Over the Summer

Chapter Two

Above: Teresa (Tess) Louise Mitchell -31 Sonora's aunt, her dad's little sister. Mom of Trevor(adopted). 

We have lunch in the front breakfast room. Dad's triple deluxe club sandwiches have roast beef, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, sweet relish, black olives and lots of thick melted pepper jack and provolone cheese. I always add mayo and horseradish to mine, just like dad. He winks at me as we reach for the horseradish sauce at the same time and he lets me have it first. "Did you get to work at all this morning, Garrett?" Aunt Tess is the only person who still calls my dad "Garrett". "Oh, an hour or so in between brunch and lunch," he smiles, "How was the beach?" Ash interrupts, gasping dramatically, "Daddy! There was a crab and it chased me and I built a sandcastle but the waves washed it away and Trevor tangled my kite but a boy came and saved it!" She took a deep breath and a big gulp of lemonade. "I did not!" Trevor yelled at her. "I did not!" he repeated, looking around the table as if to convince us. "You did not have to yell at her Trevor, that was disrespectful. We know you didn't do it on purpose, now apologize." Aunt Tess is always strict with him, but not unfair. "Sorry," he mumbled slinking down in his seat. "Wow!" dad mumbled, chewing, and nodding his head, "What a morning". "Yeah, some surfer kid swam by and untangled their kites," Aunt Tess clarified. "How nice," mom said, "I told you this was a nice area, honey. People are friendly here." "I never disagreed with you on that dear,"  my dad replied. I looked at them quizzically, but they just smiled at each other and went back to their sandwiches and chips. I poured myself another glass of lemonade and excused myself. I pulled a book from the shelves in the second living room, and made myself comfortable in my favorite chair on the back patio, where I ate breakfast this morning.

I don't know how long I sat there, engrossed in one of my old favorites, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, when I was startled by a loud bang above my head. Someone had thrown a frisbee that hit the side of the house above my head and bounced off onto the patio by my table. I uncovered my head as two guys came around the corner and looked me up and down smirking at each other. "Hey there, sorry about that," one of them yelled at me, jogging up and crossing his arms on the railing. He had black swim trunks on with some gaudy neon graffiti print across it displaying the brand name. He had lean surfers muscles and a stereotypical tan, and long blonde surfer boy hair. "Then again, who knew my frisbee could make such a catch," he smiled what I supposed was supposed to be a winning smile. The other guy, Asian, and just as lean and well built nudged him and chortled. "Uuuhhh...no catch here guys, sorry, " I said. "Not sorry," I thought. "Oh come on, sweetheart. I have an extra VIP pass to the festival this week if you're interested." "No thanks," I said "Here's your frisbee." I shoved it at him, trying to get them to leave. Their pushy manner and wandering eyes were making me uncomfortable. "Don't you want to know how I've got VIP passes to hand out?" "It really wouldn't change anything," I said. Just then, my mom comes outside and puts her arm around around my shoulders tightly. "Can I help you gentlemen?" She asks. "No maam, just getting our Frisbee. Thank you...what was your name again?" he asks me.  "I didn't give it, goodbye!" I said curtly. "You good?" Mom asked. "I didn't like the way they were looking at you." "I didn't either," I said, "Thanks for the smooth rescue." We both settled down with our books.

My dad comes outside with something behind his back and a gleam in his eye. "Guess what I got?" He asks excitedly. "What is it, dear?" Mom asks, as if she already knows. "The VIP passes I got from Guy for the festival this week! I got one for you, Sonny!" he said. "Thanks daddy!" I smile and reach out for the lanyard with a festival pass marked VIP. I didn't tell him all I really wanted this week was some peace and quiet to settle into my summer here at the coast. He looked too pleased with his gift. Guy is dad's agent. He's always kind of given us the creeps, but Dad insists he's been good to him and they've been working together for a long time. "Guy is managing one of the headliners at this thing and it was because of his suggestion that they decided to rent the party house from us. They were looking at some bigger venue closer to the city, but he convinced them that the scenery out here would really make this thing, idk, viral or something," dad explains. "So anyway, we get a certain number of passes for being the owners of the venue." "Cool," I said. That is actually pretty cool. Sounds like this thing is a bigger deal than I thought. "Hey Addi," he directs at my mom, "I put a frozen lasagna out to thaw. Just pop it in the oven in a hour or so and then everyone can just eat when they get hungry tonight. I'm gonna spend the rest of the day working." "Ok babe," mom replied. He kissed her on the forehead and turned to go back in. "Go at least once please," she said when he left. "Oh I will," I assured her, "Are you gonna go?" "We thought we'd go later in the week, just to walk around and have a few drinks. You should go with Tess tonight though. You guys will be more the same speed." "Ok, sounds good," I said.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Next chapter, Tess and Sonora make it to the festival!