AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Haven put down her drink. “Oh, there are so many stories. School will be out soon, and everyone is counting down. So a group of sixth-grade girls decided to celebrate the end of the year by coming to school dressed in different vacation themes. One day they wore beach cover-ups and sun hats and carried around beach bags.”
“No kidding,” Darcy exclaimed while Mom grinned.
Haven shook her head. “No kidding! They didn’t get too disruptive until one of them blew up a beach ball and thought it would be a good idea to toss it around the cafeteria.”
“Oh no.” Mom laughed. “I assume you took care of that.”
“I did since I was on cafeteria duty, but then they all wore parkas the next day to fit their skiing theme.”
Mom scrunched her nose. “Did their parents see them leave the house dressed like that?”
“The principal and I asked that question too. I suppose their parents didn’t notice they had large coats shoved in their backpacks. Apparently the heat got to the kids on parka day though. Once they started sweating, they regretted their decisions.”
Darcy and Mom laughed.
“How about a game?” Dad suddenly asked.
Carter nodded. “Sure.”
“What game?” Derek asked.
Dad gave Mom a knowing look. “Well, Darcy may have told you that Uno is a tradition during Larsen family beach vacations.”
Carter turned toward Darcy, who nodded.
“That’s true,” she said.
Dad looked around the table. “What do you say?” he asked, and everyone nodded.
Darcy pushed back her chair. “Why don’t you find the cards, and we’ll clean up the dishes?”
“I’ll help.” Carter began stacking empty bowls from the gelato they’d had for dessert.
While Darcy filled the dishwasher, Mom wiped down the table and Haven and Derek refilled everyone’s sweet tea.
Once the dishwasher was whirring, they returned to the table and played a couple of rousing games of Uno. Darcy was amazed at how well Carter fit in with her parents and her closest friends as they laughed and teased each other during the game.
When their second game came to a close, the sun began to set, sending a rainbow of colors across the sky and reflecting off the ocean.
Dad gathered up the cards, and Mom pushed her chair back and stood.
“How about we watch a movie?” Mom suggested.
Haven shook her head and covered her mouth with her hand. “Thank you, but I think the sun wore me out. I’m ready to head to bed.” She leaned over and kissed Derek. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then she popped up from her chair and waved. “Good night, everyone.”
Dad pointed to the family room. “I’ll look for a movie, and you’re all welcome to join us.”
Mom and Dad gathered up the remaining glasses, and Haven opened the sliding glass door before they filed inside.
Derek pulled out his phone. “I’m wide awake. I think I’ll just sit out here and enjoy this beautiful night.”
Carter turned toward Darcy, and his expression seemed hopeful. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“I’d love to.”
***
Darcy and Carter left their flip-flops on the deck before they descended the deck stairs to the beach. The air was warm with a comfortable breeze blowing off the water.
