This land really was beautiful with the rolling hills and areas of thick green forests. There was always something to see or find. I decided to take him to my favorite place. It was a pretty good walk from either of our houses, but I promised him it would be worth it. Along the way, Bullet found us and decided to tag along. I was actually glad to have him. He gave us something other than the scenery to talk about. I could tell Ben really wanted a dog. He was constantly praising and petting Bullet, who was in doggy heaven from all the attention. When I asked him why he didn't have a dog of his own, he simply said that his mother would never allow it, not even if it stayed outside. I told him I was willing to share and was rewarded with that one-sided grin and a simple 'thanks.'
When we finally reached the spot, I could tell he was impressed. It was a small clearing amid the dense foliage with a bubbling creek running through it. There was also a small pool of sorts in the creek from where rocks had damned it up. The water was so clear- you could see straight to the bottom. The grass was so soft and green that I always would stretch out on it and look up at the glistening rays of sunlight coming through the tree branches like a kaleidoscope. I found peace here. No matter what the season: fall with the changing colors, winter with sparkling snow and ice, spring brought wild flowers and birds chattering, or now an oasis in the heat of summer.
"How did you find this place?" Ben asks.
"Well, my only escape from boredom was to explore. I have been all over this property, but this" -I say stretching out my arms wide to encompass the whole area - "is Heaven on Earth." He smiles as he takes a good look around.
"I believe you're right. So why would you want to share it with me?" For a moment, I think that I honestly don't know, except maybe I wanted to impress him, and this place is all I have. Instead, I say,
"Technically, it's your place now since my father had to sell it." Then I realized that I said too much. I knew he caught it too by the expression in his eyes as he studied my embarrassed face and how they traveled down to my worn-out shoes. I wanted to cry. But who am I kidding anyway? One glance at me would scream 'poor.' Funny though, until now, I have never felt this way when I was around him . . . ashamed of who I was. I felt the tears start to well up in my eyes. No! I will NOT cry. I scolded myself. I look away, trying to get my emotions under control. I jump when I feel his hand slowly slide to clasp mine in a friendly gesture.
"No, now this is our place. Just mine and yours. A secret between friends."
YOU ARE READING
Love Is . . .
RomanceA coming-of-age tale about a girl named Abby who befriends and ultimately falls in love with her neighbor, Ben. When a tragic event happens to her, she is forced down a path that she would have never foreseen, but by the grace of God, she learns wha...
