Page 52 of Be My Summer

I cringed at the sound of her father’s cough. Yelling her name took more out of him than a walk across his living room or a dash to the kitchen.

Batteries.

Batteries.

Batteries.

Batteries.

I etched them in my memory, hating the idea of him struggling to get Summer’s attention. I stuffed my hand in my pocket and retrieved my cell. Just as I located her contact, the locks began to turn.

Oxygen drained from my lungs. My eyes pricked with pride. I swallowed back whatever was stuck in my throat.

“Summer–”

Gorgeous was her name.

Her face was lightly covered in makeup. Sparkly browns rested on her eyelids. Her cheeks were red. Her hair hung down her back. And, on her head was the prettiest scarf with the prettiest pattern printed all over. Her nails were freshly manicured. Rings accessorized almost every finger. The cream dress she wore was simple, but it was refreshing.

“Hi.”

I breathed out, “Hi, baby.”

“I’ll be right out. I need to make sure my father is okay. He hasn’t been feeling well today,” she explained.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ll just be a second.”

“Take your time. I’ll be right here.”

The door sealed again. I peered down at my cell.

6:42p.

We were still on schedule. Tardiness wasn’t in my plans, but suddenly I didn’t care if we didn’t make the 7:00p entrance my family had planned.

Slowly, I paced the porch. With each passing second, I wanted to enter Summer’s home and assist her father. However, there were boundaries she’d put in place that I promised not to ever cross. Those included her father and her feelings. They were both sensitive subjects that were near to her heart.

6:50p

I leaned against the post at the end of the porch. The score cards for the games kept me occupied. However, I was missing Summer something awful. Just as the thought crossed my mind, the door opened again.

“Sorry that took so long.”

“No need for apologies. Is everything okay?”

The sadness in her eyes couldn’t be mistaken.

“No,” she admitted, “He won’t let me get him to the hospital but I think he could use some medical intervention. He’s stubborn.”

He’s tired. The words never left my mouth. I couldn’t tell Summer what her father had told me. I couldn’t break her heart tonight. It was already in shambles.

“If you’d rather stay home and take care of your father, I can go alone tonight. I’ll come back and stay here with you. I don’t mind.”

“I know. But, it’s fine. He won’t allow it. He’s insisting I continue with my plans.”

“Alright. We won’t stay the entire night. An hour and a half at best, alright?”