My Hometown Love

Chapter 27 - Fishing for Answers

Lexie’s P.O.V

I woke to the sounds of birds chirping as my earphones had fallen out of my ears. I stretched myself before gently taking off the jacket and hiding it under my other clothing, to avoid unnecessary questions from my family.

I quickly checked my phone and saw a message from Kevin. I read it and grinned to myself before gathering my things to head to the public bathroom to get ready. The short walk got me thinking of how wrong I was to judge camping based on my previous experiences. I think I actually might like camping after all.

I returned to our campsite to see my parents and Jake geared up with fishing equipment.

“Why are you all dressed like that?”, I asked curiously.

“Because we are going fishing! And you’re coming too.”, Jake said as he tossed me a fishing vest.

“Wait, why me?!”, I said, clearly unimpressed with the idea.

“It’s fun; besides, you and I need to spend some quality time together. And there’s no better place than on a small boat in the middle of a lake.”, Jake said as he walked over and ruffled my hair before walking to Maria to kiss her.

“Wait, Maria’s not coming with us?”, I asked as I geared up, defeated.

“Yeah. I get seasick, plus, someone has to look after the site. You go have fun, Lex.”, Maria said as she helped me adjust my hair that Jake messed up.

I gave her a quick hug before walking over towards the lake and just standing there, contemplating if this was a good idea.

“Oh come on you wuss! You love adventure!”, Jakey said as he gave me a little push to enter the boat.

I slowly and carefully placed my foot inside the boat, one after another. I gently balanced myself towards the other end of the boat, before gently seating down, hoping and praying I don’t trip.

As Jake entered the boat and paddled us towards the center of the lake, I watched Mom and Dad’s boat slowly drifting further and further away from us. I still could see Mom laughing and hear Dad singing as each of our boats separated to a different destination.

*********

According to my watch, we have been here like sitting ducks for at least 30 minutes and I was getting bored. I looked over to Jake who had his hat on his face, shielding himself from the sun as he rested his legs on a box and sat there all chill.

I, on the other hand, just kept staring at my motionless fishing pole as I controlled myself from falling asleep. Frustrated, I gave Jake a little kick, trying to wake him up.

“Hey, what was that for?”, he asked as he pulled down his hat from his face and wore it on his head.

“Jakey, I’m bored. I thought you said you wanted to spend time with me.”, I said as I gave him my sad puppy dog eyes and sad pout.

“Fine. So, tell me what have you been up to since we left?”, Jake said as he passed me a can of soda.

“Nothing much actually. I visited Priya’s Mom, hung out at the bakery, visited a Farmer’s market, and just chilled.”, I said as I took a sip of my drink and looked around for a place to put it down.

“Oh cool. Wait, we don’t have a Farmer’s market. Where’d you go?”, Jake asked.

“Yeah. I went to the one that is two towns over.”, I replied as I put my drink down in a snug corner on the boat.

“You drove there all by yourself?”, Jake asked with a slightly raised pitch, clearly concerned.

“Oh no no! Kevin drove.”, I said as I looked at my watch, completely unaware that this was the first time I had told Jake I was hanging out alone with Kevin after the wedding.

“Oh, Kevin huh? So, you two been hanging out with each other lately?”, Jake asked as he took a sip of his drink while he stared at me with an investigative look.

“Oh yeah. Just a few times. He’s cool.”, I replied casually while my brain went into alert mode, hoping Jake doesn’t inquire further.

“Interesting. Kevin didn’t tell me that he was hanging out with you nor did you tell me about him. Is there something going on with you two?”, Jake asked seriously.

I felt my heart jump as I tried to find words to deny his suspicions.

“Jakey, come on. There’s nothing goi-”

My response got cut short when I felt my fishing pole shaking vigorously as my pole jerked forward. I stood up panicking as I tried to grab the pole and keep on pulling. Jake quickly made his way to me as he guided my hands, explaining how to hold the pole, and where to pull.

“Wait for it, wait for it.”, Jake said as he kept eyeing the movement of the pole.

As per his instruction, I waited intently to let the slack out of the line before reeling the fish in.

“Now Lex!”, Jake shouted.

I immediately started pulling the fish in by pumping the rod while simultaneously reeling. When it was within reach, Jake caught it and placed it in a net before handing me the net.

“Smile Lex! It’s your first fish you have ever caught!”, Jake said after he fumbled out his phone to take a picture.

I smiled with pride and astonishment before lowering the fish near the water with Jake.

“Back in you go. Sorry for the inconvenience caused!”, I said as I let go of the fish into the water.

Jake and I heaved ourselves back into our seats as we looked at each other. After some glaring, we ended up breaking into laughter as I fling my arms around his neck, hugging him.

“I caught a frigging fish Jake!!!”, I screamed.

“Yes, you did! I am so proud of you Lex!”, Jake said as he cupped my cheek.

I returned proudly to my seat, patiently waiting for my next challenge.

*********

A few fishes and many hours later, we paddled the boat back to our campsite. Mom and Dad were already there, wiping their hair with their towel. I turn to see their clothes all wet and hanged up to dry on the bench.

“What happened?”, I asked.

“Your Mom caught a fish and I got over-excited. We may have overturned the boat.”, Dad replied sheepishly.

I tried to stifle my laugh by hurrying to my tent to grab my stuff. I desperately needed a shower as I stink. I sprinted to the shower and back, eager not to miss out on anything.

Soon, four of us were seated on the bench with wet hair and towels, absolutely famished. Gloriously, Maria appeared with a big bowl of chili and some tortilla chips. All of us groaned with satisfaction as we took a bite.

“This is amazing Maria!”, I said as I blew flying kisses to her across the table.

“Hey hey! Keep your kisses away from my wife.”, Jake said jokingly as he tried to shoo away my imaginary flying kisses with his hand.

I just responded by sticking out my tongue at him before drowning myself in the glorious bowl of chili in front of me.

*********

We must have completely tired ourselves out because soon we were all taking a siesta. I woke up to the sound of Mom’s voice. I turned to look at the tent door, to see Mom poking her head through.

“Hey, baby. We’re all planning to go on a hike. Do you want to come along?”, she said so sweetly.

“No Mom. You all go ahead. I’m gonna stay here and write in my journal.”, I replied as I walked up to the tent door and opened it.

“Ok, sweetie. You take care.”, she said as she kissed my cheek softly.

“Ok, Mom. Now go have fun!”, I said as she turned around to walk towards the others.

I waved goodbye to them as I went to grab my journal from the tent. I sat down on the table bench and looked around me, as I soaked in everything my eyes fell upon. I looked back down in my journal and started writing.

I saw my hand moving and moving as my head filled with all these experiences and my hand tried to catch up. I put my pen down and picked up my journal as I flipped through the pages.

That was when I had an epiphany. I started vigorously sketching and writing, occasionally looking up and biting my pen as I dug my brain for more ideas. Satisfied, I smiled proudly as I looked down at my journal with determination.

I looked at my surroundings as I whispered a silent ‘thank you’, before feeling another lightbulb turn on in my brain and my hands scrambling to write it down.

********

“You look happy!”, Dad said as he appeared in front of me, to my surprise.

“You all are back fast. What happened?”, I asked.

“Fast? It’s been 2 hours Lex!”, Jake said as he sat down opposite me at the table.

“2 hours?”, I blurt out before looking at my watch and seeing the time.

“Yeah. What have you been up to?”, Maria replied as she took a seat next to me.

I flip through my many pages of scribbles thoughtfully before putting down my pen and closing my journal.

“I may have figured out my next step and a new passion project.”, I say gleefully.

“What?! Oh my god! That’s amazing Lex!”, Jake said as he stood up surprisingly before walking over to squeeze me in a hug.

“I am so happy for you, sweetie.”, Mom said as she patted my hand while Dad nodded agreeing before placing a kiss on the top of my head.

“I am so excited. So, what is it?”, Maria asked enthusiastically.

“Well, I still need to work on it so I’ll tell you all, first thing tomorrow morning.”, I said as I picked up my journal and walked back to my tent.

“Hey! Don’t leave us hanging!”, Jake screamed.

I poke my head out of my tent and flash him a sly smile before retreating back to my tent.

*******

The next morning, I took a final look at my scribbles, filling myself with feelings of determination and anticipation. I spent the whole night last night doing some fine touching and adding more specifications. I even used up the mini S’mores kit that Kevin gave me because I was desperate for a midnight snack.

I took a deep breath before stepping out of my tent and approaching my family.

“Finally! Tell us already!”, Jake said as he made everyone focus their attention on me.

“I’m going to start my own blog about life here in Jacksonville.”