Seasons Changing

Change of Plans

Jeremiah knocked on a door and the second it was answered, he hugged the lady who opened it. "Aunt Julia, hi! Uh, um, Conrad told me you were here. It's been so long. Just wanted to say hi." "Jeremiah, hi" she says then she looks at me. She attempted to greet me but didn't recognize me. "Ryan Foster. My dad lives next the beach house." "Right, sorry. It's been so long. You've really got my dad's eyes" she said towards Jere.

"Uh, I got these hydrangeas for you from my mom's garden. I was just wondering if we could have a second to talk." "Is this about the house" the woman asked. "Yeah" we answered. "Well, I've already decided to move forward. Actually, we're gonna have an open house tomorrow". "You have to know how much the house means to Jeremiah and Conrad. Even me and my family. You spent summers there as a kid, right?" I asked. "A few, yeah." "Then why would you want to let go of such a-a magical place?" "I remember Susannah calling it that" "I don't understand how you could get rid of something your sister loved so much" Jere questioned. "Are you suggesting that I gift the house to you? I'm sure you can sort this out with your dad. I mean I can't put off a sale until you get all your ducks in a row. I have to be back at work in a week. I barely got the time off as it is". "So that's why you didn't make it to the funeral?" Jere asked. "Something like that" she responded. 

Then someone else approached the door. "Jeremiah?" "Skye? I-I didn't know you were here. This is Ryan, her dad lives next door to the beach house". Julia then dismissed us and shut the door on us. 

"It's all up to Conrad now and whether or not he can convince Dad to hand over his trust. That's gonna go over well." "Is it still bad between them?" Jeremiah looked at me as if to say "What kind of question is that?" "You know, you and Conrad should talk to your dad together." I suggested. "No, he's gonna try to do it alone, and I'm sick of fighting with him". "Alright, then don't, you know, with Adam here, you two need to be on the same team." "Yeah, I'll give it a shot." Jere says. "There we go Jere" I said excitedly. 

Lucas and I were glued together for the whole day. I clung to him for comfort. That was the only way I could make it through the funeral. We shared a pew with the Conklin family.

Conrad had gotten up and started singing while playing guitar through his tears. He'd taken a break to gather himself. The rest of the funeral seemed to drag on and on. As the pastor kept talking my mind kept thinking about the future summers that wouldn't come with her. 

The repast is when everything started to go south. I went to find Conrad and saw him seeking comfort with another girl. We were broken up, I wasn't allowed to feel any type of way. I turned to walk away.

"Ryan!" he jumped as he went to follow me. "It's okay Con, you want her comfort. This is a hard day, hardest for you and Jere. I understand, I think I'm just gonna find my dad or Luca" I tell him as a tear falls down my face. He follows me downstairs where we see Belly and Lucas start to fight. 

Lucas had said some things he didn't mean. But above all, Belly made a scene. She said things she didn't mean louder. She doesn't talk through things. 

She blows up and runs away. Then again, I hadn't really talked anything through with Conrad. I've just given him space. I've also given space to Belly. I just didn't understand how she could use a repast and be so insensitive. 

I didn't sit in on the phone call, I was putting groceries away. Just when I could tell the call was over I heard the front door open. Fuck. 

It was Belly, Steven, and Taylor with bright smiles and pies. Shortly after, Lucas entered as well. The mood of the room went down. 

"He didn't approve it?" I asked Con and Jere. Con just shook his head and Jere left. 

••••

The night had arrived and the house almost still felt as if it was ours. As if this was a normal night. As if Susannah was still here. But the house wasn't ours. It wasn't a normal night. And Susannah was still gone. 

"So, how's Jere?" I asked Conrad in the living room. "You know, I think he's okay. I told him we're not giving up". "Good... cause we're not". He turns to look at me and thanks me with an almost smile. 

I missed his smiles. I missed him. My heart would always beat for Conrad Fisher. Sometimes I repeat the night of our break up over and over. Sometimes I'm mad at myself for breaking up with him. Others, I have to remind myself that he didn't need another person to "worry" about. 

We sat down to watch a movie and Conrad had gotten some sort of news on his phone and left the living room. I followed after him. 

He had gone to the beach. I started to yell for him as I noticed him grabbing his chest and having trouble breathing. "Conrad?!"

I thought he had been doing better. Was I so blinded that I only saw what I wanted in him?