AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 2
Summer 1995
Willow
It’s been three days since the bonfire party. I’d like to say that I’ve spent them with Casey, but that’s only been in my dreams. Mr. Bradshaw is putting a new roof on their house, and Casey and his friends have been helping. From my parents’ room, you can get a partial view of the roof, and that’s where I’ve been spending my mornings.
“I’m heading to the store, honey. Would you like to come? It’ll give you a chance to get out of the house. You’ve been spending all your time in here.” Mom stood in the doorway watching me pretend to read. I’d told her yesterday that I was really into this book.
“I kinda just want to hang out here, if that’s ok.” I glanced up, and then turned toward the window.
“Ok, well, we’re going to the Bradshaws’ tonight for a cookout. If you go down to the beach, make sure you’re back in time for dinner.” She turned and left, and as soon as I heard the front door close, I sprang into action. I needed to find something that would get Casey’s attention.
I riffled through my mom’s portion of the closet hoping to find something I could borrow, but nothing jumped out at me. It was all beachwear and looked like an eighties magazine blew up.
I took one last longing look out the window before going to my room. I needed to look older. Casey had picked me off the beach as a date for his brother, which meant he thought I was young. He was right, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t mature for my age, or interested in older guys.
“Hey, Willow,” Dad interrupted my thoughts. “Russ was looking for you this morning. Why don’t you see if it was about tonight?”
“Looking for me?” I was confused.
“When I walked to the store for the morning paper. He asked if you were sick. Said he hadn’t seen you out much.” Dad shrugged. “You’ve been inside all week. You should get out more.”
“Maybe,” I murmured as I stared at the pile of clothes on my bed. Dad left, and my curiosity got the better of me. I slipped on a pair of flip flops, grabbed a visor, and rushed outside. After wheeling my bike out of the storage closet, I took off for the Bradshaws’. I’m sure showing up on a bike wasn’t helping my ‘I need to look older’ campaign, but I didn’t want to drive the wagon.
ooooooooo
“Hey. I thought you were dead or something.” Russell laughed as I rode up. He was tinkering under the hood of an old truck.
“What are you doing?” I climbed off, letting the bike fall to the ground in the process.
“She’s not running right.” He wiped his hands on a rag. “Dad says I can’t take her out if she doesn’t run right. He doesn’t want me to get stranded somewhere.” He shrugged before leaning back down under the hood. “Hey, you can help.” He came around and opened the driver’s door. “Climb in.” He reached across and turned the key. “When I say to, I want you to press the gas a little.” He rushed back to where he was standing before. “Now gently press,” he yelled. When I pressed down, the engine sounded like it was yelling, and as soon as I let up it made a coughing sound. “Ok.” He rushed back and cut the engine. “See what I mean?”
“No.” I shook my head. “My dad said you were looking for me.” I glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Casey.
“I just thought maybe you were avoiding me after the party.” He refused to look at me.
“You mean, after you mauled my face.” I made a gagging noise.
“I thought I rocked your world.” He laughed.
“Hardly, and let’s never speak of this again.” I shook my head.
“Fine. Forgotten. Now can we get back to being us? What are we doing the rest of the week? You’re leaving soon.” He almost whined.
“Aren’t we too old for this? I mean, we’re not ten anymore. We don’t pull pranks, or sneak out at night, or any of the other stuff we did as little kids.” I crossed my arms over my chest, and it was at that moment when Casey came out.
“Thought you might want something to drink,” Casey called as he stepped into the sunlight of the drive, holding out a water. “Hey, Willow. I didn’t know you were here. I’ll grab one for you.” He disappeared and reappeared with a second bottle.
“Thanks.” My fingers brushed his when I took it from him. A chill rushed through me, and I thought I saw something flash in his eyes.
“You’re welcome. Dad says to finish whatever you’re doing and to come help. He wants to clean the deck up before tonight.” He turned and started to walk away.
“I might be able to help,” I called out.
“Thanks, but we’ve got it. I’ll see you tonight, Willow.” He smiled, and a future with Casey began playing like a corny romance movie through my mind.
“He drives me nuts,” Russ grumbled. “He’s worried that the house won’t be perfect for tonight. Says he has big plans.”
