For Someone You Love~Tod Belle

For Someone You Love

I leaned down over my notebook, finally satisfied with my project. I had finally gotten it perfect. I read and reread it, looking for any mistakes I could’ve made. I laid the paper on my desk quickly when I heard knock at the door. I looked up, and then back at the paper.
“Come in.” I said, slipping the paper into my drawer. Niki came in carrying another paper plate with a grilled cheese sandwich on it. “Thanks.” I said, taking the plate from her, and placing it on my desk.
“So how’s your project coming?” She asked, leaning over my chair.
“Perfect.” I paused. “Niki, do you know where I could get a carving knife?” She gasped.
“Tod, you’re not thinking of doing what I think you are, are you?” I looked at her face, and laughed. Sometimes my sister was such a knucklehead.
“No, Niki, I can guarantee you that I am not going to do what you’re thinking I’m going to.” She looked at me with that ‘big sister’ look.
“Yeah, well, you better not. So what do you need the carving knife for then?” She asked, suspicious.
“To carve something. Gosh, Niki, you’d think that would be obvious.” She laughed and knocked my hat off. I bent down to pick it up, hitting my head on my dresser in the process. “Ah. Jeez, that hurt.” I pressed my hand to my forehead, trying to ease the throbbing.
“You are such a guy.” She said, laughing. “So, am I allowed to see this project of yours?” She peeked over my shoulder.
“Maybe.” I said. I didn’t want her to read it right now. It was too girly. “Not yet.” I corrected myself. “Now, do you know where I can get a carving knife?” I asked again.
“Maybe dad has one, I don’t know. What do you need it for anyway?” She asked.
“You’ll see.” I said. “But for now, I have to go ask dad if he has one. Then I can get started.” I got up out of chair grabbing the sandwich of my desk. I walked past her and out the door. I stopped at the bottom of he stairs. I didn’t need the knife. Not yet. I grabbed a pencil off the kitchen table and started walking back to the clearing. As I passed the stables, I saw Niki’s horse galloping across the pasture. She was a white horse, and it reminded me of the ring I’d given Milly for her birthday. I smiled at the thought.
After opening it, she had given me an enormous hug. It had been one of the few times I had not pretended to be disgusted by this girlish act. I always liked Milly’s hugs. I stopped. I was suddenly filled with regret. Regret that I had not hugged her back every single time. Regret that I had never had her in the first place. Regret that I had never told her I loved her. Regret that I had ever let her go. But this was one thing was one thing I would never regret. This was something I had to do. For Milly.