Lost & Found

I'm Not Good at Making Promises

Nate’s POV (Saturday)

    I mouthed along to the radio as I pulled into Lauren's driveway. Removing my sunglasses, I took out my phone to check the time.

11:28
Sat, Apr 16

    Leaving my car unlocked, I got out, running a hand through my hair for the twentieth time since leaving my house. I'm a little early, but that's no big deal. I took a big step over the two stairs leading up to the front door. Once I rang the doorbell, I stepped back and looked around.

    There's something familiar about this neighborhood. I feel like I've been here before. It's a big subdivision. Maybe I have another friend who lives around here. All the houses look basically the same. I have no idea how, but I just know this is not my first time here.

    "I'll get it!” called a feminine voice from behind the door. Finally, after several minutes of waiting, the door opened, Lauren appearing on the other side. “Hey! Um, sorry for the wait, but I'm almost ready to go if you don't mind waiting?”

    “No problem," I replied, almost as if on script. I stepped inside while Lauren disappeared down a hall veering to the left.

    I went straight for the living room where several photo frames rested on the fireplace. I hadn't noticed them when I was first here. It looked like they were in sections. The left half the fireplace consisted of old school and family pictures. I didn't find any sign of a mother in the family ones. The right side seemed to be all about the father, as he was the focus in most of the pictures. There were many of him hiking, camping, or fishing with a 50/50 chance the kids were with him. On the far right, the very last picture was of their father in a military uniform.

    The last section, the one I almost missed, was tucked away in the back, behind all of the others. They were all candid shots of Lauren's family. I figured Lauren was the one who took them, considering none of them are of her. I plucked one of the small frames out to get a closer look.

    "Excuse me." I spun around towards a low voice, almost dropping the picture. I had to tilt my head up to find the face of a giant of a man.

    The man (Lauren’s father, I suppose) wore an army green t-shirt. He had broad shoulders and I could see lean muscle covering his arms. Mr. Cavallo had a crewcut and, from what little I could see, he had the same light brown hair as Tristen and Devon. "Can I help you?"

    "I’m just waiting for Lauren, sir," I answered, still straining to see his eyes. He grunted and turned to sit on a nearby couch.

    My mind processed how he took his steps, steady and sure. Mr. Cavallo seemed a bit soft-spoken but it makes sense that he was in the military.

   “You like those?” Mr. Cavallo inquired. I glanced down at the picture in my hands. It was just of Devon looking out a window with headphones on.

    “Uh, yeah, I guess,” I responded. I quickly put the picture back. “I was just looking.”

    Mr. Cavallo hummed thoughtfully. The way he was looking at me made me think he was analyzing everything I did. The back of my neck heated up and I saw no way out from under his scrutinizing gaze.

    "You ready to go?" Lauren asked suddenly appearing from the hallway. She was sporting a white tank top and black leggings which were ripped at the knees. She had a bulky jean jacket in one hand.

    Thank you, I thought, releasing the breath I'd been holding.

    "You bet," I replied, trying to match her playful tone. Lauren smiled and walked over to the couch, bending over the back of it.

    "Love you," she said and pecked her father on the cheek. She pulled away and started for the front door, shrugging on the jacket.

    "Love you, too, baby," he called before she was out of sight. I stumbled away, still wary of his eyes following me out of the room.

    "Let’s go!" Lauren squealed.

    We exited her house and I felt her father’s fiery glare burning holes in my back. I shook it off as I opened the passenger side door for Lauren.

    "What a gentleman," she joked, smiling and running a hand through her dark brown waves. I got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. The radio burst to life and I instantly spun the volume dial until it was no more than white noise.

    "I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with my plans for the next few hours," I hinted, backing out onto the street.

   "Sounds great," she responded.

   "I’m no good with promises, but I assure you. This will be amazing."

    About twenty minutes later, I turned onto a dirt road nearly concealed by hanging branches. I held the wheel firm and I could tell that all the sudden bumps and jolts surprised Lauren, who had been staring out the window for practically the whole ride.

    Eventually, I pulled up in front of a small house. The outside walls were newly painted white but the windows had accumulated obvious water stains and dust. Almost the entire perimeter had flowers blooming and plants climbing up the walls. I parked and stepped out of the car, urging Lauren to do the same.

    A petite girl with brown hair stepped out of the house in a purple dress and bleached jean jacket. "Hey, Nate!"

    "What up, Amy?" I called back.