lana_ drives a few more blocks before pulling into the parking lot of Cami’s summer camp. With the way she navigates the streets, I’m surprised she didn’t end up injured or in much worse condition.
Lana exits the building with Cami jumping behind her. Cami’s whole face lights up when she catches me sitting inside her.
“Hello!” she squeals as she flops into the back seat.
I extended my hand for him to slap me. “What’s up, kid?”
My question turns into a whole story about his day. Cami spends the short trip to the market talking about her afternoon at the pool and me answering with questions.
“Come on.” Cami jumps out of the car before grabbing Lana’s hand. She grabs mine with the other, binding the three together.
I lift her arm and nudge Lana to do the same. She copies me, making Cami swing between us. The giggle he lets out makes my whole heart threaten to burst like a confetti cannon. Lana’s eyes go from Cami to me. Whatever she finds in my gaze makes her face soften and her lips turn into a fraction of a smile.
“Again again!” Cami pulls on our arms with surprising strength for someone so small. Lana and I complied, earning
another high-pitched squeal from Cami.
I’m not sure who’s having more fun: Cami or us. By the time we make it into the grocery store, Cami’s face is red from laughing and Lana is beaming.
Damn. I did.
I rush to shake off the minor victory before pulling a cart from the rest. “No. I want this one.” Cami gets into the special cart for children. While the front half of the stroller is normal, the back half looks like a kid’s car. His head touches the top of the car and his legs look cramped in the small space.
“Are you sure? It seems like a tight fit.”
Turn the wheel like you’re on a Formula 1 track instead of in a grocery store.
“I see you inherited your mother’s driving skills.” Lana slaps me on her ass. “Hey.”
“Didn’t you just…”
His eyes shine. “But I did it.” I reach out, but she escapes my grasp with a breathy laugh.
Cami slams her hand on the horn for emphasis. Lana moves to grab the handle of the cart, but I jump in before she gets the chance.
I turn the car slowly, being careful not to push Cami. “This thing is heavier than it looks.”
Lana touches my tense arms. “Don’t tell me those muscles are just for show.”
“There are a few ways we can test that theory.” I wink at him. He walks ahead of us with her list. I’m mesmerized by the sway of his hips, my skin warming with every step he takes.
“Go! Go! Go!” Cami honks again to get my attention.
I leave after Lana, who is already talking to the butcher. He smiles at her before shooting me a grimace. I’m quick to smile and say hello, although my right eye twitches because of how much I fake a smile.
The rest of the shopping trip is similar. A few other people I recognize from my summers here give me a variety of looks, ranging from surprised to downright angry at my existence. By now, I should be used to how people treat me, but I’m not. It’s hard to know that everyone had a front row seat at the lowest moment of my life.
You have no one to blame but yourself.
The only thing saving me from walking out the door is Cami. I treat each hallway like a race track, making whirring and whirring noises as I gain speed and slide. She absolutely loves him. Between the applause for her, the singing and the cheering for her, I completely forget about everyone around us. Even Lana breaks down and ends up laughing when I create a
Obstacle course to drive with some of the displays scattered throughout the store.
Maybe small towns aren’t the worst. I could never get away with this kind of thing in a busy supermarket in Chicago.
It’s not until we reach the baking supplies aisle that Cami loses interest in me and our game. She gets out of the cart and abandons me for Lana.
“Hey!” called
Cami sticks her tongue out through the gap of her missing tooth before running away.
I roll the cart towards the two of them.
“What flavor do you want for your birthday cake?” Lana drops a bag of powdered sugar into the cart.
“Chocolate!” Cami cheers, making her twisted pigtails shake. Lana grabs chocolate chips from a baker and throws them in the cart. “When is your birthday?” Cami asked him.
She smiles. “July 15.”
Turns out little Cami is a Cancer like me. It’s no wonder the two get along so well. “That’s Saturday.”
“Yeah.” She points to a set of birthday candles. “I like that one, mommy!” “Hopefully she can receive the decorations by Friday.” Lana throws the candles into the cart.
I watch the last princess of Dreamland and laugh. “Do you like Princess Marianna?”
“Yes! She’s my favorite.” She spins in circles while pressing her clasped hands to her heart.
“I like it too. “She was nice when I met her.” wink Lana’s eyes widen and she shakes her head.
Shit. Was that the wrong thing to say?
“Did you meet Princess Marianna? When?” Cami almost ripped my arm out of its socket because of how hard she pulled.
I kneel in front of her. “When I went to visit my brother in Dreamland.” Lana closes her eyes with a sigh.
“Did you go to Dreamland?” Cami’s voice reaches the highest pitch she’s ever heard.
I rub my eardrum to stop the ringing. “Yeah?”
His eyes widen so much I’m afraid they’ll pop out. “When?” “A few months ago. My brother has a house there.
“In Dreamland?” Her mouth opens. “Yeah?”
She gasps. Lana moans.
“We can go?” She looks at me with the biggest blue eyes. “Please, Cow-l. Pretty, pretty, please can we go to Dreamland? Will be the best
everyone’s birthday.” The way she looks at me with that toothless smile of hers makes my knees weak.
You got yourself into this mess by opening your big mouth. Now fix it.
“You have to ask your mom.” He threw the invisible stick of dynamite into Lana’s hands.
Lana says I’m going to kill you.
At least I will leave this world knowing that I gave a five-year-old boy the best birthday gift.
Cami turns to her mother and clings to her legs. “Please mom? I will pick up my toys and eat all my vegetables forever. I swear.
I laugh, earning a death glare from Lana.
She looks up at the ceiling and sighs. “I guess we’re going to Dreamland.”
 |
I send a quick text to Rowan while Cami and Lana debate which ice cream they want to buy. Lana is pushing for BOGO Ben and Jerry’s while Cami complains about popsicles.
I’m going to need a favor.
I grab the box of colorful popsicles and drop them into the cart while Lana isn’t looking, earning a wide smile from Cami. Having them argue over a budget makes no sense when I planned to pay for the entire cart anyway. It’s the least I can do if Lana makes me dinner.
My phone rings a second later, which is a quick response time for Rowan. She usually only checks her phone a few times a day now with all the Dreamland meetings she puts on her calendar.
Iris
What favor?
Ignore that. She wanted to text Rowan.
Shit. I texted the family group chat instead of Rowan individually.
dick-lan
Whose number was added to the group chat and why?
At least you’re talking to one of us.
Declan sends a solo middle finger emoji and I chuckle.
Iris
I hate when you two fight.
dick-lan
I’m not running away, idiot. I’m busy.
I’m trying to be the mature one here, but Cal keeps running away before I have a chance to apologize.
dick-lan
Since when do you care?
Doing what?
dick-lan
…
Iris
*Face palm* Rowan sends me a private text afterwards. I explain what I need while Lana goes through her shopping list.
Rowan
Are you sure this is a good idea?
Nothing has felt more good in a long time. I’m serious in more ways than one, not that my brother would understand. Spending time with Cami and Lana makes me feel complete in a way I haven’t felt in years, and I’d do anything to keep it that way.
Rowan
Zahra has already volunteered to plan the best birthday ever. Her words, not mine.
Thanks in advance.
If there’s one person I trust to give Cami the best Dreamland experience, it’s none other than Zahra. She is Dreamland’s biggest fan and the park’s best creator.
Rowan
Whatever it takes to keep the smile on your face, pretty boy. An idea occurs to me and I send him another message.
Whatever is needed?
Rowan
I’ll regret saying that, right?
I have one more favor to ask. He continued with a Hail Mary request, knowing that there was a chance that he wouldn’t be able to make it in such a short time.
I understand that you can’t…
Rowan
Give me forty-eight hours.
