His lips are there and I’m willing. So much so, I almost take it upon myself. Instead, he takes my hand in his, heads away from the yards we just raked and towards the row of strip malls. Darn. I really thought he’d kiss me. I push the disappointment aside and try to figure out where he’s bringing me next. In a way it’s fun to imagine how Dean spends his time. Raking isn’t exactly fun, but doing it together was. I’ve never had a leaf fight before. I can’t even remember the last time I laughed that hard. With Dean it’s easy to be myself. There are no predetermined expectations and he doesn’t look at me as just the smart girl. Dean comes to a stop. A Laundromat? “We’re here.” I look at him. “After I get some cash I come and wash my clothes.” He must be the cleanest homeless person. He’s cleaner than most guys I go to school with.
