Page 61 of Fervency Love

“We slept wonderful, thank you! It must be the air here. It’s different. So light,” Nikki says.

“And the sky has so many more stars,” I add.

“Sure. Not like in the city,” Mom agrees. “What do you want to do today?”

“I was thinking we could go to the river. How about that, Nikki?”

“Wonderful!” she cries.

“Just take some water with you and don’t forget the sunscreen. And take Lola out too.” Mom always thinks of everything.

The way to the river leads through a series of meadows.

“I always think there are lots of snakes here and that one of those fuckers will bite me,” I confess.

“Come on! Why would you tell me that? Now I’ll be scared too!” Nikki says.

“Chill out, we’re nearly there.” I let out a laugh. The truth is I’m scared too, like each time I walk through here.

Lola, on the other hand, seems over the moon. She loves water. The sun has tanned our faces and shoulders already. We spread out our blankets by the water. The sun gently caresses our bare skin, and the breeze blows through our hair.

“It’s awesome, isn’t it?” Nikki says, propping herself up on her elbows and turning her face to the sun

I want to do the same, but first, I’ll go take a dip. Nikki decides it’s a good idea too.

“You were right, it is so great,” she says as we perch on a giant rock, dipping our feet in the cold water.

“You think he’s really in love with me? Like he says he is?” I ask uncertainly.

“Abby, if a guy tells you he loves you on his own, without being asked, it’s always the truth. Besides, even if it wasn’t, he wouldn’t keep waiting for your first time so long.”

“You’re right. It’s been three months, and I didn’t let him take this any further. But I’m going to wait some more.”

“You’re brave as it is. You went pretty far anyway. I couldn’t do all those things myself.”

“You just think so. You’ll see. You’ll grow to like it. What about that guy you said was looking at you?” I ask.

“I don’t know. He’s younger than me, but there’s something about him. Who knows, maybe something comes out of it.”

“I hope so. You’ll finally get that idiot out of your head!”

“I’m not sure it’s possible, but I hope you’re right.”

We fall silent, basking in the beautiful weather and the soft lapping of the water, taking in the moment.

Back home, I see my cellphone light flashing. I grab the device and look at the screen—there are dozens of texts there, all from Myro, Ve’s neighbor. It’s the guy fooling around with Vicks. He’s a lot older, but he was the one who came up with the idea tointroduce me to Ve, even though before that he catcalled me from that car of his when me and Vicky were downtown. Men and their stupid pickup tactics. Anyway, he seems okay. The texts say:

You know what, Abby? Keep close to Ve. You won’t find a guy like that anywhere. Yesterday everyone went to Edge Vibe. The two of us sat and talked till midnight. ’Bout you, me, stuff. The way he talks about you… Not like you were a girlfriend but someone really special. He’s so in love he can’t see the world beside you! Don’t fuck this up.

“What’s the matter? Why are you so red?” Nikki asks.

I pass her the phone and sit on the bed, analyzing the texts in my head. It’s very pleasant. Music to my ears and a balm for the heart.

“Wow! See? We’ve just been talking about that! He’s in love, even if you haven’t done it yet. Or maybe he fell in love because you’re not one of those girls who get straight to the thing. He respects you,” Nikki concludes.

“It’s just, you know, I still have those thoughts… As if my intuition is telling me something.”

“Stop it!” She cuts me short. “You really need more proof it’s the right thing?”