Chapter 18
Walking out the door with Barrick by my side makes me happy. A part of me wants to know what’s in the package Dad sent but I will deal with it tomorrow. Today is about me being happy.
Barrick opens the door for me, but when I take a seat I notice a cutout star on the seat. I look to him, then take it in my hand and read it quietly, “Cadence today is your day. Take this star and make a birthday wish. Keep it with you and watch your wish come true. Love, Barrick.”
I pull the star to my chest and look at him. “Thank you,” I say as he smiles and I know everything is going to be perfect.
Barrick turns the ignition and we make our way to an unknown destination. Within thirty minutes, we’re on the interstate heading toward Charlotte. When we pass the exit for the airport, I take a deep breath. I don’t think I could handle a surprise visitor. He continues toward downtown Charlotte, until he parks in front of a restaurant that looks like a hole in the wall.
“I know it doesn’t look like much, but it’s the best Italian food you will eat this side of the Mason-Dixon line.”
“Well, let’s see about that,” I say with a wink. Barrick opens my door and we enter the quaint restaurant. The lights are dim and Italian music softly plays through the speakers. A middle-aged woman seats us at a corner booth. Barrick waits for me to take a seat and then does the same. The waiter appears and takes our drink orders.
As he walks away, Barrick smiles at me. “Well, what do you think so far?” he asks.
“I feel like I’m in Lady and the Tramp,” I state.
“So it feels like a fairytale?”
“Absolutely. How did you know about this place?” I question.
“It’s been around for years. My parents visit here when they want to get away. They would bring Jade and I here every once in a while.”
The waiter reappears, takes our order, and then we enjoy a sweet conversation while we wait for our food. After our main course, the wait staff brings me a small dessert and sings what I assume is “Happy Birthday” in Italian.
As the candle is extinguished, I wish for a perfect night with Barrick and whatever else he has planned.
Barrick
Watching Cadence enjoy her meal made me extremely happy. She smiled, laughed, and even made a few jokes. I feel as if we are the only two people in the world right now and I wouldn’t trade this time with her for anything.
After her birthday dessert, we leave and I take her to Center City. It’s still early and the plans for the remainder of the evening are still in the works. Cadence and I explore the shops, people watch, and even stop to listen to a guy playing his guitar on the side of the road. As we approach the Center for the Performing Arts, I see her face light up when she sees there’s a performance tonight.
“Barrick, is this my surprise?” she questions.
“Maybe,” I state as I wrap my arm around her waist and lead her toward the door. “You can also thank Ms. Mae, your mom, and Jade.”
“You mean you’re not taking all of the credit?” she asks with a nudge.
“They helped me decide on a show and find the tickets. Jade is super resourceful when I need her to be,” I say with a laugh.
“Thank you,” she says as she pauses and looks me in the eyes. I kiss her forehead as we make our way to the ticket booth and enter the auditorium.
Cadence’s emotions are all over her face as she watches the ballet. I am so captivated by her that I end up watching her instead of the stage. When it ends, she stands and applauds as a tear falls from her face. As the house lights rise, she smiles at me. I think she liked her surprise.
As we drive back to Delight, she keeps her hand locked in mine. When we are almost to town, Jade’s name lights up on my phone. Please tell me you have everything ready. Cadence gives me a questioning look, but I don’t give anything away. I just keep driving to our spot. When I pull onto the gravel road, Cadence knows exactly where we are going and she smiles from ear to ear.
As we pull up to our spot, there is a soft glow in the darkness.
“When did you do this?” she questions.
“Jade and Aaron took care of it for me.”
“Where are they?”
“Hopefully not still here,” I tease.
Cadence lets out a soft gasp as she takes in the lights and I know she likes what she sees.
Cadence
Mason jars, with lights inside each of them, are hung from a line between the trees. They twinkle in the night sky as the air moves them gracefully, but what I notice most is the enormous gold star hanging in the center with the word “Prom?” written on it. When I look down there is a blanket spread out on the ground with a basket sitting next to it. When I look back up at Barrick, he’s holding a small box. He opens it and displays a gold ring with a single cutout star in the middle.
“Barrick. It’s beautiful,” I say.
“Cadence, as I look into the night sky, there’s not a star that shines as bright as you. Can I be your date to prom?” he questions and I suddenly realize the amazement of this moment. A boy, who has no desire to go back to high school, is willing to go to prom with me.
“I wouldn’t want to go with anyone else, Mr. Carpenter,” I say as he takes my hand and slides the small star ring on my right index finger.
“Cadence, each time you look at this ring, know that your wishes can come true as long as you lead the way,” he says.
“Right now, I only want to be in this moment with you,” I say as he pulls me in and our lips crash together. I can’t get close enough to him and I can’t express my thoughts, so we let our lips tell each other how we’re feeling. Suddenly, I hear a squeal and jump away from Barrick. I turn and see Jade jumping up and down next to Aaron.
“Oh my gosh y’all, that was the sweetest moment ever!”
“Yeah, that you totally ruined,” Barrick mumbles under his breath and I start to giggle.
“Thanks, Jade but now if you don’t mind, we were in the middle of something,” I say as I turn to Barrick and attack his lips yet again.
As music begins to play in the background, Barrick places his hands around my waist and we sway to the music, ignoring what’s going on around us. When the music changes to a different beat, I pull away from Barrick and realize that Jade and Aaron are still with us. I look at Jade and smile. I’m with the people that have been here for me since I moved to Delight. I never would have imagined I’d be dancing in a field with a cowboy.
I tilt my head toward the sky and see another shooting star. I close my eyes and make a wish. This time it’s for all the pieces to come together with my friends and family who love and support me.
Barrick
I know I’m no Romeo, but something about the way Cadence looked at me tonight made me feel that way. I wanted tonight to be special, and I wanted to ask her to prom. I wasn’t sure how she’d take it since I’m not a student there, but what better way to celebrate her birthday than a night under the stars and asking her to her senior prom.
Jade, Aaron, Cadence, and I continue to dance under the light from the mason jars until the candles burn out. Then Aaron and Jade excuse themselves and Cadence and I take a seat on the blanket and watch the night sky. I say a small prayer, thanking God for sending her to me.
“What was that, just now?” she questions as I open my eyes and look down at her.
“I was just thanking the big man upstairs for sending you to me.”
“Why is that?” she questions, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Because you made my life in Delight worth livin’,” I state and she yanks her head from my shoulder.
“What do you mean?” she says with concern and I suddenly realize how that came out.
“Before you showed up, I was here working, going to school, and honestly, not caring what I did with my life. I always wanted to graduate and get a job, end of story. You walked into my life and made me want to do more.”
“More?” she questions, looking me in the eyes.
“I want to be the best man I can be for you. I want to put you first. I want to be someone, Cadence. Not just a boy from Delight that doesn’t have a life plan.”
“You want to do that because of me?”
“I want to do everything better in this life because of you,” I say as I place a strand of hair behind her ear and look into her eyes. “I think I’m in love with you, Cadence Lewis.”
She beams, “I know I’m in love with you, Barrick Carpenter.” Those words steal my heart and I know I will never get it back. This is, by far, the best night of my life and I hope this feeling never fades.