Walking in the winter season had pleasantly been filled with the breeze that did not appear in the summer. Taking a short stroll during the weekend would always calm my cluttered mind. As I was just about a block away from my house I could just imagine the shrill voices caused by my workaholic mother and my slightly abusive stepfather.
When I finally reached an area where my house was visible I decided to head to our neighbor’s house. Immediately, after the first ring Mrs. Bennett answered, “Hello Hayden! Nice to see you again. How are you?”
Mrs. Bennett was the kind of person who didn’t ask unnecessary questions. Then once the front door shut closed I started bawling just like the past one hundred times I came here to let my feelings out. Mrs. Bennett lead me toward the dining room table, grabbed a tissue from the counter tissue box ,that has always been there, and handed it to me.
“Honey what happened?” she asked with much concern. Mrs. Bennett was always the type of woman who did not get tired of comforting for the same reason nor did she get annoyed for listening about the whole fight.
As always I had began to repeat the similar story that I always rant about, “Both my mother and father are beginning to fight again! My mother and father are also starting to keep me under their own small microscope! It… It’s too much!”
In between sobs, I spewed the whole story out to her. I don’t think I would have been able to handle mother and fathers’ expectations if it wasn’t for Mrs. Bennett. As Mrs. Bennett stroked my hair and comforted me just as a real mother should, I hear a shift between the wooden planks at the front porch. Then a boy I had known for my whole life, and also Mrs. Bennett’s son, came gracefully walking through the front door.
“Hey mom! Who’s here? Is Hayden here?” Mark yelled. Then he put his bag down near the front door and found his way into the living room. “Hey mom I can bring Hayden up with me into my room. I don’t know what happened, but I can make a guess.”
“That would be perfect. I will make a little snack, but make sure you keep the door open Mark. I don’t want you to take advantage of my future daughter-in-law.” Then i noticed her winking and me and blood rushed up to my face to cause me to blush.
As I got up from the sofa and headed to Mark’s room I started to think about how we got to be a couple.
It was during the spring time when the flowers were blooming perfectly and where pollen got into everyone systems. Just as my sophomore year was coming to a close Mark suddenly grabbed my hand and kissed it.
“Hayden, be mine and I won’t let you have a second chance to look or even think of another guy. Please go out with me.” I had already liked him ever since seventh grade, but if Mark had known that he would have been mad at himself. He has had many other girlfriends so I didn’t want him to feel guilty.
When Mark asked me when I started to like him I just changed the subject. Although when Mark made such a presentation when he asked me out I thought it came from one of my romance movies.
It made me forget the fact that his other girlfriends were special to him also. Later on, I over heard that Mark had studied to make the moment perfect by watching all of his mom’s movies. When I confronted him about it I just saw a very visible red in his cheeks. I still cherish that moment very dearly. That happened about 8 months ago and it still is vividly there in my mind.
When I was finally back in the present Mark was trying to grab my attention by hugging me in his room. Mark noticed I was paying attention so he childishly complained, “Pay attention to me. Don’t go into your own little world. I need some love here too.”
As he pouted I chuckled a bit and at that moment I suddenly couldn’t feel my feet against the ground. Before I know it Mark was carrying me and in an instant he sat down on his bed and put me on his lap and held me.
At first I was so embarrassed when he did these things that I started to struggle. As time went on I started to get used to this. “Mark why are you holding me like this?” I questioned as I played with his coffee brown hair.
“Well, I saw you crying when you were talking with my mom so I assumed you were overwhelmed by your parents again.” he explained as he made one of his pleasant grins while holding me to him.
As I gave him a wry smile his grin transformed into a concerned look. “Hayden, did something different happen today? Did your father get out of hand! Hayden! Stop looking away from me!” When I looked away Mark gently grabbed my face in his hands and made me look into his pale blue eyes that held concern, anger, and stress.
I simply tried to cover up what had happened with a kiss on the cheek. At first Mark was dragged in by it, but then he knew something really bad happened. He drew away from all of the kisses I gave on the cheek and simply held me gently.
“Please, Hayden. Tell me what happened.” Mark pleaded. I hesitantly tried to form words to describe what my father did. When I tried to say the words the only sound that came out was voice that was trying to talk.
Just as I was about to talk Mrs. Bennett came in with the promised snacks. “Today I made some sugar cookies. I tried a new recipe so I hope it turned out ok.” I sighed in relief that I was safe from telling Mark. I smiled at Mrs. Bennett and took a cookie and ate it.
“Mrs. Bennett, this recipe is definitely good. You shouldn’t doubt your cooking. It is superb.” Just then my phone alarm went off telling me I had to go home. A chill went up my spine just imagining tonight. I cleared my throat and got ready to leave.
I got up and explained, “W-well its time for me to leave. Thank you for letting me stay this long. See you tomorrow Mark.” as I kissed him goodbye.
I was walked out by Mark and Mrs. Bennett and went down the street to my house. As I was walking tears run down my face and I don’t even bother to wipe it away. When I go through the door and head straight to my room I have a tear stained face.
