Chapter 7
1406 Words
April 1958
We got up early. Ricky snuck out of my room before my parents would know he was even in there. He had been so romantic to sneak in there and be with me. Snuggling with me all night long. He snored a little bit. But I did not mind to much.
I was in a good mood. I hoped that Avery was going to show. Then this holiday would be super special for Ricky and I. After I hopped in the shower. Got myself dolled up because my mother always had us take family photos in front of the house before everyone went home.
I wanted to look good for Ricky today incase Avery showed up looking like a million dollars. She always looked ten times prettier than I did.
I learned how to do my hair and my make up from her. Oh, and from Marylin Monroe to name some stars I admired. I soon was out of the bathroom. I see my uncle rush in after I was done in there.
We had one bathroom upstairs and one downstairs. My parents had a private bathroom in their room. Only they could use it. I find my mother cooking breakfast downstairs in the kitchen when I get there. I help her set the table. I hear cheerful whistling coming from the hallway. Ricky.
His eyes light up when he sees me in the dining room. Normally we would have breakfast at the kitchen table. But there were so many of us there mother was making us eat there in the dinning room area. More space to fit us all. Ricky makes his way over to my side. He pulls me in his arms.
♡♪♬♪♡
"Morning!" he says then pecks my lips with a kiss.
I smile as I return his kiss. "Morning. Did you sleep alright?"
"I sure did. Did you?" he asks softly.
I nod shyly. Then smile. "I did"
"Last night was wonderful! Want to talk in the back yard?" he asks me.
He wanted to chat about what went on between us last night. That had to be a good sign, right? The doorbell rings. I groan.
More company. I bet it was Avery. The one person I was hoping that would not show up today for Easter dinner. Normally Easter fell on a Sunday. This year it fell on Saturday.
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"Willow could you go answer that door?" asks mom.
"Sure" I answer.
I head over to greet whoever was at the door. I swing the door open expecting to see Avery. Then I see my aunt June. And her husband George. Their little kids Janice and Joey to. June was my dad's sibling.
"Hi!" I gush feeling happy to see them.
They all hug me. We had not saw them since Christmas.
"Come on in! We are having breakfast then we are going to the big parade in town" I tell the kids.
Their eyes light up.
"Hi Willow" my aunt and uncle greet me.
Soon we all gather for breakfast after father prays.
Then after breakfast we go to town for the parade. We manage to get a good spot. The kids get a lot of candy from people. Then we go over to my parents church so the kids could attend the Easter egg hunt. They got their faces painted like bunnies to. We all had a good time. Ricky helped me manage the kids. He was so good with kids. He was going to make a fantastic father one day.
At lunch we always had dinner. Then a little leftovers for dinner. My mother had been raised in the south. So that was how they did things around the south. Dinner early. The doorbell rings right before we were going to pray and have dinner together. Father always made us pray before dinner.
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"I got it mom" I laugh as I go answer the door before she could ask me to answer it.
I open the front door there stands Avery.
I am gawking at her. She beams a happy smile. She hugs me tightly.
"Hi sis! I am sorry I am late. It is dinner time, right?" she chuckles.
I laugh. I hug her. "I have not saw you in forever" I say.
"You look beautiful. You are glowing!" she gushes.
"Avery?" mom asks.
She rushes to the door. Everyone is fawning over Avery's arrival. Like I even mattered though I had been helping all day with the events. Nothing mattered now.
I glance over at Ricky. I see he is seated at the table waiting. He looks a bit stunned. I had to make a call. I knew I was going to lose him to Avery. I just knew it. Maybe Mary Ellen could give me a ride home if I needed one.
I rush over to the kitchen. Mary Ellen would be home. She had been at Corey's for the Easter events she would be back by now. The phone rings. Then she picks up.
"I am so glad you are home" I gush.
"I am not going to Corey's family's for dinner till tonight" she says. "How is everything going there?"
"Avery just showed up" I sigh. "Everything was going perfect until she got here" I grumble.
"How is Ricky doing? Is he shocked?" she asks me.
"A little bit. He seemed like it" I tell her.
I tell her everything that happened.
"Do you think I should tell him how I feel before Avery butts in?" I ask her softly so no one else could hear me.
"No, the man should say the L word first. You will scare him off" warns Mary Ellen.
"Alright" I sigh.
"You have nothing to worry about. Ricky is crazy about you. I can tell these things" she says.
"I don't know" I worry.
"Willow, Ricky was looking for you" mom tells me.
"I better go. Happy Easter Mary Ellen" I say before hanging up.
"How is Mary Ellen?" asks mom.
"She is well. Corey and she are getting pretty serious these days" I say.
"Think they might get married one day?" wonders mom.
I shrug. "Maybe!"
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I go to find Ricky once aunt June came into talk with mom.
"Dad have you saw Ricky?" I ask my dad.
"He was outside helping Avery with her luggage" dad tells me.
Grand....
"Thanks" I say.
I rush out to where they were. Sure, enough there was Ricky talking with Avery. I held back a moment. Giving them some privacy. I was a little worried. Needless to say. My heart sticks in my throat.
"Ricky why are you here? Did my parents invite you?" asks Avery.
"Kinda of yes. And there is something you should know" he is saying.
Avery beams a happy smile. She bats her long eye lashes at him. Her perfect hair was pulled up in a braid. She looked as beautiful as ever. "Ricky, I feel the same way. I really have missed you. Maybe we could work out after all. I could not believe you were here today. I am thrilled it is fate we are in each other's lives again. I have a lot I want to say. I am sorry I gave you up. I am sorry I hurt you. I felt horrible with the way I left things that was why I stayed away for so long. Everything reminded me of you" she is saying.
♡♪♬♪♡
Then the next thing I know she had him in her arms. And she kisses him. I feel my breaking heart crack right before my eyes. Tears spring to my eyes ready to spill.
I gasp.
Ricky pulls away from the kiss.
"Willow!" he calls out. I rush away from there. Down the block. I had to go home. "Willow wait!"
"Willow!" I hear Ricky and my sister calling my name.
I hail a taxi down once I got in town. Then headed on home. When I get there, I find no one is home. I lock the door then head in my room.
It had been nice while it lasted. It looked like Avery and Ricky were going to work things out after all. Like old times. And I was left out. He always chose her over me. Why had I thought this time was different?
It was just last night he made me feel so treasured. Adored. Wanted. But he was an actor. He had been with loads of woman.
He could fool anyone. He fooled me into thinking he was over Avery. I was never going to be over him. Tears fall as I sit on my bed. I lay on the bed then hug my pillow and have a good cry.
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- Writer
