Dan turned off the main road into the drive towards Greg's house and a hint of nausea churned in my gut. "Amber's here," I said. "For someone that doesn't want to live here, she seems to be here a lot."
"Deep breath," Dan responded. "The new house will be done soon, and she'll be here all the time."
"I swear, Greg is taking his time getting the house built. It's been, what, three... four years. I get the feeling he doesn't really want her to move in."
As I stepped out of the car, I could see Hope running from the wooded area at the back of the property. Greg chose to keep to a jogger's pace, lagging behind his niece. "BRIDGET!" Hope called out.
"HOPE!" I replied. I expected her to slow to a walk on the inclined of the driveway or take a break, but she continued running until she met me at the top of the hill near the old house.
"Uncle Greg said you're getting married!" Hope cheered as she wrapped me in a hug. "I'm so happy for you"
"Good to see you, kiddo!" Dan said as Hope jumped on his back.
"It's about time you put a ring on it," Hope said as Dan started towards the house with her on his back.
"How are you not exhausted after that run?" I asked.
The door of the house swung open, and as she stepped onto the porch, Amber croaked out, "Hope, get off of him. Dan, she's not a kid anymore. Put her down."
If she hadn't said a word, Dan would have spun around and deposited Hope on the porch step, but they seemed to take pleasure in being defiant of Amber's grumblings. So, Dan continued into the house with the sixteen-year-old girl riding piggyback. The look of frustration that coloured Amber's face was all too familiar. I shook my head and suppressed the laugh I desperately wanted to release, knowing that even if they had complied, that same look would still have been there for any number of reasons. My presence being the top contender.
"That is so inappropriate!" Amber groaned, her glare landing on me while her hand gestured towards the door of the house. "Doesn't that bother you?"
I looked towards the house then back at Amber. For years I had tried to pander to her but had given up on walking the fence. I smiled and replied, "Nope!"
Amber huffed then turned on her heels and marched towards the house. I waited for a moment then wrapped myself around Greg's left arm when he finally reached the top of the hill, and followed him in.
"Is Tyler back?" Greg asked. "How's... uhm?"
"Chantel. She's okay now. They found her a place and got her settled in, so he'll be back tomorrow."
Before Greg and I had entered the house, Dan had already pulled two beers and a bottle of wine from the refrigerator, adding to Amber's frustration. "Bridget? Amber? Can I pour you a glass?" Dan asked as he handed one of the beers to Greg. "Hope?"
"Beer please," Hope replied.
"No!" Amber shouted.
"For once I agree with Amber. Try again," Dan replied.
"She's more of a rum girl," Greg added, earning himself a cold glare from Amber and a high five from Hope.
"Amber, they're getting married!" Hope cheered as she filled a glass with filtered water. "Isn't that amazing?"
"Hmmm," Amber responded.
"Yes, it is amazing. Congratulations!" Greg replied. "Have you figured out any of the details yet?"
"Are you free this Friday?" I asked with a coy smile.
"Hope, you should go to your room," Amber demanded as she pointed towards the stairs.
YOU ARE READING
The Strip - Max
Genel KurguAs Max contemplates her exit from the business, she reflects on the events that eventually brought her under the stage lights at The Strip. Follow along as she recalls everything from the tragic event that changed her address and her life, through h...
