The Boy Next Door, part 2

I couldn’t call him. I could call him. I couldn’t call him. I went back and forth for those days. I was too shy to call him. What would I say? Uh, um, hi, I talked to your mom the other day? How foolish would that sound? I liked him. I mean really, really liked him! I knew I couldn’t get past saying hello without feeling flustered and tongue-tied.

I took his number down and threw it in the trash. My nerves calmed a bit after that. Little did I know how short my reprieve would be…

*************

Boy called when I got back to school.

I wasn’t expecting the phone to be him. I was scheduled as the “on-call” tech for the weekend. I was sitting at the campus café when my phone rang. The caller id said “unavailable”, causing me to hesitate in answering.

“Hello?” I finally answered.
“Um, hello. Is Chelsea there?” A man’s voice replied. I didn’t recognize it.
“This is her. Who is this?”
“It’s Boy.”
I damned near dropped the phone. I was shocked. How did he get my number? I know for a fact that I didn’t give it to his mom. Holy crikes! I had to react quick so he couldn’t see my shock and nervousness.
“Oh, hi. How are you?” I started drumming my fingers on the table. I couldn’t even focus on the pages of my text.
“I’m good. What about you?” He answered.
“I’m just busy as usual. Constantly on the go. School does that.”
“I, uh, I wanted to call…”
I could tell he was nervous. Maybe even more nervous than I was.
“Yes?” I was impatient when I was nervous.
“I wanted to call you to tell you my mother is getting remarried.”
“That’s awesome for her! When?”
“In August. Would you like me to send you an invitation?”
“Sure, why not. I’m sure I can figure out something in getting there.”
“Would you be my date?” He was so nervous in asking that his voice stammered.
I was dumbfounded. I had no idea what he was thinking.

*************

The wedding invitation came a few days later. Wouldn’t you know it but the date was a couple of weeks before school started? I couldn’t get out of it. I couldn’t figure out a way to say no to Boy. What the heck? You only live once. I figured it might be my only chance to see what might happen with him.

A typical girl would worry about finding the perfect dress to wear to a wedding, especially if she had a date. Not me. It was an outdoor wedding with people I grew up with. Not a big deal in my book. The only problem was Boy. I was his date. We chatted briefly about what time he was picking me up. I wanted to be ready on time. It wasn’t my day and I didn’t feel it would be appropriate to be fashionably late. As expected, I was visibly nervous. A shot of whiskey didn’t help calm my nerves.

Boy arrived right on time. My mother greeted him when she opened the door to the sweltering summer heat.
“You look beautiful. I like your dress.” He stammered nervously.
Maybe he should have had my shot of whisky, I thought to myself.
I blushed. “Thank you.” I wasn’t used to compliments from a guy.

He opened the car door for me and made sure I could get my seatbelt on before settling into the driver’s seat. He drove a 6-speed Firebird. It was that funky green iridescent color that couldn’t decide what color it actually was. I appreciated that Boy turned on the air conditioning. I didn’t want to melt before the wedding. We chatted lightly to hide our nervousness.
“I have to stand with my brothers after I walk you to your seat.”
“Oh, ok,” I replied.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner. I’m walking my mom down the aisle.”
I couldn’t suppress a giggle. “It’s fine. I understand.”
“I’ll be with you for the rest of it, that cool?”
Did I mention how much I liked when Boy smiled? I do. “I’m fine with that. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. Work keeps me busy. How’s life in Virginia?”
“That’s good. School starts back up in a couple of weeks. I’m leaving in a few days.”
“Cool, but you didn’t say how life is,” he said.
“Hmmmm… It’s boring, I guess. Not much to do outside of the college scene. All I do is study, eat, sleep, and study. I’m an RA this year so things might change.”
“RA? What’s that?”
“Resident advisor. I have to live in the dorm and supervise a bunch of incoming freshman.”
“Cool. We’re here. I’ll get your door.”
Boy quickly jumped out and opened the door for me. He held my hand and led me to the room where his mom was so I could say hello to her before escorting me to my seat. His brothers were arguing loudly when we got to the room. Boy abruptly put an end to the argument with a few quiet words. I felt uncomfortable for a moment but the feeling dissipated when his mom hugged me. I gave my congratulations and then left the room to sit with the other guests.

The wedding lasted into the cool night. I was grateful that it wasn’t an all day event. I danced a few slow dances with Boy. I was impressed that he could dance. It was getting late and I was getting tired so he offered to take me home. We said our goodbyes to the newlyweds and left.

Nobody was home when Boy and I got to my mother’s house. I invited him in, to which he declined. Instead, we stood on the porch and he kissed me gently.