16. Drakar

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Sally murmurs from the seat beside me.

Driving through the quaint streets of Sally’s hometown, Highbridge, I have to agree. People stroll down the sidewalks walking their dogs, pulling their children along in wagons, or moving with determination as they lock in their morning exercise. The homey atmosphere is strikingly different from the city’s typical hustle and bustle. I wonder how Sally managed to adjust so well to it.

“It’s so peaceful here,” I remark, my gaze flitting from one quaint storefront to another. “I can see why you enjoy coming back.”

Sally smiles, a soft expression of contentment gracing her features. “It took some readjusting after living in the rush of the city, but there’s a sense of belonging here that you can’t find anywhere else. The slower pace lets you appreciate the little things more.”

I nod thoughtfully. “I imagine so.”

As we pull up to Sally”s family home, the welcoming sight of her quaint house nestled in the heart of Highbridge, my eyes widen in awe at the idyllic setting. Before I can fully process it, the door swings open, and Sally”s family members spill out into the driveway, their faces alight with joy and anticipation.

As we walk up the driveway, wide grins spread on the faces of her relatives. ”She”s here!” a young boy exclaims, racing out and jumping into Sally”s arms. It”s her cousin, and I can see the resemblance in their smiles.

Various family members envelop her in warm hugs, their faces beaming with pride and affection. They greet me with equal warmth, one aunt after another pulling me into a tight embrace while the uncles shake my hand firmly.

I meet each and every aunt, uncle, and cousin, all of whom greet me with the same warmth and friendliness that I”ve come to expect from Sally”s family. They ask me about my job, my hobbies, and my favorite foods, welcoming me in a way that I hadn”t expected.

“Come, Drakar, let us show you the house,” her uncle insists. He then shoots a teasing glance toward his niece. “And the photo albums.”

Sally’s eyes widen in fear. “Uncle Tim, don’t you dare!”

He lets out a cackle and rushes through the door before she can stop him.

As we make our way inside, I can”t help but feel a sense of belonging. The house is filled with laughter and chatter, and I can see family photos displayed on the walls. It”s a cozy and inviting space, and I can tell that this is a home filled with love and happiness.

One of Sally’s aunts, Mary, bustles around the kitchen with an air of practiced ease. The scent of roasting meat and freshly baked bread fills the air, and my mouth waters in anticipation. ”Can I help with anything?” I ask, feeling a little awkward just standing around.

”Absolutely not,” she replies, waving me off with a laugh. ”You”re our guest. Make yourself at home.”

I take her advice and wander into the living room, where Sally”s family members are engaged in various activities. Some are watching a soccer game on TV, while others are chatting and catching up. I feel a sense of warmth and belonging, and I”m grateful for the inclusivity of Sally”s family.

The afternoon wears on, and I find myself being pulled into Sally”s family traditions with a sense of bemused fascination. From the moment we stepped inside the house, it”s been a whirlwind of activity, with everyone contributing to the preparations for the evening”s birthday feast.

We head outside to the backyard, Sally”s cousins eagerly show me the different games they”ve set up. I try my hand at cornhole first, and my first few attempts are met with friendly teasing.

”Looks like someone needs a little more practice,” Sally”s cousin, Mark, says with a grin.

”Hey, I”m getting the hang of it,” I protest, narrowing my eyes as I focus on the target.

”Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” Mark”s brother, Jake, chimes in, chuckling.

But as I toss the next bag, it sails straight into the hole with a satisfying thud. ”Ha! Got it!” I exclaim, feeling a surge of pride.

Sally cheers from the sidelines, and her family members join in, clapping and whooping. I”m struck by the easy camaraderie and good-natured teasing that flows between them.

Next, we move on to horseshoes. I”m a little more confident in this game, having played it a few times before. But Sally”s family proves to be fierce competition.

”Nice try, but I think you”re still a little rusty,” Sally”s aunt, Sarah, says with a smile as she easily sinks a ringer.

”Ah, I can do better than that,” I reply, determined to redeem myself.

I take a deep breath and focus on my aim, releasing the horseshoe with just the right amount of force. It arcs through the air and lands with a satisfying clang around the stake.

”Yes!” I shout, pumping my fist in the air.

Sally”s family erupts into cheers and applause, and I feel a warm sense of camaraderie. It”s amazing how a few simple games can bring people together and create lasting memories.

Playing with her younger cousins, I can feel her eyes on me. I glance over at her and catch her smiling warmly, and I can”t help but feel a sense of pride. It”s not often that I let my guard down, especially around people I don”t know well, but something about being here with Sally”s family has made me feel more at ease.

I watch as the kids giggle and chase each other around the yard, their laughter infectious. I can”t help but join in, feeling a sense of joy that I haven”t experienced in a long time. The sun is shining, and the sounds of children playing are the only things that break the peaceful silence of the countryside.

Sally”s youngest cousin, Lucy, runs up to me and tugs on my sleeve. ”Will you play tag with us?” she asks, her eyes wide and hopeful.

I hesitate for a moment before nodding. ”Sure, why not?” I say, crouching down to her level.

The game of tag quickly turns into a chaotic free-for-all, with kids and adults alike running and laughing. I find myself being chased by Sally”s cousins, but I”m able to dodge and weave through them with ease. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, and I”m surprised at how much fun I”m having.

As I catch one of the older kids and tap him on the shoulder, I hear Sally”s voice behind me. ”I can”t believe you”re actually playing tag,” she says, laughing.

I turn to her and grin. ”Why not? It”s fun.”

Sally shakes her head, still smiling. ”I”ve never seen you like this before. It”s nice.”

I feel a warmth spread through my chest at her words. It”s true that I”m not usually one to let loose and play games, but being here with Sally”s family has made me realize that it”s important to let go of my usual inhibitions and just have fun.

As the game winds down, I collapse onto the grass, laughing and panting. But I don’t get to stay there for long. The right song comes on and the rambunctious family members start to dance, their movements graceful and fluid. I”m not much of a dancer myself, but I can”t help but be drawn in by the energy of the moment.

Sally grabs my hands and tries to pull me up. “Let’s dance!”

She brings me onto the makeshift dance floor, and I hesitate for a moment before letting go of my inhibitions and letting myself be swept up in the rhythm of the music. We dance together, laughing and spinning, as the rest of the partygoers join in around us.

Her younger cousins dance nearby, their faces alight with joy and excitement. I can”t help but feel a sense of happiness as I watch them, knowing that I”m a part of this moment with them. Even Sally’s hundred-year-old grandma is bopping along in her wheelchair from the nearby dining table that someone set up in the backyard.

As we move together on the makeshift dance floor, I feel my body start to relax. Sally”s movements are fluid and graceful, and I do my best to match her energy. We twirl and dip, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. The partygoers around us fade away, and it feels as if we”re the only two people in the room.

I can feel the heat of Sally”s hand in mine, and the warmth of her body pressed against mine. I”m not used to being this close to someone, but I find myself wanting to be even closer. The music changes to a slower tempo and Sally pulls me in even tighter. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, and her breath warm against my chest. We sway together, lost in our own little world.

As the song comes to an end, Sally pulls back slightly and looks up at me. Her eyes are sparkling with happiness, and I can”t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.

All at once, everything feels so simple. Like nothing in the world matters quite so much as the woman in my arms. Like I could get lost in her gentle gaze.

”Thank you,” I say to her, my voice quiet.

She looks at me quizzically. ”For what?”

”For bringing me here. For introducing me to your family. For showing me that it”s okay to let my guard down and just have fun.”

Her expression melts into something softer and she gracefully places her hand on my cheek. ”Of course, Drakar. You”re more than welcome here,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. ”I”m just happy to see you happy.”

We stand there for a moment, lost in each other”s gaze, before the next song starts up and we”re swept back into the dance. Sally”s laughter is contagious, and I can”t help but join in, feeling a sense of joy that I haven”t felt in a long time.