The Cabin by the Oceanside

When the Summer Ends

Chapter Twelve
"Will you hold my hand?
Will you understand?
Can we still pretend
When the summer ends?
Do you think the tides know
Where they might go
Before they move?
Are they scared too?"
When the Summer Ends, Savoir Adore

Just as a wave crashes to the shore, summer fades into the night sky in what seems like a second. A thousand universes present themselves in those ninety-two short days where love, life, and anything is possible. This is where arms are ever reaching into the sky, hoping to grasp onto the last drop of minty cool air that the earth has to offer.

As Harrison packed his things into the back of his dad's truck, he stared up at the waning crescent moon looking down on him. It was as if the man up there was singing a sad song tonight. Harrison thought the words might go a little something to the tune of "When a Man Loves a Woman", but he wasn't exactly sure. The date was Sunday, September 11th and Harrison was as love sick as a puppy to have to leave and return to school the next day.

The night before, he and Kathleen had gone to one of the infamous clambakes on Cabbage Island to commemorate their last evening together. Created just after the American Civil War, a clambake requires many intricate steps in order to get the taste and quality just right. Seaweed and salt water are part of the process, which allows the clams and vegetables to steam to just the correct temperature to be eaten.

Much as the affair takes patience and numerous hands on deck to perfect, Harrison felt that it was a fair analogy for how this summer had gone for him. Kathleen had seen past his imperfections, ever so patient, and it had effected every relationship in Harrison's life from that point forward. He had became a better co-worker to the boys and a better son and brother to Jack and Johnny.

It wasn't just him and his selfish attitude anymore; it was more than that. It was Kathleen. Why, being in a relationship with her was like a cool drink of water on a hot day. She was the crackle of the gravel underneath his feet, the sound he adored so. He couldn't get her off his mind, and every item he packed into the truck to head back to Augusta made his heart ache.

He was in the cabin whenever he saw lights speckle their way across the road and head in his direction. When he saw Kathleen's dad's car, he nearly ran to meet it in the drive. Pulling the door open, he didn't let her say a word before he kissed her.

"What are—I mean, I thought we said last night was our goodbye for now," he rambled.

She put a delicate finger to his lips to quiet him, "Shh, just let it be."

They walked over to the truck and, Harrison clicked the handle to allow the truck gate to swing down.

Kathleen sat down, "I had to see you again before you left," she swung her dangling feet back and forth, only looking at them and not Harrison.

Seeing it within her that she had more she wanted to say, Harrison lifted her chin with his index and middle fingers, "I'll be back nearly every weekend; you know that. I'm an hour away, and it's only for a year until we both graduate and you come to Augusta to school," he tried to reassure.

She smiled slightly, "Promise that you'll come and see me on the weekends?"

"Double pinky," he swore, holding out both little fingers to hers.

"Harry, you ready to go?" Johnny yelled from the door of the cabin.

"Guess that's my cue," Harrison sighed. He helped her from the truck gate and walked her back to her car. Once she closed the door, he kissed her through the open window. "I love you," he mouthed.

Watching her drive away, Harrison couldn't help but be saddened.

"There goes your girl, Har," His dad said as he loaded the boys into the cab of the truck.

Harrison had the passenger seat. Leaning his head against the window, he looked back up to the ole moon and made a plea for this girl to still love him since the summer had ended.

***
The hour drive back to Augusta seemed longer than usual for Harrison, whose thoughts were running a mile a minute. At last, they turned onto Haven Road and into the driveway that read 1043 on the mailbox. The guys got out of the cab of the truck, stretching as they did so. Grabbing their items from the back, a meager one duffel bag each, they headed into the house.

Darcy heard the door open and jumped from the couch from which she was sitting. "Oh my boys!" She exclaimed, half running to the door. She hugged Jack and kissed him on the lips; it had been a long summer without them, one she was used to, but she still missed them. She placed her hand on Johnny's cheek before embracing him. When they were done with their greeting, Johnny found his way into his bedroom to settle in.

Usually, this was the point where Darcy would be disappointed by her other son's rejection. It was to her very surprise when Harrison, without being promoted, reached out and hugged her tightly.

Darcy, stunned by his gesture, stood there for a moment without returning the thoughtfulness. She looked at Jack with confusion in her eyes.

Jack mouthed to her: "I'll explain later."

Knowing that was satisfactory, she hugged him fiercely, resting her head on his shoulder for a brief moment.

"Love you, mom," Harrison said quietly as he, too, headed in the direction of his room.

Now, this really was quite unusual; she could accept the hug, but a love you" AND him calling her mom? Unheard of.

"I love you, too," she returned.

Pleased that the Harrison from Portland had made his way back to Augusta, Jack put his arm around Darcy's waist and led her into the kitchen to explain just what on earth was happening to their child