Annie, you may not have gone all too foolishly through your teenage years but you have already made some essential experiences in your young life. Although Kevin is even a year younger than you, you might consider him more mature than he is of age. We wonder what he's going to tell you

Tonight, where it starts

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"You aren't kidding, are you?"

Annie, who asked Garrett this question not so long ago, couldn't help asking it again, this time to Kevin. They sat on the garden terrace of Brenda's house and enjoyed the wonderful evening sentiment of a most beautiful September sunset. The house was located somewhat higher up and not so near to the coastline; the terrace showed to the sea from where the ocean could be seen in all its majesty. The sky was quite full of nice weather clouds that stretched to the horizon and were now illuminated by a tremendous afterglow, shining in most fascinating tunes of red. Kevin thought that this would be a real fine moment in time to tell Annie the surprise his mother and he too had been working for. He felt almost proud that Annie couldn't believe this in the first place.

"No, of course I'm not" he replied, "why should I? You're definitely not the girl to fool around with! And besides, it was my mother's idea. She was glad she could do it for Garrett and I'm glad I could do it for you." His voice sounded as this would the most natural thing. Annie took his hand and looked in his eyes, earnestly, as always. "I still can't believe it's true. It's amazing that Theresa changed her mind so completely after the accident with Garrett. Yesterday was so marvelous. I really thought that my mom and my dad had returned." Kevin smiled: "I don't think she had to change her mind, it's rather that for too long a time, she didn't know what she really wanted. Maybe the accident opened her eyes, although... "

All of a sudden, Kevin turned serious:

"I'm still ashamed. If only I had listened to you... Annie, you're no more angry with me, are you?" The girl caressed his cheek, slowly, tenderly and maybe a bit shyly. It was the first time that she did it this way and Kevin's heartbeat went up. "And why should I? You have always been fast learning. I am sure both of us have taken the lesson."

Somehow Annie realized that Kevin was not at ease in this moment. His view was directed straight ahead on to the sea and he made a most thoughtful impression. She was worried: "Kevin have I said now something that I shouldn't?"

He turned to her with a sort of apologizing smile: "No, Annie, not in the least. I just thought of someone who has not taken the lesson, nor have his parents, I guess."

Anne was a little embarrassed. "I don't quite understand. Is it about somebody I know?"

"No, you don't know him. He was a classmate of one of my friends." So Kevin told Annie about Goldmike and concluded:

"He could have lived a good life with all its wealth and health. But two weeks ago, Pete told me some bad news: It seems that Mike was really in love with a girl. But supposedly she was a cheater and abandoned him very nastily after having taken everything from him she could. You see the laugh is always on the looser and many of his so-called friends laughed a lot on him. He's always been a nice guy and I think this was just too hard for him to take. He freaked out, picked a fight that earned him a black eye and a lot of bruises. Pete said that he didn't laugh but there was nothing he could do. The last thing they heard him say was: 'Damn you all!'

He stayed away from now on. He eventually ran away and joined a gang. One of the bad kind with burglary, hold-ups and drugs."

Kevin's voice was low and sad: "He went down the drain faster than a waterfall. A good month ago he was found in a public toilet. He took the overdose.

In a way I feel sorry for him. I guess he never had anyone who really cared. I don't think his parents ever realized that they didn't too. And there's one thing I know for sure now: Money doesn't care!

I'm a runaway too Annie and the most stupid thing I ever did was that darned windsurfing turn. I didn't fell off the wagon the way Mike did but what would have become of me if Garrett hadn't been around, if you hadn't been around? Believe me Annie, I'm so glad I'm alive, I'm so glad you're still with me. Can you forgive me?

The way she looked at him was serious as ever but her eyes were full of confidence: "Sure, Kevin. Just believe me when I say that you'll never have to prove me you're a cool one just by doing things like that. Please promise me that you don't, will you?"

Kevin took both her hands and and faced her in all honesty whe he answered: "I promise gladly."

Annie was content: "I know you do! But look over there, isn't this Garret's car? They're not coming to pick you up, are they?" He had not to think for too long. "I don't think so, but obviously, mom hasn't told him yet. So we also don't say anything, okay?" The girl nodded.

"Hello, young lady, hello young man, I hopefully assume that you've spent a fine evening so far. The sunset is tremendous isn't it?" Although Garrett really felt good with Theresa at his side, this was his way to hide the little sadness inside him because of the good-bye that, once again, would have to be soon.

Annie was greeting first: "Hello Garrett, hello Theresa, yes, you're right, we enjoyed it very much. Will you stay with us for a while or have you something else going on?" Garrett smiled apologizing. "Well, we should leave for the airport, I'm sorry to say so but we're running out of time."

Kevin made a most astonished impression: "But mom, I can't remember that you told me to pack my suitcase tonight."

Theresa, who had left the car too, walked over slowly to Garrett and put her arm around his hip. She was smiling confidently when she confirmed: "You can't remember, because I didn't say such a thing." With a wink of her eye that only Kevin could perceive, she added: "We'll be at home just as planned." Garrett was taken aback, yet before he could say a word, she looked at him, smiled and said: "Don't ask, darling, you promised me something, didn't you?"

Garrett's mind was spinning, but after a few moments, light came into the mystery at last and the joy was clearly visible in his face: "Now I understand. You shifted your flight back to Boston, without telling me, so you can stay a few days longer. You made such an indication in your letter. What a wonderful thing. O silly me," he laughed at himself, "thank you so much, my darling, that's tremendous." He softly kissed her on the cheek. "This really makes my heart and soul smile." Theresa gracefully replied: "You're welcome. I really wanted to save this surprise especially for you. But Annie is right: We have something going on and came only here to say good night, wishing the two young people a nice and cozy evening. By the way, where is Brenda?"

Even without a smile, Annie made truly the impression of being amused. "Oh, she's out with someone. And since she packed a suitcase and dressed fine for the evening, I seriously think she won't be back until tomorrow." Garrett commented: "So I guess there's another man who will not have to stay alone tonight. I feel so glad for him. But I'll follow Theresa. We too shall go on now and leave both of you getting dipped in the middle of this wonderful evening. And anyway, well see you soon. Bye"

Kevin and Annie waved until the car was out of sight, but then, she put her arms firmly around him. "So you say that by now your mother knows what she wants. And how about you? Do you know what you want?"

Kevin, who had always been fast learning, who had been given the same self-assuredness as his mother's, who otherwise easily was the playing hard-to-get, was now completely and hopefully lost! He shall be forgiven for not saying: "Annie, it's you!" Instead he blushed up to the ears and stumbled as it should be on such occasions: "I... I mean... actually, I think so... but I'm afraid... you are older than I am, you know more than I do... I... I've never kissed a girl before."

Annie looked into his eyes, as deeply as never and all of a sudden, she smiled!

Kevin forgot everything around him: She really smiled. And her voice expressed all the fervor of a young and loving woman when she joyfully said:

"And I have never kissed a boy before, but you know, there is always a first time, Kevin Osborne!"

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Love does not blame the unversed.

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Goodbye Annie and Kevin! Now that you've started it, keep faithfully walking.
May your dreams and hopes never leave you while we go on tonight, where it doesn't stop.

To be continued.