Page 27 of Years in the Making

This is the perfect opening. Seriously, I couldn’t script it any better, and so I surprise myself when I don’t take it. “Well,parents in general right? Just think of all the things they deal with that we never know about. Somehow they keep on going, working, parenting, and loving each other. Well, I guess not all parents—there are definitely shitty ones out there. But still, a lot are resilient. And resilient parents breed resilient kids.”

She’s looking at me as if she can see that I’m keeping something locked up, but all she does is lean further into my side. “You’re probably right. I’ll still worry about him, though.”

“That’s your right as his kid,” I reassure her. I worry about my dad too. While everyone else is worried about my mom, I lose sleep worrying about him.

I watch as Nellie fights another yawn, and I look back at where our cars are parked. “Are you going to be okay to drive home?”

She nods. “I’ll open the windows and blast some music. I’ll be okay.”

If the whole slow thing wasn’t hanging over us, I’d suggest sleeping on the beach, although I know I’m already going to be sore tomorrow after sitting out here for hours.

I walk her to her car, and we recreate our post-hike kiss. “Text me when you get home, all right?” I tell her when we finally pull apart.

“You too.” She gives me one more chaste kiss before we finally separate and head towards our respective homes.

Forty-five minutes after I get home, I am still staring at my phone, waiting for a text from Nellie. I am not sure if playing Candy Crush is helping me stay awake or lulling me to sleep.

Library Girl

Home. Had to stop for gas and a friend from high school was working so I got home a little later than planned.

Glad you’re home safe. How was the drive?

Uneventful. Not even a jaywalking deer.

It really is rude that they just think they can cross wherever they want.

Deer are notoriously unobservant creatures.

My front bumper knows that all too well.

Oh no!

First time driving solo too!

OH NOOOOO. I thought I hit a chipmunk once and was inconsolable for about 10 minutes. My mom finally got me to stop crying and pointed at the side mirror and the little fucker was just standing 50 feet behind the car, watching!

I am convinced for some species running across the road is a coming-of-age thing.

I suggested that to my dad once and he assured me it was not…I still think it is though.

Okay, I need to go put my phone down or I’m going to fall asleep with it.

Would that be the worst thing?

No. Goodnight, EG!

Night, LG!

ELEVEN

NELLIE

Enviro Guy

What’s your secret desire?

I stare down at my phone, my hand pausing mid-book scan. I’d woken up to a good morning text from Teddy, and then he’d sent a picture of a tree his team would be dismantling about an hour later. Other than that we haven’t talked much today, which was to be expected with both of us returning to work. Still, despite the expectation, I find myself missing him more than I should.

---