Second _ to Christmas, the Strawberry Festival is my favorite time of year in Lake Wisteria. Everyone in town is doing everything they can to make it the best event to celebrate the season. People from all over come to visit the park near Town Square and enjoy the rides, parades, and amazing food inspired by the seasonal fruit.
Cami pulls my arm. “Mommy! Look!” I turn to where Cami points. “That?”
“It’s Cow-l!” She jumps on tiptoe to get a better look, making his strawberry-print dress billow around her.
Cal is not here. At least I don’t think he is, since he never mentioned coming during the last few meals we shared together.
“Is he!” She points towards the festival entrance.
At first, I think Cami must be imagining things. But then the person wearing a strawberry costume turns around and looks at us with wide eyes.
Oh. My. God.
No way.
From the green leaf headdress and oversized white gloves to the red strawberry-shaped body piece and green pants, Cal looks like something out of a cartoon.
I started to laugh. My grip on Cami’s hand slips, and she bolts toward him.
The costume is usually reserved for a distraught teenager who needs punishment from his parents or an adult who lost a bet. I’m not sure how Cal ended up wearing it, but I have to personally thank whoever convinced him to wear it.
I take out my phone and take a photo of it. Cal grabs Cami and throws her into the air, turning my already softening heart into absolute drool as she bursts out laughing.
So much for trying to avoid the warm fuzz around you.
He wiped away a stray tear that fell as he walked towards them. “How much did they pay you to wear that?”
He places Cami on her feet. “Unfortunately, I volunteered.”
” Because?”
A breeze blows a leaf into his eyes. “I was bored.”
“And they set you up with this?” He brushed off one of the leaves that fell into her eyes.
“I guess they wanted to make an idiot of me. Surprise surprise.” Cami takes a breath.
She looks. “Remind me later, okay?”
She tries to wink, only to end up blinking each eye one at a time.
Just another thing he learned from Cal.
“What do you mean?” Asked.
“Meg was the one who suggested I go to City Hall to volunteer for the festival.”
My eyes jump. “Oh no.”
“Yes. And since I have to protect my pride, here I am.” “I’m surprised you have anything left after wearing that.”
Her leaf headband sways with her shrug. “What can I say? Vodka gives me confidence.”
My smile slips.
His eyes close. “Wait, Lana. I didn’t mean… He pinches my chest. “It’s okay. I understand how it is.
“No, you don’t.” He reaches out to grab my arm, although the oversized gloves don’t allow for much grip.
I get away. “We should go. I have places to go and people to meet and all that.
He snorts. “Just let me explain myself first.”
Do not bother yourself. “It’s not like it’s going to change anything.” I take Cami’s hand and walk away before letting him do that.
 |
Cami and her friends laugh as they jump around the bounce house while I sit at a nearby picnic table with my friends.
Violet zooms in on the photo of Cal dressed in the hideous costume. “Why didn’t you warn us about this, Lana? “I almost peed my pants when I saw it out front.”
“I had no idea.” I’m sighing.
His eyebrows rise. “He didn’t tell you anything?”
“No.” I look away, focusing on the crowd of people pushing their way through the rows of vendors selling strawberry jams. desserts and fried foods.
“Why would I agree to wear that in the first place?” Delilah asks.
“Because he’s too drunk to care otherwise,” I complain. “Is he drinking?” Wyatt’s jaw ticks.
“That says”. I look down at my clasped hands.
Let me go talk to him. Violet stands up from the bench, only to be dragged down by Delilah.
“Just leave it.”
“Because?” Violet frowns.
I spoke “Because Dee is right. It’s not like she’s bothering anyone, so there’s no reason to make a show.”
Violet looks over my shoulder at something. “Really? Then why is she walking around here right now?”
My eyes open. “Did he find us?” “Yeah.” Dee slurps her strawberry milkshake.
My lips purse. “As?”
“Probably because this is always the place we hang out every year.” Violet drinks the rest of her drink.
“Hey.” Cal’s voice makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Violet and Delilah shoot daggers over my head as I stand frozen with my fists clenched in front of me. Wyatt is the only person who acknowledges his presence with a small lift of his chin.
“Lana, can I talk to you for a second?” Cal’s soft voice makes me frown.
“She’s a little busy right now.” Violet frowns. “She I think she can speak for herself,” Cal responds in a light tone. I get up from my seat. “Would you take care of Cami for me?”
“Of course. I’ll go tell him now.” Wyatt takes off towards the bounce house. I turn to find Cal no longer dressed in the strawberry costume. I’m not sure if he burned the monstrosity or returned it to City Hall. “Thank you. He leads us away from the blaring music toward the path that surrounds the park. Some people I know give us a rueful look, but I dismiss their concern with a small smile. “So…” I kick a rock.
“Do you mind if we walk and talk?” “Well.”
Cal leaves space between us as he walks beside me. “I wanted to talk about what happened before and get something off my chest.”
“So that?”
“It is not what you are thinking.”
“Except isn’t it? I’ve seen the bottle of vodka you keep in the freezer, so it’s not like I didn’t know you were drinking. Day by day, more clear liquid disappears, so I am very aware of its habits.
Take your eyes off me. “I’m not proud of that, you know?” My stomach drops.
“It makes me feel like a weak piece of shit knowing that I need to carry a jar with me at all times, in case I get anxious or nervous. Just the thought of going somewhere without him makes me panic, especially when I may be forced into a situation that makes me uncomfortable.” He thrusts his hands tightly behind her back.
My mouth opens, but I struggle to form any words.
“I haven’t been drunk since I broke your mom’s vase.” She looks at me from the corner of her eye.
“So? You still drink every day.”
“Taking sips throughout the day to cope is not the same as making a shit face. Trust me on that.”
“But they are both part of the same problem regardless.” “True. But can’t you see what I’m trying to reduce here?” Her voice cracks.
My head shakes. “Yes, but who knows what will happen the next time something difficult happens? I’ve been through this with you before.
“This isn’t like last time.”
“Of course it isn’t.” A bitter laugh crawls up my throat. He stops walking to look me in the eyes. “For starters, I don’t take Oxy anymore.” First I break eye contact. “I know.”
“I’m not going to make that mistake again. That’s what I can promise. His deep sigh makes me tense. “It took me a long time to let go. Too long. But I swear I will never, ever go back to that shit or I give you permission to shoot me.”
My lips twitch. “Where i want?”
“If you want to aim for the dick, make sure you put a bullet in my skull first.” He smiles.
I start walking again to escape the tingling in my chest. “Do you ever think about getting sober?”
“Lately, all the damn time.”
I want to believe him. I really do, but something still remains. I came back.
You don’t trust him.
No, i do not do it. And I’m not sure if I ever will after everything we’ve been through together. I’ve been through enough life lessons to
learn that the more someone disappoints you, the more likely it is to happen again.
I clear my throat. “I’m proud of you for leaving Oxy. “I know it must have been difficult.”
“It’s not as hard as accepting how much I hurt you while I was at it.” He reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze.
My chest hurts when he lets go. Cal continues walking, so I keep up with her as a comfortable silence surrounds us.
Cal is the first to break it when someone looks his direction. “Do you think people will hate me a little less now that I’m going to appear on the front page of the newspaper in that costume?”
I bite back a laugh. “No, but it was a good try.”
“It must be nice to have so many people who care enough about you to give me non-stop hell.” Her lips twitch.
“You could say it. Although sometimes they are a little overprotective.” “Just because they love you.” His voice matches the warmth of his eyes.
I look away. “You know, I can spread the word that you’re no longer persona non grata.”
“Please don’t go out of your way to be so nice to me. I could read too much into it.
I elbow him in the ribs. “Moron.”
He laughs. “Eventually I’ll make them warm to me.” “How is that?”
“By proving that I won’t hurt you, no matter how much they expect me to.” And so, Cal snatches another piece of my heart to add to his growing collection.
