Author's Note: Yay for my one reviewer! Hehe. I do seriously want to thank
you though, wonderful reviewer, mysticvysgiyi. I do wish I had gotten more
reviews, they are what makes this story possible. In times past, I wouldn't
even post with just one review, but I do love this story. I just got out of
a writer's block, and the fact that I can write again is still amazing to
me, I just wish I had reviewers! Hehe. I promise you, the story will get
better with time. Anyway, on to chapter two!
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. ('Em of course being Roswell)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~ A week or so later ~*
Michael and my father had been working hard for the past week or so to get Michael used to the chores and to get the animals and crops ready for the summer heat. Michael was learning the trade of my father's farm and doing quite well. We began to fall back into the routine that had been disrupted by Michael's arrival, and we all began to get use to an extra person in the house. Every night, when he joined us for dinner, my father would boast of the day's triumphs and how well Michael was learning how to farm here in Nebraska. I sat and watched them work sometimes, on the days when I would get so sad and lonely in the dark empty house because my mother was out at a friend's house and my brother and sister were out playing with their friends. I would sit at the window sill and watch my father and Michael work. I watched Michael's strong arms as he lifted the piles of wood, and watched the rhythm of his hands as he worked in the fields. They never saw me watching them, and I, of course, never told them.
"I'm going to go for a walk," I announced one night after dinner as my mother sat sewing on the couch and my father was reading the paper.
My father looked up and worry lines creased his forehead. "Ria. . . you know I don't like you going out there in the dark alone," he said tiredly.
"Come on dad, I will take the flash light. You know no one has ever gotten hurt around here walking alone at night."
"Strange men though, Ria," his voice trailed off. "You don't know what strange men can do if-"
"I'll go with her if you'd like sir," Michael said leaning against the frame of the doorway to the kitchen. I turned around to look at him, and then glanced back at where my father was sitting in his chair.
"OK. . . fine but take the flashlight and don't be out to long Maria." he agreed as he went back to his paper and I grabbed the flashlight from the hall closet. I led Michael outside where I turned on the flashlight, its beam brightening up the path in front of us.
"Thank you for that," I said as Michael fell in step beside me. "Dad gets so worried about me going out alone at night. It isn't like anything bad has ever happened in this town."
Michael chuckled, "he just loves you and doesn't want you to get hurt." "I swear, you sound more and more like him every day," I said but laughed to show him I was kidding.
Michael laughed as well, and then turned his head upward. "Man," he said quietly as he stared up at the dark sky littered with stars, "would you look at that? I forget sometimes. I lived in a city in Wyoming, not a big one but the lights drowned out the stars. I swear- that is amazing." He said in awe as I too looked up and was struck by the beauty of the stars.
"I guess living out here I just don't look up that much."
"You take it for granted then. . . 'cause they sure are beautiful," he said his southern accent peaking out from his words as he again glanced up at the dark sky.
"Did you used to live in the south?" I asked curiously, "I can hear your southern accent in your voice."
"Yeah, Alabama actually. Lived in a small town there. I was actually born there, just like my mother. I got the accent and I guess it just stuck with me."
"I like it," I said before I could catch myself. I blushed furiously after the words had escaped my mouth, thankful that it was dark and he couldn't see my red cheeks.
"So have you all lived here your whole lives?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, well, my mom was born in this house actually. She inherited it from her father after he died. That was when she and my dad moved down here. I was born in that house and so were my brother and my sister. That house is all I have ever known."
"Wow, I can't imagine living in a place your whole life. I was born in Alabama, moved to Tennessee, moved to Oregon, and then finally settled into Wyoming during my high school years. I just can't imagine living in a place where everyone knows each other either. My town in Wyoming isn't too big, but I don't know everyone or anything." Michael said as we slowed down slightly, and we approached a small pond. He looked up at the sky again.
The moon was full that night and it was so bright hanging over the horizon. When he stopped talking, the night was completely silent except for the quiet, rhythmic sound of the crickets and animals that were around us. My breath caught in my throat as I looked over at Michael, and through the darkness of the night, I saw him staring at me in the moonlight.
My eyes caught his and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. My gaze kept his until he blinked and pulled away quickly.
"We should get back. . . your dad will be worried if we don't," he said not meeting my eyes.
"Yeah, you're right," I agreed as we slowly began the silent walk back towards the bright house in the distance.
~* Two days later *~
Two days later we were sitting having our lunch at the kitchen table. Michael and my father had come in to eat the sandwiches that my mother had made for us all. There was the normal talk of what Michael and he had done that day, and everyone was eating when I heard the doorbell ring. My mother silently got up and went through the family room to answer the door. When she came back a few moments later I was surprised when she told me that there was someone at the door for me.
I silently slid my chair out and headed over to the door.
"Hey girl, you didn't actually think you were going to go the whole summer without seeing ME did you?" Liz asked, leaning up against the doorway with her arms crossed across her chest. I smiled and laughed at her. Out of all the people in my high school I had gotten along with Liz the most. Liz was the kind of girl anyone could like. She was short for her age, with dark brown hair that fell towards her shoulder.
"Hey Liz, what's up?" I said laughing again as I walked over toward her.
"Well nothing Maria, except for the fact that my best friend decided she wasn't even going to SEE me before she headed off to college! I mean, really Maria, what's up with that?" She smiled as she shook her head and walked over and gave me a tight hug. "How have you been, Ria?"
"Pretty good actually. The summer has been good to me so far. Anyway, come on, let's go up to my room where we can talk. First, come and see everyone- my father was just asking me the other day what your plans were for college," I said as I led her toward the kitchen. "Hey everyone, it's Liz." I announced as we entered the kitchen and everyone's turned to look at us.
"Elizabeth, so good to see you!" My father exclaimed reaching his hand towards hers and shaking it firmly.
"Nice to see you too, Mr. DeLuca. And you too Johnny and Emily," her gaze traveled to Michael, "and I don't believe I know you. . ." her sentence trailed off in curiosity.
"Oh yeah, Liz, this is Michael, Michael this is Liz." I said and Michael smiled at her.
"Nice to meet you Liz." he nodding in her direction.
"Mom, I'm done. We are just going to go up to my room ok?" I said and my mother agreed and we headed up the stairs and into my room. I shut the door after we had entered.
"Oh- my- GOD!" Liz said and fell onto my bed.
"What?" I asked curiously as I sat down next to her.
"What? WHAT!? Ria, like you don't even KNOW what I am talking about. I can't believe you've had THAT living in your house all summer and still you didn't call me over or anything! I mean, how evil are you?" She said and giggled.
"You mean Michael?"
"'You mean Michael?'" She mimicked me, "of course I mean Michael! Honey, he is fine!"
I laughed and shook my head, Liz's wacky side is what I had missed most over the summer.
"Liz, he is just a guy working for my dad for the summer," I said trying to brush it off like it was nothing.
"Just a GUY? Just a guy, Maria? Yeah right. . . give me details. Now!" she said and laughed again scooting closer to me on the bed anxious for information.
"My dad decided he needed help this summer on the farm, and he got Michael's name from a friend of his. He came early this summer and has been here ever since." I said picking a piece of lint from the bed spread.
"So. . . what? Do you like him? Does he like you? Come on Maria! I need details here, DETAILS!" She sighed falling back on the bed. "Oh, you have all the luck. I swear, a hot guy living with you? I mean, sheesh! This stuff never happens to me."
"I swear Lizzie, nothing is going on. I mean- he is 20! And it isn't like he is staying here forever... hell it isn't like I am staying here forever. When the summer is over I am going to UNL and he is going to Wyoming. . . stuff like this doesn't work out. And anyway- why would a guy like that have a thing for me anyway?" I said and looked back over at her.
She sat up and looked at me, "Ria! What are you talking about? Of course a guy like that would like you. You're a beautiful girl Maria, don't think any different."
I rolled my eyes at her, "yeah right Liz, but thank you anyway. Just don't hold your breath or anything- I highly doubt anything will happen with me and Michael. Even if it did, a summer can never last forever."
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. ('Em of course being Roswell)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~ A week or so later ~*
Michael and my father had been working hard for the past week or so to get Michael used to the chores and to get the animals and crops ready for the summer heat. Michael was learning the trade of my father's farm and doing quite well. We began to fall back into the routine that had been disrupted by Michael's arrival, and we all began to get use to an extra person in the house. Every night, when he joined us for dinner, my father would boast of the day's triumphs and how well Michael was learning how to farm here in Nebraska. I sat and watched them work sometimes, on the days when I would get so sad and lonely in the dark empty house because my mother was out at a friend's house and my brother and sister were out playing with their friends. I would sit at the window sill and watch my father and Michael work. I watched Michael's strong arms as he lifted the piles of wood, and watched the rhythm of his hands as he worked in the fields. They never saw me watching them, and I, of course, never told them.
"I'm going to go for a walk," I announced one night after dinner as my mother sat sewing on the couch and my father was reading the paper.
My father looked up and worry lines creased his forehead. "Ria. . . you know I don't like you going out there in the dark alone," he said tiredly.
"Come on dad, I will take the flash light. You know no one has ever gotten hurt around here walking alone at night."
"Strange men though, Ria," his voice trailed off. "You don't know what strange men can do if-"
"I'll go with her if you'd like sir," Michael said leaning against the frame of the doorway to the kitchen. I turned around to look at him, and then glanced back at where my father was sitting in his chair.
"OK. . . fine but take the flashlight and don't be out to long Maria." he agreed as he went back to his paper and I grabbed the flashlight from the hall closet. I led Michael outside where I turned on the flashlight, its beam brightening up the path in front of us.
"Thank you for that," I said as Michael fell in step beside me. "Dad gets so worried about me going out alone at night. It isn't like anything bad has ever happened in this town."
Michael chuckled, "he just loves you and doesn't want you to get hurt." "I swear, you sound more and more like him every day," I said but laughed to show him I was kidding.
Michael laughed as well, and then turned his head upward. "Man," he said quietly as he stared up at the dark sky littered with stars, "would you look at that? I forget sometimes. I lived in a city in Wyoming, not a big one but the lights drowned out the stars. I swear- that is amazing." He said in awe as I too looked up and was struck by the beauty of the stars.
"I guess living out here I just don't look up that much."
"You take it for granted then. . . 'cause they sure are beautiful," he said his southern accent peaking out from his words as he again glanced up at the dark sky.
"Did you used to live in the south?" I asked curiously, "I can hear your southern accent in your voice."
"Yeah, Alabama actually. Lived in a small town there. I was actually born there, just like my mother. I got the accent and I guess it just stuck with me."
"I like it," I said before I could catch myself. I blushed furiously after the words had escaped my mouth, thankful that it was dark and he couldn't see my red cheeks.
"So have you all lived here your whole lives?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, well, my mom was born in this house actually. She inherited it from her father after he died. That was when she and my dad moved down here. I was born in that house and so were my brother and my sister. That house is all I have ever known."
"Wow, I can't imagine living in a place your whole life. I was born in Alabama, moved to Tennessee, moved to Oregon, and then finally settled into Wyoming during my high school years. I just can't imagine living in a place where everyone knows each other either. My town in Wyoming isn't too big, but I don't know everyone or anything." Michael said as we slowed down slightly, and we approached a small pond. He looked up at the sky again.
The moon was full that night and it was so bright hanging over the horizon. When he stopped talking, the night was completely silent except for the quiet, rhythmic sound of the crickets and animals that were around us. My breath caught in my throat as I looked over at Michael, and through the darkness of the night, I saw him staring at me in the moonlight.
My eyes caught his and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. My gaze kept his until he blinked and pulled away quickly.
"We should get back. . . your dad will be worried if we don't," he said not meeting my eyes.
"Yeah, you're right," I agreed as we slowly began the silent walk back towards the bright house in the distance.
~* Two days later *~
Two days later we were sitting having our lunch at the kitchen table. Michael and my father had come in to eat the sandwiches that my mother had made for us all. There was the normal talk of what Michael and he had done that day, and everyone was eating when I heard the doorbell ring. My mother silently got up and went through the family room to answer the door. When she came back a few moments later I was surprised when she told me that there was someone at the door for me.
I silently slid my chair out and headed over to the door.
"Hey girl, you didn't actually think you were going to go the whole summer without seeing ME did you?" Liz asked, leaning up against the doorway with her arms crossed across her chest. I smiled and laughed at her. Out of all the people in my high school I had gotten along with Liz the most. Liz was the kind of girl anyone could like. She was short for her age, with dark brown hair that fell towards her shoulder.
"Hey Liz, what's up?" I said laughing again as I walked over toward her.
"Well nothing Maria, except for the fact that my best friend decided she wasn't even going to SEE me before she headed off to college! I mean, really Maria, what's up with that?" She smiled as she shook her head and walked over and gave me a tight hug. "How have you been, Ria?"
"Pretty good actually. The summer has been good to me so far. Anyway, come on, let's go up to my room where we can talk. First, come and see everyone- my father was just asking me the other day what your plans were for college," I said as I led her toward the kitchen. "Hey everyone, it's Liz." I announced as we entered the kitchen and everyone's turned to look at us.
"Elizabeth, so good to see you!" My father exclaimed reaching his hand towards hers and shaking it firmly.
"Nice to see you too, Mr. DeLuca. And you too Johnny and Emily," her gaze traveled to Michael, "and I don't believe I know you. . ." her sentence trailed off in curiosity.
"Oh yeah, Liz, this is Michael, Michael this is Liz." I said and Michael smiled at her.
"Nice to meet you Liz." he nodding in her direction.
"Mom, I'm done. We are just going to go up to my room ok?" I said and my mother agreed and we headed up the stairs and into my room. I shut the door after we had entered.
"Oh- my- GOD!" Liz said and fell onto my bed.
"What?" I asked curiously as I sat down next to her.
"What? WHAT!? Ria, like you don't even KNOW what I am talking about. I can't believe you've had THAT living in your house all summer and still you didn't call me over or anything! I mean, how evil are you?" She said and giggled.
"You mean Michael?"
"'You mean Michael?'" She mimicked me, "of course I mean Michael! Honey, he is fine!"
I laughed and shook my head, Liz's wacky side is what I had missed most over the summer.
"Liz, he is just a guy working for my dad for the summer," I said trying to brush it off like it was nothing.
"Just a GUY? Just a guy, Maria? Yeah right. . . give me details. Now!" she said and laughed again scooting closer to me on the bed anxious for information.
"My dad decided he needed help this summer on the farm, and he got Michael's name from a friend of his. He came early this summer and has been here ever since." I said picking a piece of lint from the bed spread.
"So. . . what? Do you like him? Does he like you? Come on Maria! I need details here, DETAILS!" She sighed falling back on the bed. "Oh, you have all the luck. I swear, a hot guy living with you? I mean, sheesh! This stuff never happens to me."
"I swear Lizzie, nothing is going on. I mean- he is 20! And it isn't like he is staying here forever... hell it isn't like I am staying here forever. When the summer is over I am going to UNL and he is going to Wyoming. . . stuff like this doesn't work out. And anyway- why would a guy like that have a thing for me anyway?" I said and looked back over at her.
She sat up and looked at me, "Ria! What are you talking about? Of course a guy like that would like you. You're a beautiful girl Maria, don't think any different."
I rolled my eyes at her, "yeah right Liz, but thank you anyway. Just don't hold your breath or anything- I highly doubt anything will happen with me and Michael. Even if it did, a summer can never last forever."
