Again (Brandy Jeffus)

in turn looking straight at me. He smiles when we make eye contact. My heart skips a beat.
    "It's really nice to have you back, Bonnie," He gives me a quick hug, "Sweet dreams." He releases me, his smile still plastered on his face. He hugs Tatum next and she gives him a kiss on his cheek.
    "Good night Eli. See you tomorrow," she calls out. He turns around and starts to walk toward his car. I immediately go inside the house and peek out the front window. Tatum stands next to me.
    "He's still handsome," Tatum breathes.
    "I know," I agree quietly.
    "He likes you."
    I can sense her looking at me, but I stare straight ahead. Eli's car heads down the street, his brake lights bright in the dark.
    "No he doesn't, he's being friendly. Eli's always been a friendly flirt."
    "You're so dense. He's always been in love with you. He never quit, even after you left." I glance at her sideways and she rolls her eyes and heads toward her old room, carrying her bags.
    "I'm not dense, little sister. You just believe too much in fairy tales."
    Tatum turns around to face me. She raises her eyebrow and give me a funny look, "Maybe, you should start believing in them."
    I enter my old room and quickly change into a pair of pajamas. Tatum’s observations are something I’m not ready to deal with. All these old memories are not welcomed. I’ve been just fine without Eli in my life the last six years. Haven't I?
    My room hasn't changed very much. Mama kept all my old knick knacks and décor. When I left with Mick, I didn’t take very much. I look over to the bulletin board above the desk.
    The cork board has always been a scrapbook mural for all my souvenirs and pictures. There were pictures of me with Tatum, with school friends, and with church friends. Then there were, of course, pictures with Eli. In many of them we were laughing at the camera, reveling in some sort of inside joke. In some of them we were kissing. His full, heart shaped lips hungrily meeting mine, our eyes shut, lost in the power of one singular kiss.
    My favorite picture is one that had been taken by Tatum while we were at one of Eli's football games. He looks so handsome in his tight uniform. I remember always being so proud of him, so proud to be his.
    In this picture, I’m sitting beside him with my arms around his stomach. I have a smile from ear to ear that makes me look like a lovesick lunatic. Eli is looking down at me with such an adoring gaze it almost makes me weep.
    He was caught off guard and not ready for the photograph, but it showed so much into the depths of his soul and what he felt for me. When I first saw the picture I had cried. Eli asked me what was wrong and I just kissed him. The old adage, 'a picture is worth a thousand words' was never truer than it had been for that candid picture.
    I smile and reach up to grab a photo strip from the cork board. On the side in my messy handwriting was written, "B & E, 3rd anniversary." It had been taken at the mall. I was wearing my dorky glasses and in a couple of pictures Eli wore them too. One picture we were kissing. I blush. We sure did a lot of kissing back then.
    I put the picture back and climb into my old bed. Of course, that brings back memories as well since it was the bed that both Eli and I lost our virginity on. Everything in this room screams Eli. No wonder I always avoided it during visits with my mother.
    Sleep comes quickly. I am more exhausted than I realize. I dream of Eli, but I can’t grasp any details. I wake up with a start, sweat beading on my forehead.
    "Get a freaking grip, Bonnie," I whisper laying back down. Staring at the ceiling, I try to fight off thoughts about old relationships and broken hearts.
    ***
    She had skipped school today. Her mom hadn't even chided her; instead she just sighed at the sight of her oldest in pajamas during breakfast.
    She hadn't texted or talked to anyone all day, not even Eli. She felt so alone. More alone than she had ever felt before. Her heart physically ached. This was it, today made everything final. Her family as she had always known it would be forever changed.
    She took out her cell phone and dialed Eli. Talking to anyone else just felt useless. She knew Eli was at football practice right now, but she just wanted to hear his voice, even if it was going to be on his voicemail.
    It rang twice before Eli picked up, "Hey B," he sounded winded. Bonnie was surprised he even answered, that she hesitated before replying.
    "Eli? Hey I didn't think