The Summer He Returned (Hiatus)

Chapter 2: Things

Cassidy P.O.V

"Today we are gathered here ," the pastor starts, " to celebrate the life and death of Arnold Quinton." I heard someone sniffle loudly in the back.

    We sit quietly and endure 2 more hours of sobbing people we've never met before and after service is over Sammy and I get up to leave.

"Ooh a snack bar, " I said pointing to the table filled with appetizers. I grab Sammy's hand and head over to it.

"Cassidy?" someone calls. I turn and its Ms. Diane. She's old and frail so someone is holding her arm escorting her to me. I smile politely as she slowly approaches. Sammy taps my shoulder indicating that she's going to leave and heads out the door.

"Hi Ms. Diane, " I said.

"Don't you just look lovely today", Ms. Diane said. She was a widow with three daughters and one son. She took care of most of the kids in the church, including Bryson. He called her grandma because she also took care of his mother as well his father. That's how his parents met.

Young summer love under the disapproving eyes of old woman who had no right to judge. Bryson would often joke that they would disapprove of us. I swallow hard burying the thought deep in my mind. No need reliving those moments, they were only memories now. He probably doesn't even remember. I hope he does.

"Thank you, Ms. Diane", I said smiling politely. She smiled back pleased with my response. Now that I think of it there was something I wanted to ask." By any chance is Bry-"

"Cass", someone whispered. I turn around and see Sammy standing at the door. She motions me to follow her, but I gesture towards the group of ladies in front of me. Sammy sighs then goes back outside.

"So Cassidy hows school?" Ms. Isama asked. She was the nosy one, not that there wasn't any more of them, she was just the worst one of all of them. She would come over just to see what four children were being raised by a crippled mother would look like. She asked us all if we had something going on in the house that she should know about. We all agreed that if she asked anything, we'd say that it was alright.

"I'm doing well, thank you for asking", I said. She nodded her head disappointed I didn't say anything worth gossiping about. Rina wheels my mother over to me and stands politely waiting for our conversation to end.

"Well that's great", Ms. Diane said. She looked at mama." Emma if you need anything, I have food at my house and extra clothes from when Bryson was a youngun'. If you need anything, you know who to call." Bryson... My heart pounded. What if that boy back there was him.

"Okay Diane ", my mother said trying not to sound annoyed. She knew Ms. Diane meant well but my mother wanted to hold onto some sense of independence. I knew I would have to pick up those clothes later.

"Mom can I be excused for a second?," I asked."Sammy is outside waiting for me."

"Oh lord!", Ms. Isama explained. "That Sammy is here. Well, I'll be, that child hasn't been in church in weeks. Running around like a little heathen. Didn't she have a pregnancy scare? I don't think you should be hanging with her."

"She's my best friend," I said politely. I bit my lip to keep from telling her Sammy was a virgin. She probably knew that already. "I can't just do that."

"Mhmm," she said disapprovingly." And if she jumped off a bridge would you do it too? Kids these days, no boundaries. If your friend is doing it you do it too. You keep hanging out with her and you'll end up with a baby too." She sneered at me and I was about to say something before my mother cut in.

"That's enough you're excused Cassidy, "Mama said. She was clearly annoyed, so I kissed her cheek and went out as fast as I could.

"There you are", Sammy said. I looked over at where she was and two boys stood there with her.