Forever Remember: The Rose Code

Chapter 3: The Fall

The next six days passed by slower than a glacier melting in Alaska. On Saturday, Melaney drove me to Picnic Creek Park with the radio turned up and the windows rolled down. The hot summer sun plus the constant cool breeze equaled a perfect day for swimming.

Melaney parked her car in the vast field filled with hundreds of other vehicles. We grabbed our beach bags out of the back seat. Melaney went to meet Shawn in front of the pool entrance, and I headed for the Splash, enjoying the appetizing aromas of kettle corn, cotton candy, and funnel cake drifting from the food stands.

Dean was leaning against a tree trunk with a mischievous grin on his face and a beach towel wrapped around his neck. In his muscle shirt, swim trunks, and sandals, he looked like a surfer. All that was missing was the board.

"Are you ready to catch a few waves?" Dean spread out his arms and pretended to balance on a surf board. The silver in his blue eyes sparkled.

I laughed at his antics. He must have grown four inches since the last time I saw him. He towered over me now. The top of my head only reached his chin.

His golden-blonde curls were gone, cut into short spikes. He was as tan as ever, but I didn't recall all the muscles. He would easily beat me in a mercy match.

"You are such a Beach Bum," I teased.

"Totally, but you're not as white as a Ghost. You must have spent some time in the sun this summer."

I nodded. "Yep. I got a tan and a bikini."

"Where's the bikini?" Dean asked.

"Under my sundress." I pulled down one shoulder of the sundress and showed him the black strap.

"W-O-W!" he enunciated each letter. "I never thought you would actually wear one."

"The 'Rents aren't here. I can wear whatever I want." I tried to appear brave and bold, but I was shaking in my sandals.

I didn't know if I would be able to stroll around almost naked in front of hundreds of people at the pool. I got embarrassed sun tanning in Melaney's backyard. But I couldn't chicken out now. This might be my last chance to get Tyler's attention before school started. I needed to talk to him before the end of the day.

"So what exactly is Operation Bathsheba?" I asked Dean.

"It's very simple. When the time is right, Tyler will see you and be mesmerized just like David when he saw Bathsheba."

"So I'm doomed." I groaned. "I'll never have a date with Tyler."

"Tyler just needs to see you in a different place than school or youth group to get his attention. It will be like he's seeing you for the first time. Trust me. My plan is guaranteed to work," he said with total confidence.

"Or I'll get my money back?" I suggested.

"Sure." Dean shrugged. "Why not?"

"Let's go find Melaney and Shawn. They're meeting us at the bridge."

We walked with the crowds of people on the gravel path and found the two of them standing at the side of the bridge watching the swans swim in the creek.

"Hi, Shawn. It's good to see you again." Dean offered his hand, and Shawn shook it.

Dean turned to Melaney. "Laney, you look beautiful. Can I get a hug?" He opened his arms, and she walked into his embrace. He spoke into her ear, "Are you keeping my big sister out of trouble?"