Broken Bad Boy

28

PERCIE

“Wow! Who owned this place? Or are we trespassing?” I saw the amazement in Hailey’s eyes as she

wandered to the property of my grandparents.

The two-story stucco house had a huge front lawn, beautiful landscapes, and a deck to the lake at the

back of the house that Hailey was about to see.

Grandma loved this place so much and had been with them for a long time. As a real estate business

proprietor, they knew clients would put big money into a property like this.

“We would not trespass on our first date, Lee. This belongs to my grandparents.” I was holding her

hand as we marched to the front door.

The last time I visited this place was my last summer with Emma before we started our senior year.

Nothing had changed with the interior. Our family pictures were mounted, then the last picture I had

with Emma and my grandparents was just above the fireplace. The living room had the same furniture.

One thing has changed, I came back without my family, but with Hailey.

I fulfilled one Emma’s favor, to live my life like how she wanted me to be. My heart still ached from

losing her, but I had Hailey with me now to start making memories. With her, I felt like I wanted to be

alive again, and my heart started beating again.

I placed our bag on the couch. “Have a seat first, Lee. Let me check what we have here to take

something to the deck.” I faced her, tucking her loss strand behind her ear. “Or you want a tour first?”

She was gripping my free hand as she widened her eyes. “Wait, there is a deck?”

I chuckled. “Don’t get too excited. Nothing fancy, but yes, there is. Why do you think I brought you here

if we would only stay here in the house? We could have just went to see a movie or have dinner in the

restaurant. I thought you’d love to see a new scenery instead.”

“You just surprised me.” She pouted.

I lifted her chin. “Hey, sweetheart. I just want to make our first date memorable and special. Then one

day, you have something to tell to your grandkids.”

Now she just rolled her eyes at me. “You’re making fun of me.”

“I’m not, but I don’t wanna screw this up.”

“Let’s go to the kitchen. Then we can see the deck. Thank you, Percie.”

“Don’t thank me. I should be the one thanking you, Lee. You chose me to be your date.”

“I never thought you’d ask, let alone like me.” We gathered some prepared sandwiches, fruits, some

soda, juice and water, and some plates and glasses, then put them together into the basket.

“What’s not to like about you? You never try to be someone else. I like that you have a beautiful family.

You appreciate simple things. You care about the feelings of others. And your wit, you being you,

reserved, kind—that’s what I love most about you.” I went upstairs to grab a blanket. When I went down

to hand it to Hailey, she was still in there.

“You okay?” I carried the basket with me, held her hand as we walked outside through the back door.

The fresh air was just amazing.

“I never thought you’d know me well in a short time.”

“I’m a very observant guy.”

She stopped when her gaze landed on the wooden deck beside the lake. I used to play with Emma

every summer when our family chose to spend our vacation here. Hailey’s brown eyes that I adored

were as big as saucers right now. Her red lips formed an o shaped, then spread wide.

“I take it that you like it. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a lake?” I teased her.

She hit my arm playfully.”I saw lakes, silly, but I thought we just sit in there and have a dry picnic.”

“Are you disappointed?” I knew she wasn’t.

She bumped her arm to me. “Can we get there already? No ‘gator in there, is there?” She held my arm

hurriedly to follow her.

“No ‘gators. I promise.”

She laughed. Her sweet voice echoed around the place.

The deck was renovated. There were still traces of wood debris.

We stopped at the edge of the deck and placed our things. I spread the blanket while Hailey was still

taking her time admiring the deck.

“I love it.” She then placed the basket on the side and the two cushions on the other side. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Glad to hear it.” The weather was good for a weekend getaway. The smell of fresh air from the lake

made me realize what I’d been missing.

Slowly but surely, I was putting myself back together. Hailey has saved me from destroying my life.

The sound of the leaves, the wind, and the birds chirping—I would not replace them with anything as

long as I was with the person I cared about.

“You okay?” Here voice jabbed me back to reality.

I looked at her. Her eyes laced with worry.

I assured with a smile. “Never been better.” I looked back at the lake. The peaceful and quiet air breeze

created waves as they touched the water, making it wonderful to look at. It was just deep below my

shoulder. I still remembered the deep.

“You remember something about her, do you?” Hailey touched my arm.

“What made you say that, sweetheart?”

“Your eyes lit up.”

“My eyes lit up every time I saw you.” I smiled at her, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “I’m

happy you’re here with me, Hailey.”

“I’m happy that I’m here with you,” she replied.

“I’m sorry that I zoned out a bit, but yes. This place reminds me of Emma.”

“Glad you have beautiful memories with her.” Her smile filled with sincerity. “How deep is that?”

“Just around my chest. Do you wanna swim?”

She shook her head immediately.

“Wait, you can’t swim?” I asked, laughing.

She shook her head again.

“I should teach you one of these days.”

“You don’t have to?”

“I’d love to.”

“Really?” She asked in disbelief.

“Of course. We can’t come over all the time only to look at this lake. We need at least to swim, right?”

“Can I at least dip my feet into the water?”