It's a Love Story

"I'd like to... I want to see more of you and your mom's paintings," she said softly. "And I get picked on as it is. What's a few more words?"

"You shouldn't be picked on." he mumbled, sighing. "If you meet me there, early, I'll bring you a dress from my sister's collection." he offered.

She nodded. "I'll meet you at the park," she said. She could easily get there on foot without her parents knowing where she went.

"Alright. I'll pick you up there at, uhm...5?"

She nodded. "Kay," she said, looking up at the trees as they got closer to the river.

He smiled and nodded. He soon parked along the side of the road and smiled at her. "Ready?"

"Uh-huh," she smiled at him, nodding.

He smiled and got out, quickly walking around the front of his truck to open the door for her. "Good, come on."

she nodded and got out to follow him.

He slipped her hand into his and smiled at her, walking down the sidewalk next to the river.

She smiled, walking with him. She felt at home under the trees with the sounds and smells of the forest and river.

He smiled at her. "You're really pretty in this light." he said, not taking his eyes off of her.

She blushed bright red and hid her face.

"No... Don't hide... Please don't hide." he said, squeezing her hand.

"No one's ever said those things. I'm not used to it," she murmured, still hiding, though she squeezed his hand back gently.

"Well, I think it's about time that someone has said it." he told her. "Hey, you want some icecream?"

She thought about it and nodded. She rarely got sweets. When she did, they were extremely old and stale.

He smiled and led her to a small ice cream shop. "Get whatever you want. I hear that your dad is sort of like, a nazi with sweets. I remember selling girl scout cookies with Rosie, and we asked your dad and he slammed the door in her face. Made her cry. Anyways, it can be as big as you want with whatever." he told her.

"I'm sorry he made Rosie cry," she told him. "He doesn't like to spend his money on sweets. Or any food, really..."

Jon frowned. "What do you mean?"

She bit her lip. "Mom and Dad spend all their money on booze. I get leftovers from the neighbors, though."

"Have you told anybody this?" he asked, worried.

She shook her head. "Mom and Dad are all I have. I don't want to be taken from them," she pointed out softly.

"But you don't have to be eating neighbors left overs." he countered.

"Where would I live," she asked. "I can't stay there. I don't have money for food or bills, or clean clothes for that matter."