Before we walked away, he confirmed his feelings without my asking, “You’re everything to me, Moonlight.”
And then last night, beneath the stars, when we were all alone, bringing more truths and feelings to the surface.
HE KISSED ME!
And even in the darkness of night, I saw Heaven!
Real Heaven. . . Woodrow Heaven.
And I think I fell headfirst in love.
I smiled, feeling his presence lingering in the doorway. My eyes drifted upwards, taking in his grungy clothes—the loose pants, the tee harboring a band that I’d never heard of—all morbidly gray.
“Good morning, Woodrow,” I said before looking over.
His smile gave him away—the perfect teeth. He never smiled with teeth, not as Woody, who only ever offered minimal actions of affection, fearing they’d not be returned—that was something Nessie had told me. But Woody wasn’t around these days. The more time Woodrow spent with me, the less the child trapped inside him floated to the surface, much to Nessie’s dismay. And luckily for all of us, no one else did, either.
“Breakfast?” he asked, his teeth sinking into his full lower lip, a dimple popping on his cheek as his smile grew.
“I’m starving.”
“Me, too. Shall I give you a minute?”
“No, I’m done.”
“Good. We’ll grab something to go.”
“Go where?” I asked, and I was answered only by a wink as he slipped out of view.
I wrote the last words in my diary. . .
I’ll check in soon.
And then I flipped the cover, pushing the diary back beneath my plumped pillow.
I’d dressed in another floaty dress—white flowers on a lilac background emphasized the tones of my skin. Purple flip-flops clacked against my feet as I followed Woodrow through the grass, feeling guilty for stomping on the daisies.
He walked ahead, his hand in mine—always in mine.
The overly full backpack slung over his shoulder caught my attention.
“So, what’s our plan for the day?” I quizzed, wondering why we had rushed off without Nessie. Without breakfast after offering me some.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Is it anything like yesterday’s surprise?” I asked, and he laughed.
“We’re going on a date.”
“We are?”
“Don’t get too excited. It’s not exactly something that will sweep you off your feet.”
“Good. I have enough chance of these flippers doing that.” I raised a giant flipper into the air as he sided to me. “And I wouldn’t want this dress to get grass stains.” I laughed.
Woodrow’s eyes roved over my lilac floral dress, and I didn’t fail to notice the appreciation he had for me wearing it.
He began leading us again as he said, “You sure about that?”
