Chapter 113: An Ideal Location

"Oh, they don't." I laugh as a young kid in a black hoodie bumps Spencer as he hurries by. Spencer stands taller, pushing his elbows out to give himself room. "People come from all over to watch our Christmas Eve parade. It's Pelican Bay's biggest event.

The sidewalk is filled with people. The congestion slows down our pace as we walk by people standing on the sidewalk, chatting. There's a lull in the crowd, and Spencer uses the opportunity to wrap his arm around my shoulder. It makes walking with a leash, cookie, and hot chocolate a tad difficult, but I'm too enamored to care. "Where to now?"

I swing the hand holding the leash back and forth, enjoying the moment. "Now, we find a spot to sit."

My family always watches the parade from a spot on Bay View since the road runs next to the public beach. It's an ideal location. You can see the water behind you, our large lighthouse to the north, and a great view of the floats as the parade comes down Main Street with the well-maintained