“What?How did that happen?”I asked.
“I don’t know.It’s like one day, he looked different to me.I realized that he is kind and funny, and he listens.One thing led to another, and we are going steady.”
“Wow.I don’t know what to say.I am happy for you two.”
“So, how’s Moose Creek with Darren?”she pried.
“A girl hit on him when we went to the creek, and I felt weird.Plus, I might have to go home sooner than expected.It’s all screwed up.This summer was supposed to be perfect,” I admitted.
“Why do you have to leave?You aren’t making any sense.Explain more.”
“Fine.”I explained everything.I described every second I spent with Darren so far.From the first night I arrived, down to our knees touching in the pick-up.
She listened without judgment and then she spoke.“You were jealous.You like him.It’s that simple.You have to tell him before you leave.”
“No.That can’t be it.Tell me it’s not,” I whined, hoping she would tell me the opposite.
“It is.I got to go.I only have so many phone minutes to use.You need to get out of your mind and see where life takes you.You can’t avoid something because you are afraid.Darren is a good match for you, and he adores you.You should tell him how you feel, then maybe you could end up like me and Thomas.Have a great birthday!Night.”
Betsy lived life on the edge, while I liked to live grounded.I had dreams like everyone else and wanted to make connections, but loving someone was different.Loving someone meant opening a world of hurt I didn’t want to face.
The phone made a busy signal and went to the tone as I slammed the phone back onto the hook.I took a deep breath.My world was falling apart.I liked Darren, and my stepdad was miserable.I wasn’t ready to leave yet.I needed to figure out what I wanted and fast.
Chapter Eight
Birthday Bonds
Song: Sister GoldenHair—America
June 25th, 1975
It was my 15th birthday.Birthdays are odd because it’s the day people are supposed to treat you like you are unique.It’s also a day when you are supposed to make these unreasonable expectations.Still, you end up being disappointed with someone or something.I refused to be disappointed by others on my birthday.Nothing could top the day I got Fawn.I owed it to Betsy to take her advice and seize the day, because I wasn’t sure when I would have to leave Moose Creek and return to Butterfield.
I got out of bed, brushed my teeth, and removed my hair from the curlers I put in the previous night.I thought about the girl at the creek, and how much effort she put into her looks.I wanted to look that good for Darren.When I saw myself in the mirror I felt like Farrah Fawcett.My hair had a bounce to it.I went through my bag and pulled out my green floral dress.The dress lay just above my knees, had a fitted waist with a brown belt, and flared shoulders.I applied lipstick to my bottom lip, rubbed my lips together in a circular motion, patted down my skirt, and entered the kitchen.
“Oh, my!You look so grown up.Happy birthday, my sweet girl,” my momma said with a huge smile.
