We spent a couple of hours surfing together and having fun. I was surprised how fast the time went by, but also at how relaxed and comfortable I felt the entire time.
“So what are your plans for the rest of your day?” I asked once we decided to call it quits.
“I am going to sit and figure out where I’m going to start first,” she said. “Once I can get that figured out, I’ll take it from there. What about you?”
“Well, first I am going to go home and wake up my son. He just turned fourteen, and if I let him he would sleep all day,” I said.
“Your son?” Brenna asked. “I didn’t realize you had a son.”
I could see that she was doing the math in her head, and I knew that things were not adding up for her.
I smiled. “Yes, I have a son named Rylan. I adopted him two years ago. He came to live with me four years ago after his parents passed away.”
“Oh my goodness,” Brenna said, placing her hand on her chest. “That is so sad.”
I nodded.
“It was horrible,” I agreed.
“Did you know his parents? Or were you already a foster parent?”
I sighed. “I knew his parents very well. I was actually the best man at their wedding.”
“Oh, Josh, I am so sorry,” she said, placing her hand on my arm. “That must have been so difficult for you.”
I was touched by her sincerity and kindness. “Thank you. It was not easy at all. But as difficult as it was for me, it was nothing compared to what Rylan was going through.”
Brenna nodded. “So you took him in and then adopted him?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Not many people would do that,” she answered.
“It was the right thing to do,” I replied.
“I know,” she said. “But still. Not many would do that.”
I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing quite what to say.
“Well,” she said. “I hope I get to meet him one day.”
I smiled, knowing that Rylan would instantly like her. “You will,” I said. “I guarantee it.”
“Great!” she replied. “Alright. I can’t put this off any longer. I’m going to dive into my new job.”
I laughed. “Good luck today,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
She waved and walked away in the direction of the parking lot. I grabbed my board, and headed back to my place.
***
When I walked in, I noticed Rylan sitting at the kitchen table. His head was down, and I could tell that he was still half-asleep.
“Good morning, Ry,” I said, walking over to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water.
Rylan looked up at me and gave me a sleepy smile. “Morning, PJ,” he said. “How was the surf?”
