Here Comes the Sun

Chapter 2

After practically begging Eden to tell me what to bring to this May Day event, I stand on her parents' front porch, tapping imaginary scales into the sides of a fruit tray. It really shouldn't be this hard to knock on a door, but I can't remember the last time I visited a friends' house, let alone a new coworker's parents' house.

I've breathed through three scales when I hear car doors open behind me. Turning, I spot Pip talking animatedly to her dad as he walks to the trunk of the car. He pulls out a tray that, in a moment of social faux-pas horror, I realize looks remarkably familiar. And before I can even think to do anything about this, Pip spots me lingering on the front porch and waves enthusiastically.

"Lennon! You came!" She squeals as she runs toward me. I give her a small smile in return, but am mostly watching Oliver realize he and I are holding the same fruit tray. His lips quirk in amusement, one eyebrow arching in a move I've never been able to achieve.

"I see we both shop at Safeway."

I breathe for one scale before replying a bit hesitantly: "I guess so. Your sister told me to bring a fruit tray when I asked her what I could bring."

He chuckles, "Yeah that's on me. I'm in charge of the fruit every year but I forgot one time and she's never let me live it down. They always plan a backup—guess it was you this year."

I let out a relieved sigh, deciding to lean into that relief as he steps around me to open the door, "Well I'm honored to have been trustworthy enough to be the backup then."

And then Pip is grabbing my hand and pulling me into the house while her father reaches out to take the fruit tray out of my hands. He walks towards the kitchen, calling over his shoulder and telling Pip to show me around.

Pip tugs on my hand insistently, pointing out family pictures, where she plays when she visits, which room is hers for sleepovers, and where the bathroom is faster than I'll be able to remember. We make it to the back door just as it's opening.

A woman with stunning gray curls and warm brown skin smiles at me before spotting Pip and practically lighting up with excitement. "Little Love!" she calls out as Pip drops my hand and runs for her. Despite the gray hair, the woman must be in good shape. Pip collides with her at top speed, only to be lifted up into a bear hug.

"Nana! I brought Lennon from the coffee shop!" Pip pulls away enough to beam at me, then moves closer to her grandma's ear. "She's really pretty too," she whispers much too loudly. A pleasant warmth blooms in my chest and I can feel my cheeks heat as the woman's eyes return to me.

"Hi Lennon from the coffee shop, I'm Eleanor, this one's Nana," she hikes Pip a little higher on her waist, "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for having me." Considering I have no real idea what this May Day get together is, I'm not sure where to take the conversation from here. But before I can dwell too long on it, I hear a familiar voice calling from the hallway.

"Piper Brooks, you said we were going to share Lennon!" Eden turns the corner with a playfully fierce scowl on her face and hands on her hips.

"I found her on the front porch! Finders keepers Eden! You said so when you ate Daddy's chocolate bar on Easter!"

Laughter booms from Eleanor and I find myself joining in. Eden's expression morphs to a competitive smirk as she says, "Well I found her at work first so I got her first!"

Pip lets out an indignant huff, sliding down her grandmother's legs so she can storm over to Eden. "But I found her first today, so I get her today."