Love Of My Life

Friends Will Be Friends- July 1, 2015

Kayaking on Allouette Lake, BC

Recommended song- Friends will be friends by Queen

July 1 2015
Canada Day

Benjamin POV

"Are you ready Mike?" Benjamin called out while entering Mike's condo.

"Yep. Lemme grab the cooler and backpack then we will load up the kayak". Mike said standing suddenly and losing his balance.

"Whoa buddy, did you start with the beer already? Benjamin joked.

"Haha. No. Just lost my footing there. Hey why don't you drive today, I haven't been  feeling 100 percent the past couple of days." Benjamin looked over at him worriedly.

"You ok?" Benjamin asked.

"I think so. Just a little blurry vision once in a while and now losing my balance. I'm sure it's nothing. Just working a lot." Mike shrugged it off. "Let's get going eh?

"Sounds good. I'm glad we are getting an early start. Benjamin said changing the subject. *The highway is going to be busy".

They both knew that Canada Day meant busy highways since everyone wanted to head outside to the nearest lake or picnic area. Alloette Lake was a popular place for Vancouverites, being a little over an hour drive from the city.

They were meeting friends from college at the lake, some with their wives and kids. It was just a day excursion, since Canada Day was on a Wednesday, but a day kayaking on Allouette Lake and bbqing on the beach with their friends  was a perfect day for them.

The drive to the lake passed with their usual highschool football stories, catching up on news from their friend circle, occasional round of car karoake which was heavy with Queen songs as that was Benjamin's slight obsession.

Mike got a kick out of Benjamin's thorough knowledge of Queen, not just Freddie Mercury but all of the members, stories behind the songs, concerts, basically everything related to Queen. Every once in a while Mike would rev Benjamin up, just to get a reaction. "You know that Brian May was a really good drummer".

"What? What? You did not just say that. Roger Taylor is the drummer and he's the best. Not only was he a multi talented drummer but a song writer as well." Mike looked over at Benjamin who was red faced and beyond frustrated. Just one more push, the brat Mike thought, he just couldn't help it. "Yeah, Don't fear the reaper is a gooder".

"Oh my Jesus Christ. You are yanking my chain, please tell me you are messing with me. First of all, that's Blue Oyster Cult and another thing..."

Before Benjamin got himself too worked up, Mike started to laugh. "I'm sorry man. That was mean. I just wanted to rev you up." Benjamin scowled. "You're an idiot". Mike agreed laughing. "We're here" Benjamin said as they pulled into the park.

At 9:30 am it was busy already, they weren't too surprised. They grabbed their gear and kayak and set out to find their group of friends.

"There's Lisa, Darcy and the kids" Mike said pointing to them. They greeted each other, Mike grabbing the baby Riley as he always did. Within the hour everyone had arrived, lawn chairs and coolers littered the area while kids played. Benjamin looked at the group of friends and thought how lucky he was to have such awesome people in his life.

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Canada Day 2015

Tyler's POV

"Debbie?" Tyler quietly got her attention in the kitchen.

"Yeah hun, what is it?" Debbie turned around facing the concerned boy.

"I don't think we should go. I don't feel right about it". Tyler whispered the last part, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Debbie knew exactly what the problem was.

"You are worried about Shane". She looked at him sadly.

"I have a bad feeling Debbie". Tyler replied, almost in tears.

"All of the visits with Shane and his parents have gone okay. What's troubling you so much?". She sat down and motioned for Tyler to do the same.

"This is the first unsupervised visit. He doesn't want to go. It's not fair that they have more rights than he does. You know what they did to him. Two years in jail isn't enough." Tyler cried out frustrated.

"I agree. It's not fair. They should not have any rights to see him. I don't like it anymore than you do. Trust me, I hate letting the kids go when I know what might happen to them".
Debbie said sadly. Tyler looked at her, thinking she has seen a lot in the 15 years she was a foster mom. Most of her frustrations weren't the kids behaviour problems, but the laws governing foster care.

She sighed. "We don't have a choice hun. He will be home at 7 tonight and it would be nice for the other kids to get out of the house and have some fun. We all love Shane, but let's try to make it a nice day for the others ok?". He stood up and moved towards her, wrapping the now shorter woman in his arms.

"Thanks Debbie. You're the best".

"You're pretty awesome yourself Tyler. Want to ask the boys to help pack up the van? Allouette Lake is an hour away and it would be nice to get there before ten. It will be busy there today."

"Hi Ty" Shane greeted him coming out of his room".

"Hey buddy. Are you excited about today?".

Shane scoffed. "No. I would rather be with you guys at the lake. Hopefully today is ok".

"Yeah. I hope so too. Listen how about you and me go to the pool this weekend? Or the movies. Whichever you want".

"Really?" Shane asked excited.

"Yeah, I gotta spoil my little bro sometimes." Tyler laughed.

"You always spoil me". Shane said and hugged him tightly. "Have fun today. I will see you tonight. You will be back by 7?" Shane asked.

"Yep. I promise."

"Ok, well they are probably going to be here any minute so I'm gonna wait at the door. See ya later Ty".

Tyler loved the kid as much as a brother. Even though they weren't related or paper legally called them family, they were each other's family and Tyler would always be in his life, even when he was 18 and had to leave, Shene would still be his little bro.

Tyler was very protective of him since they shared simular pasts of abuse. Fortunately for Tyler he never had to see his parents, that was the only good part. He frowned thinking of Shane and how unfair it was that they still had the rights to visit him.

He knew the next few weeks would be filled with nightmares for Shane, it happened after every visit. He shook his head sadly before moving to the basement where he saw the rest of the kids hanging out.

"Hey guys. Who is ready for the lake?" They all scrambled up and quickly ran upstairs to grab their stuff.

"Oh and let's help Debbie pack the van, don't just put your stuff in there ok?".

"No problem Tyler". Simon said smiling. "I know you're worried about Shane. I am too, but we will try to make it fun for the younger ones ok?".

"You're sure getting all grown up Simon" Tyler said ruffling his younger foster brothers hair.

"Haha. Well a little I guess". Simon's face beamed back him.

Tyler put on a smile and for Debbie and the younger ones he would be cheerful and fun even if his heart wasn't settled. He had a bad feeling that he couldn't shake.