by Kahlen Aymes
As the time passed I kept glancing over at Lindy, she remained focused on her hands in her lap and not on anything that was being said. When it was time for our row to stand, I almost lost it. I wanted to confess everything to Lindy and to our graduating class but I kept my mouth closed as we all walked the stage to get our diplomas.
However, I stopped at the end of the stage to watch her. I needed to see Lindy walking across, I needed to see her in her moment. As she took the diploma in her left hand and shook with her right. It was that subtle move of her head to look up and her lips part and then the tear slip down her face that solidified everything I had done today was right.
Skipping to my chair, I sat down and waited for the rest of my classmates to receive their diplomas. When it was all over, we broke out into cheers thankful for this to be done. I said congratulations to the people in my row when I noticed that Lindy was gone. I waded through the crowds to find her, I needed to see her before she left. As I made it through the group of students saying their goodbyes, I came across Shelly.
I reached down and covered my junk expecting her attack.
“You’re safe for now, Delaney.”
“Thank God.”
“I reserve the right to do it at any other venue if I see fit, just not here. I look too hot to get all out of character for the likes of you.”
“Thank you?”
“Anyways, congratulations on graduating.”
“Same to you.”
“I have a present for you and before you say a word, I didn’t do it expecting to get a gift in return. I did it because I’m a good person.” I gave her a look, which caused her to laugh. “Shut up, I am a good person.”
Taking the envelope from her, I pulled out several pictures from prom night. Moments that looked like they were something out of a movie. The one where I was holding her before I left now had a different background, I guess the look on my face gave it away.
“I photoshopped the standard prom background back there, so it looks like you two were each other's dates to the prom. You’re welcome, I expect you to name your first born after me.”
“First born? How about I send you flowers or buy you dinner if she agrees to go on a date with me?”
“All of the above?”
“Can’t make any guarantees, Shelly.”
“Well you’ll try, don’t be a stranger.” She called out as she walked away.
“Oh Clinton,” Mom called out and I went to them. “My boy is a graduate.” She cried out.
“Don’t cry Mom, you knew it was happening.”
“I know but it doesn’t change the fact you’re my baby. Let me have this moment.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Shall we get going? We have a barbeque going on if we want to still eat we may want to head out right now.” Dad added.
“Yes, let’s go. I need to fix my face before we take pictures.”
I followed my parents out the doors towards where our cars were parked. I was about to part ways when mom stopped short.
“Clinton?”
“Yes, Mom?”
“Who is that lovely young lady over there, she can’t seem to take her eyes off of you.”
I looked up to see Lindy standing with her dad and a bunch of other people and I smiled at her, giving her a little wave.
“That’s Lindy,” I said.
“Oh, she is a beauty.” Mom said as she smiled and waved and a shocked Lindy waved back. “Let’s hope she loves your grand gesture.
“I hope so too.”
Lindy
It was so hard to be near Clinton and not just tell him how I feel, as I watched him walk off toward his car, after he and who I assumed was his mom waved at me. I wanted to run to him and lay all of my feelings on the table and hope I didn’t end up with a broken heart or worse.
“I need to stop by the house before we head to the restaurant, do you want to ride with me or your grandparents?”
“You, I choose you. I don’t need grandpa going on and on about my lack of a boyfriend situation.”
My dad laughed, he thought it was hilarious that grandpa did this every time we got together. I would be so embarrassed after our conversations. I asked them not to speak of it today of all days and he was holding strong. Then he saw the exchange between Clinton and me, I knew there’d be questions.
Dad drove towards home, I kicked my shoes off wishing I had opted for something a little more comfortable like tennis shoes. He pulled into the driveway and I leaned back in my seat as he climbed out of the car. I expected him to walk towards the front door but instead he walked around the back and then he was gone.
What could be around back he needed? I waited a few minutes for him to come back before I climbed out of the car leaving my gown behind. As I walked through the side yard, I saw my dad standing in the yard looking at something.
“Dad? Dad is everything okay?”
“Come here, baby.” He called out and I walked towards him.
I wasn’t four steps in when I turned my head to see what had caught his eye and I froze. My legs wobbled and as if a bucket of emotions washed over me, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Daddy?” I called out, not believing what I was seeing.
When he didn’t answer I walked towards the obvious mirage, the closer I got the more I realized it was real and I took off running. I touched the tree and it was real. It was that same tree that I have loved from the instant I knew what it symbolized. The bench sat there too and I broke down at the base of the tree and cried.
“For the longest time, I had convinced myself that you would have a hard time finding someone who loves you as much as I do. Instead, I think he found you.”
“What?” I asked, wiping away the tears that were falling.
“All of this was Clinton’s idea, Clinton’s gift to you.”
“Clinton? He did this? He gave me Mom whenever I need her?”
“Yeah baby, he gave you Mom whenever you need her.”
“Oh goodness, I need to see him.”
“Let's go,” Dad exclaimed and I ran off towards the back door.
“I need to get something first.”
I changed into a pair of chucks and ran out the house climbing into my dad’s waiting car. He navigated the roads making it to Clinton’s house quicker than I expected.
Climbing out of the car I went to the front door that opened by an older woman wearing a huge smile.
“Hi, I don’t mean to disturb your party but is it possible to see Clinton for a minute?”
“Of course, come in.” I stepped inside and greeted with photos of a young Clinton hanging on the walls.
“Cherri, there is a young lady here for Clinton.”
“A young lady here for... “A ladies voice called out before she ended up in the hallway. “You must be Lindy.”
“Um, yes. I’m Lindy Flannery.”
“Welcome to my home, Lindy Flannery. I’m Cherri, I’m Clinton’s Mom. I saw you at graduation, congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Mama,” Cherri said to the woman who let me in. “This is Clinton’s grandma.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, ma’am.”
“Call me Mama, sweetheart.”
“Mom, Mr. Flannery is here...,” Clinton called out right before he appeared at the end of the hallway.
“Yes he is honey and so is Lindy.”
“She’s here to see you, Clinty,” Mama exclaimed as Clinton cringed.
“Thank you, Mama. Hello, Lindy.”
“We’ll leave you two alone.” They both said before leaving Clinton and I standing only a few feet away from each other.
Once we were alone, it was my turn to say all the things I’ve wanted to say for two years.
“Thank you, Clinton. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift I have ever received. Thank you for giving me my Mom.”
“You’re welcome, Lindy. I’m glad you liked it, I was so worried.”
“I l
oved it, I love you.” I said as he gasped in shock.
“You love me?”
“Yes, I think this is what this feeling is. You must forgive me, I don’t know for sure but I think so. That seems stupid right, that I can’t decipher for sure what love is. It’s just an emotion I’ve never felt with anyone outside of family before but I think this is it.”
“Your heart feels weird when you look at me?”
“Yes.”
“Your mind is always thinking about me, wondering what I’m doing?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to hold my hand, wonder what it’s like to kiss me?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Then Rosalind Flannery, I think I may be in love with you too.”
“Since that's settled, Clinton Delaney, would you be my boyfriend again? I promise I won’t screw it up this time.”
Clinton gasped and shook his head. “Hey now, hat’s not fair. I'm supposed to be the one to ask you.”
“Then ask me.” I said sternly.
“When did you get to be so brazen? You used to be so shy.”
“When you told me you may be in love with me too.”
“Well then, Rosalind Flannery, Lindy, would you be my girlfriend?”
“Yes,” I said with a huge smile.
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
“Okay.”
Clinton leaned in and pressed his lips to mine and I pressed my mouth against his. Watching all those videos and reading all those books paid off.
Graduation day had become more than just a day I graduated high school, it became the day I got my first boyfriend and my first kiss. It’s also the day I fell in love with the man of my dreams.
And they lived happily ever after...
About the Author
Ashlee Taylor has always loved to read. She was practically born with a book in hand. She even wrote short stories and vignettes for fun at age eleven.
As she grew up reading was put to the side but the book Fifty Shades of Grey brought back the love of the written word. Swallowing every book she could get her hands on while befriending authors. Eventually becoming a beta reader and helping authors work out critical scenes and plot progressions.
Through this process, Ashlee decided to write the stories in her head.
Connect with Ashlee Taylor
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To read other titles by Ashlee Taylor and to learn about upcoming releases, please visit her website.
Burning The Midnight Oil
by Elison Grace
Chapter One
“Fine! I give up! We’ll go out tonight.” Chloe gave in to her best friend without much of a fight. Without a doubt, Jordan made her life more exciting. If it wasn’t for her, Chloe would have spent her nights in front of the TV.
“Yes, that’s my girl!” Jordan raved, “You’ll love Candle. I’ll be at your place after work to get you ready.”
Before Chloe could say anything, Jordan had already hung up.
Immediately, Chloe began to wonder if she should trust her best friend and her ability to score a spot at the new up and coming nightspot. They may have known each other for the majority of their lives but the two were opposites in every way—the adventurous wild one, to Chloe’s southern belle.
Looking at the clock, she switched into panic mode. She had an interview for the position to be the OSHA inspector on the oil rig near town and she was running further behind than she was comfortable with. Pulling into the parking lot, Chloe pushed back her shoulders. Glancing into the rearview mirror, she mimicked what she thought a confident girl with her act together would look like. The face looking back at her appeared more panicked-intern, but hey, gotta start somewhere.
Chloe sat on her balcony enjoying the sun, basking in triumphant glory. She jumped up and yelled down to her friend when she saw her step from the car, “Get your ass up here girl, we have got some major celebrating to get under way!”
Jordan paused in the middle of the parking lot, wiggling her butt and shaking her arms in the air while a bag flapped in the breeze with the happy dance, her voice sing-songing as she called up to Chloe. “It’s on tonight, girl!”
A few moments later Chloe’s door burst open and the whirlwind that’s her best friend rushed in. “I told you they would love you,” Jordan said as she hugged her. When they pull back Chloe noticed Jordan inspecting her.
“I can’t let you out of the house in that,” Jordan said as she shook her head.
Chloe had thought she looked good in her black pencil skirt and sleeveless blouse with a high collar that ties in a bow at the neck. “What is wrong with this outfit?”
With a sly smile that could give the Cheshire Cat a run for his money, Jordan responded by thrusting a bag she had at Chloe, “Nothing. I just thought you should wear this. I picked you up something today. I knew you would kill the interview so I bought you an outfit worthy of our night on the town.” She clapped her hands and giggled. “Go put it on. I can’t wait to see it.”
“That’s why you’re my best friend.” Chloe laughed as she walked away, stepping into her bedroom off the small hall, knowing her voice would carry. “You were right I did kill it. I start on Monday.” She pulled the outfit from the bag and fretted at how different the outfit was from what she would normally wear. “I don’t know about this outfit. It’s not something I would usually wear.”
“Quit your bitching, just put it on. You’re going to look hot, trust me.”
Looking at herself in the mirror Chloe had to admit that her friend was right. The long skirt that sat low on her hips letting the feather tattoo on her hip peak out and long sleeve crop top showed off her figure and she felt sexy. “I hate to admit it Jordan, but this outfit does work on me.”
“Told you! See you need to just trust me in the future.” Jordan teased “Now come here and let me finish getting you ready.” She gathered Chloe’s long golden hair into a sleek, high ponytail and picked a pair of black stilettos to complete the look.
“Shit, Jordan!” Chloe’s eyes widened as she saw the line of people winding around the block in front of the club. “How popular did you say this club was?”
“Candle is always packed,” Jordan said. “But my neighbor is the bouncer, so we can easily get in. Girl, you should see him—all muscle and tats. Mm-mm!”
Chloe laughed as they exited the taxi before heading toward the line, and sneaking their way to the front. With a quick kiss on the cheek, Jordan had easily sweet talked her neighbor into moving aside the velvet rope and letting them past. The inside of Candle was packed. People couldn’t help but rub against each other just walking by. The atmosphere was inviting. Opposite of the main entrance, a bar sat against the wall on each end of the building. Top shelf bottles of liquor lined the shelves, and the lighting on them drew the eye in. Behind the bars stood gorgeous bartenders with welcoming, flirtatious smiles. They didn’t appear stressed by the swarm of people vying for their attention. Chloe wished she felt the same. The number of people surrounding her had begun to feel a little claustrophobic.
Jordan grabbed her hand and led her up a set of stairs to a balcony area overlooking the dancefloor. She must have made a very good impression on her neighbor, he had gotten them into the VIP area. With the extra room allotted, Chloe began to feel herself relaxing. The pesky feeling of claustrophobia dissipating.
A man who only could be described as tall, dark, and handsome winked at them from the other side of the bar that had a similarly lit back wall full of bottles as the bar below but the countertop was a glossy black. It had a more intimate feel than the crowded bar downstars. “What can I get you ladies?”
Chloe watched as Jordan’s jaw went slack as the bartender’s sexy dimples appeared on either side of his smile. Knowing this was Jordan’s type of play, she watched as her friend leaned in, she slid her tongue across her lower lip and eyed him in a flirty way Chloe wished she knew how to copy. “Why don’t you surpri
se us, handsome?” Dipping the tip of her index finger between her teeth, she bit it gently, then let go. “Just a hint, we like it sweet.”
Chloe felt her own cheeks redden at the outrageous way her friend just put it all out there.
Given the bartender’s response, he enjoyed it just as well. Chloe watched as he placed his arms on the bar, down on his elbows so he was at Jordan’s level. “I know just the thing.”
A minute or two later the bartender presented them each with a colorful martini. Jordan took a sip, obviously savoring the taste of juice instead of booze. “This is perfect—you nailed it.”
His mouthwatering smile was answer enough but his deep voice stated, “I’m Chase. Just yell if you need me,” he winked at Jordan again before he walked away to help someone else.
They walked to a seating area across the room and Chloe sat on the comfortable high backed leather bench, sipping on her delicious cocktail and Jordan fell into the seat beside her with her hand on her forehead like she’d fainted from a swoon.
Always one for the dramatics.
“Oh my goodness, Chloe that guy was fine and he was totally hitting on me.”
“Sweetie, I hate to burst your bubble, but I think that flirt is how he makes his money.”
“You are such a fun killer. Maybe that drink will loosen you up. We’re here to celebrate remember?”
Chloe watched as her friend grooved in her seat to the thumping base, always being sure to look over her shoulder in the direction of the bar and the obvious object of her attention this evening.
“Thank you for doing this. Today was way too stressful and this is exactly what I needed.”
Jordan gave Chloe a shoulder bump and a sassy wink before commenting, “You need to have more confidence Chloe. I knew they’d love you. The only surprise is that they hired you on the spot. So come on spill, I want to know everything.”
Chloe took a long sip of her drink before giving Jordan the play by play. “I was so nervous when I pulled into the parking lot and it didn’t get better as I was standing at the reception desk letting them know that I was there. I sat down across from three people who took turns asking me questions. By the time they were done I was feeling pretty confident. They seemed to be impressed by my education and experience. I was really shocked when they finished the interview by asking me to take some tests on the OSHA rules.”
