Chapter 61: Chapter 61
"I've made up my mind about what course of action I want to take." When it's time to clean up after supper, Sophie is the one who makes the announcement.
The question then was, "And what is that?" I put the plate I'm washing down and turn my attention to her, asking her to pay attention to me instead.
"I am aware that winter is in full swing, but despite this, I have the urge to participate in some sort of carnival." She withdraws her presence gradually. "I am aware that it is somewhat childish, but I would really like to do it before I become a teenager."
"It does not have an infantile quality. I have a feeling that we are going to have a lot of laughs." I'm heading towards the desk where my computer is located right now. I'll investigate whether there are any indoor carnivals in our area. This is what I am saying while I type.
"Really?" She asks with a grin as she makes her way over to me to keep an eye on what I'm looking for.
"Absolutely, we're looking forward to the fun. We are able to travel together as a group of three." I am referring to scrolling through the options.
"I can't really say," she replied. I severed all ties with Mark.
"You won't be going alone after all; you'll be coming with me. No excuses." I say not taking no for an answer. He doesn't elaborate any further on his argument. I am filled with a sense of triumph as I reach my destination and smile as I do so. "Ooh look here. It is approximately forty-five minutes away and consists of a large open space. Choices between the outdoors and the indoors I'd say that this looks like it could work out pretty well." Reading more and looking at more pictures are both good suggestions, in my opinion.
When are you guys planning on leaving? Mark inquires as he closes the faucet and walks over to speak with us.
That would be her birthday, of course. I make it sound like there is no question about it, but there actually is one. Because it's for her birthday, he ought to have been paying closer attention to what she was saying.
"Do you still communicate with Mason?" Mark is asking the question while he is lounging on the couch and using his phone.
A red flush appears on Sophie's face. "Yeah. Why?"
"Because he isn't located all that far away from there, and we could pick him up." He provides the offer.
"Really?" The chorus was performed by Sophie and I.
"Sure. I'm going to give Brandon a call to see if he is available to come." Mark says getting up. "Hey..." He then leaves Sophie and I alone in the room and goes into the other room.
"Are you getting excited about it?" I inquire after Mark has left the room and is no longer in earshot.
The question "For what?" She inquires without making direct eye contact with the listener.
"Of course, to see Mason," she replied. " I make fun of you.
"Yeah." She gives a slight nod. There's a lot more going on here than meets the eye.
"What could possibly go wrong?" I inquire while adopting an attitude of a concerned older sister. "You can tell me."
"What if he no longer likes me?" "What if he doesn't like me anymore?" The words just come out of her mouth.
"In what sense are you referring to this? You have stated that you are constantly engaged in conversation." I believe that by adjusting sol, one can pay closer attention to what she is saying.
"Yeah, just talking and texting. FaceTime isn't something we use as frequently as some other people do." She ponders the question while nervously playing with her sleeve.
"I was wondering if you were interested in something." I ask, grabbing her hands. The shock shows on her face as she looks directly into my eyes. "When I first met Mark. I was terrified he wouldn't like me. Because I thought he was pretty, I decided to make him an offer to pay for his coffee. I didn't feel that I was worthy of being with him in any capacity. Due to the fact that I was a sophomore in high school while he was a junior in college, I did not believe that I was pretty enough or smart enough for him to want to date me. However, take a look at where we are now. That man and I have been married for a long time now." I can't help but flash her a grin despite the fact that I'm fighting back a few tears as I do so. "Now, I'm not saying that you'll be marrying Mason, but you never know unless you try," she said. "Now I'm not saying that you'll be marrying Mason." I can't help but laugh even as I dab away the tears that are streaming down my face.
"Okay, at this point my excitement level has reached a new high. I don't think I can make it through the next two days without doing something." She says that she is going to give me a hug and then head over to the guest bedroom. I hope you have a wonderful evening, Alyanna, and I am grateful."
"Anytime." I nod.
"Are you sure you didn't just say that to be funny?" Following his exit from the room, Mark poses the question.
"To what extent did you hear that?" "How much of that did you hear?" I inquire while simultaneously sidestepping the issue.
"I have had enough of listening to you talk about the coffee shop." He has mentioned that he is going to come over and sit by me. "You didn't answer my question." He smirks.
"Yes I did mean it. When we first met, and I was briefed on the situation for the first time, I didn't believe that you would find me to be a suitable match for you." I phrase it in such a way as to avoid Sophie hearing it accidentally if she happens to be nearby.
"That's exactly how I felt," she replied. Mark gives a chuckling grin while acting sheepish.
I utter those three little words in disbelief: "what?" "How?"
"I was some kind of strange guy who always lost his wallet and couldn't stand up to his father," he said. He explains. "I admired you. You expressed what you desired to say, and you did not back down from your position. I was never very good at that, but especially after my mother passed away, I never really tried." It appears as though he is crying now.
"I have no doubt that she would be pleased with how you've turned out." I put my hand on his cheek and wiped away the tears that were falling down his face.
"Even though I've said it before, I still believe that she would have had a lot of respect for you," the speaker continued. He asks as he draws in a little bit closer to get a momentary kiss on each of our lips.
"I just can't get enough of that." "I can't get enough of that." I give him another kiss while grinning and moving in for the closer embrace.
"I love you Alyanna Savi Romero." Mark says this while he is embracing me and holding me close to him.
"I love you, too, Mark Thaddeus Hernandez." "I love you." I give him a friendly smile while leaning my head into the curve of his neck.
"Are you prepared, because we're almost there to Mason's house?" As we approach Mark's house and turn onto his road, Mark asks Sophie.
"That's what I believe," she replied. She is exhibiting some signs of unsteadiness.
"Hey." I get her attention. "Take some deep breaths, everything will be fine," the person reassured me. I am making an effort to put her at ease. She pauses for a moment to draw in air before opening her front door and proceeding to Mason's front door, where she gives him a nod.
They exchange an uncomfortable smile for a few seconds, and then I notice her beginning to loosen up a little bit. They engage in a brief discussion for a minute or two before giving each other a warm embrace and proceeding to the automobile. "Hey Mark, Alyanna." He smiles broadly and nods his head in agreement. "I can't wait until tomorrow to go to the fair," said the speaker.
"So are we," the speaker said. As we pull out of the driveway, I announce that we will be turning around and heading back to the front. The journey there won't take very long at all. We exit the vehicle and make ourselves comfortable. We will remain here at the front entrance for the time being. "Meet us back here in two hours, call or text if you need anything, and stay safe," the group instructed. I say this while holding Sophie in what is essentially a choke hold while at the same time feeling like a motherly figure who wants to protect her child.
"Calm down Alyanna." I try to get a hold of her, but she lets out a chuckle and slips away.
"I am calm." It is not my intention to mislead anyone. Mark lets out a chuckle before putting his arm around me and laughing.
"I hope the both of you have a good time." He flashes me a grin as we make our way away from them and into the indoor portion of the carnival complex.
After taking a short break to look at the various booths, we go for a stroll, grab some popcorn, and continue our tour. Nothing is ever purchased on our part. Since we do not consider it beneath us to participate in games such as ring toss or balloon popping, we decided to make it a competition to see who could come out on top. The person who came in second place was required to purchase the person who came in first place a large size of their preferred beverage as well as a stuffed animal for them. However, he prevailed over me in the balloon popping competition. We decided to call it a tie, and then we exchanged stuffed animals for each other while we drank Diet Coke together.