Prompt: water, daughter, slaughter
thanks, sncmom ;)
Edward passes money down our row to the vendor then the conveyor belt of hands returns three giant clouds of pink sugar, but he only takes one for himself, gesturing that Garrett and I take the other two.
"You didn't have to buy these for us," I say, picking off a piece and letting it melt in my mouth. Garrett, of course, is thrilled.
Edward just smiles and shrugs, and hands Leah the third cotton candy.
"Quite the romantic, eh, Ed?" Mike teases, still red in the face from laughing. I guess whatever was so funny a few seconds ago was at Edward's expense…something about a very unromantic anniversary gift.
"I do what I can, man," Edward says, glancing down at his shoes. His expression isn't playful, but he and Leah settle back into their seats, she lays her head on his shoulder.
For the entire game I pay no attention to Edward, not in a rude way, but I'm certainly not going be relaxed like I am with him at the office.
How messed up is that?
But really, how messed up is it that Edward is spontaneously buying me sweets? Twice in one week? If I were Leah, it'd piss me off.
This thing with Edward is not one-sided—I'm not delusional. But I can't do this anymore. So, I'm done. It's silly for me to think or hold on to or whatever it is that I'm doing, that we're doing, because of this unspoken knowledge that there truly is something between me and Edward.
A getaway is what I need. Maybe Garrett and I could visit my mom and dad for a long weekend. Garrett's stress about missing a day or two of school would instantly vanish once we pulled up to their property—he adores it there. Mom and dad own a lot of land about an hour away. They have a fishing pond, a huge wraparound porch, and tons of quiet save crickets chirping in the evenings. It's the perfect place to just…veg.
By the ninth inning, Garrett is curled up in a ball on my lap, holding on to my bottle of water. I think all of us are drained, especially since the Braves slaughtered the Nats: 9-2.
The white noise and rocking of the limo bus causes me to nod off on the way home and we make it back to the parking lot in what seems record time. Simultaneously, I'm tugging and holding up Garrett as we descend the steps of the bus, careful he doesn't trip in his semi-conscious state, but as if a light has flicked on he shoots a hopeful look to the driver.
"Did you think I'd forget?" the driver asks. "Now, listen carefully. This is special, all right? You keep it in a safe place." He hands Garret something as my coworkers yell goodbye to each other, hopping in their cars to head home. I wave to some, stifling a yawn.
"It's a piece of quartz. Cool!" Garrett holds it inches from his curious little face.
"You knew that?"
"Yeah—"
"Yes," I gently correct.
"I mean, yes. I have a book about rocks at home…Thanks!"
"You're welcome."
I thank the driver, wondering if he has a stash of colorful rocks he keeps and why even.
Garrett has cement legs all over again walking to our car. As I get him buckled in the back seat Edward pulls up, rolls down his window.
"You guys good?" he asks.
"We're fine."
"Okay. Well, see you Monday."
"Bye, Bella, Garrett," Leah says, snuggling further into the leather seat of their black SUV.
I wave goodbye. First thing tomorrow I'm calling my parents to see if they're available next weekend.