Summer and May

Chapter Forty-Five: Summer

August 4th was a big day in the charming town of Shimmer Lake, and arguably the busiest day of the summer for my family. Each year, the End of Summer Festival marked the end of one season and the welcoming of another. My parents are the largest contributors to the event, receiving almost all creative power and planning. It was something my mother lived for, and it was the last time she'd recruit my help since I was leaving for college in a week and a half.

That reason alone was why I embraced her seven a.m. wake-up call, happily traipsing down the stairs to beat Luke to the espresso machine. I flipped through my Brown University orientation packet while I sipped a vanilla cappuccino, tuning out the conversation about NASCAR races between my father and brother.

While the thought of attending college without May still felt daunting, something shifted inside of me over the last week. Perhaps it was seeing her at Dockside, or my enlightening conversation with Brooks, but slowly, pieces of me were beginning to let go of bitterness and move onto acceptance. Joy, even. I had a roommate, a summer festival to look forward to, a week or so before moving cross-country, and a fresh perspective. The only issue that still remained was regarding May. I knew I needed to talk to her before I leave, but still had no indication of where we stood.

Brooks says that May is crushed, but she seemed so different last we spoke. I wondered if we could be friends, just in a slightly different way... but after all that's happened, was that even possible? I couldn't deny that I missed her terribly. My family wouldn't stop asking about her, and I'd spent countless hours thinking about how she was doing, how we could move forward? I was still pissed at her, but maybe not all hope is lost.

The drive to the festival was short and quiet. My focus remained on the sun that was still rising, the pinks it displayed across the sky. Sunrises were May's favorite, while mine was the sunset. That was just like us; to be opposite in every way, except for with the things that mattered. I wouldn't admit it out loud even with a gun to my head, but a piece of my soul was missing without her. It was a feeling worse than heartbreak.

My mother assigned me the same duties each year, but each of those responsibilities were a two-man job. May always assisted me with this task, and then we would attend the festival together. Knowing this, I wonder what job my mom would stick me with this year.

The morning began with counting cash in the registers, stocking different stations with tickets, and taking inventory of prizes. It nearly bored me to tears, but I didn't let Mom know that. She seemed so excited to be here, and so honored to have me here with her. I caught her bragging to her friends about how I would be joining Luke at Brown in the fall, and the look of pride on her face almost made me tear up.

I was overly emotional these days.

I pretended not to care when I was tasked to hang the Welcome Banner with someone from school, because this was always a Summer-and-May task. I tried so hard to not think about it, I could almost feel her on my May Radar.

"A little to the left." her voice rang through my ears, small and still.

Almost unbelieving that she was actually here, fifteen feet below me, I slowly swiveled my head to stare down at her. I took her advice, pulling the banner towards my side, tying it off to a post. She patiently waited for me below, tying her hands behind her back.

"I didn't expect you here." I said simply.

"I help you set up for this event every year." Her lips pursed, forming a hopeful yet small smile. "I figured this year doesn't need to be any different. Unless, you'd prefer otherwise."

My heart softened immediately, although I kept my expression blank. I refused to let her know that I missed her and that I wasn't better off without her. I gave my mom a look, signaling to give us some space. She drifted away gracefully as I hopped down from the ladder.