Walynn finally took the hint and danced with Tripp as Pa danced with Charlotte. Vance and Morty took turns dancing with Miss Wise. And just let me tell ya, that Jinx had some moves and before we knew it, he was teaching some of those moves to the kids. Watching Boss do the robot beside Jinx was close to being the highlight of the night until a familiar song came on.

“That’s our song!” Vance yelled from the beach and rushed over to me. We began slow dancing to “Heaven” as the small gathering clapped and Tripp whistled. Looking over Vance’s shoulder, I took in our surroundings. Everything was glowing under the numerous lanterns and portable lights. Each table housed a lamp and Pa had lined the dock with even more. The moon wasn’t full, but the night sky was clear, so the stars helped to show off the festivities. As I swayed in Vance’s arms with others joining in, I thought about prom of all things. About how Malorie had gone on and on that year about The Blue Lagoon theme. Smiling, I knew tissue-paper flowers and metallic streamers had nothing on this moment.

“Ole Dave knows how to throw a proper celebration,” Vance commented as he lowered me into an unexpected dip. “Best Harvest Day I’ve ever attended.”

I laughed. It was all I could do at the moment.

Vance righted me as he gazed at me with affection. “That laugh of yours has to be my most favorite sound in the entire world.” He leaned close and placed a quick kiss onto my smiling lips.

“All right now!” Pa hollered in our direction. “I’m watching you, boy!”

Vance put some space between us as the group roared in laughter.

After our song concluded, I remained out on the small beach with Vance and the others, dancing the night away. I even tried doing the moonwalk at one point.

When Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” came on, Tripp yelled with as much enthusiasm as Vance had earlier, “That’s our song!” More laughter and more dancing followed.

It was too good. Too shiny. Too normal. No matter how much I wished, prayed, begged, I knew this season wouldn’t last. There was no way Pa would be able to keep up at the rate he was going. Like a race car leading the pack to victory, nearing the finish line, only to take the last curve way too fast. Losing control to the point of taking out those that were following too close in his wake.

Yes, I knew it wasn’t going to last and a darker season would return. But I had no idea it would return so thick, like a glob of black ink, blotting out all the good underneath.

Chapter 11: HANGMAN

April 1986