Page 78 of Text Appeal

“You want a try?” asks Shanti.

“You got it covered.” Connor shakes his head.

Her smile is full of sharp teeth. “Yes, I do.”

I give her a double thumbs up. No one needs to see me attempt sport.

Shanti grips the ball tight and steadies herself, lifts her leg as she draws back her arm, and then lets the ball fly. The woman has serious form. Her ball speeds through the air and hits the target dead center with a mighty bang. Brian drops into the pool and everyone cheers.

“Goodness. That never gets old,” says Diane, standing nearby. She’s wearing linen and pearls as always. The man standing beside her is of a similar age. He’s handsome with a baldhead and a chunky gold watch on his wrist that must be worth a small fortune. Shanti said they were snowbirds down from Alaska, but when the winter ended, they decided to stay. Diane turns to her husband. “Put another fifty in the boy’s cap, Paul.”

The man does as he’s told.

“Best pitcher the high school ever had,” says Connor. “A back injury stopped her from going pro.”

Diane clicks her tongue. “Such a shame. Though she runs an excellent business.”

Brian meanwhile is climbing out of the tank. The stream of profanities he’s spewing is shocking and also hilarious.

“Mind your language,” shouts Diane. “This is a family friendly event.”

He gives her the stink eye and she grins. No idea how he made an enemy of the lady. Brian seems to have the happy ability to anger everyone he meets. But people sure are getting their revenge today. Putting Brian in the seat was a solid moneymaking decision.

A man with white hair and a neat beard approaches the tank. “What’s this I hear about foul language?”

“Sorry, Pastor Mike,” says Brian.

He crosses his arms and shakes his head. Such disapproval in his stare.

“Get your butt back on the seat already,” says Shanti. “Time is wasting.”

Pastor Mike checks the tank. “I’ll go fetch more ice in just a minute.”

Brian’s mouth gapes like a fish. One who clearly doesn’t appreciate cold water. “But—”

“Come along now, Brian,” orders Pastor Mike. “So good ofyour father to donate your time to the cause. Our children’s literacy program applauds your effort. Who wants to see Brian go for a swim? Two throws for five dollars!”

We follow our ears toward the stage. There’s a sea of picnic blankets spread across the grass. Which explains why they call it picnic in the park. So many people are here hanging out, listening to the music, eating and drinking and making merry. All beneath a suitably atmospheric blue and white sky. But the clouds are fluffy and nonthreatening. A warm salt wind is blowing in off the water and summer doesn’t get much better than this. With Connor’s arm slung around my neck and his big warm body by my side…this is everything I ever dreamed of and more.

Nicole and Katja are doing a duet.Stop Dragging My Heart Aroundby Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. We know Nicole loves to send a message. Katja seems to have also taken to the idea. Though of course music is going to be a musician’s form of communication. And this song has clearly been chosen with care, given the grim expression on one person’s face.

Ava stands on the other side of the stage watching the performance with her heart on her sleeve, and she doesn’t seem to care who in the crowd sees her lovelorn expression. Her gaze remains glued to the tall blonde playing guitar onstage. It’s like Katja is pouring her soul into the music and Ava not only hears but understands every note. The bond between them is beautiful.

We find Lu and Stuart off to the side, near the front. Spread out on an old plaid picnic blanket with hats and sunscreen and a variety of snacks.

“Wondered when you two would get here,” says Stu with an affable smile. “Little brother, you look so pretty.”

Connor smiles. “Thanks.”

Lu gives us a nod and keeps sucking on her smoothie.

We take a seat on the picnic blanket and yes. This is good. Connor picks up my hand and holds it in his. I don’t think this warm, bubbly feeling inside has been so big since high school. I am crushing hard and feeling all the feelings. My heart hasn’t been this invested in someone in pretty much forever. And I know the safe thing to do would be calm the fuck down. Come tomorrow, we’ll have known each other one whole week. But hormones and feelings have no interest in rationality. They drag us along leaving destruction in their wake. Though you never know. This time might be different and that’s the eternal catch. It just might all work out this time. I really hope it does.

At least the time has come to sit and chill. But apparently no because Denise is marching our way with a look on her face. One that doesn’t bode well for anybody. It’s nervous and hopeful and determined along with a hundred other things. This is a woman on a mission. Her gaze is set on her youngest son. Though she shoots me little frowns now and then and it sucks to be included.

“Take a seat, Mom,” says Stuart. “Nic’s going off today.”

Denise sits and gives everyone a solid attempt at a smile. Her fingers fuss all the while with the drink bottle she’s carrying. “I know you don’t want to hear it, Connor. So this is the last time I’ll bring it up. But I would appreciate it if you would take the time to have a conversation with Ava.”

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