LTTA-Walk In The Park

The next morning Dalila decided a trip to the park was in order but as soon as she opened the door, there was Bryce on the door step.

“OH!” she jumped and pressed a hand over her heart. “Scare me half to death!” A wide smile crossed his face and held up a bag.

“This is for your mom.” he hander her the paper bag. "Tomatos, from the garden"

“OK.” she turned and set it on the table. “I’m on my way out.” walking onto the porch, she closed the door behind her.

“Sorry.” he backed away before her skin could touch him, afraid it would ignite all the feelings he was trying to keep locked up. “Where ya headed?”

“Walk to the park. Want to join?” she asked before she could think.

“I… uh…” he wanted to decline. “Sure” but his brain wouldn’t let him do that though.

For a while they walked in silence, both careful not to touch the other. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky and a light breeze to keep it from being too hot.

“I hate this!” D blurted out.

“Walking?” Bryce stopped, looking at her when she chuckled.

“No. The way things are between us..”

“Ah. Well…” he trailed off, not sure what to say or how to change it.

They got to the park and it was filled with screaming and running children with parents watching them. Dalila sat on a deserted swing while Bryce took the one next to her. She started swinging back and forth with the most innocent smile on her face and it made Bry’s heart stammer.

“This used to be my favorite place in the world.” she confessed. “I could come here and just gather myself. I think I spent more time here in junior high than any other time in my life.” she sighed.

“Do you have a place like that in Michigan?”

“No.” she grunted. “It’s a nice place and all but it’s not home.” Dalila drug her feet on the ground to slow her pace.

“You seem different…”

“How so?” she stopped and twisted her swing to look at him.

“The innocent look in your eyes has dulled.”

“I had some growing up to do. Still do.” Thinking back on when they broke up and picking up the pieces of herself.

“Yeah, I guess.” Bryce frowned then stood up and walked over to her. “I think about you all the time.” His hands were on the chains, pushing her back slightly so that she was supporting herself partially with her feet.

“Bryce…”

“I know I hurt you D, it pains me every day. Waking up and know you’re no longer mine.”

There was a stinging in her eyes and a hot lump rising in her throat. His hand brushed over her cheek, almost causing her to lose complete control. The look in his eyes tore at her and she knew he was pouring out his soul to her.

“The look on your face that night we broke up tears at my heart. The sound of your voice when I called you on my way back…” His eyes grew dark with a quick flash of anger. “I hate knowing I had a part in taking your innocence.”

“I couldn’t keep it forever” she stated.

“I wish we could go back, I’d change it all.”

“It wasn’t all you…”

“Maybe not, but I didn’t help the situation.”

Dalila closed her eyes when he cupped her face. Slowly he brushed his lips over her and passion hammered through both of their bodies. She wanted to kiss him more but she pulled back, letting her eyes open. His eyes were full with desire while hers reflected the pain.

“Can you find it in your heart to forgive me Dalila?”

“I have.” she whispered.

“Can you find it in your heart to take me back?”

Her heart pounded in her chest, tears were only a blink away. She wanted so badly to say yes and to make all the pain go away. But she couldn’t.

“I can’t” she said slowly, shaking her head. “I have three years to finish my degree and my choices have left no room for travel.”

“I don’t care Dalila, all that matters is us.” his eyes were pleading.

“I can’t go through that again Bryce. I can’t put you through that again.” she closed her eyes when he dropped his hands and stood straight up. A single tear spilled over before he turned and walked away, leaving her all the more devastated.