Childhood Crushes

Chapter Twenty - Compairing

"Boys, stand still or I'm gonna make you wait in the truck!"

All three of those boys were fussing over their dress shirts, as well as teasin' each other about how 'silly' they looked. I made them all ---- including myself ---- wear fancy shirts and nice jeans. I wanted us all to look nice for Annabelle's arival.

Jimmy picked at Joel's shirt saying, "Course you got a pink shirt!"

"It's not pink, it's light orange, Jimmy." Joel growled.

From there, Jimmy playfully pushed Joel, which earned a push in return from his younger brother. They both started pushing each other a little hard each time. I was getting tired of this, these boys were gettin' ridiculous!

Billy pushed inbetween the two of them, being the extra parent he is ---- I need that sometimes ---- and pulled them apart. "Guys, stop!" He said. They stood still, looking at each other with small smirks.

Billy then turned to me, huffing and puffing. "Dad, how are we even gonna know which one's Annabelle? We don't know what she looks like."

He had a point. I haven't seen Annabelle since she was thirteen. She was now nineteen; she wasn't a little girl anymore. I bet she hardly remembers me. I wished I knew what she thought when I sent her that letter. Was she angry with me? Was she happy? I hoped the other one, but I can't pick and choose.

 I searched through the crowds of people, looking at all of their faces, trying my hardest to see any part of Annabelle I might be able to recognize. Would she look like me? Would she look like Darcy? Hell, she could look like her grandmother.

"Do you boys see her?" I asked, hoping maybe one of them recognized her. They all shook their heads.

I looked again, this time... Seeing a blonde head. Bright blue eyes practically glowing under a cowgirl hat; worn and tattering with age. Her tan skin was the same olive-ish undertone like I did. She had my chin, but the rest was all Darcy. God, she was all grown up now. How fast the time has passed. She's not the gangly little girl I left at the bus station six years ago.

Her eyes searched the room and quickly found us all. She nodded to a girl standing next to her and walked to us. Behind her she dragged a duffle bag, not bothering to put it on her shoulder. I couldn't quite tell if she was happy or upset to be here. Her face was blank.

This stranger of a young woman stopped in front of me, followed by a girl about her age. They both stood there, looking between me and the boys for a moment. Annabelle's friend looked at her, waiting for her to say something.

"Annabelle? Annabelle Sage?" I grinned. I couldn't believe this was my little girl.

She nodded, but didn't say anything. Her friend's eyes widened at her as she nudged her in the ribs. Annabelle turned, muttering something under her breath no one could hear then turned back to me. "I guess I call you Dad, huh?"

I had to admit, that hurt a bit, but I knew she had the right to be like this. I guess she didn't want to come here after all... "Um, here's the boys. I bet you remember them." I tried to keep up my smile, gesturing to the boys. They all were frowning at Annabelle.

"Vaguely." She said.

We all stood there for a second, shifting our weight and looking to the ground. Annabelle's eyes stayed to us boys though. Her friend nudged her once again before Annabelle rolled her eyes, "Uh, yeah, 'Dad', this is my friend Hazel. We're best friends from back ho ---- ...The city." She shrugged.

Hazel shot out her hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sage." She grinned. Her friend was happier to be here than her. I still shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Hazel. Now, let's get you girls to the house." I grinned. When I leaned down to take Annabelle's bag, she shook her head, "No, I got it." She said before leading the way out the doors. She walked so quickly the boys had to jog to catch back up with her.