Opening my eyes, I curse at how fleeting that moment of ignorance was before slinking back into the lounge chair.
The sun, high in the sky, blinds me as I look toward the clouds. Closing my eyes, I do the one thing that I’ve always refused to add into my plans.
I fall straight into a midday nap.
“This isn’t like her, John. I’m very worried.”
“Sara, our daughter is simply taking a nap in our garden. There is no need to worry.”
Familiar faint voices speak in the distance. They sound muddled, as though I’m underwater. Still being half asleep, I can’t place who they are, and I can’t find the will to care.
“She does look peaceful, doesn’t she?”
A low chuckle pulls me further out of my sleep. “Yes, she does. And beautiful, just like her mother.”
“Oh, John.” That’s all I hear before the smacking sound of kissing begins, and I’m sprung awake out of disgust.
“Ugh, ew. You guys know I’m awake, right?” I sit up in the lounge chair, stretching out the kink in my neck. “Go get a room or something. You know I hate it when you do that.”
I look up at my parents, who have now burst into a fit of laughter, something they did quite often with each other. The action reminds me of the many times Theo and I laughed in the same way, igniting the pain in my chest once again at the memory.
Having just driven back from the beach, my father stands before me in a lightweight sweatshirt and shorts. The sun was good to him over the past couple of weeks, and he’s relaxed, a state I rarely see him in.
My mother stands next to him, radiant as ever, surrounded by the colorful flowers of her garden, whichshe tirelessly maintains. They definitely spent a lot of time in the sun, her usually pale skin donning a slight tan, complementing the dark brown curls that frame her face.
Usually, I’d laugh with them, but watching them laugh together, lit up by the setting sun, I have a hard time connecting with their happiness today.
My parents’ laughter dies down, and their once-happy faces now bear the classic parental concern. My mom leans down and gives me a gentle pat on the knee as my dad takes a seat in the lounge chair next to mine.
“I’ll go get us some lemonade,” my mother says, heading into the house.
I mirror my father by swinging my legs over the side of the chair to face him. He stares at me and patiently waits for me to say something.
When I say nothing, he caves, “So, Pumpkin, how was the trip?”
I stare at him, trying to discern his ulterior motive by asking me about the trip. I already know Beth called my parents and told them I have been staying here. She didn’t tell me that directly, of course, but I saw the text message come through on her phone when my parents told her they’d be cutting their trip short by a few days. Thankfully, she didn’t tell them about the car wreck. Otherwise, I would’ve gotten a very stern call from my father days ago. From my father’s question, I’d assume Beth kept things fairly vague when she spoke with them.
I wasn’t expecting them to arrive thissoon. Certainly not while I was taking a nap, of all things. It’s ignorant to think that I can keep anything from them when they’ve caught me in this state.
Letting out a sigh, I finally speak, “I don’t know…” I pause, trying to find the words. “Fine, I guess.”Wow, descriptive, Sienna.
“Well, your mother and I had a great time at the beach. We were sad you couldn’t go with us this year, but I’m happy you’ve been getting some rest.” My dad gives me a soft smile.
“Rest, right.” I scoff at the idea. I might be getting some physical rest lying around my childhood home all day, but I’ve been lacking emotional rest.
“Do you not feel rested?” my mother asks, bringing out a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses. She pours us each a glass, and I take a sip before answering.
“I wasn’t entirely truthful about Beth’s and my trip this summer.” I wince at the admission to my parents.
My mother’s brows furrow with concern. “What do you mean, sweetie?”
“Well…” I take the time to explain to them what Beth and I actually did this summer. I explain that we did not rent a lake house ourselves and instead went to the Kane family’s lake house with four men. That got a grunt from my dad, but he remained quiet as I explained further.
I explained the entire fake-dating scheme and the goal of ending the summer by securing a job in line with my ten-year plan. Leaving out all the dirty pieces one does not tell her parents, of course. I also left out the car wreck. My dad would kill Theo if he knew, and while he’s not my favorite person right now, I’d rather not see him dead.
“With all that said, I’m falling behind on my life plan, and I don’t know what to do. I came here to clear myhead, but I haven’t submitted a single application since being here. I just can’t find the motivation. I should’ve never turned down that job offer with JR Construction.” I finish my long-winded story with a sigh, grateful to finally get that off my chest.
My parents share a look. I’m not sure what passes between them, but when they turn back to me, my father asks me one question. “What exactly do you gain from accomplishing this life plan?”
