Ch 1 – April
The sun is shining, and I feel like I’m walking on air. This is the first time in almost four years that I’ve had the freedom to do whatever I want. It’s nice not to have the responsibility of life holding me down. Vacation is where I can let myself go and be the beach bunny I was when I was younger.
This day starts with lying on the beach, watching the sunrise while in the Lotus position. I feel all my negativity being expelled out of my body with every breath. The sound of the waves is soothing, and I listen to the beauty of nature all around me. I’m finally comfortable again being in a bikini, unencumbered by the trappings of society.
My usual dark hair is now platinum blonde for that summer look. I breathe deeply, realizing there are still five days left before I have to return to life as I know it. Today is the baptism of Jake and Chloe’s child and I’m so fortunate to have my vacation coincide with this milestone in their lives.
I stand up and stretch my limbs, moving my body back and forth, remembering how limber I was back in the day. Surfing has always been my favorite pastime, but life has gotten so busy that I haven’t done much of it lately. It’s the reason why my surfboard is sitting there in the sand, beckoning me into the surf, but I really can’t bring myself to do it.
The sand tickles my feet as I walk back to the house. It’s rented for the next few days and seeing it on the internet made me put down a deposit on it immediately. It has everything I need, including a gourmet kitchen with a view of the ocean from the window while I’m standing at the sink.
I’m a bit of a clean freak and hate germs with every fiber of my being. Making sure there isn’t a dust bunny found in the house has become a fulltime job. Wiping the counters after every meal and making sure the dishes are cleaned until I can see my reflection in them is my cross to bear.
I walk up the spiral staircase, holding onto the black matte metal railing until I come into the only bedroom in the place. The classic white of the sheets and pillowcases, not including the billowing drapes leading out onto the deck, is amazing.
The virginal white summer dress lying on my bed is perfect for the occasion. I slide into it and stand at the mirror, going through my regular routine of putting on my makeup. I don’t need much.
My hair is simply too hard to resist looking at. The short cut is something daring and a throwback to when I was younger and I was on the circuit, competing for their adulation. That’s the life I miss. Fighting and clawing against athletes of my caliber is something that I long for.
Getting back into the swing of things after four years isn’t going to be easy. Jake has been instrumental in mentoring me back into shape. He’s not there in person, but he is always encouraging me and sending me snippets of things I can do to improve.
I make my way down the stairs to hear the horn honking outside. It’s easy to spot the candy apple Jeep in the driveway idling in neutral. Classic eighties music is blasting out of the speakers with Jake outside of the vehicle, breathing in the salt air.
He stares out at the ocean with his eyes closed. “It’s nice to see you after all this time. I really didn’t know what to expect when I invited you. You need this time away, don’t you? Let’s have a bonfire and corn boil tonight, like we did when we were younger.”
This sleepy town near Jacksonville is the hot spot that we spent time getting to know each other in. Amazingly, there is nothing sexual between us and there never has been. I don’t feel that way about him. I did set him up on a few dates just to see the smile on his face the morning after.
“That’s a wonderful idea. I know a lot of our friends have drifted apart over the years. Invite whoever you want and let’s really give this summer the sendoff it deserves.” I remember fondly dancing around under the moonlight to the music playing with raucous laughter all around me.
I didn’t rent a car, so it’s nice of Jake to offer to drive me on his special day to where Chloe and his baby boy, Quinn, are waiting for him.
“You don’t look like you have aged a day. Where do you get the energy at almost 30years old?” he asks but continues before I can answer. “I can see that familiar fire in your eyes. I signed you up for a surfing competition tomorrow morning. Don’t worry; it’s just like riding a bike, you never forget how to ride once you’re back on a board.” I’m not sure how I feel about him meddling in my affairs, but I appreciate the effort.
I look down at my trembling hands. “I’m not as young as I used to be. I might be a little rusty. What makes you think that I’m ready for something like this after almost 5 years of being domesticated?”
The view is a breathless example of what Mother Nature is capable of. The church where the baptism is being held is someplace familiar for me. I spent many Sundays during my youth standing in the shadows, listening to the sermons. Those peaceful words of wisdom convinced me to live in the moment.
“It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game. The competitive spirit is still in you, begging to come out. Being an executive at an advertising agency has got to be rewarding in a different way, but this week is about slowing down and having fun. I have brought the entire family to this place and this is something I want to share with them. I’m so grateful to have one of my best friends attending. We have something to ask you, but there’s time for that later,” he hints with this little smirk on his face I find completely charming.
The wind is blowing through my hair and I’m watching the gorgeous landscape stretch out before me until we arrive at this tiny little chapel, located right next to the ocean. There have been many baptisms here conducted by the same priest for the past 20 plus years.
His hair is no longer jet black and there are streaks of gray in it, but his white collar is as pristine as ever. He has a few more wrinkles around his eyes and forehead.
“I should’ve known we would be waiting for you. I’m so glad that you have come back to your roots. It has been a long time.” He wraps his arms around me, and I feel like the weight of the world is falling off of my shoulders.
“It’s really nice to see you, Father Brown. Where has the time gone? It feels like it was only yesterday you were glaring at us from the church steps. I guess I should apologize for how we terrorized the neighborhood with our dirt bikes at night. We were just having fun. Those days are far behind me. I’ve become a productive member of society,” I explain in the hopes that he sees that I’m not the same careless and reckless child from back in the day.
“April, I never doubted for one second that you would turn out great. Everything we do in life molds us into the person we are meant to be. Mistakes are a part of life that we learn from, and then we dust ourselves off and move forward.” He’s good at making me feel better and there’s no doubt his wise words of wisdom have been missed.
The church looks the same, but in desperate need of a paint job to bring it back to its former glory. The steps are new, with the old ones most likely rotted from being too close to the ocean.
I push back to see a crowd forming at the front of the church.
One man stands out from the crowd. He looks uncomfortable and is constantly looking around for a way out. I can almost envision what he’s thinking. He’s never going to be a normal barbecue on the weekend kind of guy; his fight or flight instincts are always at odds. He reminds me of Jake, but there’s something compelling about him.