We head down the dock, Mom backs the trailer into the water, and Dad gets on and drives the boat off. As my mom goes to park, we all climb aboard the boat, Aurora’s life vest securely in place.
Once Mom is aboard, we’re off.
The sun beats down on my face, and being on the water means that I can let all of my worries go. Aurora squeals in delight as lake spray washes over us and the wind blows our hair back. Hattie lets out a scream, and Aurora copies her, both throwing their hands up into the air.
It feels good to be out here, to be with family. It was something I missed doing, and I feel bad that I haven’t made it a priority over the last few years.
The boat slows as Dad finds a good fishing spot, and Mom holds the wheel steady for him for a minute, trolling it along so Dad can find what he wants. They have their routine down pat, and I smile as I watch them.
“So, how was your d-a-t-e? I’ve barely seen you this week, and we haven’t discussed it.”
Hattie rips open a pack of gummy candy, and Aurora is settled right next to her, waiting for her aunt to spoil her. Which, of course, she does without thought.
“My date?” I scrunch my brows together and shake my head. “That was over a week ago.”
“I know! But I never got details!” Hattie implores. “How was it? How was he?” She wiggles her brows, and I stick my tongue out, miming a gag. “No. Really?”
“Really. I barely made it through dinner before I hightailed it out of there.”
Hattie groans. “No. He’s hot, but that’s all he has?”
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t stop talking about himself, andhimselfis very boring.” I joke, making Aurora giggle. My daughter is good at picking up social cues but thankfully doesn’t understand what I’m saying.
Our conversation bores her, so she jumps up and runs over to her grandma.
I turn my attention to my sister. “He might be great for someone else, but he’s just not for me.”
“That’s because you like the goofy guys.”
I gape at her as the sun blinds me, and I hold my hand up in front of my face. “I do not.”
“Yes, you do.” She laughs, tossing her hair back and laying her obnoxious sun hat on her head again. I need one of those hats. “You like the chill guy, the laid-back one, the fun one. You don’t need a corporate drone.”
“I wasn’t planning on dating for seriousness. I was trying to…” I glance at my daughter and just look at my sister to show her what I mean.
She nods and shrugs. “Maybe that’s not for you. You might be the type that needs connection before you have”—she looks down the boat—“dessert.”
I scoff out laughter at her words and sigh. “I just don’t know if I ever want to go down that road again.”
Hattie gives me a sympathetic look. “I know. What Shane did to you was not cool, but he’s gone. He’s out of your life. You need to be able to let that go so you can be the best you can be, for you and for her.”
I cringe at the mention of my ex. He was such a charmer at first. Until he got stuck in a situation he apparently never wanted and took off.
My mind drifts, and I’m not surprised that it drifts to the one guy that I seem to be unable to take my mind off of. He’s someone special, I could tell by the way he acts. His behavior at the wedding showed he really cares about his friends, and his laid-back attitude at the game night showed me he isn’t too intense, that things can roll off his back.
Him showing up for me to babysit Aurora, that is huge for me. Not only that he’s great with kids—she hasn’t stopped talking about him since he babysat—but also that he follows through on his promises.
There were many facets to Derek that I liked way too much. Because he was definitely clear that the feelings were not mutual.
Of course, I would fall for a guy who isn’t interested in me.
Story of my life.
Mom lets the boat idle for a while and comes over to chat with us girls, Aurora runs over to fish with her grandfather, and I bask in the sunshine and joy I feel from just being able to do this with my family.
There were more things to be grateful for than there were to worry about. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, I have a well-paid job, and Aurora loves her school. We have family that cares for us and supports us.
There was nothing we needed. Not really.
