"Boys are just . . boys!" I cried and got up. I
tried running down the sandhill, but sand has a way of
giving and I know I looked clumsy and foolish, nearly
losing my balance as I hurried back to the house. All that day I found myself bursting into tears
for no apparent reason or warning. I tried to hide my
face and spent most of my time alone in my room
under the guise of studying for finals. The truth was
my eyes just floated over the pages of my notes, my
mind not grasping any of the lessons. Robert called,
but I kept our conversation short and I heard the
unhappiness in his voice when I ended the call. I returned to my room and my mind once again
returned to the night before.
Why? I demanded of my annoying conscience,
why should I feel any guilt? I love Robert and I
believe he loves me. What we did all people who are
in love do.
But other people wait until the proper time,
until they are blessed and until they swear their love
and loyalty before God in a church, my conscience, in
Daddy's voice, replied.
No. I shook my head. Love is what's holy, not
words pronounced by a priest. Love, pure and simple. Is it love? Can you be so sure, so positive? Will
you be in love like this next year? Will Robert? Yes, yes, yes, I shouted in my thoughts. Suddenly there was a gentle knock on my door.
I quickly wiped away my tears with the back of my
hand.
"Who is it?"
Cary opened the door and leaned in.
"Laura, if Ive done anything or said anything
to hurt your feelings today, I'm sorry," he said. "I just
wanted you to know that before you went to sleep." "You didn't," I said. "But thanks."