Happy Ending

Saturday

That night, I held the phone in my hand. Tentatively, I sent a text to the contact named "Idiot"

You: Hi

Within a minute, I got my reply.

Idiot: Hi Linda! :D

Once I got comfortable with texting, it was just like talking to him. I could even imagine the look on his face whenever he sent that ":D". Like an excited puppy dog.

Day after night passed, and Saturday came.

Idiot: Is he gone yet?

James texted me the same message for the third time in five minutes

You: Not yet. And ask me one more time and I will hurt you.

Idiot: Aweee...:(

You: Don't "Aweee...:( " Me. I told you I'd tell you when he left.

Idiot: But I have no patience!!!!!!

You: Then go buy some while you wait.

Idiot: I also don't have money. Patience is expensive these days.

You: True. True.

Idiot: At least tell me where we will meet when he does leave. Please?

You: Why not that old gas station a mile from my place? Dad's fave bar is in the other direction.

Idiot: Got it! :D

The gas station of which I was referencing was an old abandoned building that the older folks say used to be a gas station, sometime in the 50's. Said to be haunted, it was a popular place for stoners, lovers, and troublemakers.

Five minutes later, the front door slammed.

You: Alright. He left. Meet you by the gas station.

Idiot: YAY YAY YAY (I'm already here!)

You: Idiot

I shook my head and tentatively walked downstairs, across the living room, out the door, and one mile to the gas station. We were graced with sunny skies and a warm breeze.

"Lindaaaaaa!" I heard his voice before I saw him. I glanced at the old gas station to see him poking half out of the broken window. "overrr herrreeee!"

"I'm coming. I'm coming." I said. "Sheesh"

He disappeared from the window and ran from the door way, towards her. "you caaaaaaame!" he shouted

"of course I did" I said. "and why are you acting like you're six?"

"because!" he said, now walking next to me. "I actually have a plan for today!"

"umm" I said. "should I beafraid?"

"of course not!" he said. "but..umm, you may need this." He handed me a canister of bug spray.

"why-" I began

"no questions!" he said. "just follow me." He held his hand out for me to grab. I put my hand in his, somewhat afraid of what he could concoct. He broke into a run, and I followed. Laughing at his childlike energy.

"c'mon, c'mon!" he said, heading straight towards the woods.

"I am, I am!" I replied, smiling. His energetic energy was contagious.

Leading me into the woods, he followed a path that he had seemingly followed many a time before. Skillfully weaving his way around thorn bushes and fallen sticks, he seemed like a graceful deer stepping confidently through the woods. Crashing through the brush behind him, running into every thorn bush and stepping on every stick was me, the bulldozer.