Page 108 of Grown-Up Second Chance

The ride to the geyser was slower, too, as we had to navigate around the cars parked haphazardly as people leapt out to see the wildlife, some for the first time in their lives. While many were intent on selfies proving they’d been to the grandest park in the United States, one young couple stood there, a toddler by their side. All three faces were filled with wonder.

Life was good.

We snagged one of the last spots in the Old Faithful parking lot.

As we maneuvered through the crowds to the viewing area, Kathleen said, “I think I’m going to be ready to leave here. There are getting to be too many people.”

“Jackson and Moab are going to be crowded too,” Liz pointed out. “It’s summertime. Kids are out of school. Parents take vacations.”

“It wasn’t like this when we were growing up,” I said.

“Not at all,” Kathleen agreed.

“How did you live in California?” Liz asked. “There are so many people there.”

“I guess I got used to it,” I said. “The first few years were hard, but then it seems normal. I expect crowds like this. Yellowstone is nature’s Disneyland.”

“Well, I wish they’d go back there,” Kathleen said. “And give us our parks back. Glacier is just as bad.”

“Aren’t you turning into a grumpy old person,” Liz said.

“Humph.”

“Come on, grumpy,” I said. “Let’s go see one of the most amazing things on the planet: water shooting out of the ground on a more or less regular schedule.”

Liz laughed, and we made our way forward to a decent spot on one of the benches surrounding the geyser. Once we settled down, I took out my camera and fiddled with it, taking shots of people, as well as the geysers I could see in the distance. The longer lens would be ideal for some of these shots, but I knew as soon as I put it on, Old Not-So-Faithful would erupt.

A small child, about four or five, bounced in front of her parents in the front row. She asked her mom a question, then peered over at the bubbling hole. She took a step in that direction, but her father quickly took her hand and went with her as close as he could go. He hoisted her up on his shoulders so she could get the best look she could before returning to their seats.

My chest ached.

“I’m sorry you were never able to have children,” Liz said. “It must have been hard. I know you always wanted them.”

“So did you.”

Liz shrugged. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

“How come you never got married?” I asked.

“Never found the right man,” she said. “I’m extremely picky.” She grinned, but there was a sadness in her eyes.

“You could have adopted,” Liz said.

“Larry was opposed to the idea. He said if we didn’t have kids of our own, that’s the way the dice rolled, and we needed to accept it.”

“But what about what you wanted?” Liz asked. “He never really listened to you. It was always lots of nods with one eye on the ballgame.”

“You didn’t like him,” I said.

“Not for a moment.”

What had my sisters seen that I hadn’t?

“Why didn’t you or Kathleen say anything?” I asked.

“You wouldn’t have listened,” she said.

“Probably not,” I agreed. I took a few more pictures while Kathleen and Liz chatted.

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