IT’S BEEN THREE months since we came back from our trip and life is better than ever. I stopped taking my medication two weeks ago, but I’ve continued to see Dr. Marlow each week to update her on how I’m doing. Trevor’s finally moved everything out of the apartment he was renting, and we gave most of it to Ken for his new apartment. He found a place near campus with two other members of the baseball team, and as long as he keeps his grades up we’ve agreed to help with his rent.
Tyler and Mia finally picked a wedding date. I’d threatened them that I’d have them married in their sleep if they didn’t do something. I mean, I’ve heard of a long engagement, but they were taking it to a whole new level. This summer after the Cherry Festival, Mia will finally become a Cook and I’ll gain another sister.
Mikey met a girl a few weeks ago, so we’ve seen a new side of him. It’s one that likes to bathe, and wear clothes without holes in them. I knew something was up when he asked me what kinda cologne Trevor wore. It’s sweet really, but I miss my boys being babies.
We haven’t tried to get pregnant anymore. I figure, if it happens then it happens. I’m getting up there in age for children anyway. With Mikey being fourteen now, Trevor and I can get away more. CJ comes over quite a bit to get away from Eva and her friends, and Mikey runs off with him. Now that he’s noticing girls though, things may change.
With summer in full swing now, Trevor’s had to work late. The Cherry Festival isn’t far away, and the summer tourists are all in town. I’ve been wracking my brain to find a way to thank him, and I finally figured it out earlier this week. Taylor’s been helping, and as I look around at my work, I’m rather proud of myself. When I bring Trevor here tonight, I hope he’s surprised and that he understands the meaning of it all.
IT’S BEEN A long day at work today, and as if it couldn’t be worse… the air conditioner in my office is broken. It’s been hot as hell, and I’m sitting here fanning myself when my brother shows up. He leaned against the jamb smiling like an idiot at me.
“What?” I grumbled as I stared at him.
“Came to tell you something,” he laughed “but I can see now is not a good time.”
“It’s fine. I’m just tired,” I sighed as I leaned back and reached for the small fridge in the corner. I kept bottled waters in there and right now I wanted to pour one over my head.
“I’m supposed to make sure you leave on time, and dress nice for the evening,” he rolled his eyes.
“Why would I dress up?” I grumbled. “It’s hot as hell.”
“Sharron told Morgan to make sure you wore something nice. If I want any adult attention from my wife tonight, I need to make sure you follow orders.”
“Adult attention?” I snickered. I remembered the days of having a young child. Eva was six which is just old enough to be curious.
“Shut up,” he grumbled. “Wear something nice, and go to the school. I’m outta here. I did my part,” he waved his hand in the air as he turned and left me there. I had no idea what Sharron had cooked up, but when I looked at my watch and saw it was already five-thirty, I knew I needed to leave.
WHEN I PULLED into the high school parking lot, the only car there was my wife’s. It was parked in the far corner spot, the one that I always parked in when we were dating. I pulled into the spot beside it and before I could climb out, Sharron came around the corner of the building.
“What are we doing here?” I walked over to where she was standing and watched her. She was dressed in a light blue sundress and had curled her hair. Other than a few smile lines, she looked exactly like she did when we first got together.
“Anything seem familiar?” she grinned as she rocked on her heels. When I didn’t answer her, she continued, “Remember our first official date?”
The Spring Dance, of course I remembered. “We went to the dance together.”
“And I wore a blue dress,” she giggled. “Come with me,” she reached for my hand and led me around the to the side entrance to the school where you could enter the gym. “I wanted to make tonight something different, something special. I made some phone calls, and got access to the school. Surprise,” she swung her arms wide as we stepped into the gym which had been transformed into a replica of the first dance we’d attended.
“You did all this?” I glanced around. She had everything, music, lights, even a table set up with snacks.
“Un huh,” she nodded enthusiastically. “I spent all day working on this,” she grinned as she pranced over to the bleachers and pushed some buttons on a radio she commandeered. Carrie Underwood’s voice filled the air as she sang about remembering how things used to be, and Sharron wrapped her arms around my neck.
“I love you, and I love that you’re constantly surprising me,” I smiled softly as I placed my arms around her waist. She laid her head on my chest as we swayed to the music much like we did that night. “This is so much better than that dance, baby.”
“Why’s that?” she murmured without looking up at me.
“Because I’m not nervous about kissing you like I was back then, in fact,” I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers “I’m thinking I might have the guts to take you behind the bleachers this time.” She laughed as she reached up and pulled my head back down, sealing her lips to mine once more.
We were doing great, moving forward, but it was always nice to be able to go back to before… before the cherry trees and life got in the way.