There were various sculptures done in stone and bronze statues that were
set throughout the park. The footbridge was adorable and the water wheel
fixture at the far end, attached to a building that was purely there for scenic
value and nothing more, was utterly mesmerizing. It was the perfect
location for a company barbeque, and the fact that the whole company had
come out was unique.
The park was now dotted with blankets, beach mats, towels, and
screaming children. Arabella wasn’t sure how many people worked at New
Shooz 2uz or how many were family members or friends, but the park
wasn’t small, and it was full.
With so many people laughing and talking, setting out blankets, acting
out stories, throwing frisbees and footballs, or running after children to
make sure they didn’t end up in the water, Arabella had been certain that
she could avoid June.
She’d been intent on setting out the old quilt she brought in some
inconspicuous spot, hoping she’d be brave enough to introduce herself to
the people surrounding her that she didn’t know. She’d looked for Tina first,
and other members of the marketing department—Beth, Crystal, Payton,
Jim, Timothy, or Samantha—but she’d only spotted Tina when she’d
entered the park, and Tina liked June, so it made sense that she would want
to talk to her at some time during the event, which was what Arabella
wanted to avoid. She’d gone the other direction, choosing a shady spot
underneath a huge tree not far from where the two lakes twisted away from
each other to meander around the park in different beds.
It couldn’t be a nicer June day. The sun was out, but not punishing. There
was a slight breeze to keep the heat and the bugs off. The work event was a
casual thing, and since Arabella didn’t want to get burned, she’d chosen a
pair of skinny jeans, ballerina flats, and a long-sleeved cotton shirt. She’d
applied sunscreen liberally underneath her foundation, but she’d still opted
for a ballcap with her dad’s favorite sports team logo on it. She wasn’t sure