Summer

Chapter 3

We spent the rest of yesterday running errands for the house, so I was relieved when Liam wanted to hang by the local beach this afternoon.

When we get there, we plant our lounge chairs right in front of the ocean. My brothers whip out their AirPods, while I whip out my most prized possession — my journal. My source of therapy. My escape from reality. And, with this view, I could sit here all day and write.

I don't realize that I've written almost five pages until Jacob interrupts, "Anyone getting hungry?" The kid's always hungry, but in his defense, we've been here for over two hours.

"I think I saw a food hut at the top of the hill when we were making our way down," Liam says. "What does everyone want? I can grab us a few things."

"You know what? I'll get it," I offer. "I just realized that I left my summer reading book in the car, so I need to go up there anyways."

I've barely made a dent in my assignment for the program that I'm enrolled in at GWU. We're responsible for completing Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, as well as a 12-page paper, before classes begin in September.

"You sure?" Liam asks.

"Yeah, it's no problem. Just text me what you guys want."

"Alright," he says, reaching into his pocket. "Here." He pulls out his wallet and hands me a platinum American Express.

I make sure to grab my book from the car first before heading to the concession stand. After waiting in line for what feels like an eternity, the guy at the register finally calls out my order. I grab the fries, personal pizzas, and sodas and head back to the beach. I'm trying to juggle everything — which probably isn't the brightest idea — when my book falls out of my grip and into the sand. I contemplate the best way to bend down and pick it up without causing a scene when a recognizable voice calls out to me.

"Need some help?"