At least she still cared.
I gave a short nod. “You?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she dropped the camera from her face and made her way over to me. She held out the glass.
“Want a sip?”
I accepted. The drink was crisp, something sparkling and light, laced with a hint of peach. I swallowed and handed it back.
“You like it?” she asked.
“It’s okay.”
She sat beside me and leaned back, propping herself on one elbow.
“You haven’t complained about anything all day. It’s making me nervous,” I joked.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” she murmured playfully. “It’s just…hard to be angry in a place like this.”
I let that hang for a second. Then, “I’m trying, Carmen. I know I keep saying it, but I really am.”
Her eyes dropped to her drink.
“I know,” she whispered, then looked at me with a small smile. “It’ll work itself out.”
“How do you know?”
She sipped again, watching the water. “‘Cause it has to.”
I looked at her. That made me smile.
She looked around, her expression softening. “This is so beautiful. Thank you again for doing this.”
“Of course,” I said. “I figured a break from the hotel was overdue.”
“Mmm,” she agreed, absently running her fingers along the screen of the camcorder.
“What were you recording earlier?” I asked.
“Just some thoughts.” She looked out over the lake. “I think one day we’ll look back at today and laugh.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. But for now…” She looked at me, eyes calm but serious. “I think it’s good to have something to look back at. So our future selves know how far we’ve come.”
We sat with that thought for a while. Then I said, “Can I record something too?”
She glanced at me, surprised. “You want to?”
“Yes, please.”
She hesitated, then handed me the camcorder, her eyes lingering on my hands as I held it gently. With a light pat on my shoulder, she stood.
“I’m gonna go get a refill.”
It was an excuse to give me some privacy, which I appreciated.
I turned the camcorder toward myself, angling it so the sunlight didn’t blow out the shot. Then, I hit record.
