My Best Friend

Her Family

Uncle Monty drove Mindy home. She sat in the middle seeing how Thomas came along. She wanted him to meet her parents.

"Are you nervous?"

Thomas nodded. He was always scared of meeting new people. What if her parents were like everyone else? Would they call him a freak? Retard? Dumb animal? Would they laugh at him? Mindy held his hand in reassurance.

"It'll be okay", she said. "They're just going to say hi."

He looked at her still feeling unsure. This was not something she could promise him. She couldn't control what her parents could do. Thomas looked out the window waiting for them to arrive.

Mindy frowned as she watched him look out the window. She was worried about Thomas. What if her parents really do act mean to him? Would he not want to be her friend anymore? Mindy looked ahead as Uncle Monty drove.

"I appreciate the ride, sir", she said.

He just grunted a response. She could tell he wasn't one for much talk. Mindy wrapped her arms around her legs. She hoped she was doing a good thing by introducing Thomas. She sighed as she laid her head down on her knees and closed her eyes.

Thomas looked at Mindy and noticed she looked a little sleepy. She was sitting with her head on her knees and her arms wrapped around her legs. She couldn't have been comfortable like that. He scooted next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. Mindy looked at him surprised.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Thomas shook his head. He gently pulled her so her head was laying on his lap. She didn't bother to pull away. She willingly laid down on his lap, she trusted him. Mindy put her hand on Thomas' legs as she pulled her feet onto the seat.

"Thank you", she yawned.

He smiled as he nodded. Thomas watched as she drifted off to sleep. He looked at Uncle Monty who was focusing on the road and nothing else. He looked back at Mindy and smiled. He lifted his hand and stroked her hair. He noticed she didn't cry out when his fingers got caught in the tangles and knots. Her hair felt so soft. It was almost as tangled and knotted his hair was, but he thought hers was more nice.

"Tommy", Uncle Monty said parking the truck. "Wake her up. Tell her we're here."

Thomas shook Mindy. She blinked her eyes as she sat up.

"Are we there?" she asked.

He nodded. He opened the door on his side and helped her out. Mindy took his hand and walked to the front door. She opened the door and stepped inside.

"Mama? Jeremy?"

"Mindy!" her mother said. "Where have you been? Your father and I were about to call the sheriff!"

"Well SORRY", Mindy said. "I was at my friend's house. Can I help it if he lives out of town?"

Thomas looked at her worried. Was it his fault she was in trouble? He covered his face with his hands as her parents looked at him.

"Who's this?" Jeremy asked.

"This is Tommy", Mindy answered. "He's my best friend."

"Why is he covering his face like that?"

"He's very shy."

"Can the boy talk?"

"No, he can't. He can't talk at all."

She wrapped his arms around him and laid her head on her shoulder.

"But I like him just the same. Tommy's my best friend."