Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 21

Chapter TWENTY- ONE 

Max and I were sitting on a log, our feet in the sand, just down from the old swing set. It was barely eight o'clock; I could see the beach house just down a bit, off to my left. I knew it was possible that Clara and her boyfriend could come back out and see us. But I didn't care.

  It was a perfect evening - hot, muggy with a slight breeze. I was thinking about what Harley had said, about how he wished I didn't have to work. I wished that, too, especially now. We hadn't talked about it, but I knew they only had a couple more weeks in Siesta. It wasn't enough time.

  "So," Max began, even though we had both been quiet for awhile. "Can we talk before Har gets here?"

  "Talk?" I asked, not looking at him.

  "I feel like I haven't seen you in a few days," he grinned.

  "You've seen me every day," I reminded him.

  "I didn't think I'd feel so... left out," he admitted.

  I sighed. "Max... I'm sorry. I -"

  "I'm teasing you, Iz."

  "Yeah?"

  "Yeah."

  I squeezed his hand. "You're the best."

  "Oh, I know."

  I let out a laugh, but then let it fade away. It felt like the right time to ask about when they were leaving. I couldn't bring it up with Harley, but maybe Max could handle it.

  "Do you know what day you guys have to go?" I blurted out.

  "It's not really... a specific day. It's just... our Mom's wedding is in exactly twenty-five days. She called me today, actually, to tell me," Max began. "So, she wants us to go home a week or two before... to help get stuff ready. It's a backyard wedding at her fiance's house. He lives in a mansion with like five acres of property..."

  "Wow."

  "Yeah. I told my Mom about you," he grinned.

  "You did? Why?" I asked.

  "Because you're amazing," Max smiled. "And so she knows why Har is going to be reluctant to leave."

  "My Aunt and Uncle will be back in two weeks," I said, then sighed again. "Back to reality."

  "A week after the wedding... I go back to school. And Harley is starting at Florida Tech..."

  "And you go to...?"

  "University of Tampa."

  "So you'll both be far away, going to school, meeting new people-"

  "We aren't going to forget you," Max said quickly.

  I shook my head, because I didn't know what else to do. Tears were filling my eyes. I wanted to hug him, but suddenly Harley was there, walking towards us. He saw the look in my eyes - he knew something was wrong.

  "Izzie?" he asked, immediately grabbing for my hand. "What?"

  I shook my head again, unable to speak.

  "What the hell, Max?" Harley asked his brother.

  "We were talking about... after the wedding..." Max knew better than to say the words.

  "No," Harley snapped. "Iz, come on."

  I stood up, but glanced at Max. He looked heartbroken. I couldn't walk away from him, so I sat back down. Harley looked annoyed, but sat down on the log beside me, opening a beer. Max opened one and gave it to me, then opened one of his own.