I watched the car drive past me as I was walking home from work. The pretty face going by me was familiar, and I thought it was Joe.
That couldn't have been Joe, you dunce. She would never let anything more happen to her, or Wes. She's no idiot. But what if it was? What if she had decided to give her family another chance. What if Wes talked her into it. She'd bend over backwards for that boy, she'd commit to anything to make him happy.
I contemplated, walking home, and taking in the scenery around me. There was the old tire swing Joe and I always played on, and it took out her front tooth, before her parents could. I knew more about her home life, and helped her and Wes out more than she'd ever be willing to admit. She was too strong willed; too free-spirited. But that didn't stop me from falling in love with her. She was adorable, and when she left, I cried.
Joanna.
The prettiest girl in our fifth grade class, no matter how battered she was. She was always out-going, talkative, and never shy. She had the best ideas, and always enjoyed making friends. Everyone loved her, and no matter what her parents managed to do to her, she was still the smartest kid in our class. She was still the best. She never became withdrawn. She never stopped loving.
I continued walking down the simple sidewalk, listening to my iPod, and looked at the sky.
Joanna is most definitely the girl for me. I can feel it. I thought, and then I found myself belting out the words,
“'Cause you're everywhere to me, and when I close my eyes it's you I see. You're everything I know that makes me believe, I'm not alooooooooooooooooone.”
I started running down the road, a hop in my step, and a grin on my face. I still had three miles to go before I entered the neighborhood, but I couldn't help it. I knew in my gut that Joanna was back, and I had to see her. I had to touch her, and love her, and embrace her.
The sky was pink, red, violet, blue and orange, and it was the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen. Maybe it was because of the circumstances I was seeing it under. Maybe it was because I was feeling my love for her. Maybe it was because no matter what, I knew Joanna was the only girl I was ever in love with. Or maybe it just happened to be one of the best creations God had given us puny humans, to give us a little hope that life was better on the other side.
So many things were racing through my mind, I couldn't quite fathom it. I knew in my heart that she was here. I felt it. I could see her joyous face, her dancing green eyes. I could see Wesley, and his brown hair, all buff from some sport he started playing. I could hear her laughter, and that was all I needed. Home seemed too far away, but as I passed the oak I kissed her under as a dare, and the old playground where she broke my arm, the sign was clear.
Joanna was back, and I had to see her. She was all I knew. All I wanted. Even if I wasn't what she wanted. She's not a dunce, but if there's a reason the two of us were brought back together by God, I was willing to make whatever work.
The sky was slowly turning from pink, to a deep purple, and I was running at full speed. I still had two miles left to go to get to the neighborhood, but I was going to get there.
Even if it killed me.
She was worth it.
I just had to see my Joe.
