Page 16 of Still Love You

I say it kiddingly but it's actually true. When I used to make jewelry, my stuff always sold out before my mom's did. My mom's designs look like something an older woman would wear. My designs are more youthful, with leather cords, dark beads, and my handmade metal charms. The college kids would buy them up within an hour, even the guys. I made stuff for guys too. 

"You should make more than a few pieces. You're really talented, Silas. You should be making jewelry this summer instead of working on my parents' farm. You'd make way more money."

If she only knew how much more. I'd make more doing anything other than working on the farm, given that I'm doing it for free.

"The jewelry was just a hobby. It's not a job."

"But it could be. Silas, your designs are awesome. That's why they sold out so fast. And people loved those charms you made. You could just sell the charms separately and people would buy them. They're like a work of art."

Willow is always the first to offer a compliment when it's deserved, which is something I've always liked about her. Most people can easily criticize but can't give a compliment to save their life. But Willow appreciates talent and hard work and she'll let you know when you do a good job. She'll even compliment people she doesn't like. It's not about the person, but about a job well done. That's why she's a good leader and will someday make a great CEO.

"Thanks," I tell her. "But I think I'll stick to farming, at least for the summer."

"I'm serious, Silas. Why are you wasting your time working on a farm when you could be designing jewelry? You'd make so much more money."

"Not everything's about money, Willow."

Sometimes I think that's the only reason she's so obsessed with becoming a CEO one day. Because of the money. She could be the CEO of a non-profit or a small company, but instead she wants to run a large corporation. She wants to make a lot of money, live in an expensive apartment, buy an expensive car. I don't understand it. That's not how she was raised and she's never been materialistic. So maybe it's not about the money. Maybe it's something else.

"I know you don't care about the money," she says, "but I also know that you like making jewelry. You like designing new pieces."

"Willow, I've already committed to working on the farm. And it's what I want to do."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive." I reach over and wrap my hand over her wrist, touching the bracelet. "But I'm still going to make you another one of these. You shouldn't have to wear the same one every day."

She just nods, her eyes on my hand, which has now slipped down around hers. I know she said not to, but if she's not pulling away then I'm going to hold her hand.

She's my friend, and I love her, and if I can't have her, then I'm at least going to hold her hand.

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