Montana Skies

“Cooper, honey come on or we’re going to be late. Mommy can’t be late to work,” I say. “Coming mommy. I had trouble with my shoes,” he says. “You all ready to go now?” “Yes let’s go to daycare,” he says. “Okay, little man.” I gather up my purse, phone, and keys and head out the door before shutting and locking it. Making sure the door is locked to put two bedroom home. I give it a good shake and walk to my car. After strapping Cooper in we back out of the driveway and drive to the daycare that is just a few streets over from the bank where I work as a teller.

We live in the small town of Big Timber, Montana. We pull into the parking park and get out of the car to go to Cooper’s side so OI can let him out. We walk hand and hand to the doors of Kiddie Corral daycare. We were met by the owner Leah at the doors. “Well hello there Cooper,” she says. “Hi Miss Leah,” he says running to his friends. “I wish I had his energy,” I say. “Let’s hope he doesn’t lose it when he gets older,” she says. “Okay, he ate breakfast before we left so he shouldn’t be hungry.” “Well we have snacks for just that reason,” she says. “I best be on my way,” I say walking out the door. I get out of my car and head to work. I make it five minutes before my shift. “Cutting it kind of close, little lady,” my best friend Lily says. “Oh hush your face,” I say laughing. We have been friends for so long that we have an amazing friendship. We are still laughing as we go behind the counter. Mondays are normally one of our busier days so we have a decent amount of customers flowing through the building. Of course, we have your fair share of customers that come in an upset over one thing or another. However, it was turning out to be a pretty good day. “Hey, you want to go to lunch at Manny’s?” Lily asks. “Sure let me get my things and let Rachel know we are going to lunch now,” I say. Once outside we go to Lily’s car and head to the cafe over a few streets. “So have you talked to your brother lately?” Lily asks. “Not in a few weeks. I’ve been picking up more shifts so I’ve been busy with work and Cooper. I know his discharge date is coming up soon though,” I say. “So he’ll be home for good then?” Lily asks a little too cheerful. “Lil, I love you, but gross,” I say laughing. She kind of blushes but starts to laugh as well. “You’re a brat. We park in the parking lot and make our way inside Manny’s. We make it to our favorite booth just as Ivy our waitress shows up. “Hey ladies. The usual today?” She asks. “Yes please, Lily and I say in unison which in turn makes us all giggle. “You two have been friends for far too long,” Ivy says. She heads off while writing down our order, two cheeseburgers, onion rings, and two chocolate shakes. We have been coming here since middle school so this place has a lot of memories for us. Lily and I make small talk as we wait for our meal. It doesn’t take Manny too long to cook our food before Ivy brought it to us. She places the food in front of us before saying, “Hey have you seen your brother and Everett yet? They came in looking for you,” she says. I feel all the color drain from my face when Lily says, “Breathe Skylar” as she places a hand on my shoulder. It was a name that I hadn’t heard in a few years. A name that was attached to a man that broke my heart without even knowing it. I had kept my distance over the last few years when they would come home on leave. I would make sure that I wasn’t around when he was because it just brought up all the pain of losing him every time he left again. Then it hit me. She had said “THEY” had come in. I grab my purse and fish my phone out. After finding it I notice three texts, one from a number that I didn’t know. But if I’m being honest I had a feeling who it would be.

Unknown- Hey String bean. Your bro and I are back and our families are having a get-together with a bonfire. Please tell me you’ll come.

Skylar- String bean? Really? After all these years you can’t come up with anything else?

Now we wait. “He text me.” “Who? Everett? Lily asks. “Yes and our families are having a get-together this weekend and you’re going with me,” I say. Lily lays her hand flat out wanting my phone so she could read what was sent. I stay silent not knowing what else to do. “Sky, honey are you okay?” She asks with concern written all over her face. “I’m just not hungry anymore,” I say. Lily stands and says, “Let me get Ivy and we can leave.” She walks up to the front looking for Ivy when my phone chimes again.