The Summer of Lost Things

by Chantele Sedgwick

I nod.

  He shifts, putting his arm around my shoulders and grabbing my hand with his other hand. He smiles, reassuring me that everything’s going to be okay.

  I wonder what it would be like to have Dad see me get married one day. He won’t be able to, of course. I would like to be married sooner than he’s out of prison. I wonder, though, what he’d say if he could be there.

  I glance at Mom, who’s sitting next to Mike, holding his hand. He sits up straight, no cowboy hat, which is weird, and she leans against him.

  They have both been through a lot.

  We all have.

  I’m surprised Mom is okay with dating so soon, but Mike is growing on me more and more. He makes her happy, and I love seeing her happy. I’m okay with it.

  The ceremony starts as Oakley walks down the aisle, the bottom of her white slim gown flowing around her feet from the slight ocean breeze. She’s by herself; her Dad sits and watches from the front row and they have no wedding party lined up either. She’s always liked things simple. She’s also not one for tradition.

  Carson’s all smiles as she reaches him. He’s dressed in a black tux. Both are barefoot in the sand.

  I try to listen to the words of the bishop who marries them, but my mind keeps wandering, thinking of when and if I’ll marry. If I’ll want to live somewhere like this. Somewhere where the light touches the ocean and spreads its fingers, illuminating everything in its path.

  Oh, how I’d love to see that every day.

  I look back at Oakley, at how happy she is. She and Carson haven’t taken their eyes off each other. And for good reason. They both look amazing.

  As I try to pay attention to the ceremony, a guy in front of me chuckles and the girl next to him elbows him in the ribs. I recognize her, I think. Emmy. Oakley’s best friend, from what I can remember. We had sleepovers together when I’d come into town to visit when we were younger.

  The guy chuckles quietly as she whispers something in his ear, then he pulls her against him and kisses her temple.

  Emmy wouldn’t remember me, but I do remember her. She had a thing for Lucas. At least that’s what Oakley told me. It looks like she’s found someone new, which is a good thing. She looks happy.

  There’s another girl, sitting next to Emmy, whom I also recognize. From magazines, actually. She’s Jaxton Scott’s girlfriend. Mia, I think? He’s the ex-lead singer of Blue Fire so everyone knows him. And up front with an acoustic guitar in hand is Jaxton Scott himself. He played the music as Oakley walked down the aisle.

  He’s even hotter in person.

  I have no idea who knows him or how they managed to get him to play at Oakley’s wedding, but I’m excited to hear him sing some of his songs at the reception after. He has a beautiful voice, which he revealed when he went solo. And even better? I can cross that off my list. Attend an outdoor concert. Done and done.

  Since Jack counts as my official summer romance, I crossed that off a while ago. And hopefully we’ll have a romance that lasts much longer than that.

  My list is complete. It feels so satisfying.

  Jack squeezes my hand and gives me a look as he catches me checking out Jaxton.

  I just shrug and he chuckles.

  “I know pronounce you husband and wife,” the bishop says. “You may kiss the bride.”

  Carson leans down and Oakley pretty much jumps on him as they share their first kiss as a married couple. The crowd chuckles as they nearly make out in front of everyone, then they stop, Oakley putting her hands to her lips, her cheeks red.

  Carson doesn’t seem phased at all.

  Jack kisses my cheek and I lean into him, watching the happy couple as they raise their entwined hands in the air and everyone cheers.

  “This is perfect,” I say as Oakley and Carson move down the aisle again, heading toward the reception area, which is further down the sand. “I may have to buy a beach house. Want to join in?”

  “Now?”

  “In a few years.” I smile. “After we graduate, of course.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know if I could get you to leave your horses.”

  He laughs. “Probably not.”

  “It’s okay. They’re growing on me, too.”

  Jack kisses me and all thoughts of moving to California fly out the window.

  “Hey. Cool it,” Mike says. “We really don’t need to see that.”

  “Luce. People are staring,” Mom says. Then she winks at me and squeezes Mike’s hand.

  We both laugh as we join the others for the new couple’s reception.

  Jaxton Scott’s voice echoes over the beach, and Oakley and Carson slow dance even though the music is really not a slow song. I see Jaxton’s girlfriend, Mia, dancing with a girl who looks exactly like her. Her sister maybe? Mia’s eyes meet Jaxton’s and he winks at her.

  But my eyes go back to Oakley, even as Jack takes me in his arms.

  It makes my heart happy to see her so happy. To see how much she’s overcome, ever since Lucas died. He’d be happy for her. And I know he’s here with her tonight.

  I look at Mom and know she’s happy as well, even if her heart is still a little broken. Mine is too. I laugh as Mike twists Mom around on the dance floor, though. He’s loved her since high school and never stopped.

  As I dance with Jack, swaying slowly in his arms as a new song starts, I realize that even though things aren’t perfect and my family is a little different, I still have people I care about. And those people care about me. Mom, Dad, Jack, Mira, Oakley. And so many others.

  I can’t be afraid to let people in. I’ve learned to trust those I love more, even if it’s hard. It pays to be kind. You never know whose lives you’ll touch with just a simple smile. Life is short. I need to remember to tell those I love that I do love them. Lucas did. And he’s left such a beautiful mark on our lives because of it.

  I’ve realized the past few months that I need to love my family no matter what. Even if my family, and my heart, is a little or a lot broken. No one’s family is the same. No one’s family is perfect. I never have to be ashamed of my story, no matter how hard it may be. We just need to hold on to one another when things get hard and not let go. And it’s okay to be angry once in a while. But forgiveness is key.

  Dad and I write every week now. Sometimes it’s hard stuff we talk about, other times it’s light. But what matters is we’re writing. Communication, like Oakley said, is everything. We’re working on our relationship, and it makes me happy to have him in my life again, no matter how far away he may be. I know he loves me and I know he cares. Things will never be the same, but we’ll figure it out. We just have to keep moving forward and not dwell on the past.

  Also, I’m not going to be afraid to fall in love. Even though my parents didn’t work things out, there’s hope for my future. Because I’m not them and I have my own story. My life is my life, and I can do whatever is right for me. I can dance like no one’s watching, enjoy quiet nights watching the stars, cliff jump like nobody’s business, read as many books as I want, ride a horse even if I can’t get on myself, and most of all, love fiercely and deeply, without restraint or the thought of what others may think.

  I haven’t told Jack those three special words yet, but I feel like they’ll be used frequently in the future.

  Sooner, rather than later.

  The End