"So, what do you want to do?" Jasper asked slowly.
"We could walk to the harbor, or Medda's theater." I say slowly, unsure if I will say something wrong. We both like each other a lot and I can tell we are blushing up a storm. We are both lost for words as we breathe lightly. Though we aren't talking, my heart is dancing a hot tango.
"Sketch gave us five dollars." I say, "Do you want to do something we both have never done before?" He nods as we start talking about the places we haven't been. Jasper's list is short and I've been almost anywhere in Manhattan.
"Have you been to the café down by the harbor?" he asks me. I shake my head. "Well, it's newly built so…" he trails off. I nod my head as we walk in the direction of the harbor.
"Wait," he says, we stop at a flower cart. He goes to the seller and secretly gives him some money. He comes out behind the cart and presents to me a small purple lilac. It's so beautiful and delicate that I'm afraid if I touch it, it will break. I hold it like a four year would hug her doll.
"Consider this a date," he says hastily, unsure of my reaction. I nod while blushing, any redder; someone may call for me to go to a doctor, that is, if we could afford one. We pick a place in the café, a table made for two.
"What do you want?" he asks.
"Food's on Sketch," I giggle. "How about you pick, I like everything on the menu."
"Okay," he gushes, he orders a giant slice of chocolate cake. My first date, I think, my dad would disown me, not that he likes me.
"You're a great seller," I say, "but you may need a newsie name, if you want one."
"You're really pretty," he says hastily, "I mean thank you."
"So your Davey's brother?" I ask, curiously.
"Half," he cuts in. "My, I mean, our dad remarried. I actually have a little sister, but she I think she passed."
"Oh," I say sympathetically. "Elsie and I lost my mom a few years ago." He gasps sympathetically, a silent moment for us. I gaze at my purple lilac as it reminds me of something Sketch said. The slice comes to our table and we dig in hungrily. I immediately take my fork and scoop up at least half of the icing. He looks at me the way people look at small dogs.
"Old habits die hard?" I suggest. He shrugs his shoulders and takes a mouthful of cake. I see this and he smiles cheekily.
"So," he says slowly, "Your sister is dating Les?"
I nod my head, "I may get to see you more, with Les and Davey treating each other like they are. He gushes at this.
"I have to tell you something," he says playfully, I lean in and he wipes my nose with cake icing. I blush red while he eats the last bit of cake. We walk out of the café and walk back down to Central Park. I spot a newsie with a cigar.
"Hide," I say, as we duck behind a honeysuckle bush. "They are coming," I whisper in fear.
"Who, what?" he asks gently as he touches my face.
"Shhhh…" I demand, "We have to stay quiet."
"Why," he asks as he gets up, I pull him back down to me. He gives up and sits next to me like a puppy. I look over the trim of the bush and pull him up with relief.
"What was that about?" he asks, wanting an answer.
"Distractions," I mutter. He then sweeps me off my feet and carries me around the park, so carefree, that we are right in front of Race.
"Well, would you look at that? What's his name and Ellie." He laughs.
"It's Ella," Jasper says nicely, "And my name is Jasper." He extends his hand for Race to shake. Race stares at it as if he needs an invitation to touch it. Jasper pulls his hand back and shoves it in his pockets.
"So," Race puffs, "You're the newbie, yea, I'm Race, nice to meet you, I think. Well, if you need any selling advice, let me know." He walks off without another word. Jasper and I look of into the distance as Race walks off.
"What just happened?" I burst out giggling. Jasper shrugs his shoulders as if he had no clue too.
"Ella?" He says slowly, "I like you, will you be mine?" I nod gratefully and look into his eyes. I feel a bit silly for twirling my tresses, but I like this boy, what else is there to do? I bite my lip and look into his eyes. Perfect combinations of a chocolate color and dusk in his eyes, the gusts of winds and smell of flowers also seem to have a color compare to his perfect teeth. Control yourself Ella, but beware what happens when you get home. I remind myself, this only makes me bite my lip harder.
"What's going on behind those pretty green eyes?" Jasper asks.
"Our future," I say softly. He likes my answer and pulls me close. So many things are going through my mind as seconds pass. Soon, he leans over me; I put my right hand on his neck, pulling him ever so closer. The moment is perfect, the wind picking up my curls, me hearing his heartbeat. Our lips touch ever so slightly as I scream in panic as something jumps from the tree over us.
"Quit sucking your face, Ella, you just met this guy." Race says.
"How do you know?" I ask.
"One little sister told me all about it" he says. My face inflames at the thought of Elsie right now. I am utterly speechless as Race puffs again. "Yes indeed my friends, nature is your best friend if you're spying, especially trees." He laughs as he walks off again. This time, we walk in the other direction.
"Can I walk you home?" he asks.
"No thank you, not today," I say, my heart tugs as I let him go and we share a meaningful hug. I walk home hastily, he hugged me, I am officially his, I think. The good feeling comes to an end and when I open the door; my dad has a smug look on his face.
"Elaine Laurel Richards, you are in some hot water." He says sharply. He sends me to my room in a violent matter; I can't help but think he isn't fair. Of course he isn't, as soon as Elsie gets home, she is embraced by a big bear hug from Dad. Where did things go wrong? I ask myself, what did I do, am I even the problem?
