No, things turned out nothing like I had planned. Josh's hand reaches for mine. Actually, they turned out better. Much better.
“Ready?” Josh asks.
My hand curls into his. For a long time, I've been the serious one, the leader of the bunch, or, as some might say, the one trying to control everything. Now, however, I'm content to follow where this road may lead, with Josh pulling me along. As we stroll together, edging closer to the shore, the laughter I hear reverberating through the pines . . . is mine.