Page 134 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

“Great. I’ll look forward to it.” He stands up as Frankie
enters the room, hair dripping wet. And then, just before they
take off, he winks at me.
My knees are jelly and now my head is really spinning!
What should I wear? How should I do my hair? How should
I act. What should I say and more importantly what should
I not say? There is just so much to think about. What are we
going to talk about? Is it really just going to be me and him?
I’m assuming so. What if the conversation gets boring. Am I
crazy for saying yes?
I so wish my mom was here so I could talk this through.
It’s at times like this I really, really miss her. I could use her
help. Going out with guys my age hasn’t really been a problem.
But this? This is different. There is so much to figure out on my
own. And I just don’t have that kind of relationship with my
stepmother. So, as usual, I just have to figure things out on my
own.
January 22 rolls around and just as planned, Dreamy arrives
at the front door for my big birthday date. Six o’clock right on
the dot. A burst of cold Alberta winter air shoots through the
house as he enters. I (on the other hand) am combusting in a
hot nervous sweat!
“Hi. Come on in. I’m ready to go. I just need to grab
something.”
“Happy birthday, Kelita!” He grins like he’s just won the
lottery.
“Oh, right. Gee … thanks.” I am fumbling with my words
(and thoughts), feeling more than just a bit nervous. I hope he
doesn’t hear it in my voice. “My dad’s in the family room. Just
go on in. I’ll just be a minute.”
I disappear to grab my purse which gives me time for one
more quick look in the bathroom mirror. Do I look okay? I

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