DYLAN
Present Day
I turned seventeen in January, I didn’t feel any different then, but now that it’s June and we’re celebrating this week, I feel like I need to make a second wish.Something is definitely different now,I’m not sure what, but I couldn’t let this feeling pass without making the same wish this morning that I make every birthday:
God, please.
Just one thing, please.
Send back my dad, please.
I looked in the mirror and sighed.Mom and Carrie are planning to take me out today for our staycation celebration and I know it’s going to be a good day even though I’ve been bummed that we couldn’t find out what happened to Dad.
Carrie asked me to meet her at our spot and when I got there, she had a small box waiting for me on a blanket.I looked around, but she was nowhere in sight, so I grabbed the box and ripped into it.I pulled out the contents, one by one, inspecting each item:
A Marble
A fishing Hook
A Concert Ticket
I looked around again, searching for Carrie, but instead of finding her, I saw a trail of popcorn leading down the path, into the trees.I followed the popcorn trail until my eyes landed on her, swinging in a hammock that was tied between two trees.
“Bout time you found me.”She popped her head up.“Now get over here and swing with me!”
I put the box down and climbed into the hammock.She readjusted herself so she was laying next to me with her head resting on my chest and her leg draped over mine.We watched as the wind blew through the thicket, making the branches sway along with us.She started to singHappy Birthday,but she couldn’t make it all the way through without laughing.
“Thank you.”I squeezed her into me and kissed the top of her head.
“You’re welcome.”We stayed like that for a while, making out and laughing and then making out some more.Then she said we had to get moving if we were going to stay on schedule.
“What schedule?”I asked.“You do remember that it’s notactuallymy birthday, right?
“Well, that’s insulting.”She slapped my arm playfully and stuck her tongue out at me.“Birthday or not, we have some fun things planned and your mom spent a lot of time getting it together so let’s go!”
On our way to pick up Mom, she texted and said, “Change of plans, meet me at Lakeside Lanes.”
“The bowling alley, okay.Is that what the marble was supposed to be for?”I chuckled because I couldn’t figure that one out when I opened the box.
Carrie laughed.
That never gets old.
Her laugh is infectious.
When we arrived at the bowling alley, Mom had reserved a lane with a table and already had some breakfast munchies laid out for us.While we bowled, she told me more about the day she met Dad.She said our conversation with Maggie inspired her to be more open about her and Dad’s relationship.It’s a new side of Mom, being able to openly talk about Dad, and it made me think that the feeling I felt this morning was right on; something isdefinitelydifferent.
After we bowled, I was informed that our next stop was the lighthouse.When we got there, we climbed to the top and looked out over the bay where Mom pointed out a small boat headed our way.“Get ready for some fresh water fishing!”Mom said while we descended our way back down the staircase and out onto the rocks by the water.
“I’ve never actually been fishing, so you’re going to have to give me some pointers.”Carrie said to me, holding up the hook that was in the gift box.
I laughed.
She laughed, and she didn’t even know why.
Yeah, I’m gonna have fun with this one.
As the skipper docked the cuddy, I helped Mom and Carrie climb aboard and we were off, floating away from the lighthouse and out into the bay where the rockfish swam.The music on the radio was playing some good ol’ country music and I smiled as I watched my two favorite girls singing and dancing along to the tune of Kelsea Ballerini’sMiss Me More.
