AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We talked until dawn’s gray fingers clawed across the sky and the fire was all but coals. Molly told me all about growing up in Arizona and how she'd gotten into teaching.
"Wait, so you're telling me little Molly Mayhem was once a bashful, quiet rule follower afraid to color outside the lines?" I leaned back chuckling, seeing an exaggerated eye roll through the dying firelight graying with approaching dawn.
"For your information, Mr. Kingsbury, my prim phase lasted approximately one week into first grade before anarchy was unleashed! It was a rebellion against my mother’s hippy ways," Molly retorted poking at glowing embers absently.
I clutched my aching sides imagining a miniature copper-haired imp busted lip-syncing Spice Girls dance routines atop her startled teacher's desk. "I can visualize that precocious pipsqueak version of you shockingly clearly..."
Molly yawned cavernously. "Well now that you know my deep darkest dirt, guess it's your turn for show and tell, Jakey..." She nestled closer expectantly.
"Hmmm, let's see..." I considered my options and settled on the most embarrassing tale I could muster. "So, when I was twelve, I thought it would be a great idea to try to build a go-kart..."
"Go on," Molly prompted.
"But being the idiot kid that I was, I had no idea what the hell I was doing and so the thing never actually ran. I think I spent a month out in the shed tinkering away. Then one day, my mom called me in for dinner, and when I opened the door, the stupid thing took off on its own and ran me over!"
Molly burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the quiet forest.
"It's true! I had to go to the emergency room and get seven stitches!"
"That's so... endearing," Molly managed between giggles.
"It wasn’t," I grumbled. "It was embarrassing. It was like the thing was haunted and hunted me down."
"Oh, come on, it's funny," she insisted, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.
"I guess it is kind of funny in hindsight," I conceded, a smile tugging at my lips.
"See? I told you."
Molly grinned triumphantly, her eyes twinkling in the glow of the dying embers.
I pulled her close, the warmth of her body seeping into mine.
"You're crazy, you know that?"
"You're not the first person to say that," she laughed.
"And probably not the last."
We dozed off at some point and a few hours later I awoke, reaching instinctively to gather Molly's familiar warmth closer only to swish the empty sleeping bag beside me. Blinking against dazzling sunlight filtering in through the nylon tent walls, I gradually registered birdsong trilling brightly while tree branch shadows danced hypnotically against sun-faded canvas.
As my drowsy senses sharpened, the aroma of coffee hit me, and I knew exactly where I’d find Molly. A slow smile spread over my face as I unzipped the tent and spied Molly cradling a steaming mug, the sunlight poking through the trees framing her in an ethereal glow.
"Good morning," she said softly, a smile on her face.
"Morning," I croaked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “I’m surprised you’re up so early.”
She handed me the cup and I took a grateful sip. The heat and smell sending a wave of caffeinated bliss through my veins.
"The shade throws you off. It's not as early as you'd think. It was nearly noon last time I checked. Natasha and Hailey already went down to the lake."
"Ah," I breathed, taking a sip of the strong black brew. I tried not to worry about Hailey or be mad at Natasha. “I’m not sure I’ve slept this late since I was a teenager.”
"Good, you needed it! I’m glad I brought my French press. I couldn’t figure out that percolator to save my life." She winked playfully. "Are you ready for another day of fun and adventure?" Molly asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I laughed; her energy contagious. "Bring it on."
The rest of the trip went surprisingly well. The four of us hiked, I got in a little fishing, and best of all, Hailey was happy. Happier than I had seen her in a long time.
