The Seaside Retreat

Chapter 41

Violet's POV

After lunch had been served, I was finally free. For the rest of the afternoon, I would spend quality time with my parents, since I wasn't sure when I'd see them again. Thanksgiving, maybe? My heart gave a sad thud at the thought. 

We had decided to go to a resaurant in Parkville, just the three of us. It would give us a chance to talk before I left tomorrow. I felt tears starting to form in my eyes, but I forced them away, knowing now was not the time to cry. 

I went up the stairs, taking them two at a time, wanting to change quickly before I met my parents down in the sitting area. Once in my room, I changed into a pair of jeans and a blouse. After putting on some flats, I was ready to go. I made my way down the stairs, and once I reached the sitting room, my parents were both already waiting for me. 

"Are you ready to go?" My dad asked me after I'd given them a hug. I nodded and we headed out to our Toyota Corolla. It was parked out in the back parking lot so it wouldn't take up a parking spot that could be used for guests.

The ride was quiet as we drove along the beautiful eastern coast. I still found it hard to believe that tomorrow, I wouldn't see this coast for a long time. Instead, I'd be heading towards a coast similiar, yet completely different.

Soon, we arrived at the town of Parkville. Although I'd been here only a few days before with Seth, everything seemed to look different now. I couldn't help but feel sad, not knowing when I'd see all the charming little boutiques and restaurants of this quaint ocean town again.

My mom, dad, and I decided to eat at a little seafood diner. It was a little local restaurant that we often went to when I was smaller for special occasions. We found a parking spot in the street and headed inside. Luckily, it wasn't too busy and we were able to be seated immediatedly.

As we sat at our table, I couldn't help but stare around at the tacky decorations I loved so much. On the wall opposite me, there was a stuffed swordfish, and directly below it was a picture of the restaurant when it originally opened. The picture was in black and white, and judging from the cars parked in the street in the picture, I would guess the diner opened in the 1950s.

I looked back down to my menu before looking at my parents. "What are you two going to get?" I asked them. They both looked up, my dad giving a me a silly thinking expression. "Well, I'm not for sure. Maybe the squid?" He teased, smiling. The three of us laughed together, remembering how we'd first reacted when we saw there was squid on the menu a couple of years ago. We'd had a good laugh imagining people trying to eat the slimy fish.

"If you say so, dad." I replied. "Well, I think I'm going to order the grilled schrimp." My mom declared, closing her menu and setting it in the middle of the table. " "And I'll have the tilapia" I said, placing my menu on top of hers. 

Soon, the waitress came and took our orders. While waiting for our food, we talked about everything. Old memories were brought up and for a while, my childhood was relived. Tomorrow, those innocent years of being small would end. I would start a new life, and find my place in this world. 

The ride home was silent  like it was on the way to the restaurant. But the silence was not awkward, how silence sometimes is, but comfortable. After a while, we finally got back to the Seaside Retreat and headed inside. It was dark except for the light we keep on in the sitting room. Checking the time on the wall once entering the room, I saw that it was seven o clock. 

After giving my parents a hug and wishing them goodnight, I headed upstairs. I headed straight to my room and finished packing completely. I didn't realize I had so many things until I had to pack them all up. An hour later, after a lot of jumping on bags and suitcases and stuffing various of items of clothing into them, I plopped down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Laying there, the silence loud in the quiet night, everything finally caught up to me and I let it. I let all the fears, uncertainties, and anticipation sink into me. It was better to get the inevitable over with before I left tomorrow.

The tears had been flowing for a couple of minutes before my phone went off. I wiped my eyes, pulling the phone out of my pocket and trying to see the screen through my tears. My heart gave a happy little thump that helped to brighten my mood when I saw the text was from Seth. I pressed open, reading the message. 

Are you back?

I typed back quickly. 

Yeah, why?

I set the phone down, waiting for him to respond. I played with my nails, staring at the turqoise color I'd painted them a couple days ago. 

My phone buzzed beside me and I quickly snatched it up, reading the text.

Come down to the breakfast area. I've got a surprise.

What could he have planned for me? I got excited, imagining what Seth had planned. I knew, because it was Seth, he would have something very sweet. I put on some flip flops and headed down the stairs, taking them two at a time. 

Turning the corner, I looked into the kitchen to see Seth sitting at one of the two person tables, with two drinks. I walked into the eating area. I  couldn't help the giddy smile that filled my face when he grinned at me. My night just got a lot better.

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Author's Note: Hello everyone! I just want to thank everyone sooo much for still reading this story! I will try to update this story at least once a week, but I might not be able to all weeks because of my other stories. And sorry that this chapter wasn't too interesting because it was a filler chapter.