I don't know what love is but I Love You

Prologue

Summer started out well for Ali. She won an honorable mention in an art contest that she had no idea existed or that she had even taken part in. Her friend Vicki submitted a sketch that Ali had given her in the contest. Ali and Vicki first met in an art class about ten years ago. Although Vicki quickly disliked what she called "paint-splattering," the girls soon found a common language and became almost inseparable.

Later, things weren't so colorful. At the end of July, Ali's twin brother Harry was in a car accident. That evening, Harry was driving his girlfriend home when suddenly a guy on a motorcycle pulled onto the road. The impact was so severe that the motorcyclist didn't survive the accident. Even though the doctors kept telling Harry that there was nothing he could do about the situation, he agonized over questions that no one could answer.

Of course, Ali quickly drove with her mother to the hospital. On the way, she called her father, who was staying late at work to finish a project. When they got there, they learned that both Harry and his girlfriend had no major injuries and if the results of further tests were positive, they'd both be leaving the hospital in a few days. Harry's psyche seemed much worse. Either he blamed himself for what had happened, or he stared at the wall for hours in silence. 

Before the accident, Harry was one of the best athletes in school and had a chance at an athletic scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. Now, it's unclear if he'd ever return to play on the school team again. The hospital psychologist recommended patience and support to help Harry get back to normal, and if things didn't improve, therapy in combination with medication.

Ali's father took a few days off, which was really a feat given his workaholism. It was too bad he spent most of his time talking on the phone. As senior Project Manager for a well-known IT company, he had to supervise, arrange and approve things all the time.

As a child, Ali liked to watch people talking on the phone and to read from their facial expressions if it was a pleasant conversation or one they'd rather forget. Watching her father, Ali noticed that he often smiled during phone conversations. She also noticed that Ivan often called her father. Vicki even joked once that Ali's father was gay, but Ali wasn't amused by the joke.

Ali tried her best to get Ivan's number without her father noticing. She and Vicki immediately went into action. A woman answered the phone, and Vicki politely asked if she could speak to Ivan. Ali hoped it was Ivan's wife or girlfriend, but when she heard it was a mistake, she no longer had any doubts. Before Ali's dad returned to work, Ali managed to call "Ivan" from his phone. She already knew what to expect, but she asked God that it was not true. Hearing an already familiar female voice calling her father a sweetheart, Ali initially wanted to bluntly tell the lady what she thought of her, but she hung up instead. She decided to punish her father first.

That night, Vicki slept at Ali's house. The girls waited until Ali's parents were asleep and quietly went into the garage where they had paint ready. Ali's father's new Lexus was parked in front of the house. Ali furiously poured out the contents of the cans while Vicki spread the paint with a brush, making sure every part of the car was covered. Busy creating their first piece of art together, Ali and Vicki didn't notice that a guy about their age was watching them. He must have been passing by because his Nissan was parked by the side of the road. 

When Joe started yelling that they should stop damaging the car or he'd call the police, Vicki grinned and told him that it was private property and it was none of his business what they were doing there. He walked over to Ali to snatch another can of paint from her. Then, Vicki lunged at him and a fight broke out. Ali's parents ran outside the house. Lights were turned on in the surrounding houses, and people peered through the windows to see what was going on. Vicki managed to escape. Ali's mother was shocked and speechless. Her father, wanting to avoid a major scandal, thanked Joe for his help and dragged his daughter inside.

As Joe returned to the car, he thought of what had just happened. He remembered that he knew the taller girl, a brunette, from school, because his friend Dave seemed to kind of like her. Her name's Vicki, but her sassy behavior didn't make a good impression on him. However, there was something about the shorter girl, also a brunette with big, sad, green eyes, that attracted him. He decided to do a background check and browse Facebook to find out more about her.

Ali listened to her father's cries and then asked who Ivan, or rather Ivana was. The father turned pale. Ali's mother threw her husband out of the house later that night and then panicked. Harry's mental condition was still bad. The company where she worked had announced job cuts due to financial problems, and her husband, who was supposed to support her until death did their part, had just decided to trade her in for a newer model. Ali didn't know how to help her mom, so she just hugged her and let her cry on her shoulder.

A few days after the car affair, the guy, whom Ali and Vicki called "the night guard", showed up at Ali's house again. Not to apologize to her, for interfering in things he'd no idea about, but to lecture her. At one point, something inside Ali broke and she started yelling out whatever was on her mind. When she finished, Joe came up to her and hugged her. She liked that he was well built and that she felt safe in his arms. Despite his undeniable confidence, there was something gentle about him. Joe promised Ali that he'd ask his stepfather, who's a doctor, for help in finding a good psychotherapist for Harry. He also advised Ali to give her mother as much support as she'd need.

Fortunately, Harry agreed to go the therapy. Ali's mom had more responsibilities at work, but for the moment, she didn't have to worry about getting fired. Most importantly, she made an agreement with her husband that until the children went off to college, they'd continue to live in their current home, and he'd pay her the same amount of money he'd spent on the family.

Before Ali knew it, she was spending more and more time with Joe. She got to know his friends and family. Joe felt at home in her house and had a good relationship with Harry and her mother. The unfortunate beginnings of this friendship were now forgotten by both of them. When Ali told her friend that she liked Joe, Vicki first took a deep breath and then shook her head in disbelief. Vicki preferred so-called naughty boys, not boring guys like Joe.

Before Ali knew Joe, she didn't have much experience with guys. None she'd ever kissed, none she'd ever held hands with, and none she liked enough to try to get his attention. She'd her paintings and friendship with Vicki, that was enough for her at least for the time being. 

Everything changed when she met Joe. She enjoyed spending time with him and loved his gentle kisses, and how he cared for her. However, there was a problem. After summer vacations, Ali would start her senior year of high school and Joe would be off college. 

At Vicki's urging, a few days before Joe left for Berkeley, Ali gently raised the issue. When she mentioned that it might be better if they stayed friends for the next year, and waited to date until she got to UC Berkeley, Joe was skeptical. He promised that they'd see each other as often as possible, adding that Berkeley was only thirty miles from Fremont. To prevent Ali from continuing the conversation, Joe first put his finger to her lips and then, seeing that she wanted to say something else, kissed her gently. It was neither a romantic nor a passionate kiss, but Ali felt that she was important to someone. Not only was Joe someone she could always count on, but he also filled the void that had been left when Ali's father disappeared from her life.