Harvest of Love

Chapter 9

        More days go by, and I find myself looking for things to do. Even Clem has more of a social life than I do at the moment. Between his church functions and card games, he is out most nights. I haven't seen much of Rebecca either. Whether it's the colder temperature or her just plain avoiding me, I'm not sure. The dance looms closer, but I don't know any exact info. I try to hedge around Clem and hint that he might talk to Rebecca to find out the when and where it was to take place, but he isn't easily fooled.

"Why don't ya just ask her yourself?" he huffs while trying to work a crossword puzzle.

"Well, for starters, I haven't seen her to be able to ask," I answer. At that Clem eyes me with exasperation.

"It's not like she lives across the country! She's just across the yard for crying out loud! Go ask her yourself."

He has a point, but to just walk over and knock on her door? I don't know.

"Are you never going to tell me what happened to end a friendship that couldn't last even a day?"

          It wasn't the first time Clem had asked this. I never gave him a direct answer, just that we were too different to be friends. Which is partially true. I could never be satisfied with just being her friend. My thoughts are interrupted when Clem continues after my moment of silence.

"Look, just go and try to talk to her . . . even if only to ask about the barn dance. And remember, you catch more flies with honey." He gives me a pointed look before returning to his crossword puzzle.

        I sit and weigh my options. After a week of being idle, I actually long to go do something, anything. I picture MaryBeth; blue eyes, blond curls, and that cute dimpled smile. She would be a pleasant distraction, for sure. The only thing in my way is Rebecca, who seems determined to forget all about me. All she can do is say 'no' and shut the door in my face. What am I so afraid of? I jump out my chair and grab my coat hanging by the door. As I'm heading out, I hear Clem comment,

"That'a boy."

            It's late evening and the air has a bite to it. I flip my collar up and decide to jog the rest of the way to her house. I hop up the few steps and take a deep breath before rapping the knocker three times. Shortly after, the door opens, and there she is, standing before me in jeans and a baggy sweatshirt. Her hair spilled out of a low ponytail that fell over her left collarbone. She doesn't look surprised, happy, or mad to see me, just resigned.

"What do you want?" she asks flatly.

"Can we talk?" I ask.

Her eyes dart to mine, but just as quickly, she looks back down at the ground.

"What about?" she says softly. This is a side of her I've yet to witness. There's no fire in her eyes, not from anger, excitement, or passionate determination. Just a dullness. Suddenly, I long to bring that fire back. My fists ball into my coat pockets out of wanting to hold her. Instead, I say,

"Walk with me."

She looks back at me and seems to debate it in her mind. Whatever her reason, she decides to step out on the porch and shut the door behind her.

"You might want to grab a coat," I suggest.

"I'm fine."

Stubborn as ever, I think, but start to lead the way from her house. We walk in silence going down the driveway. I see her start to rub her arms like she is cold. I take off my coat and drape it over her shoulders. She smiles at me sheepishly and murmurs,

"Thanks."

The cold now urges me to get to the point. I decided to take Clem's advice.

"I was wondering if I'm still invited to go to the barn dance."

"You want to go?" she asks, slightly surprised.

"Well, yeah. If you don't mind, that is." I'm trying to tread softly figure out her mood.

"But I already have a date, remember?"

"I know, Paul, right? I was just hoping I could put some good advice to use and socialize a bit." I'm gratified to see a smile curve her lips.
"Oh, I see. And I'm the gatekeeper to all the fun," she teases. 

"In a way. You never told me the when and where."

She stops abruptly and turns to me and asks, "Are you hoping to see MaryBeth?"

The wind catches a strand of her hair and blows it across her face. She is quick to tuck it behind her ear, her eyes imploring mine for an answer. My heart is screaming to say,'No, I want to see you,' but the mind wants to safeguard, and so I answer instead,

"Would that be a bad thing?" I see like a veil covers her eyes. Her emotions are purposefully being blocked from me. She turns back to walking as she says,

"No, I guess not."

We are walking back towards her house now. She's a step ahead and silent. When we reach her porch, I reach out and grab her hand.

"Rebecca, wait."

         She looks down at our clasped hands and then up into my face. A spellbound moment passes between us. My eyes roam over her face, taking in her rosy cheeks, full parted mouth, and warm chocolate brown eyes alight with a consuming fire. Like a moth to a flame, I am drawn to her. A magnetic pull drawls me closer, slowly inching my face to hers as she does the same.

"Rebecca! Get inside this instant. It's late." The brisk voice of Mr. Thomas snaps me out of the trance. He is standing in the now opened front door staring pointedly at me. I get the message.

"Ah, yeah, so when is the dance again?"

Rebecca is quick to answer with all the details as she slips my coat off her shoulders and hands it to me.

"Goodnight, Mr. Thomas, Rebecca," I say with a nod of my head. A faint smile curves her lips as she responds,

"Goodnight, Mason."