Girlfriend

8. The Catch Up

I haven't been hugged like that for a really long time. He thought he made a mistake by pulling me into him but I saw that as his greatest achievement. Michael cares about me. For real.

If only his sister hadn't come and ruined the moment. All the effort I put into getting his eyes to meet mine and stay there, wasted. It was beautiful while it lasted. I'm desperately hoping we have another moment like that.

When I arrived home, my mother hadn't returned from work which gave me lots of free time to do whatever I pleased. I unlocked my Chevy and plopped into the driver's seat. With my car, the entire city was accessible. To explore, all I needed to do was start the engine.

I sat in my car for about 30 minutes sorting out my thoughts and feelings about my moment with Michael. All I wanted was to be held like that again. One more minute in his arms was all I needed. His arms gave me the same feeling my father's arms gave me. I felt safe and whole. Content even. That's the last time I remember smiling.

I put my keys in the ignition and started the engine. I couldn't let go of that warm feeling so soon.

The morning morphed into a beautiful afternoon perfect for a stroll in the park. Though there was a park not too far from home, it wasn't the park that gave me the feeling Michael and my father did. I drove to Lakeview Park, a good 20 minutes away.

The grass was soft under my now bare feet and the sun was providing the perfect amount of warmth. These were the days Dad and I would run off to the park and chase each other around. He knew he could outrun me but he always slowed his run to a jog. In the end, he'd scoop me up and tickle me until I couldn't breathe.

I took a seat near the lake in the center of the park, combing through the grass with my fingers. A little boy and his dog could be seen on the other side feeding the ducks wading in the water. Mom suggested getting me a dog once I was diagnosed with depression but I wanted to focus on dancing. She offered to take care of it but I still refused. Then she interrogated me like she always does and we got in a huge argument. We can't agree on anything.

A breeze raked over my face, opening up my senses. The air had a smell all of a sudden. It smelled like September 16, 1966.

I plucked blades of grass while watching the boy and his dog run around in circles. That's how Dad and I used to be. Free like the wind. Nothing stopping us. Until they took him.

Daddy tossed the ball to me and I caught it for the second time today. I've been improving and it's all thanks to him.

"Alright, now throw it back to me, baby girl," Daddy calls.

I throw the ball back to him a little harder than expected and accidentally hit somebody's car. Always being the diplomat, Daddy gives me a nervous smile and goes to talk to the owner of the vehicle.

"Cathy Jean! What did you do?" Mommy laughs, as I fall into her arms.

"I accidentally hit someone's car," I giggle.

"Only my baby," she says, smiling down at me.

That's when Mom and I were friends. Much like the boy and his dog. My whole family was so close.

Boom!

A shot rings out and ear piercing screams echo through the park. Mommy whips her head toward the car that received my ball.

"James!" Mommy hollers scrambling to her feet.

My brothers and sisters rush over to me, all of them trying to talk at once. One glance over at the scene was enough.