and everyone finally sat down, passing sandwiches, cookies, and drinks. It felt good. Simple, warm, like we’d pressed pause on everything else for a while.
I stretched out on the blanket, watching the sky, just taking it all in.
(Cont.)
Groans. Laughter. Chaos. The usual madness, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We were about to make the most of Spring.
Benji, predictably, raised his hand a beat too late. “Wait, we’re actually doing this? A picnic?”
“Welcome to the conversation,” Alyson teased.
was laughing anyway.
Brynlee wiped a tear from his eye. “We’re doomed.”
“Focus!” Alyson said, but she was laughing too. “Atlas and I will handle the van and logistics.”
“Which means you’ll be bossing us around,” Ezario mumbled.
“And you’ll survive,” Alyson shot back.
(Cont.)