Page 20 of Fire and Rain
May 28
Eden parkedin the elementary school parking lot. “Are you ready to see the parade, Maverick? There are going to be firetrucks.”
Sean unbuckled his seatbelt. “You get the toddler, and I’ll get the tactical gear.”
“Tactical gear? Roger that.” Eden laughed and opened the lift gate so Sean could get the stroller and diaper bag.
She hopped out and got Maverick out of the back seat. “We’re going to have such a fun time today, Mavie. We’re going to go on rides and play games and get balloons.”
She hoped itwouldbe a good day. It was hard to imagine being here without Justin, but she didn’t want Maverick to miss out on the fun. More than that, she needed to face this. For as long as she lived, there would be reminders of Justin around every corner, on every beach, and up every trail. She’d told herself she could handle it, especially with Sean there. She trusted him, knew that he understood.
Sean took out the stroller, locked it in the open position, and plopped the diaper bag in the back. “Your ride is ready, buddy.”
Eden settled Maverick in the seat and took the handles. “The parade route is just ahead on Mill Bay Road.”
They walked the short distance, part of a trickle of people heading to see the parade.
Sean glanced at the sky, light reflecting off his mirrored aviators. “I can’t believe it’s not raining. It always rains for Crab Fest.”
Itwasa beautiful, sunny day, but Eden knew that could change. “Don’t jinx it.”
There was a thin line of spectators on both sides of the road, so it wasn’t hard to find a place to stand.
Sean glanced around. “I was expecting more of a crowd.”
Eden laughed. “Everyone else isinthe parade.”
They stood near the end of the parade route, so there was a bit of a wait for the fun to begin. Maverick got restless, tried to climb out.
“You need to stay in your stroller, Mavie. The firetrucks will be here soon. Watch for them down the street.”
Maverick leaned over the front of his stroller and craned his little neck. But when he saw nothing, he tried once again to climb out.
“Want to sit on my shoulders?”
“Uncle Sean says you can sit on his shoulders.” She lifted Maverick out of the stroller and handed him to Sean.
Sean settled Maverick on his shoulders, held onto his little legs, and gave him a few playful bounces that made him laugh.
The sound was a balm to Eden’s soul. She had mostly stayed home since January. And though her two older sisters, Natasha and Maria, had brought their kids to play with Maverick, Eden knew that couldn’t make up for being with a mother who was always sad.
When at last they heard the first squawk of a siren, Maverick’s eyes went wide, and he pointed. “See, Mommy?”
“I see! That’s a police car. See the flashing lights?”
Behind the police vehicle marched the Coast Guard Color Guard, flags fluttering in the breeze, the crowd going respectfully silent as they passed. They were followed by a National Guard personnel carrier. And then, at long last, came the firetrucks.
Maverick’s eyes went wide, and he pointed, almost bouncing on Sean’s shoulders. “Fietwuck! Fietwuck!”
“I see it.” Eden smiled at his excitement. “It’s big, isn’t it?”
Sean grinned. “The kid likes firetrucks.”
The lead truck gave a blast of its siren, and Maverick laughed with delight.
Eden loved seeing him happy.
Then came the island’s many Little League teams, its Scout groups, and its high school sports teams, the roller-skating club, and the local hockey league.
