RENEE
The next day, Claudia, Maddy, and I were in the small market they had here at Cape Cod. We were stuck at this one stand because Maddy was fussy over which bikini to buy, I think it was between this white one with blue seashells imprinted all over it and a plain white one.
Claudia and I thought this quite funny so we just laughed. Because, Maddy was the most indisceive girl I've ever met. And with her, we would never come to a conclusion.
Once Maddy had bought both bikinis, yes both of them, she couldn't make her sweet little mind up. We made our way through the market, to a small book store at the corner.
One thing we all had in common despite our differences, was that we loved to read. We all loved to read all sorts of things, it ranged from romance to mystery to fantasy. It was just the thrill of living a second life through books which was amazing.
One minute you were experiencing a forbidden romance, next solving a mystery or roaming through faerie lands.
Reading was my escape from reality.
The Book Store we usually went to was a local one owned by Ms. Moore, who preferred being called Penelope. She said it made her feel old. To be fair she was 58, but she had a young soul. And the biggest of hearts.
When we walked in, and the little bell that hung from the door dinged, the store smell of books and that California Beach scent of the candle Penelope loved infused my nose. I sighed deeply, because who doesn't love the smell of books and candles?
Aside from the beach, or pool, Blue Whale Books was my happy place.
I practically grew up here, the three of us reading, listening and dancing to the music that played from Penelope's radio. Blue Whales Books was a place where everybody was welcome and a dreamland for us readers.
"Hello Girls!" Penelope said enthusiastically. As we drew closer to her, I broke into a wide smile.
"Hey Penelope," we all said, smiling.
"Oh it's great to see you all again," she said, giving us all heartwarming hugs. "It's been too long, and you Renee, it's been too long since you visited," she says, squeezing my cheeks in a Grandmother way.
And I did see her that way, she was a Grandmother to me, she was family.
Inside, I felt sad for Penelope. Her husband sadly passed, and all her children had moved away from Cape Cod. We were the only ones she had here, and it pained me when we had to leave her in August.
"Ooo this is my favorite!" Maddy said, turning up the music to Penelope's deep blue retro radio. Left Hands Free by alt- J played.
And oh how we loved this song, and no of course this wasn't our favorite because it reminded us of the Outer Banks.
"Well, your left hand's free
And your right's in grip
With another left hand
Watch his right hand slip
Towards his gun
Oh, no"
We all sang, whilst Penelope shook her head laughing. We sang, danced, and read. Which were some of my favorite things in life.
YOU ARE READING
My Perfect Summer
Teen FictionRenee Alder is coming back to the Bay where she has spent summer for all of her life. This summer is different though, she is currently dealing with the aftermath of her Father's death. Jonathan Alder's death really took a toll on Renee and her moth...
