Magpie Tales #19

 This is a prompt from a weekly writing theme hosted by Willow over at: http://magpietales.blogspot.com

Joe stood outside Sally's house and looked up towards her bedroom window. Her bedroom light was on so he knew that she was awake.
At long last, after weeks and weeks of planning, tonight was the night. His hands felt sweaty and clammy as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the knife. He had taken it from his fathers workshop earlier that evening, and when he took it, he knew what he was going to do with it. 
He picked up a handful of pebbles and lightly threw them at Sally's window, and waited, knife in hand, for her to appear... After a moment she pulled the curtains back and peered out the window and instantly recognised him. She opened the window and whispered, "Joe, what are you doing here?"
"Sally," he whispered back "Please come down, I need to see you, to talk to you about something important."

His fingers wrapped themselves tightly around the handle of the knife as he looked up at her hoping she would do as he asked, waiting for her answer.
"This better be important Joe Mitchell, if my parents wake up we are both going to be in real trouble. Just wait there and I'll come downstairs." She closed the window and Joe waited for her to come out of her front door. It seemed like forever before she was there standing in front of him.

"Okay, so what's this all about?" She said hands on hips.

Joe shoved the knife back into his pocket and took her by the hand.

"Sal, you know we have been seeing each other for quite a few months now, and there is something really important that I keep wanting to say to you but I just can't seem to get the words out. I need for you to come with me to the park I have something to show you".

"You have got to be kidding me" she said, "the park, in the middle of the night, come on Joe what's going on you're acting real strange"

"Please Sal," he said, "just humour me it won't take us long to get there it's very important to me."

"Ok," she sighed," this better be worthwhile or you are going to be in real trouble," and off she walked  heading for the park. Smiling to himself Joe followed her.

After a few minutes they reached the park, Sally stopped and with hands on her hips, turned to face him. "Ok", she said "now what?"
"Come with me, " Joe said, as he took her hand and walked her over to the spot where they had spent the afternoon.  "You have to close your eyes, and keep them closed until I say it's all right"
Sighing she closed her eyes and let him lead her to the spot in the park where they had been earlier on.

"You can open your eyes now" Joe said.

She opened her eyes and peered into the darkness, she looked at Joe quizzically. "Go closer to the tree" he said, "and look, look closely." She went forward and looked at the tree, and that was when she saw  it. There on the tree trunk, a huge heart with the words carved into it, the words that Joe could not say:

                                                   Joe Mitchell LOVES Sally Stewart
                                                                       XXXX


Sally let out a small cry, and put her hands up to her mouth. She looked at Joe, who was standing there watching her, waiting for her response. She threw her arms around his neck, hugging him closely and said "and Sally Stewart LOVES Joe Mitchell."