Page 187 of Trading Paint
“Like I said...he’s racing.” “Well,” Amanda clipped. “I read he’s single. He doesn’t belong to you.”
Where was all this coming from?
I had no idea how to react to them. They didn’t teach this at the School for the Socially Challenged where apparently, I was their valedictorian.
Normally, I would have said something both insulting and mean but I had nothing for them.
I had enough.
Making my way toward the throng of graduates gathered by the stage, I couldn’t help but miss him. Knowing he had obligations now, didn’t stop it from hurting that he couldn’t be here.
I sent him a text:Amanda says hi.
He replied immediately with:Who the fuck is Amanda?
I think I just fell in love with you.I sent it before my brain identified what I just typed.
Oh fuck! Nice job Sway! Crap.
I didn’t know it was that easy. Lucky me! Who’s Amanda?
Blonde, blue eyes, you kissed her your sophomore year…I told her I was carrying your love child.
That’s my girl!Still not ringing any bells.Back to this loving me thing…does that make up for not being there today? I’m really sorry.
You don’t have to be sorry. It’s not within in your control.
I know…it’s still hard though. I miss you.
I know, I miss you too.Good luck tonight. I’ll be watching.
Thanks honey. Tommy has something from me for you. Talk to you after the race?
Yep!
“Sway?”I heard Tommy call out. He was easy to spot within the crowd with his orange hair.
“I’m right here.” I raised my hand. Tommy hugged me in congratulation. Usually me and fire crotch were too busy fighting to hug but I missed Jameson so much in that moment that I returned the hug.
“Here,” he said pushing a box at me.
Opening the lid, tears flooded my eyes as I took in the necklace nestled against the black velvet. It was a simple locket, with a delicate silver braided chain. My fingertips brushed across the silver oval keepsake, the oils from my skins left my imprint against the metal. Carefully, I opened the locket to see my favorite picture of us. We were probably thirteen, maybe fourteen.
It was after a race at Elma and we were sitting in a pair of sprint car tires. His arm was draped over mine and I was leaning into his embrace. Both of us had huge grins on our faces. Even at such a young age, unaware to the two of us, a deep emotional bound was being molded between us. One that would remain for the rest of our lives, pure, natural and everything we both needed.
On the other side of the locket was an engraving that read:Siempremi amigo
Recognizing the statement as “forever my friend”, I didn’t realize I was crying until my tears fell against the metal, washing away my prints made.
Tommy pulled me against his side. “I don’t know when the two of you will wake up...but he loves you.”
As much as I told myself he didn’t—I think my commonsense knew the twist our relationship was slowly taking.
And as much as I tried, I couldn’t deny what was inside me.
I sent him a text again, knowing he might not see it until after the race.
Thank you. It’s beautiful.
