Coming Home

All The Skeletons In The Closet

"Here we are!", cried Perrie joyfully. The moment I layed eyes on the little burger joint, I fell in love with it. It was one of those places that looked like it came right out of the 'Artie' comic book series. There were waitresses in ruffel-skirted mint blue dresses paired with roller skates. I smiled and took Perrie's hand, squeezing it gently. He looked up at me and gave me a gorgeous, toothy grin.

"Thank you.", I said softly. I pulled my hand away and smiled at him. A blonde waitress skated up to Perrie's side of the car. He rolled down the window and gave her a dorky wave.

She smiled and snapped her bright pink bubble gum. She had stunning blue eyes and fair, freckled covered skin with pretty shoulder-length blonde hair, "What ya'll want tonight, folks?"

Perrie looked at me and tilted his head. Smiling innocently, he said, "Well, beautiful? What would you like?"

I stared at him, my mouth hanging wide open. Too fast.. Too fast.. I hurriedly turned to the car door and furiously jiggled the hand. I began to get frustrated when I couldn't open it and hit it a couple times. The last time I hit it, I slammed my hand down on it. Yelping, I picked my hand up and held it to my chest. Perrie and the waitress were staring at me. I looked at them both apologetically. "I'd like some ice, please.. And then I'll explain..", I whisper softly, feeling the tears begin to well up.

The waitress nodded and headed off to get me some ice. Perrie pulled me over closer to him gently. I tried to speak and couldn't find my voice. Tiny, frightened squeaking noises came out of my mouth and I simply just stopped trying. He hugged me, careful of my arm. "I'm afraid that sound like I was hitting on you.. Didn't it?", he asked me.

I nodded, "Yes.. And.. Well, you know."

Perrie bit his lower lip, "May I tell you something? Something that I've never told anyone?"

I nodded yet again, "Sure. It all stays between us. I pinky promise." I smiled and held up my hand, extending my pinky. He smiled and wrapped his pinky around mine.

"I..I..I'm, I'm..g-g-gay..", he stuttered. He started shaking slightly. I guess it was really hard for him to admit that to me.

I hugged him. I didn't say a word. I just hugged him. I knew that that was all he needed to understand that I was perfectly okay with that. He seemed to understand and hugged me back.

"Tap tap tap, ahrap tap tap.", went the waitress knocking on the car door. "Sorry, I didn't wanna interrupt anything.", she said sweetly.

We both jumped and then laughed at each other. "Thank you. And no, we're just good friends.", I said smiling as she passed me the ice bag.

She looked at my hand, concerned. "Alrighty, so 'fess up, dollface. What's got yerr goat?", she said giving me a stern look.

I took a deep breath and with Perrie giving me an encouraging smile, I told them both the story. The story of how I had met Deyvon, how his smile started making my heart skip a beat. The story of how when I found out he was going into the army and how it broke my heart. The story of how I wished we would be together forever. The story of how I had fallen in love with him and he pushed me aside because he was afraid. The story of how he had already moved on and I just couldn't do it. When I finished the story, from start to end, I realized how badly I was crying. The tears rolling off my face were staining my white t-shirt with black, mascara filled tears.

The waitress handed me napkin and I smiled. "Thank you..", I said hoarsly, wiping off the running makeup.

She extended her hand to me, "I'm Catelyn. Catelyn Elizabeth Turner."

I shook her hand, "I'm pleased to meet you, Catelyn."

Perrie glanced at his watch, "I think it's about time for me to drop you back off at the flower shop."

"Okay.", I said, almost dissapointed. I grabbed a spare napkin and scribbled my name and number on it and handed it to Catelyn. "Here. I want you to call me tomorrow. I'd really be greatful if we could hang out sometime.", I said smiling and handing her the paper.

She smiled and tucked the napkin in her dress pocket. "Will do! Ya'll take care now.", she gave us a mock salute and we were off.

The drive back to Pete's was quiet, but not the disturbing kind of quiet. That peacful, "I'm-so-glad-we-got-that-in-the-air" kind of quiet. Perrie dropped me off with a smile and a wave. I promised to call and grabbed my flowers. I slipped into my car with a soft sigh and turned on the radio. Out of the speakers came the soft, sweet tune 'Your Gaurdian Angel' by the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. I loved that song. I sang along with it softly until it ended. When it was over, I started the drive home.

I drove up into the driveway slowly, careful to not make any tire squeals. I exited the car and sleepily stumbled up to the front door. I fumbled with the door knob for a bit and went it. I filled a vase with water and place my flower's in it, folding the paper gently so that I could reuse it tomorrow. I clambered up the stairs and kicked off my shoes. Once I had snuggled up in bed, I spotted an envelope laying on top of a teddy bear staring me down. I carefully picked up the letter:

"I know you hate me. But I also know that my mom gave you the hoodie.

I figured I should at least give you the rest of the gift.

Enjoy the bear. His name is Dev. See you tomorrow.

--Dev."

I picked up the bear and suddenly smelled Deyvon's cologne. I set the letter on my nightstand and cuddled with the bear, falling into a deep dreamless sleep.