Lucille✔️ (Kindle version)

Feelings

Nate

I continued to talk to Patty at night until she started working part-time and going to school full time. Our talks became less frequent, and I missed them.

I would try to make an excuse to talk to her. Her parents allowed her to date since she mentioned it during our talks. I wanted to ask her out, but she's sixteen, and I'm turning twenty-three. The age gap seemed more.

I waited. Patty didn't seem like she was interested in anyone, so I figured I would ask her out when I got the chance. I had it all planned. I would wait until she turned eighteen. That way, it wouldn't be an enormous deal.

Ma threw me a birthday party and invited people. I hoped Patty would come to my party. The best thing is, she did.

She showed up with a gift and handed it to me.

"Happy birthday, Nate."

A smile escaped her lips, and I couldn't help but smile back. I glanced in the bag, and she bought me a toy car.

"The gift's not a model car, but you love cars."

"I like it. Thank you."

I hugged Patty and inhaled an apple scent from her hair. Apples became my favorite new scent.

I let go of her. The longer I lingered, the more I wanted to kiss her. The kiss would have to wait.

"Come on in."

I waved her through, and she joined the party. She and I talked, which was nice.

When the party ended, she left with Danny, and disappointment filled me. I sat on my bed and held that toy car in my hands. Her gift was simple but meant so much to me.

"Is that the gift Patty got you?" Ma asked.

"Yeah."

I stared at the toy car.

"It's an interesting gift."

"This gift is one of my favorites."

"I remember another boy that got a gift from a girl he loved. He still has it."

I glanced at Ma.

"He said it was the best gift because it came from someone he loved."

She smiled at me, then left. I had no clue what Ma rambled about as I sat there. Half of the time, I don't know what she is saying. The toy car meant more to me than Patty realized.

As the days flew by, I would check for her car. The minute I saw it, I would make my way over to her window and tap on it. She would always greet me, and we would talk. I always looked forward to my talks with her.

After work and a shitstorm at home, I enjoyed those talks. Patty didn't know it, but she had this calming effect on me. My temper didn't flare as it did, and I viewed her differently from other women.

She's the woman you wanted to respect, which I admired. That's why I wanted to wait until she turned eighteen. In Michigan, legal consent is sixteen, but that's still too young for her, considering my age.

One night, I wandered over to her house. Her window was dark. I took a chance to see if she was awake. I tapped on it.

"You have a problem preventing my precious sleep."

"Did I wake you?"

"Not yet. I was getting ready to fall asleep. What's up?"

"I need to talk to someone."

"Nate? Are you okay? You seem a little down."

I didn't understand, but she always noticed when something wasn't right.

"There's stuff going on at home."

"Do you want to talk about it or something else? Your choice."

I thought about it. I told Patty about home, and she listened as I talked to her. It feels good to talk to someone who wasn't my family since they were an immense problem.

"Nate, all families have their problems, and no one has the perfect family."

"Sometimes, it's hard."

"I get it. Every family has difficulties. We love each other even when Danny's a pain in the butt."

I laughed as Patty started laughing. She had one of those laughs that were infectious and nice. Not one that drives a man insane. I loved her laugh.

"For seventeen, you're mature for your age."

"Mom says, I'm an old soul like my dad. Plus, I'm not the person who follows everyone else. I don't need to follow the crowd. I also have plans."

"What plans?"

That piqued my interest even more.

"I intend to attend college and get employment. Then I'll marry and start a family. Mom wants me to get an education. She doesn't want me dependent on a man like her. She wants me to be independent."

"Your mom is a smart woman."

"Trust me. I understand because my mom tells me every day."

I chuckled.

"I like that idea. You should pursue your dreams."

"Well, first, I have to survive high school. I start my senior year this year, but one more year, then I can do what I want."

"I'd better leave before Ma thinks I'm up to no good."

"What else is new? Although that's more Cayson's way."

I laughed, then told her goodnight and walked home.

So she intends to attend college, work, and start a family. That made me like her even more. Yep, when she turned eighteen, I would ask her out. Now, I'll wait.