My Best Friend

Plans

Mindy sighed as she watched her parents take pictures of Francis on her new bike. What else was new? Ever since she came along, that's all they've been doing. Taking pictures, recording everything she does. Mindy had to tell them about what she wanted to do after graduation. She wanted to tell them about moving in with Thomas. She knew they didn't like him, but they could get over it. Mindy was old enough to make her own decisions. If she wanted to live with Thomas, she was going to do it. She had to tell them that way they wouldn't think she ran away or something.

"Mama?" Mindy said. "Can we talk?"

"About what?"

"Mommy, Daddy!" Francis called. "Watch me!"

"We're watching, sweetie", their mother said smiling.

"Well... I'm almost 18 now", Mindy said. "And I'm almost done with school."

"What's your point?" Jeremy asked.

"After I graduate, I suppose you'll want me out of the house."

"You suppose correct."

"Alright, Jeremy", Mindy said annoyed. "I get it, you want me gone. Anyway. Mama, what would you say if I found a home of my own?"

"That's nice", he mother said not paying attention.

"It's outside of town."

"That's nice."

"Mama, are you listening?"

"Mommy, look!" Francis said.

"I'm looking, baby."

Mindy shook her head and walked away. It's obvious no one cared about her. She went to her room and picked up her journal. It was almost full, she just needed to write one more entry.

May 1957

Dear Journal,

Can't believe we made it this far. In a few weeks I'll be graduating and finished with school for good. I got big plans after graduation. I'm going to pack up my stuff and move in with Tommy. Yeah, that's right. Tommy invited me to move in with him. That...sweet boy. I can't believe I just said that. But it's true. I do think Tommy's a sweet boy. He's always been so kind to me, unlike some people I could mention (Jeremy). He and I are going to get jobs at the meat factory. I wonder what we could do there? *sigh* I'm so grateful for all that Tommy's doing for me. Giving me a home, a job. How will I be able to repay him?

Mindy stared into open space as she absentmindedly began doodling on the page around the words. She couldn't wait to get out of the house and move in with Tommy. She couldn't wait to live with his family. Luda Mae who was like a real mother to her. Uncle Monty may not be very talkative, but he was nice. Mindy had to remember to stay away from Charlie. He still scared her.

"Mindy, dinner!" her mother called.

Mindy looked down at the page and for the first time noticed what she was doing. She doodled little hearts and wrote inside them.

M+T. Mindy + Tommy

She looked around to make sure no one was looking. Mindy picked up her journal and held it close to her chest.

"Oh, Tommy..."

She closed her journal and went to join her family for dinner. She sat down as everyone started eating.

"So you'll be leaving after graduation?" Jeremy asked.

"I sure will", Mindy answered.

"Where are you going to live?"

"You remember my friend? Thomas Hewitt?"

"That little freak with the face?" her mother asked.

"He's not a freak, Mama! He's just sick. It's something he's had forever."

"Exactly. He's a freak. Anyway, what about him?"

"He and his family invited me to live with them. Tommy's getting me a job at the meat factory."

"Now why would you want to work at a stinky meat factory?"

"So Tommy and I could be together", Mindy said. "And I don't want to be rude. He's my best friend and he's doing something nice for me."

"Amazing how someone who can't talk can do something like that", Jeremy said.

"You're really pissing me off, Jeremy."

"Mindy!" her mother said covering Francis' ears. "Language, please! You know better!"

"Piss off!" Mindy said. "I'm all grown up, I can do what I want!"

"No, you can't!" Jeremy said. "As long as you live in my house, you'll follow my rules!"

"Fine! But when I graduate, I'll leave and you'll never have to deal with me again! You'll get what you always wanted."