Page 62 of Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend

I felt like I was in fifth grade again, the only kid without a little crush to call my own.

Geoff with a G laughed. “I meant single kayaks.” He winked at me. “Although, I have a friend I could hook you up with.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I grunted.

“Right on. So pick a yak and let’s get on the water.”

Steve looked at the kayaks like they were wild animals. “I’m going to need an extra life jacket.”

Jonas patted me on the back with an apologetic grin before taking a kayak off the rack. Geoff had us carry them toward the water’s edge, and I stood by mine, feeling the rough brush of sand under my feet, the sun on my skin.

I worked so much, I didn’t take a lot of time to enjoy or relax. I should change that, I thought. Ask my brothers to go on a trip with me. Maybe they’d agree to Vegas. At least, I knew Rhett would.

Geoff interrupted my thoughts, going through a safety spiel, which Steve listened very intently to, before helping us get our kayaks out on the ocean. We paddled out, following Geoff away from the crowded beach. Steven’s knuckles were white on his oar.

The late afternoon sun glanced off the dark blue water, and here, away from the city, there was a sense of peace and quiet I hadn’t found since leaving Texas. Between the cool saltwater soaking my skin to the powerful feel of my paddle ripping through the waves, I couldn’t help the grin on my face. I felt like a kid riding go-karts for the first time, except this was better because I could have beer after.

Another wave approached, and I paddled to angle my kayak so it wouldn’t tip. Geoff pointed out cliffs on our left with million-dollar houses on top. He said the land eroded each year, getting closer and closer to making those houses cave in. The thought that someone could build their home on such shaky foundation baffled me. But then again, a tornado could hit any time in Texas—maybe it was better to know when the end would come so you could be prepared.

Geoff pointed his paddle to a spot north of Cohen’s kayak. “Look down there! Three sea lions swimming by.”

I paddled forward, careful to give Cohen some space, and spotted three darker spots deep below the water. I wished Henrietta could see this with me.

“We should take the girls next time,” I said. “They’d love this.”

Cohen splashed me with his paddle.

Wiping saltwater from my face, I said, “What the hell was that for?”

Wearing a grin that looked like one of Rhett’s, he said, “You’re in trouble! Already thinking of her when you’re on a guys’ trip?”

Steve grunted from his kayak. “Next thing you know, you’ll be looking at dolphin souvenirs for your three-year-old.”

Jonas said, “He’s speaking from personal experience.”

“Obviously,” Steve said. “And can I just say, magnet prices are ridiculous these days.”

I shook my head at the three. I may have been the only ‘single’ one here, but I couldn’t deny all those thoughts had been on my mind. “Shit, you’re right.”

Cohen rested his paddle in his lap. “Nothin’ wrong with that.”

I didn’t know if I agreed. Because it meant six months from now, I’d have an impossible choice to make.

At my hesitation, the guide said, “What’s with the face? You fall for someone unavailable?”

All the guys looked at me, waiting for my answer. “I fell alright. Now let’s find some more of those damn seals.”

Geoff said, “Sea lions,” and continued on his way.

34

Henrietta

Confession: I’m... beautiful.

Magic wasin the air as we got ready for Mara’s wedding.

The event center at Emerson Trails had separate dressing rooms for the bridal party, and this one had big skylights in the ceiling, bathing us in soft natural light. Mara wore a silk white robe as we had our hair and makeup done, and each of the bridesmaids wore similar robes in black. It was picturesque and beautiful and... inevitable. Like this day was meant to happen exactly this way.

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