Love Shot X Shot of Love

New house X New house

She took my interest as an invitation, sitting smoothly on the ground below her, going cross-legged as she held the small purse to her stomach. "My father told me that he would go again.”

That doesn't sound good. I can't imagine my father leaving me. Why would a girl?

"Where did he go?"I questioned with interest, quitting my duty with a stone.

He swept away the rogue tears that were trailing down his face. "He said he was in the army. And he needs to go so he can help the people. That's his job.”

"Where did he go?”

"She said abroad. And I asked my mother how far away it was from this country, and she said really far away. Like in the far ocean."He spoke quickly, his voice increasing in the field the more disappointed he became.

"How long will he be gone?"I forgot the stone completely because I made eye contact for the first time with the girl.

"Six months.”

"Whoa. It was very long.”

He sucked in a deep breath, exhaling his chest as he did. It was as if he wanted to look brave. Unfortunately his still-leaking eyes gave it. "Yes, he had been gone longer before too. Sometimes it's shorter. Sometimes he comes home for a while, and sometimes he's just home for a little.”

"My mother was a nurse. He helps people all the time. But he never leaves more than during the day."I explained, realizing my own tears had dried up due to the distressing disorder of others.

Dad said he was helping people who were far away because they didn't have people helping them there."He continued, fingers toying with Sequin on accessories.

"Hmm," I'm not sure what else to say. I don't usually talk to strangers. "I'm sorry about your father.”

"I'm sorry for having to leave home.”

Silence washed over us then. But it's not bad. In fact I feel comfortable, just sitting, in the heat of blinding, with other people dealing with the same. It woke me up, realizing that I wasn't the only one pulling short sticks today.

"What's your name?"The tightness of her voice averted my gaze to meet her red, swollen eyes.

"Zara .. or Zara ariffin.”

"Oooh, that's pretty. My name is just Maadula. My dad calls me Mac though. But my mom said it wasn't pretty. Not like your name."For the first time I saw his smile. His teeth were crookedly located in his mouth, but the way his lips bouncy was almost infectious.

I smiled without thinking. "I think I prefer Mac.”

"All right then! You'll call me Mac!"Mac seems to have taken 360. His blues are forgotten because he practically bounces up and down in his sitting position. Her joy was exhilarating, but still she must be able to share that spirit, as I felt my shoulders lighten for the first time in days watching it.

"You're going to Ave Elementary, aren't you?"He's chirps.

I nodded, folded my knees and rested my elbows on them. I checked on him because he kept.

"Do you know who your teacher is?”

"Sik Sophie I thought.”

In my answer, Mac froze. His mouth held so wide open he was sure to catch a massage. "Ohmagod! We are in the same class!”

Xxxxxxxx

That doesn't’t sound good. I can’t imagine my dad leaving me. Why would hers?

“Where is he going?” I question with interest, stopping from my task with the rock.

She wipes a rogue tear that trails down her face. “He says that he’s in the military. And he has to go away so he can help people. That’s his job.”

“Where does he go?”

“He says out of the country. And I asked my mom how far out of the country is, and she said really far. Like over the ocean far.” She speaks fast, her voice growing in pitch the more upset she becomes.

“How long will he be gone for?” I’ve forgotten the stone completely as I make eye contact for the first time with the girl.

“Six months.”

“Whoa. That’s so long.”

She sucks in a deep breath, puffing out her chest as she does. Almost as though she wishes to see brave. Unfortunate her still leaking eyes give her away. “Yeah, he’s been gone for longer before too. Sometimes shorter. Sometimes he’s come home for a while, and sometimes he’s only home for a little bit.”

“My mom’s a nurse. She helps people all the time. But she never leaves for more than during the day.” I explain, realizing my own tears have dried due to the distraction of another’s suffering.

“Dad said he helps people who are far away because they don’t have people who help them there.” She continues, fingers tinkering with the sequins on her accessory.

“Hmm,” I’m not really sure what else to say. I don’t normally talk to strangers. “I’m sorry about your dad.”

“I’m sorry you had to leave your house.”

Silence washes over us then. But it isn’t bad. In fact I feel comfortable, just sitting, in the blinding heat, with someone else who dealing with equal. It wakes me up, realizing I’m not the only one who drew the short stick today.

“What’s your name?” The queakiness of her voice turns my gaze to meet her red, puffy eyes.

“Zara.. or Zara ariffin.”.

“Oooh, that’s pretty. My name’s just Maadula. My dad calls me Mac though. But my mom says that’s not pretty. Not like your name.” For the first time I see her smile. Her teeth lay crookedly in her mouth, yet the way her lips curl up is almost infectious.

Smile back without thought. “I think I like Mac better.”

“Alright then! You shall call me Mac!” Mac sees to have taken a 360. Her blues forgotten as she practically bounces up and down in her sealed position. Her excitement is overwhelming, but still she must be able to share that enthusiasm, because I feel my shoulders lighten for the first time in days watching her.

“You’re going to Ave Elementary, right?” Chirps.

I nod, folding my knees up and resting my elbows on them. I examine her as she continues.

“Do you know who your teacher is going to be?”

“Ms. Sophie I think.”

At my response, Mac freezes. Her mouth held so wide open she’s sure to catch bugs. “Ohmagod! We’re in the same class!”