A Wet and Wild First

“I KNEW I SHOULD’VE KNOCKED ON THAT DAMN MAPLE!!” I all but yelled as I sunk another ten inches into the mud of Gifford Hill Road.

Really I should’ve been thrilled at this point. Bowing down and thanking my lucky stars that I’d miraculously made it as far as I had.

But jesus christ, did the mud really have to be THAT absorbent!?

I mean nothing makes a girl feel less attractive then to sink 3 feet into the ground just by trying to walk. Why don’t you just stamp “fatty” on my head and send me to a chubby farm?

For a moment I chuckled at my internal monologue…I really did change my mood fast.

As I tucked a strand of my now rapidly frizzing hair out of my face I craned my head upwards to where I could see Eddie’s house sitting. The lights were out on the side facing me, and I wondered briefly if he was still awake. The thought brought about a moment of sadness but it passed as I focused on, first and foremost, getting my sunken foot free.

Bending slightly over I grabbed hold of my leg, and using the other to keep me from falling backwards, pulled as hard as I could until my foot popped out of the ground with a moist sucking noise.

Squealing I tried to regain my balance but the force of the pull combined with the slipperiness of the earth caused me to fly backwards and land with a thud onto the ground. For a brief second I was glad for the rain since the mud definitely cushioned my fall. It was only after that I then remembered why I was wet and pulling my feet out of the holes in the first place and immediately revoked my gratitude.

Standing shakily I looked down at my mud-covered body in disgust. Would Eddie even recognize me when I knocked on his door?

I most certainly hoped so.



Slowly I began to walk up the last stretch of soggy road, this time being careful not to step too hard. But even on my tip-toes somehow the ground managed to delay my visit to Eddie’s.



Finally, after another 15 minutes of grunting and a couple occasional falls I was at his door.



I swallowed, my heart thudding loudly in my ears. I felt the adrenaline surging, the choking grasp of nerves as I stood urging myself to knock. I didn’t know why I was so anxious. Perhaps it was because I was covered with dirt and gunk and I was afraid of him seeing me like that. Or maybe it was just simply because I was at his house at 2 in the morning when his parents weren’t home.

I gulped, then, raising a shaky hand, prepared to knock.

Only to get scared out of my wits by the loud barking of the two dogs nearest to me.

Swiveling I waved my hands furiously, begging them to quiet down. Dogs, however, don’t know the human language, nor did they seem to understand my jerky and frantic hand signs. In short, they kept barking, which in turn signal the other dogs situated nearby to begin the charade as well. It was obvious that unless Eddie was a deep DEEP sleeper he was probably awake at this point and coming to investigate.

Chewing my bottom lip I tried to figure out what to do. I could either run now and not get caught or I could stay and see what happened. Unfortunately my thought process was short-lived, as I was drawn back to reality by the feeling of a warm hand on my shoulder.

Again I leapt ten feet in the air, gasping in alarm before turning quickly around. This time I came face to face with a rather confused-looking (and slightly tired) Eddie.

Though I knew I should begin explaining, seeing him for the first time in weeks took my breath away. My heart skipped a beat and I allowed myself to make note of his every detail.

Eddie looked the same as I remembered; the same boy I loved with all my heart. His figure was tall and lean, his face smooth and handsome, blue eyes revealing thoughts and emotions that were undoubtedly racing through his mind. His dirty blonde hair which had been cut a little while before I left that summer was now about where it was before; his hair always grew faster than anyone I knew. However it was obvious he had just gotten up; his slight waves were tousled and messy from the sleep that he was no longer getting. My stomach churned and my expression grew sheepish as I raised my eyes to meet his.

We stared at each other for a moment before whipped his hand across his face as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Then he spoke.

“Danielle…what…?”

His voice was the deep and familiar rumble and at that moment it took all my self control not to launch myself into his arms.

“Surprise…” was all I could think to say.

He was still staring at me but finally he blinked before allowing his eyes to roam over my mud covered body. I could see his confusion gradually change into something else and the butterflies that were hatching in my stomach fluttered about rapidly. Swallowing deeply I tried to form words as well as keep my voice even.

“What are you not happy to see me? I’ll go if you want me too…” the last sentence came out in a whisper despite my struggle to sound normal.

Eddie continued to examine me for a moment. Then, without so much as another word, he turned around and began heading back inside. I felt like I might cry, so I bowed my head and smiled weakly.

“O-okay then…”

I felt sadness overwhelm me as I went to head back down the road.

I didn’t make it that far.

“HEY!”

Eddie’s voice rang out loud and clear and I glanced back to see him heading over to me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” then as soon as he stood in front of me, “Come here,” and pulled me into a tight hug.

My body went stiff. Obviously it was my turn to be confused. Then before I could stop myself I felt the tears fall. God I was such a moron. As if he could sense something wrong Eddie gradually drew away from me and peered down at my face. Then his eyes widened in realization.

“Hey. Come on. I was kidding. Babe I was just joking around. Stop crying…”

He sounded upset…I knew he hated it when I cried... And I hated making him think he hurt me because I cried. It wasn’t his fault. I was just emotional. I really needed to work on that.

I sniffed as I calmed myself down. Eddie was hugging me again, kissing my head every so often, and whispering that he was sorry and for me not to be sad. Bit by bit I regained my composure and this time I slide carefully out of his grasp so that I could whip away the salty tears from my cheeks. Even though I already knew I was a mess I tended to mascara out of habit. My hand came away brown with the mud that had already dried.

Eddie was watching me with concern and I smiled lightly at him, before noticing that his entire shirt was covered with filth. I gaped then laughed. A few errant tears slid out from the corners of my eyes and Eddie took a step towards me like he expected another break down.

Quickly I shook my head and pointed to his clothes.

“No, I’m fine.” I grinned, “But I got you completely disgusting. I’m so sorry!”

He looked down at himself and slowly a smile spread across his face and he chuckled.

“Looks like you did…” he paused then suddenly looked serious.

“So you came all this way to see me huh?” there was genuine curiosity in his voice and I stepped forward and closed the distance between us.

Wrapping my arms around his narrow waist I sighed, enjoying the delicious smell that was 100% Eddie.

“You’re so silly sometimes,” was all I said.

His arms tightened and then he took my hand and led me towards his house. Blinking I studied him but the shadows of the night combined with the angle of his face took away any chance of reading him.

But as we came closer to the house and he let my hand go for a brief second to open the door for me, I felt immense loss. Loss because he was no longer touching me…no longer as close to me as I wanted him to be. And it was then that I realized I didn’t care what the night held for us. I didn’t even care what I looked like at this point. All that mattered now was that we spent the night together, whatever that would come to mean.