“True that,” she chuckles. “Can we hang out sometime soon?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling sincerely this time.
First an all-girls bonfire and now plans with Shirley? The rest of the summer is looking to be my best yet. Friends…boyfriend…riding motorcycles….
A soft tap on my shoulder catches my attention.
“Your father says it’s time to go.”
Dread radiates, embedding itself as tension in my muscles and making it hard to move. I donotwant to find out what’s in store for me at home.
“Shirl, I’ll text you, okay?”
She looks at my mom and then me, confused, but says okay and gives me one last hug, her curls bouncing playfully as she darts off into the dwindling crowd of students and parents.
“We have to leave graduation already? Can’t I just talk to you guys later?”
“No. Your father’s extremely upset and wants to talk to you now, but he doesn’t want to do it in public.”
I roll my eyes and follow her to the exit until I spot Ben talking to one of the teachers.
“I’m going to run over and say bye to Ben really quick.”
“Okay, but Dad’s waiting in the car. Don’t be long or I’m afraid he might come back inside and make a scene.”
“What’s his problem? What’s the big deal with Ben and I dating?”
“I think it’s just a lot for him to process all at once. It’s overwhelming, especially finding out the way we did. We’ll talk at home and sort it all out. Go say bye to Ben and meet us at the car, okay?”
Without another word I run over to Ben, hoping I can steal his comfort somehow and bottle it up to take it with me for this conversation.
“Ben!”
Ben says goodbye to Mr. Henley and turns around, brows furrowing in concern.
“Are you okay? I’ve never seen your dad look so angry. I always thought he liked me so I didn’t think us dating would be that big of a deal.”
“No, I’m not okay. I have no idea what his problem is. They’re making me leave right now to go home to have adiscussion, and I’m absolutely dreading it.”
“What the fuck?” He brushes his fingers through his hair. “I can go with you, if you want? I can try and provide a buffer?”
“As much as I want you there, I think that’d only make things worse.”
He forcefully exhales and fists my gown, pulling me into him. I know he feels as helpless right now as I do about the situation.
“Yeah, probably. Call me when you guys are done talking and I’ll either come over to your place or you can come back to the farm, okay?”
“Okay, I lo—” I stop, my eyes wide, my body stiff as a board. I cannot believe I almost said I love you here, now, before he said itandin public.
Holy shit.
“Gotta go! I’ll text you!” I give him a quick peck on the lips and run away.
“Char! Wait, Char!” he yells as I run away.
I don’t dare look back, afraid if I do, I may see something I don’t like, and I can’t bear his rejection right now with the storm I’m heading into at home.
The ride home is completely silent, the tension between us all unbearable. Once in the house, dad utters two words and points.
