Campus Corner (Open)

[CarnivalBarker]

I yawn and pat your butt. "Let's go to bed."

 

[celestialdragon]

"Mmmkay," I say with a huge yawn of my own.

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"What do you think about Christmas in New York?" I ask, a few weeks later. Your hand has healed nicely, and we are waiting at the clinic for your stitches to finally be removed.

 

[celestialdragon]

"Really?" I ask excitedly. "New York? The Rockefeller center all decked out? Swavorski display? All of that?"

 

[CarnivalBarker]

My smile gets wide, as I take in your regression to being an excited 9 year old. "If you don't want to, we can just drive to Omaha or something. I'm sure they have some neat.....ice."

 

[celestialdragon]

I playfully hit you with my good hand. "No, I wanna go to New York!"

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"It is really, ok, baby," I keep on. "If Omaha is what you really want, just tell me. I won't be offended."

 

[celestialdragon]

"New York!!" I say, pouting. "I don't WANNA go to Omaha! I want to go to New York!!"

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"Well, think about it. I'm sure you can make up your mind."

 

[celestialdragon]

I roll my eyes and laugh.

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"We all have tickets for the week before Christmas, if you decide on New York. We booked them yesterday." I smile.

 

[celestialdragon]

I squeal happily and hug you. "Thank you thank you thank you!!" I squeal.

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"Ok. I have to tell you something though."

 

[celestialdragon]

"What, baby?" I ask.

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"Don and Stace are going, but so are Riley and that Kameron guy she's been dating," I tell you. "She was there when Don and I talked about it, and she wanted to go too."

 

[celestialdragon]

"That's fine, baby," I tell you with a smile. "Riley and I are getting along very well, and so is Stacy and Riley!"

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"Well, we figured the three of you would take a girl's day while we went to see the Knicks play Boston, so that's why we agreed."

 

[celestialdragon]

I giggle and hug you. "thank you so much, baby!"

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"You're welcome," I smile. "I figure you'll make it worth the effort too," I wink.

 

[celestialdragon]

I giggle and smile. "Of course I will, baby," I say. My name is called. I stand up and bring you back with me.

 

[CarnivalBarker]

We get your stitches out and while you are glad, I can tell you are disappointed as you look at your palm with two large, pink scars running through it. The doctor tells you they will fade, but maybe not completely and maybe not for a while. "You ok?" I ask, as we walk outside to the car. "You're good as new." I try to smile for you.

 

[celestialdragon]

"More scars," I whisper sadly. "That's all they are now. . . more scars. . . ."

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"Baby, no. Do not start that," I squeeze you in my arm, wrapped around your shoulder. "You're not broken. In the least." I turn you to face me, putting my hands on your hips. "You are sharp, fun, young, beautiful, and educated. You have everything ahead of you. You've got me," I smile. "And physically? You think anyone notices those scars? They don't." I pat your butt. "I've known you for months. You think I knew you even had hands?" I ask, my eyes deliberately looking down your blouse.

 

[celestialdragon]

I give a small smile and shake my head, a little amused.

 

[CarnivalBarker]

"It's true!" I insist. "And not just for me. Or even men. Riley and Kaylee are beautiful girls. They look up to you, and they think you are pretty. They talk about it."