Cora

“James, your parents are here. And they brought lunch.” I propped Legend on my hip like I’d done it a thousand times in the last five years and pointed at the huge picnic basket Brock held at his side. It had been the plan, but seeing the size of the basket, I wondered if they’d packed enough food to feed us for days instead of just one meal.

“Why don’t you take Legend up there, and I’ll get the floats.”

I had forgotten all about the tube and raft that had drifted a bit when we hopped off them. James rounded them up while we climbed out of the waist-high waves and back onto stable ground.

When I put Legend down, he pulled on my hand and clutched it tightly. “Who are they?” he asked as he pointed under our umbrella. He hadn’t shown an ounce of fear with James or me, yet suddenly, his trepidation was front and center.