“I didn’t want you to leave without saying bye,” her eyes began to water.

          “Oh Hil,” he looked up and pulled her to a hug, then looked back at his family, “I’ll call you when I get there and I’ll see you in a couple weekends, I’m going to take her around the block before I go.”

          “Ok hun, talk to you then,” Mrs. Raposo said. She then motioned her daughters into the house so Greg could be alone with Hilary.

“I’m sorry Greg, I can’t say anything but sorry. I have been so horrible to you and you’ve been nothing but an angel.”

“Baby don’t be sorry, you couldn’t have helped anything that’s happened. Don’t blame yourself,” He kissed her cheek, “I love you Hilary. I always have, and I always will. Nothing can change that. And this isn’t the last good bye, I will never say good bye to you.”

“Oh Greg it isn’t that easy!” she whined.

“Why do you have to make things so hard! It can be the simplest thing in the world but what’s holding you back! You say you want to leave this place and you have an open invitation from me, but you still wont! I don’t get you sometimes.” Greg said in a tone louder than usual.

“I don’t know Greg! I want to go, I want to go more than anything. I only wish I could tell you my thoughts and dreams but you wouldn’t understand.” Her voice drifted off.

“Well try me, it can’t hurt. And I’m a pretty knowledgeable guy, I think I’d understand.”

“FINE! You want to know! I love you Greg, I love you and I want to spend my life with you but there are more complicated things going on and I just cant have you without screwing everything up! I’m a terrible person and I would do nothing but hurt you because I cant make up my mind on anything!” she yelled at him.

“I don’t think your dad is the problem, the only obstacle you have to get over is thinking for yourself, not what other people want. You know your dad cant live without you, he’d die on the couch with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. If you hate him as much as you say, leave the man. Its that easy. Stop trying to look into it more than you have to.”

“Greg….”

“It’s already 9:30, if I want to get there by 1 I have to go now. I’ll see you in a few weeks,” He hugged Hilary once more. “you know the number if you need anything. Take care of yourself and remember what I said.”

“Bye. I love you,” she squeezed him tight before he let go.

Hilary watched as he put the Jeep in reverse and rolled down the drive way and into the street. She stood there standing until the car was totally out of site, and then he was gone.

Stupid, stupid Hilary! Why the hell didn’t you say something! I have to get out of this hellhole or I’ll be stuck here my entire life while everyone else leaves and does great things!