Eternity (Circle of Light) (13 page)

I talked with his parents for a while.  They were both very intelligent.  His mother asked me where I had found such a lovely dress.  I pointed over at Mom and told her that she would have to ask her because I truly didn’t know where she had gotten it. 

His father was calmer and more laid back than his mother.  He was easy to talk to and was very polite.  It was plain to see where Eric got his charm. 

Before I kn
ew it, it was time to go.  Eric’s dad tossed him the keys to his car and smiled.  Our parents were all going to ride together in my mother’s car. 

It was really nice of his dad to allow us to take his car.  Maybe he thought we would want some time alone.  This was the truth.  I wanted to be with Eric every minute of the day, every day.

The silence on the ride there was weird.  We were always talking to each other in one way or another, but right now Eric didn’t have a thought in his mind.  None that I could tell, that is.  I decided to break the silence.

“You really think you love me Eric?”

“No.”

“NO!  What do you mean no?”  I said as I shifted my weight in the seat.
I was shaken by his retort.

“I don’t think I love you.  I know I do.”              

“I know that I love you too.  I’ve known it s
ince the first time I saw you at the diner.”  I said to him as my body relaxed out of strike mode.

“Is that so?”  He asked with a smile.

“Sure is!” We both laughed.

“I wonder if you will be more radiant on our wedding day as you are right now.”

“Oh wow.  You really are full of it aren’t you?  Already planning our wedding I see.”

“I can’t wait
.” he said matter of fact, smiling as he looked ahead.

Traffic began to slow to a crawl and at this rate we were going to be late getting there.

As we inched closer, I saw a car with a few of our classmates on the side of the road.  They had gotten a flat tire.  One of the girls was trying to figure out how to use the jack.  She was doing it wrong. 

“Should we stop and help?  It’s pretty obvious that nobody else is going to” I claimed.

“Sure, but you can fix it from here.  I guess you can call it practice. Try it.” he laughed.

I thought about how I was going to help her change the tire.  There was no easy way to do it so I projected myself into the girls mind. 

I whispered the steps to her.  The crazed look on her face made me giggle. She did what I told her to without questioning where it came from.  When she got to the part where she had to loosen the lug nuts, she was in tears. They were too tight and she didn’t have the strength to turn them.  I twirled my finger and broke them loose for her. 

“Try again
.” I whispered to her. 

She picked up the lug wrench and gave it another try.  I heard her say, “Thank God
!”   I watched as she put the tire on and replaced the lug nuts.

I heard her worried thoughts.  She was afraid that she wouldn’t get them tight enough and the wheel would fall off. 

“Don’t be afraid.” I said to her as I made sure all of the wheels were on securely.

She put up all the tools and looked at her dress.  She began to cry when she discovered the grease stain on the front of it.  I knew she didn’t have another dress and there was no way she could wear that one to graduation.

I waited until she got back into the car to erase all the imperfections her chore had caused.  I imagined the stain was gone and her hair and makeup was once again perfect.  I even took away the musty smell the grease had left behind.

She gave herself another look and with an enormous smile she started her car and pulled back onto the road in front of us.

“You're a natural.” Eric said as he drove. 

“It does seem that way
doesn’t it?”  I replied proud of the good deed I had done.

The front of the school was swarming with parents.  I was glad the principal had reserved a section of the parking lot for the graduates.  We found a spot to park and went to meet our parents.

Mom had my graduation gown held out and ready for me to slide in it.   She helped me put my cap on where it wouldn’t mess up my hair.  I could see she was fighting the tears as she did it.

Eric looked exceptionally good in his graduation attire.  Eric’s dad checked his watch and told us it was time to go.  They all wished us luck and instructed us to take our time crossing the stage so they could get pictures.  We both agreed and rushed to get in line.

Eric’s last name was Gray so that put him farther up the line than me.  I took my place and waited for the teacher s instructions.  I didn’t like being away from him. I didn’t like the uneasy feeling that distance from him gave me.

Several of the faculty members were going up and down the line helping students adjust their robes.  It was mostly the caps that were causing the trouble.  Most of us had our tassels on the wrong side so they placed them on the right side and went on to the next one.

The music began to play signaling the junior class to enter the auditorium.  They called it the junior class march.  I could remember making that march down the aisle symbolizing the transition from a junior to a senior.

The song ended and I could hear the junior class president give her speech.  The speech was short, but interesting. 

“May I introduce to you, the graduating class of 2010!” she said with excitement.

The graduation march began and we walked out to our seats.  We were instructed to remain standing until everyone was in their places and the principal was on stage.

The ceremony went as planned.  When everyone had their diplomas we were dismissed to go outside.  As I was walking out, I could see that some of the students were crying. I was happy and sad at the same time.  I was happy because I had finished high school, but sad to be leaving the school and all my friends.  I would probably miss the routine more than anything. Most of them would be leaving to go to college soon. 

I had decided not to attend a four year college.  As a matter of fact, I really wasn’t sure what I was going to do with my life.  There’s plenty of time to decide all of that I suppose.

Eric slid his hands around my waist from behind.  He moved a few curls and kissed me gently on the neck.               

“Congratulations sweetheart
.” he said with his lips still lingering on my skin.               

“Same to you
.” I replied knowing the tone of my voice would send certain signals.  Thank goodness that our parents walked up. 

They were all delighted that we had made it through high school.  They swarmed us. They congratulated us and hugged us until I thought I’d never want to be hugged again. 

After all the fuss was over they announced they were going to throw a little party for us and our friends’ tomorrow night.  I was surprised, to say the least.  Mom told us to invite whoever we wanted to, but I wasn’t really interested in inviting much of anyone.  I could tell from Eric’s thoughts that he could only ask two people, Damien and Jared. I could ask Jasmine and Beth, but I was sure that they had already made other plans and I wouldn’t want them to break them on my behalf.

I was leaning more in the direction of having a small family only type of gathering anyway.  That is the way I liked to celebrate things.

With that in mind I asked, “How would you guys feel about it just being the six of us?” Everyone agreed that was probably the best idea.

I said goodbye to my friends and asked my parents if they were ready to go.  They had decided that the four of them were going to go for some coffee and said it would probably take a while.  I was glad they were getting to know each other.  Eric nudged my arm and smiled. 

“What time would you like me to have Bailey home?” He asked my Dad.

“It’s nine now and I’m thinking we may be out for a while from the way these women are acting.  How about no later than one?” Dad replied.

“Thanks Dad!”  I shrieked as I threw my arms around him.  He smiled and told me that it was only because he trusted me and that he had grown rather fond of Eric.  I blushed as I turned and took Eric’s hand. 

I was sure that Dad was telling me the truth.  He would never have allowed me to stay out that late with anyone else.  Not even Jasmine or Beth.

He opened the door of his dad’s car and waited for me to get in.  The shock of not believing that they were letting me stay out that late was pleasing feeling.  Especially with a guy.  I guess Eric had grown on my father.  That was a good thing.  My father was not a very trusting man when it came to me having a boyfriend.  He was more of an overprotective type, but I knew that he means well and I was never bothered by that.

Eric drove down by the park.
“Where do you want to go?” he asked.

“I would like to be somewhere quiet I think
.” I muttered. “I’m having a sensory overload right now.”

  “Your wish is my command, Princess.  You‘ll have to show me the way because I’m unfamiliar with the local hideouts
.” he said grinning from ear to ear.

I thought of the lake right outside of town.  No one ever goes down there.  It was the perfect place, quiet and secluded.

“Would you mind if we went by our houses and changed clothes?” I asked already knowing the answer. 

“Absolutely
.” he said in relief. 

He pulled the car into my driveway and parked.  I opened the door and he helped me out of the car.  As he closed the door, I pulled my heels off.  I could walk better without them.  Not to mention they were killing my feet. 

He held my hand as we walked up the walkway to the door.  I pulled my key from my handbag and unlocked the door. 

“Will you need any help with getting out of that dress?” he asked slyly.  

Yeah, if you don’t mind, I‘ll need help with the zipper.” I said frankly.

I could tell that he was pleased with my request.  It was the truth. I did need help.  He followed me up the stairs to my room.  I put my heels in the closet.  Eric was waiting by the door. 

“You've been in here before Eric.” I said sarcastically. 

“I know. It is just a little different this time
.” he said as he blushed.

I pointed over my shoulder to the zipper.  He slowly walked up behind me.  I felt his hand touch my back.  He unzipped the zipper all the way to my waist.  Eric ran his finger from the bottom of my neck to the small of my back.  His touch sent chills all over my body.  He slid the dress off my shoulders.  He kissed my back and I struggled to breathe.  

Stopping our kiss at the right moment he said, “I’m going on over to my house to get this hideous suit off.  I‘ll be right back.”

I hurried to put on my old jeans and a t-shirt.  The thought of him kissing my back like he did was still fresh on my mind.  I’m glad that he left when he did, because the situation could have gotten out of control and wouldn’t be able to live with myself if one of my parents walked in and caught us fooling around. 

With that in mind, I rushed to put on my shoes and get them tied. 

I waited for Eric on my front porch.  I had considered going over to his house, but I decided against it.  I sat there on the steps contemplating exactly where I thought our relationship was headed.  I could clearly see us together, but the rest was a complete blur.  I couldn’t see anything else but us.

It wasn’t long until he was standing beside me.  “Do you still want to go to the lake?” 

“Sure
.” I said as I got up off the steps. 

I gave him turn by turn directions and it was no time until we were there.  He parked the car and got out.  I noticed he was looking around.  Probably making sure we were alone.  I had already known that no one else would be here.  I suppose he wanted to check for himself.

I got out of the car and instantly wished I had brought a jacket.  The breeze coming off of the water had a certain chill to it.  Goosebumps covered my arms and I shivered from the cold.

I looked around and Eric had a blanket in his hands.  He put it around my shoulders as he leads me to the edge of the water.  I shivered as we got closer.  I concentrated on the temperature, knowing that I could make it warmer.

In an instant, I was taking the blanket off and spreading it on the ground.  We laid down on it beside each other.  He moved closer to me and put his arm around my waist. I was completely comfortable with him.  I was lost in the moment, oblivious to anything but us.

He started kissing me.  His kiss became more urgent as the seconds passed.  I could hear him asking himself if he should go further. 
              I broke free from him and rolled over on my back.  He looked at me with a confused look. 

I stared at the sky.  I was nervous and my stomach was twisting and turning, knotting up to the point of being slightly painful.  Not being sure what to do I said, “Sorry.”

“Did I do something wrong?” Eric asked me.

“No, of course not.”

“I love you so much and I guess I just can’t control it the way I need to.”