Summer Lovers

Chapter 2: The Escape

I pop my last bag of clothes I'll being needing this summer into my rusted baby blue Holden sedan with bench seats that Alexis handed down to me as her parents recently brought her a new Mazda SUV.  It's perfect for me and all I need for the time being. "Don't forget to send us $50 a week for rent costs."My mother barks at me as I close my squeaky car door. I don't really understand why I have to pay rent now that I've got a summer job, particularly because I won't even be living with them, I assume that $50 will just go to a pack of cigarettes a week but I don't disagree, I'm not doing the kennel hand job for the money, I want to do it for experience before I go study, not to mention I am the biggest dog lover you will find, I think it is because I've never owned a dog.

Sometimes late at night, I cry wishing my family actually cared for me and I start daydreaming about what it would be like to live with people that are "semi-normal" and when I wake up my heart fills with disappointment when I realise I'm still stuck here.

I take a big drink of water as I feel a slight headache making its way to the top of my head. I didn't get drunk and go crazy last night, but, Sawyer and I spent three hours at the bar chatting, ordering more drinks and nuts so I am slightly feeling it today. It was so nice to break the ice with him and chat about our futures, it actually was a good day that for some reason, I had been dreading. At the end of night, Sawyer told me I looked beautiful in my yellow dress and offered me to come back to his parent's place as they were away for a wedding in Melbourne. I was going to give in but I told him I had a big day today and I didn't want me sleeping with him to ruin what was a good night. I gave him the address of where I will be staying and told him he is welcome to come visit me at some stage at the cottage, as I have a feeling it may get lonely out there.

After my parents say an unenthusiastic goodbye without even looking at me, I excitedly jump into my car, push in my Lumineers CD into my CD player, grab my pack of lollies for the trip and start driving. It is only a two hour drive to Port Hollow from Willows Bay. I wind the window down and smile as I feel the warm summer breeze on my skin, this is what freedom feels like, away from toxic family and fake friends. I have never felt so high on life escaping this deadbeat town.

I finally reach the town of Port Hollow and its breath-taking, the town is filled with little fruit markets and tiny grocery stores, it looks as though as it is filled up with young families on holiday staying in lake houses nearby. There are lots of bikes with little baskets on them which it looks people take into town to grab some small supplies. All the small businesses are full of life with locals and holidayers coming in and out, it's such a beautiful thing to see such a lively, supportive town. The town is surrounded by tall lush green trees and bushes with a bright blue sky with no clouds above. The weather is warm but not too warm where it feels like you want to stay inside cooling off all day, it is a motivating feeling and makes you want to go explore what this world really has to offer. The feeling warms my soul and gives me sense of being at home, which I have never felt before.

I turn off on a road just outside of the town which the cottage is located, it's down a bumpy long dirt road surrounded by even more trees and it is green as ever. Right at the end of the dirt road I see the letterbox with "22" on it. This must be me! I eagerly drive past the mailbox and down another long driveway until I see the most graceful yellow Cottage sitting up on a hill over looking the private lake. Down the hill, I can see dog kennels and an office.

I reach the front door when I can see a note taped in several corners.

Dear Wren,

Thank you for looking after the kennel for the next few weeks. It means a lot me that you would offer to help. Alexis told me you have been having some troubles at your house with your family and I just wanted you to know whether it's summer or not, just know you are always welcome here to escape what you may be going through. I can always use a pair of extra hands and company out here and I have been told you are quite the dog lover, I couldn't think of anyone else I would love to have here. Thank you so much again.

The key is under the door mat and down at the office there is a binder with everything you need to know. So far everyone has checked in there dogs and it will only be pick ups.

Take care and email me if you need any help, email me.
Love from Nanna Gracie xx

Gracie has always been like my own Grandmother to me, she buys me a $15 gift card for the local book store back at Willows Bay each Christmas and emails me every month to find out how I'm doing. She really cares about me and it's a nice feeling.

I grab the key under that mat and open up the cottage, which reveals a beautiful lay out. The cottage looks much bigger on the inside, there is a king bed situated at the back of the cottage, a spacious baby blue kitchen and a living area with what looks to be a comfy lounge I will be napping on later. The place is filled with plants and flowers and paintings filling up the yellow empty spaces. My god, Alexis told me it was lovely out here but she didn't go into detail about how breathtaking it was.

Once I've hung up my clothes and brought my things inside, I eagerly make my way down to the kennel. There is about 10 dogs wanting lots of cuddles and attention, I happily let them out and run around the paddock for hours playing fetch before I realise it's already sundown. I check over the binder that Gracie left for me and follow her steps to ensure all the dogs will be settled for the night fed with a warm bed. I reach the cottage and grab out some apple pie that I decide to have for dinner since I got lost in time with the dogs and I forgot to get some groceries for myself. The night goes by quick and I am wondering what the neighbours next door are like, from the right side of the cottage I can see their place which looks to be another cottage but bigger, tomorrow I'll stop by and introduce myself so they don't think I am an intruder.

I lay in this dreamy bed that is too big for me and close my eyes and let my head fall into the soft, clean pillows. I am so grateful to be able to wake up here tomorrow and start the summer.