All Chapters of The Art of Life and Love: The Second Symphony : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

  There it was! Dillon saw the iconic large blue and white sign that read 'Wissahickon Valley Park'. Despite his strong desire for nicotine, he couldn't help but get excited over a hike with his friends and his man. He had looked forward to their hike all week and he was ready to cut loose and have a good time. Dillon took the next exit off the expressway to the park a

  The smooth stones felt great on the pads of his feet as Dillon waded out of the water towards his backpack. They didn't bother to pack more than one towel since it was so hot, but Dillon was glad they decided to pack it at all so he could dry his hands and check his phone. It was almost five in the afternoon so they had made good time. There was only about another mile to the end of the trail, and it didn't start to get dark until close to eight. They had decided that Tony and he would go their separate ways together and cross over to the second trail across the creek, and Kat and Co. would turn around and follow the main trail back.

  It was a short but somewhat strenuous climb to the rock pool above the waterfall. When they finally reached the top, they were both out of breath. Tony took off the backpack and set it on a boulder on the side of the pool as he gazed around in wonder. Dillon could imagine it would be a sight to boggle the mind. The sun had set to the point that it dyed the skies all sorts of golds, oranges, and pinks, and it cast a magical light on the surface of the water. The light that ricocheted off of the waterfall danced on the leaves of the trees and on the large rocks and tree trunks around them. Solar light wasn't the only source of light in the rock pool either. All around them, fireflies whizzed and hovered about, as they flashed their fluorescent green lanterns sporadically. 

  They made it over the bridge and saw that the pavilion with the bathrooms was a couple hundred meters away. Thank goodness, they had made it alright. There was absolutely no fuel left in his tank when they finally got to the pavilion, and he gasped in pain as he dropped down onto the bench of one of the picnic tables. When he had sat, it had caused his broken arm to jostle and it had him in tears instantly. Through his tears, he saw Tony look down at him with the most heartbroken look in his eyes. He wanted to help so badly, but he didn't appear to know what to do. That was ok, Dillon heard Kat and the others close in on them. They were still out of sight around a bend, but they were close. Tony shouldn't have to handle anything alone. 

  "Hi, uh- I'm Tony. Dillon here's my best friend and his ma wants me to stick with him. She and his pops are on their way to the hospital," Tony explained amicably as Sandra looked up from her laptop.    "Ok, that's cool- I just ask that you stay seated and on that side during the ride."