Conrad
Sometimes I think I've always been in love with Belly. Even before that summer she came to Cousins all changed and beautiful. I always had this urge just to give her the things she wants. Like a reassurance that I know her because I observe everyone. Especially her. Whenever she got them, it was like her whole face would light up and she would have this joyous mood that rubbed off on everyone, even Steven.
I look back and remember the look she would have whenever she wanted something. Her mouth would drop, forming an O, her eyes would widen, eyebrows lifting up, and then slowly, the corners of her mouth would turn up breaking into a smile. Time and time again I gave her the things she wanted. The teddy bear. The glass unicorn. Her Cousins T-shirts. The necklace if that even counts. I would even put more of the candy that she loved in the bag all of us kids used to get back at the summer house. I did all that instinctively and never to anyone else. Aubrey was too hard to shop for so I always kept it simple. No thought put into it. Regular boyfriend gifts. With Belly, I just knew.
I always wondered if she ever could tell. As I grew older, the more sentimental value the gift I would give her. It was my way of showing her that I was there for her. I sent her that bear to remind her of that.
It had been a month of anxiously waiting even though I KNEW she wasn't going to answer. She's just that kind of person who's stubborn on the outside but not on the inside. Instead I got a call from Laur saying Belly really appreciated it and said her thanks. Was it so hard to send an answer? Not a, Wow thanks so much Conrad. I've missed Junior Mint. Or a It's great hearing from you. But a call from her mom. I just want to hear from her...first hand. Anything from her would have allowed me to calm down. Hell, I would be happy if she used a dirty napkin from a restaurant and used water droplets to engrave "Thanks" in it. Yea, it irritated me but I guess something was better than nothing. But a call from her mom though? It's like we're playing the game telephone.
Maybe I had pushed it too far with Junior Mint. I should probably take a step back and not do anything triggering memories or igniting bad feels.
I sat down on my bed with my head in my hands thinking about my next package.
And just like that the ideas flowed right in. I went to the store, bought some necessities like more envelopes, stamps and most importantly, the Sour Patch Kids.