"How do you know I'm not seeing someone?"
"Because I'm on your social media, and Kinsley is friends with my sister, and they talk."
"She has a big mouth," I grumble.
"Want to watch some TV before bed?" he asks.
"Sure."
I don't think either of us knows what we’re watching, but it was a good enough distraction.
Weston
We have been on the road now for a few days, and other than Rory's revealing nightclothes, things have been easy. We are talking, and she’s more relaxed. It’s what I had hoped would happen.
I want her to have fun and enjoy this trip. Watching her experience it has been enjoyable for me. The way she lights up is when she gets to see something that had been on her wish list for a while captures my heart.
She has pulled me into more photos than I'd like, but for her, I'll do it.
It's no different today as she climbs into the car and we get on the road.
"What’s the plan today?" I ask.
"The Blue Whale!" she says. Her eyes alight with anticipation.
"That one I've been looking forward to as well. Where is our stopping point today?"
"Oklahoma City."
I nod in agreement because she's been great at planning the stops. She allows plenty of time for us to get out of the car or to eat lunch. I like the pace she has set because we aren't rushed, and we get into our stopping points about dinner time so there haven't been any late nights.
Really, it seems like she could have made this trip alone, as she’s very responsible. She isn't some out-of-control party girl, but I won't tell her or her brother that. I like being here with her, and this experience is not something I would have wanted to have passed up.
She rolls down the windows, cranks up the music, and starts singing along as we cruise down an open stretch of highway. I can't wipe the smile off my face because this girl is beside me, happy and exuberant, and really, that's all I've ever wanted for her.
As we get closer to the Blue Whale, she starts giving me directions from her phone. When we get to the parking lot, I'm relieved to see we are the only people here. I guess it helps it's a workday, and we are here pretty early.
As we get out, I take in the cute little park by the water. Had we known, it would have been a great place to have a picnic.
"Come on, slowpoke," Rory says as she loops her arm in mine and almost drags me toward the faded blue whale.
It kind of looks like it's made from paper mâché, similar to the projects we had to make in school. It sticks out into the water, and we’re able to walk through it all the way to the end of its tail, which is over the water.
"Oh, I love this! We have to get some photos!" She says, skipping off ahead of me.
I walk slower than she does, but it's because I like hanging back and watching her experience things, seeing how her face lights up, and enjoying her gorgeous body. Though I’m also trying to find the best spot for a photo.
She disappears into the whale and a moment later appears at the top with her head out one of the holes by the whale's nose.
"Wait, let me get a picture!" I call as I pull out my phone.
She strikes a pose for the photo with a huge smile on her face. I snap a few more, then turn and take a selfie with her in the background. That’s the one I send to Nate.
Me: She’s loving this stop.
Nate:I can tell. That was one she would always talk about. I'm glad she is getting to see it. How's the trip going?
Me:Good. Though she's still mad about the one-room thing, but otherwise, it's actually been fun.