A Summer To Remember

Chapter One

I soon realize we've entered Texas when the cool breezy air turns hot and muggy. So much for my summer. Instead of spending it back in rainy New York, I get to be with dad, who I haven't seen three whole years. I haven't really talked to him since then, and I'm afraid it'll be awkward as hell.
I glance back at the few boxes that wouldn't fit in the trunk of my mom's convertible and read the labels, Paint, Posters, Cameras, Paintings. All with the word FRAGILE in capital letters. Soon I'd be unpacking at my father's beach house in South Texas, and I didn't want to.
"You'll be fine," Mom assures, fixing her sunglasses and flattening her light brown hair at a red light. I look as teens walk in and out of stores, stopping and talking and laughing. "Remember, you used to go to school with these kids."
"They're just a bunch of teenagers, mom." I say with a sigh. "The old me is dead and gone."
"And you?" She asks, taking a left.
"Ill be alright." I assure. When dad's house comes to view, my gut twists. I shrink in seat as she pulls in behind his black Charger. I slowly unbuckle and step out onto the contrete driveway.
It all smells like the ocean, and then I remember the backyard is a beach. I grab my bag and follow mom, who apparently dressed for the summer more than I did. Her shorts practically are underwear, and her tank top is lace and you can see her bikini top under it. She plans on going to a hotel with a pool later, that's for sure.
"David, we're here!" Mom yells into the house. I cringe at the floor to ceiling windows all through the living room and the hall. I cross my arms and look at myself in the mirror next to the fireplace.
My hair lost it's curls, and now it's just a brown wavy mess. Over my We Came As Romans tee is a Drop Dead jacket, my ripped up red skinny jeans go great with it all.
"Anna!" Dad cheers, wrapping his arms around me. His big, muscled arms that scare me shit out of me. "Amanda, you look well."
"Yoga, hon. Say, where's that blonde babe you're seeing?"
Their voices drift off as they go to the kitchen. I set my bag on the white chair and glance at the picture of me and dad on the end table before grabbing my phone and calling my best friend, Teddy.
"Hey, Anna," she says.
"Were you asleep?" I ask as I flop onto the couch and turn on the television.
"Yes and no.." her voice fades, then I hear her swallow. "Sorry, I've still got mono."
"Gross, make sure to get plenty of rest and call me as soon as you feel better," I tell her. "Anyway, so.. guess what."
"What." She says and erupts in coughing.
"Jesus on a bagel it sounds like you're having a good time."
"I'm shitting rainbows!" She yells, her voice raspy. "Look, I gotta go..."
"Love you lots." I say.
"To Jupiter," she starts.
"and beyond." I finish and hang up. I turn off the tv and go into the kitchen, where mom is most likely on her third cup of Vodka.
"I should go," she says. "Is everything out of the car?"
"I had someone get them," dad says, waving his hand in the air. "They're already in your room, hon."
"Ill walk with you," I say to mom. We walk to her car, she climbs in.
"Call me on your birthday," she says and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes slightly and nod.
"I love you," I say as she starts to pull out. She pulls out all the way and barely misses the curb. I lean on the door.
"I know it's tough but when have you ever backed down from a challenge?" She asks me.
"There's a start for everything.." I mumble. "Bye mom. Tell Jackie I love him every night."
"I will," she says. I back up and watch as she pulls away, then leaves me completely. I turn and walk back inside, then slowly make my way up the spiral stairs that make me dizzy.

"Are you settled in good?" Mom asks me. I close the curtains so no one can see into my room and sigh.
"Yeah," I say. "Hold on." I take her off speaker and walk downstairs into the kitchen where I grab a cartain of ice cream and a spoon. I sit at the island and eat it.
"Jackie wants to talk to you," mom says. I smile as his sweet innocent three year old voice fills my ears.
"Hi sissy!" He says.
"Hey, Bubba," I say sweetly. "Did you just wake up?"
"Mhm, just to talk to you," he tells me proudly. I smile.
"I already miss you," I tell him. "Tell mom I said you gotta come down for my birthday."
"Mommy!- sissy says you gotta take me to see her on her birthday." He says loudly. "Love you sissy!"
"Love you too, Jackie." I say. He hangs up.
"You sure are smiling widely." Dad says. I look up at him.
"Oh, uhm, just Jackie."
Thats the reason he and mom split up; Jackie. Once dad found out mom was hooking up with my Principal at my new school he got furious and divorced her then and there. He moved from New York City all the way to Texas where he met Jessica Friar, a local waitress and lifeguard. Tall, tan and blonde. Dad's type, apparently.
Moms boyfriend is opposite of dad. Mr. Manson - Jayden Manson after school, is tall and muscular. He has short brown hair, and chocolate brown eyes that mom loves. He isn't as tan as dad, though. Dad has this summer weather most of the year, though.
"How old is that kid, anyway." Dad asks me. That Kid.
"Three," I answer. "Almost four in December."
"Ah, December..." his voice fades off and he makes a break for it to his liquor counter. "How old are you, again?"
"I'm seventeen, dad!" I scoff. "Its only been three years."
"oh yeah... Well you should go up to bed," he shoos me suddenly. "Go on! Off you go!" I cross my arms as I make my way to my room.

The worst thing about it here is that you can't take warm showers. Even they feel like Death. Only cold showers suffice and I hate cold showers with a passion.
"You're hair is wet," Dad points out.
"Good job, Captain Obvious!" Jessica says loudly. I smile at her. Jessica is the kind of person you want to be around, she's a free and happy spirit.
"But seriously, you want to blow dry it?" She asks.
"No thanks, it keeps me cool." I say. She nods, and finishes her smoothie then gives dad a kiss.
"I'm off to work!" She calls out. "Hopefully it's not a late shift again!"
"God I love that woman..." he says as her truck pulls out.
"When you gonna pop the question?" I ask.
"I dunno," he says. "But I've got the ring."
"No way." I say and smile. "No frickin' way!" He shows me the chocolate diamond rock. Nice.
"She's a keeper." I say. "Now or never." With that I hug him, then go out back. I sit on the porch steps and watch the water as it laps at the sand, pulling back as if scared. I smile slightly, then I go and set up my painting gear. I pull out my blues and oranges and browns then get to work.