Lies

Chapter 3:

My parents had already put their boat in the water when I pulled in. Harper, Ryan, and Nolan were yelling with excitement and jumping up in their car seats as best as they could. I had to take a deep breath before I got out to get them out of their car seats.

The air was humid but I couldn't complain, anything nice was a dream come true for us. The water was lapping against the dock as the wind blew it. Some sand had blown across the parking lot and stayed, making its way into the crevices of the broken pavement. I'm even sure little creatures were making their way across the parking lot, trying to get their way to the other side. But it was all beautiful, even down to the smallest of the nasty creatures.

My parents waved when they saw me and turned on their boat. My father revved up the engine and received looks of disgust from the other boaters. My father never noticed those looks; he was always content with what he had in front of him to care what others thought. I've always loved that about him.

I opened the van door and unbuckled all three of my energetic kids. They raced their way out of the car and jumped onto the sandy pavement. Their voices probably could be heard from a mile away but I didn't want to crush their enthusiasm.

"Listen to me." I said, sternly. Harper and Ryan turned, immediately becoming silent. Nolan sat down on the pavement. "You are going to wear a life jacket and you are not going to lean over the boat. We didn't bring swimsuits so there will be no going into the water."

Harper and Ryan huffed in sadness. I smiled and nodded towards the boat dock where my parents were waiting. They quickly ran away. Nolan stayed like he always did and stood up. He reached for me and I brought him up on my hip. I locked the car door and then walked in the sunlight to the broken boards of the deck. My parents boat bobbed silently in the water and lapped against the decks solid surface.

I waved hello and helped Nolan into the boat. My mother took him and set him down on her lap. I looked around and saw Harper and Ryan sitting in the front of the open bow with new kid lifejackets on.

I climbed into the boat and sat in the back, facing the front. I looked to the back of boat where white, healthy smoke puffed its way out of the pipes. My father then pulled us out of the loading dock and into the lagoon.

"When did you buy this?" I asked, liking the feel of the wind wiping through my blonde hair.

"Just yesterday. Dad got a big paycheck and wanted to spend it on something that we could use with the grandkids." My mother proudly said. I watched as she admired my father as he turned the boats' wheel this way and that. Her look only proved how much she loved my father. They had been together for thirty-five years, getting married when my mom became pregnant with me at twenty. My father had just been starting off with his career and when my mom told him the news, he made sure he helped her out. He wasn't a deadbeat.

"I know Harper and Ryan were super excited. I'm sure Beckham's kids will like it too." I said.

"Beckham's kids love anything. Especially getting dirty; the only thing I don't like getting." My mother said, shaking her head.

"Be nice, mom. Those kids are sweethearts." I concluded, thinking about Beckham's kids. The last time we saw them was last week when it was Kate's, who was their oldest's, birthday. She was six years old and having a pony party at their ranch. We were invited and so were some of their ranch friends. Kate, Kelly, and Korbin entertained all of us that day by doing a talent show and then dropping in the dirt. It was quiet funny. Kolten their youngest had just been born and was too young to even think about getting in the mud. He had been sleeping soundlessly upstairs.

"I know they are. I just don't like their way of life. Too much dirt and grime all the time." My mom said.

"Well, you can't complain. Beckham was so rowdy before he met Luna. He was bad. He wouldn't even come to some of our family get togethers." I told her. She nodded and shook her head.