When I returned to school, Alicia stopped me between first and second periods, catching me at my locker. When I closed the door and turned to find her...standing there, she was staring me in the eyes, a slight smile on her face.“I don’t know how, and I don’t care, but thank you, Hank.” She said softly, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. With that done, she turned and walked away, leaving a trail of silence in her wake. People were staring at me like I had just sprouted a second nose or. We'd both turn sixteen the following July which was kinda cool, I guess. At least we'd get our licenses and be able to drive. Maybe we'd even get cars, except I wasn't holding my breath or anything. My mom could be kind of stingy since it was just me and her and she didn't have a really great job or anything. We weren't starving or whatever, but you know.Josh might get a car though. His dad worked for Boeing and his step-mom volunteered at the public library, reading books to little kids. They. Alissa obligedthe young man, I was a little miffed that she gavehim her number, as he could call whenever he liked.It would have been better for Alissa to just keep hisnumber, so she could toss it out later. I wasn’treally in any position to object as our new friendwas under the impression that I was gay.Despite that we were having a great time. I evenmanaged to take a few pictures of the three of uspartying. I got more than a few shots of Alissa andAuger together. Alissa even took a few. “Now you seem nervous and little tears are running down the sides of your face,” Dan said, brushing away the path of her drops.“Right now I’m so emotional, such a bundle of nerves.” She looked directly into his eyes. “Daniel my love, I’ve waited twenty-two years and three kids to finally be able to tell you this to your face,” she began.Dan’s eyes darted across her beautiful face, smiling, wondering what she had to say. She caressed his left cheek and kissed him lightly.“Daniel my love, I’m.