Kiki & Dj

Admiring the professionally arranged colorful assortment of planted flowers outside the schoolyard she awaited the usual "pick-up" by her mom.

Reaching down to pick up a Marigold Kiki didn't notice the boy from her class approaching her.

"Hey" he said to Kiki.

Standing sharply and slightly startled Kiki quickly shifted her head in his direction causing her black curly hair to bounce all over the place especially in front of her face.

She turned toward him.

Softly moving her hair back into its place she revealed a creamy perfect face with pearly white toothed smile.

Looking up toward the afternoon sun her eyes glowed as if she were an angel he thought.

"Hey Dj", Kiki said intrigued.

Confidently he took a deep breath and asked if she wanted to come to his birthday party.

"Sure" Kiki said and they exchanged numbers.

That night Dj called her and they talked on the phone about school, their likes, and what they wanted to be when they grew up.

They were in the same 8th grade class and where both 12 years old. Dj's birth month was October and Kiki's' in September.

Kiki's' mom chauffeured her to his house for the birthday party.

As she glided her luxury vehicle near their driveway she admired the garden of Marigolds outside the well kept home.

"Nice house", Kiki's mom said. Kiki shook her head in agreement.

"Make sure you keep your cell phone on and call me before the party ends and have fun girl", said her mom trying to sound "hip".

Her mom kissed her on the cheek leaving a slightly red lip imprint.

Closing the car door and walking up the driveway Kiki held Dj's "store wrapped" gift close to her.

"I hope he likes it", she thought.

She wore a flared skirt with a sassy shirt. Her mom styled her hair in 2 even buns at the top with the back of her head full of shifting curls.

Ringing the doorbell Kiki awaited the answer.

The day was hazy and sunny with clear skies.

She could smell the aroma of grilling and heard children laughing nearby.

A woman opened the door that looked sort of like Dj; they had the same smooth skin and green colored eyes.

"Hi there", she said to Kiki smiling as if she heard of her.

"You must be Kiki", she said.

"Yes ma'am I am Kiki ( then quickly adding) Dj's friend from school", she said extending her hand to greet.

They exchanged pleasant greetings.

"Come on in Kiki", his mom said.

Entering in their home she thought that it was as nice on the inside as it was on the outside.

She followed his mom to the backyard.

The yard was huge including a pool and plenty of space. His dad must be the one on the grill near the house she thought.

Moving his gift to her other arm she looked around.

A group of boys from her school walked over and as they did she tried to make out which one was was Dj.

Dj sectioned himself from the crowd and in his "cool guy" way welcomed her.

She handed him his gift which he didn't waste any time opening!

His spectacle of excitement was not a disappointment! His gift was the new video game that he mentioned to Kiki during one of their "getting to know one another" conversations.

He looked up at her with appreciative eyes and before he could speak Dj gave Kiki a big hug causing her to giggle and loosen up a bit.

Kiki was enjoying a playful game with some kids when Dj came up and handed her a Marigold flower. She smiled and thanked him sweetly kissing him on the cheek.

After the party Dj walked Kiki to her mom's car and later that night they did their usual 1 hour conversation.

She placed the marigold in her scrapbook and drew a heart nearby with their names too.

The next day.

"Kiki we need to talk with you", her mom said, "your dad has orders to move to Georgia and we are going with him".

She wondered of her daughters response.

The first thing Kiki could think of was Dj.

Her long lashes curled toward her face as she tried to hold back tears by peering into the further distance.

In only 1 month before 9th grade Kiki moved with her parents to their new home in Georgia 8 hours away. Dj had gone away with his parents for the summer and she didn't say goodbye with her first "French kiss" the way she wanted.

She talked on the phone with Dj a-lot but as Football practice, cheerleading practice and school got rolling they were both very busy and grew apart in some ways but not in all ways.

After 11 grade her dad was discharged from military duty and they moved back to North Carolina.

The first day of 12 grade was momentous.

Kiki grew very beautiful with her famous curls now dancing down her back.

Entering her High School homeroom class Kiki noticed a familiar face. Dj could hardly believe his eyes when he saw her.

They smiled and waived to one another.

Class was starting and before Kiki could walk over to Dj the teacher started speaking to the class.

Kiki was organizing her notebook and getting her supplies together as the "change of class" bell rang. When she stood up from her desk everyone had exited the class.

Walking to her locker she started unloading her backpack. When she closed her locker Dj stood there beside her much taller and more handsome than she remembered with a familiar gold yellow flower.

He handed the Marigold to her and she smiled reaching out for a hug.

The smell of Kiki's hair caused Dj to hold her tight as they embraced.

They caught up over lunch.

Steamy 12th grade phone conversations increased from 1 hours to 2.

They shared their first "French kiss" and even went to the prom.

For their 40 year anniversary Dj gave his wife her usual Marigold from the garden in their yard.