Page 52 of Torn

“A pond?” I exclaim. “You did this?”

We walk over to it and I’m shocked again when I see three koi swimming in the clear water that’s being circulated by a small waterfall.

“Yeah, Tanner helped, though. We watched about fifty YouTube videos. It took a few days just to do the pond but it cameout pretty cool. We used rock from the river down in the woods. Tanner power-washed everything; then we arranged it all in here. It’s almost three feet deep.”

“Are you kidding? This is amazing.”

“Thanks. The dog keeps trying to stick his head in it, but I think he’ll get bored of it. Tristan gave me some training tips to work with him.”

“Tor, it’s all beautiful. My dad’s going to be jealous of this, though,” I tease. “This is kinda better than his water fountain. I mean, there’sfish.”

He winks at me. “We won’t tell him.”

“Can we sit?” I ask. “I want to watch the fish swim around. They’re so pretty and peaceful looking.”

“Sure. I haven’t sat back here at all, actually. Just been busy working on it but not really enjoying it yet.”

“Then it’s time you did.”

We sit on the bench together and he stretches his long legs out, proudly looks around his beautiful new yard.

“It’s seriously amazing, Tor. So much better than just all that boring grass you had before. The fence is a good idea.”

“Yeah, I was afraid the dog would wander off and get lost again.” He stares around the yard some more. “I really like it. It feels more like home now, ya know? I should have done this years ago.”

“I think so, too. I love everything you did. This is what I want when I have my own house someday. I could sit back here all day.”

We share a smile and my heart dances. I’ve missed him and our talks, and now as my eyes discreetly take in his muscular jean-clad legs, flashbacks of my dream make my heart beat even faster. I wonder if he’s thought about me differently at all, like I’ve been thinking about him.

“How have you been feeling?” he asks.

“Huh?”

“You were sick. And had four teeth ripped out of your head. Your dad said you were in a lot of pain.”

“Oh. Yeah, it hurt a lot afterward. My face got all swollen and I looked like a chipmunk.”

He laughs. “Aww… I’m sure you looked adorable.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I was all bruised, too.”

“It’s better now, though, right?”

Yes. It’s much better because you just pretty much called me adorable.

“Yeah. I can open my mouth all the way now.” I demonstrate by opening my mouth wide and snapping it closed several times.

“Please don’t do that.” He sits forward and leans his elbows on his knees.

“Okay…”Hmm.Is it possible hehasbeen thinking about me?

He clears his throat and points over to the fountain. “Did you see that? I left a surprise there for you.”

I follow his finger to a small painted glass mason jar on the edge of the pond that’s filled with pennies.

“Hey,” I say excitedly. “Is that for our wishes?”

“Of course. I don’t sit here and make wishes alone.”