It was late and everyone had gone to bed. I couldn’t sleep. There had been no big party, even though Miss Dixie had made my favorite home-made pizza. No one had said much at dinner.
Later I stared out my window at the little bridge. It was lit up by the moon. It looked empty without the redhead dangling her legs. Annabelle hadn’t looked at me at dinner. In fact she hadn’t said a thing.
The house was so quiet. I was suddenly aware of a noise. It came from above me. I listened so hard that my head started to hurt. I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like sobbing. It was Annabelle. I knew then she was crying.
Before I had thought it through, I jumped out of bed and quietly ran up the stairs. I opened her door and quickly closed it behind me. Her room smelled like strawberries.
The crying stopped. “TJ?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” I stood in the dark and became suddenly aware that I only had on my boxers. My eyes started to adjust. The moonlight came in through her window. I could see Annabelle sitting up in her bed. I whispered, “Are you okay?”
“No.” She buried her face in her hands and a small cry escaped.
“Same here.” I slowly walked to her bed and sat on the end. “I hate it. I don’t know if I can face my old world again.” I felt tears roll down my cheeks. I was thankful it was dark. But it didn’t matter. She knew. I felt her move in close and touch my face. She wiped away my tears with her fingers.
I took her in my arms and we both cried. Before I knew it, I was lying next to her on the bed. She kissed me. I kissed back. I wanted more.
“I need you, TJ.” Annabelle’s breath was sweet on my lips.
“I know.” I smiled in the dark. “I can’t see myself without you.”
She was warm. I was hungry. She was willing. I kissed her again. We both wanted more. But I didn’t take it.
“What’s wrong?” Annabelle spoke so softly. “Don’t you want me?”
I touched her cheek and whispered, “For a long time now.” I sat up and took the covers and tucked her in. “But not tonight. We can’t tonight.”
“Why?” She sat up and held my arm.
I put my hand over hers. “Because I don’t want it to just be a memory.” I reached in and kissed her once more. “I’ve got to believe it’s our future.” I smiled. “I’ve got to believe in something.”
Annabelle took my hand and leaned in with her head on my shoulder. “Okay. I’ll dream on it too.”