Page 43 of Chasing Fireflies

“Just like drinking with your meds, huh?” she says.

I lift my brow and smile a little. “Touché, my friend. Touché.”

“Where’s Lucas?” Leigh asks.

“Lucas is passed out, so I figured why am I going to sit at home?”

My friend just started smoking, and her husband isn’t treating her any better. It’s not a secret that I’m worried—I’ve told her more than once. Her carefree attitude is understandable, but it doesn’t distract me from the bruises on her arms. She sees me looking and gives me a glare.

“I’m not going to say anything,” I say as I look back toward the field and see Cash on third base. Two more runs and we will win this.

“You know I don’t crawl in the fetal position and take it, don’t you?” This is the first time she has ever acknowledged him hitting her. I don’t say anything—too scared she won’t continue.

“I’m filing for divorce. Give me some of that gum,” she says to Leigh who also has a look ofwhat the hell?

“Both of you stop.”

She grabs a handful of Big League Chew and takes her shades off. I see a small shade of blue under her eye. It’s fresh because I saw her yesterday, and it wasn’t there.

“His drinking is getting out of hand, and his hand is getting braver. I’m sick of it, and I’m going to end up smothering him in his sleep if he doesn’t kill me first.”

I look around at the other people on the bleachers. A woman looks our way with a shocked face.

“Turn around, Gladys Kravitz,” Leigh says, and I try to hold my laugh in. Maci doesn’t, and Leigh snickers with her.

“I’m going to need yours and Cash’s help,” Maci says after the giggles stop and her face turns serious.

“This man isn’t going to let me go without a fight.” She looks off, and a crease forms between her brows. Her eyes fill with unshed tears she doesn’t even seem to know are there.

“He wasn’t always like this, and it breaks my damn heart,” she says quietly, and there’s the friend I know and have come to love. She sniffs and straightens her back. “But people change, things change, and as much as you want them to stay the same, it just isn’t always the case.” She looks down at her fingers and sighs. I look out at the field and see that Cash has already run home and so has the other player. We won, and I didn’t even notice.

“We are here for you. Whatever you need,” I tell her.

*

I’d tell you I was a pro at driving the motorcycle, but I’d be lying. Cash is, though, so we head out of town with a blanket and a picnic basket. Cotton candy skies are above us as the sun decides to stretch its light and wake up for the day. It’s early morning, and the wind against my face is cool. I feel okay today. I haven’t been taking my medicine like I should, though, because I’m tired of how sleepy it makes me.

*

Cash slows the bike down and comes to a complete stop. I hop off first and remove my helmet. I run a hand through my hair and look out at the view. The sun shines brightly now, making a layer of gold flakes across the water. The blue diving board I jumped off of more times than I can count rests in the middle of the lake on a platform, and the sound of water lapping against the dock I remember being bigger is the only thing that can be heard. It’s peaceful out here, but it used to be full of splish-splashing and laughing kids, drunk teenagers, and late night bonfires. I look over at my husband and smile.

“Wanna go for a dip?” he asks me. My grin widens, and I squeal when Cash takes off running and I do the same. He pulls his shirt up from behind his neck, and I grab mine from the bottom and toss it behind me. Our feet knock against the dock. He yells, “cannon ball” before he disappears into the water with a big splash. Jumping up, I toss my hands into the air and leap. It almost feels like flying until cold water touches my toes. The loud noise of our splash mutes, and then darkness and the rushing of water surround me as bubbles bubble up. A light feeling of weightlessness takes over me. My arms go limp, and my neck rests back. I hold my breath and enjoy this quick moment of being totally alone under a space so big. It’s tranquility and awe at the same time. I feel his hands under my arms before I am forced to the top. I let air rush into my lungs as Cash moves my hair out of my face.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Just shutting out the noise for a second.”

Brown eyes and messy hair looks at me. He doesn’t understand. He wants to, but he just can’t. I splash him and grin as I take off back toward the dock.

*

We lie on the blanket, soaking up some rays and eating the fruit I packed.

“You miss this place?” Cash asks me. I lean back on my arms and look around me.

“I miss the moments we had here.”

“Yeah, me, too,” he agrees.

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