I smiled as I sat on the beach next to Solstice, watching the waves. After playing probably over twenty games and riding a few roller coasters, we'd gone over to the beach to relax after I put all the stuff back into my car.
I looked at the stars, leaning back until I was propped on my elbows, "So...We should get back soon."
She looked over at me. I couldn't see her expression in the dark. All I could see was the shine of her hair and the glaze of her eyes. I tore my eyes away from her and gazed back at the ocean.
Solstice sighed, "You're probably right."
I asked, not looking at her, "Can I ask you something? If it's personal or anything, you don't have to answer."
"Go ahead."
"Well...How does it feel like? Knowing you have only three or so months to live?"
She was quiet for a bit. Then she cleared her throat, "It sucks. Knowing that when I die, Jason and my dad will be hurt. They already lost mom...Well, sort of."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"My mom left us when I was younger. Maybe eight or nine. She didn't even say goodbye. She just left while Jason and I were at school. Dad was just as confused about it as we were."
"Well, if I were her, I wouldn't have left you. But I know how you feel. Not having a mom and all. Mine died of pneumonia when I was seven. Dad tried everything he could to save her. But she was just too sick."
Solstice said, "I'm sorry. I bet that hurt you."
"At first it did. But after a while, I got used to it."
"How?"
"Well...Instead of thinking of her death and anything bad like that, all I thought of was the good times. Like when she tried teaching me how to cook when I was six and I accidentally set the oven on fire. Or when she bought me a dirt bike for my seventh birthday. But I didn't remind myself that it was the end of those times. So whenever she crosses my mind, I make sure I never think about bad times."
Solstice asked, "But...What happens when the memory of her death just comes into your mind?"
"I distract myself. I played video games, shot some hoops, threw a football around. Basically anything that requires focus."
"Oh. Since you asked me something, can I ask you a question?"
"Uh-huh." I said simply.
Solstice lied down, staring at the stars, "Why? Why'd you bother taking me here. Why'd you even bother talking to me? I don't think it's your job as the doctor's son to do this."
"I'm not completely sure." I admitted, "Maybe it's because you seem different than any other girl."
There was no answer, so I stood up and held out my hand, "Come on. I told your brother I'd get you back by nine."
Solstice took my hand so I pulled her up, "It's only eight, though."
"I'm gonna get you a snack."
"Where?"
"A place I go to all the time. You like blue food?"
Solstice raised her eyebrows, "Blue?"
"Yeah. Blue food is the best. The place is pretty expensive for some other people, though."
"I don't want you to spend a lot of money on me."
I smirked, "I'm rich, babe. It's not gonna affect me much."
