Call Me Anna

Chapter 5-Forever

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And now onto the story...

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All that week and the next, I kept seeing Henry periodically. Date here, phone call there, all the usual relationship stuff.

To my immense pleasure, Mamma kept her nose out of my business, for as the days got warmer, she got busier with some new deal she was trying to work out, and Henry and I got closer.

The best part was that I could talk to him, really talk, and he wouldn't judge based on status or money. There was something about that that really touched me the way nothing else could. Sure I was the rich girl and he was the average boy, but with him, there was no difference. I was finally the person I'd always wanted to be. And he'd tell me his own stories too, what it was like to be in the army, the basic summary of his life just like I'd given him, and so much more. I was never bored when Henry was around, and he had the ability to make me laugh no matter what the situation.

For all of those people who are wondering 'how far' we've gone, I'm going to have to disappoint you. Yes I loved him, and that was becoming more certain each day, but I am, and always have been, a good girl. Henry never pushed me, for which I was glad.

One day, about a month after I'd met him, we were lounging at the park, with no idea what to do.

"Not shopping again," he joked.

I made a face. "We haven't been shopping for weeks!"

"Really? Has it been that long? ...well in that case, I think you can go a few more weeks without it."

"Right," I laughed. "And I've gone to baseball games with you how many times?"

"Twice. And baseball is a good sport. Good game."

I just shook my head.

"And that leaves us where?" he asked.

"Well," I was wondering if I could take him to my secret place. "I know this really nice place in the woods. It's so secluded, and beautiful. I know there won't be much more to do than here, but..."

"Sounds wonderful," he interrupted. His face was bright. Happy.

"Great," I chirped. "I'll show you the way. Follow me."

I jumped to my feet quickly, but he stayed on the ground. He offered me his hand and I pulled him up, grimacing all the while.

The way was decently short, so we ditched the car and walked. When we were out of the hustle and bustle of a normal summer day and on to the back roads leading to the fields, I sped up to a slow run.

I turned my head back over my shoulder to look at him, making a face. "Catch me if you can!"

He snorted and said, "You bet I will!"  breaking into a run after me.

But my substantial head start and his lack of knowledge of where we were going was just enough to keep me in the lead. My hair flew out behind me as the wind blew it back, it almost felt like one of those staged scenes from a movie. My movie.

* * *

When we arrived, we were both panting from the effort of running for such a distance. That didn't stop Henry from grabbing my waist and swinging me in a circle when I squealed.

"I'll beat you next time, you'll see," he whispered in my ear.

I laughed breathlessly. "Yeah yeah, sure."

I watched as he took in the small meadow around him, the sound of the river, the rocks, the moss. With new eyes it was even more extraordinary.

"This place is beautiful," he commented after a minute.

"Isn't it?" I replied, still whispering.

"Stunning," he said,copying my whisper. It fit better into the scenario that way.

He sat down on the ground, leaning against the biggest rock. I curled up beside him so he put his arm around me.

I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes in contentment. My favorite place in the world with my new favorite person in the world. What could be better than that?

After a minute, he put his cheek on my head. I opened my eyes for a second, but closed them before I spoke.

"You know what?" I asked.

"What?" he answered.

"I don't know."

I felt him chuckle at my reply.

And I had to admit, it was kind of funny.

"So," he whispered.

"What?" I asked.

I didn't get a reply. Or maybe I did, it just wasn't a spoken one.

We kissed for who knows how long, I certainly wan't counting. His lips were soft but serious, and I lost track of everything in the world.

"You know what?" he asked, copying my earlier question.

Our faces were still so close that I could hear the softest breath.

"What?" I said, continuing the conversation.

There he broke off the script.

"I think I love you."

I looked up at his face.

"I think I love you too."