We laid on the grass beneath the one standing oak, in the pail light of the moon gazing up at the stars, water washing away sand on the shore below. She laid with her arm across my chest and head snuggled up against my chin, her legs bent ever so slightly.
We had just gotten done with a picnic and were about to head home, but she fell asleep like this. I liked the way her hand felt wrapped around my side and the warmth of her head on my chest so I let her sleep for a while. She needed it, she hadn't been sleeping well since he walked out. She thought it would last forever, but he just didn't want it to. It was getting late though, I carried her to the truck, I had to get her home before her parents started to worry.
I pulled up to the house and carried her inside, her dad told me to just put her to bed, I sat on the edge and slid her bangs back behind her ear.
"Stay here tonight, I don't want to be alone." She said.
"I don't think your parents would like that." I replied.
"As long as you stay quiet and leave before they get up it will be alright." She whispered.
I poked my head out of her room door, the lights were off. "They must have gone to bed." I thought.
"Fine, I can stay for a little while." I said quietly, hoping her parents wouldn't hear.
I climbed into bed with her and wrapped my arm around her waist, just barely touching her stomach, she pulled my hand up to her face and snuggled it tightly.
"You're such a good friend." She said as she drifted off to sleep.
"Yeah, a great friend." I mumbled so she didn't hear.
When I got up the sun hadn't even started to rise yet, I crept down the stairs trying not to make a sound. Her father was waiting for me.
"What were you doing with my daughter?" He said sternly.
"She asked me to stay because she didn't want to be alone, I'm sorry I didn't ask your permission first, but you don't have to worry, we're.....just friends....."
I said with all sincerity. He gave me a look and then sighed, "You're a good kid, my daughter is lucky to have you in any part of her life." He said while reaching a hand out for a handshake. I shook his hand and left, hoping that I could have a night like last night again some day.
