"Thank you, baby." She gives me one of her soft, loving kisses.
I don't pull away until I hear, "Ugh, get a room," from Ellie.
FORTY-FOUR
RILEY
Addie and James did their job well, and almost the entire town is here to support the cause. I'm not surprised by the turnout. Everyone knows what Mr. Thompson is going through. He's helped so many people throughout the years. Even without anyone asking, he was always there to lend a hand.
He assisted my dad when he was trying to open his business. The Surf Shack was already open by the time Dad wanted his own orthodontic practice, and Dad had no idea where to start, but Mr. Thompson was there. The entire Thompson clan gets free cleaning for the rest of their lives.
The road in front of the bakery is closed, and people stroll up and down, enjoying the balmy weather. Surrounding shops closed their stores for the day so the focus can stay on the fundraiser.
Restaurants offered their services to feed the hungry people of Dove Point. Tents line the sidewalk with different cuisines to choose from. Three cotton candy machines are stationed near the bakery. Fluffy pastel sugar spins in the machines, waiting to getwrapped.
The smell of kettle corn floats by, making my mouth water. Someone plays fun summertime music at the record store, and the tunes reach the crowds.
Ellie taps on the microphone. "Hi, everyone. Thank you for coming!
Rowan and James built a small stage that's lifted so everyone can see Ellie’s short frame.
August stands next to her, letting her take the lead. His hands are behind his back while he rocks back and forth on his feet. When he looks down at his sister, tiny strands of his chocolate caramel hair fall, and he rakes it back.
"I want to give a shout-out to all the restaurants that are feeding this very hungry crowd." Everyone cheers, and to the owner of the diner, Ellie adds, "Hey Mike. Save me a corn dog or two."
"As you know, our dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He's currently at the end of his treatment, which means he will be able to have surgery to remove the tumor."
The crowd claps, and Ellie waits until it dies down. August looks back at me and gives me a wink. I can melt into a puddle right now.
Ellie continues. "But it's going to be a long road to recovery, and we're going to need all the help we can get. The family is already going to help, but he'll need extra care. That's where an at-home caregiver comes in."
I spot Mr. and Mrs. Thompson standing off to the side of the stage. Mr. Thompson sits in a wheelchair in his usual attire, hat included.
"Unfortunately, my parents' insurance doesn't cover it, and it's costly. After August and I did some research, we found out it's going to cost us about sixty thousand dollars out of pocket for at least eight months."
Mr. Thompson looks down at his lap, almost ashamed. It breaks my heart for him to even feel this way. Mrs. Thompson lowers herself so they're eye level, brushing a strand of her rich brown hair behind her ear, and says something to him.
"With that said, check out some of the items up for bid and let's kick this cancer's ass," Ellie shouts into the microphone, and everyone cheers again, clapping loudly.
I steal a cookie from the large table filled with desserts. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, rice crispy, cupcakes, slices of pie. Anything that was easy enough for Ellie and Emily to bake. Jamie stands behind the table with Emily, handling the customers who are purchasing all the goodies. Ellie is too busy being greeted by many, many people.
"Dad," I call, waving my arm in the air.
"Wow, look at all of this." He places his hands on his hips, looking at everything around us. "How are you guys doing so far? Any updates?"
It's two hours into the fundraiser, and the whole thing feels more like a town fair minus the rides. Small games were set up an hour in to keep the kids entertained. Four squares, Simon says, musical chairs. Mrs. Anderson, the owner of the art studio, brought paint and canvases outside on a table for kids to create their own art.
"Ellie and August have been keeping track of everything. I have no idea where they are. I've just been protecting the dessert table, making sure Jamie and Emily are handling the crowd."
"I'm proud of you. This looks amazing. I know I haven't been able to catch up with you since the bakery opened. Let's plan lunch, and you can tell me everything."
"That sounds good."
I think about what Mom said at the diner, that she felt free from Dad. At the end of the day, he's the one who's truly free from a marriage that dragged him down. Mom wanted him to fail because she was miserable with her own life.
Dad is the reason I was pushed back into August's life. His situation taught me that you don't need to settle. I know it took a lot of courage for Dad to finally break the toxic cycle and leave Mom. Deep down, he was in love with her, but he knew he had to take care of himself first.
"I'm going to find Jake, catch up with him a little. Do you know where he is?"
