In Parched Gardens: Book 1

Chapter 9: We'd Like the Company

"Hello," Fin said, answering his phone. He sat at the small table in his kitchen, watching the wall, occasionally glancing through the window to his right at the waking world. He had been wondering whether or not he wanted to eat breakfast when he answered.

"Morning, Fin," his father replied.

"Morning, Dad," Fin answered. "What's up?"

"Do you work today?" his father asked him.

"Yeah," Fin answered lazily. "Gotta go in in a couple hours. Probably just gonna hang out here until then. Why, what's up?"

"Oh, not much," his father continued. "Really, I was callin' to see if you wanted to go with me and your grandparents to the Fourth of July festival tomorrow. No pressure. But if you'd like to go, we'd like the company."

Fin thought about it briefly. When he was younger, he loved the festival. The Fourth was one of his favorite holidays. And Allbrook took it very seriously. Harkening to its proximity to the American Revolution, Allbrook and its people buzzed with excitement around the Fourth. It was so popular, people from around the area would drive to Allbrook, especially for the fireworks. Now, though, he'd really rather not, Fin thought. He wasn't against it. He just wasn't interested. But his father was making an effort. And he didn't want to let his grandparents down. So, "Yeah, Dad," Fin answered. "I'd like that. It's been a little while since I've been here for the Fourth."

"Great!" his father answered. "Your grandparents are gonna be excited for you to be there. I thought I'd pick you up in the morning if that works. I was gonna swing by early to get Mom and Dad and come get you from there. I bet we can still park if we get there early enough. You know I'd walk, but Mom and Dad probably shouldn't if we can find a spot."

"For sure," Fin answered. "That'll work fine. What time, do you think?"

"Oh, I'd say about eight if that isn't too early?"

"No, no that'll be fine," Fin answered. "I'll be ready."

"Well I'm excited to see you then," his father said. "It'll be fun."

"I agree," Fin said, trying to believe it. "See you then."

-          -          -

Getting their things from their work lockers, Fin and Isaac talked from across the room. Their shifts had ended at the same time. Fin had hoped he'd get a chance to talk with Isaac before the day was done. He didn't want to pressure him to go to the festival with him, but he also wanted Isaac to understand that he wanted him there. And he knew when Isaac saw his face and heard his voice, he'd understand.

"Were you planning on goin' tomorrow?" Fin asked Isaac from across the small locker area.

Isaac looked away from his locker toward Fin. Picking his water bottle up, he took a drink, thinking. "Probably," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "You?"

"Now I am," Fin answered, nodding slightly.

"Now?" Isaac asked.

"Well," Fin started, "Dad called this morning and asked me if I'd go with him and my grandparents. I told him I would. If you want to go with us, I'm sure he'd like to see you."

"Ah, I see," Isaac started. "Well, right now I have three options. One, I can go alone. Two, I can go with you. Or three, I can go with my roommates. They actually invited me yesterday."

"You don't want to go with them?" Fin asked, sarcastically.

"Here's the thing," Isaac answered. "I thought about it for a second, and then I thought, 'I wonder if they even know what the Fourth's about,' so I asked them. Wanna know what the consensus was?"