I laughed, and it caught him off guard. “Sorry.” I shook my head. “I can relate to that statement. That’s partly why I’m here. It’s pretty much a nonending nightmare for me as well.”
He wiped his nose and let out a small laugh. “Well, aren’t we a miserable pair?”
“Yes, in fact we are. But maybe some good will come out of all this. We can only hope, right?”
“Some good has already come for me. My family started going to church. We’ve made some great friends there who have helped us out a lot. Our lives have changed for the better.”
“I’m so glad.”
He pointed over his shoulder at his workbench. “Heck, I’ve even got myself a new hobby.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“Well, come on over and I’ll show you.”
Hopping off the chair, I went to stand beside him.
“I make leather jewelry. I’ve even been able to sell some of it in a few of the local stores.”
“Really? How cool.” I picked up one of the pieces and examined it. “This is great. Is it hard to do?”
“Not at all. Do you want to give it a try?”
“Would you mind?”
“Nah, I’d enjoy the company. My wife got tired of it about two weeks in.” Pulling up another barstool, I sat down next to him. “All right, you choose a piece of leather … ”
I spent several hours with Mitchell as he taught me how to make and decorate leather bracelets. As we worked alongside one another, we shared our experiences of the last year. I told him about my nightmares, and he shared that he suffered from some as well. Ironically, in his nightmares he saw my face just as it was before his car made impact with ours.
We were hopeful that our resolution would bring us some peace of mind and spirit. I had the gut feeling that it would help more than we could even imagine.
I left Mitchell’s house with one last stop to make in my quest to completely rid the monsters from my dreams.
“Hey, Mom,” I said as I sat down next to her headstone. “What a year, huh?”
I looked around to make sure nobody was in the area and would overhear me talking to myself.
“Well, you’ll be excited to hear this. I’m going on my first date tonight. It’s with none other than Riley Bennett. You’d be shocked; he’s turned into the nicest boy ever. He cares about me a lot, and he’s been great to me since I moved into his house … ”
I spent a couple of hours talking to her about my summer and all of my new friends and family. I could picture her sitting down next to me, deeply interested in all my news, but I didn’t bother to talk to her about Dad. I was sure she’d already been aware of the situation, and I didn’t feel the need to talk about it any further. I’d save that discussion for another time.
“I guess I’d better be going. I’ve got to get ready for the big event. I’ll come back and tell you all about it.” I stood up and brushed some grass off of my shorts. “Mom, one more thing. Um … I wanted to let you know that I’m all right now. I think the worst is over, and I’ve moved beyond being angry with anyone. I don’t know if that type of thing bothers you up there in heaven, probably not. But, just in case, I’ve forgiven you. I’ve forgiven you for not paying attention while you were driving and for leaving me here all alone, for all of it.
“I would have done all of this a long time ago had I known that I needed to. I’m sorry that I’ve withheld it from you. Would you tell Melody all of this stuff? I’m sure she’ll be interested in hearing it, especially the part about me going out with her brother. She’ll get quite the kick out of that.
“I miss you, but I’m much better now. I wanted you to know that.”
I felt much lighter as I made my way back to the car. I’d dealt with my demons and was ready to move on with my life. I would now focus on the positive and happy memories of my dad, mom, and Melody. None of them would want anything different than that. They would all want me happy.
chapter 34
I sat folding laundry as Marme busied herself in the kitchen. It was obvious we were both excited about my upcoming date with Riley, but we weren’t exactly sure how to go about discussing it.
She threw a pot clambering into the sink before turning to me. “This is killing me, Attie. I’m dying to talk about how you’re feeling about the date tonight. It’s your first date!”
“Me too, it’s just weird. You’re my mom for all intents and purposes, so I want to talk about it with you, but you’re also Riley’s mom, which makes it awkward.”
“Well, what if we act like it’s somebody else? A boy named ‘Bob’ maybe.”
“Bob?”
“Then we aren’t talking about you dating my son, we’re talking about you dating Bob.”
The idea sounded brilliant to me. We would have the best of both worlds. Marme and I would be able to reclaim some of the mother/daughter bonding moments we’d both been missing out on, but it would be less embarrassing because we wouldn’t be talking about Riley … per se.
“It’s worth a try,” I said.
“Great!” She ran over to the seat next to me and plopped down. “So are you excited?”
“Very.”
“Do you know where you’ll be going?”
“No clue. Bob won’t tell me.”
“So he’s keeping it all a secret then?”
“Yes. I’ve tried to pry it out of him, but he won’t budge.”
“What’s he like? Does he treat you well?”
“He’s the sweetest boy I’ve ever met. I think he’d do just about anything for me.”
She leaned forward and placed her face in her hands. “He’s a sweetheart?”
“And a gentleman.”
She let out a happy sigh.
“His mother must have raised him well.”
“I sure did—I mean, she sure must have.”
We laughed just as Riley startled us by walking into the room. “What are you guys doing in here?”
“Nothing,” we answered simultaneously, and I was certain we sounded guilty.
Marme and I quickly glanced at each other and then busied ourselves with folding bath towels.
“Who’s Bob?” he asked. “I heard somebody mention a guy named Bob.” He stuffed a cookie into his mouth and looked at us as he waited for a response.
I glanced at his mother and then back at him. “Um, just a guy.”
“Just a guy?” he asked with his mouth full.
Here I’d just told his mother what a gentleman he was, and now he was talking with his mouth full. We’d have to work on that.
“Then why do you look guilty?” he asked.
I panicked at the fear that he would know I was lying. “Guilty? Do I look guilty?”
“Yes, you big liar, you look totally guilty. Spill it.”
I knew it; he caught me red-handed. Riley practically knew me better than I knew myself.
“Well, Bob is the gentleman that’s taking me out on a date tonight.”
I threw my hand over my eyes and waited for his wrath to descend upon me.
“Oh my Lord! You’re talking to my mother about us?”
“No, Riley.” She rushed to my defense. “Attie’s telling me about her date tonight with a boy named Bob.”
He kicked my chair. “Atticus Elizabeth Reed, you big wimp. Couldn’t you have just told her no when she asked for the details? She’s my mother for cryin’ out loud! How embarrassing.”
My hand was still covering my face when I heard Pops walk into the kitchen.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Attie’s spilling the beans to your nosey wife about our relationship.”
“Well, that’s embarra
ssing,” his dad said dryly.
I peeked through my fingers at Riley. He was smiling down at me, so I removed my hand and gave him a weak smile back. “I’m sorry, Riley. I just needed someone to share it with; that’s all.”
“You’ve got a hen house full of friends. Couldn’t you talk to one of them about it?”
“I already do. Besides, its not the same thing.”
“Yeah, Riley,” Marme said, snapping a towel his direction, “give us a break. This is what moms and daughters do. We’re all we’ve got, and if you won’t let us talk about it, then as long as you two are together, neither one of us will ever get to talk boys.”
His shoulders dropped as he gave me a sympathetic smile. “Nothing too personal, Charlie, don’t get crazy or anything.”
“I won’t. I mean really, there isn’t much to tell.”
He looked over at his dad, who waved his hands in front of him. “Don’t look at me. This is your problem; I’m staying out of it.”
Marme and I glanced at each other. We both knew Riley was caving.
“Fine, enjoy your girl talk,” he said, turning and walking out of the kitchen. “I’ve got some errands to run. I’ll see you later.”
“Like I said, he’ll do just about anything I ask,” I said, grabbing another towel.
Pops hung his head in shame. “The poor boy never had a chance. I’d say it’s gonna be getting interesting around here.”
“Attiline, someone’s at the door for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes, now get your butt down here.”
“You’re sounding more and more like one of my parents every day, bossing me around and all,” I teased as I marched down the stairs.
“Good. And just think, in a week I’ll be your principal too.”
“Lucky me.”
I threw open the front door and found Riley standing on the porch holding a bouquet of yellow roses. As a big grin filled his face, it felt like all those fireflies we’d captured over the years simultaneously lit up in my chest.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
I could see Pops and Marme in my peripheral vision. “Maybe you should come in and meet my parents,” I joked.
Riley walked into the house and handed me the flowers. “For you.”
“Thank you for the flowers, Riley. They’re beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
I looked over at his parents. “Have you met this hopeless boy?”
“He’s practically unrecognizable.” Pops shook his head. “It’s sickening.”
“I think it’s adorable,” Marme disagreed with her husband. “Here, Attie, give me the flowers and I’ll go put them in water.” I obliged, and the adults left Riley and me standing in the foyer.
This was the first time I’d seen Riley in something other than jeans or shorts of some kind. He wore a pair of khaki linen slacks and a brown short sleeve button down shirt. His thick mane lay in muddled, loose curls on his head. I never understood how he could pull off such a messy bed head look, but he looked fantastic. I wore a simple brown summer dress and felt plain compared to his near perfection.
He took a step toward me and then stopped.
“What?” I asked.
He walked backwards until he was standing on the porch and then summoned me with his pointer finger for me to join him. As soon as my feet were outside the house, he grabbed me and wrapped his arms around my body in a tight embrace. I laid my head against his chest and could hear his heartbeat. It was strong and fast, and I could only assume that its fierce pounding matched mine.
“I can’t believe we’re finally going out.” He released his grip and lightly kissed me on the forehead.
“Me either.”
“You ready?”
“Let me get my purse. I’ll be right back; don’t move.”
“I’m not going anywhere without you.”
He waited as I ran inside, grabbed my purse, said good-bye to his parents, and met him back out on the porch. I was out of breath, and it caused Riley to laugh. “I’m ready.”
He led me to his car and opened the passenger door for me. The scent of his cologne permeated the interior of his car. I closed my eyes and took in several deep breaths.
“You asleep?” he asked as he got in the driver’s side.
“No. I’m enjoying the smell of your car. It smells just like you. We should take your car more often.”
“No way. Why do you think I like to take your car everywhere?”
“It smells like me?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Where are we going?” I asked as he put his seatbelt on.
“You like steak, right?”
“Love it.”
“That’s what I thought. We’re going to a place in the city that I’ve heard is really nice. Very fancy.”
“You’ve never been there?”
“It’s our first date. I’m not gonna take you somewhere I’ve already been. This will be a first for both of us.”
I placed a checkmark into the air. “Add it to the list.”
“Good girl.” He nodded but kept his eyes on the road in front of him.
The restaurant was the fanciest one that I’d ever been to. The woodwork was dark, and there was barely any light overhead. We laughed at each other as we tried to read our menus by candlelight.
“Good grief, Riley, this place is way too expensive.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll have McDonald’s next time if that’ll make you feel better.”
“Really, you have to pay for everything separately. It’s going to cost a fortune.”
He glared at me but didn’t say a word.
“All right, all right,” I conceded and browsed the small menu.
“Do you want a crab cake to start with?” he asked.
“Yes. That sounds good. Have you decided what you’re getting for the main course?”
“I think I’m gonna get this prime rib-eye. What about you?”
“Same thing. I bet it’s huge. Do you want to split a baked potato or something?”
“Sure.”
Our conversation easily flowed as we drank our sodas and ate the crab cake. When the waiter returned with our meal, he shined a small flashlight onto our steaks and asked us to cut into them to make sure they were cooked properly. I tried not to chuckle at the ridiculousness of the flashlight.
As soon as the waiter walked away, Riley rolled his eyes. “Why don’t they just turn on the dang lights?” He’d read my mind. “Seriously, a flashlight?” He laughed. “I appreciate the whole ‘ambiance’ thing, but if you have to shine a flashlight on somebody’s food for them to see it, there’s a problem.”
I giggled as I cut into my steak. “This is romantic, Riley; don’t you get that?”
“Oh, is that romantic? I just thought it was stupid. This restaurant’s nice, but I’d like to see you sitting across from me. I can barely see your face it’s so dark in here.”
“It adds to the mystery. Just go with it.”
“I hate to complain, but between this and the movie, I won’t be able to see you all night. It’s a major disappointment.”
I picked up the candle and held it up to my face. “Does this help?” I asked with a big cheesy grin on my face.
“Yes. Just hold that right there all night and I’ll be good. Here,” he said, reaching across the table with his knife and fork. “I’ll cut your steak for you so you don’t have to put the candle down.”
“Don’t you dare.” I placed the candle back onto the table. “They’ll kick us out of this place for being too white trash. We must not appreciate the finer things of life. The steak’s good tho
ugh.”
“I’m glad.” He winked at me before taking his first bite.
Conversation continued as we finished our meal. We talked about everything from school to movies and books. The awkwardness wore off, and we were free to be ourselves.
(Riley)
When the movie let out, Attie and I decided to return to town and go to the park for a while. After arriving, we sat in the car talking for several minutes before I reached across the dashboard, opened the glove box, and pulled out a small gift-wrapped box.
Attie squealed. “You got me a gift?”
I laughed as I handed it to her. “Of course.” I would never get tired of seeing her reaction each time I gave her a gift.
She quickly unwrapped the box and opened it.
“Oh, Riley, it’s beautiful!” She removed the ring from the box and held it up to the light.
A round green peridot stone sat in a thin band and halo of tiny diamonds (at least that’s how the saleslady described it to me when I bought it).
“It’s your birthstone,” I informed her.
“I love it.” She started to place it on her finger, but I stopped her and motioned for her to hand the ring back to me.
“I wanna ask you something first,” I announced.
“You’re not going to ask me to marry you, are you?”
“Not yet. That’ll come later.” I wasn’t totally kidding. “But I do wanna ask you a serious question.”
She turned in her seat so that she was facing me. “All right.”
“I can’t believe I’m finally getting to do this,” I admitted.
“Do what?”
“Ask if you will officially be my girlfriend.”
A large smile formed on her gorgeous face. “You are?”
“I am.” I nodded. “Honestly, there’s nothing I want more than for you to be my girlfriend.”
“I’d like that very much.”
Slowly grabbing her hand, I slid the ring on her finger. “Look at that, it looks great on you.”
“It’s beautiful. It would look great on anyone. I love it; thank you so much.”