Anything Goes on a Friday Night (35 page)

“Yes, sir.”

I climbed in through the window and looked at Jane who was hooking her lamp back up. I shut the window and closed the blinds. I walked over to the bean bag near her dresser and sat down. I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my head on them.

Jane sat at the edge of her bed. “Are you okay?”

I looked at her. “Finn was a mess tonight. I hated seeing him like that. Are we…” I didn’t want to finish what I was saying, but I knew I could be honest with Jane. “Are we moving too fast? I mean, we’ve been together for a while now, and I don’t think you can really follow any sort of rules when it comes to loving someone, but, we’re engaged.” I looked at my ring. “Oh my God, Jane. I’m engaged!” I sat up straighter and ran my hands down my face. “Everyone thinks we’re crazy, don’t they?”

She bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Afraid so. But others’ opinions mean nothing. This is between you and Finn. And if I have to admit it, I’m a little jealous. You two are so perfect for each other. If anyone can make it, it’s you two.”

“You really think so? A year is a long time.”

She yawned. “Then in a year, when you two are finally together again, you’ll know how to love each other as passionately and deeply if you were still having to be apart.”

I chuckled. “How the hell did you get so smart? You sound like a Chinese parable.”

She laid down in her bed and pulled her covers to her shoulders. “I read a lot. Let’s get some sleep. Stop worrying. It’ll all work out.”

I got back in bed. I closed my eyes and sighed. Jane was right. Finn and I would be just fine.

I
STOOD AND STARED AT
myself in the full-length mirror in my room. I adjusted my graduation gown until it sat right on my shoulders. I smoothed out the wrinkles and smiled at myself. I was graduating today. I would leave to start my journey at Stanford tonight. After today, it’d be just me for a whole year.

8,760 hours with just me and the people I’d meet in California.

All of a sudden, the air in my room was gone. I couldn’t breathe. I hurried to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face and gripped the edge of the counter as I took deep breaths. I could maybe handle this transition better if someone was coming with me to help me get set up in my dorm, but my dad had to stay here to help Nancy. She was seeing a therapist and getting help after being diagnosed as bipolar.

There was a knock on the bathroom door. “Ellie, it’s time for you to go. Nancy and I will see you after the ceremony.”

“Okay, Dad.” I stared at myself in the mirror and started wiping away the mascara that was running. I fixed my make-up, this time remembering to use waterproof mascara.

I stood up taller and gave myself a reassuring nod in the mirror. “I can do this,” I whispered.
Stanford is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life.

I walked into my room and slipped on my black heels. I found my phone to call Finn.

“Hey, are you ready?” I could hear the low rumble of his truck.

“I am. Are you almost here?”

“Pulling onto your street now.”

I peeked out my window and saw his truck pull up in front of my house. “I’m on my way.” I hung up, grabbed my purse and graduation cap, and headed out of the house.

I got into his truck and did my best to smile. Finn reached over and held my hand. I almost lost it when he kissed the top of my hand but somehow held it together. I stared out the window the whole way to the football field.

Once we parked and got out, Finn stopped me before I could go any further. Sweat was already forming on his forehead, and we hadn’t even made it five steps. Texas heat was unbearable most days.

“What’s wrong, besides the fact that you’re leaving tonight?”

I gave him the bravest smile I could muster. “Nervous. So much changes today.”

“You got this, Ellie.”

I nodded and looked toward the field where our classmates were headed. “We should go.” I took his hand and gave it a squeeze, and we made our way to our seats.

I ALMOST MISSED MY
name being called, too busy letting my mind race with worry. All I could think about were the hours I had left with Finn. But I made it, walked across the stage, and proudly accepted my diploma.

When the ceremony was over, I walked over to my dad and Nancy and hugged them both. I was so proud of Nancy for getting help and hoped that one day we could start all over again and build a new relationship with one another. She was here on an important day when my mother wasn’t. I looked around one more time, hoping to see her, but she wasn’t there. I smiled the best I could at Dad.

“We’re so proud of you, sweetie!” Dad hugged me again. “Please don’t give up on us after you leave. We’re trying to make this right, and we want you to be a part of our lives always.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

He kissed my cheek and moved back when Finn walked over. Dad shook his hand, and then Finn reached over and shook Nancy’s.

“Is it okay if I bring her over to get pictures with me? My mom will hunt me down if I don’t,” Finn asked.

Dad laughed and nodded. “Yeah, but as soon as we get ours, too.”

Nancy instructed us on where and how she wanted us to stand. We held up our diplomas, all smiles.

After we were done, I walked with him over to his mom, step-dad, and real dad. There were others talking to them, but I didn’t know them. After pictures and being introduced to his family I hadn’t met, Finn and I escaped to his truck.

“There’s a party that the seniors from Kerrville and Fredericksburg are throwing together. A night where all differences are put aside for one last hate-fest.”

A tear slid down my cheek, and Finn reached over and wiped it before I could.

I shook my head. “I just want to be with you. I have to leave at 9:00 which is in an hour.”

“I hate that you’re driving tonight. Why can’t you leave in the morning?”

I looked out the window as he drove. “Because this drive is going to take forever. I want to drive until at least midnight and stop somewhere to sleep and continue with the drive tomorrow. It’s a good plan, Finn.”

“What’s with the attitude?”

I closed my eyes. “Sorry.”

“Look at me.”

I didn’t want to. I’d lose it as soon as our eyes met. “I can’t,” I whispered.

I felt the truck stop and opened my eyes. We were parked on the shoulder of the dirt road that led to our spot at the river.

I looked down at my ring, and a half-sob half-gasp escaped me. I felt Finn’s hand on my back as I cried into my hands.

I calmed down enough to talk. “Why won’t you tell me to stay?”

“I thought we already discussed this.”

“I know,” I whispered. I played with the ring on my finger. “I keep trying to be strong, but it’s killing me.”

“It’s killing me too, but it’s what we have to do. I know you love me, Ellie, but you have to love you too. Stanford is a huge reward for all of your hard work in school. We will make it; you can bet on that.”

“I’m gonna miss Jane and the rest of my friends too. It’s hard to say goodbye, even if it’s not forever. This past year has been hell, and—”

“Is exactly why you deserve to get away from and do something for yourself,” he cut me off. “You’re going to be so amazing there.”

I leaned my head over and rested it on his shoulder. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too. So, what do you want to do for your last hour?”

I smiled and wiped my tears. “Can we go watch airplanes?”

He smiled. “Anything for you. But first I want to give you your graduation present.”

I sat up and raised a brow. “Huh? But I didn’t get you anything.”

He smiled. “And I don’t want you to.” He reached into his glove box and pulled out an envelope. “Here,” he said, handing it to me.

I opened it and pulled out the piece of paper and started to read. My mouth fell open. He was in! San Mateo had found room for him! He could start in the fall.

I squealed, grabbed his face in both hands, and kissed him. “Why did you let me be so whiny about leaving tonight when you knew this? How long have you known?”

He burst into laughter. “I just got it in the mail today. And I waited because of this,” he said motioning his hand toward me. “I wanted this exact reaction. I thought about not telling you at all and just showing up on your doorstep in the fall.”

I shoved his shoulder and laughed. “Jerk!”

“And don’t worry about how we’ll make it. I know before I said that we needed to save for a year, but we’ll figure it out. We’ll figure out a way to live together and make it work.”

I nodded. “We will.”

It was a Friday night, and finally,
finally,
life didn’t completely suck. Anything goes on a Friday night. Anything could happen. It’s the day that starts the weekend. It’s the day that everyone looks forward to after a long week. And now, life, as confusing as it would continue to be, made sense.

“Ellie?”

I shook my head and smiled down at the letter. “What?”

“Look at me.”

I looked at him and couldn’t stop smiling. “What is it?”

His hand moved to the back of my head, and his fingers knotted in my hair. He brought my lips to his and kissed me. My head spun, and my whole body tingled with the most overwhelming feeling. That was the only way I could describe what love felt like. Uncontrollable, inconceivable, mind-blowing, head-spinning, weak in the knees, imperfect yet perfect love.

Our story wasn’t over. It was just beginning.

SARA DANIELL IS A
wife and mother who spends her days teaching children and her nights loving her family, and finding time to immerse herself into her two creative passions. In her free time she not only writes unique and amazing stories, she also takes breathtaking pictures that captures her creative nature in color just like her writings capture her creative nature in print. She is an amazing woman who loves life and people.

VISIT THE AUTHOR AT: 
 

www.saradaniell.com

www.bhcauthors.com

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