It All Started With An Apple

Chapter 13

He continued to talk, followed by the mini “commercials” that the station contained.  Of course they weren’t actually commercials.  The station was completely listener-supported.  No annoying commercials you get on those other stations allowed—thank goodness.

I clapped, squealing excitedly as the next song came on.  This song was not only totally amazing, totally awesome, but it was my happy song!  Whenever I was down the song would always play.  Every.  Single.  Time.  It was times like those when I knew that God was actually listening.

“I’m not about to give up because I heard you say, ‘There’s gonna be brighter days.  There’s gonna be brighter days.’”  I bounced up and down in my seat, shouting, “Turn it up, turn it up!”

Dannon glanced at me, a smile idling on his face.  All signs of inner turmoil were gone.  I turned, grinning at Kyla, who simply rolled her eyes, not even close to as enthusiastic about this amazing song as I was.  As I said before, she’s not a very religious person—so she doesn’t know half of the songs on this station.

As the song continued, I couldn’t help but notice how considerably Dannon’s mood lifted.  I couldn’t help but smile as it dawned on me that the song wasn’t for me today.

It was for Dannon. 

| It ♥ All ♥ Started ♥ With ♥ An ♥ Apple |

“Home sweet home!” Kyla exclaimed as we turned onto my street.  I grinned, shaking my head.  The excitement she had for a house that wasn’t hers was quite amusing.  Though, I had to admit, I was pretty damn happy to get out of the car as well.

I shook Dannon, who’d fallen asleep over an hour ago, one the shoulder as gently as I possibly could.  I wondered if he ever made it through a car ride without falling asleep.  I doubted it.  “Dannon,” I muttered, becoming extremely annoyed that he wasn’t awake yet.  “Wake up!”

He remained motionless.  A few stray hairs fell into his face.  I resisted the urge to push them gingerly away, like they did in the movies.  What could I say?  Stray hairs annoyed me.  “Dannon!” I whined, irritated that his eyes weren’t opening.  I pushed him harder—in vain of course.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dannon’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled blearily, stretching out his arms.  “We home yet?” he murmured, his voice a whisper.

“Yeah,” I replied shortly, scooting over toward the door Kyla’d left open.  “Let’s go so you can get home to your dad.  He’s probably missing you, yeah?"

Dannon paused for a moment, realization slowly filling his expression.  Then he smiled, a real wide one, as though excited by the prospect of returning to his dad.  There was something about the relationship that he had with his dad that I couldn’t put my finger on.  Even though I hadn’t met his dad, and probably never would, he seemed to respect Dannon in a way that no parent I’d ever met did.  It was pretty cool.  “Oh yeah,” Dannon murmured.  “I should probably just pack and go.”

I smiled slightly, ignoring the small disappointment sprouting at his words.  What was I expecting?  For him to stay all day?  He wasn’t even supposed to be here today.  “Okay,” I replied, hopping out of the car and shutting the door behind me.  I decided to be nice and wait for Dannon to get out of the car.  Unlike my family, who decided to ditch the girl trying to awaken the unconscious boy, I would stay!  Brownie points with my mom?  I think yes.

Dannon emerged from the other side of the car, shutting the door so softly that for a moment I thought it didn’t close tightly.  Apparently it did because Dannon trotted towards me, his hands in his pockets, thumbs hanging out the sides.