About last summer

Car troubles

The following morning, the Jeep's air con was making funky noises so I took it to the auto shop in town.

"No, it hasn't always made this noise" I rolled my eyes at the mechanic, who clearly thought I was stupid. "It sounds like there's something inside the vent"

"Well why don't we take a look" he jeered, peering through  the vent with a torch.

"Yes, why don't we".

"Do you want something to drink Micaya?" Carlos shouted from his office. "It's hot out".

"Water please" I replied. He nodded and brought an ice cold bottle of water to me not long after.

"How have you been?" He asked politely.

"Good actually, I was planning on heading out to the mall but the cars being weird. How have you been?"

"Good. There's a carnival in town actually. Do you want to go on Sunday? The shop's closed then".

"I'd love to" I replied.

"Ah!" The mechanic announced, digging further into the vent. "Got it".

He pulled out a used condom.

"What the-" my jaw dropped. "That's disgusting".

Both the mechanic and Carlos found it hysterical.

"It's not mine!" I almost borked, wondering who's it was. More than likely Jake's, but what if it was Abe's? My disgust almost turned to sadness for a split second, then I remembered the filled condom hanging but 2 metres from my face.

"This is going to sound gross, but I need a photo" I admitted and the mechanic happily posed next to the offending article before throwing it in the trash.

I gave the car a scrub with some anti bacterial wipes before starting the engine again. The air-con was now air-conning. I sent a picture of the condom to our group chat 'The Beach Bums'.

Mic: WHO HAD SEX IN THE CAR?????

Jake: HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHHA

Mic: So it was you then, you're disgusting!

Jake: not saying it was me, I'm just saying it was funny.

Mic: Was it you Abe?

Abe: *tea drinking emoji*

Mic: who was it!!!!!!

They left me on read

I threw my phone to one side and headed to the mall to find the perfect carnival outfit, opting for a loose fitting shirt and shorts co-ord.

Mic: does anyone want a Starbucks?

Jake: iced mocha please

Mic: Abe?????

I waited a few minutes but Abe didn't put in a request, so I got him a peach iced tea which is his usual order. Starbucks obtained, I got back in the car and returned home.

"Here" I handed Jake his drink.

"Thanks sweet cheeks".

"Where's Abe?"

"Porch" he shouted over, heading up to his room.

I slid the back door open and headed to the porch.

I could see the back of Abe's head, he was rocking on the porch swing.

"I got you an ice tea" I said, approaching the swing.

Abe nearly jumped out of his skin. Sammy was here, she had her head in his lap and he was trying to push her off.

"Oh shit" I said, turning away quickly. Was she? On the porch? In broad daylight?

"You can't creep up on people like that Miccie, Jesus!" i heard him zip up his pants and get to his feet. "Thanks for the tea".

I pushed it into his hand and walked off without another word.

Abe texted me a few hours later when I was in bed.

Abe: Sorry about earlier

Mic: It's fine, it's what people in relationships do I guess

Abe: we're not in a relationship

Mic: then what are you

Abe: seeing each other, idk?

Mic: cool

Abe: do you still make those milkshakes?

Mic: you mean the MICshakes?

Abe: embarrassing, but yes

Mic: I'll come down and make you one

Abe: you're the best :)

So we sat in the kitchen at 2am drinking lactose free milkshakes and laughing about old times at the beach house.

"How do you remember that?" I asked Abe who was in fits of laughter.

"And then the dog took your bikini top and ran with it, it was hysterical"

"Yeah yeah, shut up."

"Aw come on, I'm only teasing you Miccie".

"Okay, well what about the time when that old lady thought you touched her butt and beat you with her handbag" I tuck my tongue out at him.

"Ah Mrs Ralph. Yeah, she still hates me!"

"As she should, you touched her butt!" I exclaimed.

"No I didn't, you did! You were always getting me in trouble" he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Good times" I said, smiling to myself until my belly gurgled. "Uh oh".

I looked across the kitchen to the milk carton. I'd used regular milk instead.

"What's wrong?" He looked worried.

"Used the wrong milk".

"You gonna throw up?" He asked, concerned. "I'll hold your hair if you are".

I waited a second, before nodding and bolting to the nearest bathroom.

"I got you" Abe rubbed my back with one hand and held my hair with the other "Pass your hair tie".

I slid it off my wrist and handed it to him so he could pull my hair up into a bun.

"Thank you" I said, when the vomiting had subsided.

"Any time. you gonna be ok going back to bed?"

I nodded and wished him goodnight.