Page 77 of All of You

Thirty Eight

Langdon

For the first time in years, there is no Sunday night dinner and it makes me feel panicky. Mom says Gramps thought perhaps they needed a weekend alone and the whole no friends over issue, and since we’refriendsthat includes Sunday night dinner.

I’m going to sneak in through her window. I can’t take not seeing her. Everything’s better when she’s around. She’s a rollercoaster ride. A drug. Intoxicating. I want her so badly. But then we’d both be in trouble. And that would suck. I’d probably be banned from seeing her for even longer. It’s been just over twenty-four hours and I’m thinking and behaving like a crackhead. Jonesing for my next fix of Delia. I’m pathetic. She’s probably not even thinking of me.

At ten, I sneak out of the house which is no easy feat with mymother in the house. I cut through the path with a headlamp on and when I hit Heath’s back field I turn it off. Can’t risk getting caught. I’m amped up. Full of adrenaline. I know Heath’s bedroom window is on the back side of the house and that Delia’s faces the front yard so I’m extra careful and try to sneak around the side yard.

I stand in the grass—that could use some mowing—and stare up at her window. It’s silent outside and black. Her light is still on. I grab an acorn and toss it at her window but miss. I fumble around for another one and try again—this time hitting it.

I wait for what feels like an eternity and when nothing happens I pelt another one at it. This time I see a shadow move and then, her face appears in the glass. She peers out, squinting. Grinning, I flap my arms around so she can see me. She jumps back, clutching her chest, and then yanks the window open.

“What the fuck, Langdon?” she whisper yells.

“Hi,” I say.

“Seriously?” she whispers down to me.

“Seriously. Whatcha doing?” I ask.

Delia laughs quietly. “What areyoudoing?”

I shrug. “I missed you.”

She’s got a shit-eating grin on her face now and my whole body turns to mush.

“Gramps will kill you. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Really? You’re going to ignore me?”

She leans her elbows on the window sill and stares at me. “Don’t move,” she says.

She disappears from the window. Shuffling my feet I wait silently. What is she doing? My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out to see the notification is from her.

Go left

My brow furrows but I head left around the house. Delia is waiting under one of the apple trees. A smile tips up the corners of my lips.

“Hey,” I say quietly.

“Hey. Now, will you tell me why the heck you’re here, risking my freedom?”

I stare at the ground. “I missed you.”

“I still don’t think I heard you. Could you say it again? One more time?”

“Now you’re just being cruel.”

She fakes a yawn. “Man, I’m so tired. I should go to bed. You know, school and all tomorrow.”

“I missed you,” I repeat.

Delia blushes and takes a step closer.

“That’s sweet. Wanna take a walk? I can’t be out too long but I have time for a quick visit.”

“I’ll take what I can get,” I say.