Page 1 of Doctor Neighbor

ONE

Buster

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure

4599 Splash Adventure Parkway, Bessemer, AL

11:47 pm

The sun beats down on my neck as I hold Lucy's hand, guiding her through the bustling water park. I left early this morning to drive to Tuscaloosa to pick her up from my brother and bring her here for one of our regular Buster-Lu dates, as we call them.

Lucy is my only niece, or nephew, for that matter. I’ve never thought much about having kids of my own. Lucy does just fine as my stand-in. Thank the good lord above Lara never got pregnant while we were together. What a double nightmare that would have been.

“Gobble up your corn dog, knucklehead, so you’ll have lots of energy for all the fun we are about to have,” I tell her excitedly.

I’m not sure who likes these types of places more, my four-year-old niece or me, a grown-ass thirty-one-year-old general surgeon. As anyone who knows me says, I am like a gigantic kid.

Lucy’s little legs struggle to keep up with my long strides, so I slow down, matching her excited skips.

"Uncle Buster, look at that big slide!" Lucy points, her eyes wide with wonder.

I follow her gaze to the towering water slide, a twisting behemoth that looms over the park. "Wow, Lulu! That's a monster. You wanna try it?"

She shakes her head vigorously, pigtails whipping back and forth. "No way! It's too scary."

"Smart girl. How about we start with something more your speed?"

We make our way to the kiddie pool area, a colorful oasis of shallow water and miniature slides. Lucy's face lights up, and she tugs at my hand.

"Can I go in now? Please, please, please?"

I chuckle, dropping our beach bag on a nearby lounge chair. "Hold your horses, kiddo. We gotta put on some sunscreen first."

Lucy groans but stands still as I slather the lotion on her arms and face. She wrinkles her nose at the coconut scent.

"There. Now you're ready to?—"

Before I can finish, she's off like a shot, splashing into the shallow water with a squeal of delight. I shake my head, grinning as I watch her play.

A nearby mom catches my eye, giving me an approving nod. "She's adorable. Your daughter?"

"Niece," I correct, puffing up with pride. "I'm the funcle."

The woman gives me a sideways glance, realizing not everyone has my bizarre sense of humor. "Fun Uncle. I’m the fun uncle.”

The woman laughs. "Ah! So clever. I can see that you are. It's sweet of you to bring her here.”

I glance down to see if she’s wearing a ring. She could be girlfriend material. I’ve never dated a single mom, but that could be fun. I’m not quite ready to jump back into the dating pool yet, though. My ex, Lara, is raking me through the coals at the moment.

I shrug, keeping one eye on Lucy as she makes friends with another little girl. "It's our last hurrah before they close up for the season. Gotta make it count, right?"

Lucy's voice cuts through the chatter and splashing. "Uncle Buster! Come play with us!"

I give the lady an apologetic smile. "Duty calls."

Wading into the pool, I'm immediately ambushed by Lucy and her new friend. They giggle as they splash me, and I play along, pretending to be a sea monster.

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