Momma winks and smiles at me before she leaves me to finish up my work. Glancing at the photo of her and Dad on my desk, I can’t help but smile. I know if Dad were here, he would’ve not been happy about a boy in my life. He used to tell me I’d be a heartbreaker and he’d have his gun ready if any boy tried to take me out.
My daddy is smiling at me from the photo with his arm slung over Momma. He has gray hair and a beard, and I recall Momma would always tell him that he had to shave his whiskers, and he reminded her that she loved him as he was. Of course, Momma agreed because Dad was cool and had the best beard in town.
James’s parents aren’t like mine. They have a lot more money, and JD told me they don’t like being around other families who aren’t rich.
I noticed when we have our plays at school, and all the folks are gathered together, talking loudly, his parents steer clear of Momma and me as if we’re bad. But we’re not bad; we’re just normal.
We don’t live in a big house like theirs or drive shiny cars like them. Sometimes, I wonder why people have to be so mean. But JD is different. He likes me.
He’s a good person, and I know one day, when he’s all grown up, he’s going to make a great adult. Just like my dad.
“You know, Dad, you’re probably worried about me, but I promise, JD is good. He would never do anything to hurt me. And I may not understand love just yet, but I know one day, I’ll love him just like Momma loves you.”
I think about JD then. How he smiles at me longer than he does at anyone else, and sometimes, I wonder if I would ever be able to marry him if his folks are so mean.
Chapter Four
JD
Nineteen years old
Having a friend forever was my pact with Autumn. Over the past eight years, we’ve spent almost every day together. I learned about her family; her mother and her dad, who died when she was only eight. And I got to know the girl behind the shy smiles and gentle giggles.
But as I wait for her now, I know what I need to tell her is going to break her heart. And as much as I don’t want to do that, I have no choice.
The past couple of years, I’ve wanted to work for Cole Security and even contacted Jackson, the owner, and his partner, Mark, asking about possible job openings. My dad had mentioned them in passing to one of his colleagues, and I looked them up. But I know dad has plans for me.
Even though I want nothing more than to be here with Autumn, I can feel a change is coming, and it’s not going to be good. With my father’s wishes for me, and my own for myself, the clash is going to end in heartbreak. For me and my girl.
I remember the day I met her. For an eight-year-old, she was wiser than most of the grown-ups my dad hangs around with. And me being older than her by three years didn’t bother her.
I fought my feelings for her for so long I wondered if I’d ever get the chance to tell her how I felt. She’s my best friend, my world. I want to share everything I do with her.
I don’t have many real friends I can talk to about how I’m feeling. I can’t even tell my own father I’m in love with a girl I’ve known most of my life. Instead, I play the best friend, even while she tells me about the newest pop stars she’s crushing on. Thankfully, she’s never shown an interest in any boys at school.
I think if she did, I would lose my mind.
Ever since I could remember, my folks made sure I didn’t have friends who were from the "wrong side of the tracks" as they called it. Each day I’d be questioned, and yet, I never admitted to having her as my best friend.
Most times, when we were at school, the kids would tease us because it was unheard of for a girl and boy to just be friends. But I would look after her. I didn’t lie to her when I told her I wanted to make people happy when I was grown up. That would be my job one day, and it would be something I take seriously.
Autumn will make people fall in love one day just using her voice. She sings like an angel, and even now, at sixteen, she sings at the local restaurant in the evenings. Her mother allows me to watch sometimes, so when my dad is away doing his work projects and traveling, and my mom is out with her high society friends, I sneak out and go down to the Sideshow where Autumn sings for a couple of hours every evening.