"You don't know where he's taking you?" Angie asks.
She's beside me on the porch steps. We pass a bag of skittles back and forth. She's in pajamas, I'm in shorts and a t-shirt.
"And why didn't you dress up?"
"He told me not to wear anything that I care about, and to bring a swimsuit." I hold up my backpack, and a quiet smirk is all she gives. "It's not like that. His family's going to be there."
"I wonder what the rich do for fun."
"I hope I don't stand out." I imagine them dressed in lux, heads high, talking large.
"Ben is a sweetheart, he must've been raised by nice people." She rubs my back and sighs. "I'm the one who should be worrying."
"Lots of people get teeth removed."
"Not you. Even after all those blow pops."
"What do you think happened to this one?" I run my tongue along my gap.
Her laugh is unfiltered. "What's he like?"
I'm surprised. "Don't you know him?"
She chews on a skittle slowly. "Maybe surface level."
I consider this. She's always surrounded by people. I wonder how many she actually considers to be friends.
"He's kind with a sense of humor, loves music and painting."
She nods. "I'm happy for you. You deserve someone like him, and that's why you got exactly that."
"Slow down, I'm not marrying anybody."
She shrugs and snatches the skittles, ignoring my protests.
"You're not getting teeth pulled tomorrow, leave me alone."
Ben pulls up.
"Mercedes? Nice." She waves.
He jogs our way, sporting his usual smile. He offers to take my things after saying hello to grandma and Angie.
"Are you ready?" I ask after they grill him.
"Wait a minute Rose, I need this boy's number," grandma says. "In case something happens."
I keep my face down until we drive off. "Well that was embarrassing."
"I loved talking to them. I didn't mind giving my blood type and social."
"You always find the humor in things?"
He shrugs, making a turn. "I love to laugh. Feels good."
"You always so nice?"
"Am I doing something wrong here?"
"Not at all. You're just uncommon."
He smiles. "Where we're going, you'll see lots of people like me."
"And where is that?"
"My grandma's house. She lives thirty minutes out. You're going to love her." He pulls out a CD from inside his armrest. "I made a playlist."
It's my top five. I can't believe he remembered every artist. My heart flutters when the song we danced to plays next. He watches my reaction. I won't tell him that it's been stuck in my head.
He's in shorts and a black shirt. I didn't think I could crush on him any harder until Jill Scott scatted as he smiled and the morning sun hit his face. His laughter over the music becomes my new favorite song. I've never felt like this before.
The roads get quiet. We pass open fields with ranches and farm animals. Cows and sheep graze the grass. Down a long road, quaint houses appear.
He pulls into the driveway of a blue home at the end of the road. The yard is huge and sitting on the steps are two twin boys. One eats chips, and the other twists a Rubik's cube. They wave.
Ben daps them up. "What's up, jitts?"
"Nothing. Grandma said to stop running in and out the house."
"Can't let the cold air out."
"When can we ride your dirt bike?" The one holding the cube asks.
They're both wearing white shirts, jean shorts, and black shoes. I can't decide if it's intentional or not, but it makes it harder to tell them apart.
"When you're not ten." He shakes his head. "Rose, this is Jaylen and Jaden."
Jaden is the one eating chips, and Jaylen has the cube.
"When you ditch my cousin, give me a call," Jaden says.
Jaylen smacks the chips out of his brother's hand. "You didn't want those." Anticipating something in return, he runs across the yard before he's caught.
"You play around too much!" Jaden wags a fist.
Ben cups a hand around his mouth. "Run, Jay!"
We leave them to it.
Inside smells like the candy lady's house. Family pictures sit on top of the cabinets and tv stand. Graduation photos, family barbecues, and baby shoots. The dvd holder is filled with classics that I mostly recognize. Rush Hour plays on the tv. Hanging on the walls are biblical quotes and pictures of praying hands. In the worn out love seat sits an old man sporting a smile like Ben's.
"Now, who's that with my grandson?" He squints, trying to remember me.
"She's a friend, you've never met her." He hugs his grandpa.
The man's murky eyes light up. "As pretty as that girl is, I hope she's not just your friend."
Ben nudges him. "Oh, trust me. I'm working on it, pops."
"That sounds like how your grandma was." He laughs, remembering.
"They love to play with us. Where is granny anyway?"
He says that she's making lemonade.
Ben walks me through the dining room, into the kitchen. The table is set, but my guess is that it's hardly touched. The barstools seem to receive more traffic.
A tall woman in a headscarf smiles when we catch her eye. She wears a floral white nightgown, and old slippers.
"Well, who is this?"
They embrace, but her eyes stay on me.
I smile timidly and wave. "I'm Rose. It's nice to meet you."
She gives me a hug when I extend my hand. Her squeeze is warm.
"She's a hugger," he says after the fact. "Grandma, this is a friend of mine. I'm showing her a good time."
She gets some cold drinks from the fridge.
"Well now, you brought her to the right place. Let me show you something." She motions for me to take a look out of the window above the sink. "My granddaddy owned all of this. The land beside us he gave to my aunts, and the land across the street he gave to my cousins. You see those horses and pigs way back there? I bought them for my son, William. He loves animals." She gestures to her kitchen. "We get together for barbecues often, so don't worry if you're hungry. My cousin, Joe, is starting up the grill now."
"You have horses? Do you ride them?" I've never seen one up close.
"Oh, yes! About everyday. If not the horses, then they'll ride the four wheelers. And-ooooh, there go those foxes again!" Four baby foxes peek out of distant bushes. "They ate some of the chickens last week, and they'll get the baby pigs next if we don't catch them in time."
"But they're so cute," I say.
"They get bigger. The mom's likely the hunter. Ben, tell your grandpa to make sure the fence is secure for the pigs, will you? Give him a hand please, his back isn't what it used to be."
His grandpa leads us through the mud room, and out the back door. There's a strong odor from farm animals and hay. The sun beats down, and grass gnats jump from our steps. The old man was smart to grab a hat. He points to a dark blue Cadillac sitting inside of a rusted shed.
"That's my baby. You see that rag sitting on the hood? I clean her everyday," he says proudly. "Nineteen sixty Coupe DeVille. My favorite model." It's a car for the movies, shiny and beautiful.
"She looks good, pops."
His smile widens.
Four horses meet us at the gate. They're tall and healthy with shiny coats that look freshly brushed. Two are black and two are white with brown splotches. They shake and whip their tails to keep away flies.
"Ben, grab me that bucket sitting right there," his grandpa says.
It's filled with carrots. Ben hands me one. I squeal when it's chomped out of my hand. The horses hairy wet lips tickle my fingers.
"I can take you riding if you'd like?" Ben says.
"I don't know. Do they ever get spooked?"
"You can take Milkyway. She's never thrown anyone off."
My brows raise. "And the others?"
He shrugs, feeding one another carrot. "They've never thrown me off before."
"How reassuring."
His grandpa fans himself with his hat, telling us about the time an old horse threw him onto his back. I laugh alongside them until I remember what Ben said about his mom. When he shows us to the pig pen, I tap Ben, speaking low.
"Is this your mom's side of the family?"
"Yep. We basically lived here, we'd come so often."
"Which horse threw her off?"
"It was a horse at the stables. People warned her not to be so risky. I think that's what hurt her the most. Feeling like they were right."
"You don't think they were?"
He shakes his head. "Life's meant to be lived."
I grin. "What's Ben's idea of living?"
"I'll show you how it's done. I mean everything from dirt bikes to scuba diving."
He kneels at the gate while his grandpa walks the wire line. "It's all good!"
We go to the pigs. They jiggle their wet snouts and squeal, rolling in the muddy grass.
"That one there is Daisy," his grandpa says, pointing to the plumpest. "She should be going into labor soon. You might see something if you're lucky!" He laughs when I scrunch my face.
"I'm taking her to ride Milkyway, pops."
Ben grabs the equipment and leads two horses to me. They're magnificent creatures.
"She needs to get used to you. Let her see your hands, then brush her." He hands me a huge soft bristle brush.
I'm studied by her dark intelligent eyes as I brush along her neck. The strength of her breaths command respect. I do this for some time until he tells me that I'm ready. I'm nervous.
He grabs my hand to help me mount. "Put your left foot on the stirrup there, then pull yourself up and swing your right leg over."
I'm in disbelief when I'm on. Her fur itches my legs.
"Good, now stay calm and sit straight. Hold the reins in one hand by your hip for when you want to turn left or right." After a pat, she walks. He reminds me to find my balance. "Why are you laughing?"
"This is amazing. I can feel every movement."
"Wait until you feel her run."
"Oh, nooo! Walking is fine for now."
"Then I'll walk with you." He mounts his horse, sitting tall with a controlled form. He eyes me shamelessly. "You're a natural."
"Thanks," I say. I'm sure he can see through my attempt to stay composed underneath his gaze. "Does your dad ride horses too?"
"My dad? All he does is work."
"You don't think it paid off? His family lives in the most expensive neighborhood in the city."
"It paid off for him, maybe, but he's too obsessed with money. My grandma has more than him, and she never let it control her."
"She does?" I take in the quaint home.
"He worked hard for what he has, and feels the need to flaunt it. She's old money, and doesn't care enough about it to put it above family."
"Sounds like she rubbed off on you."
He smiles. "She's my heart. I love my parents, but she and I have always had a close bond."
It hits me that he wanted me to meet the most important person in his life.
"Thank you for bringing me here."
It's nice today. A sunny blue sky hangs over the grassy fields. At the end of the property is a thick forest. We ride the perimeter twice, before he takes the horses to their stables. Then we head back inside to escape the heat.
"The food's cooking now, but here's something to hold you over," his grandma says, giving us huge turkey sandwiches and chips.
The front door swinging open gets our attention. The twins are covered in dirt.
"What in the world were you boys doing?" Her tone is stern.
"Finding worms," one twin says.
"And?" She waits.
They grin, holding out their caked hands. Muddy pink worms wiggle between their fingers.
"Get out of my kitchen! Go, now!"
They run out the back door. Ben grabs my backpack.
"How about we take this to-go?" he says.
She wraps our food while he and I take turns in the bathroom. We slip on bathing suits underneath our clothes before joining the boys in the backyard.
"Come on you two, we're going to the lake."
They drop their worms and eagerly tag along. The animals stare curiously. When they realize we don't have any food they go back to their grazing. In the woods is a path that we follow. The scent of pine is strong, and the insects hum noisily.
"Are there wild animals around here?"
I earn some looks. Of course they're around. This is where they live. That's what their eyes tell me.
"If you see a bear, just hold onto me."
I suspect that came from Jaden. It's especially hard to tell since they're covered in dirt.
"There aren't any bears," Ben says, reassuringly.
"I saw one," Jaylen says. "It's true. It was a cub, I think."
"That was the neighbor's dog." His brother snorts. "You ran away crying before you could see."
He earns a shove for that one. They chase each other down the trail. The end is in sight.
My feet press into softer sand once we're out of the woods. A beautiful blue lake laps lazily. The boys throw their shirts down and run in, kicking up water.
Ben pulls off his shirt, and I'm stuck where I stand. His chest is practically cut from stone, and his arms are unreal. He catches me staring.
"You're not getting in?"
"Right."
I remove my clothes, standing now in a red swimsuit. If I impress him, he doesn't let on with more than a smile.
"The best way in is to jump." He points to the huge tree beside the water. From its bushy branch hangs a thick rope with knots.
Ben climbs first, grabbing hold to the rope. He jumps down, swinging high into the air before letting go and splashing beside the twins. They try to escape the cannonball, but it's no use. He emerges from the water and wipes his face. I'm cheered on to go next.
It's been a while since I've climbed a tree. Still, I step on a notch and push myself up the trunk, grabbing hold to a branch. I rethink my decision once I see the view.
"I can't!"
"It's not scary once you do it the first time," one twin says.
"Shut up! If my girl doesn't want to jump, she doesn't have to." Jaden splashes his brother.
"You're going to let a ten year old call you out?" Ben smirks.
They laugh.
"Sure am."
"Fair enough. But you should climb down before the bees get you."
I roll my eyes.
"Okay." He shrugs.
"He's right," Jaylen says, warning me. "They don't mess with you if you jump fast."
Just as I'm about to climb down, a bug zooms near my face. I scream and swing off the rope. The wind lifts my curls as I plunge into the cool water. The sun warms my crown and arms when I emerge. My hair's heavy and plastered to my back.
I try to keep my cool. "What if I was allergic to bees?"
They laugh.
Ben swims to me. "There are no bees, Rose."
"Then, what did I see?"
"Probably a firefly." He comes so close that his panting tickles my skin. I shiver from his touch when he tucks away a curl. "You okay?"
His low voice pricks my ears. I nod.
"Watch this, Ben!" One twin swings from the rope.
"That's almost as good as mine!" Ben's voice travels.
We swim further. My hair fans out on the water as I follow behind him. I almost slam into his glistening back when he halts. Light reflects from the water trickling down his tight muscles.
"You're a good swimmer," I say when he catches me eyeing him like a cool glass of tea on a hot day.
We bob to stay afloat.
He chuckles. "You're funny, Rose."
"How am I funny?"
"You're so bad at flirting. It's cute though."
My cheeks burn. "That's an unusual way to compliment someone."
"Most girls would've tried to start a chicken fight for an excuse to wrap their legs around me. But not you."
I can't think of anything to say.
"I'd like to see you more. I won't lie, you've been on my mind."
He's too direct. It's catching me off guard.
"You've never done this before, have you?"
I want to sink to the bottom of the lake. Am I that obvious?
"No, but I bet you've done this a hundred times."
"Only a few," he says, honestly. "It never felt like this, though."
"And what does this feel like?" I surprise myself.
A twin runs into the water, screaming as his brother chases behind. "Help me!"
Ben lets him ride his back for protection. He hangs on for dear life.
"Don't worry, Jaylen. I've got you."
"You think I'm scared of Ben? I can take both of you!"
I'm happy for the distraction. "Let's get them," I say, helping to splash the two.
Jaden cackles. "I think your girl's on my side."
Ben tosses him into the air. His screams end once he's submerged.
"You're outnumbered." Ben smirks.
I avenge my teammate by pounding them with more water. I screech when my waist is grabbed, and Ben tosses me into the air.
The war lasts for an hour. It consists of false truces, and hitting the other when they least expect it. I've jumped from the rope too many times to count, running away from Ben and Jaylen.
Ben and I take a lunch break while the boys swim. He passes me the sandwich that his grandma packed.
"This tastes so good," I say, moaning after the first bite. "That or I'm really hungry."
"She's good." He leans on his palms, silently watching me. "What are we doing here, Rose?"
I'm not sure how to answer. "You tell me."
He smiles. "Okay. I think we're playing it cool, but I want this to go somewhere. What do you want?"
My heart thuds, and my voice is small. "I want to give this a try, too."
"Okay, okay! I'll go out with you."
I laugh, kicking my feet giddily. I've never felt so bold.
He can't quit smiling. "So, we're going steady?"
I bite my lip. "Yes, Ben."
He praises his own charm and game. His cousins run up dripping wet, and rummage through the bag for their snacks. They groan when they realize there's nothing to drink.
"It's time to head back anyway, before it gets dark. They should be done grilling by now," Ben says.
We pack our things and throw our clothes on over our suits. The twins are stuck with their soaked pants until they can change. The path back feels like an exercise now that my clothes weigh a pound of water.
When we're almost to the backyard, the boys take off in their usual banter, leaving us behind. The quiet and privacy of the forest amplifies.
Ben takes my hand. "We don't have to go back just yet." He steps closer, reading me carefully.
I lift my head, ever so slightly. Just enough to approve.
Warm lips plant tender kisses on my forehead, tickling down to my cheek. Our lips meet.
Our embrace lasts for a sweet moment. There's still a fire in his eyes when we meet his family.
They grilled chicken, salmon, burgers, turkey wings, and too many vegetables to name. For the sides they made potato salad, rice, and beans.
We play cards on the tables outside, and his family keeps adding food to my plate. I learn that there's no such thing as being full with them.
Nighttime falls and fireflies flicker around, dancing in the dark. They play old music, and remind each other of stories from childhood.
It's nice to see everyone enjoying themselves, especially Ben. He's happily consumed by his family, and every now and then I catch his eyes being consumed by me too.