DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG?

Summer nights, well one Summer night took you away from me. Not far. Twenty-five miles or so. To the north, not that it matters. What matters is, you weren't there. And she was.

"Just how long are you and Amanda going to go out?" she asked me. That long Summer night. That long ago time.

"Just until you'll go out with me," I blurted it out.

"What's stopping us now?" was her equally blunt response.

"Let's go for a walk," I offered.

"People will talk," she countered.

"Let them." I was building my courage.

The boat dock was brand new. There were only a handful of boats, mostly ski boats, in the area. One pontoon, used only sporadically by the son of a local physician. We sat on the edge facing the water with our backs to the crowd. We were far enough away that we would have had to have been followed for anyone to see. It was as secluded as we could be.

"Do you ever read the stars?" I asked.

"Read the stars?"

"Yeah, like reading tea leaves. or palms, or tarot cards?" I continued.

"I'm sure you're going to tell me."

My confidence took a hit with her last comment.

"No, I can't do it. I thought maybe you could," I panicked.

"Nope. You're kinda stupid," she correctly surmised.

You see, Amanda and I were perfect for each other after all.

Hope you have a good April Fool's Day.