Two years ago
August
The garden was hot and dusty. Beads of sweat kept stinging my eyes, but my hands were too dirty to wipe it away. I still had a few rows left to weed before I was finished for the day. My shirt was stuck to my back with sweat, and I was parched, but I knew if I got caught taking a water break before I reached the end of the row I'd be in for it.
A familiar giggle reached my ears, and I looked up to see Aeliana running into the garden, a small basket on her arm. "Oh!" she stopped just inside the gate, noticing me for the first time. "Shy Boy, it's you! I was wondering if I'd see you this summer."
I'd already seen her several times, but I wasn't about to tell her that. It was always from afar. "Nice Girl," I said cordially, nodding at her from my place between the car
