Sometimes You Need To Let Down Your Hair

Chapter 3

       My eyes widened in fear and I looked at Lucas. He had heard her too. I gave him a tiny smile and mouthed the word 'hide'. He rolled his eyes then dropped to the ground. Surprisingly, the tall grass hid him pretty well. I was so thankful that the backyard had been neglected and that the grass was up past my knees. I managed to walk inside and compose myself before my mother noticed anything was going on. 

       "Well, if you want to plant a garden you will have to cut the grass. It's too long, and I don't like it," my mother said without even looking at me. 

       "Yes mother," I said, "where is the lawn mower? I'd like to go ahead and start that, so I can plant seeds tomorrow, or later on today."

       "It's currently in the mud room because I need to check out the garage." Good. I didn't like the garage. It was at the back of the yard beside the trees and bench, and I didn't like it. "Well I have to go to work, so I will see ya later honey," my mom said. She gave me a quick hug and walked to the front door. I stayed in the kitchen and waited for the door to slam shut so I could go back outside to talk to Lucas. 

       My mom called out one more thing from the entryway, "Remember darling, don't leave the property, and don't talk to strangers! I'll be home around dinner, so please have it ready. Thanks, I love you. Bye!" After she said all of that I heard the door close, and I let out a breath that I didn't realize I had been holding in. My shoulders relaxed and I walked outside.

       I saw the car pull out from the garage and drive down the alley from behind the fence. After waiting a minute I said, "Hey Lucas, she's gone." He popped up from the ground and wiped nonexistent dirt off of his shirt. 

       "So, what was that all about?" He asked. "Why did I have hide?"

       I laughed and told him "well you did climb over the fence and show up in my backyard. What would your mom say if she walked out of her house and all a sudden there was a random girl standing there?"

       He laughed too at the thought and said, "Well I suppose I understand now. I guess I'll just have to go through the front door next time." My heart stopped. I don't think mother would like that. Iv'e never been allowed to have friends over. Especially when she didn't know who they were. I just smiled and didn't say anything.

       "I'll be right back," I said as I remembered that I needed to go ahead and mow the yard. I walked to the door that led to the mudroom from the backyard and I grabbed the mower. I brought it out and tried to start it. It was kinda hard, and I couldn't get it to work. My cheeks reddened when I looked up and saw Lucas watching me intently. After a few tries it was pretty obvious that I was not going to be able to use the lawnmower. 

       Then Lucas walked over and mumbled, "Here let me do it." I smiled at him and he started the mower on the first try. I went to grab it back, but he just laughed and started to mow the yard by himself. I was surprised. I didn't think that he would do that. 

       While he mowed I went inside and made lemonade. I figured why not? He was after all mowing my yard and it was kinda hot out today. When I was done making lemonade I went outside and waited for Lucas to finish. I sat on the edge of the patio and watched him mow. I hoped I didn't seem to creepy, but I just didn't know what to do. Lucas noticed that I was watching and waved. I got up to hide my blush and walked back into the house.

       After a few minutes of standing in the cool kitchen, I decided that I could sweep off the patio, then fix up the bench. I grabbed a broom and headed outside. After sweeping all the dirt and grass off of the patio, I walked to the bench and swept off the dirt and grass. It actually looked nice. The paint was chipping on the bench, and I knew I'd eventually have to fix it, but other than that everything was starting to look great. 

       I raked up the clumps of cut grass then turned toward Lucas. He was done mowing, so I walked over and told him thanks. After talking for a few minutes I remembered the Lemonade I had made. I asked him if he wanted any, and he nodded his head. We walked inside and he sighed when the cool air in the house washed over  him. I chuckled, and he did too. "You can sit over there if you want," I said pointing to a chair at the kitchen's island. He mumbled ok in a sleepy sort of way, and sat. 

       I grabbed the lemonade out of the fridge and poured us a glass each. Then I sat beside him at the island. After drinking the cool, sweet lemonade I looked at the clock in the kitchen. It was three o'clock in the afternoon! Time had passed by so quickly that I forgot to eat lunch. Lucas glanced at the clock too, and joked "Hmm, I guess my mom is wondering how I managed to miss lunch."

       "Oh, well you might wanna go tell her you where you went so she doesn't get mad at you," I said.

       "My mom doesn't care. She knows I'll be safe, and I usually go places by myself all the time," he said. "Well, I am kinda hungry though. Do you wanna go eat at the diner?" My heart raced. If I leave, then I'd be disobeying my mother even more than I already was. She said not to hang out with strangers, but here I was talking to Lucas. Inviting him into my home! I'd only just met him. He was still a stranger. I couldn't leave!

       "I better not," I said casually. 

       "Alright. Well, I am going to head back home. Can I see you tomorrow?"

       Despite my efforts, I blushed and gave him a goofy smile. Then I replied, "I'd like that."

       "Great," he said as he walked out to my backyard. I followed and watched as he lifted himself over the fence. I laughed at him as he wriggled over the fence, and when he got to the other side he asked, "What's so funny?"

       I replied, "You know, there is a front door." Then I walked back inside to my house.