When I looked out into the crowd I saw David. Now like I told you earlier he was studying acting and won another award that year too.

“Congratulations David.”

 I didn’t think he heard me at first because of all the noise in the tent. But he did and walked the few feet over to where I was standing.

“Congratulations to you too Rodney.”

He put his arm around me just like he always had before.

“It’s been a long time.”

I knew what he was talking about. “Yeah, too long.”

He gave me that look the look I hadn’t seen in years. The look that makes the fireworks go off inside me. The look that gives me courage to do things I wouldn’t normally do. And that’s what happened, I couldn’t help it I knew it was taking a big chance but I just had to do it. I turned my head and kissed him. I mean really kissed him. All of the emotions of the night were all built up in that kiss. The room seemed to get so quiet that I could hear David breathing and feel his chest moving in and out as I hugged him tighter. What had I done? I didn’t want our embrace to end. I didn’t want to turn around and face all those people.

When I finally dropped my arms and our lips parted I looked up, there were no stares, no body seemed to have noticed, except David. I saw that look again on his face, the one I had been missing.

“You want to go home with me? My parents left for a vacation right after I got my award.”

I looked over at Miss Lawrence and Miss Greene and realized they had been watching us. Before I could say a word they both flicked their wrist in the direction of the door. “Go ahead Rodney.”

 At first when we got into David’s car he and I sat on opposite ends of the front seat of his Chevy II. It was the first time I had ever ridden in a car with a bench seat. I had seen kids out on dates and the girl was always sitting in the middle next to her boyfriend.

I slid on over and sat so close to David that the blue wool threads of our uniforms stroked each other as our legs moved back and forth. David put his arm around me again and that’s the way we rode to his house.

When we went to bed David smiled when I lied down along side of him I felt so safe and warm just like what I told you about the rain hitting the metal awnings over the window in my old bedroom. I swear the longer he held me the harder the rain seemed to fall.