Again (Brandy Jeffus)

right treating it like some animalistic act or something. You know you deserve all the romance, rose petals, lit candles et cetera, et cetera. I know I don’t do that all the time, but I do try to make every time a little special," Eli was so nonchalant with his confession, but Bonnie felt the meaning behind the words.
    He was right, he did try to make each time special. It was a big deal to him, just like it was to her. He was never like other guys, not like her friends boyfriends, who always wanted it no matter where and no matter how uncomfortable. He cared about her and everything that he did to her was magic, sweet and gentle. He was like a guy from a different century.
    “You amaze me, boy.”
    Eli grinned and whispered back, “And you amaze me, girl.”
    They kissed and Eli stopped the kiss short when a new song started on the radio. It was The Cowboy in Me by Tim McGraw.
    “Come on, let's dance.”
    “Okay,” she said without hesitation. They danced barefoot on the sand in front of the fire. Eli’s face looked rugged in a handsome way with the firelight dancing over it. His chest was smooth as Bonnie laid her head near his heart.
    "This is a good song,” Bonnie whispered
    "I know this is a good one.”
    "Today was a perfect day.”
    "I agree. It scares me that it was so perfect you know."
    Bonnie looked into Eli’s beautiful green eyes and they reflected a mixture of fear and happiness. His confession surprised her.
    “I thought that too, earlier. But I think it's okay to have a perfect day every once in a while. I think that’s in God's plan to have us happy most days. I rather spend the day being happy then waste time fighting or being mad.”
    Eli nodded, “I think so, too, baby,” he kissed her softly, and then sighed. The song finished but they continued to dance. They shuffled slowly in a wide circle. Finally, Bonnie stopped and reached for Eli's hand, "Let's go to sleep."
    Eli followed behind her as she walked to the tent a few yards away. They both called goodnight to Eddie and Molly.
    Inside the tent they cuddled next to each other. Eli’s strong arm went around Bonnie instinctively and he rested his chin on top of her head.
    "I love you, Eli."
    "Love you too, Bon."
    Chapter Two
    Eli looks nervous as he rakes his fingers through his light brown curls. He appears exactly the same, as if he hasn’t aged a bit in the last six years.
    "I better go. It was nice seeing you Ms. Cindy," he says, avoiding mine and Tatum's glances like the plague. He smiles at our mom and grasps her hand.
    "Now, now you don't have to leave just because of them two! Girls come over here. Bonnie, say hi," orders Mama.
    I mumble a barely audible greeting while staring at the floor. My heart is still doing major tumbles and I can’t breathe right.
    "Did I tell you girls that Eli was the first responder at the accident?" Mama asks. I look up in surprise. I glance at Eli and he smiles sheepishly. Those dimples of his pop out like they always used to.
    "Were you really?" I ask, surprising myself.
    Eli looks just as surprise as I feel and hesitates before answering, "Yes I was. I saw the accident myself while I was making a routine traffic stop. I was the FR and stayed with Ms. Cindy through the whole thing."
    "He held my hand while they used the Jaws of Life on the Honda, and then he rode in the ambulance with me," Mama says, and I wonder why she never said anything before. A surge of anger flares up, for an instant, when I think about her keeping that from me.
    "Well thank you for that. That was very nice of you," Tatum says. Always the polite one, I can tell Tatum is touched by the story.
    "Least I could do. But I best be getting on. I'll see you again soon, Ms. Cindy," Eli says leaning down to kiss Mama’s forehead. She has the biggest smile on her face; I can tell seeing Eli has made her happy. It sends a sharp pain down my chest to my stomach. Sweat breaks out above my brow suddenly.
    "Nice seeing you girls again. Y'all call me if you need anything," Eli says as he walks past Tatum and then me. His sea green eyes locks with mine and I feel my stomach heave. I turn sharply and flee to the adjoining bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I get sick. My eyes automatically start watering and I hear Mama gasp.
    "Check on her. See if she's okay," Mama commands. I feel a strong hand on my shoulder, and my hair is scooped up out of my face.
    "There, there. You're okay. It's alright," Eli's voice is low and