Memories

The First Choice

Chapter 6 

The guy sat on the ground in front of her, leaning against the edge of the open doorway to the shelter.

 “Yeah, usually what people do in a bus stop shelter,” he had meant for it to come out seriously but heard her let out a slight giggle and realized the sarcastic humor behind it. “I don’t think the next one’s coming around for a while though.”

 “No, not for another half hour.” The girl’s voice steadied itself but still held sadness as she remained distant and closed off, curled up on the ground.

 “That’s a long time to wait for the bus. Where you headed?” he inquired not considering that he was a complete stranger to her.

 She did consider it though as she asked him in reply, “Why do you want to know?”

 He swallowed hard as he answered truthfully, “I don’t know if you remember me but a couple years ago I was having a rough day. Late for my classes, couldn’t really find my way in the hallways and to top it off I dropped all the books I needed for class in the middle of the hallway. Everyone continued on, barely trying to walk around. Until someone leaned down and helped grab some of them. I hardly had time to thank her as she walked away.”

 “Oh,” the girl let out a weak laugh as she wiped her eyes again, “you remember that? And there wasn’t any thanks needed, it was just some books.”

 “It was more than that to me,” the guy said sternly, “Now I can’t stand the idea of someone I owe waiting half an hour for a stupid bus that might not even come. Come on, I’ll give you a lift.” He began to stand as he offered her a hand.

 “But I don’t even know your name.”

 “Caleb,” he said a little too quickly, “Caleb Damore.” She reached forward and grasped his hands. Her hands was warm and soft in his, making it seem so very fragile. The young Caleb tried not to squeeze them too hard, afraid he would break them, as he pulled her to her feet.

 Nervously she glanced back at her feet and tucked one side of her hair behind her ear as she said, “Thanks, Caleb. But I couldn’t put that on you. The bus will be here soon.”

 “I would love some company actually.” A realization hit him as he fumbled for his pocket. “Here, you can hold onto this until you get home safely,” the young Caleb held out a worn baseball. The girl looked at the ball and back at Caleb, “It was my first baseball. My dad gave it to me before he left. He and my mom are divorced now, and I don’t see him much but whenever I see it I remember making my first catch and how proud he was of me.” He dropped the ball into her hands and watched her eyes go wide. She held the ball as if it was an injured baby duckling, cradling it cautiously.

 “I can’t take this!” she exclaimed, holding it out to him.

 “Now, I’m not giving it to you. I’m letting you hold it until you get where you need to go safely. It’s insurance on your part.” The younger Caleb offered his hand again to signify their agreement, “Do we have a deal?”

 The girl looked at his hand skeptically but when she looked into his eyes a smile snuck onto her face, “Okay, deal.” She shook his hand and let out another small giggle.

 “What?” the young Caleb asked anxiously.

 Her smile remained as she answered matter-of-factly, “My mom would have loved you.” Her smile trembled for just a moment and tears pooled in the lower lids of her eyes but she let out a slow breath before marching from the shelter towards the parking lot. “So where is your car?”