I stared at her. Her face was radiating with joy. I felt useful towards someone at that moment. The last time I saw her, she shone with bruises and cuts. But, man oh man, when she was that way, she was still gorgeous. I guess even at ten I knew that beauty was in the personality, but damn her face was so gorgeous, I couldn't help but fight off the urge to kiss her.
“You're back.” I finally whispered, as I glanced over her shoulder as her mother went into the house. She had changed so much over the years; I wasn't sure what to contemplate her as. She had youthened up, and was simply beautiful. I saw where Joe got her beauty from.
“Yes. I am.” She responded, looking me in the eyes, staring at me, like I was the only person she saw at the moment. I felt my heart start pounding as I looked back into her green eyes.
These past few years had been painful. I just hope they're better now that she's back. I never went a day without wondering if she was alright. I couldn't help the way I felt about her. I couldn't stop feeling the love I did for her. My family discouraged me to feel this way. “Move on.” They'd say. “She's never returning.”
How wrong they were. And, in all essence, it was perfect.
Her eyes bore into mine, and at last I drew a breath. Her mother had disappeared into the house, and I slowly dropped my smile.
“Why are you back?” I asked, looking her dead in the eyes, not dropping my gaze. I couldn't have if I wanted to anyway.
She shuffled her feet, and looked down for a moment, before returning her gaze to mine. She slowly let go of my neck, where she had been hugging me, and looked down the road, as if she was trying to come up with a good excuse, like she had when we were younger. She furrowed her brow, looking for the right words to say, as if she was looking for the nicest way to say it.
“Wesley.” she finally answered, as her eyes met mine again.
It was in that moment I realized she wasn't thrilled about being back. The girl I knew, the free spirit from years before, was still running wild in her mind. She looked upset for a second, and then her award winning smile returned to her face. She wanted me to think she was happy to be back. She wanted me to not be worried about her. I knew that. But, I couldn't help it.
I stared off at the horizon, well, where it would be, and slowly started re-living the painful memory of the night when I saved her. The only true heroic act I knew I had ever done for anyone.
I remember earlier that same day, I was playing catch with her and Wesley. She was smiling and laughing, and had healed from her recent bruising from the beginning of the week. Wesley was laughing and running and having himself a good old time.
Then her old man came outside. He looked at the three of us, and had a menacing look on his face. He wasn't thrilled that I was there. He never liked me, but he never laid a hand on me. Wesley then proceeded to ask him if he would play catch with us. All the kid wanted was to have fun with him. He grabbed up Wesley and took him inside. And then we heard Wesley's ear splitting screams. That was when Joanna ran into the house, and as soon as I heard her screams, I ran home.
I returned to the present and looked at the soft face in front of me. She was in pain. She remembered it all too well. She only wanted Wesley to be happy. She didn't care much for herself and her happiness. Her main focus was Wesley.
“I promise, I will take care of you.” I said, looking at her. The same promise I made seven years ago. She looked up at me, her eyes shining with trust, love, and happiness.
I softly kissed her cheek, and then started walking home, leaving her there with a dumbstruck look on her face. It hurt to leave and not run back to her and embrace her again. I knew I needed to take it slow. I had to.
I wonder if she knows she has a sister? I thought as I walked away. Well, I guess if she doesn't, she'll find out.
