Free Tracing Hearts by Kate Squires

things like that. Do you know how to build a house?”
    He tips his glass and lets one of the ice cubes fall into his mouth.
    “No. But, I’ll figure it out. If you want something badly enough, you’ll make it happen.”
    Miss Sally places the check in front of Sebastian. I immediately reach for it, but he snatches it away before my hand gets near it.
    “I don’t think so. I’m buying,” he says.
    “But, it was my idea to come here.”
    “Yeah, but it was my idea to come here .” He gestures in the air, referring to the country, whereas I was just talking about the restaurant. I roll my eyes.
    “Fine. But, I get the next one.”
    He smiles and winks.
    “We’ll see.”
    “So where to next?” I ask.
    “Do you have to be anywhere right now?” I shake my head. “Okay then, how about that park with the river that runs through it that you visited when you were a kid? Can you take me there?”
    “Sure, but there’s not much there. Just water and rocks.”
    “I don’t mind.”
    I shrug.
    “Okay then. Let’s go.”
    We drive along the road inside the Metropark system. The trees are in full majesty. The forest is on either side of us, as we sit quietly in the car. Everywhere the eye can see are thousands of shades of green. The sunlight twinkles through the leaf covered ceiling, and the ground is a soft carpet. The road winds and twists, seemingly to not disturb the scenery. Through my open window, I can smell the spring air. I close my eyes and inhale. The feeling is serene. I open my eyes, remembering I’m the navigator, and direct him to stop ahead.
    “Pull over here. There’s a path which leads to a cliff side. We can climb down and follow the river up to the waterfall.” I say.
    We exit the car and walk toward the wooden overlook.
    “So, this is where you came to pretend you were stranded on a tropical island?” he asks.
    I turn my head and gape at him, amazed. Yet another detail he remembered about my childhood.
    “Yes.” I shake my head and smile. “You’re something else.”
    “It’s a gift,” he says smiling.
    We carefully make our way down toward the bottom of the ravine. The lush greenery and sounds of nature make it seem like we’re the last two people on earth. The feeling is peaceful. The ground is a bit slippery so, more than a few times, I almost slip and fall. But, Sebastian is right there beside me, his hands automatically reaching out to come to my aid. At a steep spot, he climbs down in front of me, then holds my hands and helps me step down. The touch of his hands makes me feel warm all over. When we’re finally at the bottom, we begin to walk along the riverbank.
    “It’s nice down here. It makes you forget there’s a whole other world at the top,” he says, as he skips a stone across to the other shore.
    “Yes. I’ve come down here a few times since my mom’s illness. It’s comforting in a way.”
    “So, you and your mom were close?”
    “Yes. She stayed home with me, until I was school age, then she got only a part time job, so I’d never come home to an empty house.”
    “She sounds like a great mom,” he says.
    My eyes start to sting at the impending tears. I need to stop them, so I change the subject.
    “What about your mom? Does she work?”
    “No. My dad makes enough money to support us all, without her having to work. So, tell me, what did the two of you do during your pre-school time together? Did she take you anywhere, teach you you’re A B C’s? Did you watch TV shows together?”
    I’m trying to change the subject, but he keeps bringing it right back. What the hell?
    “Um, I don’t remember.”
    “Really?”
    “Sebastian, I don’t really want to talk about her right now. Okay?”
    “Okay,” he says, acknowledging my need to change the subject. “Let’s head for the falls. I want to see where you fell in and got all muddy.” I smile broadly and shake my head again. I have a feeling I’m going to be doing that a lot this week.
    It takes