Beautiful to Me. (9 page)

             
My father and I settle down in the living room. I can hear my mother giggling and cooing over Ivy. Makes me smile actually. Especially since I never brought a girl home.              

             
My train of thought was quickly interrupted once my father found his comfortable spot in “his chair” that I would bet could easily become “Ivy’s chair.”

             
“So, I like her. She seems real, sincere, and innocent. Why did she get stuck with you?” My father ribs me thinking he is funny. He’s just a softy when it comes to beautiful women.

             
I shrug. “She’s new to our school. Her parents are divorced, and she lives with her mom. Seems that her mom works a lot I think. Not positive, but I get the impression she is alone a lot.” I consult with my father in a hush tone, not allowing Ivy to hear us. Although, with my mother rambling on and on in there, I doubt anyone could actually hear my father and I talk. I shake my head with that thought.             

             
“She doesn’t have any other siblings besides the one who passed away? What was it from again?” My father asks, as he cross’s one leg over the other.

             
“Nope, just the one who passed away maybe three years ago. She was really close with him. He was five years older than she was. Mitchell passed away from Leukemia. I gather all of a sudden. Not sure all the details as of yet though.” I pause before I continue. “Dad, I’ve really made her feel bad in the past. I wanted to try to make it up to her today, so I took her out for pizza and a movie.” I shook my head thinking back to how I found her. “Her birthday was last week. I found her under the bleachers listening to her brothers voice message on her phone over and over and over… He mom left her a note before she went to work that day saying they would celebrate this weekend and just left her a package of oreo’s. So she was eating those when I found her. Turned out that Mitchell had a tradition with his baby sister called “Date Night.” The weekend after her birthday every year, he took her out for pizza and a movie. So I thought it would be nice, you know, filled in for her brother.” I say shrugging my shoulders like it’s no big deal.

             
My father studies me a minute and pulls his leg down and lowers himself over his knees, placing his arms on his knees to talk closer to me. “What did you do so terrible? Seems like you did a very honorable thing if you ask me. I am sure she was tickled you did that for her.” He offered.

             
Here we go I thought to myself. Letting out a deep sigh, I lowered my head and rubbed the back of my neck before I spoke. Twisting my neck, cracking it on both sides I decided to just be honest and get it over with.

             
“Ivy’s first day, she was walking with a bunch of papers in her arms across the football field. I was with Tyler and Lena.” I began the story before I was interrupted.                            “Why do I get a bad feeling when you say “Lena’s” name?” My father asked me.

             
I nod slowly. Anyway, Ivy and I looked up at each other at the same time when she passed us three by, and she tripped and fell. All the papers she was holding went flying all over the field. Lena instantly began to laugh and make little digs at Ivy. So I went over and gave Ivy a hand with collecting her papers. I introduced myself and after we were done, I went back to the two of them. They first period bell rang and we all began to walk towards the school. When the three of us came up to Ivy, I introduced her to Lena and Tyler. Lena began with her bullshit calling Ivy names and saying she needed “Special” classes etc. So after I cut her off from going on, I dragged the two of them in to the school, leaving Ivy.” I stopped to get the reaction I was afraid I was going to see. And I was right.

             
My father was grinding his teeth and his jaw was twitching. Fuck. “What in the HELL is wrong with you?” My father grounded out slowly and in a very low growl.

             
“Dad, I know ok. It gets worse which causes my father to throw himself back in his chair, with his hands balled into fists on his arm rests.

             
“So throughout the last couple weeks, Lena, any time she can digs her nails into Ivy. I didn’t pay much attention, not wanting to add fuel to the fire or get myself involved in a cat fight so I kept to myself. Even though I knew with Lena, and her cheerleader team, were harassing Ivy. I should of known better. All that changed when I was sent out of gym to do laps around the field, for God’s know why. I am sure I said something stupid. Anyway, as I was going around my first lap, that’s when I hear Ivy crying and playing the last message she got from her brother singing happy birthday to her. He bought her the cell phone she still uses today. So I crawled under and found her and she talked to me for a little bit. That’s when I found out about her brother Mitchell and shortly after he died, her parents broke up and her mother is always moving her and Ivy all the time. Ivy said she doesn’t bother making friends anymore because as soon as she does, her mother makes her move again.” I stopped to take a break. Disgusted with myself, I leaned my head back on the back of the couch. I listened to Ivy in the kitchen with my mother. They were both laughing and carrying on like both of them were teenagers. My mom is such a sweetheart to pull Ivy under her wing and mother and fuss over her a bit, which I think Ivy really could use.

             
“I do not believe you!” My father said more sternly and the look on his face would scare a raging polar bear into hiding.             

             
“Dad, I know. Ok? I fucked up.” I admitted.

             
“That is to put it mildly.” He said dryly. “And so what, you thought a pizza and a movie would fix everything?” He asks me looking at me like I just grew horns.

             
“NO but it’s a start isn’t it?” I ask. “I mean, I got to know her more today, and then when I dropped her off, she dashed inside and forgot her left over pizza. I didn’t realize it until I was half way home. So I turned around and brought it over. She had her stereo up pretty high, and didn’t hear the door bell or me yelling for her. So I walked in after I noticed the door was still left open a little behind the screen door. Dad, she was hysterical. Crying in her sleep, having a dream about Mitchell. I was afraid to wake her so I sat next to her on the floor and was trying to talk to her to come out of it. She must of thought I was Mitchell. She moved and before I knew it, she was sitting in my lap, crying and squeezing the stuffing out of me. Begging me to let her stay with me, (Mitchell) and why couldn’t she be the one to die, and not to leave her. Over and over. It broke my heart Dad.” I said sadly looking down between my legs I was leaning over, my head hug low out of embarrassment.

             
My father was just glaring down at me with his arms crossed over his chest shaking his head in a disappointing feel to it.             

             
After I got her out of her nightmare, I kept talking to her. She told me about the dream. Then I left her room so she could change into more comfortable clothes and I made hot chocolate for us in her kitchen and called you guys. We just finished the hot chocolate when Ma called, and Ivy surprised me and took the phone to talk with Ma. I had asked her earlier if she wanted to come back here since she was going to be alone again tonight. Her mom promised to take her out this weekend, but she had to leave on a last minute business trip. So Ivy was by herself.” I explained everything so far.

             
My father still with the same dare me to say something look on his face.

             
“When we got out of the movie, Ivy needed to go to the restroom. So I was waiting for her by the door. Of course, who shows up but Lena and her gang. Ivy told me she wanted to be “secret” friends so no one would give either of us a hard time at school. I didn’t agree to it, but I didn’t say no either. When Ivy got out of the bathroom, she walked towards me, I tried to gather her over to be introduced to them as being with me. Ivy made off she didn’t know me. She just left. I yelled at Lena and took off looking for her. Finally found her in a park on a swing set. Dad, I don’t want to keep my friendship with Ivy a secret. I like her. I mean I really like her. But she is like a frightened little bird or something.”

             
“And I wonder why Mr. Too Cool for anything or anyone.” My father barks at me.             

             
All of a sudden, My mother and Ivy come sneaking in to the living room with hot chocolate for us all. My mom plops down on my fathers lap. He happily accepts and gives her a peck on her cheek as she cozy’s up to my father. Ivy walks over and hands me a mug of hot chocolate and sits down on the floor near where I am on the couch. “Thanks for the hot chocolate.” I say to her as she sips hers and smiles up at me. “Sure. Your mom makes great hot chocolate.” She said looking over at my parents and giggles and my mom winks at her.

             
“So, you two… It’s getting late. Ivy would you care for me to show you our guest room?” My mother offers. Ma, I’ll do that. I was hoping to talk with Ivy for a little bit down here first if that’s ok with you guys?” I ask looking at my father, who is smiling at Ivy and winks at her. “If Ivy wants to bore herself any longer with your hot air, that’s entirely up to her.” He tells her, making me roll my eyes.

             
“I will warn you, sweetheart. Sunday mornings are a bit crazy here. With all 4 boys, and my husband scoffing all the food they can get their hands on, it becomes a free for all. So you have been warned. I try and make a normal attempt at serving breakfast at 9 or so in the morning. Whether the food supply makes it to the table completely is another story.” My mother explains making Ivy laugh hysterically. “Ok, thank you both again for allowing me to spend the night with all of you. I can’t image being hungry again in nine hours with all the food you fed me tonight though.” Ivy replies causing my mother to turn her head slightly and narrow her eyes at Ivy. “I’ll make sure you eat. I don’t like the idea of you going home hungry.” Ma says as she gets up from my fathers lap and they both make their way to the stairs to go to bed.

             
My father pats Ivy’s head, wishing us sweet dreams. Mind you, he looked at her saying that as he held my mothers hand. After he said that, he shot a look at me daring me to act stupid tonight. I held up my fingers in “scouts honor” tradition and crossed my heart with my other. “Good night you two love birds.” Ma whispered as she leaned down, giving us both a kiss on our cheeks. Ivy and I watched them both stroll up the stairs and when they were gone, we both started to chuckle.

             
“Have fun with my mom?” I asked as she simmered down from our laughing fits.

             
Ivy shook her head. “Your mom is a treasure! I love her. God can she cook, and I feel like I gain 20 lbs in that kitchen!” Ivy said laughing while she patted her stomach.

             
“You have a long ways to go to gain 20 lbs sweetie.” I told her as I slid down the couch, sitting on the floor behind Ivy. I leaned back on the couch and Ivy tried to move, thinking she was in my way.

             
“Where do you think you are going?” I asked her as I pulled her back into my legs, leaning her up against my chest. She was the perfect height for me to rest my chin on the top of her head, making her giggle.

             
“Tomorrow should be interesting. Let me tell you now how sorry I am in advanced for the embarrassing things my brothers with tease us about.” I warned her and I played with her long thick hair, twirling it around my fingers with out even realizing it.

             
“What’s going on here?” Ivy asked me, sounding concerned.

             
“I want to keep seeing you. I want you to be with me. I don’t want to keep us a secret, and I like you a lot more than friends. So I would like it if you were my girlfriend to be quite honest.” I spilled it all out. Better now that figuring it all out later.

             
Ivy was frozen. I could feel her tense up immediately.

             
“What’s wrong? I’m not boyfriend material?” I ask her, continuing to play with her hair.

             
“I don’t think I am really girl friend material is all.” She whispered.

             
I pulled her hair from one side of her neck and leaned down and planted a careful kiss on her shoulder, leaving light kisses up to her ear. “I think you are perfect girl friend material.” I whispered in her ear.

             
“I don’t know how long I will be around. I mean my mom could just jump up and decide to move any minute. That wouldn’t be fair to you.” She tells me and all I can think is she is trying to give me an excuse to bow out on her.

             
“Yeah, I’m not worried about that right now. We can figure something out when we come to that bridge to cross. In the mean time, how about you let me worry about the important things and you just relax?” I offer, leaning back, moving her hair from the other side of her neck, and kissing her equally on the other side of her causing Ivy to give a soft whimper out making me chuckle.