“How come you ran?”
“Because…because daddy told me that I could never speak to you again.” She says, chin quivering, shaking like a leaf.
“He what?” I practically whisper, in total shock. “He…he told you that?”
“Yes. And if I don’t heed his warning, he’ll tell my mama, and then all…well…all hell will break loose.”
“Ava, we didn’t do anything wrong, sugar.” I assure her. “We love each other. You weren’t just a roll in the hay to me, and I mean that.”
“I know, Gunner.” Now she’s crying. “I know, but I just…I can’t see you anymore. I love you with every beat of my heart, but I’ll lose everything. Daddy said he’d pull me out of school, and I’ll have to start all over, and they don’t have the money, so I’ll have to drop out.”
I feel sick. “Ava, if that’s the way that they feel about it, then why don’t you let me pay for your schooling, and to hell with them.”
The horror that crosses her face almost scares me. “You’ve got that kind of money?”
I swallow. “Darlin’, I’ve got enough money that I could probably buy this whole damn building if I wanted to. But it’s not the money here, it’s the principle. Y’all are in an unhealthy relationship with your folks, Ava, and I don’t want to judge, but I feel it in my gut. This is wrong. This is absolutely wrong.”
She’s silent for a beat, and then she levels with me. “Gunner, if your mama asked y’all to do something, even if it felt wrong, would you still do it?”
“Well, I’ll be honest with ya, darlin’, probably not. But it would have to depend on the circumstances, see. My mama’s not always been well mentally to be fair. But I see what you’re getting at all the same.”
“I can’t just…turn my back on my folks. Not that I don’t appreciate the offer and all, but I have to respect their wishes.”
I tilt my head and purse my lips. “We could always see each other in secret.”
“And then my daddy catches us again and that’s the end of it, Gunner.”
“You think your daddy’s going to drive four hours each time he has a gut feeling that you’re up to no good?”
She swallows. I’m pressuring her, but my point is valid. “Gunner, please don’t make this any more difficult.” Her voice quivers, tearing my heart out.
The bell rings overhead, indicating that the next class is about to start. “I have to go.” She gasps, tears falling down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”
I lean forward, wanting desperately to hold her, but she puts her palm up, stopping me. “Don’t, please. God, Gunner, don’t.” she begs, as more tears come.
…and I let her go. Watching her walk away, as she wipes away the tears.
***
Ava
He’s in my dreams. In my thoughts. It’s like he’s ingrained in my memory. Thinking about him makes me so happy that sometimes I smile spontaneously. “What are you smiling about?” mama gripes, as if it’s insulting to her. Daddy looks over and I wipe it off immediately. I finish my breakfast, eyes on the bottom of my bowl the whole time, and count down the minutes until mama and daddy have to go to work. I have the house to myself today, and the thought is also what’s making me smile, but I can’t tell mama and daddy that.
“Did y’all see my assignment mark?” I ask, making out like that’s what’s making me smile.
“Yes, I saw it.” Daddy answers, but he doesn’t say anything more. He addresses mama. “Shouldn’t you be off to work?”
“In a minute.” Her voice is cold. “You go on, before traffic gets bad.”
Daddy looks at his watch, as if he forgot the time, and rolls his eyes. He leaves a minute later, just as I’m finishing up my oatmeal. Mama is pulling her lunch out of the refrigerator, setting it into her cooler bag. “Y’all take me for stupid, don’t you.” She states.
I lift my head from the bowl, confused. “No, mama.”
One of my notebooks is in front of me, as I review something from yesterday’s class. “Who’s Gunner?” she asks, lifting her chin.
My heart starts to jump out of my chest, but I bite my tongue to stop from speaking too fast. “I worked with him on a class assignment for English.” I answer, not daring to lie to her.
“Oh yeah?” she walks over to me contemptuously. “Then why do y’all have his name written on your notebook?”
