1
Floyd
Popping open the hard cider, I settle into the patio chair. Lake Summit spreads out before me at the edge of the property. I take a sip as the late May breeze rustles through my hair, bringing the sweet scent of the mountain. Swallowing, I let out a contented sigh just as my phone buzzes on the table. I wearily look over at it, but my attitude changes when I see that it's my younger sister.
"Hey, Flo," I say when I answer the call.
"Happy anniversary!" she shouts into the phone and then blows what I can only assume is a child's party horn.
"Damn, sis, are you trying to make your old ass brother go deaf?" I say, laughing.
"You're notoldass, you're just an ass," she teases.
I choke with laughter on my cider. When I recover, I say, "And exactly what anniversary am I celebrating?"
"Your retirement from teaching anniversary! You had your retirement party exactly one year ago today," Florence says.
"Oh, damn. You're right," I say, leaning back in my chair and staring out at the lowering sun painting the lake with shades of pink and orange.
"So I take it you still love your mountain?"
"100%, I do. How is everything down in Corvid Valley?"
"It's been fine, but I have to admit, I have felt pretty envious that you bought your dream mountain home and are actually living up there now," she says wistfully.
"Oh, really? What's this about?"
"I don't know. I thought I'd wait until retirement too, but it's not like I have to. You know?"
"Florence McAlpin, what are you planning?" I ask playfully.
"I've just been looking at some Branwen Beach rentals lately, especially late at night with a glass of wine," she says with a chuckle.
"Well, I can support that. You would basically still be the same distance away from me."
"True," she says. "Well, let me know if you ever want to come with me to look at places."
"That would be fun."
"What an amazing older brother I have," Flo says.
After we hang up, I continue lazily chilling on the back deck, enjoying the stillness of my home. When I finally drain the last sip of cider, I stand and stretch, staring out at the glassy lake. A Steller's jay is telling someone off not too far away, and the mountain breeze whispers through the trees. Right then, my phone rings, and I see it is one of my neighbors with whom I've become friendly in the past year.
"Hey, Murphy. What's up?" I say, answering.
"Hey, neighbor. I was wondering if you are at your place right now."
"I am, mate, just hanging out."
"I have a family spending the week at my short-term rental up there, and they're having an issue getting into the back shed that holds the lake toys and whatnot. I'm stuck here at Sea-Maid Kingdom until at least dark," he says.
"Want me to head over there and help them out?"
"If it's not too much trouble," Murphy says.
"No, man. I was planning on taking a swim, anyway."
"I owe you a beer!"
