I reached for the phone and it rang.
I knew it was Diedre from the caller ID but she didn't speak.
She was crying.
I don't know what to do where tears are involved. How do I tell someone it will be all right when it really won't be? When should I hug them or pat their arm? I don't like either of those alternatives either.
I sat cross-legged on the kitchen floor and waited for her to stop choking and crying. I heard the soft snores of Dad coming from his room. I'm glad he can sleep.
Finally, finally, she calms down enough to take a deep breath that isn't painful to me and her.
"He doesn't like me," she said.
I knew who she was talking about but I had to pretend not to. I never thought he liked her. I let Jake kiss me once before I knew Diedra liked him. I shouldn't have let him. I never told her one day while we swam Jake tried to get fresh with me.
"Boys are not worth tears," I said. I had no words to make her feel better.
"Do you ever cry?"
I hesitated on her question. "Of course. Just not over boys."
There was a long silence on the phone until she blew her nose. "Can I come over?"
"Right now isn't a good time. Dad's upset about mom coming over."
"Please." Why does the whining always get to me.
"Fine. Can you meet me out back? By the pool?"
"Thanks." She paused before saying, "I'll tell Aiden you said hi." She hung up quickly.
Her last words brought warmth to my cheeks. I hoped Aiden would come with his sister. I frowned. I should be a good friend and listen to her. My experience with best friends is pretty limited. I don't usually get this far in a relationship. I'm hate to say this but most of my friends don't make it out alive.
I ran to my bathroom and brushed my hair. Should I count to 100 while I brush? I touched up my makeup. Spritzed a little perfume. What was I hoping for?
I heard a car door open and shut. Diedra must be here. I waited a few moments to give her time to find a place to sit. I tiptoed to Dad's door and listened. His still snored. I found a couple of water bottles in the kitchen and slipped out the back door.
I saw a shadow by the big tree and slowly walked over, taking my time. Why could I say to her? How could I help?
I sat down by her and hand a water bottle over. A chill slipped around my head.
I knew it was Diedre from the caller ID but she didn't speak.
She was crying.
I don't know what to do where tears are involved. How do I tell someone it will be all right when it really won't be? When should I hug them or pat their arm? I don't like either of those alternatives either.
I sat cross-legged on the kitchen floor and waited for her to stop choking and crying. I heard the soft snores of Dad coming from his room. I'm glad he can sleep.
Finally, finally, she calms down enough to take a deep breath that isn't painful to me and her.
"He doesn't like me," she said.
I knew who she was talking about but I had to pretend not to. I never thought he liked her. I let Jake kiss me once before I knew Diedra liked him. I shouldn't have let him. I never told her one day while we swam Jake tried to get fresh with me.
"Boys are not worth tears," I said. I had no words to make her feel better.
"Do you ever cry?"
I hesitated on her question. "Of course. Just not over boys."
There was a long silence on the phone until she blew her nose. "Can I come over?"
"Right now isn't a good time. Dad's upset about mom coming over."
"Please." Why does the whining always get to me.
"Fine. Can you meet me out back? By the pool?"
"Thanks." She paused before saying, "I'll tell Aiden you said hi." She hung up quickly.
Her last words brought warmth to my cheeks. I hoped Aiden would come with his sister. I frowned. I should be a good friend and listen to her. My experience with best friends is pretty limited. I don't usually get this far in a relationship. I'm hate to say this but most of my friends don't make it out alive.
I ran to my bathroom and brushed my hair. Should I count to 100 while I brush? I touched up my makeup. Spritzed a little perfume. What was I hoping for?
I heard a car door open and shut. Diedra must be here. I waited a few moments to give her time to find a place to sit. I tiptoed to Dad's door and listened. His still snored. I found a couple of water bottles in the kitchen and slipped out the back door.
I saw a shadow by the big tree and slowly walked over, taking my time. Why could I say to her? How could I help?
I sat down by her and hand a water bottle over. A chill slipped around my head.
