Forming Anastasia

Night out

   "Johnston, keep up." I say rushing through the town. Amberly and Kate are waiting at the school for us to walk them home. Johnston piddles as usual. As we turn to the right I notice the guy I had met the other day. The hay sitting is jaggered lines had blown all over he road. Pratt is standing on the sidewalk sweeping the excesses away. I stop. Johnston looks up at me.
   "Now who's needing to keep up?" He says. He then catches my glare and follows me. I slowly walk to Pratt and stand a few feet away. He stops sweeping and lifts his head. He gives a slight grin and leans the broom against the brick wall. He walks closer.
   "Hey there newby"
"Hey apron" I reply. Johnston tugs on my arm. I look at him annoyingly.
"Go on, I'll catch up" he rolls his eyes and storms off.
"Who's grumpy?" Pratt asks. He still
Smells amazing. His hair swept perfectly.
"Brother. So how long have you been livin' here?" I ask. He looks down at my boots. They're covered in dirt but they are the most comfortable shoes I own.
    "You look like you've lived here your whole life. I moved here with my dad when I seven. Better job for him. We love on a farm a few minutes from here."
"Farms are a lot of work. How do you work here?"
"Farms are a lot of money too. I do what I can to help out. Handy, and affordability." He looks at his boots. Covered in dirt. He looks back up.
"Are you busy is Friday night?" He asks shyly. He tugs on his apron.
"Annie! C'mon! You can flirt later!" Johnston yells from across the street. I had totally forgotten about why we were even out here in the first place. Weird.
"Pick me up at seven" I reply walking off. I grin and cross the street to Johnston.

****
I hear a knock on the door. I step outside of my room and the boards creak. The freshly painted hallway wall covers the left of me with Johnston's room to the left. I turn my head and see him and Letty sitting on the floor. They have an x-box ahead of them and his old, half screened television. I pass Amberly's and Kate's rooms. I turn to the left and slowly walk down the stairs. My dad comes flying out of the kitchen and runs to the door. I freeze. He turns his head and grins as he opens the door.
    I walk down the following four lower step. Pratt walks in and shakes my dad's hand.
"Hey sir, I'm Pratt. Nice to meet ya' "
Dad shakes his hand and nods towards the living room.
"Have a seat." He says. I roll my eyes and follow. Dad sits in the recliner and Pratt and I on the couch. He looks around at all of the decorations and the fading paint on the house. Everything still needs so much work. There's just never enough time it seems. Dad stares him up and down for a while.
   "I love y'all's house" Pratt says eyeing the fireplace.
"So do we. What have you got planned with Annie for tonight?" He asks.
"Dinner and maybe go to the park"
"Park? What for?"
"This time of year, the Cartmans always do fireworks every Friday and Saturday night."
"You've got money to pay her way?"
"Yes sir, I do." Pratt tugs on his rolled up sleeves of his button up plaid shirt. He runs his hands over his jeans.

After another set of interrogating questions, Pratt and I stand up as dad walks us to the door.
"Seriously, don't do anything with my daughter that you wouldn't do with me right next to you"
"Yes sir" Pratt replied taking my hand.
"Ok detective Jed, I love you. See you in a while"
"Love you too"
I follow Pratt to his black chevy s-10. I open the passenger door. I see the stains in the floorboard and the gear shift handle is fading. I step inside and smooth my dress down as I sit down. Pratt closes the door behind me. He trails to the drivers side and starts the truck. Off we went.