by Nicole Adams
“Don’t you think you should tell your father? And your brother for that matter,” Mom asks, treading gently.
“I just don’t want to upset them. Henry is going to be so mad,” I reply, avoiding eye contact.
“Sweetie, the longer you wait the worse it will be, and you know it. You don’t have to know what’s going on, just let them know that somethings happening. Sooner rather than later,” she says coming over and giving me a hug and then leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
I call Gilly.
“Took you long enough! How was it?” she asks urgently.
“Amazing, Gilly. It was perfection. No awkwardness. Butterflies. Inside and out,” I reply with a sigh of satisfaction.
“What?” she replies, confused.
“Oh, yeah, sorry. He took me to a butterfly sanctuary. It was magical,” I reply, hearing the smile in my voice.
“Yay! Was it awkward when he dropped you off?” She asked.
“He dropped me off just out of sight of the house. So no one saw him. I’m not sure if I should tell anyone yet,” I say, hoping for a bit of advice.
“Did he kiss you?” she asked.
“Yeah, just a peck,” I replied, feeling a bit awkward telling her.
“Do you like him?” she asked.
“Yeah, I mean I know it was only a date, but it was amazing. I want to date him and see where it goes. I just don’t want to hurt anyone or get hurt in the process.” I’m trying to be as truthful as possible. “I’m a little scared.” I tell her. I lay back on my bed and stare at the ceiling.
“Don’t be scared. Everyone will be fine, and if they aren’t, then that’s their problem. and if he ever hurts you, you know we will all kick his ass every day for the rest of his sorry life. Just tell them. It’s not like it’s a fling or anything. He wants to date you too, so get it out. The less you hold inside you the more fun you can have.”
“Thanks, Gilly. I got to go. I’ll call you later.” I hang up the phone before she gets another word in. I bite my lip, worrying about what to say but before I can think myself out of it, I jump off the bed and head for my bedroom door, avoiding tripping over the basket of clean clothes my mother had put by the side of my bed.
I head across the landing and stand at the top the stairs. I can’t do this. Shut up! Yes, you can! A giant knot fills my stomach like an inflating balloon. I walk down the stairs and into the kitchen where my dad is still sat there reading the sports section of the newspaper.
I walk behind him, avoiding eye contact, and make a drink, hoping I could change my mind and he wouldn’t notice me.
“So, what did you do at Gilly’s?” he asks, not looking up from his newspaper.
“I went on a date with Charlie!” I shout, not able to keep the words from coming out of my mouth, covering it to prevent anymore word vomit.
“I was wondering when he was going to ask,” he replies, still unmoving, slyly smirking.
“You knew?” I ask. I feel a little ridiculous now getting so nervous.
“Course I knew. He rang every day this week and since Henry isn’t here it was obviously for you,” he says changing the page of the paper. “and he was hanging around you like a bad smell. That was a sure sign. You told Henry yet?” he asks.
“No. I’m too scared to. He’ll hate me.”
“Probably best to let him do it. As long as he’s good to you I don’t mind. He’s a good kid. Any trouble, tell me and I’ll show him the underside of my boot,” he says fake kicking the air under the table and looking over to me.
“I know. I’ll be sure to tell him,” I laugh.
“I’ll tell him myself, next time I see him. I’ll show him whose boss,” he says, flexing his muscles and putting on his concentration face.
“He asked me to go out with him next Friday as well.” I say.
“Alright, I’m glad you told me. Just… be good.” He says awkwardly.
“Okay.” I say. I put the Juice Maid in front of him and give him a hug. I can’t believe I was so worried about telling him. That was easy. I’d better tell Charlie. I take out my phone and text him:
‘Thank you for the best day ever. I told my dad. See you Friday x.’
Short and sweet. Hopefully he’s not with Henry yet. Before I even put my phone back in my pocket there is a reply.
‘I’m glad you had a good time, so did I. I can’t wait to see you next week. Was he mad? I’m telling Henry tomorrow. Xox’
A smile spread across my face.
‘Strangely, he already knew. He said he’d kick your ass if you hurt me though. ;) Good luck. I can’t wait to see you either. Xx’
I head back to my room and close the door. I open my wardrobe and start flicking through the clothes. I pull out a fresh white dress. It was halter neck and came just above the knee with a skirt that is lightly loose. I hadn’t even worn it yet. It was perfect. I may be planning a little early though. I hang it on the outside of my wardrobe doors and head back to my bed. As I sit, my bedroom door swings open.
“Are you going to tell me then?” Henry snarls at me.
“What the hell?” I shout, jumping off my bed in shock.
“Dating Charlie, are we?” he says, annoyed. “I knew something was going on. I knew it was weird him wanting to come home to work on the farm. Since when?” he shouts. I see my dad coming down the hallway towards the ruckus.
“We went on a date today, he was going to tell you tomorrow, I didn’t know you were home.” I say, trying to stay calm. It makes me so angry when Henry thinks he can speak to me like this.
“I know, I saw you inside the diner, how did it start? Have you two been sneaking around making a fool of me?” he asks pointing at me.
“Don’t be stupid Henry, and you’ll talk to your sister with a little respect,” Dad says, making his presence known.
“He’s my best friend Dad! And he’s sneaking around with my sister! That’s the worst thing he could do!” he says getting a little riled up.
“Well, its him you need to speak to then isn’t it?” Dad says putting his hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down.
“It wasn’t just him; it was me too. It’s my fault he didn’t tell you. I told him not to yet, I was scared.” I say, defending him, but really only making the situation worse.
“SO why didn’t he ask me before? Tell me what he was doing, so I didn’t look like a dick. He knew what he was doing. You both should have told me,” he says, leaving the room pushing past Dad. Dad puts his hands up for me to stay here and heads down the stairs following Henry.
I stand at the top of the stairs and strain to hear the conversation.
“No Dad, just leave it, don’t try and defend him.” Henry says with malice in his voice. The next thing I hear is the back-door slamming and a few seconds later Henry’s truck flicking the gravel off the drive.
I whip out my phone and call Charlie.
“Hey,” he says happily.
“I’m so sorry, Henry knows, he saw us at the diner and he’s on his way to you,” I say worried for him.
“Okay,” he replies still cheery.
“Aren’t you worried? He’s your best friend,” I say feeling a little perplexed.
“Exactly, so hopefully when I tell him he will understand. If not, I’m stronger than him anyway. What are you apologising for? This was going to happen sooner or later and sooner is definitely better than later,” he says, laughing.
“That’s not funny, Charlie. He’s so mad.” I say, trying not to sound too sad.
“Don’t worry. I got this. Now, go find something to wear for next week. I have another surprise lined up. Speak to you later.” With that he hangs up the phone. Well I didn’t expect him to be quite so calm.
I lay back on my bed and try to relax. If Charlie’s that calm, then surely, I can be. I close my eyes, breathe in deeply and release the breath slowly, watching my chest go down. This isn’t working. Henry’s never going to talk to me again, I won’t be able to se
e Charlie anymore, I’m going to be alone forever.
That may have been a tad dramatic.
I lay there contemplating the conversation they must be having. I shake the negative thoughts out of my mind.
I pull my bag towards me and take out the application form for the butterfly sanctuary. I fill it in with as much detail as possible. As I read through what I have written I feel the urge to include more detail about my degree and why I want the job. I decide the best course of action is a covering letter. Three pages later and I’m finished. I may have overdone it slightly. I go back over it and cut it down to two pages. I put that and the application form in an envelope ready to take to the sanctuary. Better to deliver it in person to show I’m keen, right?
I glance over at the clock, letting out a giant yawn. ‘9:30pm.’ That took a lot longer than expected and I still hadn’t heard from Charlie. I turn off the light and my room plummets into darkness with only the light of the moon illuminating the path back to my bed. I snuggle down under the covers and try to get some sleep, but with all the antics of the day, it’s not long before I am.
I wake with a jump. That dream was menacing. I clamber out of bed and head straight for the stairs. As I get to the end of the corridor, I peer through the cracked open door into my brother’s bedroom. Thank god he’s in there and still asleep. At least he came home, and he can’t have killed Charlie because he’s not in jail.
“I just had the craziest dream,” I say to my mother, trying to remember the details of it.
“Honey, you don’t know crazy dreams till your eight months pregnant and have eaten a gallon of ice cream before bed,” my mother replies, flipping the bacon in the pan. The glorious smell filled the room.
“I’m not planning on that any time soon. This dream was scary though. There were butterflies all over my room, but when I tried to catch one, they all turned to dust. When the dust settled, they turned into spiders. I don’t mind spiders, but they were climbing all over me, I tried swatting them away and it was like my hands were going straight through them like they were shadows.” I say re-enacting my dreams with actions.
“That is weird. Probably from the stress of yesterday. I don’t know what time your brother got home last night. I’m hoping they sorted it out though,” she says coming over and placing my breakfast in front of me. Bacon, sausage, egg, muffin the works. Best part of a Sunday is Mom’s breakfast.
“Breakfast ready?” I hear a tired voice from behind.
“Yeah, will only be a second,” Mom replies.
Henry pulls ups a chair next to me at the table, sits down and rubs his eyes.
“Henry I-” I start but he interrupts me.
“Not now, Faye. Let me eat my breakfast without that in my head.” He says holding his hand up to my face.
I turn back to my plate and quietly tuck into my breakfast. Mom comes over and places his in front of him, looking from him to me with a concerned look in her eyes. She collects her plate and joins us at the table.
“So, are you able to help with the cattle next weekend?” she asks, looking at Henry.
“I guess.” he replies, his mouth full of food.
“Good. Your father could use all the help he can get,” she says looking to me. She’s hinting.
“Yeah, I know,” he replies, trying to ignore her. “He’s still coming over to help.”
“Good.” Mom gives me a little smile.
After breakfast I head straight for the stables to ride Ranger. I’ve tried to take him out as much as possible but haven’t really had time the last couple of days. I approach the doors and hear the familiar sound of him kicking his stable door.
“Alright, I’m coming I’m coming,” I shout, as I approach his door. I turn the corner and see Ranger’s already out of his stall.
“Well, well, well, look who decide to join us?” Charlie says, with the biggest grin on his face.
“You’re here! What happened? You didn’t let me know!” I say, running and smacking him on the arm.
“It’s all fine, that’s all you need to know,” he says, taking Rangers saddle off.
“How isn’t he mad anymore?” I say, confused.
“Put it this way, I had to make a major deal and pin him a little, but it’s fine, as long as we don’t kiss in front of him,” he says coming closer.
“What deal?” I ask, moving away a little wanting to make him work a little.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s sorted and that’s all you need to know.” He comes closer again, and as our faces almost meet, he turns and puts Ranger back into his stall.
“I was going to take him out,” I reply, a bit disappointed he didn’t kiss me.
“I already did, this morning for about an hour.” He pulls the large bolt across the door and turns back to me.
Charlie pushes a strand of hair out of my face with his finger, so gently all I could feel was the tickle of his fingers brushing my skin. He then tucks his finger under my chin and gently pushes my face up to look at him. As he leans down, I stand on my tip toes to meet his lips halfway. I could almost feel him relax. I reach up and put my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. He releases me and places his forehead on mine, looking into my eyes, his almost glistening.
“I’m glad we can still do that,” He says. “I would’ve been sad if things had gone the other way.” He pulls me in for a hug.
“Sad? It’s only been one date, that good was it?” I ask, a little nervous.
“Yeah it was, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I finally just gave in and to have it all, well, taken away, would have been annoying.” He gives me a little reassuring arm squeeze. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
“Umm, sure,” I reply, feeling a little nervous. He gestures to the stable door with a little nod of the head. Chivalrous.
As we head up the hill towards the meadow a chilly breeze whips round me, taking me by surprise. I grab my shirt to do the buttons up over my vest. My hair wraps itself around my face like an invasive scarf. I untangle my hair and pull it out of my mouth. He looks at me and laughs. This is not me at my most attractive.
As we get out of sight of the house, he looks back, then grabs my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine. His hands were massive, encapsulating mine, and very warm. The feeling sent a sensation through my body. He pulls me into the meadow. The grass rhythmically dances like waves on the ocean, rippling in the wind.
“I could have picked a better day for a walk, I suppose.” He said with a giggle. He takes off his jacket and puts it over my shoulders.
“It’s not that bad,” I say, gripping the sides of his jacket wrapping them around me. He leads me over to the big oak tree and we sit down underneath, huddled together.
“I just didn’t want everyone gawking at us,” He says. “I just wanted to have you to myself for a little while, before I have to act like I don’t know you.” He smirked.
“How rude! You take a girl out and then pretend she doesn’t exist? A bit cliché don’t you think?” I say, prodding him in the shoulder. He looks back at me, pretending to be shocked.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Miller.” He prods me back, playfully.
“Who said I couldn’t finish?” I say returning the prod a little harder.
“That’s it!” He shouts and leaps on to me and starts tickling me. I try and return the tickle, but I am completely paralysed with laughter.
“Please! Stop! Stop!” I laugh, wriggling as much as I can. He pins my hands above my head with one of his and I am completely subdued.
“Do you give?” He asks, his free hand in position ready to pounce, like a giant paw with its claws extended. His eyes burrowed into mine so intensely it’s hard to look away.
“I give,” I reply, looking defeated. He puts down his hand but stays staring into my eyes. He leans down and gently kisses me on the lips before he pulls away, sits up and pulls me back into the cuddle.
“I need to ask, what happened last n
ight?” I say slowly.
“Nothing really. He came over, he shouted, we fought a bit, but he let it go.” He said pulling me in a little tighter.
“You fought? And he just let it go?” I asked completely confused. Henry likes to hold grudges for as long as he can, so he can bleed them dry. He can hold them for years, he still holds one against me from when I ate his chocolate at Christmas, when I was 6.
“Yeah, I told you we made a deal.”
“What deal? I need to know!” I pull away so I can look at him more sternly.