Because of My Best Friend

8. A Day Out

When Aidan and I finished getting ready, we all went downstairs to grab some food and coffee from the breakfast bar, and headed out.  Once settled in the car, we started up conversations as if we’ve known each other longer than 16 hours.  It still amazes me how random and weird this whole thing started out, but turned out to be normal.  Hell, they could’ve been crazy killer psychos, but here we are, going to an amusement park.

Once we bought our tickets, Tanner and Kelsey had us in line for one of the tallest rides in the park.  Aidan was quiet the whole time, right up until we got seated.  As soon as the workers locked us in our seats, he grabbed my hand tight and mumbled a prayer.  I’ve never laughed so hard in my life on that ride, thanks to his girly screams and Tanner’s jabs on his friend.

After the second ride, you could definitely tell it was getting to Aidan with his motion sickness, so I decided to sit out with him.  We sat in a comfortable silence as families passed us by and listening to the sounds of the rides along with playful screams.

Aidan leans his elbows on his knees, head in hands.  “Ugh I swear Tanner wants to embarrass the crap out of me.  I’m too old for this shit.”

“Aww it’s okay…. There, there,” I laugh as I rub small circles on his back.  “At least you’re still good looking.”  His head turns to look at me with a face I can’t describe, but one I know.  We both are having the same thoughts, I’m sure of it.  The closer we’ve gotten, the stronger the pull is.  We both like each other.  And dammit, those stupid butterflies….

“FOOD TIME!!”  Tanner jumps on the bench in between Aidan and I.  I swear, he has the worst timing. 

“Where’s Kels?” I ask as I push him off.

“Bathroom,” he says, pointing in the direction she went in. 

I see a little restaurant further down.  “You two go get us food,” and before he can even open his loud mouth, “and yes, Tanner, you’re paying.  I’ll have a burger, and she would want some chicken tenders, or a chicken wrap.  Both with a sprite.  Thanks!!!”  I pat his shoulder and run off in the direction of the bathroom.

As I approach the restrooms, I hear small sounds, almost like crying, from the side wall.  I turn to peek around and a little boy with down syndrome is just sobbing.  He can’t be more than 7 or 8.  A part of my heart breaks, seeing how crowded this place is and where no one could even hear him, or probably don’t want to approach him. I slowly approach him and when I crouched down to his level, he gets scared and moves back quickly, almost tripping in the process.

I put on my best smile.  “I’m sorry if I scared you.  Are you okay?”

He starts shaking his head and is pointing around crying, seeming unable to find the words.  I’ve had a lot of practice with Danny when he was that age.  “Can’t find you family?”

Again, he shakes his head.  At least his crying as slowed down some.  “Can you tell me what your mom looks like?  I can help you find her.”

He takes in huge gulps of air, calming himself down.  “She has yellow hair,” pointing to his hair.  I nod my head in understanding.  “What color is her shirt?” I ask, pulling at my shirt.

“Pink.”

I stand up to look around, but from this angle, it’s hard to see anyone.  “You wanna come with me in front of the bathrooms?  We can probably find her easier than in this corner.”

He still looks hesitant, but I patiently hold my hand out.  “My name is Justine, but my friends call me Just.  What’s your name?” 

He eventually grabs my hand like a lifeline and we walk around the wall to the front entrance of the bathrooms.  “Tate,” he says worriedly.  His grip tightens as herds of families pass us by.  Laughing, screaming, noises from the rides- I’m sure it’s a lot of stimulation happening for him, but overall, he seems to be handling himself well.

I begin to scan out for a blonde woman with a pink shirt, and sure enough, about 30 feet from us, is a frantic looking woman talking with a worker.  She has another child who looks a little older, looking sad and worried as well.  I gently tug Tate in their direction, and almost immediately they spot each other.

“Tate!”  The brother spots his first and I see the mother almost cry with relief. 

“Bubba!”  Tate releases my hand fast to run up to his brother in a hug.  Tears are almost brought to my own eyes as I see the family embrace each other.  His mother is planting kisses all over his head and hugging him tightly, which Tate returns wholeheartedly.  She looks up, mouthing thank you to me, and I just nod with a smile, not wanting to intrude on their moment. 

As soon as I turn around, I see Kelsey staring at me with a warm smile.  I walk up to her and link our arms, turning us in the direction of the boys.  “When we get back home, we should have a day with Danny.  It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him,” she says softly, placing her head on my shoulder.  I smile thinking about how happy he would be to see her.  It has been a while since we all hung out.

Once the boys are in sight, we both perk up and begin skipping to the table.  Food always makes us happy.

“Yes! Tenders!!! And honey mustard!” Kelsey squeals like a child.  I smirk in Tanner’s directions as in ‘I told ya so’ and he just rolls his eyes at me. 

“This cost an arm and a leg girl….” He complains, pointing a finger at me.

I happily take a bite out of my burger and shrug my shoulders.  “You woke me up early…”

After lunch we stroll around the park, digesting food and sweating from the hot sun.  We got some cute pictures with the characters from the park, went to the gift shop, and I even talked Aidan into buying me a cotton candy.  Of course, he ate half, but only because I let him. 

We came up to an exhibit with fake alligators and a lot of jungle plants.  There were large flat stones in the water and a low bearing fence, clearly indicating that it’s for some type of show or talk.  Tanner hands Kelsey his phone and jogs over to it, telling her to take a picture of him.

“Ummm.. you can’t do that Tanner,” I imply.

“Pfft, watch me.  I ain’t gonna fall or trip Justine.”

“No man, she means you literally can’t do that,” Aidan deadpans, his eyes on the obvious sign that Tanner didn’t see.

Tanner either didn’t hear or ignores all of us and squats down on a rock, posing as if he’s in a 90’s boys band.  Kelsey is eating this s**t up, taking her job seriously and getting multiple shots.  And, in no time at all, a security guard rushes up to the scene. 

***

“I can’t believe we got kicked out of an amusement park!” I laugh out, everyone joining in with me, well… except Tanner.  He’s been sulking ever since.

“I wasn’t doing anything illegal!!”

“Nah man, you just decapitated an alligator and then tried to run from the guard.  Man, I never thought you would stoop so low!”  Aidan can barely hold his breath as we all relived the incident.  As soon as security called out for Tanner to get out of the exhibit, the man trips on his own feet and slams right into the water, causing a whole scene.  And not only that, when he finally stood up in the waist deep water, he got scared of the alligator and punched the s**t out of it, causing his head to rip off.  Once he saw the security calling for back up, he rushed out of the pool and ran around.  Kelsey video taped the whole thing and sent it to us all in a group text.

We’ve watched it at least five times now.  

After the whole incident at the park, we decided to split ways, despite Kelsey and Tanner’s reluctancy to let go.  Aiden and I also gave each other a brief hug, and I can’t say that I was a tad bit sad to see him go as well.  It’s not like we were going to spend all day on a double date though…  and Tanner needed to change.

Kelsey and I went to the movies, then dinner and decided to come back to the hotel, since neither of us got a lot of sleep.  I crashed into the bed face first, then rolled and stretched until the well made up bed became a haven of chaotic fluffiness.  “Ugh I’m gonna sleep so hard tonight!”

I turned to face Kelsey since she didn’t respond and she’s sitting there with her phone in hand.  I get up and sit by her, staring at her home screen.  20 texts, 7 voicemails.

“I’ve had my phone off since we left Fairview…. He got home today.  Should we listen?”  She honestly doesn’t sound sad, which is good, but I was hesitant to see her reaction.

“Only if you want to babe.”

She faces me and puts on a small smile.  “Honestly Just, the past two days he hasn’t been in my head at all.  Thanks to you and Tanner, I don’t feel like a sad, cheated on, newly single woman.”

“Tanner is a trip.  You like him?  Like, like him like him?”

She lets out a laugh.  “I do.  But it’s not like it would go anywhere.  They live like 6hrs from us.  I don’t know anything about him other than how he screws and that he’s funny….” Her voice starts trailing off.

“But….”

“But he’s so grea-hay-h-ate!!”  She loudly whines as I laugh.

“Not a bad start to Operation Make Your Friend Feel Better, huh?  Now, let’s listen to the voicemails.  I’m dying to hear the asshole’s response.”  She puts the phone on speaker, and we both lean in as if it was the best show on earth.

Hey babe. Haven’t heard from you, so I’m just seeing how you were doing.  Remember, the 3rd plant from the left only gets watered every other day, and not every day.  Love you.

Babe, just checking in.  Call me back.

Hey Kels.. Where you at girl?  Hope you’re alright.  I’m about to board the plane home.  Been missing you.  Remember, you said you would pick me up at 3pm when I arrive back.  Hope you’re ready for some fun time, if ya know what I mean.  See you soon sexy.

Kelsey!  Where the hell are you!!?  I’ve been calling and texting you for over an hour!!  Call me back!

Omg kels!!  I think someone broke into my house!  The door was wide open when I got here—I need you to answer.  I’m staying on the line incase something happens baby.  What the f**k is that smell?!  I think it’s coming from the plants.  Omg why are the windows opened??  Ahhah!!  There’s flies everywhere.  What the hell- all my plants are dead!!  And what the f**k is growing out of them?  KELSEY!!!

YOU f*****g b***h!!  The f**k happened to all of my clothes?!?  And why are there stains on my carpet!!  Answer your god damn phone!!

We both laughed loudly until they turned to coughing fits.  She turned her phone off for the night, to preserve our well-deserved night of sleep.  Once I got out of the shower, I see that my friend is already passed out already on her bed.  She tucked herself in and has a smile on her face as she sleeps peacefully. 

Mission completed.