Entanglement

Being a Family

Collin

"Daddy, I got an A on my science project." Picking up my son from school has always been exciting even though he is only six years old and in the second grade. Everyday with him is always exciting. He always has something to say or something that he has learned for the day.

"I'm proud of you son." I beamed happy my son is doing well in school.

"Is mommy coming over later today?" He asked excitedly. His mother an I, we are friends for the most part. After our son was born we thought it best to go our separate ways. At first she was fine with it but lately she has been trying to get us to connect in other words become one whole family. Though I am sure it would make our son Cole happy, it would make me miserable. Not that she was a bad mother or a bad wife, it's just that my heart never forgot the one that was made for me.

"I don't know son but how bout we go and get some ice cream to celebrate you getting an A." Lifting him up, I placed him on my shoulders before walking back home. We don't live very far from his school so we walk instead. Saves me on gas not that I can't afford it, its just we pass the beach on our way to school and seeing the waters makes my heart skip a beat.

I have never forgotten her. And everyday I pray that she will come home, come back home to me.

Arriving at the ice cream parlor we two had ordered our ice cream. "Daddy can we go to the beach today?"

"Again? Don't you have homework to do?"

"No daddy, I finished it in class today."

"Very well but don't tell your mother I took you." Hazel hated when I take Cole near the waters and I can only guess why. Of course it is followed by many reasons but I'm there and I will not let anything happen to our son.

After finishing our ice cream we had walked to the beach where I watch my son run and splashing in the water.

This beach which is now mine. Before my father had passed away, he had given me this beach which I am glad. After all this beach held so many memories.

"Cole don't go too deep!" I yelled watching Cole walk further into the water. Like me, Cole loves the waters and it was safe which I hope it was. Not after those horrible creatures that once coveted the waters but we made sure they were gone, she made sure they were gone.

Looking out, the buoy swayed making a dinging noise which always grabs my attention.

'Get a grip Collin, she is not here.' I reminded my self and have been reminding myself for the past seven years.

Seven long years and not once had I seen nor heard her angelic voice.

"Hey there bud, still waiting for her?" My uncle surprised visited me along the beach. "My your son is growing."

"In deed he is." Looking at uncle he stood idly next to me, "Have you any luck?"

That look on his face said it all. Every so often uncle would go out into sea just doing some more research and possibly looking for her but with no luck she was no where to be found.

I had almost given up hope of her ever returning but Erin my sister had reassured me that she will return and when she does I will be here waiting for her and this time I won't let her go.

"Grandpa!" Cole ran up to uncle giving him a hug.

"Hi there bud look what I got for you." Pulling out a seashell from his pocket he handed it to him kneeling down to his height.

"For me." Cole held the shell in his small little hand making me smile. I remember when uncle use to gift me with all sorts of shells.

"Of course my dear boy, and if you put the shell to your ears, you can hear the ocean."

"Really." Watching my son, he was happy, he put the sea shell next to his ears and gasped. "It's true."

"See, now keep that, who knows it may come in handy."

"How so?" Cole asked curiously.

"Well if you have problems in school just listen to the ocean. It is calming and relaxing." Though Cole hadn't the faintest idea of what uncle was talking about he was still pleased to get something. "Now go play in the sand." Uncle chuckled and Cole took off." That boy sure does have a lot of energy he reminds me of you." I hummed in a low responded. "So how are things going with you and Hazel?"

"Things are okay for the most part."

"What do you mean?"

"I get the feeling she wants me, Cole, and her to be a family again."

"And what makes you think that?" Uncle laughed.

"I think it is when she said she wants to be my wife seeing I am still single."

"She said that?"

"Yes." I answered.

"Well why don't you? You both have a son, she loves you I can tell and..."

"Uncle you know why?"

"I know bud, but don't you think if she would have come back she would have done it by now. Collin look you are my nephew and I just want you happy and..."

"Uncle she makes me happy..."

"But Collin, what if she is..."

"Don't say it." I snapped. For days now uncle was stating that perhaps something bad had happened to her and I refuse to believe it. My heart won't believe it.

"Okay I'm sorry."

"No, uncle I'm sorry. I just can't marry Hazel again. I don't love her and it won't be fair to her, to Cole and to me if we just play family when my heart is not in it. I'll be a good father to Cole but a husband to Hazel that is something I refuse to do."

Sighing, "Okay Collin but just think about what I said."

I heard what uncle said. Though Hazel has been trying I just don't see me marrying her. "Hazel is insisting we move to New York."

"And are you going?"

"I don't know. She wants to take Cole  but..."

"But what?"

"I can't leave this beach here."

"Collin sometimes change is a good thing. This beach will still be here when you come back." Patting my shoulder, "What ever you decided I will support you." With that I watch my uncle leave back to his home he now share with mother.

Sometimes change is a good thing. His words repeated in my mind.

But if I leave would that mean leaving her behind?

Gazing out into the deep blue, flashes of her ran through my mind, the way she moves, the way she smiles. My fingers instantly went towards my necklace lightly touching it. Remembering the time she had gifted me such a trinket. It was a coral of half a heart. The other half she has. And only time will tell.

Once again the buoy dinged for the day and her name escape my lips, "Kara."