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Where science fiction and romance abide.
Category:
Romance
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing
ISBN-10: 1728888107
Type: Fiction
Pages: 200
Copyright: Oct. 17, 2018
ISBN-13: 9781728888101
Price: $0.99 (eBook)
Buddy loved Nina, but did she really love him? He was destined to love Sally, who had loved him always.
Buddy and Nina felt they were forever bonded together by love. An old pocket watch Buddy uncovered at a mysterious shed contained Nina's photo when she would be older and had the inscription, "To Buddy: I will love you forever, Nina." Sally loved Buddy all through school and into college years. As Nina heads out east to college she insists that Buddy date Sally at a local college just to prove Buddy loved Nina.
At the shed, Buddy's great-grandmother, Amanda, appears from the past warning him to not go against the watch inscription. Later the inscription and photo changes now saying "To Buddy: I will love you forever, Sally." Still later the inscription and photo disappear altogether and no one but Buddy remembers previous inscriptions. Two things happen that convinces Buddy he isn't imagining.
Excerpt
Children and adults went toward the kitchen, getting in line for more refreshments. Buddy and Nina didn’t leave the tree. Nina, with a nice dress on, carefully kneeled, resting on her knees and ankles near the tree while Buddy sat cross-legged beside her. They were silent for a while, Nina slowly turning the pages of her chess magazine, Buddy admiring his speedometer, turning it over, inserting the cable Mr. Taggert had brought. Buddy had to speak.
“I wish people didn’t try to keep us apart.” He gazed at Nina who returned his look, her expression one of sadness at the subject matter.
“It’s not fair. Teachers and even our parents don’t want us to even talk to each other or sit together. I’m surprised they haven’t come in here to break us up,” Nina said, laying down her magazine.
“Before they do, I want to say. . .” Buddy looked down, and then continued “. . . I like you very much. Mom doesn’t like me to talk that way. She says it’s grown up talk.” He finally said it.
Nina looked toward the kitchen and the crowd milling around everywhere. She reached and took Buddy’s free hand and clutched it.
“I like you too, Buddy. Somehow, I feel I’ll always like you more than anyone else. I have this feeling that it’s meant to be.” Nina squeezed Buddy’s hand, and he saw her swallowing.
“So do I and when we’re older, no one can keep us apart.” Buddy set his speedometer down and grasped Nina’s other hand.
“Stop that holding hands! Nina, get yourself in here with the rest of the girls.” Mrs. Taggert’s face contorted into ugliness. Buddy released Nina’s hands quickly. Nina jumped up but looked back at Buddy.
As Buddy and his parents stepped to the front porch to leave, Sally followed them out.
“Buddy, I got you a present too. It wasn’t under the tree.” Buddy looked back into Sally’s smiling face. She stood holding a package. He saw her take a deep breath and slowly extend the gift toward him.
“Sally, why? You probably figured me, and Nina would get each other gifts. After what you said in there to Nina, I’m sure you weren’t surprised.” Buddy’s parents slowly walked to the road and stopped to wait on him.
“It was rude of me to shout and point at Nina. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to take this present from me.” Sally continued to hold the brightly wrapped box toward him. Buddy stared at the gift and then at Sally. She started to pull the offering back, but Buddy’s curiosity got the best of him. He took the present and watched Sally’s face light up. She looked down, turned and headed back into the house, speaking over her shoulder.
“I hope you like it. Don’t drop it.” Buddy watched her ease the door shut. He looked at the present which was heavy and joined his parents in the road.
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