When I got out of bed this morning, I texted Carrie – she’s my girlfriend – and asked if she wanted to meet up at our spot to watch the sunrise.
The first time we met, we were at a party over on Rodgers Ln.The community park is right next to the house that the party was at and when I took a walk to get away from the noise, I saw her sitting on a hill.She was all by herself, staring up at the moon.That was almost three years ago, and it’s beenour spotever since.The hill is so high, it’s like a mini hike to get to the top but once you’re up there, you have the most amazing view of mountains and sky.
I climbed to the top and expected to be there before her but there she was - with a blanket and two cups of coffee and a smile.That’s exactly what I need right now.I breathe in deeply and smile because Carrie is the best thing in my life.
“What happened to the beach trip?”She asks when I sit down next to her on the blanket.I sit crossed legged but it’s not comfortable, so I adjust and put my legs out in front of me.She lays her head on my lap.
“Apparently Hurricane Vlada decided to pick this weekend, of all weekends, to rear her ugly face.Mom heard the evacuation report when we were like six hours into the drive.We had to turn around and drive straight home.”I explain.
“Ah geez, that sucks.Sorry, babe, I know you were looking forward to that.”She looks up at me.
“It’s alright.We’re gonna do something around here.That just means I get extra time with my girl, right?”I ask, squeezing her arm playfully.
“Yup, I’m all yours this weekend.”She smiles and,Lord,that smile gets me every time.
We watch in silence as the sun breaks through the horizon and slowly moves above the mountain tops, enjoying the solitude and the togetherness that encompasses us.
“Have you thought anymore about what you want to do after high school yet?”she asks.
“I think I want to be a pilot.”I tell her.
“What?!That’s pretty random.”she laughs, almost choking on her coffee.“I’ve never heard you mention anything about flying before.”
“True.So, my mom dated a pilot once, it didn’t last very long, but he took us up in his private jet a couple of times.One day he let me be his co-pilot for the trip; I had fun.And now every time I look at the clouds, I think how awesome it would be to see the view from up there.”I look down at her and sweep the hair away from her eye.“Still want to be a nurse?”
“Of course!I want to help everyone, and I really want to work in the ER.I think it’s my calling.”
“You’re such a caregiver – it’s the perfect job for you.Any hospital would be lucky to have you.”
“Well, I’ve got to get into nursing school first so let’s start with that.”
I dread the day when we have to leave each other after high school, and I know it’s coming.We only have one more year together before she heads off to either Alabama or North Carolina, both of them are among her top choices for nursing school and both of them are far enough away that I can’t just swing over to see her whenever I want.
“Do you think you can help me with something?”I ask her.
“Of course, what is it?”
“I want to find out more about my dadwithoutasking my mom, but I’m not sure where to start.”
“I’m on it!Let’s go be internet sleuths.”She grabs my hand, and we pack up our picnic, heading to her place for some deep dive research and detective work.
Chapter Five
ELLIE
21 years earlier
I got to spend every day of the next week with Lee, minus Christmas day – but we talked on the phone.He’s so much fun to be around.We never have any of that awkward silence – only when it’s quiet, it’s because he’s looking at me with those ridiculously beautiful eyes and I can’t catch my breath long enough to form words.
Today, we’re at Ryan’s house with Steff’s friends and everyone is inside playing air hockey.I suck at air hockey worse than I suck at bowling, so I kept losing each round and I sat on a stool watching Lee beat everyone.He even beat Chris and they high five after their match.
When he walks over to where I’m sitting, Lee asks me to go for a walk with him.I follow him outside and to the street, then he takes my hand in his and I dissolve.His thumb caresses my hand while we walk, and I think I might actually melt from his touch.But then he looks over at me and smiles.
MELTING
MELTING
MELTING
