Page 63 of His Road Dog

Chapter 25

Nicole

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JEB, STEVE, AND KARENplayed the guitars and sang in the center of the common area. Nicole stood behind her dad, sitting in a lawn chair. At least fifty out of the eighty people in the commune showed up to listen, dance, and socialize.

It was past midnight. The women had come together, supplying a potluck for everyone to enjoy after the men had come home after a day spent harvesting. It was routine for everyone to come together on the weekends—it was part of community living that everyone depended on.

Children ran through the crowd of adults, left on their own to be kids. It seemed like only yesterday, she was one of them. Dreams had filled her world, not danger or loneliness.

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her dad's neck from behind. "Dance with me?"

He reached up, took her hand, and pulled her around the chair before standing up. She smiled, jumping ahead of him, holding out her arms. Together, they swayed and grooved as the guitarists strummed.

Her dad had aged over the last few years. His hair had receded even though he kept his hair long. There were more gray curls than black hanging on his shoulders. She glanced over at her mom. The changes in her parents surprised her. It was something she hadn't expected to see when she'd arrived.

Seeing them both, she recognized her future and the thought of growing older, aging, gaining more wisdom. While they were all good things and not something to dread, her thoughts leaned toward the loneliness creeping in on her without having anyone significant in her life.

Swooped into her dad's arms, he twirled her around until she grew dizzy and laughed. Holding onto him, she soaked in his attention.

"Remember when I was little, and you'd let me stand on your feet when we danced?" she asked.

"Best time of my life." He postured and stuck his foot out to the side. "Go ahead. You'll always be my little girl."

"I'm not going to squish your feet." She laughed, pulling him off to the side. "Dance with mom. She looks like she's missing out on the fun."

Her parents wandered off together to the middle of the grassy area. She sat in the chair her dad had vacated, pulled her feet up to the seat, and wrapped her arms around her upturned knees. Whether she was here or not, her parents' love never changed.

"Nicole?"

She looked over her shoulder and recognized Celia. "Hey, how are you?"

Moving to get up, she sat back down when Celia put her hand on her shoulder and kneeled in the grass beside her.

Her old friend said, "I'm good. I moved back home with my daughter."

"That's what mom was saying. I bet your parents are happy to have you and their granddaughter around." Nicole leaned over and hugged her. "You look wonderful. I can't believe how long it's been since I've seen you. How are your folks?"

Celia bobbed her head. "You know my dad."

Her father had a drinking problem. It wasn't a secret. He was a happy drunk. Half the time, the commune helped support his family because he couldn't make it to work with the other men.

"So, are you back for good or just visiting?" Celia tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Visiting...for now. I'm not sure where I'm going to head off to yet, but I wanted to come see my parents and catch up with everyone."

Celia's head came up, and she looked into the darkness. "That's my daughter calling me. I better go see what she needs. Visit with me soon, okay?"

"I will." She waved and watched Celia hurry to take care of her child.

Her and Celia were around the same age, and yet her friend had gotten married, had a child, and even though she'd returned home alone, she'd made improvements in her life.

All Nicole had done was go to school for eight months to become a beautician. She barely worked, preferring to live minimally, and traveled when one area became boring.

She had no man in her life, no child, nobody outside the commune.

Her parents kept dancing to the next song. After several minutes, Nicole got up and walked back to the house, seeking the quiet. Part of her problem during her stay was deciding on what to do with herself.

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