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I pull back and cup his tiny face in my hands. “Listen bub. It’s going to be okay. Mom is having some fun with her friends and with Aunt Neena. We will be back in no time with her.”

I wanted that to be true. Aunt Neena is staying at our house for the summer since she’s a teacher, and can be off all summer.

I was so grateful for that.

His lower lip wobbled a little before he nodded his head and laid it on my chest.

We just stand there in the night, holding each other, listening to nature settling in for the night.

This summer was going to suck.

* * *

The next morning, I wake before everyone and decide to walk to the local library.

Since we have been here for about three weeks, I haven’t left at all to do any kind of exploring. All I’ve done was sulk in “my” room, and ignore my father and Marie.

But, I figured since I was going to be forced to come here for two months every year for the next three years, I want to know what is around.

Maybe I could get a summer job or something, and save enough money to help mom back home.

I threw on my shorts, and a off shoulder t-shirt thing before heading out to walk. The town wasn’t small at all, but it reminded me of how Salem would look like. Walkable, and “neighborhood friendly”.

Since I was only seventeen, I did leave a note behind on their counter telling them where I was going so they wouldn’t call the police on me.

That was the last thing I needed.

My vans crunch on the leaves that already have fallen. I let my wavy hair down, and I had my flip phone in my back pocket just in case Ryan needed to reach me.

The sun was up, but the clouds covered it, creating a darker look to everything. It was actually perfect for a day at the library.

I wished I could drink coffee right now. But, I didn’t have any cash on me and I wasn’t going to ask my father for anything.

Glancing around, I looked at all the store signs that were side by side each other. It was like a plaza of all these things.

The trees were all alive and thriving while I could tell some of them were going to start changing because fall was around the corner.

I kept walking.

It was kind of empty everywhere since it was still kind of early. No groups of people all trying to walk around each other or into each other to go and shop and do whatever they have to do.

It was peaceful.

I’m looking into the stores as I’m walking past before i run into something, or should I say, someone.

I’m almost toppled over, before hands grip my shoulder to steady me.

“Oh my goodness, I am so sorry.” a voice says. “I am so freaking clumsy.” The voice was like cherry apples pies that my mom always burned.

I look up to see a beautiful girl in front of me. Her skin the color of caramel, and her hair was curly and stunning.

She was tall, and looked like she could’ve walked off of a magazine.

She was wearing a cropped black shirt and a pair of high waisted shorts.

“Girl. What the hell?” she says, her won eyes widening. “You are beautiful.”

Wait, what?