Chapter Thirteen

Mrs. Walson finished drying the last of the dishes that Elowen washed. Today her eldest daughter turned fifteen. She's the second one to age this year along with her siblings. Henry would turn twelve in November and spencer turned ten in April. Those two always had big birthdays. Went out with their friends or celebrated here at home. Expecting the same thing from Elowen, they were surprised when she asked for time for herself.

That being said, Mrs. Walson and her youngest children are going to a hotel and will have dinner along with swimming. Elowen didn't feel left out because she only looked forward to her time with Philip.

"I've left money in the envelope in case you want to go out and do something. If there are any emergencies you know you can call the highland hotel. Their number is in the phone book."

She dried her hands then gave her mother a hug and a kiss. "You'll be back tomorrow right?" Her mother nodded. "I promise I won't ruin the house."

"You better not or you'll be going to that baby shower with a black eye."

Philip impatiently held the phone as Elowen called him for the tenth time this morning. "Why are you calling me again. I said I'm on my way, Elo!" He lashed. "Trust me when I say I don't want to be here any longer than I am."

"I know. I'm just nervous. What if they come back because they forgot something. What if someone tells my mama that we was hanging out today?"

"Screw them. I gotta go. My old man's talking trash again." He hung up the phone and Elowen sighed.

Each second she was alone was another second she wanted Philip to do them both a favor and stand her up. She rolled around on her bed as the thought of the doorbell going off made her anxious. She told Philip she didn't want her mother walking in on them when in reality, she didn't want to be alone with Philip.

Ever since she "forgave" him, the only time they would meet up is in public places or when her mother was home but Elowen's door was closed. Now since they were spending the whole day together, alone, she doesn't know how he would act.

Would she say something wrong and he'd hit her again? Or would she do something sweet and he'd rage out for no reason? She never knew with Philip but she trusted Jane when she told her "just know you're better for him."

Just as she was going to write in her journal about her bothering thoughts, someone knocked on the front door. Elowen let go of the mattress and let it plop back down. She walked down the hall and stopped in the restroom to make sure her hair was still neat in its slick back ponytail. After that, she finally opened the door.

"Morning beautiful," Philip grinned as he held flowers in front of his face. Really large bouquet of them in fact. "I smelled these and they reminded me of your fragrance and soft skin."

Elowen accepted the flowers and put them on the kitchen table. Philip followed behind her and watched her set them down next to a bundle of paper made flowers that were in a vase.

"Those are a drag," he commented before sliding them out the vase to replace them with his. "Put some water in that, will you." Elowen nodded quickly and scrambled to fill the vase. "Something about here is different since the last time I came over." He stood with his hands on his hips and spun to see what was missing.

"What could have changed in four days?" Elowen asked while taking the flowers out the vase to clip the ends. "Besides the new curtains."

"New? Looks to me they've been used before." He chuckled to himself before having a seat on the couch. "Oh! It's just me and you. That's what's different."

Elowen lifted her eyebrows as he pointed that out. Something she didn't want to think too hard on. "Yeah... right. Today is such a special day." One last sniff of the flowers and she put them back on the table. "So, what do we have planned for this day."

Philip chuckled. "What's so special about to- oh! Yeah, Elo. We're going to have so much fun together it's ridiculous."

Her hands clammed up when he patted the seat next to him. Without complaining, she made her way over and snuggled under his arm. He smelled so nice that Philip almost forgetting her birthday didn't seem to phase her.

She rested her head on his chest and sighed. A feeling she's missed. A moment she wished would be silent forever.

"I wanna take you to the lake like I promised." Elowen looked up at his eyes and he beamed down at her. "So put your swimsuit on and show it to me too."

Elowen nodded while jumping to her feet so she can get to her room. Of course Philip followed behind her. He sat on her bed, watched her dig through her dresser, then pulled out the one-piece swimsuit.

"Oh bad." He frowned. "That's such a grandma thing to wear. Where is the bottom and top. I wanna see some skin." He clapped his hands which made Elowen blush. "Screw the swimsuit. Jump in naked."

"Philip! What has gotten into you?"

"You," he smirked while leaning back on her bed. "Come sit on my lap. I want to tell you something."

Elowen stood in front of her dresser a bit unsure. She knew Philip wasn't acting like himself. He looked to be as if he was on another planet and he was running his mouth saying things he usually would apologize for saying.

Despite it all, she went and sat on his lap. Legs on either side of his pelvis. He massaged her hips while staring up at her in awe. "Something about you drives me mad, Elowen. The only person I've ever told I love is my mom and Annabelle." He sat up to where his face was at level with her chest. He then hugged her. "And I love you. I love how you're forgiving and always giving chances. 'Cause I know I can change for you. And I will."

She didn't hug him back. She was scared to move or make the wrong move. Instead she allowed him to cling to her as if she was a drug he needed to take in order to live.

"We can go to the lake whenever you want to."

"Can you help me first?" He smiled at her as she looked down at the bump in his pants.

"It's cold, Philip." She dipped a toe in and her body began to shiver. Philip ripped off his shirt completely ignoring her complains as he walked by. "We're gonna freeze to death."

"It's June. The air is hot and we can warm up in seconds."

Elowen looked at the sun that shimmered off the lake and brought the birds out the trees. She then watched Philip shake out of his pants. His red and black plaid boxers were the only thing covering him. He wasted no time getting in the water, knees deep. He turned to her with a huge smile which made her melt.

"Come on, baby. I wanna get to that rock over there. We can sit on it and smush a little."

This built some courage in Elowen. She unbuttoned her orange dress and slid out her white shoes. Philip got excited when he saw her walking in the water wearing cotton white underwear and a yellow triangle bra. It was the closest thing she owned to a two piece swimsuit.

"It's still cold," she commented as she got near him.

He immediately wrapped her in his arms and guided her deeper into the water. His mouth next to her ear as he told her she'd get over it. Elowen giggled at how much his hot breath tickled. She didn't even realize the water went up to her waist until she felt the slight current pushing against her toes.

They made it to the rock and he lifted her up first before hauling himself up. "See, this view is nothing compared to you."

Elowen thought it was everything and better. The river vanishing towards the edge. The sun kissing her skin just right and her boyfriend holding her in his arms.

"I'd want to do this everyday." Elowen didn't know what she was saying. She just knew this moment right here felt like everything she's ever wanted it to be. "With you." She adjusted her head to look up at him. He then entwined their legs and pushed her head on his shoulder.

"And we can. Forget what everyone says and just tell them we're meant for each other."