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Adam
I lookedout my bedroom window toward Summer’s empty driveway. When I made the plan to talk to her tonight, I didn’t consider she might not be available.
Lying back down on the bed, I rested my forearm over my eyes. I’m exhausted. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since Sunday night. Instead I’ve spent the hours thinking about Summer and our past, trying to decide if we can have a future. If she’s even interested in one. Based on our kiss, I’d say she’s interested in something, but that’s why we need to talk.
Lifting my phone, I glanced at the time. It’s 9:30 now. If she’s not home by 10:00, our conversation will have to wait until tomorrow. Which will really suck. I’m running on empty now, and another sleepless night will only make that worse.
I dozed off and jerked awake at the sound of a car door slamming shut. Jumping out of bed, I looked out the window and watched Summer disappear inside her house. I left my room and walked downstairs, thankful my parents are already asleep. Yes, I’m an adult, but I don’t want to have to explain myself.
Through the years, I’ve snuck out to go see Summer enough so I know how to avoid every creaky step and board on my way to the back door. Opening it slowly, I stepped outside and latched it quietly behind me.
Thea was sniffing around her yard, but ran over to the fence and stood as she spotted me. I walked over and patted her head then reached down to scratch her back. She licked my arm then offered a big smile, enjoying the attention.
I’ve hopped this fence more times than I can count, but I’m not sure I’m up for it tonight. Besides the fact I’m exhausted, I’m also ten years older and might not be as spry as I used to be. Thea followed me to the gate and watched as I removed the bungee cord.
“Don’t even think about learning how to remove the cord,” I said to her as she watched my every move.
I stepped inside the yard and closed the gate behind me just as I heard Summer’s voice.
“Thea.”
She lifted her ears, but didn’t move. I gestured for her to go when Summer said her name again, then followed her to the back porch.
Summer’s eyes widened when she saw me.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hi.”
“I was hoping we could talk.”
She looked at me with a mixture of confusion and an emotion I couldn’t name. Instead of answering, she opened the screen door and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.
As I walked into the kitchen behind Thea, I looked around, noting the differences and similarities from the last time I was here. The countertops and light fixtures have been updated, but she’s kept the walls the same cheery yellow. She’d also gotten new furniture in the living room, but I spotted Nanny Jules’s rocking chair tucked away in the corner, her favorite quilt draped over the back.
I sat on the couch and Thea hopped up and curled against my side. Summer settled into the oversized chair across from me. She spoke before I figured out what I wanted to say.
“I’m guessing you want to discuss what happened Sunday.”
“Yeah.”
I’ve thought about what I wanted to say to her for the better part of four days, but now that we’re in the same room, my mind is blank.
“Are you going to apologize?”
I’m not sure if she wants me to say I’m sorry or not, but it doesn’t really matter. I only have one answer.
“No,” I said. “Do you want me to?”
“No.”
“Well, at least we agree on something.”
“We used to agree on a lot of things,” she said.
Our eyes met and held and as usual, the air crackled between us.
