I'd assumed the girls were friends of Melanie, so I left her there while I skipped ahead in line to purchase the wrist bands for free rides and shorter waiting times. It took a few minutes, but not long enough for me to mss the awkward silence, thick and answering as Melanie asked why no one invited her.
Ouch, I thought and winced, noting the women who stood there, quiet and blank faced. My arm instinctively wrapped back around Melanie's waist, whilst I slipped the little pink wrist band over her wrist, racking my brain with what to say. But amongst the screaming children and whoosh of circling coasters, I just didn't know what to.
Why wouldn't they invite her? She seemed jubilant and excitable to me, like a great girl to be around. Was this one of those pack versus the outsider moments?
"Come on, Mel..." I squeezed her gently, urging her forward, my eyes squinted in the harsh sun light. I hoped she wouldn't be too upset...
But then again, I wouldn't blame her.
---
Amongst all the oppression, the heaviness of the atmosphere, the seriousness of the topic, the sincerity of his voice, my trickling tears- I giggled a genuine giggle, a sound so out of place within the moment.
"Only if you have a magic carpet to go with that quote," I told him, and childishly grinned despite my rheumy eyes, unable to handle one more drop of seriousness tonight. He wasn't the only one prone to humor in a heavy situation.
"...I trust you, Max, and... I really, really love you. I promise. You know I do, you're the only person I've ever really been with," I sighed, pressing a million little kisses to his cheek, and gently combing my fingers through his hair. "I just have to recover from all the damage my stupid past caused. Please don't think my feelings are directed at you specifically, you're amazing... I just get scared... And I'm working on it, really... I'm... messed up, and... a little broken..."
"...But we will have children, and start our dream family- Cause I know you'll be the perfect husband and daddy, and I wanna be your wife, and little Max's mom. Okay? And I won't make you wait long... in fact... we can start trying right after we're married. Which, isn't that far away... It's not a compromise, I....I want what you want. I just... need a little time."
And although I expected to be a nervous wreck after promising him that, I actually felt relieved, like perhaps I'd said the right thing, for both of us. I hadn't lied at all- I wanted this family he talked about, and I'd be damned if my father's negligence to me, breaks up my potential, perfect future. If Max could just understand I need... reparations...
Ouch, I thought and winced, noting the women who stood there, quiet and blank faced. My arm instinctively wrapped back around Melanie's waist, whilst I slipped the little pink wrist band over her wrist, racking my brain with what to say. But amongst the screaming children and whoosh of circling coasters, I just didn't know what to.
Why wouldn't they invite her? She seemed jubilant and excitable to me, like a great girl to be around. Was this one of those pack versus the outsider moments?
"Come on, Mel..." I squeezed her gently, urging her forward, my eyes squinted in the harsh sun light. I hoped she wouldn't be too upset...
But then again, I wouldn't blame her.
---
Amongst all the oppression, the heaviness of the atmosphere, the seriousness of the topic, the sincerity of his voice, my trickling tears- I giggled a genuine giggle, a sound so out of place within the moment.
"Only if you have a magic carpet to go with that quote," I told him, and childishly grinned despite my rheumy eyes, unable to handle one more drop of seriousness tonight. He wasn't the only one prone to humor in a heavy situation.
"...I trust you, Max, and... I really, really love you. I promise. You know I do, you're the only person I've ever really been with," I sighed, pressing a million little kisses to his cheek, and gently combing my fingers through his hair. "I just have to recover from all the damage my stupid past caused. Please don't think my feelings are directed at you specifically, you're amazing... I just get scared... And I'm working on it, really... I'm... messed up, and... a little broken..."
"...But we will have children, and start our dream family- Cause I know you'll be the perfect husband and daddy, and I wanna be your wife, and little Max's mom. Okay? And I won't make you wait long... in fact... we can start trying right after we're married. Which, isn't that far away... It's not a compromise, I....I want what you want. I just... need a little time."
And although I expected to be a nervous wreck after promising him that, I actually felt relieved, like perhaps I'd said the right thing, for both of us. I hadn't lied at all- I wanted this family he talked about, and I'd be damned if my father's negligence to me, breaks up my potential, perfect future. If Max could just understand I need... reparations...