Catch Me

||August 5th||

Few people wandered around the mercantile and I sat waiting patiently for someone to come up the the counter. Maybe the anxious woman wandering the feminine product area, or the groggy man with a runny nose scouring the meds, or maybe even the mom with one child hanging on her hip and two more hovering by her legs. I made up stories about each one while I waited. I rested my head on my hands and stared at the at the sand and mud covered tiles. The door opened and the bell chimed but I didn't bother to look up. Then, a certain freckle peppered face popped into my view. Felicity a.k.a Freckles was my sisters' best friend in high school. I always had a crush on her but now that you were in the picture I'm not sure I felt anything. All I saw was a pretty girl I used to dream about.

"Freckles! What, um, what's up?" She laughed and I frowned. I didn't realize that was funny...

"You mean where's Gem?" She; which made me think of you; tucked a piece of her unruly, dark hair behind her ear. It was shorter; the tight ringlets just brushing her shoulder; and extremely curly. It was flattering but it was prettiest when it just reached her lower back in waves.

"Sure." She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. She took her time to look me up and down. Her lips bunched to one side in a weird smile.

"Who's the lucky girl?" She randomly asked. The noise that came out of my mouth somewhat resembled air coming out of a balloon.

"Pffft, what girl?"

"The girl you're crazy about."

"Bu-what are you-" She shook her head and laughed.

"Um, well, you aren't drooling over me so," she shrugged her shoulders as if to make up for the lack of words. "So, Gem is visiting her dad and family and so, she said she'd be up this weekend. I thought I'd just come up, get some sun, see my mom, show her my new boyfriend." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder to a long-haired man with skinny jeans and some sort of band t-shirt. Freckles wearing a the same one but it was cut in a way that exposed her slightly bulging and freckle-spotted stomach. I could not get you out of my head; your belly button was pierced. I remember when my sister and Freckles got theirs pierced while I sat quietly watching in that shady looking shop. Freckles knew a guy. I laughed to myself; Freckles always knew a guy.

"Nice," I smiled and she talked on but I zoned out.

"Oh!" She jumped and I looked up at her concerned. "Me and Gem got matching tattoos." She turned around and lifted the hem of her shirt up. On her lower back was a small, black anchor and written around it was, "but never hold me down," she let go of her shirt and looked up with a smile on her face. "Gem's is a ship steering wheel thing-y that says 'be the one to guide me' it's pretty cool."

"Did it hurt?" She laughed and a customer; the woman with the children; came up behind her and gave her a look.

"Are you done? Because I'm in a rush." The woman snapped and the baby on her hips' lip began to quiver. "Sh." She bounced the baby on her hip.

"Here let me help." The woman looked at Freckles' outstretched arms strangely. After a moment, she handed the baby to Freckles and placed her items on the counter. An energy drink, ibuprofen, and a few candy bars. I rung them up and gave her a small smile as I handed her the receipt and grocery bag. She smiled back and took the weary-eyed baby from Freckles. "So, anyway, it only hurt a little. It was kinda like a bee sting. Though, Gemma said it was the most painful experience of her life." She laughed and her boyfriend came over with two cans of pop. Her placed his arm around her shoulder and she leaned in.

"Hi," he offered out his hand, "I'm Trey."

"Andrew." I grabbed his hand and shook it. "You and Freckles, eh?" I cringed on the inside at my attempt to be cool. This guy oozed it and here I was - definitely not oozing it.

"Freckles?" He laughed, looking questionably down and her.

"It's an old nickname of mine." She gestured to her face. "As you can see I'm very freckle-y."

"I love your freckles." I heard him whisper in her ear and kiss her neck. I looked away wishing I was as smooth as him. Stupid me was never going to be able to be like that. This guy was a pro. I heard Freckles giggle and forced myself to not look up.

"Stop, he's like my little brother I never had." She coughed and I look at her. Cheeks red and eyes playful. "Sooo, did Gem tell ya?" I shook my head. "She's engaged." The news seared through me like a white hot, iron rod. I was the closest to my older sister. Her being my role model. I followed her around like a puppy dog and she always let me ride along with her when she drove places with her friends. She also told me everything; since I was the quiet one; jokes, breakups, friendship drama. I was her teddy bear and she was my idol. Now, obviously her being a girl once I reached my adolescent age she was off to college and I was no longer looking up to a girl. I was focused on being everything Anthony was and had been achieving; girls, parties, etc. I had no longer looked to her for comfort and when she called, I put my best face forward not telling her about the bullying and social anxiety I was developing. But, even if we were separate people doing separate things in places we were still the closest brother and sister within the five of us. I've never even met the guy. I didn't recall her mentioning a fiancé much less a boyfriend. Any boyfriends for that matter. She never brought anyone home for Christmas or her summer visits. I know, she's 29 and she's allowed to have a life without having to keep contact with me but I never pictured her as the settling down type. She was always moving. Going from modeling in Europe, to slight acting jobs in New York, she even was offered a record label but she turned it down to pursue teaching. She cocked her head to the side at my lack of response. "Yeah, um, his name is Roland. Him and his family own a record label. They are building a nice house on the beach but for now they are staying in his apartment." 

"Oh." She rubbed her belly nervously.

"I'm pregnant, Andy." The warmth in her motherly tone was comforting. She looked up at Trey and they shared a loving glance. It became awkwardly silent as I watched them, not knowing what to say. It was hard to believe she was starting a family. Just yesterday I was in the backseat watching silently as her and Gem belted the latest tunes. 

"This is weird." I mumbled.

"What?" I looked up at her fallen face.

"Oh, um, I meant this is weird. You," I stumbled over my words rushing to expose my thoughts in a understood manner. "You are starting a family. I mean, wow. We aren't kids anymore." She smiled.

"Your telling me? I'm the one turning 30." We all laughed and I pretended to be watching the customers lurking.

"Fun, um, well you guys both should stop by sometime. Maybe barbeque or something, I don't know. Tell your mom I say hi."

"Will do." She said with outstretched arms. She came around the counter and embraced me. Tears brimmed behind my eyes and I reluctantly threw my arms around her, burying my head in her strawberry-scented curls. She pulled away and I wiped my runny nose on my arm. She squeezed my hand and walked back around the counter. She interlocked fingers with Trey and then they were gone. Slowly, the people in the shop came up with their things and they were gone too. Few regulars trickled in and by the time 4:00 came around I was half asleep. Hazel strolled in few minutes late and we chatted. I told her about Freckles – whom was before her time – and then I was out the door heading home on the boat. I thought about stopping by your house but I didn't want to intrude as I had these past days so I just went home. Taking my time to enjoy the warm breeze that was set over the lake.

••••••

Author's note:

From now on I will be changing Kasten's name to Lillian as I really started to dislike the name PLUS I saw it in another story. I know Lillian is more common but I either want completely strange or common. Love you dolls!