Before the end of Summer

Chapter Three

Three

I wake up this morning feeling a little guilty. Not about punching the girl, no that was completely justified. Today I would find out just how many customers my little outburst cost us. I pull my hair up in a messy bun and pull on some black shorts and a green, camouflage tank top.

The office for Lawson Landscaping was located in the back of the house, so I don't have to dress up or anything to get there. I grab a banana from the kitchen on my way, and sit down at the computer.

Peeking at the voice mail machine lets me know there aren't any new messages. No new messages means no new clients. I blow out a breath. I need to relax. If I stop focusing on them, they'll come in. I busy myself with balancing the books, and making sure that we'll have some extra cash for the bills and groceries, checking the machine every once in a while.  

I hear the door open and close. I know it's Johnny from the heavy footsteps. "Mom home yet?" I ask, not looking up from my work.  

"Not yet. She took another shift at the hospital, and cleaning the law offices downtown." That caught my attention. Mom always works at the hospitals as a CNA, but she only cleans the law offices if we're in a really tight spot. 

"Why would she do that?" 

"Worrying." Johnny looks me in the eyes. I know he's still angry, but now I can see his disappointment. "With all the people she spoke with yesterday, we would've been set for the summer. She's not so sure about that now." 

"Look, I know I messed up but-" 

"There are no buts Lizzy." He sits in the chair across from me. "We've got bills, groceries, and two college funds to worry about." 

"Ricky has a scholarship." 

"It doesn't pay for his gas, car insurance, or his food. Or clothes." Damn, he got me there. "Ricky can't work a normal job with all the sports he's playing just to go to school."  

"I get it." 

"I don't think you do. It's time to grow up now. You can't go around punching girls because they don't like the same things you do. When you get out in the real world, they'll just have you arrested. You're lucky no one called the cops this time." I bite my lip and stay quiet. "It's time to grow up." Johnny gets up and leaves. I want to scream. All I want is for him and my mom to see me as an adult. I make one little mistake and all that just goes away. I'm pretty sure an adult would react the same way if someone were talking about their family like that. My pen explodes, and I realize it's cause I've been gripping it so hard.  

There's a knock at the door. "Come in!" I call, trying to clean the ink off with hand sanitizer. I look up and see Jesse Callahan. Great, this is just what I need. I'm going to be adult about this. I'll just be professional. "Hi, welcome to Lawson Landscaping. How may I help you today?" 

"I'm here to drop off the check." And probably cancel their services.  

"Oh, you can just sit it right there. I'll process it now and give you a receipt." Most of the ink comes off, so I dry my hands with a towel. Jesse has taken a seat in the chair. He's staring, but I won't look. I pull out a checklist. "You guys didn't send back the survey so I'll need to ask a few questions." 

"Will we have to do this every time?" 

"No, it's only for the first time." I fill out the form with their name and info. "Was everything put back into place?" I know it was, I did it myself. 

"Yes, every ornament was placed, exactly where it belongs." 

"Did you feel you lawn was cut too short?" I ask, still not making eye contact.