AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I was hoping you’d say the actual weekend of the Fourth, but sure, that works.
Seriously, I’m proud of you, Solia. You are way braver than me doing your thing out there. You deserve to smile. Have fun with Jackson! Way too much fun.
Thanks! I’ll text you later.
Setting my phone on the ledge, I lean against the window facing the backyard. These men are on a mission, slinging wood as if they’re throwing pillows across a room. With each catch, I swoon over Jackson’s defined biceps. Every time he places the wood on the rack, he squats low, accentuating his solid backside, and when he stands, his abs uncoil and the sweat flows. What is this man doing to me? If I stay to watch, I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself.
I take an indoor shower, despite my preference for the outdoor stall on the deck, but since the boys are out there, that seems inappropriate. After, I throw on a pair of shorts and a simple tee, walk around the porch, and admire Jackson. I take in one more tall drink of his muscle-ripped body and head to my truck.
There are just a few things I need to take care of. First stop, the post office. I’m not sure if I’ll receive my first utility bill via the mail or online. I’m hell-bent on paying everything the minute it comes in. The last thing I need is a reason for my parents to say “I told you so.”
The Meriden Post Office resembles every other small-town New England post office, I imagine. It’s a quaint white building with a black metal roof and an American flag in the corner. To the right of the entrance is the queue to speak with a postal worker, and straight ahead, lining the hallway, are rows of post office boxes. I search, and sure enough, inside box 1115, the electric bill sits atop a few other envelopes. I’ll take care of these later. Right now, I need to grab a few additional things from the market.
Unsure what Jackson has in mind for today, I want to be prepared with a few options at the cabin in case we hang out there for a bit. Thickets Market is a family-owned shop that comes in handy when you need basics. Pulling into a front spot, I open the truck door and note how the sun is already wearing on the pavement. It’s getting hotter by the minute.
An older gentleman holds the door open for me as I approach the store.
“Hello there. Have a great day.”
“You too, thank you.” People are just so nice around here. Others could learn manners from the locals.
I speed-walk back and forth through the aisles, choosing a six-pack of summer ale, a bottle of white wine, crackers, cheese, the ingredients for s’mores, and a bottle of SPF50 sunscreen. I am confident the contents of my basket comprise the perfect survival kit for whatever this date may bring.
* * *
Climbing the hill up Chasm Drive, I can’t stop the images of Jackson running through my mind. He’s all mine today, and spending the day with him fills me with a giddy nervousness I haven’t felt in so long. Coming from a small town, everyone knows everyone and their backstories. And if you don’t, your cousin or friend does. Living in another small town and only knowing the area and not the people is not what I am used to. With Jackson, I’m curious, excited, and hopeful. I can’t wait to see what the day has in store for me.
Mia’s voice resonates in my head, telling me to have fun, relax, and not take everything so seriously. A quick peek at the dashboard shows it’s ten thirty. My driveway is vacant, which means the boys are done.
I run up the stairs to the door and stop to catch my breath. My shaking legs signal how anxious I am for this date. I throw the mail on the small island and make a mental note to go through it later. As the white envelopes go flying, I see the return addresses of Meriden Elementary, the Town of Meriden, and Green Breeze Enterprises. No need to waste a second dealing with any of this right now. Twenty-eight minutes to get ready. I just need to decide which bathing suit will be best!
From underneath my pile of suits strewn over the bed, I hear my phone pinging.
MOM
Hi, honey, hope everything is going well. FYI, we forwarded the utility bills to the PO box. I want you to face the reality of what you’re getting into. I think the electric bill is due soon. Don’t be late.
SOLIA
Yes, Mom. It’s all set.
Oh, good. I figured you did. And Dad and I sat and made a list to approximate the yearly costs. We should have given you the list before you left. Do you want me to send it to you?
Yeah, Ma. That would be fantastic.
She’s unbelievable. I toss my phone onto the bed instead of staring at the bubble while she types.
I strip and tie the bikini-top strings behind my back and use the tip of my nose to tap my screen.
You’re going to need a job as soon as possible. I’m not sure how well you saved your money before now. We just want you to understand what you’re getting into. Taxes, $3900/year; elec/heat, $2600/year; internet, $91/month; cable (if you keep it), $75/month; plowing last year, $900; Terminix, $400/year; chimney cleaning (every other year), $250/year; wood, one cord, $300/year . . . that’s all I can think of for now. Dad and I have to figure out what other maintenance needs to be done that you won’t think of. I’ll send you that list soon. Have a great day, honey.
Thanks, Mom.
My mind races and my palms sweat. How the fuck am I going to pull this off? I’ve got truck payments, the rest of my student loans, and no freaking job in sight. Shit.
Deep breaths.
11
