I made it through the next two weeks of school, but John still hadn’t called and I had no way of getting a hold of him.
It was 8:00 a.m., May 27th and my alarm was going off. I got up and showered. I knew it was supposed to be warm today, so I grabbed a pair of jean shorts. I went to grab my white tank top with the pink and black heart that said Goo Goo Dolls but I stopped. If I looked down and caught a glimpse of my shirt today I knew I would burst into tears. I grabbed my Powerman 5000 baby tee instead, there were no painful memories there.
Ivy was riding to the school with her mom and dad, I opted to take my own car. I knew grandma was throwing a surprise party for me after graduation. I picked up my silver robe and cap and got into my car. As I drove to school I had a pleasant thought. Maybe John will show up at graduation to surprise me.
I sat through the long and tedious ceremony. My grandparents and mom found me afterward. I was showered with the expected, “We’re so proud of you.” “Congratulations.” “Great job kiddo.” There was still no sign of John. Grandma told me to come to their house, so I followed them out to the parking lot.
“Wynter wait.”
“Yeah, Ivy.”
“You can stay at my house for as long as you want. Mom is leaving tonight for a year long trip around the world and dad doesn’t care.”
“Thanks Ive. I’m going to my grandparents house, I’ll see you later tonight.”
I told grandma that I was going to stay with Ivy for a while longer. She didn’t mind, she just wanted me to be happy. Mom cornered me at the party and asked me to come home, but I refused. I got money as a graduation present from pretty much everyone. I thanked them all and snuck out early. I needed to be alone to think. He said that he might not be back until the 31st, it’s not the 31st yet. But why hasn’t he called. I was sitting on a swing at Lily Park, near my school. The day was warm with just enough clouds to keep the sun from being to harsh. I decided to stop thinking about John for once.
I pushed off the ground with my feet and began swinging back and forth. It reminded me of a story I once wrote for creative writing. I had always wondered what my father had been like, so I wrote a story about me as a child and him as an angel. I even took pictures of the park to go with the story for my photo class. It was more truth than fiction, because every time I get on a swing I feel like someone is gently pushing me. I think that’s my daddy, my guardian angel. I felt him even more that day, I could almost see him. He was drawn to my sorrow. There to protect me and care for me.
I stayed at the park for over an hour and then went back to Ivy’s house. No one was home but there was a note.
We went to take mom to the airport. Then dad is taking me to dinner. I’ll see you later.
Love ya,
Ivy
I went into the kitchen to get a Diet Coke, when the phone started ringing.
“Hello?”
“Is Wynter there?”
“This is her.”
“Wynter, it’s John. Where have you been?”
“Where have I been! Where have you been?”
“What do you mean?”
“The number you gave me didn’t work and you never called me.”
“My cell phone was stolen and I have been calling you.”
“When?”
“Everyday, but you never seem to be home.”
“Did you talk to anyone?”
“A woman. I don’t know who she is.”
“They never told me you called.”
“I wonder why?”
“It was probably Ivy’s mom. She’s a bitch. She didn’t even want me to stay here. She probably thought she was protecting me from something.”
“That would explain it.”
“Sorry I got mad at you. I was going nuts without you.”
“It’s okay. I miss you too.”
“When can I see you again, John?”
“You mean you haven’t got it yet?”
“Got what?”
“I’ll take that as a no. I sent you a plane ticket.”
“Hold on, I’ll go check the mail.” I set down the phone before he could even answer me. I ran out the front door and down the sidewalk to the mailbox. I grabbed the stack of mail and ran back into the kitchen. “John, you still there?”
“Yeah, hun.”
“All right let’s see. Bill,” I threw it behind me on the floor. “Bill, bill, bill, junk mail, junk mail, catalog... ahhh, here we go. One letter from a Mr. John Rzeznik to Miss Wynter Harmony.” I opened the letter and out fell a letter and a ticket.
“Good thing because the ticket is for early tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow morning,” my voice shook with indecision.
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“It’s just so soon. I mean I want to see you really bad but to leave everyone here tomorrow.”
“Well...”
“No, no, it’s okay. I don’t know what my problem is, I don’t even want to be here.”
“We can visit Colorado in June if you want. Plus one of the tour dates is there.”
“Whatever. I don’t care, I just want to see you.” I looked down at the ticket, my plane left at 10:00 a.m. the next day.
“Are you still there?”
“Huh, oh yeah, sorry. John, if I’m leaving tomorrow there’s a lot of shit I need to get together tonight.”
“Oh right...”
“I don’t mean to cut you short, but we will see each other tomorrow.”
“I know. I just miss you, that’s all.”
“Remember the key word in romance is anticipation.” He laughed deeply.
“All right, tomorrow then.”
“Bye. I love you.”
“I love you too, Wynter. Bye.”
I hung up the phone and ran upstairs to pack. I threw everything into my bags, except for the bare necessities for that night. I needed something to do with my car. Of course, grandma will take care of it. I needed to call her anyway. I picked up the phone and dialled her number. I quickly explained what was going on.
“If that’s what you want, Wynnie.”
“It is gramma, it is.”
“All right, I’ll pack your stuff and store it in the basement. Gramps will take care of your car.”
“Thank you, gramma. I love you so much.”
“I love you too dear. Take care of yourself and call me often.”
“Okay and gramma...”
“Yes.”
“Could you tell mom?”
“I will dear.”
“Bye gramma.”
“Take care Wynnie.”
As I hung up the phone, I heard a car pull into the driveway. It was Ivy, her dad, and some woman I didn’t know. I went to the top of the stairs to wait for her. Her dad and the woman went down to the basement where his room was, Ivy came upstairs. She was smiling, so obviously her father’s blatant infidelity didn’t bother her much.
“What’s up babe?”
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“What?” She stopped dead in her tracks.
“I’m leaving tomorrow. 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. John sent me a ticket.”
“So soon.”
“I know it’s soon but I really want to go. You know get away from my mother for a while.”
“Fine, whatever the fuck you want Wynter. Why even bother giving any bit of concern to anyone else. Run off to the man you met how many weeks ago? Why should you care about leaving the people who love you.” She had never said anything like that to me before.
“I’m sorry Ivy, but it’s not like it’s forever. I’ll be back to visit.”
“Whatever.” She was still mad, I could hear it in her voice.
“Can you give me a ride tomorrow?”
“Yeah, what time?”
“8:00 a.m. I need to go to gramma’s house first.”
“Okay.” She walked into her room and slammed the door. I was concerned about her sudden surge of emotion but I decided to wait until the next day to talk to her. I was suddenly overcome with exhaustion.
Too many sleepless nights.
I woke up to hear “Crash” playing on my alarm. I smiled, laid back listening and remembering that first time with John. This song was always going to hold a special memory for me. I just hope it never turns to sorrow.
I showered and put on a pair of leather pants and my Goo Goo Dolls tank top. I was so glad I could wear my shirt again and I wanted to look my best. I threw the rest of my stuff in an open bag. I grabbed my bags and drug them all downstairs.
“Oh here Wynter, let me help you with those.”
“Thanks, Ive.” She grabbed two of my bags and we walked out to her car. We loaded all my bags into the backseat of her jeep. We took separate cars to my grandparents house. I parked the car and left the keys in the house. Grandma and grandpa were still asleep and I was glad. I couldn’t handle that tearful goodbye. I hopped into Ivy’s jeep and she sped off towards the airport. We sat in silence listening to Dizzy Up the Girl. John’s voice was more soothing that day than it had ever been. Something about the songs made it easier to leave. We had listened to the entire CD by the time we pulled into the parking garage. We checked three of my bags and went to my gate.
We sat down to wait for my plane.
“Wynter, look...”
“I know Ive. It’s okay. I know.”
“Wait I really need to say this. I’m sorry about last night. I’m just going to miss you and I didn’t think you’d be leaving so soon. I will never be able to replace you.”
“You don’t have to replace me. I’m gonna miss you too. I didn’t think I’d be leaving so early but I need to. It’s time I do this.”
“I understand, hun.” One of the flight attendants announced that my flight was boarding.
“I gotta go babe.” We stood up and faced each other. There were already tears in her eyes. I pulled her into a hug. “Shh, don’t cry. I’ll see you again soon.”
“I know.” She looked up and gave me one last passionate kiss. “I’ll always love you.”
“You’ll find someone else who deserves your love.”
“I already have.” She glanced back at a girl I didn’t see before.
“She’s beautiful.”
“She’s nothing like you.”
“Then she’s perfect for you.”
“Goodbye Wynter.”
“Goodbye Ivy. I love you.”
“What did you name your tattoo?”
“Firefly.”
“It fits.” I picked up my carry on bag and walked onto the plane. I handed a stewardess my ticket and she showed me to one of the large seats in front of the plane. I sat down and looked at my ticket. Yep, it said “First Class,” John spared no expense.
I was staring out the window watching the airport with tears in my eyes. I couldn’t help it , I began crying softly. I saw Ivy standing at the window watching the plane. I kissed my fingertips and pressed them to the window. She must have seen me because she did the same.
“Miss... Miss... MISS!”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Diet Coke, please. Thank you.”
She brought me two cans of Diet Coke and a glass of ice. I sat back and drank my pop, while the plane took off. In a few hours I would get to see John again, but now I needed something to distract myself. I dug through my bag for something to do. I came across a book I had shoved in there at the last second. I sat back and began to read.
Before I knew it the pilot announced that we were landing in New York soon. I put my book away and looked down at the New York skyline. I felt the plane begin to descend. The second we were allowed to leave, I jumped out of my seat and rushed off the plane.
John was standing right outside the gate. I ran into his arms, he picked me up and spun me around. He brought me down into a kiss. He pulled out of the kiss and whispered in my ear. “Let’s get your stuff and get out of here. I want to kiss every square inch of your body.” I kissed him and grabbed his hand. We rushed through the airport and to his apartment.
We dropped my bags by the door and began kissing one another. All I could think was that I never wanted to be anywhere else but in his arms.
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