girl’s long blond hair was highlighted by her expensive blue sundress. Wealthy and gorgeous, she looked like a delicate flower who had lost her best friend. It was beyond his comprehension how someone this stunning could be lost and lonely. Coming to a quick decision, Scott reasoned with himself that he could be her friend. A gentle breeze blew, encouraging Scott to move forward.
*****
Briana woke up that morning to discover her lovable old dachshund, Minnie, had died during the night. The need to mourn alone, Briana left the house, hoping a walk would solace her grieving heart. Her mother hadn’t stopped her and had only mentioned to remain close to home. Briana walked south, clutching Minnie’s dog collar. For as long as she could remember, Minnie had been her one true friend, comforting her every woe.
Two blocks later, Briana reached Seventh Avenue, turned left, walked one block, and entered North Hillside Park. With tears in her eyes, she made her way across the grass to the bench behind the swings. Surprisingly the metal bench was comfortable and a breeze cooled her face as she replayed happy memories of her loyal companion.
Briana smiled, remembering the moments when Minnie barked and chased squirrels in the backyard. Minnie also enjoyed completing tricks to get a small morsel of her beloved treat, and Briana’s favorite memories were the soothing moments when Minnie curled up on her lap to take a nap.
Tears welled up in Briana’s eyes. Her heart ached, thinking how Minnie would never sleep at the end of her bed again. Feeling numb and empty, Briana wiped her tears. Who would solace her every woe now?
Briana swallowed the lump in her throat as a boy appeared over the embankment of the park. She frowned, upset with the loss of her private memorial. Briana’s first instinct was to leave, but she remained seated, hoping to go unnoticed. She grabbed the arm of the bench and stared at the intruder who carefully studied the rosebushes. This boy wasn’t dressed like any boy she had seen in her neighborhood. He was from South Hillside and definitely unconcerned about his appearance. His white grass-stained T-shirt, faded-blue jeans with holes in the knees, and worn tennis shoes was probably the most deprived outfit she had ever seen. Even though the boy’s clothes were interesting, she liked his light-brown unruly hair. His bangs reached to his eyebrows and at the end of his shoulder-length hair were little curls. It was the curls she liked best.
Briana remained motionless as the boy continued to analyze every attribute of the park. If this boy examined the landscape this attentively, he must notice everything around him. Luckily the slide blocked his view of her when he scanned the entire park earlier. He hadn’t noticed her sitting on the bench.
For the next five minutes, Briana watched the boy play a game of basketball with an invisible ball. He took into account the stance of every shot through his shadow and seemed to imagine someone in the game with him. Engrossed with the boy’s game, Briana didn’t expect him to stop, turn, and meet her gaze. Her breath caught in her throat as they stared at one another. Realizing it was improper to gawk, Briana quickly glanced at the wooded area to her right.
Over at the basketball court, Scott took a deep breath. It wasn’t only the girl’s looks that made her beautiful. It was the softness in her demeanor and her insecurity. He studied her elegant profile and decided to make his move when she glanced at him again. After what felt like eternity, the girl finally looked at him. He stepped forward. When she tensed, dropped her mouth in surprise, and looked around nervously, he stopped.
Unsure what he should do, Scott said the first words that tumbled out of his mouth. “I was…I was wondering if you were okay. Do you need anything?” When she didn’t respond, he remembered the stories he had heard about the people from North Hillside disapproving of the people from his town. He asked, “Do you mind if I walk over to you?”
The girl brought her hands together, rubbed them, and creased her forehead while she contemplated his question.
After much deliberation, the girl finally said softly, “I…I don’t mind.”
Scott smiled and crossed the recently mowed grass. The closer he got to the wealthy girl, the more self-conscious he became about his appearance. He must look like a beggar, and his body odor was suddenly more noticeable. His basketball game with Derek had been competitive, and they had worked up a sweat. If Scott had known he was going to meet a gorgeous girl, he would have gone home, washed up, and changed into some halfway decent clothes.
Three feet separated them when he observed tear stains on her face. Although her face was a little pale, the morning sun added a rosy glow to her cheeks, enhancing her graceful features. Clearing his throat, Scott asked politely, “Do you mind if I sit beside you?”
Briana blushed, glanced at her feet, and once again contemplated his question.
She stared at the ground, wondering if she should say yes. For some reason, this boy was very interesting, but she had never been alone with a boy. She knew her parents would want her to rush home immediately. Part of her wanted to comply with their demands but another part wanted to meet this boy who seemed concerned about her welfare. Wishing she had the confidence to say “I don’t mind,” she tried to prompt herself. Tell him it’s okay…But Dad wouldn’t like me visiting with a strange boy… Yes, but this boy looks very nice, and his voice is gentle.
Her thoughts wandered to her parents. They were protective, although that thought hadn’t crossed her mind until this moment. Mom and Dad would not like me sitting next to an unfamiliar boy…But he’s concerned about me. Briana took a deep breath, silenced her inner battle, and let her instinct guide her. Before she could argue with herself further, she managed to whisper, “I don’t mind.”
The boy smiled and sat closer than Briana expected. Her stomach tightened with excitement. Self-conscious about his nearness, she was unable to look at him, even when he said, “I noticed you were crying. Are you okay?”
Briana took a quick breath. How could she explain Minnie’s death and the special relationship she had with her dog? While she labored for the words to explain, the boy moved his attention to her hands, noticing Minnie’s collar.
He leaned back against the bench. “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay.”
While they both sat silently for the next several minutes, Scott remained relaxed, watching the girl massage the dog’s collar to hide her anxiousness. It seemed to take that entire time for her to build up the courage to finally reply. “My dog died.”
He considered her grief and hoped to comfort her. “I’m sure you did your best. You took care of him, fed him, and loved him. You must have made him very happy all his life.” He gave her a solemn look. “You did your best.”
Scott watched as the girl looked at him with such warmth of emotion his heart stopped. Like a dream, she touched his arm softly and said, “Thanks.” The tenderness of her touch sent a surge of electricity into his body; and he knew in that instant, this beautiful innocent and cautious girl was the girl for him. There would be no other.
This revelation stunned him. He’d always prided himself with the knowledge that these sudden emotions were fantasy, made up in one’s imagination. He remembered last summer when Derek had spent the night. They had watched a late-night movie where the main couple met and instantly knew they were meant to be together. Scott turned off the television, refusing to watch the rest of the movie. He told his friend, “Yeah, like that would really happen.”
Derek laughed. “Dude, you never know, it might happen to you.”
Scott had responded confidently, “No, Derek, I live in the real
