We had a long night. It was getting everything inside because my parents needed to take the uhaul back this morning. Which was tough because the workers needed to get to the downstairs as well. But they were working on painting  the upstairs and refinishing the floors and the stairs.

       It would take them a few days at least. They were also working on my parents room so that way we could move everything into those rooms and they could work on the downstairs. It was a lot of work it really was. My parents had left to bring the uhaul back and go to the theme park.  They had dropped off some doughnuts for breakfast. 

        They wanted to pick me up. To show me around. I guess they were hoping I'd hate it less. But it wouldn't work. Nothing would. Nothing could make me hate this place less. And to be fair it wasn't this place itself. Colorado was perfectly fine. But my friends weren't here. My boyfriend wasn't here. I was going to a new high school you name it, i hate it.

       I called Marks number first. "Hey babe." He said answering cheerfully. "How's your day? Do you like it there yet?" He asked. "It's been one day...one. No i don't like it. No I'll never like it. Besides we haven't done anything yet! How's your day going?" "Fine, enough about me." "What? Why are you trying to change the subject? Is something going on?" I asked. It had been one day. What was his deal?

       "It's just...well...tonight were..." "Oh i see, you think talking about stuff i used to do is going to hurt me. No look. Just tell me. I'll be happy for you i swear." I said. The phone beeped signaling he wanted to video chat. His ruddy face came on the screen.

       "You got sun burned." I said. "Yea, you usually made sure I iced up. It's okay, it doesn't hurt that bad." His dark blonde hair was cute close to his head. He had freckles all over his cheeks and nose. His parents owned a bakery so he wasn't as thin or muscular as you'd think a guy would be who surfs all the time. His nose was crooked because he broke it twice nose diving into his board.

       "So what is it you're hiding?" I asked. "Well were doing the bon fire at the beach tonight. Everyone is coming. But i promise you we'll miss you." He said. Things were cooler here in Colorado, not much. But that didn't stop me from missing the beach and the annual bon fire. "Well you guys have fun." I said. "Hey, you look sad. I'm sorry. You're beautiful face needs to smile." He said. I tried my best to put on a grin.

       "Well that's somewhat better. I miss holding you in my arms." He said. I sighed. "Me too, but it's only for a little while." "A year, it's a year that is quite a long time isn't it?" He asked. "Yes i was trying not to think of it, thanks." I frowned. "I'm sorry, i do suppose that doesn't help. Well, don't you worry your pretty little head everything will be just fine." "I sure hope you're right, well you go and have a good time at the bon fire I'm going to see what this place is all about." I said. 

       He blew me a kiss. Then he hung up. I called the girls really quickly on video chat. "Hey it's a good thing you called. Oka so Marks cute cousin is in and I'm trying to pick out an outfit for the bon fire tonight. What do you think about this dress?" Jeana asked holding it out. I frowned. "That bad huh?" She asked. "No, it's not the dress. I miss you guys and i hate that i can't be there for the bon fire." Hailey snatched the phone. "You could just come live with me. You know your mom would cry and feel so bad for dragging you there in the first place she'll just let you stay." She said.

       "As right as you probably are i can't do that to my mom. I just wanted to tell Ya'll that i missed Ya'll." I said. "Oh no we were being insensitive of course. We miss you too." Said Hailey. "Good, well i like the dress. Have fun tonight. For me." I said. "Will do, and I'll keep on Mark for you." Said Jenna. "What? Why? Is something wrong?" I asked. They both giggled. "No, not at all. I just know it's hard with you being there and him being here." She said. "I know! Jeana is gonna kiss Marks cute cousin and i want to kiss somebody." I frowned. 

       The kisses were the best. They were unexpected and wonderful. They happened in secret places. And it was just nice. And i wouldn't have that. My parents were going to be to busy here for us to make a trip back home. But I think Mark and the girls would come. "Right, i am sorry that you can't be here. I feel like i have to lie about what were doing. And I'm just so sorry." Hailey said wiping at her eyes. I sighed. "Don't do that. Look i gotta go. But Ya'll have fun, and send me lots of pictures." I said. "We will." They ended the video chat.

       I texted my mom to come get me. I sat on the couch waiting. I heard clomping down the stairs i looked up in time to see Tyler coming down the stairs. He had a cup in his hand with all kinds of paint brushes big and little. His cup was muddy with a teal color. "Why do you have so many brushes?" I asked. "Well i was touching up the trim in a few spots." He washed the cup and brushes in the sink. "Can i see?" I asked.

       "Not yet, I'm starting on the floor soon. But I'm trying to hurry i hope that moving in to your own space will make you hate it here less." He sighed. "I don't hate it here, it's just not home...i don't know that it ever will be." I tried to picture me flying up for Christmas break to spend it with the family. In years to come I'd even bring the husband and kids. And as far as right now it'd be Mark.

       My parents would let me have my old room back. And the kids would share the spare room at the other end of the hall. Let me tell you it was a tough picture. I had so wanted my parents to be around for the grand kids. But i guess we'll still have Mark's parents. "I understand that, I'd be totally out of my element in Florida. I'm gonna get back to it but i promise to try and hurry." He grinned. "Thanks." I walked outside to wait on my mom. She pulled up minutes later.

       We drove about ten minutes or less to get to the theme park. It wasn't far. She parked at the front of a huge parking lot. The front had a huge sign that said "The North Pole." It was new and freshly painted. I saw glass windows with small signs above reading tickets. And another one that said season passes. The font looked very Christmassy it was bright reds and greens. 

       We walked through the turn styler and entered the park. I saw a lot of brown. Things had faded over the years. In the center there was a huge crane assembling a giant Christmas tree. "See here, we'll be open until ten. But every night we'll make a big show of lighting the tree! I've assembled a small choir to lead us through some carols. I have little venders all around selling mittens, hats and hot chocolate. Now all the shops are in a horseshoe shape. New signs are going up soon. All of the stores already have tons of merchandise in them just waiting to go up. They need painting first. So the guys will come and paint the outsides and add the signs then start on the insides." She said.

       "I didn't realize it was going to be so big." I said breathless. "I know, then over there is the inn." She said pointing to a large building. "Is that inside the park?" I asked. "No, but if you book tickets and you have a room at the Inn you get in at eight instead of nine and you can stay until eleven." She said. "Oh that's smart." I nodded. 

        "Here's the bakery, they also sell coffee and hot chocolate. Then we have your basic gift shop. This place sells gifts that would make good Christmas gifts. They also gift wrap. We have quilts here and two restaurants so people have options. Oh here is were the ornaments will be sold you can even personalize them. Oh here we are selling Christmas trees, we ship. A small clothing store in case you didn't pack well for the snow. Oh and that one is going to be a stain glass worker and here a wood worker. Oh and this one a metal worker. Here's a toy store. I'm sure I'm forgetting some of the stores. But as you make your way towards the rides you'll see Santa and you can talk with him and have your photo taken." She said.

       "These buildings are huge and old and I'm not sure i have a use for them. Might just be easier to tear them down?" She shrugged. "Turn them into a barn. Have a worker sell reindeer feed. He can be the trainer. You can put all the reindeer kids would love that." I said. My moms eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. Give me just a second." She pulled her phone from her pocket. Snapped a picture and sent off a text. She called Herb. "Can you order me Santa's reindeer? Get food. I'm turning the building i sent you into a barn....Okay great. Thanks!" She hung up. 

       "Where's dad?" I asked. "Oh they are trying to install the train that's going to run around the park today. Taking a bit longer than we realized. The train has to have heat and the tracks well they need to have something to melt the snow. Snow. I shivered at the thought. Why was that even a thing? These people were missing out. The beach is where it was at.

       I heard a loud crashing sound and turned around grabbing my heart. "Sorry dear they are getting the rides up and running. That roller coaster hasn't been use in some time." She frowned. How where they going to paint that big thing? I didn't want to have that job. "I can help you with whatever you need." I said. "Well I'd like to get the shops up and running. As soon as this place is fixed we can open it and focus on the inn." She said. "Okay well put me to work." I said. She led me back to the shops.

       "I had the guys put the paint in this first shop here. It's white. Could you take the roller and start painting the outside of the building? It might need two coats." She said. "Sure thing." I nodded. "The shutters will get a coat of red or green latter." She said. The buildings were rather spacious. I only got one painted before it was time to stop for lunch. I took a step back. It did look much better. My dad gave me a bag with a burger and fries. I hadn't got to the point of missing home cooking yet. 

        I worked late into the day. I got three buildings done before the sun was gone. We headed home for dinner and showers. Dinner wasn't fancy it was a BBQ place that one of the guys on the crew recommended. But it was good.

       I tried to call Mark and then the girls but neither answered. I guess they were having a good time at the bon fire. I convinced myself it was to loud to hear the phones. Or that they wouldn't be able to hear me so they'd call me later. I woke up the next day to tons of photos that looked really fun, and depressing.