Page 83 of One Golden Ring
Angel Mountain was hauntingly lovely under the snow. Now it’s lush and warm, painted in a thousand shades of green. Fresh breezes filter through the shade trees of the mountainside, keeping the warm summer day comfortable enough that I’m really looking forward to being outside for all of it.
Derek and J.B. head off pretty quickly. The two of them volunteered to help out with the younger kids who are participating in the Balsa Derby. Building and tinkering with little wooden racing cars is exactly the kind of activity that the two of them love, so I know they’ll have fun.
Michael and I walk among the stalls, buying treats here and there to support the cause, and catching up with all his old friends. It’s so nice to see him walking around energetically and soaking in the sunshine and camaraderie. This is the retirement he deserves and never would have taken if he hadn’t fallen ill. Sometimes terrible things have endings that take your breath away.
After a bit, we settle in for the derby race, which is very exciting. Everyone cheers and yells for the kids. As usual, every participant is announced and praised, and the winner gets a special ribbon and a coupon for a free ice cream sundae at the diner.
When that’s over we all get back together and wander the stalls again, buying the most delicious homemade lunches we can find for the four of us. Then we spread out the quilt in the park to eat.
But before we can get started Tara Littlewolf appears.
“Hey, J.B.,” she says. “Want to walk around?”
J.B. springs to her feet before remembering to get permission.
“Can I, Mom?” she asks, spinning to me with sparkling eyes.
Oh, she’s good.
“Yes,” I say. “As long as you stay in the park. And as long as it’s okay with your dad.”
“Go on,” he tells her.
The two girls grin and then dart off toward the dessert tables.
“She’s already got you wrapped around her finger,” Michael says, chuckling.
“Definitely,” I tell him. “Can you blame me?”
“Not even a little bit,” he says.
“They’ll be fine,” Derek says, looking after them and then waving to Paula and Ed Littlewolf, who have a blanket set up on the other side of the park. “This is about the safest place in the world, and I know her grandparents will keep an eye out too.”
We feast on homemade pierogis and chili dogs. When we’re finished I pull out the desserts and the banana pudding looks so heavenly even Derek tries it, humming in satisfaction over his first big bite.
“Mom, Dad, Mom, Dad,” J.B. suddenly calls out as she and Tara run back over.
“Hey, guys,” I say. “Are you having fun?”
“Can we buy glow bracelets?” J.B. asks breathlessly. “And can we get another hot dog? And can Tara sleep over tonight?”
“Yes, yes, and I don’t see why not,” Derek says, peelinga few bills out of his wallet. “As long as it’s okay with her grandparents.”
“Yes,”J.B. says.
“Yes,” Tara echoes happily.
The two of them take the handful of small bills Derek holds out and dash over to talk to Tara’s family.
Derek gives me a special smile and I know he’s thinking what I’m thinking. It’s such a blessing to see J.B. having fun with a friend.
“She couldn’t find a better best friend,” Michael agrees with a smile.
As soon asthe sun begins to set it’s time for the mother-daughter dance competition.
J.B. has bought me a glow bracelet and she tells me that it will make us stand out.
Tara and her Grandma Paula are beside us and the four of us start warming up a little, preparing our dance moves. The two of us are doing something that J.B. says is buzzing on BeeBop, and I’ll have to take her word for that since social media isn’t my thing any more than dancing is. I’m just glad it’s not too complicated for me to follow.
