Chapter 7- The Best Last Date
"He took you to Coney Island?!" Cory was furious. "You skipped school to go to Coney Island?!" His face turned red and he was about to say something else, until he felt Topanga's hand on his forearm.
"Cory." She chastised him, slowly shaking her head.
"But-" Topanga put up a hand to stop him.
"No, Cory. Leave it be."
"But Topanga-" She shot him a look and he closed his mouth.
"Do you remember what I did when my family moved us to Pittsburgh? I could not stand to be away from you, remember?" Cory nodded, knowingly.
"You somehow, someway, came all the way back to Pennsylvania. I still don't know how you did it." Topanga gave Cory a sly smile.
"He is moving all the way to Texas. Let her have that one day." Topanga patted Riley's hand.
"It's okay, honey. I understand. But that was your one freebie. Ok? No more skipping school." Riley nodded, silently thanking her mother through free-flowing tears.
"I just can't believe he's…gone. I miss him already. We had so much more to do." She broke down into heartbreaking sobs. Topanga and Cory surrounded her in a hug.
"It's okay, Riley. I know how much it hurts." Topanga consoled her and rubbed her back. There was a knock at the door and Riley started to get up.
"Stay. I'll get it." Cory stopped her and answered the door himself.
"Hey, Maya. Come on in." he said, sullenly. Maya came in, confused.
"Why is everyone so sad?" Maya asked. She looked at Riley, who was attempting to blow her nose. "Oh, yeah. Lucas." She rushed over and took Cory's place on the couch, wrapping her arms around Riley.
"Oh, Peaches. I miss him so much." Riley looked up at Maya, pleading with her eyes. Maya felt helpless.
"I know, Riles. I miss Huckleberry, too. I'm still here for you though." Maya stroked Riley's hair and consoled her. "Hey, let's go talk in your room." Riley nodded and slowly stood up from the couch, heading for her room. Maya followed behind her and looked back to see Topanga mouth the words, 'Thank you.' Maya nodded in acknowledgement and closed the bedroom door.
Riley was already in the bay window, waiting for Maya and staring out at nothing. Maya felt her heart break in two, seeing how much pain Riley was feeling. She took her place at the bay window, facing Riley and waited. She waited for Riley to feel okay enough to talk. She wasn't going to pressure her.
It was about an hour later, that Riley finally looked at Maya and seemed ready to talk. She had either stopped crying, or she ran out of tears. Her face wasn't as puffy and blotchy, and she didn't look as distraught as earlier.
"Riles, how are you?" Maya gently touched her knee. Riley smiled at her, and nodded.
"Better. A little." She stood up and stretched her legs.
"So, Riley. Tell me why you weren't in class today." Riley took a deep breath before speaking, hopefully halting any residual sobs that may occur from the mere sound of Lucas' name.
"I got to school and Lucas," she paused, waiting for the emotional pangs to subside. "took me to Coney Island." Maya's mouth was agape with shock.
"What?! Coney Island? Isn't that-"
"My favorite place in the entire world?" Riley finished the sentence for her. "Yeah, it is."
"What did you do?" Maya was transfixed, eyes wide and hanging on every word. Riley giggled with amusement at Maya's reaction.
"What is so funny?" Maya looked confused. Riley shook her head, giggling.
"Never mind. Let me tell you what happened. So, we got off the bus and walked to Luna Park. On the way, we stopped at one of those little food cart things. You know what I mean, right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, so he bought me one of those long Coney dogs and we shared it. Lady and the Tramp style."
"Aww. That's sweet."
"Right. Then, we went to one of those ice cream shops and we got a strawberry milkshake. We were sharing it, but we both went to grab it and the cup fell off the table. Glass everywhere. So embarrassing."
"Sounds like it. What happened then?"
"Well, after the milkshake thing, Lucas insisted on paying for the glass and cleaning up the mess. We left and headed to the park. Apparently, Lucas made arrangements with the park and we got this romance package thing."
"What is a romance package thing?"
"Well, I was just about to explain it to you."
"Sorry."
"Anyway, so it came with a heart shaped balloon that had a teddy bear holding a heart inside. There was also a fast pass for the Brooklyn Flyer. The operator stopped it when we got up there. So we could look at the city from up high. After that, we went over to the B&B Carousell and we sat in one of the seat things."
"The Chariots?" Maya offered. Riley snapped her fingers.
"Yeah. That's what they were called. I could not remember the name. Thank you. So yeah, we sat in one of the Chariots and just cuddled there until the ride was over. We even went on the roller coaster at the park and he won me a stuffed frog by knocking over those pins." She picked up a purple stuffed frog from her bed and hugged it close.
"Wow, Riles, that sounds like a perfect last date."
"It really was, Peaches. I just want him to come back, though." Riley thought she was about to start crying again, so she put the frog back on the bed and sniffed back any rogue tears. She shook her head and continued her story.
"The best part was after we left the park."
"Oh, there's more?"
"Oh, yes, Maya. There is more. After we left the park, we walked back to the bus stop and waited for the bus to bring us back. There was a guy selling flowers in a bodega and Lucas bought me a yellow rose. We got on the bus and rode back here. When we got off on our stop, he walked me here and before I came up, he stopped me. He told me he would always love me, no matter what and he kissed me." Riley started tearing up again. "He let me go, Maya. He's gone." Maya was about to cry herself. She rushed over and hugged Riley tight.
"I'm sorry, Riley. But you know, maybe he'll be back. Right?" Riley shook her head in protest.
"I don't think so, Maya. I think he is really gone. Like gone gone." At that moment, there was a knock on her bedroom door.
"Is everything okay now?" Topanga asked, with concern. Riley smiled through her tears.
"No, Mom. But it will be."