Forget Me (Hampton Harbor) by Jess Petosa Read Free Book Online

Even now I feel the tips of their wings fluttering.
    For a moment I watch him, with the breeze blowing his hair back from
his face. I walk forward until I reach his side, looking out over the water
with him. The sea breeze picks up my hair and blows it behind me.
    "It's beautiful here," I say. Not to Will in particular,
I am just sharing a thought I think several times a day.
    "I've lived here my whole life," Will responds.
"And I never stop thinking that."
    He turns to face me and I keep my eyes on the water. The
butterflies are restless, and I know that he is looking me over. An uneasy
feeling moves over me, and I freeze. I can't turn and walk away now. I need to
face this head on, and I need to do it with a confidence that shows that I want
to be here.
    My eyes finally find his. "So since you’ve already picked out
what I’m buying you for dessert, does that mean I get to pick what you are
buying me for dinner?"
    Will smiles. "That depends. What are you picking?"
    I feign deep thought, using one finger to tap my chin. I've tried
several types of food since my accident, and none stick out in my mind. There
is one food that pops into my head, one I haven't eaten here, but at the
moment, it sounds good.
    "I could really use some cheese ravioli," I finally say.
    Will's face lights up and he offers me his arm. "I have that
one covered."

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Will walks me to a small Italian restaurant. There is a red neon sign hanging
over the door that reads Amore Della Baia ,
and a pretty hostess greets us in the entryway. 
    "Hey Will," she says. "Do you want your usual
table?"
    He nods and the hostess leads us to a booth in the back corner.
The walls are all exposed brick, and there are fake grape vines hanging from
the ceiling. The room is lit by large bulbs on wire strung
across the room, and each table has a small lantern attached to the
wall. Faint Italian music plays in the background.
    "Best cheese ravioli in the state." He points to a small
blurb in the menu.
    "I feel like you’re cheating on the Grace Cafe," I say
as I slip into one side of the booth. "And here I thought we were the only
restaurant you frequented."
    "I like to share the love," he responds.
    He sits across from me, his forearms on the table and his hands
clasped together. 
    "So tell me about yourself, William Davey." I decide to
beat him to the first date question and answer period. Marie and I talked about
this while I was getting ready, and we came up with some vague answers that I
can give to popular questions. I’m afraid that I might slip and tell my secret,
or feel guilted into telling, so I decide to put the spotlight on him.
    "What do you want to know?" He splays his hands across
the table.
    "Everything," I say playfully. "Favorite color,
favorite movie, favorite cereal, where did you go to school, what exactly do
you do at the boating company?"
    Will laughs and holds his hands up in surrender. "You really
do want to know everything . At this
rate we'll close the place down."
    A waitress stops by our table before Will can continue. 
    "Hey Will," she says. "The usual?"
    "Two of the usual please." He motions to me but the
waitress barely acknowledges my presence. She turns and disappears into the
kitchen.
    Will sets his chin on one fist. "Red, Tommy Boy, and Lucky
Charms, to start. I think it is only fair if we go back and forth here."
    I can handle that. "Green, I don't have a favorite, and Honey
Nut Cheerios."
    The color of the bay in
the morning. I haven't watched a movie since my accident. Honey Nut Cheerios is
the only cereal in Charles and Marie's kitchen.
    "You don't have a favorite movie? Clearly you've never
watched Tommy Boy."
    I shake my head. "Doesn't ring a bell."
    Will's mouth pops open and I know that he is exaggerating the
expression. "I know what we are doing for our second date."
    "That's a little presumptuous," I say. "Besides,
date two is me buying you  ice cream."
    "Fine, date three," he responds. He doesn't give me