Fireflies at Midnight

SIXTEEN 16

Luckily, the drive to a local fishing store was a bit more energetic and upbeat. Kathy and Aaron sang along to some 80s classic rock and quizzed the couple on their knowledge. They were more focused on Evelyn as Aaron was raised on the music and had no choice but to know.

"Come on guys, that's obviously Journey. Give me some hard ones!" Evelyn laughed, throwing a look to Eric in the rear-view. He got the pun she'd thrown out, smiling a little wider.

"I'm shocked you know these, Evelyn." Kathy says, turning around in the seat.

"My mom was a fan of nothing but classic Rock. Journey, Guns 'N Roses, AC/DC the list goes on. I didn't have a choice growing up." She said, trying her best to fake a smile.

"Your mom? Tell us about her. You never did mention her over the phone." Eric says.

"There's really not much to say. I speak to her from time to time and she comes by the house occasionally but that's about it." Evelyn didn't care much to talk about her.

"Well, what's her name? What does she look like?" Kathy asks.

"Her name is Elizabeth and unfortunately, like an older version of me." Evelyn breathes out, looking over at Aaron.

"She's not lying. Evelyn looks exactly like her mother when she was younger." Aaron squeezes her thigh, looking over at her with reluctance on his face.

She was thankful that Aaron was there for her. Without him, she wouldn't have anyone to lean on that really understood and knew her. Sometimes she was envious that Aaron's parents had actually gotten off drugs. She'd always hoped that maybe one day her parents would do the same.

Almost 23 years later, and she's still hoping that they would.

Oh shit. Evelyn almost forgot her birthday was coming up. She'd be turning 23 years old and sadly, it feels as if she should be 40. She looked down to check the date, it was the 12th. Three more days until her birthday and Evelyn had never dreaded something as much.

"Well, guys, here we are." Eric puts the truck in park and steps out of the vehicle.

Hunting and fishing wasn't her thing by far. And the disinterest in Kathy's face showed it wasn't hers either. Nonetheless, they make their way into the store and look around. It smelled like gunpowder and the woods. Probably an air freshener somewhere plugged in to give it the right 'vibe'.

Aaron and Eric were like ping pong balls; hopping from one side to the other, picking things up to look at. Evelyn watched from afar, hearing Eric laugh as he pretended to shoot a turkey decoy.

Evelyn honestly didn't think the man realized just how beautiful he was. Both inside and out, but especially in a way that Evelyn could physically see. He was a glow in the dark world, like stepping outside to take a breath of fresh air after being locked away for months.

His movements were always so effortless, graceful like he floated instead of walked. For an older man, he moved as if he was as young and graceful as her. Seems as if the hunting and fishing had kept him in amazing shape.

Kathy had made her way to the very small section of clothing that the store had. She took her time, pulling out each individual shirt and looking at it. Aaron always said she took forever in a store. Now Evelyn could see why.

"Babe!" Aaron exclaimed, motioning for her to come over.

"What do you think about this?" Aaron asked, putting a call in his mouth and forcing the sound.

"I mean, it sounds like you're calling something. Come on babe, you know I don't know anything about it." She was a bit embarrassed to admit that in front of Eric.