I VENTURED BEYOND THE BONFIRE, MY STEPS SLOWING AS I TOOK IN EVERYTHING AROUND ME.

“HELLO,” I CALLED OUT. “HELLO!” I SAID AGAIN, LOUDER THIS TIME.

I PAUSED, KICKED OFF MY SHOES AND APPROACHED THE WATER. ALLOWING MYSELF TO DRIFT BACK, I CLOSED MY EYES AND TILTED MY FACE TO THE SUN TO SOAK IN THE LAST OF ITS RAYS.

AS I FLOATED, LIGHT DANCED ACROSS MY EYELIDS AND I WAS TRANSPORTED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A MEMORY AND A DREAM. GREETED BY THE DISTANT ECHOING HELLOS,

I LET THE SCENT OF THE CEDAR TREES MINGLE WITH THE BOURBON THAT STILL TINGLED ON MY LIPS. I SMILED, ALLOWING MYSELF TO SINK DEEPER INTO THE BLISS.