Ezra Lucas

Ezra -4- Lucas

How do I write three paragraphs about romance? Come on, Brain! Work with me!

I sigh and hit my head on the shelf inside my locker.

"What's going on inside that head of yours?"

I straighten up at the sound of her voice and turn to her. "I'm trying to think of how to write romance for an English assignment."

"Ah Ms.Peters," she nods, "such a lovely teacher." She smiles. "Would you like some inspiration? You could return the favor since I have to write action or an adventure."

I contemplate the pros and cons to myself. "Okay. Where would you like to meet at?"

She glamces up at the ceiling in thought. "Can you drive?"

"I can, but I don't have a car."

She nods. "How about I come pick you up? My dad will drive us."

"Sounds good. What time?"

"An hour before sunset. Do you have a curfew?"

"I'll have to ask my grandmother. She's in charge of me."

Rome smiles. "Can you hand me my binder? I've got to get to class."

"Oh, right." I grab her binder and it slips out of my fingers. I quickly pick it up from the floor and hand it to her. "Sorry."

"It's okay, Ezra. Write your address down sometime today and leave it in our locker for me. See you tonight." She smiles again and leaves.

E×L

"I want to meet this girl," Gram states.

I inwardly groan. "You don't have to do that."

"Ezra Lucas Adams, I am meeting this girl tonight." She enunciated.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now, come over here." She gently says and waves me towards her. Instead of continuing to sit on the couch, I sit infront of her rocking chair in the floor. She holds her hands out and I place mine on top of hers. "I'm so proud of you, Ezra. I trust that you will make good decisions and keep relying on God." She runs one of her hands over my hair. "You and your white hair." She laughs and I join her. "I wish I had a camera to capture this moment, but my memory will do a pretty good job on its own."

"Grams, I have a phone. You could use it."

She shakes her head. "Your phone is too advanced for me." The doorbell rings throughout the small house. "Besides the girl is here. Go invite her in." Gram pats my hands that show my veins more than most kids my age.

I stand up and straighten my clothes. I fix my hair before opening the door. Her blue eyes are the first thing I see. I smile and she smiles back. I open the screen door and try to hide my nerves. "My grandmother wants to meet you. Is that okay?"

"Of course! I love old people." Her eyes widen. "I'm sorry! That sounded really rude. I just mean-."

I chuckle. "I know what you mean. Grams thinks she's old too." Rome smiles. "Welcome to my house," I state and move out of the way so she can step inside. Rome takes her boots of that the door and I smile to myself. I walk into the living room with Rome following me. "Grams, this is Rome. Rome, my grandmother." I introduce the two to each other.

Gram smiles. "Rome is a unique name."

"It's actually my middle name. I'm not a big fan of my first name." Rome says shyly as she shifts from one foot to the other.

"What's your first name?"

"Madeline."

"That's a beautiful name. Why do you not like it?"

"It's very girly."

"Could I suggest something?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Grams waves her towards her. Rome sits in front of her like I did minutes ago. "Madeline Rome, you a beautiful girl. Never down play who you are. God has you here for a reason. Your parents named you Madeline for a reason. Research your name and learn to like it. Discover new things about yourself. Love yourself before you love any boy. I told this to Ezra after his heart was broken. I think it has helped him and I hope it helps you. Now, you two go have fun."

Rome -Madeline Rome- wipes a few stray tears and hugs my grandmother. She whispers something in Gram's ear.

"Of course I will, dear."

Rome smiles and then stands up. If it is even possible, her eyes seem to be glowing a new light -a brighter light than before. Once we both have our boots on and are outside, I gently grab her wrist. She glances back at me and I let go of her wrist. "I'm sorry about my grandmother. She-."

"Don't be sorry. I had a wonderful time." She grins and advances towards her dad's car. We both get in the back seat and her dad glamces back at us.

"You're Ezra?" He confirms.

"Yes, sir." I amswer and buckle my seat belt.

"Good manners and all about safety... I like you." He declares.

"Dad, his grandmother is one of the sweetest ladies that I have ever met."

"Is that right?"

"Yeah," Rome -Madeline Rome- smiles.

"So, where am I taking you two again?" Her dad questions.

"Dad, I already told you. It is a surprise for Ezra."

Her dad smiles to himself. "Calm down, Madeline. I'm just kidding."

She gets a lot of her features from her dad. Blue eyes, dark brown hair, same nose, and her height.

E×L

"I'll be waiting in the car. Don't kiss each other!" Her dad persists.

"We won't," Rome -Madeline Rome- assures him and slams the car door. Her cheeks are pink while I'm sure mine are as red as a tomato. I follow her to a dock that has two chairs and a blanket laid out. She sits in the taller one and I sit in the lower one. "Alright before I start into my story. Do you like being barefoot?"

"Yeah. What does that have to do with anything?" I challenge.

She smiles and shrugs. "I just want to be comfortable and thought you might like the same."

I take my boots and socks off as she does the same. She gets off her chair and grabs two mugs that I didn't know were there. She hands me one.

"It's hot chocolate."

I take a sip and lean back in the chair as she sits on hers again.

"So, this is where the story takes place."

"On this dock?"

"Yes." She looks over at the lake and closes her eyes. "Once upon a time-."

"That's how you are starting it?"

She opens her eyes and gives me a look that makes me squirm in my seat. I put my arms up in surrender. She smiles and starts again. "Once upon a time, there was two people who were made for each other; a match made in Heaven. This couple were like every couple. They had good times and bad, they had fights, they kissed, and they loved each other. Only one thing was different: God was with them. They trusted Him more than anything. They married and had kids. They grew old and had grandkids and great grandkids. One day, they remembered their first date that was on this dock. Their grandchildren and great grandkids loved the story. They wanted to find love like they had. Later on that day the couple died in each other's arms during their nap."

"I liked all of it except the ending."

Rome smiles. "Sometimes romance is sad."

I glance out at the lake and back to her. Her eyes are more blue than the lake.

"So, when are you taking me on an adventure?"