“He puts on a good front of being happy.”
“I don’t think he puts it on; I think he’s honestly trying to be happy.”
Kaden quickly hopped out of bed, turned on music and offered his hand to me. “Dance with me.”
I smiled as I took his hand. “What are we dancing for?”
“We’re dancing because I want to.” He smiled as we began to dance.
“I wish we could relive today.”
“That’s the best part of life. You can’t go back in time, but you can always remember,” He leaned me over and we kissed. I felt like this kiss was the perfect way to end the most perfect day.
The next day I awoke to breakfast in bed again. Kaden was dressed in a polo baby blue shirt and khaki pants.
“Why are you looking so handsome this morning?” I quizzed.
“You will see once you eat and get dressed in a nice colorful dress and a big sunhat that I have laid out for you in your closet,” Kaden replied as I stopped eating and arose so I could see my new dress, but Kaden stopped me. “Eat first.”
“Oh, Kaden!”
“Don’t oh me. You will see your new dress when you have eaten.”
“Don’t act like my daddy now,” I smirked.
“Someone woke up in a bad mood.”
“I just want to see my dress, dang it!” I giggled.
“You will see it once you’ve eaten. You need this food in you for what I have planned for you today. Fill your stomach with this food, dress and meet me and Kyle outside at the limo when you’re ready.”
“Kyle’s coming?”
“This wouldn’t be any fun without him.”
After Kaden left I woofed down my food then I dressed and met the boys outside at the limo. Once we arrived at our destination. Kaden helped me out and I couldn’t believe I was at a polo game! I had always wanted to come to one of these and I was finally here.
“I’ve always wanted to come here!” I exclaimed.
“It’s fun and exciting. I am a fan of the Blue Birds,” Kyle claimed.
“I like the Red Rockets,” Kaden said.
I looked at the two teams that were playing and it just so happens the Blue Birds were playing the Red Rockets.
“Are you two sure you both should be here with your teams competing against each other?” I quizzed Kyle and Kaden.
“We’ll be fine,” Kyle replied.
“It’s not like Kyle’s going to become mad when my team wins,” Kaden teased Kyle.
Kyle laughed. “That’ll be the day.”
Once we found a spot to stand everyone around us wanted to take a picture with Kaden and me. Kaden leaned over to whisper to me as someone took a picture of us. “Now we will be on the front cover of magazines all over Rome,” Kaden informed me.
“Make sure you get my good side then,” I said as I posed.
Once the last couple of people had their pictures taken with us we quickly rushed off toward Kyle who was seated on a chair. Kaden and I sat on the other two chairs that were next to him.
“It’s so nice to be sitting! My feet are already killing me!” I complained.
“I massage your feet later,” Kaden offered.
“You would do that?” I asked surprised.
“I definitely would!” He kissed me.
When the game began; I started off liking the Blue Birds, but halfway through the game I started favoring the Red Rockets. I peered over to see that Kaden wasn’t sitting next to me.
“Where’s Kaden?” I quizzed Kyle.
“He went to get us some food,” Kyle replied.
“That’s good because I’m starving!” I grinned.
He smiled. “Are you enjoying the game?”
“I am. Are you?” I replied.
“I never thought I’d be watching.”
I glanced at him wondering what he meant by his comment. “Did you play polo?”
“I used to be part of the Blue Birds.”
“Why don’t you play anymore?”
He sighed. “When my fiancé and I were going through our break-up I wasn’t playing like I should have been and I was missing practices so after three months of this they fired me.”
“Have you tried to rejoin?”
“I don’t think they’ll ever take me back after ruining their reputation.”
“Polo seems really fun to play!”
“I could teach you how to play later?”
“I don’t know what else Kaden had planned today so we’ll see.”
When Kaden came back with some food and drinks I gobbled down my food so fast that I got hiccups! Kyle and Kaden laughed at me every time I hiccupped because it sounded more like a mouse was squeaking. By the end of the game I had made my final choice that my favorite team was the Red Rockets. When everyone was invited to put the patches of grass back I giddily walked onto the grass and stomped away!
“I’ve never seen someone so excited to stomp grass into the ground,” Kyle chuckled.
“It seems fun to me!” I grinned.
“Do you want to meet the teams?” Kaden quizzed.
“That’s a dumb question!” After Kaden and I met the teams Kaden had to use the restroom so I walked over to a big shady tree where Kyle was standing. “You’re smart for standing under this tree.”
He smiled. “Being in the shade feels better than standing in the heat; like those crazy fools.” Kyle pointed to a group of high class people chatting away under the hot, hot sun.
I giggled. “Someone’s become crabby.”
“The heat makes me cranky.”
“Well, how are you going to teach me how to play polo?”
“That’s different. I’ll be moving around and in cooler clothes.”
When we arrived at the castle Kyle changed into cooler clothes then we went to the barn to begin my training on how to play polo. The first most important thing he taught me was the rules; then he taught me how to play. It was kind of difficult at first because I was on a horse trying to hit a ball, but I got the hang of it after a while. When the sun was setting I became sad because I knew Kaden and I were leaving in a couple hours.
“Thank you for teaching me how to play polo. It was fun!” I exclaimed as Kyle and I put away the horses.
“It was my pleasure. I forgot how fun it was,” Kyle said as we hugged. “You’ve been such a great friend to me this week.”
“I’m glad I gave you a chance to be my friend.”
“I’ll see you and Kaden before you guys leave.”
Kyle and I went our separate ways when we got inside the castle.
“Hi” I greeted Kaden as I entered our bedroom.
“Hi, Baby! Did you have fun?” Kaden quizzed as he packed his suitcase.
“I did, but I’m so tired.”
“We’ve got a long flight ahead of us so you’ll be able to sleep.”
After I showered and dressed in comfortable clothes I packed my suitcase then Kaden and I went outside. As the limo driver loaded our luggage we said good bye to the family. I saved the best person for last to say good bye to, Kyle.
We hugged. “Make sure you come back and visit soon,” Kyle said.
I smiled as we pulled away from each other. “We’ll be back sooner than you know it!”
He handed me two manila envelopes. “Don’t open these until you get home. I’m positive you’ll love them!” He hugged me once more. “You two have a safe flight home.”
Kaden half hugged Kyle then we hopped into the limo and headed to the airport. When we were settled in the private airplane I made myself comfortable for a long nap.
When we arrived home I felt so happy! I was very tired from travling, but I was excited to see what Kyle had drawn for Kaden an
d me. In the first minillia envelope I pulled out a pictured of Mackenzie. It was an amazingly drawn photo! The color was brilliant too! He had drawn the horse on her hind legs in the field of flowers just as the sun was rising.
The second envelope revealed a drawing of Kaden and me dancing in the field of flowers on a star fillied night. Underneath the picture said, “You can cast away your fears, but you can never cast away your love.”
I smiled as Kaden walked back in the bedroom. “What’s wrong?” Kaden questioned as he glanced at the drawing. “This takes my breath away! I’ll get a frame while I’m out tomorrow and hang this in the living room.”
“That would be wonderful!” I replied.
“I’ve been thinking an afully lot about having Kyle and Lucy hook up.”
I peered at Kaden. “Are you nuts? Tell me you’re joking.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I wish I could.”
“I am not becoming her friend again! Forget it!”
“You can’t hate her forever.”
“Who says I can’t? It’s a free world.”
He chuckled. “It was just a suggestion to help Kyle get over his ex. I also think it would be good for Lucy too.”
“What if they hate each other and blame me?”
Kaden chuckled. “They’re not going to hate you! I think they’ll really like each other.”
I sighed. “Do you think it’s too soon to introduce Kyle to a girl?”
“No. He needs cheering up. I think Lucy is the right girl for him.”
“Okay, if I introduce them and they end up hating each other, I’m going to beat you up!”
He laughed. “I know that won’t be happening.” He winked.
I playfully pushed him. “I really can’t believe you’re having me hook Kyle up with Lucy after what she did.”
“Forgive and forget.”
Kaden kissed me then he ran off to shower. I thought I’d tease him a bit and join him in the shower.
26
School Starts
Kaden called Kyle a couple of days ago and thanked him for the drawings. I had not called Lucy due to the fact that I was still upset with her over the incident that happened not too long ago and I was going to be damned if she was going to rip the heart out of Kyle after what he’d went through a year ago. But deep in my heart I could feel the desire to forgive her. August was finally here. My birthday was coming up soon, so I had to begin planning my party. Since turning seventeen isn’t as exciting as turning sweet sixteen, I thought I would have a small party this year.
“Hey, are you enjoying looking at the lake?” Kaden quizzed as he sat next to me.
“I needed a serene place to let my thoughts soar,” I replied.
“What thoughts?” He kissed me.
“About our home and many other things.”
“Are you having second thoughts about Rome?”
“Not about moving, but I will miss my family and this town.”
He grinned. “I know it will be hard for you to leave Coopersville, but it’s not like you can’t come back and visit whenever you’re able to.”
“Well, I’m not too sure on how often that will be.”
“I’ll sneak you out,” Kaden joked.
“Yeah, in what,” I joked along.
“In my secret invisible boat,” Kaden winked.
“Yeah, that’ll be the day.” I laughed.
“Do you need new clothes for school?”
“Yes, maybe a shopping trip will do me good.”
“That’s great that you agree because your mom will be here any minute.” Not a moment after Kaden said that the doorbell rang. “Right on schedule.” Kaden rose up taking my hand in his.
I smiled. “Are you afraid I’m going to get lost on my way to the door that’s not even ten feet from where we’re standing?”
He chuckled. “This place is pretty big, so I could imagine how lost you would get ten feet away from me.”
I let go of his hand as I laughed. “Kaden, I think it’s time you see a doctor.”
He chuckled as he followed me to the door. When I opened it my mom was standing there grinning. I invited her inside.
“Thank you for calling me,” Mom thanked Kaden.
“Not a problem ma’am. Shopping really isn’t my thing,” Kaden replied happily.
Mom giggled. “Are you ready to go, Sara?” Mom quizzed.
“I guess I have no choice.” I tossed my purse onto my shoulder. “I love you, Kaden.” I hugged and kissed him good-bye.
“Have fun,” Kaden smiled as he waved to my mom and me as we stepped into the car. “How have you been, Mom?” I questioned.
“I’ve been doing wonderful. Your Dad on the other hand; not so well,” Mom replied sadly.
My heart started to beat hard. “What’s wrong with him?”
“The stomach problem he has is getting worse; the doctor told me it’s…” Mom stopped talking as she tried to hold back her tears. But that was useless because out of nowhere her tears streamed down her cheeks. “Stomach cancer.”
My eyes grew wide as I began to cry. “Has anything been done to get rid of the cancer?”
“They’re working on it.”
“I hope they cure this cancer. How’s Daddy taking this?”
“He doesn’t want to face it. He tries not to think about it or talk about it.”
“How did Dad find out he had this?”
“Joe had been feeling bad the last couple of months and never told me. The doctor seemed to think that if your Dad had come in when it first occurred he probably would have had a better chance at beating this.”
“It’s that bad?”
“The cancer is spreading fast! The doctor seems to think there is no help for it now, but they are still going to try their best to beat the cancer.” I started to cry more. “Your Dad is strong, Sweetheart. He’ll get through this.”
When we arrived at the clothing store I no longer felt like shopping. All I wanted to do was go home and cry into my pillow. I wanted him to be okay. I peered over toward Mom and saw she was crying. “Mom, Dad’s going to make it through this. I know he will; he has too.”
“I want to take your dad somewhere fun, so we can be away from all this madness and have a normal week since this happened.” Mom was silent for a while. “I know in my heart that your dad isn’t going to make it.”
I started crying extremely hard as I chocked on my words. “Oh, Mom! Why does this have to happen?”
“I’m really worried about Riley. She adores your father.”
“Has she noticed anything differently about Dad?”
“I don’t think she really knows, but she knows something’s wrong when she sees him lying in bed because she’ll get into bed with him and rub his cheek, kiss him and talk to him in her baby language.”
“That’s really sweet! I bet Dad loves when she does that.”
“He smiles like no tomorrow when Riley is around him.”
As we shopped we didn’t talk much, but we did try and make the best of our shopping trip. Once we finished shopping we headed to checkers to grab a bite to eat.
“First grandma now Dad,” I said we munched on our food.
“Don’t worry, Sweetheart. How was your trip?” Mom asked.
“It was good. I had fun.”
“That’s good!”
“I still don’t want to move away from Coopersville.”
“You will love Rome in time.”
“I love Rome already, but it’s the transition moving from a town I know from the back of my hand to a country that I would get lost in in the matter of seconds.”
Mom giggled. “In a matter of months you’ll know your way around.”
I smiled.
“I met Kaden’s cousin Kyle while I was there.”
“What’s he like?”
“At first he was really annoying, so annoying that I told he was like a leach that wouldn’t let go.”
Mom busted into laughter. “Sara, you didn’t?”
I smiled. “I felt that was the only way I could get my point across.”
“Did he forgive you?”
“He did. We became good friends.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Kyle has recently gone through a break-up with a girl he was engaged to and Kaden thinks I should introduce Kyle to Lucy.”
“How long ago was the break-up?”
“Kyle said it happened a year ago.”
“I think that might be too soon. He’s probably still hurting from it.”
“He is. I’m thinking about what to do. It might turn out for the better if I do introduce them.”
“What do you think Anna and Susie will say?”
“I don’t think they will like that I’m be-friending Lucy.”
“If they do; don’t be mad at them for it. Just give them time.”
“It’ll be hard to go against my friends by be-friending somebody that hurts us.”
“Sweetheart, Lucy and Anna will accept what you’re doing with time; just be patient with them.”
After we finished eating I decided to go with my mom to her house so I could visit my Dad and sister. Although my Dad appeared horribly ill and looked nothing like himself; I didn’t hesitate to hug him.
“How are you feeling?” I asked Dad as I seated myself on the couch where Riley and my mom were sitting.
“I’m better now since you’re here,” Dad weakly smiled.
“Pool, pool!” Riley continuously repeated to my mom.
Mom grinned. “I’ll be outback.”
I turned to Dad and smiled as Mom and Riley went outside.
“How has everything been with,” I stopped speaking as tears escaped my eyes trying to believe that this cancer my dad had was only a twisted trick someone was playing on me.
“Oh, Sara. I’m going to be alright,” Dad assured me in a weak voice.
“Dad, why is this happening to you?”
Love Goes On Page 25