Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [86]
Cameron hadn't thought about his last conversation with his dad in months, maybe a year. A book with all days in it. He sighed. If only it were true.
A hundred years from now, even fifty, would anyone remember his dad answering his phone at home with "Joe's Bar and Grill, Joe speaking"?
Would they remember the swimming contest he had with his best friend's son in the community park? Would they recall the banner hanging over the pool that said, Old Age and Wisdom Beats Youth and Hair Every Time?
"Sitting in this park where make-believe comes true, you could almost convince me your God does exactly that. I wish He did."
Jessie turned and looked over his shoulder toward the lights of Space Mountain. "What if it's true? What if it could be more than a wish? What if He does write down what happens in our lives, in everyone's life?"
"Like some cosmic high-school yearbook put together by the supreme being of the universe?"
"Something like that." She turned away.
Cameron shook his head and gave what he imagined was a melancholy smile. Jessie sure could stretch her imagination beyond the confines of normal human cogitation. "I love your insanity. One of the countless reasons I'll love you for eternity."
He watched the back of her head, the breeze making her hair wave like ribbons, waiting for her to look up at him.
"Baby?" Cameron reached out and touched her elbow.
Still no turn back.
"What is it?" He shifted till he saw her face. A pair of tears wound their way down her tanned cheeks. "Talk to me."
"Life is so short."
"Not for us. Twenty-eight now means you're stuck with me for a least another fifty years. Maybe sixty."
"So short."
Her hands were cold as he took them.
"Why are you saying that?"
"I'm okay, really." Smiling, she took his hands and placed them on her cheeks. "I'll tell you later, okay?"
"How about telling me now?"
She stood and offered her hand. Cameron took it, raised her long fingers to his lips, and kissed them.
"Just promise me you'll remember this conversation, okay?"
"I will. Always and forever."
CHAPTER 32
Cameron sat in Java Jump Start on Saturday morning tapping his foot in double-time waiting for Ann to arrive, wishing for a better camera than the one on his cell phone. One iPhone with a two-year contract? $99. A Three Peaks white chocolate mocha? $3.75. The look on Ann's face when he told her what he'd found? Priceless.
He sipped his drink and skimmed a brochure on white-water river rafting and another one on joining Broken Top, apparently one of the premier private golf courses in the area.
Where was she?
He glanced at his watch again.
Five minutes later Ann walked in with a knowing smile. She winked at him and ordered what sounded like an extra hot caramel macchiato.
After getting her drink, she slid into the dark brown chair next to Cameron. "I had a riveting dinner last night with Taylor and Tricia Stone."
"And I had a fascinating search party with Arnold Peasley." He toasted her with his cup. "Do you want to go first?"
"Sure, even though I can tell you're about ready to explode."
"Guilty as charged. But I promise to contain myself."
"I'll give you the headlines. First, Tricia confirmed that Taylor definitely knows more than he's telling about the Book of Days, and second, when I showed them my mom's photo, Taylor just about had a heart attack. He actually got up and left the room right after I pulled out the picture. I asked Tricia about it, and she said me describing that photo convinced her of something she suspected from the moment she first saw me."
"That's it?"
Ann flicked him on the forehead with her ring finger.
"Hey, that hurts!"
"Good." Ann took a drink of her caramel macchiato. "What do you mean 'that's it?'"
"I was trying to be funny."
Ann gave him a plastic smile.
"You want to hear about my visit with Arnold?" He folded his hands and leaned forward on the table.