I had never put any effort in any of my "Short termed" relationships. I always saw it for what it was but with Marley Rose it was different. With Marley I wanted to make her smile. I wanted to make her happy.
When I notice that Marley Rose hadn't really gone out to the most visited placed in town, I made it my business to know why. "Babe, have you gone to the beach?" I asked, looking at her from the corner of the eyes as we sat in my bed, watching Mary Popping for the 12th time that summer.
"The beach?" she asked, her eyes completely fixed on the TV, a smile decorating her lips. "Nope. Never" she said with a shrug.
I blinked and picked up the remote and paused, earning a groan from her. "Never? As in your life?" I asked, surprise.
"Well no" she said, as if it was the most common thing in the world.
"Why?" I asked.
Marley blinked, staring into my eyes and then her expression changed. It wasn't something I just couldn't explained. It was a mixture between realization and fear. "Because… I don't think I'll like it" she said and looked away.
"You might not like it?" I asked. "Weren't you the one who told me I couldn't dislike something without trying it?" I asked as I leaned back and crossed my arms.
"Jake that was different. Who in the world doesn't like Mac and Cheese?" she asked, rolling her eyes.
"It's sticky and it makes a disgusting noise" I said with a frown. Just thinking about it made me sick. "And don't change the subject" I argue. "How do you know you won't like it if you are not even willing to try it" I said and she stared at me again.
Sometimes she stares at me for the longest time and it makes me a little nervous. I don't know what she's even thinking when she does that and I don't know how to feel. All I can feel is powerless.
"You're right" she said and smiles. "Maybe I should try it"
I smile back and lean to kiss the top of her head. As I lean back to look back at her face, I catch the corner of her lips twitching down.
"You okay?" I ask as I wrap my arm around her again and I go back to the position I was before I paused the movie.
"Everything is great" she said and leans against my chest. I can tell something is off but I'm not the type of guy that pushes a answer out of someone. I know that I would be in her position, I wouldn't want someone pressuring me to talk.
"Okay" I say and I kiss the top of her head before I play the movie.
The next day I'm up before my mother. She was out late working and today is her only day off on the week. It's never a good idea to wake her up before 1pm. I look around the kitchen, trying to figure out what can I take or make to go to the beach. I want to make a day out of it. I want to make her realize how fun and awesome could be a day at the beach.
I even find myself excited, which is weird. A couple of month ago I was bored of the beach and now it's the most amazing place on the world but it wouldn't be the first time Marley made something better.
I make a couple of sandwiches and I pack it all up in a small cooler, along with some juices, fruits and chips. It's small but I think she will appreciate the gesture. I leave a note on the fridge and head out to get everything on the car.
I make sure I have towels, an umbrella and a couple of chairs, just in case she doesn't want to sit on the sand, before I head over to the Rose's house.
As I'm getting closer I can hear talking. Her voice is filled with concern and sadness. "Marley… you really shouldn't" she said but only footsteps answer her. "With everything that is going on…"
"I might as well enjoy my life Grams" I hear Marley answer but her tone is weird. It has no feeling.
" … Marley" I say to let them know I'm here as I reach the porch. The door is open and the two women straighten up and stare at me. is trying to smile but I can see the worry look on her face. My only guess is that Marley doesn't know how to swim and is nothing but worried.
"Jake!" Marley exclaims and throws herself in my arms and I laugh. I've been doing that a lot since she got here. "I'm all ready" she said once I set her down on the floor.
"Great" he said, placing my hand on her head and letting it run down her hair before I look over at . "Don't worry Ma'am I'll take of her" I say and give a smile.
"I know, Jake. You always do" she says and waves off.
Although she looks like she means it, there is something in her eyes that makes me wonder what is going on. I look down at Marley and raise my eyebrow but as always she brush it away.
It makes me wonder if there is something going on that I just don't know.