Remind Me

ROSE

Rose stared at the full trunk, making sure she had everything they could possibly need. She hadn’t realized how much stuff two kids required for a day out.

Lucky Dad only had to deal with one, she thought as she wedged the cooler in.

“Rose! You’ll never believe it!”

She turned with a smile as Matthew ran up.

“What?” she chimed, feeding off his excited energy.

“Dad is coming with us!” he replied, jumping up and down.

“Oh! Uhh…” Rose looked up from Matthew’s smiling face to see Mr. Wills walk out wearing his swim trunks and a T-shirt stretched over his broad chest.

“Daddy is coming too!” Sammy sang, pulling him by the hand.

“Awesome!” Rose said stiffly, trying to hide the awkward panic in her voice. “Let’s go then…”

They all climbed into the Jeep and made their way down the drive.

“What changed your mind?” Rose asked Mr. Wills as they drove down the road.

“I didn’t see the point of sitting at home all morning waiting for a car,” he grumbled. “And someone told me I needed to spend time with my kids.”

“Sounds like good advice,” she laughed awkwardly.

XAVIER

Xavier watched Rose from the corner of his eye as she drove. She was quietly humming along to the music on the radio while the kids played games in the backseat.

Even though she drove him absolutely crazy, there was something oddly comforting about being around her. She had a joy about her that he hadn’t seen for a long time. As they drove, he felt the tension and stress from work starting to melt away. He relaxed into his seat and smiled.

“We’re here!” Rose said a bit later as she pulled off the winding, country road and into a gravel lot.

“Where’s the river?” Matthew asked, stretching to look around from the back seat. “I don’t see any water!”

“Oh, it’s there!” Rose sang as she opened the car door. “Let’s go!”

The group grabbed everything from the trunk, their arms filled with towels and food.

“This way!” Rose smiled, walking off toward the tree line.

“Are we trespassing?” Xavier asked uncomfortably as he strolled beside her.

“No. This is public land.”

“Are you sure? I feel like we’re going to be shot at any moment,” he said as he followed her into the trees.

“Positive,” she said.

They made their way through the trees. Xavier was just about to make everyone turn back when they broke through, all coming to a sudden stop. They stared at the water stretched out before them.

“This place is so awesome!” Matthew hollered, dropping his things and running out into the water with Sammy right behind him.

“Be careful!” Xavier yelled before turning back to Rose. “Won’t they get carried away by the current?”

“No. It’s more of a swimming hole than a river. I used to come here all the time with my dad,” she said reassuringly, spreading out the beach blanket on the shore.

“Look! There’s little fish!” Sammy squealed, racing back and grabbing her net from the bag of toys.

“And a rope swing!” Matthew yelled as he ran toward the large tree with a rope hanging from a branch over the water.

“They love it,” Xavier whispered, smiling as he watched his kids run and splash in the water.

He turned back to Rose just as she pulled off her T-shirt, revealing the flattering bikini she had on. He stared speechless for a moment before quickly looking away, unable to remember whatever it was he had planned on saying to her.

“Rose! Look!” Sammy smiled, holding up her net.

“Let me see!” Rose replied, jogging over to see the tiny fish wriggling in the net. “Oh my goodness! You got a minnow!”

Xavier sat down and watched as his children played. He smiled, leaning back on his elbows and watching Rose splash in the water with Sammy. He found himself looking at her more and more as she filled his children’s day with laughter. She was so good with them.

“Dad! Watch!” Matthew hollered as he stood on the shore, gripping the rope swing tightly in his hands. He jumped out, swinging out above the water and letting go. He splashed into the river. After a moment, he popped up out of the water with a massive grin spread across his face.

“That was awesome!” Xavier chimed, standing from the blanket and stripping off his T-shirt. “But let me show you how it’s done!”

He grabbed the rope, backed up, and got a running start before jumping and swinging out, making a giant splash when he landed in the water. When he came up, Matthew was laughing.

“You made a huge wave, Dad!” he shouted, splashing Xavier back.

They swam out into the middle and floated on their backs, staring up at the blue sky above them. Xavier couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this happy or relaxed.

“I’m glad you came, Dad,” Matthew said softly as they floated, his eyes glued to the clouds above.

“I’m glad I came too, bud. I’m sorry I don’t get to do more fun things with you,” Xavier replied, a lump catching in his throat. “It’s been…”

“Who wants lunch?” Rose called from the shore, holding up some sandwiches.

Xavier was grateful for the distraction as they swam back, joining Rose and Sammy on the blanket. He hadn’t been sure what to say to his son about why he worked so much or about what had happened to their mother.

Besides, Xavier thought as he sat down, ~they aren’t ready to hear that~.