The Past

"So, are you coming to the fair with us?" Doni asks while unwrapping his ice-cream sandwich bar. He sits lazily on the front porch step with his long legs stretched out in front of him and his back against the post.

"Crap," Doni mutters under his breath, wiping away the ice cream that dribbles down his red and white uniform.

"I don't know." Shrugging, I devour my Bomb Pop popsicle that's trying not to melt in the 90-degree scorching heat. My favorite red ruffle-pocket shorts stick to my thighs.

Doni and I have been sitting out on his porch for the past hour. As soon as we heard the ice cream truck's melodic chimes, I ran inside my house and grabbed the money I saved from helping Ms. Ephifanía. She pays me two dollars each time I help bring in her groceries on Saturday mornings. My happiness swelled inside me, knowing I finally had enough money to buy Doni his ice cream bar.

Since Doni has a newspaper route on Saturdays, he can always buy me anything I want, even if I don't ask him to. He"s my best friend and he takes care of me, so I want to take care of him too.

"Mom said she"ll take you.," Doni earnestly pleads, licking the vanilla ice cream around the cookie slabs.

"I'll try, Doni. I really will."

Dad hasn"t been in a good mood to ask him for anything. But I can't hurt Doni. He means too much to me. How can I tell him I won't be able to go?

Doni looks at me with his big sad blue eyes. He sighs. "I hope you can go. This is the last summer we'll spend every day together before we move." He turns away.

My heart feels like it is sinking to the bottom of the ocean at hearing those words. Before we move.

Doni and I have been best friends since he moved next door to us five years ago. Doni is a year older than me and plays Little League. I won't be able to watch him play once he moves.

"I don't want you to move away," I say in a whisper, anxiously rubbing my sticky hands up and down my thighs. Doni looks over his shoulder at me with eyes full of sadness when he notices the tears ready to fall from my eyes. He stands up and kneels in front of me, lifting my chin up to face him. As soon as I stare into his deep, vivid blue eyes, tears stream down my face. He kisses the tip of his thumb and gently wipes the tears away.

"Hey. Please don"t cry, Shorty. You know I don"t want to leave you." He takes my hand and places it over his heart and says, "You will always be a part of me because I will never forget you."

Dino is the only boy in our class who is sweet and always thinking about others first. He makes me laugh all the time, especially on the days I feel like crying. He holds my hand all the time because he says he doesn't want me to get taken or lost, but I think he just likes to hold my hand. I like it too. He never gets mad at me. Instead, he gives me hugs that instantly calm me. He makes me feel safe.

I'm going to miss all his silly questions. Why is your hair so twisty? Why are you smaller than me? What do you think stars are made of? Does chocolate milk come from brown cows? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

"You promise?" I whisper, pulling my hand away from his chest and placing it on my lap,.

"I promise, Shorty." He stands up and holds his hand out to me. "Looks like you need a hug, Shorty. Come here." I wrap my arms around his waist. I love my Doni hugs.