Lover (Conrad Fisher)

3

As I walk outside the house to help my family with the bags, I see two unfamiliar faces talking to my parents, and uncle who has seemed to return.

"Uncle Bobby!" I yell as I run to him.

"Hey kid!" He says as he opens his arms to catch me in a warm embrace.

My Uncle Bobby will always have a special place in my heart. He's the kindest soul I've ever met. He's helped me through a lot with my mom.

"I want you to meet Susannah Fisher and Laurel Conklin." My Uncle says as we break away from our hug.

"Hi," I say shyly, turning around to meet their eyes.

"Oh my God Bobby, she's even more beautiful than you described." The blonde woman, Susannah, says to my uncle.

I blush as I look up to my uncle, to find him already looking at me with a wide grin on his face.

"Yes, yes she is." My uncle says, before turning around to embrace my brother.

"So Hailey," My mom begins. "Susannah and uncle have been friends for a long time, and she was one of the big influences on him to buy this house. She actually stays next door to us."

"Well I'm glad Uncle Bobby bought the house. I'm excited for this summer." I say looking at Susannah and Laurel.

"Laurel has been my best friend since forever," Susannah explains.

"Well it's really nice to meet you." I say before turning around. But before I can escape my mother grabs my arm, turning me back around.

"Susannah has something absolutely wonderful to ask you, Hailey."

Susannah looks at me with a shy smile. "I managed to pull a few strings for your Uncle and... I got you a spot as a debutant this season!" She says with an excited grin, almost jumping up and down on the spot.

I'm speechless. I look over to my mom who's sharing the same smile as Susannah. My mother looks over to me, seeing my shocked face.

"You don't have to do it of course." My mother reassures me.

"No, no of course not sweetie. It's one hundred percent your choice." Susannah says, agreeing with my mother. "But it would be so much fun! Dressing up and getting taught the perfect manners, and how to perfectly present yourself to society."

"Hailey? A debutant? No way!" Carson says with a chuckle from behind me. "I would pay big money to see you dressed up and waltzing."

I take a moment to look at all the faces around me.

"Well pay up I guess, because you're gonna be seeing it." I say.

Susannah and my mother instantly run to me, saying things like, "Oh, you'll have so much fun." and, "This will be a life changing experience for you."

"You have to come over and meet my boys," Susannah says. "Oh and Laurel has a boy and a girl right around your's and Carson's age."

Laurel nods her head behind Susannah. "Belly would love to meet you. And, Steven would love to meet you, Carson."

"Yeah, sure, we'll come over." Carson says. I nod my head agreeing with him.

"After dinner then." Susannah says as she and Laurel turn and walk away.