Page 46 of The Sky in Summer
“Come on, Peaches. Rowdy will protect you.”
In anticipation of the entire Valley’s fireworks, the teenagers placed chairs, a few chaises for Mom and Dad, pillows, and large blankets on the lawn in front of the house. Earlier, I claimed the only two person blanket in the bunch. The cowboy hat and hoodie I placed squarely in the center is the do not disturb sign. I’ll have a showdown or shootout with anyone who ignores the message. It may not be the O.K. Corral, but with the hat I will look the part.
“Step away!” I say to Sam, who is eyeing our spot for himself and one of the girls.
Layla and I claim it for ourselves.
“There’s a few advantages to being older,” I call to my nephew’s back.
“Yeah, you should know, Uncle Van!” Teddy laughs, prompting some giggles from the ladies they are trying to seduce.
Lately, they love to bust my balls about my age. It kinda pissed me off at first, but I’m used to it now. It would be a big mistake to let them know it ever bothered me. The adults have been honored with the company of the younger members of the family, who are finally joining us. All day, up to now, they didn’t want to fish, eat, or mingle with anyone outside of their generation. I was sixteen once and so were the rest of the adults. No one is insulted.
Some day they will look back at this and think of it differently. It will be treasured as a day that was about family. And they will remember every person here with a deep affection. Trying to recreate it on their own will be impossible. The cast will have changed. It is how I think of holidays in the past. When we were seven Lyons under the same roof. When all the grandparents were still living and important to our happiness.
Is this one of the last holiday gatherings to be shared with the same people? Everyone here has years left, so probably not. The thing is, after Kristen’s shocking death I know too much. You can get sucker punched by life.
Lately I am conscious of that uncomfortable truth, as I move closer to the change that is coming. But a man should take the chances given. This one, without doubt, is the biggest of my life. A great position waiting, a completely renovated apartment, and I speak the language of the French women who will be waiting to be savored by the American. I mean it works both ways.
“Van, look,” says Layla, lifting her chin toward my parents.
Mom is stretched out on a chaise, as my father places a pillow behind her head. She puts a little wildflower in his hair. Once she is settled, he kisses her head before taking his seat.
“The kids have no idea that’s what love is about.”
Layla doesn’t respond for a moment. When I turn to her there’s a smile greeting me.
“Don’t you think?” I ask.
“I do. I just didn’t know you did.”
We leave the remark where it lays. Sometimes I surprise myself with a conclusion I did not know I had reached. Who am I to define what love is? I have never known it.
The fireworks explode all over the Valley. The full scope of the displays lighting up the sky with bursts of red and blue, pink. The golden flashes of sparkling stars falling into nothingness. The sounds coming from the gathered group heavy with ohhhs and ahhhs.
Sam is not looking at the heavens so much. His eyes are on the girl he sits by. Even from here, I can see his shy smile, as she returns the gaze. Teddy and his girl lay looking at the show. There’s no shyness there. His barefoot is playing footsie with hers. Lord. Already? They were just boys yesterday.
Where’s Tyler? He got up awhile ago and hasn’t returned.
“I’ll be back,” I say to Layla.
“Hey, would you check on Tyler?”
“Sure.”
There’s no need to tell her that’s what I was about to do. She thinks I need to piss. Which is also true. Walking back to the house, I take the stairs two at a time. The sound of the TV reaches all the way downstairs. The dogs are binge watching a cooking show apparently. I hear the chef listing ingredients.
“You will need a cup of sugar and half a cup of molasses.”
Right before reaching the downstairs bathroom, I hear Tyler’s breaking voice from inside.
“Can’t you be there for part of it? The last few innings would be all right. I might be getting the MVP of the game, Dad.”
Oh shit. He’s talking with Ken, and although I shouldn’t listen, I do. It kind of gets to me in the pit of my stomach as his voice cracks with emotion. Fuck.
“I know. Yeah, I understand. Forget it.”
Ken is saying something more than sorry,because it takes a while before Tyler responds.
