Summer Fling

Chapter eleven:

Picture: Ray Prescott

I hold my phone up to my ear, tapping my finger anxiously on the back of the rectangular box. Waiting patiently as I hear the line ring.
It takes six rings before the phone goes to voicemail. I clear my throat before I begin to speak.
"Hey mom, I just wanted to call to say hello and well to see if you guys were okay. I've been waiting for your call but I guess you've been busy, I understand. Um, say hello to the twins for me and take care. Bye."
I click the end call button and turn off my phone. I pick up the sealed Jack Daniels I stole from aunt Cassie's cabinet, not that she would notice anyway, and open it. I take a small swing; the familiar taste of whiskey dances on my tongue like it's familiar territory.

"It's not even midnight and you're already trying to get me drunk." Ray appears. Taking a seat next to me on the ledge. Lifting and shaking his Jack Daniels bottle.
"Great minds think alike." he says grinning.
"I think you're good on getting your self drunk." I say shaking my head.
"Only one of my many talents baby." he smirks.
"Bite your tongue Prescott." I quickly cut in. Knowing his next line was going to follow with something gross or inappropriate.
He raises his hands in surrender and chuckles.
"You're drinking, something's wrong ." he states. He turns and begins to analyze me; he's searching for answers.
I turn to him with eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Before I even open my mouth to ask, he answers my question.
"You're drinking whiskey. That's a sad drink."
"Not it's not." I chuckle at his foolish remark. "How?" I ask.
"Well if you were celebrating you'd drink something like champagne, maybe a beer, or even some sh*t like margaritas." he says. "But whiskey, that's a sad old mans drink." he explains with an assertive grin.
"Totally untrue." I say stubbornly.
"Maybe, but I still know somethings wrong." he glances over at me. "A shot of whiskey for your thoughts?" he asks wiggling his brows.
"I'd be a fool to pass up on an offer like that." I say sarcastically.
"You totally would." he grins.
I take a swing at the Jack Daniels bottle and wipe my mouth with my red pullover hoodie.
"Ready for it to get serious and depressing?" I ask with a nervous chuckle.
Ray knows it's never been easy for me to share anything personal. I guess i've just never had many people to really trust it with and he knew that. It sometimes made me uncomfortable and small, which was not mine nor in fact, Ray's preferred way of feeling. And it's not necessarily because we don't know how to share what we're feeling, but because we're afraid no one will listen. Or what they will think when we really do. What they will say. And i'd say that's the reason he gets to witness the few times that I do.
"With you? Always." he says smiling. Grabbing a strand of my hair and putting it behind my ear.
His harmless act giving me butterflies and swiftly making an affect. I give him a minutare smile.
I brake eye contact with him and look straight forward at the dark sky in front of me. 
"She hasn't called." I start. "It's going to be two weeks, and she hasn't called. Not a single text." I say.
Ray knew exactly who the words coming out of my mouth were about. Last summer, while other teens were going out to the movies and water parks we were here talking about our troubles and pains, drowning our sorrows in tequila and cigarettes. Not exactly the most craved duo, but it was haven to our tears.
By mid summer we agreed to quit the drinking and quit the smoking, well at least I did, Ray was getting there; slowly but surely.
"I know the whole 'phone works both ways Raelynn.' I get it all the time. But why can't she call for once? Why can't she send at least one damn message saying 'oh hey daughter I hope you're still alive, take care'." I say swallowing the lump in my throat. I ball my hands into fist out of frustration.
Ray moves closer to me and and wraps his arm around me. Grabbing my head and laying it on his chest.
I let out a profound exasperated breath. Enjoying the relaxation that comes from being in between Ray's comforting arms. And although I swore i'd never be in them again, here I am. Not fighting them one bit.
"Anyway I don't really want to talk about it." I say lifting my head up and looking at him.
"You know what?" I say getting up and hoping off the ledge. "Let's go somewhere. No sitting around and moping."
"Where are we going?" he asks hoping off.
"We have a whole town who's asleep, we can go anywhere." I say smiling.
"Well in that case, follow me." he says grabbing my hand and leading us out into the silent, lonely roads of this small town. I can't help the fondness I get as my hand is in his. Even though I shouldn't. It feels way nicer than it should. I feel safer than I should.
I might just give up on life if this boy keeps touching me.