Page 21 of That First Flight

Only my daughter would order a steak from a fine dining pizza place.

She almost picked up on the fact I only ordered a cup of soup because she’s way too smart for me, but I lied and told her that my stomach wasn’t feeling the best and I wanted to keep it light.

The second we got home, we tore off our jeans and got into our jammies.

Because fuck jeans.

An hour later, Mackenzie was passed out in my arms. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling that came over me. As your child grows older, you never realize that the hug you just gave them or the time you picked them up will be the last time until you have moments like this where she’s nestled under your arm and sound asleep.

I’ve missed so many moments like this.

When the New Year's Eve host on the television announces that the ball will drop in three minutes, I wake her up from her sleep because she told me she didn’t want to miss it.

“Here we go, babe.” I sit on the edge of the couch intently watching the screen project to the ball in Time Square.

“Don’t forget to make a wish when it drops, Mom.”

“What?” I chuckle. “You don’t make a wish when it drops. You just cheer and say Happy New Year.”

“I don’t make the rules, okay? Youhaveto make a wish. Please.” She presses her hands together in prayer as she begs.

“Okay, fine.” I throw my hands up in defense. “I’ll make a wish if you do.”

She taps the side of her head. “I got it right up here.”

We both countdown and watch as the clock reaches the new year. The people over the TV scream and cheer. I glance over at Mackenzie who has a serious look on her face and her eyes closed, wishing harder than she ever has.

I wonder what’s going on in that head of hers.

I do the same and the minute my eyes close, an insane feeling of hope washes over me. Sending goosebumps down my arms, and water to pool behind my closed eyes.

I don’t believe in wishes like this. I never make a wish when I blow out my birthday candles because they are just that… wishes. But the feeling taking over my body right now is like an out of body experience.

I do as she asked and make a wish.

I wish for a year of opportunity.

I wish for a year of chasing my dream and giving my daughter whatever she just wished for.

This is going to be the year that everything changes for us.

And for the first time since I was a child, I actually believe it.

“Happy New Year,” Marc says on the other end of the phone.

“Happy New Year, brother. How’s Paris treating you?” I glance down at my watch and I see it’s almost five in the evening here which means it has to be close to midnight over there. “It’s probably almost January 2nd there by now.”

“Close,” he laughs. “That’s why I’m calling now before I lose the actual day.”

“How nice of you.”

“Yeah, yeah. How’s the cabin?”

“Well… last night we had a small kitchen fire. But I got it conta—”

“That better be one of your sick jokes, Oliver,” he says, interrupting me.

“Caught me.” Now I’m the one laughing despite the silence on the other end. “Everything is in tip top shape here. I took the patio furniture into the ginormous garage thing you have off the side of the property. What do you plan to do with that anyway? It’s large enough for a small aircraft.”

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