“My mom and dad fell in love that summer. Just about when it was time for my dad to go home, my mom found out she was pregnant with me. My dad vowed he would never leave her. When he told his parents they disowned him. He stayed in Coopersville with my Grandpa Frank and Grandma Cindy. I was born and they were one big happy family. My dad got me a shirt that said “Will you marry my mommy?” and my mom said, yes.” Tears started falling down his face. I just held his arm as tight as I could.
“They got married right here in this field. They set up their own little ceremony. My mom held a sunflower as her bouquet. I was dressed in a cute little suit. After the little makeshift wedding they were going on a little road trip for their honeymoon but they didn’t even make it out of town. They lost control of their car crossing over a bridge and their car flipped. My mom died instantly. My dad was in a coma for two whole years. I was so young but I swear I have memories of him in the hospital bed hooked up to all of those machines.There was one point where he even woke up. He talked to my grandpa and told him stories of seeing my mom while he was asleep. He had memories with her on their honeymoon and they hadn’t even made it there. They didn’t have the heart to tell him she passed away. One day he went to sleep and didn’t wake up. They assumed it was complications from the accident and two weeks later my grandpa Frank died of a heart attack. Then my grandma started showing signs of dementia and ended up in a facility. I’ve been with my Uncle Roger ever since.”
“I am so sorry Luke. You clearly have been through a lot.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. I wiped the tears from his cheeks.
“I bet you can’t beat that.” He said smiling through his tears. “Any other questions?” He added. “We might as well get the tough stuff over with now.”
“This is backtracking a little bit, but why don’t you just tell your Uncle you want to be a paramedic? Won’t he understand?”
Luke gulped again. “You’re really asking the good questions.” He said. “So, obviously both my uncle and grandma are super important to me. If it was up to me, my grandma wouldn’t even be in a home. She just needs around the clock care that’s impossible to provide. Anyway, when I was 16, my uncle fell, fixing the roof of the shop after a hurricane hit. He hurt his back pretty bad and it’s never been the same. He was prescribed pain killers and believe me his back is messed up, but he has been abusing them ever since. He took care of me my whole life. Now I just feel like it’s my turn to take care of him, you know?” I just nodded.
“Any more questions before we hit the road?” Luke looked me straight in the eyes.
“When can I meet them?” Luke did that same nervous cough he did when my grandma talked to him about his Uncle Roger.
“You sure you want to get yourself into that?” He asked.
I smiled. “ It would be an honor to meet the people who made you who you are.”
“I have one question for you before we go,” Luke said, rubbing my arm.
“I know I might be getting ahead of myself here but what happens at the end of the summer?”
My heart sank and we sat in silence for a minute before I forced myself to respond. “I don't know but I’m here now,” I whispered and kissed Luke’s soft lips.
Chapter 4:
“You almost ready to go honey?” My mom shouted up the stairs clearly getting impatient.
“Be right down!” I uttered back. My phone vibrated. I hoped it was Luke telling me he got out of working today. I knew the Fourth of July was one of the busiest days of the year on the boardwalk but I wanted him all to myself today.
Happy Fourth baby, you’re a firework !
I giggled out loud and grabbed my sunglasses off the dresser and headed downstairs.
Gia, my mom, Ronnie and I headed out for a day at the beach. Of course, we invited Aunt Helen but she thought that was an insane idea. I texted Luke back as we sauntered to the boardwalk.
I think I could go for pizza for lunch..
Lovely choice my lady. He replied.
Everything was packed. “Aren’t you glad we left when we did? This place is a zoo.” My mom said scanning the crowd. Every single time I walked on the boardwalk and got close to the Pizza Shack my heart skipped a beat. As we got close, I squinted towards the entrance. There I saw Luke in American flag swim trunks, a black tank top, and a towel hanging around his neck.
“Surprise!” He shouted. I darted into his arms.
“How’d you get THIS day off?”I asked.
“I know the owner.” He winked. “Let’s beach it.” He added grabbing my hand and we all strolled towards the beach.
The air was salty and the waves were continuously kissing the shore. The sun was blazing and the air was
