I met him downstairs, and my aunt, Kristen, served us breakfast. It wasn’t something I was used to. Back at home, we pretty much grabbed what we could and went straight out the door. Sitting down to a family breakfast was completely out of the question. Now, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I didn’t have bad parents, but this kind of thing wasn’t something I was used to experiencing. I thought I could get used to it, though.
After we got to the stadium, a part of me regretted going. It was freezing, and everyone standing around the grills didn’t seem to notice this obvious fact. Still, it wasn’t all bad. The food was great, and I warmed up pretty quickly throwing the football around with some of the other people’s kids. The environment seemed almost too good to be true. Everyone there was like family. I soon learned that the atmosphere outside of the stadium was totally different from the one inside it.
Once we were inside and the game had started, I heard words that I didn’t know existed. We were playing Chicago, and for some reason, that was a really big deal to everyone there. None of the fans from Green Bay or Chicago seemed to like each other very much, to say the least.
After the initial shock from how seriously everyone took the game wore off, I started to enjoy myself a little bit. We were seated in the end zone, and I noticed that every time our team scored, a player would jump into the stands for a celebration. That would become very relevant when they scored on our end of the field. One of their receivers caught a touchdown pass and turned straight toward us to jump into the stands.
“I don’t care what you have to do. Don’t let this guy into the stands if he comes this way,” Uncle Gary said.
What did that mean? What was I supposed to do? A fourteen year old me had no idea. What lengths should I go to in order to prevent this man, who was twice my size, from taunting us by jumping into the stands? My level of fear rose as he came straight at us. This was it. It was now or never. As he jumped, I buckled my legs and reached out for his facemask. I grabbed it and pushed with all I had. Others around me gave him a push, too. He fell backward and landed right on his back. I had actually done very little, but to the people looking at the jumbotron, it looked like I had done a lot. The shot centered on me and my hand on his facemask as he fell backward. A cheer rang out from the crowd. I had done it. There I was thinking that I was about to be embarrassed by someone who clearly would have been able to get into those stands ninety-nine times out of a hundred, but I seemed to be a hero. High-fives were given, and for once, I fit right in at a sporting event . . . that is until security came around. You have to realize it appeared that I had grabbed a player by the facemask and thrown him to the ground. Boos resonated throughout the crowd as my uncle and I were escorted out of the stadium. As we made our way to the car, I was sure he was going to be mad. My uncle didn’t exactly react the way I thought he would, though.
“That was really something you did in there,” he said as we sat down in the car.
“I’m sorry. I . . .”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I told you to do that. Given, I didn’t think you were going to assault the guy,” he joked.
“I . . . I didn’t mean to . . .”
“Relax, Eric. They didn’t ban us from ever coming back. We got kicked out of the stadium when the game was almost over. If nothing else, we’re going to beat traffic. This is a good thing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It doesn’t hurt that this is going to leave us with a story for years. Do you have any idea how many people will remember you as the kid who threw Brandon Jeffery to the ground? Everyone here hates that guy. It’s going to be a great story in Green Bay, and it might just get you some attention if you ever come back with me.”
“I didn’t expect you to react like this. My dad would’ve been angry.”
“Yeah, well, Jerry never did know how to have fun, even when we were growing up. Do you know why I invited you today?”
“I thought it was just because my dad wasn’t going.”
“No, around here an extra ticket is like gold. I could have found someone else to go or sold it for some extra money, but I see a lot of your dad in you.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I had never seen a single thing that my father and I shared.
“What do you mean? My dad and I are totally different. If anything, I’ve been a disappointment to him because we’re such opposites.”
“You might think that, but he used to be a lot different. He was a little reserved like you. He was average in school, and he never really stood out. It was because he didn’t come out of his shell much. Jerry always dreamed of more, though. I think that’s why he left this place for a college all the way across the nation. He never liked the simplicity we have here. We don’t live in mansions like in Miami, and we don’t take things so seriously. I think your dad didn’t show himself to the people in this town because he was just naturally different from us. He wanted a different life, and he found it. Sometimes I think he missed out, though. When I first saw you and got over the initial shock of you being hit by two cars, I noticed something. You had that same look he used to have. You were just naturally uncomfortable within yourself. I don’t know if it’s because of the same reasons Jerry was, but I wanted to give you a little bit of the experience that he never got. That’s why I encouraged you to talk to that girl last night, and it’s why I invited you.”
“Thank you. I’m not like him, though.”
“Really? Well, what are you like then?”
“Me looking uncomfortable has nothing to do with this place or wanting more than I have. Back home, I’m the oddball. Everyone is so concerned with who has more, what school you go to, and who you’re dating that week. Then there’s me. I just don’t care about any of it. If I’m being honest, the past two days have been more fun for me than the last fourteen years of my life, and two cars have hit me in that time. What does that tell you?”
My uncle laughed and wrapped one arm around me.
“It tells me that you might be more like me than I thought. I don’t know what life is like for you at home, but do yourself a favor, and enjoy this week,” Uncle Gary said as we pulled up to the house.
When I got out, I noticed Olivia and her mother going inside. Olivia hesitated for a moment, and I walked over.
“You’re a little early. It’s not exactly night yet,” she said.
“Maybe, but I thought you could show me that great thing around here a little early.”
“Hmm. It doesn’t really work during the day, but I suppose we could go now. I’m seriously starting to get suspicious of your motives, though. I’m going to watch you,” Olivia joked.
She led me outside of town to a hillside, and we sat down there. It was already starting to get dark, but there was still some light left in the day.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“You’ll see once it gets dark. So I never did ask before. What’s your story, Eric?”
“I don’t really have much of one.”
“Everyone has a story. I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours. How does that sound?”
“It sounds good, but I’ve got to warn you. I’m really serious about not having much of a story. I’m from Miami. We’re only here to visit my uncle before the holidays. My dad hates it here. He grew up in the area, but he hasn’t come back in years. As a matter of fact, this is my first time ever coming here. I never met my Dad’s parents, and they’re gone now. As for life back in Florida, let’s just say that there are a lot of beautiful people who are concerned with issues that I never think about.”
“What kinds of issues?”
“It almost seems like everyone is concerned more with what car they’re driving or how big their house is than anything to do with family.”
“Oh, I get it. You’re one of those rich kids who can’t stand that their daddy never has time for them,” she joked.
“Something like that.”
“Hey, I was j
ust playing with you. We all have little things that get to us. It seems like if we could trade lives, we would both be doing a lot better.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say that my life is a little too simple, and I would love to have more.”
“I think you guys have a pretty good set up. I love it here.”
“It’s not bad, but it’s never good either. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s just how it feels here. Sometimes I would almost rather things were bad just so everything wouldn’t go by in a boring haze. Anyway, we’re getting off subject. You were supposed to tell me all about yourself.”
“That’s everything.”
“Oh, come on. I know there’s more than that. You haven’t told me about your school life, friends, or girlfriends. There’s got to be more to you than just a bad family life.”
“I wish there was. I don’t have many friends, and if it tells you how I’ve done in the girl department, I’ve never even had my first kiss.”
There was a long silence. As I sat there, I wondered if I should have said that. Did she think I was some type of weirdo now? I had just told her that I had no friends and I had never interacted with the opposite sex for any amount of time. Why had I blurted that out? As a sick feeling centered in the pit of my stomach, I felt a hand on my cheek, and Olivia’s lips met mine. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it sent a shockwave through my body that was like nothing I had felt before. Then she pulled back and smiled.
“You know, there are a lot of other things I haven’t done, too,” I said.
“Oh, so now we really see what your intentions are,” she joked and gave me a gentle push.
“Seriously, though, why did you do that?”
“Would you have preferred that I didn’t?”
“No, I’m not saying that at all.”
“What are you saying then?”
“What would make someone like you want to kiss someone like me?”
“Wow! You’ve got a lot of self-confidence there.”
“That’s not what I meant. You’re just really beautiful, and you’re not like other girls I’ve met. You’re special. I like who I am, but I don’t think I’m in the same league as someone like you.”
“I appreciate that. I’ve got to tell you that there aren’t leagues, though. I enjoy being around you, and you told me you had never kissed a girl. I decided to fix that. It’s just that simple. Don’t overthink things so much. Just go with it.”
“I can do that, but Olivia, next time give me a little warning first. I don’t want to be so caught off guard. Maybe I can actually kiss you back then.”
“Who says there’s going to be a next time?” she joked.
I wrapped my arms around her, and just as I was thinking about making that next time happen, she pointed up to the sky.
“There it is. Have a look for yourself,” she said.
It was the northern lights. A sight like that wasn’t something I ever saw back home. It was beautiful, and even if it was freezing outside, this spot was oddly peaceful. I think the girl next to me had a lot to do with that. With her, I felt so scared, like I would do something wrong at any moment, but at the same time, I felt more confident than I ever had.
“You can’t see this in the city. There are too many lights,” she said.
“How did you find this place?”
“That’s a story for when I know you much better.”
“Trust me. Any secret of yours is safe with me.”
“All right. My dad isn’t around anymore. He and my mom used to fight a lot. It wasn’t just arguing either. It turned physical most of the time. When I was nine, it got really bad. I snuck out of the house one night while it was happening. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I had to leave. I made my way out here eventually. It was so peaceful. It was almost like a lightshow had been created just for me in my worst moment. I stayed out here most of the night, and when I went back, my dad was gone. We never saw him again, or at least I didn’t. I think my mom has talked to him since then, but she’s just not telling me. Sometimes I come out here because I think things might work in the reverse order. Maybe one day I’ll come here, and when I go back, he’ll be home.”
“I’m sorry. I . . .”
“It’s fine. Just remember that you asked.”
“I’m glad I did.”
“Well, at least now you understand my point of view about your life back in Miami. A dad who’s there is better than no dad at all, no matter what kind of father he is.”
“I suppose you’re right. Thanks for bringing me here. I had no idea it would be such an important place,” I said and grabbed her hand.
“Enough about sad things. How have you liked it here so far?” she asked.
“I love it. There’s this girl here who’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I think I’m falling for her.”
“Oh, that’s real nice! Talk about some other girl while you’re with me,” she joked.
“What’s she like, though?” Olivia asked.
“Let’s see . . . she has the perfect light blue eyes. She’s a little too sarcastic at times, and I get the feeling that she might be all talk, but I really like her.”
“All talk!”
“Yeah, she flirts a lot, but I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”
“She definitely sounds like a tease. I would steer clear of her. That girl sounds dangerous.”
“Oh, she is. I think I’m willing to take the risk, though,” I said and gave her a gentle kiss.
I could have stayed with her all night just talking about who we were and who we wanted to be. Under stars that seemed like they were made just for us, I had found a girl I would never forget. A day hasn’t gone by when I don’t think of that moment. It was the beginning of everything for me, and I see that young girl’s face in my dreams every night. If only we could have stayed there forever. I wouldn’t have wanted anything else.
Chapter 3
Finding Confidence
The following morning, I woke up late. It was almost noon, but I really didn’t care. I stayed out with Olivia as long as we could stand it. The cold eventually forced us to come home, but even then, I simply lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. My mind wouldn’t shut off, but that wasn’t a bad thing. For the first time, I had a reason to want to be awake. Unfortunately, my lazy morning was about to be interrupted.
“Hey, are you ever going to get up?” my sister asked as she walked into the room.
“Why do you care if I’m asleep?”
“I normally wouldn’t, but I’ve got to get out of this house. There’s not a lot around, but anything’s better than just sitting here. I was going to take the car and go to a movie, but Mom doesn’t want me to go without you, so I guess we’re stuck together.”
In that moment, it didn’t matter that Catherine was obviously irritated by the fact that I had to come with her. It didn’t even matter that she had interrupted my peaceful morning. I had an idea. Maybe I could invite Olivia to go with us. Sure, it wouldn’t be ideal with Catherine going, but I planned to take every opportunity I could get to spend time with Olivia until we had to go. After all, I was only going to be in town for five more days. I had to make every moment count, didn’t I?
“Well, are you coming or not?” Catherine asked.
“Yeah. Just give me a minute to get ready.”
After a few minutes, I was dressed and walking downstairs. Aunt Kristen gave me twenty dollars for us to have fun out on the town. For me, it was a little awkward because I barely knew her at this point. Should I really take the cash? Then again, she gave it happily. It was as if she was the fun aunt that I had known my whole life. I was going to need more cash if I was inviting Olivia. I ultimately decided to thank her and take the money. Once I was outside with my sister, I brought up Olivia.
“I want to invite someone, if it’s all right,” I said and took a step in the direction of Olivia’s house.
“Wait a mi
nute. I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” Catherine said.
“What do you mean?”
“Just get in the car. I’ll explain on the way. If you feel like I’m wrong after we get back, you can go see her, but you might want to hear what I have to say. I’ve been dating for a while, and you have how much experience in that area?” she asked sarcastically.
She wasn’t wrong, even if she had put it in an offensive way. I had no experience. For all I knew, I could be doing everything wrong. Catherine had never been the type to help me out. As a matter of fact, she had done the opposite of that in the past, but it looked like she was trying to be a good sister then . . . at least in her own way. I got into the car, and she started asking me questions about Olivia.
“So you saw this girl last night, right?”
“Yeah. Why? What could be wrong with that?”
“Nothing. How was it, though?”
“It was great. I’ve never had a better night with someone.”
“Well, you’ve never had a night out with a girl period, so that doesn’t say much. How did she seem to feel about it?”
“I know she had a good time.”
“Was it the type of night that gave her something to think about?”
“I think so. It certainly gave me a few things to think about.”
“Good, so let her think about them for a while.”
“What do you mean? I’m only going to be here for a few days. Why shouldn’t I spend as much time with her as I can before we go?”
“For two reasons. Odds are that you guys talked a lot last night. You think you’ll always be able to come up with things to say to each other, and every night will be like that one. You’ve probably both built up this picture of how good last night was. It’s always better in your memory, and the next time you see each other, it’s not going to be as good. Your words won’t flow as well, and the feelings won’t be fresh. Somehow, it’ll have lost a certain spark. That is, if you do this too quickly. If you give her a little time to miss you, she’ll come to you.”
Destiny Page 2