“The Day We Met” Pt.25

Ally agreed to meet Andy for dinner. Ally got herself & the kids dressed & they all met Andy at his mom’s restaurant. As Ally drove in & parked her car, she saw Andy standing by the entrance & he was holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

Andy walked up to the car & helped the kids out. He greeted Ally with a hug & handed her the bouquet, but saved one for Sage.

Sage cleared her throat.

Sage: What about me?

Andy: I didn’t forget about you. I heard pink was your favorite color.

Andy handed a single pink rose to her. She held the rose up to her nose & sniffed it all the way inside the restaurant. Sage talked Andy’s ear off the whole time at dinner.

Andy: We’ll be headed out early tomorrow morning.

Sage: How long will you be gone for?

Andy: About 2 months.

Sage: But that’s my whole summer break.

Andy: It’s ok. You can tell me all the fun things you did when I get back.

Sage: Ok. But one more thing. Can I have your number?

Andy chuckled.

Andy: You are one bold girl, Sage.

Andy wrote down his number on a napkin & Sage kept quoting it until she memorized it.

Sage: I’m going to call you everyday!

Andy looked at Ally.

Andy: I hope so. You have to promise me that you’ll take care of your mom & Tyler.

Sage: I promise.

Andy: You have to promise me to do one thing that makes you happy & one thing that scares you while I’m gone.

Ally: I’ll try my best.

Sage: Mommy! Where’s my drawing?

Ally: I have it right here.

Ally pulled a folded sheet of paper out of her purse & handed it to Sage. Sage handed it to Andy.

Andy: What’s this?

Sage: I made that for you at school.

Andy slowly unfolded the paper that Sage handed to him. It was a drawing of Ally, Sage, Tyler & Andy. Andy smiled right away. Sage pointed everyone out.

Sage: Mommy’s smiling really big in this picture because she’s always smiling when you’re with us.

Andy: Really?

The good byes that night weren’t the easiest. Sage cried, Tyler cried, Ally cried.

Ally: I’m going to…

Andy: I’ll miss you too, Ally.

Andy held on to Ally’s hand & sweetly kissed her forehead. He looked into her eyes before saying “Goodnight”

Andy: I’ll call you when we get to our first stop.

Ally: You better.

Sage: Bye Andy!

Andy raised his hand up to wave good bye. He couldn’t help but fight back tears as Ally & her kids drove off. Andy’s mom came out from the kitchen.

Lou Ellen: That was her huh?

Andy: Yeah.

Lou Ellen: How long have you been in love with her?

Andy: Since high school.

Lou Ellen: Is this the girl who saved your life?

Andy: Yeah, that’s her.

Lou Ellen side hugged her son & they both watched Ally drive away.

Andy woke up bright & early & locked up his boat. Luke & Tim were in the van waiting on the dock. Andy threw a duffle in the trunk & hopped in.

Andy: Morning, boys!

Luke: Morning!

Andy opened up his guitar case.

Tim: Did you get everything you need?

Andy looked through his case & had Sage’s drawing taped on the inside of his case.

Andy: I got everything.

Luke: Let’s do this!

Ally thought about Andy’s challenge to her to do something that made her happy & do something that scares her. She had always wanted to get a part time job to keep her busy. She knew it would make her happy & scared at the same time. She set out to find a part time job the same week while her mom had more time to watch the kids. Her first few stops didn’t have any openings. She looked online for other jobs, but didn’t see anything she was interested in. She decided to stop by Lou Ellen’s for a coffee.