He lifted my wrist. "You're so boney. I’m afraid if you fall you would snap like a toothpick."
I laughed. "No, I wouldn't."
He stared at me. Deep. He remembered where he had left off. Where he wanted to pick up. What he wanted to do. How he had asked politely for it. Waiting, planning, plotting how it would be done.
But a voice called. Echoing through the woods.
He groaned. "Doesn't this seem familiar?"
I agreed remembering the same thing had happened right before he left. Except it had been Tom who interrupted.
He offered me his hand and then we walked home.
Ella was waiting on the porch, stuffed in jacket and slippers.
"There you are. I wondered where ya'll went. It's getting cold and dark out."
We followed her inside the warmth and after a cup of milk, I went to bed.
Chapter 16
The Stomachache
Even though it was Saturday, there was a service at church. But this time, there were activities and lunch after the preaching.
"Every once in a while, they make special plans likes this at church," Ella explained to me after I had dressed. I wore jeans and a t shirt. Nothing fancy. Nothing special. Just comfortable and clean. And skinny. I was thinking the skinny part because I was staring at my reflection. The thing that always stood out to me the most was my legs. They were round and tiny. But without the jeans, my knees were knotty looking. Gross.
I rode in the back of the truck. Jason sat between me and Felix. As we passed all the lanky trees that lined the roads by our house, I couldn't help but feel nervous. I had not seen Tom since he kissed me, and I didn't want to talk to him. But knowing him, he would try everything to do so.
We parked and walked to church. I walked towards the front and sat. Felix sat beside me.
After the short preaching, all the younger kids ran downstairs to the gym. That's where the bouncy houses were.
Felix took my hand and led me with him.
"Let's find Tom and Sarah," he said.
I stopped. I didn't want to go, of course.
"What's wrong?" He questioned.
"Nothing. I'm sorry." I didn't have any choice. I continued walking. And there they were ahead.
Felix called to his friend and Tom waved.
"Your back," Tom said as we all met.
"Yeah. I got back yesterday evening."
"How did everything go?"
"Good. I couldn't wait to get back though."
"I don't blame you. I would want to get back too." Tom glanced at me.
"What?" Felix asked.
"I mean," Tom looked back at Felix. "You were away from all of your friends and family. I bet you missed us."
"Oh, yeah. I did."
Sarah smiled at me, but I could see the nervous shine in her eyes. I returned the look.
"Well," Sarah said quickly. "Do you want to take one of the trails out back? I know it's a church yard, but just a little way forward you hit beautiful hiking trails."
"Sound fun to me. How bout it, Anna?" Felix asked.
"Sure."
So, we went that way.
Once we found the trail, Felix reached for my hand. He loved keeping me close. And I loved that he loved keeping me close. It made me never want him to leave again. Those couple of weeks without him had been tortuous.
As we walked, Tom kept glancing at me. And his face showed that he was irritated. He didn't like the fact that Felix was holding my hand and walking beside me.
Finally, we came to a fork in the trail.
"Which way?" Felix asked.
"Well they lead to the same place, so it doesn't really matter," Sarah explained.
"How about Felix and I take one way and you girls take the other. We'll meet at the end."
He'll do anything to split us up, I thought.
Felix looked at me. "Alright." He let go of my hand and joined Tom on their side of the trail.
"I'm glad we're alone," Sarah said as they disappeared. "Tom is really upset. He won't even eat. I'm worried about him. It's not your fault but you are the reason."
I frowned. "I will try to talk to him again."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'll tell him we can be friends. Last time I tried, he had to kiss me. But maybe this time we can work it out."
She tried to look hopeful. But deep down, she knew there was only one remedy for her brother.
"You think that will make him feel better? I know you love Felix and that's not your fault either."
"It might make him feel better. I don't know. I'm not that fond of Tom but I don't want him unhappy. And I don't want him to die of starvation."
She laughed. "Well, I would like to see him happier, but I know it's good to not always have what you want. It helps you cope with other things in life and teaches you to control your emotions."
I agreed. I didn't have a lot of things that I wanted. Like parents. For a long time. I had Johnny. But then, God blessed me. He would bless Tom to. One day. He just needed to move off from me.
Soon, we met with the boys.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Sarah said. "Mother and I picked out some winter clothes for you."
"Really? That's great, do you know how cold I've been?"
"I wish I would have remembered to bring them."
"Oh well." I sighed. "You can bring them tomorrow morning."
Felix removed his jacket and placed it around my shoulders. "You can use mine for now."
The warmth. His warmth. It delightfully soaked into my skin.
"You don't have to, Felix."
"But I want to."
I pulled my arms through the green sleeves and zipped it to my chest. It was evident. His jacket was a thousand times too big. But it was Felix's. And he wanted me to have it. That was sweet.
I glanced at Tom, for some reason. And saw him roll his eyes. He didn't see me, so I quickly looked away.
"Let's go see what's for lunch," Felix suggested, obviously hungry. He grabbed my
