Chapter 5 Sunset

As we drive through our town, the wind rushes through my hair. This is so incredible; it feels like a movie scene I watched when I was child. 

“You okay back there?” Jack asks.

“Yes I’m fine.” Speechless to be honest, I don’t have a clue of what to say. 

“Well, we’re almost there. I’m not taking you far, just wanted you to have a look around your old town!” 

The rain stopped a bit but we’re both soaked. It’s been pouring rain the entire time.

Jack pulled up by the corner and stopped the motorcycle.

“Here we are.” Jack said.

It’s a beautiful lake filled with ducks and swans. It’s so romantic and unbelievable. How could I have never experienced this before? The smell of nature. The pitter patter of the rain falls, as it lands in the lake. 

“I’ve never been here before, not even when I was a kid. I’m sure I would have remembered a beautiful scenery like this.” I say.

“Oh dear, Carol, you're soaked. Come here take my jacket.” 

As we get off the bike Jack holds my hand and runs with me so we can sit under a shed by the lake.

“Here this should keep the rain off of us for now.” 

“I think it’s perfect. This place feels like a dream.” I say, while smiling at him. 

I sit down and look around. I cannot take my eyes off the lake. 

“I thought you’d like it up here. After I saw you crying, I knew you just needed some peace and quiet. It must have been hard to give up everything and move out here?” 

“Not entirely, it was kind of my idea to travel. I just didn’t know where to start. My parents suggested I stay at the ranch house so I can be on my own for a while, until I am ready to move somewhere else. I needed to get away. I mean, away from it all. The crowd, the people, my ex-boyfriend. I just wanted to start somewhere new and begin a journey.”

“So, you chose here. The woods? You think you’ll find a career here in the woods?” Jack asks with a smile. 

I know he is just saying that to make me laugh. It’s so strange but I feel I’ve known him for ages, like all my life. Not only being a kid, I feel he’s been there all along. 

“Come on Jack, you know what I mean. I want to explore. My family is way too rich, and I never got the chance to live a normal life. I want to build a future of my own, have a family someday and all that must be earned. I know it won't happen overnight but that’s my dream Jack.” I say.

“I understand, it’s good to have ambition and goals. Life is all about trying new things. I also want to have a family someday, buy my own house and have kids of my own. I’m so excited for the future, I even have their names all planned out. If I have a girl her name will be Lily, and if it’s a boy, then his name will be Leland!”

“Lovely names, kids are such a huge part of life. I’ve always wanted kids too but finding the right person and settling down is such a challenge.” I say.

“Well, only time can tell; everything happens at the right point in time. Sometimes we can’t predict it. For example, a few months back, did you think you’ll be spending the summer here in Pennsylvania?”

“No. I don’t think I’ve ever envisioned it this way. I had different plans, but all changed once my last relationship ended.”

“I see. He was a jerk for leaving you and treating you the way he did.” 

Jack wraps his arms around me, and I realized we’ve been out all afternoon. As I look at the lake, I can see the sunset reflecting off the water. 

“Jack, we've been out all day.” I say in a soft voice. 

“Well, you’ve earned it after that volcano eruption your sister had this morning.” He says.

“I'm so sorry for the way she acted. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way.” 

“It’s all cool here, no hard feelings. Just glad I made you smile again. You do indeed have a lovely, beautiful smile.” 

Jack gazes into my eyes. I can’t help but feel the urge to kiss him. He’s been so kind to me ever since I got here. He has gorgeous blue ocean eyes, and his voice makes my heart melt. 

“You’re truly beautiful, I’m so happy you came back.” He says. 

“Things happen for a reason like you said.” I replied.

Jack leans in to kiss me. I kiss him back. I close my eyes and all I can feel is his soft lips against mine. 

It’s literally an iconic moment. I’m in the woods, soaked in water, underneath a shed, kissing the most astonishing guy on the planet. 

“I think we better get going. It’s getting late Jack; I think we should head home now.” I say.

“I agree, I don’t want you to catch a cold. Let’s get going princess.” He says smiling at me.

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had a glow on my face since we kissed, and I can’t seem to change it. I’ve never been this happy in a long time. How is it that this guy changed everything in my life with just one kiss? 

As we drive up to the house. I give Jack his helmet and coat back and kiss him goodbye. 

“I had a wonderful time today.” He says.

“Me too. I loved every moment I was with you!” 

I cannot stop smiling. I ran up the porch stairs and into the house.

I watched Jack drive off. Then locked the door behind me as I walked inside. I look around and see Hannah fast asleep on the couch. 

Hannah is still asleep on the couch. I haven’t heard her apology yet. Aside from it all, I’m trying to make dinner for the both of us. It’s my special green bean casserole. It’s mom’s recipe. The amount of time I’ve spent helping her in the kitchen, I feel that I've mastered some of her iconic dinner recipes. 

I pick up the dish filled with the casserole and place it in the oven. Then, I pop some popcorn and make my way over to the couch.

“She left the TV on.” I whispered. 

I can’t believe she would watch TV after the fight we had this morning.

Hannah slowly starts to wake up. She jumps up and looks around.

“Carol! Thank god you’re home and you're okay.” She said, running up to hug me.

“Yea. I’m fine.” I replied.

“I’m sorry, I know I was a real jerk this morning. I should’ve made Jack a little more comfortable, but instead I acted completely foolish!” 

“You think? Hannah, you need to be more polite. Mom and dad sent you here with me so we would take care of each other but if you're going to be rude to Jack or anyone for that matter, then it’s not going to work.” I say.

“I know. I know Carol, it’s not easy for me either. But I’m trying, I mean look, we don't even have a maid anymore.”

“Hannah! Can you hear yourself? It's so much more than giving up our maid.”

“Well, I know that now, after the outrageous exit you made with Jack this morning, it was raining too! I promise I will change, it’s okay to make mistakes. I mean that’s what you’ve always told me. Where did you both even go?”

“Just out for a ride around town. He took me to this lake by the creek, it was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had. The lake was filled with ducks and swans just swimming around.”

“Huh. I knew it. He’s being all lovey dovey with you because he likes you.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s only him, Hannah. I like him too. I think. It’s weird. I feel I’ve known him all my life, not just from the past two days!”

“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you with a glow on your face.”

“It’s that obvious?” I say with a smile.

“Yes, I can only see your pink, rosy cheeks bright up your face!”

“I kissed him too.”

“You kissed him? Omg how was it?”

“Magical. It was raining so much, so we tried sitting under a shed to stay dry. Then, he wrapped his arms around me and looked into my eyes. Then, we just kissed!” 

“Sounds like a movie scene. I’m so happy for you sis. You deserve someone to make you happy after all the damage that your ex caused you. That bastard. I really wanted to beat him up.”

“Everything happens for a reason. I made dinner too. Mom's famous green bean casserole.” I say.

“Casserole! My favorite!” She says.

“Yep. I think it’s done. I left it in the oven thirty minutes ago. Let me go check.”

I walk over to the kitchen and open the oven. 

“It’s done Hannah.”

“Yay!”

I take out the casserole from the oven and start cutting it into squares. 

“Carol, there's something I need to tell you.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“When you were gone, you rushed out and left your phone. Tanner called and I answered.”

“Tanner called!” My eyes open wide. “Well, how is he? Did he mention anything about camp?”

“Yea. He did. He doesn’t know what you said to mom, but she finally came around and changed her mind. She’s sending him to LA. He’s leaving this weekend!”

“Wow! That’s so wonderful. He must be so thrilled. He wanted to go so bad! Hannah he’s talented, I know we can both agree there. I can just envision him singing on stage and playing his guitar.”

“I know. He wanted to tell you the good news.”

“Okay. I’ll give him a call later sis. Now, let's enjoy dinner.” I say.

Hannah gives me a warm hug.

“I’m really sorry again for all that happened.”

“I know you are. Let’s put it behind us now and going forward, let’s not make dumb mistakes again!” 

“Deal!” She says.

“Then, we got ourselves a deal!” 

Hannah and I finally finish dinner and then I end up calling Tanner before bed. 

“Hello.” Tanner answers.

“Hi little one! Hannah told me the exciting news.”

“Yes. Carol. She said yes! I’m going to camp! What the heck did you do? Well, whatever it was, I owe you big time!”

“Sure.” I smile as I talk to him. “Tanner, now you’re going to LA, this is a huge responsibility to take on. Make sure not to follow bad company or many wrong decisions. This is your time to shine.”

“Ahhhhh!” Tanner screams into the phone with joy. 

“Dang my ears! How is it possible that you can be this loud even when we’re not living together?”

“Genetic. That’s the answer, most of my traits are like yours!” He says.

“Yea right. You keep thinking that way.” I say while laughing hysterically into the phone. 

“I’ve been packing all day. Mom’s helping too. Feels weird that we’re finally getting along.”

“You’re both bonding? I’m so happy to hear that.”

“Bonding? More like, me bribing mom to buy me new clothes for the trip!”

I laugh.

“Smart alec.” 

“I guess. Thanks so much Carol. You can come visit me anytime in LA.”

“Chill out, it's only for the summer.” I say.

“Yea. That’s enough time for me to become a famous rockstar!”

“Right. Okay then little one, I had the longest day of my life. I think I’ll just call it a night.” 

“Okay. Good night sis!”

“Night night.” I say while yawning.

“Wait, I heard a cow. Do you have a cow? Eww or was it a fart? Carol!”

“No. All clear on my end. You should get some freshener for that room!” I say.

“Ahhh, you're right. Bye carol.”

“Bye little one.”