Joseph -
I stared out at the traffic as I awaited the red light. I was growing impetuous and I wanted to go home. The light had been red for what seemed like an eternity. I glanced over my shoulder and saw cars moving the direction I was going. On my other side, the same thing.
I put on my right turn signal and left the long line of cars. It took thirty minutes for me to get home. I hadn't even damaged my curfew. It was 8:03, I was home for dinner.
"Hey mom," I said as I walked into the kitchen. She was baking something.
"When the oven goes off, take these brownies out please," she said, removing her apron. Mom approached me and planted a small kiss on my forehead. I smiled at her.
"Alright," I called after her while she exited the kitchen.
I hoisted myself up onto the counter. Since my feet weren't touching the floor, I oscillated them in large circles. We had a pretty high counter top. The oven beeped several times before I finally took the brownies out and let them cool in the microwave. Mom was back downstairs with my father and younger siblings, Katie and Benjamin.
Katie and Benjamin set the table with dad, and I helped with mom in the kitchen. She'd cut the desserts into little squares and I portioned the actual meal. Within less than ten minutes we were all at the rectangular dining table talking and eating. I sat across from the kids. Mom and dad were at the two ends.
"So, Joe," my dad started. "How was your day?"
"Pretty good, dad," I told him.
He looked a little perturbed. "Thats all?" he asked. "It was only a 'pretty good' day?"
I decided on my next answer. "Well," I began. "I saw this car accident happen. It was cool. I mean the car was. What it did was cool, I mean. Anyway," I made sure I had everyone's attention. "There was this girl. She was the one in the accident. Amazingly she survived it without a scratch... I ended up spending the rest of the day with her. And," I was discontinued by my younger brother.
"Did you get any action, big bro?" he asked. Everyone at the table stared at him. Mom's jaw was dropped in awe. I half wanted to admit that I had gotten something. The kiss was real wasn't it? Unless I imagined the whole damn thing. So, I just smiled at Ben and said finally, "I kissed her." The words that came out of my mouth were foreign. My dad, much like the nurses, gave me a nod of approval. My mom just barely cracked a smile.
"Wait. So this girl actually likes you?!" Katie responded. I nodded to her. I was pretty sure she actually liked me. After that we all made jokes about me and Ana. No one ever asked me for her name. It was peculiar, but I didn't mind.
When dinner was over I got out a fresh pair of boxers and a t-shirt. I took a quick hot shower and threw on what I took out to sleep in. When I was back in my room I felt my cheeks go crimson. I had been so embarrassed by my family that dinner but I remained calm. It was a family thing so I did my best not to mind. I flicked the lights off and crawled into my bed in the obscurity. The pale moonlight lit up my bed. It was much like a spotlight, only dimmer. Yet it was brighter at the same time. I wasn't sure that had made any sense, but to me it did.
With my eyes fixed upon the ceiling I convert to a state of peacefulness. I drifted farther and farther down the line until finally, I fell asleep.
