Page 40 of The Night We Met

I haven’t talked to Liam since the baseball home-opener. As much as it hurts that he and I have drifted apart, I have to learn to accept it.

“Mom? Dad? Jax?” I call out when I push through the front door.

Our dog Jersey trots over to me with his tongue flopping out.

“Hello handsome, boy,” I greet him as I give his body a rub and kiss the top of his head. When he feels I’ve greeted him enough, he leads me to the backdoor that leads to thepatio and pool. Showing me that’s where my family is congregated.

I wander back to the fridge and grab a beer before wandering outside.

“Kamryn!” My mom announces as she rushes at me. My mom is my best friend, but she’s still stern when she needs to be.

“Hi, Mommy.” I greet when she wraps me in a hug.

“How was your trip?” She asks as she releases me.

I walk over to kiss my dad on the cheek and sit on the lounge chair next to my sister. “It was good. We spent most of our days at the beach, playing tourist, and Mason got me to sing in front of a massive crowd.”

My Mom and Dad look at me in shock.

“I know. I wanted to wring his neck when he told me that. But I ended up loving it,” I can’t stop the smile when I remember how it felt to be up on that stage.

“That’s really great, Kammy,” my sister says next to me.

My family knows I don’t sing in public. They’ve always encouraged me to just give it a try. But anytime I would even attempt to look at a stage I would lose all ability to form words. So they stopped pushing me.

Later that night, I’m sitting in the sunroom reading a book when my mom comes and sits next to me.

“So how are you really?”

My mom is the one I spill a lot of my guts too. Some may think we’re too close. But having a parent that will not only be your parent, but your sounding board means everything.

I set my book to the side. “I’m tired. But my body is justwired with happiness. I feel like a firework ready to take off into the sky.”

“How are things with Mason? We’ll have to make it down there for a game to finally meet him in person.”

The problem with living out of state is that it’s not easy to take your friends or your significant other home to meet the parents. They’ve met over the phone and it’s upped the nerve-factor for when they do finally meet.

“I am so hopelessly in love with him, Mom. I know you always told me not to tie my happiness in to another person, but with him I couldn’t help it. He’s pushed me to be a better person. He’s helped me realize the things that I always worried about, weren’t such big things to worry about in the end.”

She gazes at me with her mother's smile. “Just remember to have your own happiness. I don’t want you to lose that glow I’ve seen in you since you were born.”

“I won't, Mom. I promise.”

My Mom kisses my cheek before heading upstairs to bed. I think back on our conversation.

I’ve always felt I was the bright light in my family. Not that they’re eeyore's or anything. But there was never a day that went by when laughter didn’t infect my family and I was the root of that laughter.

Promises are never meant to be broken, and in this instance I hope to finally keep this one.

Mason

August 2011

This summer went by way too fast. As someone whose summers have always been about practicing with minimal days off, this year was a welcome change. I feel well rested. More well rested than I ever have before. I owe it all to the girl who completely has my heart.

The month Kamryn and I spent at the beach house is my favorite memory throughout my time in college. We laughed. We made love. We fell deeper in love than I thought possible. That month with her solidified my thought that I could seriously see myself marrying her. I know the revelation is fast, but she brings out a side of me I never knew existed.

When our beach house bubble burst, we spent the next few weeks with my parents. Celebrating the fourth of July and taking Kamryn to my old high school, before she went back home for the last couple weeks of summer. My summer isn’t as long as hers and I had to get back early for practice and training. It’s my senior year and a lot is riding on me now.

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