Thirty-two #2
The cars in front inch forward until we finally reach the ticket booth. Ethan hands the clerk our pre-purchased tickets and takes the small slip with directions on which radio station to tune into.
He navigates the truck through the lot, and the intoxicating smell of popcorn and nachos invades my nose as I roll down the windows. A warm, gentle breeze drifts in.
Ethan finds a prime spot near the back, where it’s not too overcrowded and offers a great view.
He backs the truck in, positioning the bed perfectly toward the giant screen.
He kills the engine and opens his door. His feet land on the ground, and he looks at me.
“Stay put, trouble. Don’t come out yet, okay? Promise me.”
I nod. “I promise.”
His gaze holds mine, an intensity behind it that makes the air feel charged. “I’m serious, Lily.”
“I said okay, I promise!”
He watches me for a moment, making sure I’m not going anywhere, before he shuts his door and disappears around the back of the truck. I can hear the soft thud of things being moved, a muffled clanking. What is he doing back there?
After a few minutes, my door opens, and he holds his hand out to me, palm up. “Come on, Sunshine.”
I take his hand, my fingers intertwining with his, and he helps me down from the truck. With our fingers still laced together, he leads me around to the back. My free hand flies to my mouth, a gasp catching in my throat.
Tears prick at my eyes. The entire bed of the truck has been transformed.
Big, thick, fluffy pillows are stacked high against the cab, creating a luxurious headrest, and a mountain of plush blankets is piled on the bed.
A string of soft, yellow fairy lights dangles along the edge of the truck, casting a warm, magical glow.
And nestled perfectly in the corner is a woven wicker basket, overflowing with snacks and drinks.
“Do you like it?” he asks, a hint of vulnerability in his tone. “I wasn’t sure if it was too much, I mean—”
I throw myself into his arms with whatever strength I have left, hugging him tightly, burying my face in his chest.
“I love it,” I whisper, my voice muffled, holding back the happy tears that are begging to spill.
He pulls me even closer, holding me against his strong body. I can feel the beat of his heart, steady and comforting.
“I’m glad,” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my head. “I wanted to make this extra special for you, Lily.”
I pull back just enough to look into his eyes, giving him the biggest, most loving smile I can muster. “It’s perfect, Ethan. Absolutely perfect.”
Bracing one foot on the rear of the truck bed, he climbs up, then reaches down and sweeps me up into his arms, making me yelp in surprise. He carries me effortlessly, then gently sets me down amidst the pillows and blankets on the bed of the truck.
“Get comfy,” he says, his eyes sparkling. “Want some popcorn?”
“Yes, please,” I answer, sinking into the cloud-like softness, feeling utterly spoiled.
“I’ll be right back.” He winks before hopping out.
A few minutes later, Ethan returns, balancing a huge bucket of buttery popcorn. He climbs onto the truck bed, sits down beside me, and sets the bucket between us. “Are you comfortable enough?” he asks.
“Oh, yeah,” I sigh contentedly, snuggling into the pillows, my shoulder brushing his. I pull the popcorn closer and rest it on my lap. “Beyond comfortable. So,” I ask, popping a kernel into my mouth, “which movie did you pick?”
“It’s a double feature, but if it gets too much, just tell me, and we’ll leave,” he says, his gaze tender.
I smile up at him, appreciating his thoughtfulness. “Okay. So, what’s the big reveal?”
“Dirty Dancing and Grease,” he replies, a proud, knowing smile on his face.
“My favorites!” I beam, my heart swelling. “You remembered.”
He smiles fondly. “Of course I remembered.”
We stare at each other for a beat, a silent conversation passing between us, before we both look away almost simultaneously as the opening credits begin to play on the massive screen.
The second movie is a blur of catchy tunes and iconic dance moves, but my eyelids grow heavy. Suddenly, I wake up to the sensation of being lifted, swaying softly in Ethan’s arms.
“Oh, no,” I groan, a wave of sadness washing over me. “I fell asleep, didn’t I?”
He tucks me into my seat, securing my seatbelt with ease. “Yeah, but you made it until the drive-in movie date scene.”
“Oh.” I chuckle, a little embarrassed, but Ethan doesn’t join in. He looks… sad, dejected even, his eyes shadowed, but I know it’s not directed at me.
There was a time not so long ago when I could stay up and watch movie after movie.
But that time is no longer. With me being sick, it’s much harder to stay awake, harder to fight the fatigue that constantly drags me down.
But I savor these nights, these precious moments when I can stay up a little longer, when I can pretend, even for a while, that nothing has changed.
“I’m going to clean up the back, then we’ll go back home,” he says quietly.
I give him a slight nod, my throat tight, and he shuts my door, heading back to the truck bed as my phone vibrates in my purse.
I pull my phone out, the screen illuminating my face, and see a group text from Sam and Ebony.
Sam: How’s date night, you two lovebirds? ??
Me: Awesome. You should’ve seen how he set up the truck, Sam. ??
Ebony: Like old times?
Me: Yeah. Like old times.
Sam: I can see he’s never stopped loving you.
Ebony: I second that!??
Me: Love was never the problem for me.
Sam: I know, which is why I want you to enjoy every single second tonight, Lily. Don’t waste another moment.
Ebony: Embrace it, girl! You deserve it.
Before I can reply, Ethan hops back into the driver’s seat.
“I don’t want to go home,” I declare suddenly, tucking my phone away.
“You don’t?” he asks, his hand hovering over the ignition.
“No. Unless you do?”
He shakes his head, a slow smile spreading across his face, chasing away the earlier sadness. He reaches across the console, his fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “I’ll go where you go, Sunshine.”
I smile up at him. “Good. Take me to the beach.”