bought ice cream cones and walked along this little boardwalk holding hands like teenagers in love as he pointed out certain landmarks.
Because I didn’t need to be afraid of being seen by someone we knew here, I was able to relax and enjoy his attention and the playful way he was with me. Anyone looking on would see a young couple out for a Saturday afternoon stroll, nothing more.
I found myself wishing for more days like this, not wanting it to end and dreading the time that it will, as it must. “Let’s have dinner here before heading back.” I nodded my answer as he swung our hands between us.
After leaving one small town, he’d driven us to another where we now were. This one was even farther out from ours, a good hour and a half and that band of restriction at the thought of being caught had long left my chest.
So I readily agreed to his suggestion because I didn’t want the day to end. I was in danger of hyperventilating so excited was I. And when he put his arms around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head just as this group of teenage girls went by, I thought I’d melt into a puddle.
We ended up at this quaint little seafood place on the water, which he had chosen of course and the only looks we received were the smiles of welcome from the hostess before she led us to our table.
By the time our starters were delivered to the table I was relaxed back in the booth across from him, all worry and angst gone. “Did you have a good day?” His smile, so endearing, split his face as he reached across the table for my hand.
“I had a great day thank you. I can’t wait to start planting tomorrow.” We’d bought plants that were perfect for early planting with a promise to come back later in the spring for more. The reminder was a bit sobering as I had the fleeting thought that me might not be this close by then.
“What is it? Your face just went from bright to sad.” I shrugged my shoulders and kept my lips closed, not willing to put a damper on the day and the present mood. He squeezed my hand and made me look at him. “Tell me, what just happened?”
I hung my head as I gave him the answer. “I was just thinking that you may not be around next spring, or this time next year.” He didn’t answer right away so I lifted my head to see his expression.
“True, because I’ll be away at college.” He said it as if that could be the only reason, but my mind was somewhere else. In the midst of all the fun we’d had together today, I hadn’t missed the way others looked at him.
And now with the reminder that he will be going away to college in the coming months was like a wet blanket, putting a dark cloud over what had been an almost perfect day. He’s bound to meet someone his age and forget all about me.
He didn’t push, didn’t say anything more, but I could tell from the look on his face that he was thinking. For the next hour I choked down the food that I’d looked forward to trying, not tasting anything. My heart was already breaking.
“If you’re done let’s go.” Did his voice sound gruff? Was he annoyed? Did he think I was pushing him for more by my statement? I was a confused mess as we headed back to his truck, this time with his hand in the small of my back guiding me along.
At least he held my hand as he drove us back and I was so out of it that I forgot to hide when we reached the town. We hadn’t said two words in the almost two hour drive which only made me more self conscious. And by the time I put the key in the door to let us in I was already mourning the end of us.
Drake
She had to go there. I’d been telling myself all day not to think about ‘the time when.’ Today had been one of the best days I’d ever spent in the company of a female I’d slept with. Usually I keep those people at arm’s length lest they get the wrong idea.
But with her it was different. Behind her shy reserve I found her to be funny, bright and sweet. And just when I was beginning to enjoy this new anomaly, she had to go and throw a bucket of cold water all over me.
I didn’t let on that I was a little annoyed with her, but all the way home I was giving serious thought to why I felt the way I did. Color me surprised when I realized that the reason I’m upset with her for bringing it up, is because the thought of leaving her here leaves me feeling cold.