Remember Me

Chapter Twenty-Two

And just like that, the month of pure bliss has gone by in a blur and it is time to say goodbye. My heart aches knowing that I'll never be able to experience this unique trip again, and everybody else will. It hurts, but, after spending the last week all with Nathan, I have finally come to terms with things. He has helped me accept my future and I am ready to continue my next chapter, whatever that may be.

Last night my father and I packed everything up, to make it easier this morning. The only thing left for us to do is to take down the overhanging canopy and tent, and then put them into the car. It pains me to think that in under two hours, we will just have left. We will be driving down the highway singing along to our special camping playlist. Reminiscing about the time we had. The time I had.

I sigh and plop myself down on the picnic table, to take a moment for myself. I draw in a breath and close my eyes, taking everything in. The sights. The sounds. The smells. I love this place. I love Willow Tree Provincial Park. I love the people. The people who are my second family. And I love the memories I made along the way. They will be forever intertwined with my heart.

Little hands wrap around my torso and interrupt my day dreaming. I look down to see Eric who is in the middle of giving me a hug.

"I'm going to miss you," he whispers, squeezing me tighter. "It will be a long three hundred and thirty days without you."

My heart shatters when the little boy speaks. He doesn't know anything. He doesn't know that I will not be back next year, but he deserves to. Before my brain can register my actions I crouch down next to him so our faces are eye level apart. "I'm not going to be here next year, Ev," I say, fighting the tears that hang on the brims of my eyes.

"What, you're not coming next year?" The little boy questions. "You've just come back. We missed you all the years you were gone. You can't leave again because camping is waaaay more fun with you."

"It's not my choice," I smile sadly. "If I could come back, I would."

"Then why aren't you coming back?" Eric asks, his lips turning down into a frown.

"Remember when you told me your dog was sick and passed away?" Eric nods. "I'm sick like him too, okay?"

"Sick?" Eric repeats and his little face drops.

"Yes, sick. But you know how your dad told you that your dog was in doggie heaven, with all the treats, and sticks and bones any dog would ever want?"

His face lights up. "Yeah I do!"

"This time next year, I'll be with your dog. Not in doggie heaven, but people heaven. And in this people heaven I'll have lots of pencil crayons so I can draw, and I'll have all the cookbooks in the entire world so I can bake whatever I want!"

"Even cookies?"

I smile. "Even cookies! Lots and lots of cookies. Chocolate, oatmeal, lemon, anything you could ever imagine!"

"Well at least you'll be happy, and that is all that matters," Eric laughs, hugging me again. "I'm still going to miss you though. Don't tell your sister, but you're way cooler."

"Thank you buddy," I chuckle and ruffle his hair. "Now it looks like your dad is in the car ready to go. Why don't you hop in and I'll wave you down the road?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" He replies and skips over to the car.

As Simon, Eric and Charlie drive away I keep my promise and follow the car out to the top of our campsite road and wave them away as they drive into the horizon. I let the tears stream down my face as I smile.

"Charlotte? Can I talk to you?"

I whip my head around to find Nathan standing before me. He is wearing a faded light green t-shirt and a pair of grey sweatpants. His hair is messy since he probably just woke up, but his eyes are the same shimmering shade of blue.