Summer At The Store

End of Summer Tradition

The Downtown Summer Block Party was a Charlottesville tradition, the town's landmark seasonal event. The 4th of July celebration paled in comparison since most of the residents left town to head for the beach in the muggy July heat. But, on this night near the end of August, the town came alive. There was music performed by local bands and UVA's marching band always made an appearance. The streets were lined with booths from local businesses selling their wares to a captive audience as everyone in town ascended down the downtown streets to eat, drink & celebrate the last days of summer before school started up and the students headed back to the classroom.

Kavinsky's Antiques booth was positioned right in front of their store. Mrs. Kavinsky was on the planning committee this year so gave herself the prime real estate right on Main Street. Peter and Lara Jean agreed to work the booth together weeks ago, long before their rained-out night together or disagreement at Gabe's.

After Peter kissed her then stormed off at the pool party, Lara Jean sat on the ground dazed by the whole experience. She knew what she wanted to say to Peter but was so caught off guard that everything she wanted to tell him was sucked out of her brain as his kiss took her breath away. Peter's question about why she picked John hit her like a ton of bricks. She felt deflated. How would she explain to him that she chose the other boy because she was scared? Why was she scared of the boy she loved? It barely made sense to her, how would it make any sense to him?

She got to the store before Peter on the Saturday of the Block Party. Mrs. Kavinsky was in a tizzy when she arrived. "Oh, thank god you're here!" she was carrying display cases in her arms.

"I could have gotten here earlier. I thought you said four."

"No, you're here at the right time. I am just all over the place." She huffed. "Are you fine setting up by yourself? Peter texted me that practice is running late."

She nodded. Lacrosse practice was in full swing and had kept Peter away from the store. She had only seen him once since the kiss. He was leaving as she was coming into work. Mrs. Kavinsky was there making it a not optimal time to talk. "We're putting out the jewelry, right?"

"The jewelry and a few little trinkets I picked out. Everything's got a tag." She held out a table cloth for Lara Jean.

"Great." Lara Jean smiled. "I think I got it."

"Text me if you need anything. There's cash and the card reader in the box." She yelled as she headed out to assist with the event.

Lara Jean began to set up the table. She spread out the weathered by stylish table cloths and began to lay out the jewelry delicately. She hummed the last pop song she had heard in the car as she assembled the display. She wiped her forehead. It was still over 80 degrees even as the sun was beginning to set. She thanked the lord that Mrs. Kavinsky had arranged for a tent for their booth to offer some much-needed shade. She was putting her hair up while examining her work when she heard him behind her. "Looks good, Covey."

She whipped around to see him standing in front of her in the Kavinsky's Antiques t shirt that his mom had made for them. It hung tight over his torso and he had folded the short sleeves, giving you a sneak peek of more of his arm muscles. "Thank you." She felt her heart begin to beat faster. He didn't seem to hate her today. Maybe he just needed time to calm down? She hoped. "How was practice?"

"2 guys got there late and coach made us run an extra 2 miles as punishment." He sighed. "But, I think we have a good team this year."

"Well even if they sucked, you already have your scholarship." She shifted a small intricately painted frog figurine to face the sun.

A few families with a stroller walked past their booth. People were arriving. The festival had started. Peter took a deep breath and walked behind the booth. He took his sunglasses off and slid them into his back pocket. "Did she leave us with anything?"