~James~

I turn over in the suffocating sleeping bag and peep one eye open to see Melanie's sleeping bag empty. Where did she go? I sit up, push my hair off my sticky forehead, and then reach for my sandals. I slip outside the tent and see Melanie's dad sitting on one of the logs around the firepit.

He looks up and spots me. "Good morning, James. Mind if we take a walk before everyone else is up for the day?"

I take a deep breath, hold it, then let it out. Don't worry, James. He already approves of you. I nod and follow him toward the empty dock.

"How'd you sleep? Mellie told me you've never gone camping before."

I clear my throat, "Yes, that's true. Other than waking up very sweaty this morning, I slept fine."

"Yeah, it's going to be a scorcher today," he says, looking up at the sun in the clear blue sky.

We arrive at the dock and sit down at the edge, the greenish-blue water a foot or so below where our feet dangle.

"So..." he trails off.

"So..." I say, looking out at the lake. The cicadas have already started their cacophony this morning.

"What are your plans after college?" he asks.

"I'll be doing sales at Winfried & Co. in downtown Boston," I reply, looking back at him.

"Congrats! That's great to have a stable-paying job right out of college. Are the benefits good?"

"Uh, I'm not sure. I haven't seen them yet."

He dismisses my comment with a wave of his hand, "Ah, I'm sure they're just fine."

I nod and look out at the lake. Dragonflies buzz just above the water, and two turtles sunbathe on a fallen tree branch partially out of the water.

"So, what are your plans with Melanie after this?"

"Well, we move into Boston together."

"But Melanie doesn't have a job waiting for her in Boston just yet. Are you going to be able to support both of you financially?"

I take a deep breath, let it out, and then look at him. "I think so."

He nods, "Okay, and what's after that? Marriage? A family?"

I can feel sweat dripping down my back and my throat dry as I say, "Yes, I want to spend the rest of my life with your daughter."

He nods, then pats me on the back. "We'd be happy to have you in the family, James, as long as Mellie is on the same page."

"Thank you, Mr. Hansen," I say, somewhat surprised.

He stands up and starts making his way toward the garage. I stay seated, looking out on the lake, and sigh, imagining my future with Melanie.

~~~