Anxious Relationships

Part 2: A Day At The Park

"Hey, kiddo!" Patton pokes his head into the kitchen as I'm getting a snack. "The gang was thinking of heading to the park, wanna come with?"

I slowly turn my head toward the window . . . It's so sunny and bright, I'm sure there'll be thousands of little, noisy kids running around too.

"Why is Logan going, I don't think he'd just go to the park for fun."

"Now Virgil, even Logan can do things just for fun! Doesn't a picnic sound fun to you?"

I think I got it, "You promised to make him sandwiches with Crofter's jam, didn't you?"

"SSHHH! It's a surprise!"

What?! No way, Logan is just going? Whatever, he may not need a reason, but I do. Nothing about this sounds fun or appealing, but everything about this sounds annoying and pointless.

I must've been quiet for too long, 'cause I feel Patton staring at me, he must be getting impatient. I'm about to turn him down, when I see his eyes - his puppy dog eyes.

"Please, Virgil? It won't be nearly as great without you, we all really want you there, you're one of us now, we're a package deal. Of course, I don't want to force you, but it won't feel right going without you."

I turn around, 'cause I have no idea what's going on with my face, and I have absolutely no control over it. "Okay, fine, I'll go, when are leaving?"

"Oooooh, thank you Virgil!" He gives me a quick hug from behind. "We'll be going in 45 minutes, see you then!"

~

"So, what did he say?"

"He said he'll go!!

"I knew Patton was one for the job!"

"Perhaps there are things I can learn from you yet."

"Aww, shucks, you guys, it was nothing.

~

Well, we're at the park, and just as expected . . . it's packed - loudly packed. Patton must have an eye for these things, 'cause he found a spot for us almost as soon as we got here, and a pretty decent one, too. But we had to fight through crowds full of reckless kids and their parents, not to mention the disturbing amounts of flying beach balls and badminton birdies, all while making sure that we didn't drop any of our baggage along the way. As soon as the blankets are laid out and the umbrellas are set, I spread myself out.

"Why do you look so tired Virgil, we just got here!"

"Perhaps the drastic change of environment and journey to said environment are taking an unexpected toll on him."

Who said it was unexpected? "You kids go on and play, I'll join you in a few."

"Are you sure Virgil, do you want me to get anything for you?"

I'm too lazy to lift my head to check, so I say, "If they're selling any, get me a slushee. I'll pay you back later, I left my wallet at home."

"Oh, don't worry about that kiddo, it's my treat. What flavor?"

"Grape." Though the bright light of the sun makes it hard to see, and the umbrella causes everyone to look a bit silhouette-ish, I see Patton's smile flash before he runs off to do . . . fun. 'Ooh! Ah play!' is all I hear from Roman before I see his figure run after Patton. The sound of a few pages turning gives away what Logan is up to.

I turn my head and look at him with skepticism, "Did you really come all this way just to read?"

Logan's eyes shift to me for a second before going back to his book, "No, originally I had other plans, for I honestly did not expect the park to be crowded to this amount."