Leaving the grocery store Lock finally decided he would give me a brief of his family, he had a sister that he hadn't seen in years. They were seperated when DHR stepped in and took them from their family. To hear him tell it, blood wasn't thicker than water. It broke my heart, knowing that he hadn't had a family growing up. When I asked about the attention everyone gave him he laughed and sarcastically stated everybody loved him. Even though he said it with sarcasm, I believed him. The ride back to my house was pretty much like the ride to the store, all about me. I didn't realize anybody was capable of being that interested in a single person. Arriving at my house he shocked me when he got out and rushed to my door, he opened the door for me and walked me to the porch. As we stood on the porch my curiosity got the best of me, "So, Lock... Where did the nickname come from?"
He grinned, "You really know all the wrong questions to ask, huh?" I gave him a pleading look and he laughed, "Damn, alright. I been in some trouble, and after the first couple times people started calling me Lock because I was always getting "Locked up" original, right?"
I smiled, any other time the idea of a boy going to jail would have been a red flag and I would have instantly turned and went in the house. Instead, I didn't want this conversation to end. I wanted to know what he had been in trouble for, how many times, how long... I felt like a twelve year old with a crush!
I attempted to learn these things but he said it wasn't important and he asked me was I going to go to public schools here and was asking about my future plans while I was here. I noticed the rain had cleared up, I don't remember it clearing up. Much like I don't remember exactly when my mood cleared up. When I checked my phone I noticed that we had been together for about three hours! I was sixteen and this was the first boy I had ever really talked to like this, even though my story isn't very interesting he kept asking more about me. He asked me about the time and I told him it was about five, he must have had plans because he said he needed to get going and he was sorry for holding me up. As he was walking off and I was walking in the house I noticed I had forgot the groceries.
"Lock!" I called out after him.
"Yeah?" He responded.
"I need the bags!" and at that I approached him at his vehicle and he helped me gather everything and carry them back up to my house.
He was leaving again but i didn't want him to go, I decided to ask him if he wanted to stay for dinner and at first it seemed like he didn't want to since he responded with the whole 'I would hate to impose on you and your family' line. Then I insisted that he joined us and he finally caved, thank God!
While waiting on my mother to finish cooking we sat in the living room and I asked him more about his self.
Name: Johnathon Bradford
Age: Nineteen
No favorite anything.
I was intrigued by this, he was driving me crazy. He knew almost everything about me and I knew close to nothing about him. I love the challenge though. At dinner my mother pried more information from him and this was probably the only time I've been thankful for a nosey mother. She found out that he had graduated from homeschooling through his foster family and that he had a job working with construction. He was open with her about being in trouble but when she asked what he had done he was quiet again. Then realizing she would think he was a murderer or rapist or something of the sort he decided to tell her it was mainly for fighting and grafitti. I could see right through his story though. Well, I thought I could. He was so composed it was hard to tell if it was true or not or maybe it was true but there was a lot more to the story.
After dinner he was quick to say his goodbyes, "It was nice meeting you Ms. ?" he paused realizing he didn't know my last name and my mother finished his sentence, "Smith." She gave him a polite smile and he shook her hand. I walked him out and before leaving he asked to see my phone, "There's my number, feel free to call me sometime." He smiled and turned to leave, but before stepping off the porch he turned back around and gave me a light kiss, "don't forget to call me." he winked and started towards his car.
The next morning I couldn't decide if i needed to wait to call or if it would even matter finally, I decided to give in and call,
"Hello?" it was a groggy voice that didn't belong to Lock.
"Um, yeah, is Lock around?" I asked nervously, hoping he hadn't gave me the wrong number. The boys voice seemed to clear up pretty quick.
"Hang on, Lock!" he shouted, "he's coming, who's speaking?"
"Anna.."
Then the phone was muffled but I could still hear what he was saying- "Uh-oh man, it's ol' girl from last night, you done messed up bro!" the boy laughed like a child and I was debating whether to hang up or not but befoer I even got the chance I heard Lock, "Man, shut the hell up and just give me the damn phone!-- Hello?"
"Hey Lock, what's up?"
"Well, nothing for real, just got out the shower. What about you?"
"Uh, nothing, I was just wondering where a park or something was.. I'm tired of sitting at the house.."
"Eh, a park? Not really, I can take you to the docks if you'd like? Matter of fact, you go ahead and get ready, I'll pick you up in a few. Don't leave without me no matter how long it takes me to get there. Stay put." He hung up.
