You hear a voice calling for you
"Hurry up, we're going to be late."
[["Okay, Dad, I'll be right there."->parent]]
[["Hey, man, just grabbing my keys, give me a sec."->friend]]
[["Alright, babe, you ready?"->partner]]
Your dad smiles at you and holds open the door.
"C'mon, let's take a walk."
[[Leave the house with your dad->start down street]]
{
(set: $choice to "parent")
}Your partner wraps an arm around you.
"I'm ready when you are!"
[[Head out the door->start down street]]
{
(set: $choice to "partner")
}"Yeah, yeah. Ever the slowpoke."
Your friend gestures impatiently to the door and laughs as you roll your eyes in response.
[[Leave the house, keys in hand->start down street]]
{
(set: $choice to "friend")
}You see the street directly outside your house. Your neighbors are walking their dog, which gives a friendly bark. Birds are chirping outside, and you can hear the noises of bustling life in the city.
(if: $choice is "parent")[""]
(if: $choice is "friend")[""]
(if: $choice is "partner")[""]
[[You turn left->left]]
[[You turn right->right]]
[[You cut through the park->the park]]You stop for a taxi that goes rushing over the crosswalk without a care in the world. Its tires splash through a puddle, which splatters your boots. Would yelling "Hey, I'm walking here!" be too stereotypical?
(if: $choice is "parent")["This is why I want to live on a farm in the middle of nowhere sometimes."]
(if: $choice is "friend")[Your friend groans. "No respect for the pedestrian lifestyle! Not all of us can afford gas."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Glad we missed that potential hit-and-run."
You nod. "Yeah, I guess muddy boots are a fair price to pay for your life."]
[[Continue down the road->right continue]]Your boots clunk against the metal of the manhole cover. The sound is mostly drowned out by the noise of the passing bus.
(if: $choice is "parent")["Remember when the car broke down and we had to get the bus for two months? That was fun."
You think you and your dad's definitions of fun differ quite a bit.]
(if: $choice is "friend")["We're lucky it's not us on that bus right now. Traffic is terrible this time of day. Plus, there's always that one guy, y'know. With the phone on speakers."
"Playing tinny dubstep music for the whole bus to enjoy?" you finish. "Yeah, there is always that one guy."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["We're moving up in the world. No more bus rides now we can actually afford a car!"
You liked some parts of public transport in the city. There was always something interesting going on in the subway. But the bus? Your stomach doesn't do well with the sudden stops and wide turns. "Yeah, let's hope it doesn't break down. That happened to the family car once when I was younger. Total nightmare."]
[[Continue down the road->left continue]]You come to a junction in the street. To the right, there's a sign that says "Park This Way --->". You know heading left will keep you away from nature.
(if: $choice is "parent")["Think you can make it through the park without sneezing too much?"]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Think you can handle a litte tree hugging, city kid?"
You raise an eyebrow. "I dunno, can you?"]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Remember when we went on a date to that nature preserve? You know, with all the bird watchers?" Your partner stifles a laugh. "You brought this giant hiker's backpack with you, even though we only needed to walk a mile or so."
You fight down an embarrassed flush. "Yeah, parks are about as close as I had come to nature before then."]
[[You go left again, keeping your nose safe from running->leftleft]]
[[It's time to turn right, chance your pollen allergies->leftright]]You shake off your wet boots with a glare.
(if: $choice is "parent")["Don't get too lost in your head, kiddo. We've still got a bit to go."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["They cost you five bucks, man. They're hardly Gucci." Your friend snorts. "Let's keep going."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Alrighty, I'm relying on you here. You're one with the GPS, since I'm out of mobile data." Your partner gives you a gentle poke. "Where to?"]
[[Do we turn right?->rightright]]
[[Do we turn left?->rightleft]]The park smells like spring flowers. Kids are playing happily in the grass, and dogs off their leashes are frolicking about, snouts quivering as they sniff.
(if: $choice is "parent")[ Dad grins at the scene. "Remember when I used to take you here to play and feed the ducks?"
You nod.
"Ah, those were the days. Alrighty, I dragged you out here, so I'll let you pick where we go next."
]
(if: $choice is "friend")[Your friend bumps your shoulder. "So, you thinking a nice stroll by the water? A hike? Take the beaten path?"
]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Looks like we're at a fork in the road." Your partner spreads their arms wide, gesturing around them. "Where to?"
]
[[Hey, let's go around the duck pond->duck pond]]
[[The walking path will be the quickest->walkingpath]]
[[The hiking trail seems nice this time of year->hikingtrail]]
The sweet scent of coffee wafts down the street.
(if: $choice is "parent")["We got time for a stop, d'you think?"
You think about it carefully.]
(if: $choice is "friend")["So help me lord, don't make me have to set foot in another pretentious store that spells shop with two p's and an e."
You ignore your friend. This isn't the first or the last time you'll have this argument.]
(if: $choice is "partner")["I can see you drooling over the caffeine from here. Didn't you make yourself a cup before we left?"
You grin cheekily. "You can never have enough caffeine!"]
[[Skip the shop->RRcontinued]]
[[It's coffee or bust->coffeeshop]]You're back on the street that runs parallel to the park. The wind blows some leaves into your face, which make you sneeze.
(if: $choice is "parent")["Wonder where the hotdog guy is. Is his day off Mondays or Tuesdays?"
You laugh at your dad's addiction to street food. "C'mon, let's go!"]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Do I need to grab you your inhaler? You seem a bit wheezy, there, bud."
"I swear to God, it was one time. My hayfever usually isn't that bad, jeeze."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Bless you. Missed getting snot on your new suit by half an inch."
Your eyes widen. "That would've been bad."]
[[Go to the park's center path->centerpath]]
[[Continue on down the street->RLContinued]]The air gets a bit colder, and you wrap your jacket around you tightly. To your left is a sign that says "Bouquets for five dollars! 400 feet ahead, keep left!"
(if: $choice is "parent")["I see you eyeing the sign. You know you could leave dandelions there and it wouldn't matter. It's all about intent."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Want to buy some more flowers? Y'know, in case you trip over yourself on the way and flatten these ones?"
The joke lightens the atmosphere a little. You roll your eyes. "I'm not that clumsy, come on."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["You want to head to the flower stand, add some to what you've got so far?" your partner asks. "They always did like going over the top."]
[[Keep going->LLcontinued]]
[[Get some flowers->flowerStand]]There's a fork in the road. One heads to the middle of the park, the other to the street.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[Head to the park's center path->centerpath]]
[[Stick to the street ->LRcontinued]]You're greeted by the "quack, quack, quack" of the ducks. A few kids are paddling around the outskirts of the pond, knees dirty with grass stains, hands covered in bread crumbs.
(if: $choice is "parent")["I miss this so much, sometimes," your dad says, with a wistful sigh. "Not the tantrums, or the dirty diapers, or the missed homework, but this kind of stuff. Taking you to feed the ducks, watching you get so excited over the smallest things. Time's gone by so fast."]
(if: $choice is "friend")[Your friend seems amused by the picture. "Kids these days. You know how much bacteria has gotta be in that pond? I wouldn't want to see the petri dish, I'll tell you that."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["You know," your partner tells you, thoughtful, "I always wanted a pet duck as a kid."
You nod. "You wanted to live on a farm, right?"
"Yeah. I didn't think about the whole part where you have to get up at the crack of dawn and shovel manure. I think I'll stick to the office job, they've got complimentary croissants."]
[[Head around the pond->leftright]] There are joggers with you on the path. You nod to a few. You breathe in the fresh air, hoping it doesn't trigger your hay fever too badly. You forgot to bring your antihistamines in the rush to leave.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[The path comes to a close->rightleft]] The spring flower petals are scattered across the trail. You stop briefly to admire them.
(if: $choice is "parent")["God, time flies, doesn't it? Feels like everything in your life has just happened so fast." You can see your dad trying not to tear up. Honestly, you can feel a few tears welling yourself. "I'm really proud of you. It's times like these where I'm reminded of how far you've come."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Can't believe the day has come." You feel a pang of fondness at your friend's teasing tone. So many things change over the years, but some things are a constant. "Didn't know you had it in ya."]
(if: $choice is "partner")[Your partner looks a bit nervous, but the way their lips twitch up at the corners lets you know how happy they are. The past few months have been a lot of effort, but you think they'll be worth it. Walking along in companionable silence, you take a moment to appreciate what you have.]
[[The hiking trail ends you keep walking out of the park.->centerpath]] You leave the park behind, emerging onto the road on the other side. It's kind of an apt metaphor for the moment, you think.
(if: $choice is "parent")[Your dad is a bit choked up, so you cut him some slack and do some of the talking for him.
"Hey, it was always me who had stage fright as a kid. You're gonna do great."
Your dad laughs. "Yeah, I wiped away enough tears to remember that one for the rest of my days. But thanks. I guess I'm not really the one who's under pressure here."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["I never thought this would happen, you know. I invited you both to the game because my job gave me free tickets, not to set up any schemes." Your friend chuckles. "Twelve dollars for a hot dog, and I was buying for all of you. Don't ever say I didn't do anything for you, huh?"
You still get butterflies in your stomach at the memory. "Yeah, at least I'm footing the bill this time."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Don't worry." The two of you walk arm-in-arm. To outsiders, you probably seem off in your own little world, but you've never been more aware of the moment than you are now. "It'll be perfect. And I think Katy will be happy. There's free food, at least, right?"]
[[continue->centerPathContinued]] You fidget with the sleeves of your jacket, nervously fraying at a stray thread.
(if: $choice is "parent")[Dad pats you on the back. "Hey, chin up. It's no biggie."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Man, we're gonna nail this. Don't fret." Your friend jostles your shoulder. "We got this in the bag."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Hey, you've been training for this for years. You can do it."
You smile weakly. "Imposter syndrome, it really does a number on you." You shrug. "I keep feeling like all the other candidates are better somehow, that they chose the wrong person."
"Hey, you know that's not true. You were a straight A student."]
[[It's your first day...->first day of....]] You try to swallow back your tears, throat clicking. You're close, now, just a little bit further.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[ the gates->TheGates]]You breathe deep. You're nervous about what's to come, but you know where you're supposed to go.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[center->centerPathContinued]]
[[right->RRcontinued]] There's another branch in the path. You're nervous about what's to come, but you know where you're supposed to go.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[Keep to the center->centerPathContinued]]
[[You turn left->LLcontinued]] As you get closer to your destination, your heart pounds harder. But it's a good kind of adrenaline rush, like the time you went skiing in Colorado for your first Christmas as a family. The path is completely ordinary, you've walked it a million times before, but it's taken on a new light since you first decided where you wanted it all to take place.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[continue up the path->the approach]]
[[stop for a moment->stop outside]] You smell the delicious scent of freshly-brewed coffee. You admit it's a little pretentious to go out of your way when Starbucks is less than a block away, but you've got to embrace your hipster side sometimes.
(if: $choice is "parent")[Dad rolls his eyes when you tell him this. "I shouldn't have told you what hipster means," he says. "And you're not even getting coffee, I am."
"You can be a hipster, too, Dad."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["I can't believe you visit these places unironically. Just get your espresso from Starbucks like the rest of us plebians and stop trying to make yourself seem sophisticated. Nobody's fooled."
"I come here for their killer latte and the banana bread that doesn't taste like it was made three weeks beforehand. Sue me."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Won't coffee just make you more jittery before work?"
"Gotta stay on top of things," you say wisely. "Even if it does mean my hands will be shaking harder than a nine on the Richter scale."]
(link-undo:"[[coffeeshop->rightright]]")Your Text HereRavens caw and fly away as you approach.
(if: $choice is "parent")[Your dad comes to settle by the grave. "It's been a few years, huh?" He watches you closely as you replace the old, withering bouquet with a fresh one. "You know it was peaceful, don't you? I didn't feel a thing."
You nod, but you still can't seem to stop crying. "It still hurts so much. It feels like I'm missing a lung. I can ignore it sometimes, but others... I just can't quite catch my breath."
"You know I'm always with you. Even if you don't visit, I'll always be watching over you." He rests his hand on your shoulder. You think it's by your own force of will that it doesn't pass through like it does everything else. Then again, you try not to ask too many questions these days. Nobody seems to have any answers.
"Yeah, Dad, I know." You are the one ignores the psychiatrist referrals and turns down the exorcism offers, after all.]
(if: $choice is "friend")[Your friend's cheery mood has almost entirely dissipated. They walk forward, breath hitching with each step. "I wish I hadn't let him drive home that night, you know?"
You stare down at the headstone, trying not to think about the short time between the date of birth and death. "You couldn't have known, Tay. He wasn't drunk, or high, or even sick."
Your friend snorts bitterly. "Yeah, but he was a ball of mushy feelings from the start. And he loved dogs. I should've known he wouldn't let himself hit one. God, a two ton hunk of metal going sixty miles per hour versus a tree. At least it was quick, right?"
"Yeah." You kneel, gently place the flowers that have been gripped in your trembling hands. "At least it was quick."]
(if: $choice is "partner")[Your partner tries to keep their shoulders from shaking. They're doing a better job than you, at least. "Remember when we first met?"
"Yeah. Three free tickets to the baseball game. Taylor hated working at that place, but they did give good employee discounts."
"I often wonder what went through their head when they decided to choose the two of us. I mean, how did they know we'd click like that?"
You shrug. "I don't think they did, really. Lucky guess."
"And they covered the overpriced foodstand." Your partner sniffs, gives a wobbly smile. "Hot dogs that cost half as much as the tickets themselves. I mean, honestly."
"They always were generous." You wipe away your tears and set down the bouquet. "God, I feel so guilty sometimes. Like we stole their luck. Like we were the reason they were that one in a million."
Your partner leans in to kiss your cheek. "It was a freak accident. It wasn't our fault."
You squeeze their hand. "Maybe someday I'll feel like that's true."](if: $choice is "parent")["You ready, honey?" Dad asks you. You shake your head nervously. "Hey," your dad says, patting you on the head. "I did it, your mom did it, people have been doing it for hundreds of years. It'll be a breeze."
You shake your head again, trying not to cry. Crying is for babies, and you're not a baby. "What if nobody likes me?"
Dad scoffs. "No way. Everyone liked you in Kindergarten, remember?"
That's true, but you think that might be because you had the three hundred pack of crayons. "First grade is a lot different," you tell him seriously. "Bringing in crayons won't cut it."
Dad raises an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? How about scented markers? Will those work?"
You perk up, worries forgotten. "Do they have strawberry?"
"How about I take you when you get out today, okay? We can see if they have strawberry then."
Suddenly, things don't seem so bad.]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Dude, I'm pumped we have History of Dance together. I know zip, zilch, and nada about dance, and I need someone to be miserable with." Your friend stretches, yawns. "Great way to start off our first semester."
You snort. "Yeah, I don't know what the business major and the forensics major need to know the history of dance for. But I'm glad I'm not the only one suffering."
"Well, I guess I could help someone with their dance studio. And you could, uh... examine the effects of dancing to death on a body?" Your friend smacks their gum obnoxiously in between each excessive pause. "Right? Right?"
"Sure. Honestly, what percentage of the class do you think is actually majoring in dance? Pretty sure most of us are here for prereqs."
This gets an elaborate shrug. "Such is the life of freshmeat."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["You'll do great, babe." Your partner leans in for a hug, which you eagerly take. After about ten seconds past socially acceptable, even for your significant other, you hear a chuckle and feel a warm hand squeezing your shoulder. "I mean, at least you're only an assistant. The pressure could be higher!"
You pull back and roll your eyes affectionately. "Oh, thanks, that makes me feel tons better."
"You'll probably get the easy stuff first, too. 'I think my husband is cheating on me with five other people!' or whatever. Boring stake outs, camera in one hand, double whip extra caramel latte in the other, that kind of thing."
"Private eyes do a lot more than sitting around and waiting to discover the next infidelity scandal, you know!" You grin. "We're more than glorified paparazzi."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure you'll get your first juicy murder soon enough."
Your usual banter makes you feel more at home, and you square your shoulders, ready to make your first appearance at the office. "Here's hoping. As long as you don't go around killing people to keep me employed, okay?"
"Plans foiled, once again." They sigh dramatically. "What about a little kidnapping? Breaking and entering? Vandalizing?"
"Okay, I'm gonna go now, before you end up masterminding the next criminal empire." You kiss their cheek. "Wish me luck with my new boss."]You're finally here. Walking down the aisle, you admire the décor you worked hard not to seem too tacky. Trying to blink the tears from your eyes,
(if: $choice is "parent")[You meet your dad's gaze, seeing matching tears there. God, you think, he always has been a softie. You smile, a little wobbly, and turn back to your partner. It's probably where you get it from.]
(if: $choice is "friend")[You wave to your friend from the altar. They wink back at you, miming tapping an invisible watch at their wrist. You turn to your partner, who rolls their eyes fondly.]
(if: $choice is "partner")[You admire your partner, in bright colors. White wasn't creative enough, they'd insisted. You two have never been traditional, but after ten years and one child, you figure it works.]The smell of pollen is overwhelming. You try not to sneeze as you browse pot after pot. If anyone asks, that's why your eyes are watering.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[return->leftleft]]You arrive at the venue, a little breathless. It smells like roses, even from out here. You pause a moment in the entrance archway, just to regain your footing a little.
(if: $choice is "parent")["I've never given away any of my kids, you know, so go easy on me."
You snort. "I'm your only kid, Dad."
"Exactly! Just- I want this to go well for you. Mazel tov and all that."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["Here we are, the big moment. Preparing to walk down the aisle and everything. If you trip, I'm uploading it to YouTube. And if you make out during your vows, I will be forced to wolf whistle."
You jab your elbow into your friend's side. "Shuddup, Taylor. Just because you introduced us, doesn't mean you get a free pass to crash the joint."]
(if: $choice is "partner")[Your partner turns to you, hands settling warmly on your shoulders. "They say it's bad luck if we see each other beforehand, but we've never really been conventional, anyway."
"You did propose to me with a Ring Pop," you agree. "Though I'm sure that was Katy's idea. That kid takes after us in a lot of ways."
"Which is why it isn't just the free food she's here for. She's happy for you to give her away at the ceremony, I promise. She doesn't mind a little tradition, just for old time's sake."]
[[Make your way inside->the wedding]]
You stop just outside to try and calm your nerves a little. You take a deep breath, hold it for five seconds, and then release.
(if: $choice is "parent")["Aww, hun. It'll be alright. It's been alright for the past decade, hasn't it? Today's no different."]
(if: $choice is "friend")["You need a paper bag, bud? Bonus points if you hurl in it."
You laugh, a tinge hysterical. "I'm okay. Just anxious."
"You'll do great. Plus, nobody will judge you if you faint."]
(if: $choice is "partner")["Hey, if we both faint, at least it'll make a good story."
"We both made ourselves look like idiots at our own wedding." You laugh, imagining telling that story to your grandkids. You won't live it down, that's for sure. "For posterity!"]
[[return->centerPathContinued]] The gates to the graveyard are ornate and Victorian, gargoyles carved in stone on either side. It's been here as long as you can remember. Some of the workers come in to polish it each spring. From the vines inching up the sides, you figure it's about due for this year's.
(if: $choice is "parent")[]
(if: $choice is "friend")[]
(if: $choice is "partner")[]
[[Continue onwards->The grave]]