Night Drive

I took her for a ride in my father's car the first time she agreed to let me see her. Her hair became the wind and the night sky as I pulled down the hood and began to drive. Her eyes reflected the light of the stars and the moon. She laughed as I have never heard any girl laugh before as we sped across the highway. Her laughter was childlike and pure and it tinkled like bells in my ears. She pressed her lips together to control herself, but it was a futile attempt for she let out that enchanting laughter once again, and suddenly the world was new to me and I was in love.

I did not want the night to end. I wanted it to go on like the endless expanse of the universe that stretched on far beyond what we could see as we looked up to stare at the stars. I wanted to keep her, her laughter and the entire moment forever.

I did not want to let her out of the car, for I knew that once she stepped out, she would be marred with the reality of life and growing older.. The hurt of a broken heart and the disappointment of things not going the way she had planned.. The bitter pain of rejection and the sleepless nights of trying to figure out how to pay the bills and what her children's breakfast would be the next day..

These things would hurt her and would take away the stars in her eyes and the bells in her laughter. They would make her eyes glassy and dazed and her heart shriveled and tired.

I kept driving for as long as I could. Sometimes I caught her falling asleep. Her head would be nestled on the thick support of the seatbelt and her lips would be slightly parted, always in a half-smile. Other times, I looked at her and she would be regaining consciousness. Her eyes would flutter open and her cheeks presumably, though I could not really tell, would flush from the embarrassment of being caught falling asleep.

I drove around the city with its bright neon lights and distinct loudness. There were noises everywhere, but the only thing I listened to was the sound of her breathing.

"Michael?"

Her voice was soft, but clear.

I turned towards her.

"It's almost eleven. Dad's expecting me home soon."

I nodded and smiled at her, and she smiled back, and it was then that I drove her home.