“Yeah, that's the other thing. I need the car tonight, so do you think you could pick her up, Falon?” he asked, looking in my direction.
I looked to Julie, but her face was expressionless. Liam had given me an excuse not to go out tonight. I could say Ava was working, so I couldn't have the car, or that Ava wouldn't let me take the car out tonight. I had a loophole sitting in front of me.
But I couldn't do it. I looked to Liam and nodded. “Yeah, I'll pick her up. Text me the directions?” I said, looking at Julie again.
She nodded. I saw a small smile cross her face. That gave me some sort of hope.
“Great! Look at that! Everything is going to be great tonight!” Liam announced.
Subconsciously, my mind went somewhere. To something I would try after we were done.
♥
After we had finished cleaning up, and Julie was taking the crayons and books away, I picked up the basketball. I stood where they had showed me, and I prayed that I would make the basket.
If I could make the basket, tonight wouldn't change Julie's relationship with me. We would remain as we were now: not a couple.
I watched with relief as the ball fell through the hoop. It landed against the floor and started rolling, and I felt a huge burden lift from my chest.
“Hey! Looks like you and Julie are going to have a great time without me,” Liam said, picking up the basketball.
I watched him make a basket too, and I smiled. Tonight would be okay. Nothing to worry about.
♥
Julie texted me the directions while I was getting dressed. I was buttoning up my shirt, rolling up my sleeves, and then looked at myself in the mirror.
The outfit looked appropriate enough, A dark blue button up shirt, dark jeans, I figured I could fit in wherever Julie was taking me. Wherever it was in town that required a reservation.
My burns were still visible through the open buttons of my shirt, so I buttoned one more. There was only one more to button, but I couldn't have that last one done. I'd feel like I was choking.
I couldn't do anything about the burns all over my head. Those couldn't be buttoned up.
Ava came into my room, and she started smiling as she leaned against my doorway. “Look at you. You look very handsome,” she told me, and then held out a small bouquet of red roses.
“What are those for?” I asked her, unbuttoning the button I had just done. It felt too close to my neck again.
“For Julie. When she says they're beautiful, you say, 'Not as beautiful as you are' and then open her door and kiss her before she goes home,” she told me, holding the flowers out.
“This isn't a date, Ava.”
“Of course it is. You and Julie? Alone? It's a date,” she said, forcing the flowers into my hand.
I looked at them. Maybe I could ditch them before I got to Julie's house. Then I wouldn't have to worry about it.
“Here,” she said, and handed me some money. I took it, but gave her the same look as I had with the flowers.
“What's this for?”
“Gas in my car, and so you can pay for dinner. Date or not, you are paying for dinner,” she warned me, and I knew not to argue with that. I had been hoping for money. The thought of Julie paying for dinner was just weird. Some traditions were meant to stay that way.
“Okay,” I said, and then looked in the mirror again. I sighed, and ran my hand over my head. “I guess I need to get going. It doesn't get much better than this,” I said with a shrug.
Ava smiled and hugged me. “You looked great. And have fun tonight, and don't impregnate anyone,” she said.
I laughed, and nodded. “I'll try. I can't make any promises.”
She laughed, and I left. I memorized Julie's directions and found her house without any problems. I knew most of town so it hadn't been too difficult to figure out where she lived.
Her house was in a nice neighborhood. All over two stories, with beautiful green yards and fences blocking the backyard where a few houses held a pool. They were old southern mansions, white and columned, and nice balconies. They were the types of houses that had large oak doors and paved driveways.
I parked on the street, by the curb of her house. I took a moment to look at her house and then I straightened my shirt out again. I started to wish I had ironed it.
I got out and made my way to her front door. I was mindful of the grass, knowing how some people freaked out when you walked on it. I stayed along the walk way that was set out, and went onto the porch.
The flowers were in my hand, despite knowing what signals they would send out. Basketball Lotto has said differently.
I rang the doorbell, and listened to the chime inside. I shuffled nervously, cracking my knuckles and rubbing my arms until I heard someone move toward the door. I straightened up and cleared my throat.
A woman answered. She had a long, blond bob and the same light green eyes that Julie had. Her smile was professional, and warm. I guessed as a head nurse, you would have practiced that smile a million times.
“You must be Falon,” she said, her voice light. No traces of judgment, or disapproval. It must have been a family trait.
“Yes ma'am. You must be Julie's mom,” I replied.
She nodded and moved aside. “Yes. Come on in. Julie will be down shortly,” she told me.
I wanted to tell her that
