Free Our Love by Sheena Binkley Page B

she said in a breathless tone.
    "Hey. Did I catch you at a bad time?"
    "No. Just finished taking a shower."
    As soon as she said the word shower, I started to imagine water dripping off of Charlie's beautiful body. I must have been imagining for a long time, because I could hear Charlie on the other end wondering if I was still there.
    "Is something wrong, Michael?"
    "No, nothing wrong. I was just calling to see how everything went with your parents."
    "Don't ask. Of course they were furious. They were wondering who you were and what we were doing in the park after hours."
    "Sorry Char. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."
    "It's okay. I'll live and they'll get over it. It not the first time I've done something my parents disapproved of."
    Just hearing that made me wonders what other stuff Charlie had done to make her parents upset. I guess I'll find out eventually.
    "What about your parents? Did they go ballistic like mine did?"
    "No. In fact, they're not here. They won't be back until tomorrow morning."
    "Oh. Well at least you didn't have to listen to them dictate you."
    I sighed. I never heard my parents dictate me. They were never at home to punish me. I guess that's why some of my friends wished they had parents like mine, because they're never around. But for me, it's different, because I wished my parents were around to punish me or to get upset with me if I've done something wrong. At least I would know they cared about me.
    "Just be thankful that your parents were upset. It shows that they care about you."
    "You right, I guess. I just wish they would leave me alone sometimes. It seems like I'm this helpless little girl that needs her parents' decisions on everything in my life. I just wish they would let me grow up."
    "I understand Charlie. But sometimes, it good to have parents that try to look out for you. Trust me, you will thank them in the future."
    Charlie laughed through the phone.
    "Yeah, I guess. I better go. I'm really not supposed to be on the phone, but I'm glad you called."
    "No problem. Besides, I was concerned about you."
    I could tell Charlie was smiling through the phone.
    "I'm glad you were. I'll see you tomorrow, Michael."
    "We still on for tomorrow night?"
    "Of course. I wouldn't miss it," Charlie said.
    "Good night, Miss Perry."
    "Good night, Mr. Collier."
    When I hung up the phone, I put my hands behind the back of my head and sighed. I didn't know where Charlie and me were heading, but I hoped it was toward something good. Something that could last forever.
    ~
    It was the next day,and it was homecoming. While I was heading out the door, my parents were came in looking tired and drunk. Leave it to my parents to make a grand entrance. I looked at my watch and noticed it was 9:30. The game started at 11a.m., so hopefully my parents would be sober by then.
    "Must have been a good party last night," I said in a dull tone.
    "Yes it was. How was your night last night?" My mom asked. She walked into the kitchen, almost tripping over the bar stool near the wet bar. My dad walked in also, about ready to pass out on the kitchen counter.
    "It was good. Listen, I have to go. Are you two still coming to the game?"
    "Of course sweetheart. We wouldn't miss it for the world," my mom said quietly.
    I smiled while my mom kissed my forehead. From the sound of her voice, I already knew what that meant. I knew my parents weren't coming. They were going to be too busy sleeping off their drunkenness. I turned around and headed toward the door, out to my car.
    As I arrived at Belmont, the parking lot was already packed with students, teachers, parents, and alumni, ready to cheer their Spartans on. As I got out of my car, I noticed Charlie was parking her car alongside mine. She got out looking more beautiful than ever, wearing her cheerleading outfit. Two other girls, whom I assumed were Eva and Ashley, got out of the car as well, and started to look around the campus. Charlie went over to me and wrapped her