Grace age 16
Noah age 17
I talk to Janet a lot about Grace. She wants to meet her, but I’m still waiting to reunite with her myself. I trust Grace’s mom, Allison, but at the same time, I don’t know how much longer I can wait.
The thought of someone stealing her away from me drives me mad.
What if someone already has? After all, I was only the trailer park boy that lived close by.
N.P.
“Grace, brake. Press the brake! The brake!” Mom screamed and I slammed on the brake.
“Mom!” I hissed, shaking like a leaf as I held the steering wheel with both hands. “Why are you yelling?”
“Because, the stop sign,” she said dramatically, holding her chest.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I know, I was nowhere near being close to it!”
She looked at me all scared like. “I’m sorry, this just makes me nervous.”
I groaned. “I know, Mom, but I’m more nervous than you are and your nerves are only rubbing mine raw.”
She laughed at my choice of words and I huffed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Continue.”
“I’d like to take my test by the end of this month,” I told her and she nodded some more.
Thirty minutes later, we were parked at Stevie’s—a small pickup burger stand beside the highway. We sat at a picnic table as we ate.
“So,” Mom started, slurping on her drink. “You and Dustin?” she waggled her brows and I groaned loud enough for her to hear. “So, you’re dating him but you don’t like him?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I do like him, I just—”
She nodded like she already knew what I was going to say. “He’s not Noah?” I gave her a tired smile and nodded.
“Do you think Noah still thinks about me like I think about him?” I asked lamely.
She smiled mischievously. “Of course, he does! You have my good looks and some long legs like your daddy, I know that boy ain’t going to forget about you.”
I placed my chin in my palm as I rested my elbow on the table. “Don’t make it about looks, Mom… But, I can imagine what a few years would add to Noah… I bet he’s even better looking now, I wonder if he grew any taller.” My tummy felt like lava just thinking about Noah while every time I kissed Dustin, it was lukewarm.
“Your face is a little red, child, cool it down,” Mom teased. “So, the boys play their first game this Friday, don’t they?” Mom changed the subject and I nodded. “Who are they playing… Bulldogs, right? Jewel County?” Jewel County was right next to our county.
“I think so.”
“You made the right choice by going back to the team.”
I squinted my eyes. “You practically harassed me into getting back on the team.”
She feigned ignorance. “I did no such thing.”
“Anyway… I’m glad I got back on the team, it gives me something to do, at least.”
She smirked. “You won’t regret it.”
“I swear, if you plan on sneaking onto the bleachers and filming me cheering, I’ll quit right now,” I said. She giggled like a little girl. “I’m serious, your face has me worried.”
She tossed her hand up. “Relax. I won’t even get to go if I wanted to, I have to work one of the ball games for the middle school that night.” She made a pouty face. “I really wanted to go.” And the truth came out.
I pretended to be annoyed. “Why are you acting so childish?”
“You act like I’m old or something, I’m only thirty-eight.”
“And you’re onnneeee hottttt mammmaaaa,” I started singing Trace Adkins, “One Hot Mama” and she pushed down her shades and bounced her head until I started laughing.