Keep Safe

Chapter One

         April 12, 1938

Maybe it was the fear or the adrenaline, but I ran. I ran as fast as my little five year old feet could carry me.

I had stopped picking and ran straight out that field and down the red dusted road that lead all the way straight down about 2 miles to the Houston Plantation.

I knew Papa would wear me out for this and Mama would give the greatest scold you'd ever seen, but I didn't care, my mind was free of anything and everything but seeing Charles S. Houston one more time.

Not stopping for a single breath I kept going and going, not planning on stopping till I reached that old grand house where my best friend lived, too tall for his age he stood a full 5 inches taller than the average 6 year old, he had neatly cut dirty blonde and these pretty cotton blue eyes that Mrs. Houston say remind her of the sea, but mama say it reminds her of the clear blue sky.

I was going to see those bright blue eye's just one more time before summer. See, Mrs. Houston and Mr. Houston do's a lot of yelling and they think a summer down on Pawley Island will do them some fixin'.

To me it didn't seem fair they had to drag Charlie away with them for the whole summer, it wasn't his fault they argued, though he'd liked to blame his self an awful lot for it.

I wheezed in as I seen the house coming into clear view, the Houston's car running, ready to go. Not yet, I was getting my goodbye. I pushed what little energy I had left in my little body into a full blown sprint up to the porch and in front of Charles. 

"Eliza! What you doin all the way down here for?" Charles said in his puzzled accent. I smiled and kissed his cheek "I come to say bye to my best friend is all" I said looking smaller than I already was standing in front of him. His bright blue eyes were wide as could be and his crooked tooth smile was in   a full grin and his cheeks blushed as red as Misses Mary's apples.

"Son, let's go now we ain't wanna be late do we now" We broke out of our daze and looked at Mister and Mrs. Houston looking up on the porch at us in they're fancy Sunday clothing. Charles looked at me with sympathy, " E- Eliza I's got to now, but I'll be back real soon as school starts I promise" 

My smile dropped and my head hung low as I realized I was gonna have to spend this summer all by myself. I looked up and squeezed him one last time, " Charles, promise me we'll always be best friends, nothing less and nothing more" I said letting my tears fall on his shoulder. I felt him nod before he said "A course Eliza, I'll always be here if you'll always be here." 

I finally let go and watched as he walked down the little path towards where their car was sitting. I waved to Mister and Miss Houston as they got in also. Once they pulled out I ran behind them all the way to the dirt road. I stood there and watched them drive away, leaving me to stand in the dust cloud they left behind them .

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Hey! So I know this seems confusing right now but this story does take place in an earlier time period (obviously) but! Just a warning some decisions I make with certain characters will anger those who like this story but I promise all things bad will turn good! Well till next chapter lovelies!

- Your Author