It had been a long time since I had seen Naomi Rydell. I was dying to see her again, so I asked dad if I could go to Greenwood for the summer to see her. He said yes, so yesterday I boarded the train in Tempe and travelled three days until I reached Greenwood. It felt good to be back in a familiar part of mississippi. I spotted Naomi waiting for me at the station. Hey Naomi how are you, I called Her over in order to talk to her more clearly. I'm doing fine Hiram, she responded. It was good to see her again. So, I asked, How's R.C. doing in Jackson? He's in rehab, but at least he won't hurt anyone when he gets out, she said. Well that's a good thing to hear, and I hope he is a little nicer to black folks now. Yeah, I sure hope so, Hiram. I walk over and hug her to comfort her, what's wrong Naomi? It's just that when R.C. gets out of rehab, he'll be looking for me, and he might get upset when i'm not at there at our old house. It's ok, you don't have to worry about him anymore, you have a loving family now, and a kind friend to help you if need be. Thanks Hiram, she kissed my cheek.

Over the next few days, Naomi and I met frequently and Ruthanne was a little suspicious of this. Mr. Hiram, where in the good lord's name are you going, she asked me one day. I'm just going to see how Naomi Rydell is doing, I replied. Oh, in that case, why don't you also invite her over for dinner tonight, and don't stay out too late tonight, Mr. Hiram. Don't worry about me one bit, ruthanne, I'm Nineteen years old, and can take care of myself out in greenwood. Ok, suit yourself Mr. Hiram. Later I saw Naomi walking down towards her house, Hey Naomi, would you maybe like to come over to my house for dinner later? Sure Hiram I would love to come over, besides, My folks are out of town, so you and I could have a sleepover if Mis Ruthanne does not mind. Ok, I will go tell her about our plans. Hey Ruthanne, I'm home, also I was thinking since Naomi's folks are out of town, maybe she could sleep over here for a few days, is that alright with you? Yes, Mr. Hiram, it is alright with me if she comes over for a while. Ok, great, I respond.

Hey Naomi I'm glad you could make it, also, you know, I'm glad that Ruthanne agreed to let you sleep over here until your foster-family gets back to town. Thanks for telling her about that, Hiram. Later, while we were watching the evening news, Naomi whispered something in my ear, and I called Ruthanne over to tell her. Ruthanne, I want to tell you something that Naomi suggested to me, she suggested that we should start dating! Well , that is fine by me, as long as your Ma and Pa, and Naomi's folks know about this agreement.

Alright Ruthanne, I will let my folks know of our conversation as soon as tomorrow morning. The next morning, I called my mom to tell her about my suprise. "Hey mom I have some great news for you, and dad as well, I've decided to start dating Naomi Rydell". "That's good Hiram, and I will tell your father about this decision". Alright mom also, I told Ruthanne about it, and she said it was fine with her".

A few days later, I received a call from someone whom I have not seen nor heard from in in a long time, R.C. Rydell. Hey R.c., how are you doing? I asked. I've been better Hiram, they just cleared me from treatment. You remember when we were kids, and I was such a jerk? Well, I'm sorry for acting that way, also, I hear that you have started dating Naomi, is that correct? I did not detect a threatening tone of voice coming from him now; yes, that's correct R.C. Well, I want you to know that I'm alright with that.

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