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She's a keeper

"You know you are in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." Dr. Seuss

My family had left a while ago, and they left behind a guilty conscious in my mind. I had been sitting in the same position at the door with the letter still clutched in my hand, wondering what I was going to do. I guessed that I should stick to what I would always do. Not go to the family reunion. But then I thought about dad. He was sick, and I knew that this conscious would only nag me more and more as they days go by. And once he's gone...

I violently threw the letter away from me. Stupid conscious! Stupid family! I got up and stripped myself of my clothes before taking a cold shower, hoping for it to numb these thoughts. But as I closed my eyes I remembered the times I had with my family. Before I became who I am now. With a snarl I punched the walls of the shower, leaving a dent.

"Damn it..."

I had gone out for fresh air to clear my mind, and settled down onto one of the benches in Middleton Park, listening to the kids play and their parents gossiping. I had so much going on in my life that was putting so much stress on me. First there's Kimmie and her kisses. I chuckled softly at the thought. The girl was getting bold and careless as the years go by. She was kissing her arch nemesis for God's sake! Well, not really kissing more like pecks on the cheek. But the last time I had sorta...kinda...cross the line a bit. But hey, dancing on that line is fun, and I'm a girl known for taking risks.

Throwing flirts and careless pecks on the Kimmie's cheek wasn't what was bothering me the most. It was my family of course. I still hadn't come up with a decision on whether or not to go. I didn't want to go because it would be awkward showing up after five years. Another thing was that some of my family members didn't appreciate me becoming what I've become, done what I've done. They expected something better from me. Like they always had.

I sighed and bent my neck back, staring up at the sky and slow, passing clouds. I just wanted to forget all my probelms at this moment. Forget who I really am and what I really do for a living. Sure I love my life being a criminal, but sometimes I just wish I weren't...me.

Someone had settled on the bench next to me, and I almost let out a growl of annoyance. I tried to ignore the person, but he cleared his throat and spoke.

"Beautiful day, ain't it?"

I blinked. "Arty?"

Arthur smiled at me when I looked at him. "Afternoon, Glare," he said, tipping his fedora. "Enjoying the outdoors... or fishing?"

I scoffed at his joke about 'fishing.' What he meant by fishing was another thing for picking up girls.

"Must you always associate me with picking up girls all the time?" I asked with a smirk.

He shrugged with a smile of his own. "What? Me and you are alike. What else could you be doing?"

I looked about the park that was filled with kids running around in the open or on the swings or slides. Joggers jogging about their usual routine, and moms sitting on benches chatting with other moms.

"I don't really think that the park is some place where I can actually pick up a girl, Arty."

"You never know..."

I shook my head and leaned back. "I'm clearing my mind."

He formed his lips in an O. "Her?" he asked, referring to Kimmie when I told him I almost kissed her.

I nodded my head in confirmation. "Her," then I hesitated before adding, "and my family."

He sat up straight and looked at me with full attention. He was a man with ready ears and wise words. The man I could always look forward to.

"Tell me everything, and leave nothing out."

I told him about how I couldn't get Kimmie out of my mind, and how my family had visited me earlier. How I felt about everything and everyone. What I did, how I acted, and what I think I should have done. I've never been open to anyone like this before, and it felt so good to get it out now.

"What do you think I should do?" I asked him, then let out a careless, lazy, and loose laugh. "Because I am out of ideas."

He seemed to be processing everything I had told him, maybe choosing his words carefully. "I think you should trust your instincts about what to do about your family."

I was about to say something sarcastic like, "Boy Arty! That was the best advice you've ever given me!" but he had continued before I could.

"Do you, honestly, miss your family? Even just a bit?"

I thought for a while before answering. I wasn't entirely sure. I kinda missed them, but then again I didn't. My life was so much more fun and better without them, but there were also times when I did have fun with them. But I certainly didn't miss my brothers.

"I guess," I mumbled.

"And your father?"

I hesitated even though I knew the answer. "Yes."

He got up and I looked up at him. "I don't know what to tell you, Glare, but to tell you you should go see your family. Who knows, and God forbid, it might be your last time meeting your father."

He tipped his hat one last time before walking away with his hands deep in his pockets as he whistled a tune. Then I remembered something else. I stood up abruptly and asked him aloud.

"What about Kimmie?"

He turned half way at me and winked. "She's a keeper."