“I’ve been crushing on you since we were four years old.”
“Interesting. So when you were kicking my tower of blocks over at Doña Mary’s house, you were just telling me how much you liked me.”
“Exactly. It’s been a marathon tryna get your attention,nena.”
I find the tender spot I pinched and pinch it again.
“Ow!” Vicé says a little louder this time.
“That was me telling you that I like you, too.”
I look up at Vicé again. She seemingly forgets about the pain looking into my upside-down eyes and gives my forehead a small kiss.
“Watch where you’re pinching. My heart’s on that sleeve, you know.”
I look at the blush pink spot on Vicé’s arm that I pinched. I place my hand on her arm, pretending like I am going to give one more pinch. I feel her body tense behind me, bracing for another pinch, but I opt for giving a small kiss on the part of her arm I pinched instead, followed by a soft, tender rub. My hands hang from the spot that I just rubbed, and I feel Vicé sigh softly and rest her chin on top of my head. I could stay in this embrace the rest of my life.
The sound of the waves crashing, watching the sky kaleidoscope through reds, pinks, and purples in the warmth of Vicé’s arms is the place I never knew that I needed.
The color of the sky snaps me out of my lovesick haze, and I remember that I need to make my way home before my mother has my head on a platter.
“I know you have to get going…” Vicé says, breaking the serenity between us. “But I wanted to give you something before you go home. Close your eyes.”
Reluctantly, I unglue myself from her, sit up, and close my eyes, covering them with my hands.
“Okay. Open them.”
I open my eyes, and there is a small box with unfinished wood on the outside, and the tiniest little clasp on the front. The tiny box was nestled in the center of her delicate cupped hands. My eyes widen at the sight of the box, then shoot up to Vicé’s face. Her nervously sweet smile woke up the butterflies in my stomach.
Vicé’s hands shook as she unclasped the box and opened its tiny lid. The box rocked back and forth as her hands shook when she turned it towards me to reveal a silver ring. The small, simple ring glinted in the setting sun.
“I made this for you in shop class. The box andeverything,” Vicé said, as she swallowed hard.
She wiped her hand on her French cut jeans and removed the ring from the box. “This used to be a quarter. I hollowed it out, and smoothed and shined the edges.”
Vicé looked through it, as I stared at her in awe. Not only is my best friend beautiful, strong, but she is talented with her hands. I drift into daydreams of those same hands building a house, and us, together, decorating it to make it a home.
Vicé’s voice reigns me in. She presents the ring to me with one hand and a soft smile.
“It’s a promise ring.”
The butterflies in my stomach have made their way to my chest.
“Alma Maria Betances, I love you with all my heart.”
Did I pass out? I feel like I’m going to pass out.
“Will you go steady with me, Almita?”
Every cell of my body is screaming yes. All I can muster in this moment is to bob my head up and down, and squeak out a yes the size of a mustard seed.
Vicé grabs my hand, and it feels like a thunderstorm in my veins. Her sweaty hands, shake and rattle the ring onto my middle finger. I am still in awe how she made this just for me from something like a quarter.
I stare into Vicé’s eyes.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” she says, her eyes finding their way down to my lips.
I reach for her cheek, and draw her in. Our noses and lips graze each other for a moment of bliss.
