Breeze didn’t have to say a word. Her very visible cringe was proof she thought I was crazy.
“You think I’m making a mistake?” I asked.
“Um, well, how thick was the report?”
“Pretty fucking thick!”
More cringing.
“Stop.” I laughed. “You’re not helping.”
“Sorry. Look, I don’t think it’s wrong to give her a chance to explain herself. If you know her background going in, you’ll be biased. At the same time, knowing will keep you from getting duped.”
“What would you do?”
“I’d find out everything I could about her, right down to her favorite Disney villain—but that’s just me. I like to be thorough.”
* * *
Since the reunion with my mother would be taking place the following day, it ruined Breeze’s plan for not only a surprise camping trip, but also ‘Bucket List Wednesday.’ However, it proved not to be a problem because Breeze knew how to roll with the punches. Scraping the camping fun altogether, she effortlessly retitled the day ‘Bucket List Tuesday’ and within an hour of my phone conversation, we were pulling up to a park.
A very public park. Sweat broke out on my brow as I took in the scene. For all her good intentions, Breeze hadn’t experiencedAnyDayNowpandemonium levels yet and just because the last couple of outings had been a success didn’t mean we should push our luck. I should say something, warn her. But that happy smile on her face, one that was full of promise for the great day she had planned, kept me silent.
“You all right?” she asked, a little of the light fading from her eyes. “What’s with the pouty face?”
“There’s no pouty face. It’s just my regular one.”
“Not when you’re with me, it’s not. Now, turn that frown upside down and let’s go roll down that hill.”
She jumped out of the car before I could protest. Hill rolling hadn’t been on my list of things to do. But, as with everything since meeting this girl, I couldn’t bring myself to say no. So once again, I let her take the lead.
Grabbing ahold of my hand, Breeze sprinted up the hill, dragging me after her. Once at the top, she planted her hands on either side of my face and said, “Now, this isn’t usually part of the childhood experience, but I can’t help myself.”
The kiss that followed made the trip up worth it. I smiled against her lips, allowing the anxiety to melt away as I lifted Breeze off her feet. Her legs wrapped around my waist and we kissed, lost in our own little world. There were no demands on my time, no screaming fans, and no hiding behind a wall of fame.
“Are you ready?” she asked, breathless.
No.But did it matter? Whatever made her happy, that’s what I’d do. Heart pounding, I eased us onto the lush grass and let gravity propel us down the hill.
* * *
Medieval paper kite flying was next on our list, but getting lift off was near impossible, even after Breeze added her own puffs of air to the rickety contraption. She assured me thatfailingto fly a kite was a common childhood experience, so we crossed that particular activity off my list as well.
The park proved an effective location for a myriad of childhood activities. After catching a bug, splashing in a puddle, and jumping in the world’s smallest leaf pile, I felt lighter, happier, than I had in years. Breeze and I had earned this day. No rules, no expectations, no worries. We were safe, unharmed, and free from the smoke and ash cloud now large enough to be seen from space.
Best of all, there were no curious onlookers lurking in the bushes. The park Breeze had chosen was nestled against the hills in an affluent area where the only people wandering around were a few retired dog walkers and a group of moms with babies in strollers, their preschool age kids climbing all over the playground equipment. No one was expecting to find the wayward member ofAnyDayNowswinging from the jungle gym.
That’s not to say my presence didn’t attract some attention. Eager four and five-year-old kids flocked to Breeze and I the minute we took over the equipment. The munchkins followed us around like we were the most fun they’d had since birth. With our band of merry mini-men sticking to us like glue, Breeze and I climbed the jungle gyms, tumbled down the slides, and scaled the monkey bars.
“Okay, we’re going to jump now,” Breeze instructed as we soared through the air on a pair of side-by-side swings. “Hands on the other side of the chain. Now jump!”
Following her example, I let go of the chain a good five feet in the air. While Breeze got a nice arch and landed gracefully on her feet, I became tangled in the chain and face planted in the soft sand.
“You were supposed to land on your feet.” Breeze snorted a laugh.
“See, you could have made that clear.”
The Lego gang sprang forward, dog piling on top of me as if I’d orchestrated the entire belly flop for their pleasure. Mothers descended from every direction, peeling their unruly charges off my back. As I pushed to my feet, flashes of recognition shot through the eyes of the mommy brigade.
