Last Summer 🔪Scream 1996

Ch. 22: Red Convertible

"She's almost here..."

I grip Sophia's hand, giving her comfort as we wait for her mom to get here. We're all packed up, ready to leave as soon as Aunt Luisa and my mom get back from the airport. Bonnie and Tiffany are still at home, packing for the long week ahead of us.

Sophie is pacing again, walking back and forth across my bedroom floor. Friends plays on my tv, showing Joey and Phoebe joking around with each other.

"I don't think I'm ready...."

I sigh, turning to her as I stand. I stop her as she looks at me, her eyes wide with worry. I grab her shoulders, forcing her to stop moving.

"Calm down, okay? It'll be okay! And if not...you still have me in your corner. Now...I would really like to finish this episode before we have to leave. So...sit down...relax and look at the handsome man on the TV."

She lets me lead her towards the bed where it's the most comfortable to watch in here. I got the TV today...I don't know from who just that it was for me. It was delivered and set up by two guys in work clothes and steel toed boots.

My mom was surprised to say the least...

Sophia and I both get comfortable, watching one of our favorite shows as time passes. She calms down completely as she immersed in the comedy before us. Before we know it, a car horn is heard downstairs. I get up, peaking out the window to see a bright red brand new convertible sitting in the driveway. I furrow my brows as my mom hops out with a smile. My aunt is walking towards the door, shaking her head as my mom laughs.

"They're here..."

I hold back my laughter as Sophie drops to her knees, pulling out her rosary as she starts to pray. I shake my head before walking over, laying my hand on her shoulder and squeezing it.

"I'm with you...now come on..."

She nods, finishing her prayer before standing and following me downstairs.

——

"Mami!"

"Mija! You ready?"

"Yeah...who's car is that?"

"My new car! I paid for it last week and picked it up today so we can drive it instead!"

"Wow!"

I hug her before looking at my aunt, smiling as I move to hug her.

"Aunt Luisa! It's great to see you! How have you been?"

"Better."

I nod as I squeeze her, hugging her tight as she rubs my back like she always has. I step back and glance behind me at Sophie. She's rubbing her arms, hesitantly standing on the second to last step of the stairs. I shoot a smile as she clears her throat, stepping fully down as she forces a smile on her face that doesn't seem to want to stay.

"Hi...Mami..."

"Sophia...."

Before anyone can say anything, my aunt walks away. I watch Sophia as she watches her mom, a longing, heartbroken look dawns her face as she wraps her arms around herself. I sigh, moving to stand beside her as I wrap my own arms her in comfort. My mom smiles sadly, rubbing Sophia's shoulder.

"She'll come around, Mija..."

I smile at my mom as she says what she thinks Sophia needs right now. I rub her back as we watch my mom move to follow her sister, leaving us both alone in the corridor.

——

We pull into the driveway of the beach house, all six of us tired out of minds from the long trip as we hop out and stretch. Bonnie and Tiffany both yawn as they rub their eyes, waking up from the nap they shared. Sophia grabs her stuff, sticking to the silence she fell into after the cold shoulder she received from her frigid mom.

"Wow....it's beautiful here!"

I smile as Tiff rushes off, leaving the rest of us to lug everything inside. I laugh a little, shaking my head as her sister starts grumbling to herself. I grab my suitcase and gym bag out of the trunk, setting the on the ground before reaching for my camera bag. I strap it over my shoulder before grabbing my other stuff and moving towards the beautiful house.

As soon as I open the door, memories come flooding my brain, over taking every sense. Memories from when we were a happy family...

"Mija...will you grab my things and take it up to the master...your aunt and I will be sleeping in there. You girls will be bunking two to a room and I want to get food in everyone's stomach before anything else..."

"Yeah..."

My mom and Aunt Luisa walk in with food, moving to the kitchen immediately. Sophia walks in with her own bags, following me as we both head up the stairs. Instead of heading for the room that used to be mine, I walk into the one on the opposite side, taking the only room in this house that doesn't hold a bitter memory that I don't want.

"You sharing with me?"

"Sure..."

We both drop everything off before heading back downstairs to unload the rest of the car.

——

After unloading the car, unpacking for the week, and eating, we decide to put in a movie for the first night. We watched Grease first, then Jumanji, and after that...the adults went sleep.

Bonnie got basic instinct out, slipping it in to watch as I make more pop corn. Tiff joins me, sighing as she grabs a few drinks.

"You know...I was hoping to get some break from my sister this week...you know, because we share a bedroom at home..."

"Sorry, Tiff...Sophie is going through it right now and I promised to be there for her..."

sigh "I know...I just wish I could just bunk with you..."

"What about a good old sleep over tomorrow night? We can put both mattresses in one room, sleep where ever, and hang out like we used too?"

"It won't be the same without Layla...I miss her..."

"Me too...but it'll still be fun!"

"Only if we get a break from the overwhelming mothers..."

I nod, looking out the window, trying to form a plan. I catch sight of something out of the corner of my eyes. I smile as I see what it is.

"I have an idea."

——

A/N

I'm back!

How have y'all been?

Thank you for being patient and showing concern for my family...I really appreciate it!

My mom's doing better, recovering phenomenally! And my dad is the same, but that's a given considering his disease....

Anyways...

I don't know how often I will update this or my other works, but I will still be working on them!

Drink water my loves, and smile! You're doing great!

Love
-the Author