Growing Up

Weekends Make For Perfect Dates

FRIDAY

               I followed Billy around town that day, trying to figure out where he was going to volunteer. He signed up for a charity event for Saturday. ‘light bulb’ I waited till he left. I took a deep breath and ran across the street. I saw his name, scribbled in his funny little cursive.

·        Billy Henry Griffith

·        Milly  Jennifer Rodriguez

               It was done, so now I had to figure out what to say. It had been almost two months since we spoke. I always knew what was going on, since Cami now always had something to say about him.

               When I came home, George was making out with some random chick on the couch, I'll admit she was gorgeous. She had bright honey brown eyes and short black hair. Her hair was in sort of a cute bob, but it suited her frame. She was wearing pink lip gloss and a light hint of perfume. He heard the door click close and they both fell on the floor. George was trying to put on his pants.

“Alyssa I’m sorry I thought she was out.”  She just got off the floor and smiled, trying to pull down her green dress. She had deep brown almond shaped eyes, and a smile that would stop any man. Her voice, was alluring as well—perfect.

“She is a lovely young lady. I’m Alyssa James. Nice to meet you darling.” She held out her hand, I ran and gave her a hug instead. She smelled like lavender.

“Hi, I’m Milly Jennifer Rodriguez. You are very pretty. George didn’t tell me you’d be home.  I do apologize.” I walked up to my room and closed the door.

Mom, do you like her too. She is very nice and pretty. She reminds me of you. I miss you, but I’ll be okay.

SATURDAY

               “George, I can’t go. I don’t wanna see him. I’m not ready.” I was running back upstairs when he grabbed my arm. He looked me dead in the eye, his green eyes locked on mine. I couldn’t understand how he could do that, that same stare our mother used to punish us.

“Mills, look its more stupid to be afraid to face him than to say you hate him. Cuse you don’t hate him.” ‘Maybe I didn’t hate him, maybe more so that he only loved me because he felt he had too, but over time he did?’ He talked me all the way to the car and I didn’t even know. By the time I realized it we were at the charity center. He went on ranting about something or other to do with when you really love someone you can’t just treat them bad.

“George, you’re a maniac. So thanks. I owe you one.” I got out the car and the sun was just peaking its way through the graying clouds. I ran to get inside before he saw me, instead I ran into him. Just my luck.

“Mill—Milly, hi.” He grabbed me in his arms and held me till I was stable. I stared into those honey crystallized eyes. ‘Mills, hang in there, just say it. You are over it and him.’  I forgot how addicting they were, but somehow they seemed so evil, it scared me. I felt a separation between us, he’d moved on completely.

“I’m sorry It was my fault I should have at least explained. I’m so sorry. I know I’m really late, but I just—I just want to say that I am sorry.” I put my head down and leaned in on his chest. His arms unsure held my back and kept me close. His heart didn’t beat like it used to, broken and unsteady, it went ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum. Slow and steady.

               I looked up at him and there was his classic smile. His hair grew out, I liked it a lot. “Milly, I’m sorry. I should have tried harder to make you understand. I wish I could go back and take you into my arms and let you hit me and cry until you just couldn’t anymore. I really wish I could, but I can’t. I can’t take what you said back, I can’t take what I did back. This cut on my arm will always remind me of how I messed up. But what’s done is done. I promised I’d protect you, but I couldn’t even do that. But somehow I get the sense that the right guy is coming for you. Cami’s coming so dry your eyes and just don’t pay her any attention.”