Seven Summers Ago

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I take the headphones out of my ears and look at the passing scenery.  The sky is bright and blue and the sun shins so brightly you can't look at it for too long.  The waves are crashing wildly on the shore and the seagulls are chirping with all their might.

"So what are the boy's names again?"

"You don't remember?" asks my mom surprised.

"Nope."

"Well, there's Nate who's eighteen, Blake who's your age, Landon who's nineteen and is usually never at home, and Kyle he's fifteen."

            I get a flashback of a blonde boy pouring soda all over my clothes.

"Is Nate by chance blonde?"

"Why yes, yes he is.  See, you do remember them."

"Nope, I only remember the worst of the four."

"Oh honey, be nice," laughs my dad.

"Jeff, don't encourage her."

"Oh sweetie, lighten up," my dad smiles at my mom.

"Hey dad, when I get there can I go for a run?"

"Absolutely not," my mom interjects, "You need to socialize!"

            I roll my eyes at her and put my headphone back in.  I continue to watch the waves and I slowly drift off to sleep.

I wake up as we are driving through the little town.  It is just how you would picture a beach town.  The buildings were painted a variety of colors, but mostly blue and white.  There were a few buildings scattered in between the sea of blue and white that were different shades of orange, red, lime green, and soft sunlight yellow.  There were little souvenir shops mixed in with all the restaurants, clothing stores, and the one movie theater in the little town.  It was exactly how I remembered it.

We drive a little further until we are driving up a long sandy driveway.  To the left of the driveway was the ocean as clear as day and to the right the town got further and further off to the side.  There were palm trees and shrubs all around the sides of the driveway.  I felt the car slowed as I looked up.

"We're here!" shouts my mom excitedly.

            I look past my parents and see the beautiful two story beach house.  The house is white with light blue windows.  There is a glass sliding door to the left of the front door on the side of the house near the pool.  It has wooden stairs leading up to the house.  To the left of the driveway is the beach.  The beach is so close you can literally walk right onto it. 

            The front door opens and I see Gina and Tom run out towards the car.  They run over and envelope my parents into a big hug.

"So where's Jessica," I hear Gina say.

"Oh, she's still in the car," replies my mother.

            I open the door and step out.  I hear Gina and Tom gasp.

"Why Jessica, you look beautiful I didn't even recognize you."

"Thanks," I smile.

            Gina opens her arms to me and I walk into them.  I breathe in the smell of the salty ocean water that lingers in her hair and smile.  I didn't realize how much I missed Gina.

"I missed you guys," I say to Tom and Gina.

"We missed you too; summer hasn't been the same without you here."