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She pulls out of her parking spot and stares at the cars parked in the parking lot. I'll admit it's a little weird to be stared at so much, but I've grown used to it. I'm very important to a lot of scouts, and it's become a regular thing. What makes me uncomfortable is when women stare at me and laugh or giggle at each other. I can never find out if it's because they are making fun of me or are interested in me. Hannah is different. She has been my friend since before I grew so much. The more I think about our date this Friday, the more excited I get.
Ellie angrily shifts the old Toyota and growls slightly. She quickly digs into her purse with one hand and grabs the check. She brings it up to her other hand on the steering wheel and rips it to shreds. I'm not going to say anything. In a few years, I'll be a millionaire, and she'll never have to worry about money ever again. "I'm going to call the principal tomorrow and tell her to keep Kelly away from you. Duke is not welcomed, you hear me?" I nod my head in agreement. I'm not in need of Duke. Anywhere I go in college will win a title the single year I'm there.
All these colleges are in desperate need of me, and having me as an alumnus would bolster their status to recruits. "So has Oregon State sent the hotel tickets yet? They are our first trip this weekend." She sighs and nods her head. She has been under so much stress lately. I want to help her so damn bad with anything. "You know, I can find a part-time job to help wit-!!" She smacks the back of my head and looks at the road in anger. I had to offer. It's the right thing to do. Her boss is an absolute dick too. He doesn't give a shit about how hard our lives are.
Sometimes I dream of the day I can open a better store right across the street from his store and give it to Ellie. There are going to be so many things that I'm going to buy for her. The first is sending her on a 6-month first-class vacation. "Don't even think about it, Ulysses. It's my job to provide for you and make sure your feed and have a roof and clean clothes. It's your job to chase whatever your dreams are." My insides rip a little at her words. A man's pride is something nearly impossible to suppress, and I can't help wanting to help.
She supports me in every way imaginable. In return, all she asks is I chase whatever my dream is. Be it basketball or something else. Ellie and I are much closer this time around. I wasn't the horrible shit I was the first time she gave up her life to help mine. "I know, mom, I know..." I don't call her mom very often, but she knows that I consider her my mom. She relaxes and shifts the car down as we approach a red light. I have a driver's license, but I've rarely driven a car this life. It turns green, and she lets up on the clutch and pushes on the gas.
I wonder if she'll be interested in the fact I'm going on my first date this Friday. "Hannah and I are going on a date this Friday. She is picking the place, and I won't lie. I'm pretty excited. Do you have any advice for me?" It's smart to ask the adults for advice. I don't know how to date, not in my old life or this one. I never got the opportunity to ask the last time. So I'm going to do so this time around. Ellie smiles brightly and ruffles my hair. She can barely reach. My knees are on the dashboard. These old Toyotas don't have room for 7'0 footers.
She stops messing with my hair and slows down for the next light. "Just be yourself, Ulysses. If a girl asks you out, it's because she likes you for who you are. So don't go on this date trying to be someone else." Damn... I wish I had that advice the first time around. I'm a very attractive 17-year-old, and I only get better looking as I get older. This is advice that is going to make the time I spend with Ms. Hannah Green fun. Cause being myself, it's easy.