Willow's Struggle

Has Evan Changed?

    I was sitting on the couch in a daze when I heard a knock on the door.  Assuming it was Evan, I stood up and grabbed my purse, then went to answer it.  As soon as I opened the door, I was speechless.  It was like I was looking at a whole new Evan.  He actually had his brown hair slicked back and was wearing a black suit.  Two things I had never seen him do in the past.  In his hand was a fresh bouquet of lilies.  There was a twinkle in his dark brown eyes and a genuine smile plastered to his face.

    When he handed me the flowers, I said, "Thank you.  You know you didn't have to do that, right?"

    "I know but I wanted to," he responded.

    "They are beautiful.  Follow me," I said as I led him to the kitchen where I added them to the vase with the other lilies.

    When I turned around we were practically nose to nose and my eyes immediately widened.  He chuckled then gave me a quick peck on the cheek before he turned on his heel and walked to the front door.  I quickly followed him out the front door and locked the house.  When we got to his Red Firebird, he opened the passenger door then gestured for me to get in.  Once I was seated, he ran to his side and hopped in the driver's seat.  I almost couldn't believe my eyes.  This was not the Evan Lewis I dated in high school.  

    He made the drive in silence.  When he parked the car, I realized that he brought me to my favorite Italian restaurant.  He jumped out of the car and ran over to my side.  He quickly opened my door then held his hand out for me to take.  I accepted his hand then he helped me out of the car.  When I tried to let go of his hand, he just held it a little tighter as he smiled at me.

    I let him lead me into the restaurant where he informed the hostess of our reservation, then she led us to our table.  He pulled a chair out for me before sitting down on the other chair.  A short, black haired waitress immediately greeted us and asked for our drink order.  "I'll just have water," I quickly said.  

    "I'll have the same," Evan replied.

    As I pretended to look over the menu Evan asked, "What do you recommend?"

    "My favorite is the baked ziti, but the lasagna and the fettuccini alfredo are also delicious," I answered nonchalantly.

    "Good to know," he said as he continued to look at the menu.

    A few minutes later the waitress returned with our drinks.  After she set them down, she asked, "Are you folks ready to order?"

    "I am ready if you are," I said as I looked directly at Evan.

    "Yes, I will have the fettuccini alfredo," Evan replied.

    "And for you dear?" asked the waitress as she turned to me.

    "I would like the baked ziti, please," I responded.

    "Alright, I will get that out to you as soon as it is ready," the waitress said then scurried away.

    "You have another gig at the café this Friday?" Evan asked out of nowhere.

    "Yes, why?" I asked.

    "Would you mind if I come and watch again?" he asked hesitantly.

    "Of course I don't mind, so long as you aren't acting like an ass," I replied nonchalantly.

    He chuckled at my response, then said, "No worries, kitten.  I will be on my best behavior always."

    A silence fell over us for a few minutes, then our food arrived.  He took a bite of his alfredo, then said, "You weren't kidding.  This is delicious."  I smiled, then began eating my baked ziti.  It was amazing as always.  When we were finished eating, he asked, "Would you like dessert."

    "I am full, but you are welcome to order yourself some if you want," I replied.

    "No thank you.  I am full as well," he said as he patted his belly and chuckled.

    "Okay, so what are we doing next?" I asked.

    "That's a surprise that you will have to wait for," he responded as he waved the waitress over.  He quickly paid our bill, then took my hand and led us back to his car.  After opening my door for me again, he hopped back into the driver's seat.  He drove for about fifteen minutes, then pulled into the parking lot of a park.  After helping me out of the car, he led me to a bench sitting in front of a pond.  

    He sat down on the bench then patted beside him.  After I sat down beside him, he draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him.  At first, I tensed up, but after a second I let myself relax against his side.  It was a nice evening, as we sat there and watched the ducks swimming in the pond.  I couldn't remember ever going to a park with Evan when we dated, so this was also something new with him.  It wasn't long before the sun began to set giving them an array of colors to admire in the sky.  

    After a while, I asked, "Why didn't we ever do this when we were dating?"

    "I wasn't the same person back then.  I was young, dumb and naïve.  It was all about the next girl I was going to f**k back then, but now I don't think like that anymore," he responded.  I accepted his answer and left it at that.  A few minutes later, he asked, "Would you like to come here with me more often?"

    "If you are going to keep acting like a gentleman, then yes, I would love to come here again with you," I responded, emphasizing the you.  I was enjoying spending time with this Evan.  

    When the sun was finished setting, he led me back to his car and drove me home.  He walked me up to my front door.  When I turned to face him, he said, "Thanks, for letting me take you out."

    "You're welcome and thank you for an enjoyable evening," I responded.

    He leaned forward and gave me a quick peck on my lips then said, "I guess I will see you around."

    "Bye Evan," I replied.

    "Bye kitten," he said as he turned on his heel and walked back to his car.  After I got in the house and closed the door, I heard him drive away.

    When I turned around, I saw my mom sitting on the couch, flashing me a silly smirk.  "Have fun?" she asked.

    I went to sit by her as I said, "Actually, I did have fun.  It was nice, he took me out for Italian, then he took me to a park and we sat on a bench and watched the sunset.  He didn't try to do anything that he shouldn't, and he acted like a total gentleman.  He is acting like the complete opposite of the Evan I dated last year.  I am not sure what to think about it right now to be honest."

    "Just give it time, sweetie.  Don't rush into anything serious and just have fun for now until you have had time to see that he has actually changed," she advised.

    "Yea, I think that is what I will do," I replied thoughtfully.  "Thanks momma, you always give me the best advice," I said as I hugged her, before I headed to my bedroom.  I kicked off my flip flops then dropped backwards onto my bed.  I laid there staring at the ceiling thinking about the events of the evening until I heard my cellphone ping.  I dug it out of my purse and unlocked the screen.  There was a message from Skylar, so I opened the message.

Skylar:    How was the date?

Willow:    surprisingly good

Skylar:    What did you do?

Willow:    Italian for dinner, then sat at a park and watched the sunset

Skylar:    Ah that sounds sweet

Willow:    It was nice

Skylar:    Do you think he's actually changed

Willow:    maybe, we will have to wait and see

Skylar:    true, well I am off to bed goodnight

Willow:    goodnight

    I set my phone down on my night stand then changed into some pajamas.  I have to work tomorrow so I do need to get to bed.  I turned my light off and laid down.  I quickly drifted off to sleep.

    When I got to work the next morning, Skylar and Savannah were both already there.  Skylar was taking an order and Savannah was making coffee orders.  I walked to the office and set my purse down.  I grabbed my apron and tied it around my waist.  I added all of the necessary items to my apron then walked back to where Savannah was making coffee.  "Where do you need me today?" I asked.

    "Good morning, you will be covering section c today," she replied.

    "Got ya," I said then headed to my section of tables.  When I got there I spotted Skylar seating a couple.  I immediately greeted them and got their drink order.  Once Savannah had their coffee's made, I returned with the drinks and got their food order.  After their meals were cooked and plated, I served the food to them.  It was a typical day at the café.  Not too slow yet not too busy either.  I made a decent amount of tips and Savannah paid me for my gig last Friday.  

    When my shift was over, Savannah pulled me into her office and asked, "Are you sure you are good with performing every Friday night?"

    "Hell yea, for the time being at least, and we could try to find a few other acts in case I need a Friday night off," I happily exclaimed.

    "Okay dear, I just wanted to make sure," she said as she gave me a quick hug.    

    "No worries, Savannah.  I will see you tomorrow," I exclaimed as I left her office.

    When I got home, Evan was sitting on my porch swing with a little paper bag sitting beside him.  Instead of going inside, I walked over to the porch swing and sat down beside him.  He picked up the paper bag and handed it to me.  When I opened the bag, it was full of different chocolate candies.  After I closed the bag, I scooted closer to him and laid my head on his shoulder.  "Thank you," I said as he gently swung us.

    'You're welcome, kitten," he said then kissed my forehead.  We sat there in silence then he said, "This is nice."

    I let out a little sigh, then replied, "Yes it is.  Please don't disappoint me again."

    He gently grabbed my chin and lifted my head so that he could look in my eyes, as he said, "I do not intend to ever disappoint you again."

    "Good," I said then pecked his lips.

    His lips curved into a goofy grin as he laid his head back and stared off into the distance.  I did the same as we sat there in a comfortable silence for a while longer.  When my mom pulled into the driveway, he chuckled then said, "I guess I should probably be heading home now."

    "Okay, I'll see you around," I said nonchalantly.

    "I'll give you a call later," he said as he winked, then he left.  

    I waited for mom, then followed her into the house.  After she set her briefcase down, she said, "You two looked awful cozy out there."

    I instantly blushed, then responded, "Yep, we were having a nice moment.  He is being almost ridiculously sweet."

    "Hum...I think he is in love," she cooed jokingly.

    I scoffed, then said, "I'll believe it when I see and hear it."

    "Keep on denying it if you want sweetie," she teased.    

    I laughed and threw my hands up in surrender.  I followed my mom to the kitchen, then together we made some spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner.  While we ate mom talked about her day at work.  She is a secretary at a law firm.  She seems to like it most days, but sometimes a difficult client will come in and get her aggravated.  

    After dinner I went to my room and pulled out some pajamas.  I walked into my bathroom and took a quick shower.  Once I was dressed, I grabbed my sketchbook and tinkered with the drawing of the dress.  When I was done with that, I put it away and grabbed my cellphone.  As soon as I sat down on my bed, it started ringing in my hand.  Right away I noticed it was Evan and answered it, "Hello?"

    "Hey kitten," I heard him say on the other end.

    "Hey you," I replied.

    "What are you doing right now?" he asked.

    "Getting ready for bed, you should have called sooner," I deadpanned.

    "I'm sorry, kitten.  I can talk to you tomorrow," he said guiltily.

    I laughed then said, "Calm down, silly, I was just f*****g with you."

    He scoffed then said, "That's not very nice kitten.  Don't make me have to punish you."

    "Oh and how do you plan on doing that?" I asked curiously.

    "Keep it up and you will find out," he replied jokingly.

    "Okay, down boy.  But no seriously, I do need to get to bed.  I have to be at work early again tomorrow," I explained.

    "Have a good day at work tomorrow.  I will see you when you get home," he said then hung up before I could respond. 

    I scoffed at his abrupt hang up, then set my cellphone down on the table beside my bed.  I turned the light off then drifted off to sleep while thinking about the possibility of Evan having actually changed..