The Summer Of Max and Jessica

Chapter 4- First encounter

I had finished unpacking all of my things. The cottage looked exactly the same as always. Everything in the house was either white or various pale pastel colors. I looked at the clock as I hid the empty suitcases under my bed, it was just after 3. I decided to text Taylor because I told her I would, "well, I made it." I wrote then to be nice I added, "How was the party last night?" Not that I really cared. It didn't take long for a response, "It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Soo fun, you sure missed out Jess, wish you came :)"  We texted back and forth for a while until I had had enough and told her I had to go. She still didn't know I was alone. I would tell her eventually though, incase she ran into my parents anywhere back home. But, for now I didn't feel like explaining. 

I made my way downstairs, through our pale yellow kitchen, out the sliding door and right off the deck into the sand. I made my way about half way to the water before turning around to look at my cottage along with the Danlee's. They were adorable, beachy and cozy, the others were huge mansions that just didn't belong. I realized then that it was just about 4:00 PM. Every year I used to go to the Danlee's house at four. I don't know how it started but it was tradition. I decided I would head over, besides, I missed Mrs. Danlee it had been a whole year. 

I made my way through the picket fence that surrounded the outside of her house. I climbed up the steps of her desk. The back of her house was a little more private then my own. She had a fence and the deck was surrounded by tall bushes so you couldn't see it unless you had gone up the stairs and were standing on it, which I was. I didn't really look around as I went towards the back door. I had done it so many times it felt natural. I was about to knock when behind me I heard. "Can I help you?" The voice was deep, definitely a man but he sounded young.

I turned around to face the back of the deck where the voice had come from and my jaw fell open. There was a young guy, probably my age or a little older, his hair was a deep chocolate brown color. It was ruffled and messed as if he had taken time to mess it up properly. His body was in shape and tan, he had clearly defined muscles under his tight fitting white t shirt. He wore dark jeans and a pair of black converse. Hooked on to his t shirt were a pair of black raybands which matched the ones I had up in my room. He just kept looking at me so I pulled myself together and said, "Oh, uh, I'm here to see Mrs. Danlee." 

He looked at me questioningly, "Who are you?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same question" I shot back. 

"Whatever. I was just leaving anyway" he said jokingly as he got up and headed down the steps of the deck. "I'm Max, by the way." He said as he turned around to face me once more from down on the sand. 

"Cool. Nice to meet you, I'm Jessica." 

"Nice to meet you... WAIT?! You're Jessica? She's been looking forward to you getting here since last night, no offense but the way she talked about you I expected her friend to be her age.."

"Maybe I am, maybe i just look young."

He laughed and said, "Ya i'm sure...I got to go but she's inside and she'll be more than happy if you go in. I will see you around." He waved as he turned the corner and walked away, toward the driveway I assumed. I knew I was right when a car started and I heard it pull out. I realized then that I didn't know who he was but I would just have to ask Mrs. Danlee. I let myself in and called, "Mrs. Danlee, I'm hooome!"

"Oh Jess, sweetie! I'm in the kitchen." She responded so I made my way in there. She looked the same as she always did maybe a little older but as she got up to hug me she used a walker to shuffle over to me, I didn't like seeing that. "I saw you met Max outside" she said pointing to the window which looks out toward the deck. 

"Yes" I said "Who is he?" I was confused. 

She laughed, "Honey that's my grandson. He's your age, he's living here this summer because his parents are more busy than usual with work... Anyway, he has come here."

I wondered why she had never mentioned she had a grandson before. Was it just the sort of thing you don't mention? I also wondered if my parents knew or why he had never come to his grandparents before, all these years you would have expected him at least once even when we were younger. 

As if she read my mind she said, "His mothers a hot ticket, She is stuck in her ways and hates this place so she never comes here. I only visit her at her place, but this was the easiest for her this summer so Max came to live here. It's amazing a woman so stubborn and well, rude could have a child so kind and thoughtful. Max is a sweetheart." 

She said no more on that subject but for the next 2 hours I got caught up in our conversation catching up on a year of gossip, stories and jokes. I didn't realize how much time had past until I heard a car pull in Mrs. Danlee's driveway.