Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Scanning the chaos in the backyard of Mason and Palmer’s house, I screwed up my face. “Good luck with that.”
“Are we having fun?” Harlee plopped down in the folding chair next to me.
I nodded. “If that’s what you call a pounding headache, screaming out-of-control kids, and a mom who keeps touching me on the arm and squeezing it while telling me she’d really love private fishing lessons, then I guess I’m having fun.”
Harlee laughed. “Oh my God. Which mom? Show me.”
I rolled my eyes and pointed. Harlee busted out laughing, stood, and said, “I’ve gotta go tell Palmer. This is rich!”
And with that, my secret fiancée rushed off to gossip with my baby sister.
“Put me down for no birthday parties.”
That came from Brody, who handed me a beer, then Gannon one, before sitting in the seat Harlee had vacated. “I mean, the only kid who’s well-behaved here is Charlie, and he has an excuse to act like a crazy person. What in the hell did they give these kids, for fuck’s sake?”
“Whatever it was, I hope it lasts well into the night and keeps their parents up,” Mason said from behind us.
We laughed as he nearly collapsed into the chair next to Gannon.
“I will never let Palmer talk me into a birthday party with Charlie’s entire class again. One kid put a toad in the punch. Another decided she wanted to know what flavor the icing was on the cake and decided to lick her finger before taking a sample.”
“Gross!” Brody and I said at the same time.
“I’m not eating anything at this shindig. I saw a little boy use the palm of his hand to rub his snotty nose, then reach into the bowl of chips. I gagged. Which made Addie gag and nearly throw up.” Gannon shuddered.
Brody looked at the bowl of chips in his hand and slowly put it down on the ground. “And I’m done with that.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think Palmer is signaling for you to go over to the cake table, Mason,” I said.
He jumped up. “Thank God. It’s cake, presents, then it’s over!”
We watched Mason nearly sprint across the yard.
“You think he’s ready for this day to be over?” Brody asked.
A screaming girl who was running away from a bee raced by, causing us all to cringe.
After taking a long drink from my beer, I said, “I’m honestly surprised he’s even still here. I’d have left for the bar a long time ago.”
Gannon hit me on the back as he stood. “It’s called love, Brax. It makes you do crazy things.”
Smiling, I searched for Harlee. When I saw her bending down to look at a flower a young girl was holding, I felt so much warmth in my chest that I lifted a hand and rubbed at the spot. Love did, indeed, make you do crazy things. It had also made me the happiest man on Earth.
Harlee turned and met my gaze. She lifted her hand and waved. I did the same.
The little girl took Harlee’s hand and started toward the cake table. I stood. My eyes were transfixed on them both, and I started to imagine that she was walking with our own little girl. The thought nearly made me tear up.
My body swayed slightly, and I looked over to see Brody grinning at me like he knew something I didn’t.
“Why are you grinning at me like that?”
He slowly shook his head. “No reason at all.”
* * *
THE SEASIDE CHRONICLES
May 12, 2023
HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER – SPECIAL EDITION
Seasiders,
I don’t know whether to be happy or slightly agitated that something so big was planned without my knowledge—and right under my nose! It makes this writer wonder if she’s slipping somehow and losing her touch. I’ll have to ponder that after finishing this column.
At any rate, my fishes, I have big news for you this beautiful spring morning: there is to be a wedding. And not just a wedding, but two weddings! You heard that right…two weddings. Do you see why I’m so concerned? How is it possible that two weddings were planned without my seagulls or me even being tipped off? That’s a question to wrestle with later, as I’m sure you’re all wondering who our two couples are. Hold on to your surfboards, fishes!
Palmer Bradley and Mason Bryan are getting hitched this weekend, along with—and this one I did not see coming—Braxton Bradley and Harlee Tilson! Who even knew they were engaged? Never mind the fact that they’ve only been dating for a hot second. I’ve been unable to find out the location of the double wedding, but I do wish both couples a very happy life together.
Don’t worry, Seasiders, I’ll be sure to have more information on the nuptials soon. Mark my word…even if I’ve yet to receive an invitation.