Summer Reimagined

Meeting the Neighbors

I went to the store yesterday with my mom and my bookshelves finally got installed.

We've lived here for about a week and I already forgot about all my troubles back home. I spend every day walking up and down the beach swimming with my parents and watching television. I still haven't wrote any emails or letters back home. But I am expecting one soon from Cady, I knew she would write to me. And actually she probably got rid of her phone too in solidarity with my situation. I can not believe I ever didn't want to be friends with her.

Today I am adventuring out of my bounds with my parents advice. I am going to take cookies to our neighbors. I have been scared to have any real interaction with others recently, I am not sure why though.

I pack up 12 cookies for each of the three families. I don't know anything about these people and I am anxious to meet them. I knock on the first door and a lady in her late 30's opens it up and 4 kids run out the front, elementary age most likely. I already adore this family and am secretly hoping I can babysit. In Illinois no parent ever trusted me with their kid, rightfully so. But I have changed and hope to spend more time making money and being social to all ages not just my peers.

"Hello, I am Sydney Washington from down the street, we just moved in!" I say meekly.

"Oh, hello! I'm Addison Grover, I have been meaning to come down and say hello but these kiddos keep me so darn busy!" She is obviously smiling through the pain.

"No problem" I exclaim. I lower my voice and say "I also brought cookies for you, no sharing with the kids required."

She looks at me like I just gave her a million bucks. She is grateful and so am I for some human interaction for once.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you Sydney. It was so nice to meet you, you and your family needs to come over for dinner sometime!" She replies.

"Yes for sure! I gotta go but it was so nice to meet you Mrs. Grover"

She nods and shuts the door a grin on her face. Off to the next house, the next house is a family of 2 girls and 2 dads, the Monyillo-Bates. The girls are 13 and 16, possible new friend? Seeing LGBTQ+ couples makes me happy considering there aren't many back in Illinois. They are a wonderful family. 'Only one more house!' I think to myself.

I ring the doorbell and a 12 year old boy yanks open the door.

"Hello" I say.

"I am Sydney Washington and I just moved in down the street. I came today to bring you guys cookies and to meet your family!"

This young boys face lights up and snatches the cookies from my hands. I am surprised at such an eager motion.

"Thanks Sydney, were the Evermore's, adios!"

As he slams the door closed a mom in her mid 40's grabs the door and pushes it back open. She mutters something to her son who scurries away obviously disheartened.

"Oh my Lord, I am sorry about him. He is a pre-teen always rushing around to do one thing or another, can never keep him in one place for too long! His name is Sallinger."

I refocus on the conversation and say "No problem at all! I am Sydney Washington from down the street and we just moved in."

"Oh, yes of course the Washingtons I heard somebody new moved in! we're so glad to have you here in Nantucket I'm sure you'll enjoy it! we sure love it here."

"I'm sorry who is we?"

"Oops, I mean my family and I. Me, Sherry Evermore, and my husband Rick Evermore have two boys one you just met his name is Sallinger, he is 12. The other one is named Hayde and he is 16."

My heart skips a beat, a 16 year old?! That boy is my age! But then I realize my promise to myself and my parents that there would be absolutely no boys this summer. I tune down my excitement and respond to Sherry.

"It was lovely meeting you but I must go!"

"Nice to meet you too!"

But i'm already sprinting down the steps.