The Summer We Believed (Denim Days #1)

Day 5 -- Melody

The last part of the drive, when I rode with Duncan, was the best. I intentionally sat close, pretending that I needed to to get a good view of the lake. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Scoot in," then rested his arm along the back of the seat so I could get even closer to his window.

So it was disappointing when we got to the park. I could have stayed in the car watching the north shore of Lake Superior Lake go by without end. Duncan held the door for me, then we all stopped at the office to get a brochure, which showed a short, half-mile hike to the falls. Everyone trudged on ahead while Duncan fell into step next to me, shortening his stride to match mine. At the footbridge, everyone said they wanted to walk down the trail toward the lake, but Duncan wanted to cross the bridge that went directly over the waterfall.

"Meet us back here in an hour," Duncan's mom suggested.

Duncan's dad looked at his watch. "An hour and a half." Then he led the way down the trail.

I looked at the bridge. It looked like railroad ties bound together. "You're sure that bridge is safe?"

"I haven't heard of anyone going over the falls."

It seemed like he should tell me a princess story to convince me everything would be all right, but he took my hand and we began to walk across. In the middle, there was another couple that looked like a throwback to the seventies, both of them dressed in tie-dye tops, like hippie statues. They were completely mesmerized by the water rushing down and passing beneath them. Tranced-out. Whatever they'd smoked must've been good. Duncan stopped, I thought to check out what held them so rapt. Instead, he handed the guy his phone. "Hey, would you take a picture of us?"

"Sure thing," the guy replied.

Duncan set us up on the opposite side of the narrow bridge. He wrapped his arm around my back, his arm trailing across my waist, his hand resting at the top of my jeans.

"I need to move down to get more of you in the shot." The guy took a few steps back toward the eastern side of the falls.

Duncan angled us slightly, and for one minute, I felt like the hand rail could give way, sending us both tumbling into the river, sweeping us away.

"Say peace."

"PEEAACCE," we said in unison.

"Hey, your fly's down," Hippie-Guy said. Duncan looked down, and I threw back my head and laughed.

"Yeah, that's a much better picture," Hippie-Guy said as he handed the phone back to Duncan.

Duncan's face had turned bright red. "Uh, thanks, I think."

"No problem, man. That second pic is going to grow on you." Hippie-Guy slipped his arm around Hippie-Girl's waist and she smiled up at him.

Hysterical. I couldn't believe he did that.

When Duncan and I got to the west side of the falls, I said, "Hey, let me see the pictures."

"We have to find a way to get up there." Duncan pointed to a ridge where we could sit and watch the falls. I tried to grab his phone, but Duncan was having none of it. He tucked it into the front pocket of his jeans.

Although I'd like to reach in there, he knew me well enough to know I wouldn't, and so I had to be patient, waiting until just the right moment to strike. "Party pooper."

We found the ridge, or actually I found the ridge and claimed the perfect spot to sit on the ground, but Duncan hung back while he took his phone out to look at the pictures.

"Now you're just toying with me," I said.

"The guy was right. The second picture's better. Even though I look like a total dork in it, your whole face is lit up laughing."

"C'mon, let me see them," I whined.

He sat down next to me, one hand flat on the ground behind my back, and held the phone out so I could see them. I guess he decided it wasn't worth putting up with my pestering.

"Awww...this one's sweet," I said as I looked at our "Peace" pic. Then, I cracked up. "This one is great! But...I wish you were laughing." I took his phone and aimed the camera him. "Knock, knock."

"Funny." Duncan didn't crack a smile.

"Are you going to play or not? You're supposed to say, 'Who's there?'"

"Who's there?" he deadpanned.

"Your fly's down!" I pointed the camera at his crotch.

He cracked up and at the last minute I moved to catch his face. If I forget what he looks like after the move, this picture is exactly what I'll need. "There," I said, the satisfaction clear in my voice. "Now I have one, too. Text me those, okay?"

Duncan took the phone from me, and when he saw the picture he smiled.

Today, so far, had been a good one. No, I take that back—a great one. I looked up at the bright blue, cloudless sky. At the unspoiled water rushing by below us. At Duncan. A light breeze lifted a few strands of my hair and blew them across my face. "It's so pretty," I said with a whisper because I didn't want to disturb the moment we were living.

Duncan gave me a funny look. A needy look. The butterfly colony arrived right on cue. He reached out and brushed the flyaway back from my face, barely skimming my cheek. My stomach clamped down in nerves and the butterflies were crowded into a much smaller space. He leaned in. Soft. His lips were on mine. The kiss swept me away like the rapids never could.