This Boy And The Depression That Comes With It

Chapter Twenty One

As we pull up in the parking lot of the bowling alley, there's hardly anybody here.

"How come there's no one here?", I ask.

"My father and I always came to this alley, because nobody ever comes here. You don't have to worry about being bothered by so many people, or screaming children. It's pretty much deserted here. Plus, it's just cheaper!" He explains. "This was kind of like our hang out spot... just for us."

At that, I can see Dakota start to get a bit teary eyed, but he quickly plays it off as something getting in his eye. It's kind of cute, seeing him like this. It shows his emotional side. I can really tell how close he and his father were, just by the way he's been reacting today. It's saddening. Poor Dakota. I couldn't imagine losing one of my parents.

We walked up to the front desk and we got our bowling shoes. The lady behind the counter typed us into her computer and sent us to lane 2.

I take our stuff, and out it under the seats, of lane 2. Then, I go join Dakota, in finding the right balls.

"How do I know which size I want? I'm not very good at bowling." I ask, being honest. I really do suck at bowling. The last time I've been, I was probably eight years old, and I wasn't even good then. But, I'm doing this for Dakota. I want to help him as much as I can, and if this is what it takes, then so be it. I just want to get his mind off of his father, so he's not so sad. Make new memories.

He examines me, up and down, "You probably want a seven, and I'm sure you'll want a pink one, knowing you." He smiles and chuckles at his own joke. What an idiot. I smile and go to where the pink balls are.

Okay, so maybe he was right.. HEY! I am a girl.

I get to the pink ones, and pick up the first one I see. The ball instantly falls to the ground, taking my arm with it.

Dakota comes running over to me, and is already down to where I am. "Baby! What happened? Are you okay?" He asks worriedly. "It's too heavy.."

He looks at the ball I dropped on the floor, and laughs. "Well, no wonder. I said you'll need a seven. This is a twelve." Oh.

"It's alright. I'm sure you just picked up the first pink one you saw, huh?" He laughs and picks up another pink ball, with a giant '7' on it, putting the other one back on the rack, with no problem. Wow, he's strong.

I just sit the staring at him, until I see an arm outstretched, in front of my face, causing me to come out of my daze.

"Let's go, Marissa. We only have the lane until noon. Let's bowl!"

I grab his arm, and the ball, and we walk over to lane 2. He goes first, and gets a strike. Nice. Now, it's my turn. I stand up, walk over to the lane, and get an instant gutter ball. "What the hell! This game is rigged!" I scream.

"No it's not. You just need a little practice. Here. Let me help you." He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around mine, holding my hand that's on the ball. "You just want to pull your arm back, slightly, push forward, and let go with a little force. But not too much. Otherwise, you'll get a gutter ball, like you did before." Now, he lets me try on my own, and I actually made it to the pins. Knocking down two of the end ones.

"I did it! I knocked down some pins!" I yelp, jumping up and down. "Yes you did. I knew you could do it."

He takes his turn and gets a spare. I go again and knock down three pins on the first try, and two more after that. He continues getting strikes and spares, and I usually knock down five, at the most. This is a lot of fun, regardless of if I'm doing well or not.

When the game is over, the score is 132 to 54. I'm sure you can guess who won this one..

"You did very well, baby girl. The look on your face when you got those two strikes was just pure perfection. You are so beautiful." He says, kissing my forehead, as we walk up to the front desk to return our shoes.

"Where to next, baby?" I ask, "Ice cream?"

"Sounds good to me. Dairy Queen sound good?"

"Yes!" I say with much enthusiasm.

"Well, off we go!" He says, putting the keys in the ignition and pulling out of the parking lot.