The Sequoias

Chapter 3

I sat and held her for as long as I could fighting for breath and smiled. "Okay, little lady. You have got to move. My feet are tangled and it is time to go take care of this other hunger."

"Mmmkay." I took a deep breath and climbed off of him. I went and used the bathroom and cleaned up quickly. I headed back to the bedroom and got dressed. I erupted into a fit of giggles when my tummy growled. I found sandals in my suitcase and slipped them on.

I shook my head and laughed. "I know right?" I gathered the keys and a pair of sunglasses and a ballcap to combat the bright sun. I put them on and smiled. Where are your sunglasses? Here they are." I handed her her sunglasses. "Ready? There's a restaurant across the street. We can just walk if you want."

I took my sunglasses and put them on. I stretched and sighed. "Love those quickies. Lead on babe."

"I will never get used to that." I smiled, kissed her and headed for the door.

The restaurant wasn't far at all and the walk was nice. I didn't feel underdressed because it had a diner feel to it. "Got any recommendations?" I always deferred to him when we went someplace new.

"Meat." I laughed. "Well, probably just a sandwich and a salad for now and a real meal later for dinner."

"Okay." I perused the menu and settled on a BLT with avocado and fresh fruit, and an iced tea. I gave him my order and relaxed to look out the window.

It sounded like a great meal so I ordered two when our waitress arrived. We recognized each other from high school but chose not to acknowledge that we did. I felt very grateful for how far I had come in my life. I smiled at Lizzie and just watched her look out the window for a while. I was so completely absorbed in the task when our drinks were brought to our table that I barely noticed them being dropped off. "Thanks." I sighed and went back to Lizzie watching.

I didn't realize that he was watching me. I was very lost in the scenery. I wanted to see things the way he saw them and was looking forward to going out to the trees. I blushed when I caught him watching me when I reached for my drink. "Hi."

"Hi." I just smiled because I completely understood. "Food is ordered. Want to wander a bit before dinner? There are a few shops and we can go up into the park to the conservation center and look around. It isn't too far in and could be fun."

"I really like the sound of that." I drank half of my tea. I was thirsty. "I am so excited to be up here with you."

"I am excited too." I was smiling when our food arrived. One had avocados and one didn't. "I'm sorry, um. Isn't this supposed to have avocados on it too?"

"I thought you didn't like them."

"I ordered them. Can you please bring a side of them for me. I'll put them on. It looks really good. Thank you." I looked at her and tried to smile.

"I'm sorry. My mistake. I'll get those for you, sir."

"Thank you."

It was such a strange interaction. I looked at him quizzically. "Someone, you know?"

"Yes. High school. We're close to home. I guess some didn't make it that far."

I smiled at him and dug into my lunch. I was starving. It was really good though and I cleaned my plate.

I assembled my BLT ate it and my salad and smiled at our clean plates. I drank my water and never had to ask for a refill. "Bathroom then head back to the car to head up to the conservatory?"

"Alright. Can I get the bill?"

"You don't have to."

"I know I don't have to, but I want to." I made a cute pouty face at him.

"Okay, you don't have to pout. I'll let you if you really want to." I handed her the check. "I'm going to go to the bathroom then." I ran into our waitress outside the bathroom and of course, got held up in a conversation that I really didn't want to be in but wasn't exactly hating. It took a lot longer to go to the bathroom than I cared for. I finally excused myself and made a beeline for where Lizzie waited for me. There was no way that she didn't see us talking. I shoved my hands in my pockets to stop myself from wrapping myself around her and embarrassing the fuck out of us. "Sorry. I guess she had a lot more to say than I thought. I hope it's okay. We are in an area that I frequent that has people in it from my home town. I'm not famous here, I'm known. This park is just as much a home for me as Vasailia."

I paid the check and used the bathroom in the time it took him to get to me. "It's perfectly fine. Hopefully having me here with you isn't stressing you out. I am sure people are forming opinions."

"I knew what I was facing before I asked you to join me here. These people won't say anything to anyone. It's so weird, this little cone of silence. But I'm not famous for them. It's literally just me Avi. The same guy they grew up with, nothing special." I walked as we talked and led us back to the car. I opened her door for her and got in on my side. "It's not a big deal as long as you don't mind the occasional angry glare or sideways glance."

I smiled and buckled my seatbelt. "I can handle just about anything. I got you." I giggled.

"Wonderful. I could ask no more of you. I love you, Lizzet Michaels. Now let's see about getting this little trip to visit the trees started."