Throwback: My Apple Tree (pt 5)

 After that there wasn't a day that Thomas and I didn't meet. I'd be laying in the grass or resting on a tree when he'd come by the gate. For awhile we would sit and chat about little things like the weather, how our day was going or the group home.

 Thomas would come to see me after the other girls had gone in, but one day he came over early with a bag in hand. He came over expecting to see me, but I was nowhere to be found. He looked around the yard. There was a group of girls a bit farther down the gate. Thomas sneaked over to them and cleared his throat. The girls stared up at him.

He smiled, " How ya doing?" They nodded silently.
One of the girls spoke up and said, " I'm doing just fine. How about you?" She let her eyes twinkle and fluttered her lashes.
 Thomas gave her a nervous smile, "The same. I was wondering if you girls knew where Ginger was?"
 Their smiles faded. The girl spoke again. She said, "Why would you want to talk to her?"
 "Well, no disrespect girls, but I don't see how that's any of your business. Now would ya mind calling her over for me?"
 The girl shrugged, "Come on, y'all. Lets get the mute." The trio walked away while Thomas waited by the gate.
The girls appeared in the dining hall. Our eyes met and I waited for them to lay on their onslaught of insults. Instead, they marched up to me and said, "Some boy's outside looking for you."
I paused, wondering if this was a trick.
The leader rolled her eyes. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get outta here ya little mute."
I quickly finished my dishes and ran outside to meet Thomas.
 "Are you trying to kill me?" I questioned when he was in hearing distance.
 "What you talking 'bout, Ginger Bear?"
I sighed, "Look, I like talking to you, but those girls...they hate me. If they knew that...that we were friends then they'd tell the House Mother for sure. I'd be relocated and-"
 "Why they hate you?"
 I shrugged, " Don't seem like most people like me no matter where I go." My eyes fell to the floor and I clenched onto the fence. Realizations of oneself is never easy.
" Hey, look Ginger Bear. Look," his finger trailed across my face. I looked up. He smiled, "I like you. I like you a lot. Hell, you could even say I-" He stopped short the joy fading from his face.
I frowned, "Might say what, Thomas?"
 He shook his head, " Nothing. Look the reason I came over so early was to give you this. I know you probably thought I forgot your birthday, but I didn't so here ya go."
 He handed me a bag. The sweet aroma filled my nostrils and my heart.
" Cinnamon cookies and hazel doughnuts." I said with the sun in my eyes.
 "I came over early to give them to ya fresh. The baker only makes a few batches of them once a day. I wanted to get the first and fresh batch. Sorry, if I caused you any trouble."
 "No,no," I said, "Thank you, Thomas. It's been over a year since I've had these. I didn't mean to get mad I just don't want us to get into trouble."
 He nodded, "I know. I've gotta be getting back soon anyway. Will ya meet me when we come out?" I nodded. "Bye then,"he said.
 "Bye," I returned. I watched as Thomas walked away across the street. "I'll wait for you." I held the bag to her chest.

 I sat waiting for Thomas in our usual spot. I took a bit of the hazel doughnut and closed my eyes as the sugar glazed my tongue. I remembered my mother. How warm and loving she was. How she'd take me in her arms and hold me close. She would do all that and more until she left me, her daughter.
I opened my eyes, full of tears, only to discover two boys staring at me.
 "Are you Ginger?" they asked.
I stood up, "Who are you? Where's Thomas?"
"That's what we came to tell you,"one boy said, "Thomas can't meet you."
 My heart fell, "Why? Is he alright?"
"The Sheriff and deputy took him in for murder."
"Murdering who?" I launched myself at the gate, "Who did he kill?"
"They saying he killed some farmer's daughter when he went into town."
"Tom wouldn't do that," said the other boy.
 "They took him to the jail?" I asked. The boys nodded.
 "Alright then," I said. I moved from the tree and turned towards the group home to walk. When I was a few feet away from the fence I spun around on my heels and ran like the devil was right behind me. With a hard push from my foot, I was jumping into the air and leaping over the gate. The top edges of the fence ripped my dress, but the only thing that mattered was the thing that I was so close to losing forever.
Thomas.
Everything was a blur. I was running past the local diner when my mind went into shock. I looked to my right and saw a police wagon with Thomas in the back. I ran over to the car and jumped onto the back.
 "Thomas!" I hissed.
 "Ginger," he appeared from a dark corner of the van.
 "What are you doing here?"
 "I'm here to see you! I know you didn't kill that little girl. They made a mistake. We just gotta tell the Sheriff that-"
 Thomas shook his head, "I didn't kill anyone but they ain't going to believe that no matter what I or you say.  I'm going to be going away for a while, Ginger Bear."
 "No," I could feel the tears filling my throat, "no. You gottta stay Thomas. What am I suppose to do? You're my only friend. I'll talk to the Sheriff and tell him what you said. You're not a murderer! I know you're not.  I'll find the real murderer myself if I have to."
 "No," he growled, "Don't go getting yaself killed over me. Whoever murdered that girl I don't want you around them."
 "But, Thomas, what are we suppose to do? We can't just taking this sitting down. I'm not a coward and you ain't either. I can't-" His lips met mine. I could feel everything in my body go cold. Everything except my heart which was burning hotter than ever. I pulled away and looked at him, not sure what to say.
 "I love you, Ginger."
I searched his eyes for something. I wasn't sure what though.
 "Come on, Sheriff we gotta take this boy up."
 "Alright, I'm coming, Deputy." I watched as the Sheriff and Deputy left the diner. I gave Thomas a quick glance before dashing into a corner. They came and got in the truck. The engine started and the car drove off. I ran from my hiding spot and got one last look at Thomas as he was sped down the road and for the first time in my life, I cried.