I decided to set a date. "Is everyone okay with coming to Wisconsin next week on Friday? At 2:00 at 2913 Center Road."
After the confirmation, I rented out a public gazebo by a park and prepared. I got a lot of food and some games to scatter around the area. I got some speakers, and a mic with a screen for karaoke, bean bags, a football and baseball and a basketball. There was a field/court for each sport nearby. I had everything ready. I just had to wait to move it there.
Everyone said yes. Finally. It took a few hours, but everyone agreed to meet.
I didn't know what to do all week, so I started going places to find a hobby. I tried golf, tv shows and dancing. All in one day, and all were pretty boring. After my long day, I went to bed. The next morning, I woke up and I had a text.
It was from Colleen Numan saying, "Did you find your family?"
"Uh, you are my family and you should know the plan."
"Could you remind me?"
"Who is this?"
"Colleen."
"Then you know. I know you do."
"I forgot."
I called her. It was denied. I didn't answer anymore texts. I wondered who it was.
I tried more things to find a hobby, but during bowling, Lily texted me. "Want to meet up?"
"For..."
"To talk."
"About..."
"Stuff. Like your family."
"Okay."
We met at a bar at night. It was casual. Friend-type meeting. Not a date. She was there when I got there five minutes early.
"Hey bud." She was unusually friendly.
"Bud? When did we become friends."
"You know when. I'd rather not talk about that. Also, I prefer the word acquaintances. Friends is too...friendly."
"In case someone's listening?"
She nodded. "Did you find your family?" I nodded. "Are you guys meeting up?" I nodded again. "Where?"
"It's a secret. Only the family knows."
The rest of the meeting between acquaintances was casual. We talked about her work and how it's been since I was gone and her new partner. His name was Jose. He was a short Mexican guy. On one mission, they were chasing a suspect for a killer, Diego. They caught the guy and brought him in for questioning and no matter what Diego said, Jose believed it because they were Mexican. He got fired too.
The newest guy was a tall white guy. His name was Ian. They were watching over a concert. During this concert, one guy threw a firework on stage. It was a bottle rocket. Thankfully, it shot out at a tree. No injuries or fires or anything, but he went on the run and they chased him. Ian chose to take out his gun and shoot. He was running so he was inaccurate and shot Lily. It hit her on her shoulder. It didn't do any permanent damage, but the kid got away. It was under investigation.
"He's going to be fired too. I got another coming."
I laughed. "You plan on getting him fired too?"
She scoffed. After that, we talked about my adventures. Eventually we called it a night and went home. It was cool. I talked to a girl and she didn't call me a pervert or think I was hitting on her. First time in a long time.
