Page 31 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
“And Austin’s birthday is tomorrow, so I figured we’d take him for a ride. Head out to Stone Mountain and hang out for a little while. It’s supposed to be fairly warm tomorrow, so it’ll be a perfect day for it. And once we’re back we’ll grab a cake.”
Nothing will beat my birthday celebration from a year ago. But seeing how much Dad has changed, I want to celebrate with him this year.
I’ve hit a three run home run to a crowded stadium, I’ve watched my girlfriend’s face light up as she opened a special gift from me, and now I’ve ridden a motorcycle. Top three moments in my life. Sometimes the bike is like a cute little house cat purring, then wham! It’s a lion, roaring as it triumphs over its prey.
My bones, my muscles, even my skin is rattling, and I don’t even think skin rattles. But mine is. This bike is powerful. Gosh, my lips are going numb from the vibrations exhibited by this monster. The wind whips around us as we drive along the highway. Even with the snug helmet and the country songs playing over the com system, I can still hear the sounds of the road wrapping around me like a hug.
Fast. Free. I might have to get myself a bike of my own. I feel light, even lighter than the feeling of a horse galloping across an open field. Only difference would be the bugs pasted on my face shield. But, even with the dead bug bodies this view is amazing. No car trim blocking my eyes, I just turn my head and see it all. Of course riding without a helmet would provide an even better view, but that would be unsafe.
Slowly leaning back, I loosen my grip on Dad’s jacket. I know Stone Mountain will appear soon, and I’m strangely excited to see it. There have been many family visits to Stone Mountain in the past. On some of those trips we’d stayed at the Evergreen Lakeside Resort, even though Mom had begged for a stay at the historic inn on the property. Maybe once I make it to the Majors I’ll send her there on an all expenses paid vacation.
Finally the monolith peeks through the trees. I’ve seen it countless times, but it still amazes me. The gray rock, streaked in white from rain, stands resolute and strong. My heart stops… Resolute and strong, like God’s love. Love that I don’t deserve, but He gave it anyway. Love that caused Him to send His only Son for me.
I’ve stood on top of Stone Mountain many times, never ever doubting that it was strong and sturdy, able to hold me up. But now, as I take it in, I realize that I need to see God the same way. Able to hold me up. Carry me through anything.
Dad hops off the bike, and I just sit and stare, waiting for the tears in my eyes to clear.
“You planning to sit there all day?” Dad asks.
I shake my head, praying that the tears are gone. Slowly I remove my helmet. “Yeah, I was just thinking. It’s been a while since I’ve been here.” I cock my head. “I remember it being bigger.”
Dad lets out a hardy laugh. “Well, you’ve grown a bit since the last time we were here. It’s been a few years.” He sets a hand on my shoulder. “Ready to go have some fun?”
“Yep,” I say as I swing my leg over the bike and join Dad and Dave as they walk toward all the attractions surrounding the massive piece of granite.
We enjoy a round of mini golf, a scenic train ride, and some Christmas festivities, and through it all I find my mind going back in time to my birthday planned by Raegan. As nice as it is to be here with Dad, and see him as this new man… Nothing compares to the party Raegan threw for me.
The cable car rocks gently as we ride to the top of the stone. At the top I look down, the trees below stand tall and strong. The fountains sputter, continuing to spout their water. The wind blows, just like it always has. How is it that grass and flowers keep growing, the sun keeps shining, all under God’s control, butI feel forgotten? Like, my life has stopped. And I just stand to the side, not seeing, not doing, only feeling pain.
“Are you going to join us for our snacks?” Dad asks, waving a hand in front of my face as he peers at me with concern.
I blink a few times, then slowly stand. “Yeah, I’m coming.”
Summit Snacks, at the top of the mountain, is closed for the season, but Dad packs his own snacks, as usual, so that we have something to eat at the top. It’s a family tradition.
We find a spot to sit, and Dad passes out the snacks.
“Got any birthday wishes this year, Austin?” Dave asks me. “You’ll be nineteen, right?”
I nod as I finish my granola bar. “Yep, nineteen.” I sigh.
“You’ve been extra quiet today. What’s on your mind?” Dad sits criss-cross next to me, his green eyes warm with concern.
Is now the time that I tell my dad what happened? Will he and Dave judge me? Condemn me? Sure, in the past, Dad wouldn’t have batted an eyelash at me having sex with someone. I mean, he was cool having an affair, so sex outside marriage was no biggie. But now that he’s a Christian, I assume that he has the view of sex being between a married man and woman.
I lean back, basking in the sun, hands under my head. “I…” The word comes out in a whisper.
“Unless you confess to something unlawful or illegal, you won’t upset me.” Dad pats my arm. I quirk up one side of my mouth in a sad smile.
“I messed something up. Something big.” I wipe a hand down my face. “And it involved not just me. I hurt someone else.” Saying it that way doesn’t give it all away. It doesn’t name Raegan.
“And you haven’t made it right yet, so it’s weighing heavy on your conscience?” Dave supplies.
“Yeah, that about sums it up.” I sigh again. Sitting up, I wrap my arms around my raised knees. “I feel far from God because ofit. And I haven’t talked to the other person.” I close my eyes, not wanting to face either of them.
“Well,” both Dave and Dad start to speak at the same time.
“You go,” Dave says.
