Everything was set on the table and with the few seconds we had before Anna called her family down, I took ahold of her hands and looked into her eyes.
“We could stay here if you prefer and not go to the game.”
“That is very temptin’, but I’m sure we’d have a ‘shadow’, ya know?”
I nodded and then there was a long kiss. Like before I didn’t want it to end, but-
“You were going to call evry’ one, right Anna?”
“Yes, Pa, I was going to.” Anna replied as she let go of my hands.
“M.A., Wendy, supper time! You two carry on, I’ll serve myself.”
“That’s code for getting to the table,” Anna grabbed my arm and lead me to the dining room.
Mr. Joel nodded as he walked over to the head of the table.
Miss Joel and Anna walked in after us and everyone sat down to the miraculous buffet. Miraculous because how in the heck did the fried steak, potatoes and green beans get to the table when no one ever walked into the dining room? I wanted to think it was a kind of time dilation or maybe every hormone in my body concentrating on Anna caused some form of tunnel vision. That being said, I still filled a plate, at the urging of Anna.
“What are your plans after high school, Bryce?” Mr, Joel asked between bites.
“Actually, sir, I really don’t know. There’s a lot out there but I still don’t know where I want to go.”
“College?”
“I’ve thought about taking classes, you know, to get a start on everything.”
“Just remember, Bryce,” Mr. Joel started and pointed his fork in my direction, “for everything you learn in university, there’s still a bigger world out there. Don’t miss out.”
“Yes sir,” I replied, hoping he wouldn’t me if I understood.
“When’s the game?” Miss Joel asked.
“Seven-thirty.”
“You’ll make it, even after having to clean the kitchen.”
“Can I clean it when we get back?” Anna asked and looked back and forth between her parents.
“You’re going to be at that sink for the rest of your life,” Miss Joel commented as she took a look at her husband.
“I’ll do it,” Anna replied with an almost plea in her voice.
“I’m holding ya to it,” Mr. Joel replied.
“Thank you, Pa,” Anna exclaimed as she passed a piece of apple pie with ice cream.
Wendy scrowled.
I only smiled and fought back the urge to ask where that came from.

After dinner, I sat in the living room as Anna was upstairs getting ready. I refused to give in to the desire to sneak up the stairs. Wendy would probably open her door and then yell for her parents who would already be outfitted with a gun or two. It was safer to sit by myself. The living room looked a little different from the day before. There were different paintings on the walls and the rugs looked different. They were colorful and bright, along with a vase or two which were in pastels when I remembered then to be blacks and browns.
I stood up and walked into the den. The pool and air hockey tables were still there but the couch, which was black leather the day before now had the feeling of brown suede.
“Are you up for another game?” Anna asked as she stood in the doorway earring a dark green sweater and jeans. Her hair was braided into a ponytail.
“Do we have time?”
“Do you want to go early?”
“Only if you do,” I replied as she rolled the door closed.
“I was thinking of another game. Interested in hearing ‘bout it?”
I quickly nodded even though I had no idea what said game could be. She might have thought about wrestling, fencing or a pistol duel at dusk.
Anna slowly walked over to me with a smile on her face and hypnotic look in her eyes.
I held my hands out and she twirled into them, wrapping herself between my hands and body.
“Can we do this forever?” She asked.
“Of course,” I replied as she dug herself closer to me. So many thoughts went through my head on what to do next as I laid my head on her shoulder.
“Have you ever felt you’ve met the right person?”
“Not til you,” I replied.
“You’re sweet. Sweeter than a peach”
“I was about to say that about you.”
Anna laughed for a second, let go of my hands, twirled around again, and then leaned in to hug me. I caught her first and closed my arms around her.
“Like you said, I’m glad we met. My last school, it wasn’t very friendly. I tried to be outgoing and it didn’ work very well.”
“I can’t see anything getting you down.”
“Bryce, I need to ask you a few things,” she whispered.
“Of course.”
“Do you think I’m too…strong with people?”
“I know you’re brave.”
“Do you think I’m crazy?”
“I know I’m crazy..about you.”
Anna’s expression mellowed and she smiled once again. “That’s sweet as a peach. We can be crazy together.”
I leaned in and kissed her on the lips and then heard a “click”. We turned to the door to see Wendy with an old Polaroid camera.
“Wendy!” Anna shouted but her sister was long gone from the room. “I want to make two copies and an enlargement of that!”
Anna turned back to me and we continued with our kiss. I desired to move my hands anywhere on her but just about when I was about to, Mrs. Joel cleared her throat.
We separated again so fast I’m sure I gave myself whiplash,
When does the game start?” Miss Joel asked.
“Seven thirty, ma’am.”
“You may want to get a movin’. It’s seven fifteen.”

We ran out of the house, haphazardly carrying a blanket, to the car. The sun was just about gone from the sky.
Anna threw the blanket into the backseat.
“Let’s get a move on!” Anna exclaimed as I opened the passenger side and got in.
Anna ran around the front of the car, quickly got situated in the driver’s seat and started the engine.
I turned to see the reflection of the taillights on the barn.
“Can we make it on time?”
“We’ll make it happen,” Anna replied as she shifted into drive.