Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [85]
"Would you like to take a little stroll together? We could take in some of the night air." Tricia leaned in like a seventh grader about to describe which boy at school she had a crush on.
"Sure, I'd love to." Ann breathed in the pine-scented evening air and held it. Portland beat every other place on earth when the sun shone, but she was beginning to think Three Peaks was a close second.
"I'm sorry once again for Taylor traipsing off into his writing room right in the middle of dessert. I don't know what got into him."
"I upset him; I'm sorry."
Tricia stifled a tiny laugh. "Yes, I think you did, most of the evening." She leaned toward Ann. "I loved it."
"Do you mind me asking, does Taylor always drop his fork when thirtysomething women show old photos from when their moms were kids?"
Tricia shook her head and smiled. "That reaction convinced me of something I've suspected since the moment I first saw you."
"And that is?"
"I wonder if people get tired of me saying, 'I think Taylor better tell you more about that'?"
"Without question."
She laughed and Tricia joined in.
They walked in silence, in a warm kind of comfort. Was this what it felt like to take a late evening walk with a mother who cared about you?
"So tell me about Taylor and the Book of Days," Ann said after they'd strolled another block down the street.
"He's always felt the same way about it as you do. That it's nothing worth spending a breath on. At least that's what he's always said."
"What do you think?"
"I'll tell you what I told Cameron. My husband's been acting strange ever since the two of you came into town."
"Cameron thinks whatever the Book of Days' story is, Taylor holds the key."
"I sure hope the two of you feel that way." Tricia's smile almost turned to laughter. "If you hadn't figured that out, I'd have worried you weren't as bright as I thought."
CHAPTER 31
Two Years, Six Months Earlier
Cameron's Christmas present to Jessie that year had been a trip to Disneyland with another couple. All four had gone nonstop from the time the gates opened each morning till the fireworks of brilliant greens, blues, and reds exploded over Cinderella's castle each night. The lines were long but they worked their Fast Passes with precision, and by the end of third day, they were all wiped out but basked in the fun of being kids again.
"Great memories," one of the men said as they strolled toward Disneyland's Main Street on their way back to the hotel.
"I'll never forget this trip," his wife added.
"But we won't remember every moment of our lives, will we?" Jessie asked.
"Not all. We'll cut out the boring parts, but we'll definitely remember the highlights," Cameron said.
"So where do our memories go when we forget them or . . . when we die?"
"Oh boy," chimed in the other man. "Look out, Jessie's going deep again."
Cameron's smile faded. He'd said almost the same words to his dad the last time he saw him six years earlier.
"Where do the memories go?" the wife of the other couple said. "I thought everyone knew they went to Tasmania."
The other couple laughed. Cameron didn't and stopped walking.
Jessie stopped as well, but the other couple kept moseying along, plunking blue cotton candy into their mouths.
"Are you all right?"
"Great." She forced a smile and bonked Cameron on the head with her Mickey Mouse balloon.
"Wow, I like that, keep doing it please."
Jessie slumped onto a bench, a statue of Walt a few yards behind her, and Cameron slid down beside her and wrapped her in his arms.
"What's going on? Are you bummed because Pirates was shut down this trip?"
"I'm fine, Cam, really."
"And I'm Goofy, really."
She pulled her Mickey balloon into her chest. "Maybe God writes our memories down, hmm?"
As Cameron crossed his leg, the loss of his father welled up in his heart. Yeah it would be wonderful if God did.
He missed his dad so much. His laugh,