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COLTON
Ihadn’t expected Remi to talk about her past since Delilah didn’t. I couldn’t imagine two little girls dropped off by their parents as if they were nothing more than excess baggage. The upheaval, the instability, all of it was detrimental to a young child. I was glad she had her adoptive parents, but the process had been long and arduous. And, I’m sure, not without deep, emotional wounds.
I’d question why Delilah hadn’t opened up to me, but the truth was, we were casual. We didn’t talk about feelings. We spent time together and enjoyed each other’s company, but there wasn’t a deep connection.
Turning down the long lane to the Rose Farm, I said, “Thanks for telling me.”
He turned to face her, and her expression was vulnerable. “I shouldn’t be surprised that Delilah didn’t say anything. She was always the strong one.”
I took her hand in mine, turning it over and examining the creases of her palm while I thought about the right thing to say. “You’re strong, too.”
I wanted her to believe it. But I was just a friend, and we were here for yoga. “Do you know where we need to go?”
Remi pulled her hand from mine, looking through the windshield. “It looks like people are going that way.”
We parked and hopped out of the truck. I grabbed her yoga mat out of the back, carrying it for her across the open expanse of grass toward the group laying out mats on the ground.
Remi went straight up to one woman, me trailing close behind. “I love your farm. It’s so beautiful.”
Lily smiled. “It’s perfect timing. Roses are in full bloom this month.”
A beautiful stone house sat on the top of the hill, a large wrap-around porch on the front. A vintage blue VW van was parked nearby, the back filled with blooms.
Remi turned to me. “Colton, this is Lily. This is her grandparents’ farm.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her hand.
“I love the idea of taking a yoga class on the farm. What a great idea,” Remi continued.
“I’m just glad there are no goats,” I joked.
Lily smiled. “Just flowers. Feel free to walk around after the class.”
“I’d love that,” Remi said.
I grabbed one of the yoga studio’s mats, and Remi unrolled hers next to mine.
Kneeling on the mat, she asked, “Do you mind if we wander around after?”
Her expression was so eager and excited, I couldn’t say no. “Whatever you want. This is your day.”
Her eyes widened. “You don’t work today?”
“It’s my day off.”
She smiled. “Wow. I didn’t think you got those.”
It was true that I signed up for overtime and offered to handle security for other events, but it was because I didn’t have anyone in my life taking me to yoga on a rose farm. I didn’t even think I wanted that, but now that I was here, I was enjoying my time with her.
“How bad is this going to be?” I scanned the group; most were women in leggings and tank tops, stretching and talking with friends.
She laughed softly. “It might be rough. I suspect you’re not all that flexible.”
“You’d be right about that.”
Her expression softened. “Focus on your breathing and being in the moment, and you’ll be fine. You can’t do anything wrong.”
“Aren’t there specific poses?”
