Shifting Tides || Jeremiah Fisher

7.

Today is the 4th of July, a day filled with vibrant celebrations and a sense of patriotic spirit. For many, it's a time of joy, fireworks, and shared memories. But for me, it carries a bittersweet weight.

In the past, this day was one of immense happiness and anticipation. I would eagerly await the festivities, surrounded by the laughter of family and the warmth of my dad's presence. We would gather together, creating cherished memories that would last a lifetime.

But now, in the absence of dad, the 4th of July serves as a poignant reminder of what once was. It's a void that cannot be filled, an ache that lingers within me. The joyous atmosphere around me only amplifies the absence, casting a shadow over the celebrations.

Yet, I've learned to put on a brave face, to smile and join in the festivities for the sake of those around me.

Belly had invited our debutante friends, and I was grateful for their presence.

Just as the sun began to seep through the windows, Jeremiah walked in, holding a bundle of fireworks in his hands. The sight of him instantly brought a rush of memories flooding back. I couldn't help but reminisce about the countless times we had spent together, lighting fireworks and sharing lighthearted moments.

I remembered that one time when he accidentally lit a firework too close to me, causing me to jump in surprise. He had felt so guilty that he offered me his muffins for the rest of the month as a token of his apology. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about his caring nature and his willingness to make amends.

As he entered the room, a familiar spark ignited between us. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, it felt like time stood still. The connection we shared was undeniable, and the memories we had built together added depth to our interaction.

The conversation was abruptly interrupted by Belly and Steven discussing our dad's new girlfriend. My reaction was immediate—I stood up, my face displaying a mix of shock and curiosity. "Dad's coming?"

Belly and Steven synchronized their nods, accompanied by a grin from me. However, before their words fully sank in, I couldn't help but question my own awareness. How could I have been so oblivious to the fact that Dad had found a new person? Despite the initial surprise, I couldn't deny the underlying sense of happiness that welled up within me. I eagerly anticipated Dad's arrival, knowing that his presence would undoubtedly brighten my mood.

Speaking of the devil, we eagerly watched as Dad's car pulled into the driveway, and Belly, Steven, and I huddled near the door, anticipation filling the air. As Dad stepped out of the car, his new girlfriend by his side, I couldn't help but notice her youthful appearance. Dad's smile was warm, but something felt different as he greeted us.

I couldn't contain my excitement and was the first to embrace him, but there was a lingering disappointment in his response. Though he hugged me back, it lacked the energy and enthusiasm we had once shared. With a slight tilt of my head, I watched as he went on to hug the others, his words echoing, "Come give your old man a hug, huh?"

Victoria, Dad's girlfriend, introduced herself to us with a bright smile, and I reciprocate the gesture, trying to make her feel welcomed. However, my focus soon shifted as I realized Dad had disappeared. I decided to search for him and found him in the bedroom that Belly had prepared for him.

"Hey, Dad!" I greeted him, hoping for the same level of excitement in return.

He nodded in my direction, barely acknowledging my presence, before setting his things down and burying himself in his phone. It was a stark contrast to the enthusiastic and engaging conversations we used to have. Disappointed, I mustered the courage to suggest playing some video games together, a shared hobby that had once brought us closer.

But before I could finish my sentence, he interrupted me. "Sorry, kiddo, I gotta do something real fast," he said, walking past me without much of a second glance. Our shoulders brushed against each other, and in that moment, I couldn't help but feel a crack in our relationship. The person I had hoped would make this day better had unintentionally made it even more challenging to bear. Feeling disheartened, I turned away from my father's indifference and found myself in a daze. In that moment, I caught Jeremiah's gaze fixed upon me, and it seemed as though he had overheard the exchange with my dad.

Normally, I would have been self-conscious about someone, especially him, witnessing my disappointment, but at that moment, I was too consumed by my emotions to care. I walked past Jeremiah and made my way to the kitchen, seeking solace in food. As I indulged in my thoughts and stuffed my face with cookies, the sound of approaching footsteps caught my attention. I quickly wiped my lips and put on a smile, feeling a tinge of embarrassment coloring my cheeks. Belly greeted me, and Victoria entered the kitchen, starting to prepare a smoothie.

I observed their interactions, trying my best to hide my inner feelings. Jeremiah stood nearby, his presence bringing a mix of comfort and unease. It was as if he could sense my emotions, but I couldn't bring myself to confront him about it. Instead, I focused on Victoria, hoping to distract myself from the disappointment of my father's indifference.

I engaged in a polite, obligatory conversation with Victoria, just to be courteous, until my mom announced that the debutantes had arrived. Bells and I greeted them, then made our way to the backyard. I spotted Jeremiah showing Victoria his playlist, while Conrad was in the pool, all over his girlfriend. My eyes quickly darted to Belly, who frowned at the sight of her long-time crush. I knew we'd need to talk after the party. Together, we walked over to the snack table, where Mom and Dad were busy grilling Steven's new girlfriend with questions.

Belly and I giggled before joining the conversation, teasing Steven's girlfriend with questions like, "So, how many guys have you called 'incredible' in front of their parents?" It was all in good fun, though, since she was one of the debutantes. After some laughs, Belly and I headed inside, where we found Jeremiah and Victoria mixing up her famous pomegranate margarita.

When we asked if we could have a taste, she smiled and asked, "Are your parents cool with that?"

"Yeah, yeah, no, they don't care." Belly immediately responded with eager, earning a side-eye from me. The margarita tasted amazing—just like a Slurpee—and when Belly suggested making another, I couldn't say no. As we were getting ready for round two, Conrad walked in. I braced myself, thinking he might get mad, but instead, he surprised us by pulling out a bigger, better blender. They started pouring in all the ingredients, and I went to grab the alcohol. As I was carefully pouring it in, Conrad grabbed my hand, nudging me to add way more than I intended.

"Connie! I'm gonna kill you.." I quickly say, my tone edged with shock, which only made Conrad chuckle.

Still, I had a sinking feeling that the rest of the night wouldn't be as lighthearted as this moment, especially with alcohol in the mix. Something about the atmosphere told me things could get messy.