Page 69 of The Perils of Pretending
Thanks to Sadie, I’m going to be a Dog Dad in the near future.
I’ve never been to a ten-day family reunion before or one with so many expensive activities. I guestimate there’s about seventyish people here. Between the kayaking, guided hike, the floatplane bear-watching tour we’re doing today, the ATV tour tomorrow, and fishing the day after that, this family reunion is costing upward of four hundred thousand dollars. It blows my mind that there’s a family I know with that kind of cash. If Brody hadn’t told me his grandma was paying for everything, I don’t think they’d be here. Even growing up in Anchorage, I’ve never done a floatplane tour. It costs way too much.
If Alice hadn’t agreed to cover my costs at the airport, I wouldn’t be going on this excursion. Berry picking and kayaking I can afford, but this? No way am I spending thousands of my hard-earned money.
I’m grateful Alice is being generous, but I’m confused as to why. If she wants Dorian to marry Sadie, why pay for me?
I don’t get it, but I’m also not going to question Alice or offer to pay her back. It’s the only way I can stay by Sadie and keep Dorian away.
Due to the limited capacity in the planes, we had to sign up for time slots over the next few days. Dorian stood right behind us in line, no doubt hoping to get in with our group. Brody snagged Robbie as he was walking past the concierge desk, telling Robbie that he was coming with us. I tilted my chin up, jerking my head back, acknowledging Brody’s smooth move.
As we load into the vehicle taking us to our adventure, my skin hums with anticipation. I can’t wait to see Alaska from the air and to go to Katmai National Park and see the bears catch the jumping salmon.
The lodge van takes us to a tour center in Homer. Michelle, Brody, Robbie, Sadie, and I climb out of the van, heading inside the hangar on the shore of Beluga Lake to get more information on the floatplanes and bears. We step inside the cavernous metal building, and a man wearing jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and a baseball hat greets us.
“Hey, I’m Kyle. Are you the Ashcombes?”
“One of many groups,” Michelle says, sticking her hand out to shake Kyle’s. “I’m Michelle. We have a reservation for nine a.m.”
Kyle goes around the counter, clicking away at a tablet. “Perfect. Did you sign the waivers online?”
Were we supposed to? Sadie told me what we were doing today and here I am, ready to go.
Michelle shakes her head. “Sorry, no, we didn’t. The property we’re staying at booked everything for us. They didn’t mention signing anything.”
Kyle waves away Michelle’s comment. “No worries.” He pulls out three more tablets from under the counter. “I’ll get these ready for you and then I’ll give you a few more details about our trip today.”
I wait for Sadie to complete the form, standing close to her, mindlessly scratching her back. Though we’re in safe company today, I’m not letting Sadie out of my sight or giving up any opportunity to touch my fake girlfriend. I’m a glutton for punishment, because every touch makes me want to do it again, and I know there’s an expiration date rapidly approaching when I won’t be allowed to take such liberties with Sadie anymore. Right now, I’m soaking her in. Her warmth, charm, and beauty.
I know I still need a long-term plan for figuring out what to do about our future—if anything—but for today, this moment, I’m all in with Sadie.
“Your turn.” Sadie hands me the tablet. I purposely graze her fingers with my own as I take it from her. My gut tugs in a pleasant way. She smiles at me like she knows exactly what I’m doing.
I set the tablet on the counter, filling out my information. Sadie puts her hand on my back, watching over my shoulder. I grin at her and wiggle my brows.
“Great, thanks guys,” Kyle says, coming around the counter, standing in front of us once we’ve all completed the forms. “The flight to Brooks Camp is approximately an hour and a half each way. We’ll get three hours in Katmai National Park to check out the visitor center, watch a brief film instructing you on proper bear etiquette, and then you’ll have a chance to hike to the falls and view the bears eating salmon from a platform a safe distance away. The hike is three miles roundtrip.” Kyle looks at our shoes, nodding. “Glad to see you’re all in tennis shoes. All right, any questions?”
Seems straightforward. I shake my head.
No one else says anything either.
“Perfect. Follow me. We’re going to get you life vests and waders.”
I’ve seen enough float plane landings to know there isn’t always a dock to help load and unload passengers. We might be walking through the water to get in and out of the plane.
Kyle leads us to the back of the hangar. On the wall is a set of metal shelves filled with life jackets, helmets, binoculars, bottles of water, and waders. Kyle eyes each of us, holding out life vests he thinks will fit us. Once we’re all outfitted with rubber boots and personal flotation devices, he leads us outside to the edge of the lake where his plane,The Dreamer, floats in the water next to two other planes.
“A few items of business,” Kyle says, stopping at the shore. “If the radio crackles, please stop talking. I need to know if the message is for me or not. If you see another plane, please let me know by saying, ‘Plane at four o’clock’ or whatever direction they’re in based on a clock face with noon out the windshield. Even if I’ve seen the plane, it’s nice to have an extra set of eyes on the sky. We will be walking through shallow water to get on board via the float. I’ll assist when I can, but please help each other out and please be careful when you’re on the float so you don’t slip and get hurt. Any questions?”
Robbie raises his hand. “Are there puke bags on board?”
Brody shoves Robbie’s shoulder. “Man, why are you here if you get motion sick?”
“I get a little queasy during take-off and landing. I’ve never actually spilled my guts, but I’m sure you’d rather I do it in a bag than all over you. And, need I remind you, you’re the one who dragged me on this tour.”
Sadie puts her finger on her nose. “Not it to sit by Robbie.”
As long as I’m by Sadie, I don’t care where I am. But when someone plays this game, you can’t not participate, no matter how old you are. I put my finger on my nose. “Not it.”
