1960, Yellow Bluff, rural Alabama

You were the flower girl to a wedding of your mother’s best friend. Your job was simple, you were to walk down the short aisle of the small, humble chapel in front of the twenty-or-so guests, scatter the white lily petals, then sit down next to your parents.

Once it was time, you collected yourself & began carefully stepping down the aisle as the wedding guests watched you in all your adorability.

Everything was smooth sailing until about five steps in; your gaze shifted to the right, noticing a boy your age. He has fire red hair, something you hadn’t seen before in the tiny town.

He was squished between his parents, & stared at you the whole time too. The both of you were entranced until you finished dropping the petals.

In a moment of impulsion; you instead walked over to the row he was sitting at. You stood there, staring as he stared back.

He nodded at you, acknowledging you and making sure he got your attention before he mouthed the words silently.

“Let’s go outside.”