Into the Groves

Sunlight spills into the room, flooding into my tired eyes. I reluctantly throw the covers off, stretching up and cracking my back. I sigh as I remember why I’m here instead of in my own bed. I drowsily drag my feet down the stairs: part of me half expects to smell aunt Lily’s famous cream cheese stuffed French toast with Maplewood smoked bacon and a roaring pot of coffee. I’m heartbroken as I look around the painfully empty kitchen. Memories of her singing (terribly) whatever song was on the radio as she swayed her hips with her long flowing dresses practically sweeping the floors came flooding back. I close my eyes for just a moment, trying to reinforce the mental levies that this trip has slowly been chipping at. More memories escape though, each hitting harder than the last.

The last day of Summer came around quickly, which means the first day at a brand-new school started tomorrow. I was relieved that I avoided starting in the middle of the school year. It would have been horrible to field all the questions that came with a last-minute transfer student. Plus, Laura is in the same year as me, so I won’t be alone. James will also be there, but he’s a senior and Laura and I are only sophomores. Even though they will be there with me, my nerves still act up. Laura and James won’t be by my side 24/7, and with the rumors that have already started, I know I’ll be hounded by the entire student body and the faculty as well. I shook my head in an attempt to wipe away those worrisome thoughts and enjoy the last day.

I hauled my tired self down the stairs and was immediately hit with the aroma of cream cheese stuffed French toast, bacon, and a fresh pot of coffee. I peered around the corner and watched as aunt Lily put another set of French toast on the griddle to cook. She seemed lost in her own little world as she twirled around dancing to the radio. Then, she held the wooden spoon to her mouth ready to sing, and I swiftly covered my ears before she belted out the first off pitch note. I didn’t interrupt her though. She’s been so good to me, why would I take away something that brought her so much joy.

She spun around again, this time catching me out of the corner of her eye. Aunt Lily’s eyes went wide and her mouth slightly agape. She clutched her chested as she let out a heavy sigh.

“Goodness April!” she breathlessly exclaimed.

“Good morning to you too Aunty,” I giggled. I sauntered into the room. I took my usual place at the table and began to fill my plate with all the amazing food. I scanned the table and realized she cooked more food than the two of us could possibly eat.

“Are you trying to fatten me up?” I question. She set the remaining batches down on the table, steam wafting from the French toast.

“Maybe I am?” she retorted. She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. We both stared intently at each other, waiting to see who would crack first. Eventually we both broke into laughter then she explained that she had invited over Laura and James. Coincidently, both arrived just as their names were mentioned. There was a loud knock at the door, definitely James. Aunt Lily called out, “The door’s open!” James and Laura walked in to greet us. Oddly, James was holding a small package wrapped in brown paper tied up with twine.

“This was at your door when we got here,” he explained as he thrusted the box toward aunt Lily. She took the package and inspected it. Confusion took over her face.

“There’s no return address,” she said as she cocked her head to the side and knitted her brows together. She looked up to James and Laura and asked, “Did you see who dropped it off?”

“Sorry, we didn’t,” Laura replied.

“Were you expecting a package Aunty?”

“No.”

It was suspicious that the person that dropped it off hadn’t knocked on the door to indicate that there was something there for her. But aunt Lily set the package to the side and turned back to face us.

“Well,” she said as she gleefully clasped her hands together, “dig in kids!” Without hesitation we all obliged to her command. James and Laura quickly filled their plates with French toast, bacon, and the freshly sliced pears that always accompanied our breakfasts. Aunt Lily owned a small pear grove, so fresh pears were a staple in her home. The ones that didn’t remain here, she took down to the market and sold them along with several bunches of flowers from her garden. It amazed me that he was able to tend to all of the flowers and the grove.

After breakfast Laura and James helped aunt Lily with the clean up and I readied myself for the day. They had told me the other day that I had to go through a little initiation before school started tomorrow, but they wouldn’t tell me much more than that. I was nervous, but I knew neither of them would put me in harms way. I reassured myself of this one more time before I raced downstairs. I rushed over to aunt Lily, who was gearing up to tend to her garden. I kissed her on the cheek and told her I would be back for dinner. As James, Laura, and I walked to James’ truck, she called out, “Be safe.”

“Will do!” I shouted back, then buckled in and we took off.

James drummed on the steering wheel as Laura leaned around her seat to face me as we sang along to the latest Beatles song. It was perfectly fun until James announced, “We’re here.” His voice was sinisterly cheery. I rolled down the window and poked my head outside. We were atop the bridge that led out of town. I sat there confused for a moment. James had hopped out and opened my door, a smirk in place prominently on his face. Laura rushed around and pulled my arm, forcing me out of the truck. I stumbled a bit trying to catch myself. Once I was stable, they led me to the edge of the bridge. All three of us peered over to see the river down below. Laura grabbed my shoulders, turned me to face her, and she looked at me seriously. My nerves were slowly coming back.

“April,” Laura’s tone was lower than normal. I can tell she’s trying to be serious, but with her soft features it almost like a toddler attempting the same. I cracked a smile as I stifle my laughter. She continued on, “per tradition, any incoming students to Adams high school must jump off this bridge before school starts,” I raised a brow, but she ignored it.

“If you do not, then,” she paused and looked around slowly. She can be so dramatic sometimes. Once she’s done trying to build the suspense she told me, “You will be haunted by the ghost of Henry Adams, our towns original founder!”

“Sounds stupid,” I reply with an eyeroll. I rolled her hands off my shoulders. James then spoke up, “Are you scared?” I sigh as I turned to face him.

“No. I can think it’s stupid and not be scared,” I crossed my arms.

“If you want to be haunted by an old pervy ghost that’s fine by us,” James shrugs.

“Who said anything about the ghost being pervy?” I questioned.

“Students that didn’t jump off the bridge,” he replied smugly.

“Don’t worry April, I did this last year and James did it three years ago,” Laura reassuringly said.

“It’s tradition April,” James chimed in. I let out a defeated sigh then said, “I don’t even have a swimsuit.”

“You’re supposed to do it fully clothed,” Laura informed. I peered over the bridge again. It wasn’t far down, but the river was rushing. I swallowed my nerves.

“Fine,” I sighed. I slowly climbed on the railing; James helped me steady myself. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. James and Laura excitedly began to count down from five. I shook my head to rid myself of fear. As soon as they shouted one, I stepped off. For a moment I felt weightless, like I was about to take off flying like a bird.

KERPLASH! I hit the freezing water. I struggled to swim toward the surface as the water rushed over me, the currents knocking me under. I broke through the surface and inhaled a lot of air. I held my breath for just a moment before letting it out. I looked up toward the sky, the feeling of invincibility coursed through my body. I let rip out a proud “WHOOOOO!” at the top of my lungs. I heard Laura and James cheering in response. I pulled myself out of the river, Laura had raced down to greet me.

“That was badass!” she exclaimed as she hugged me. Her body was incredibly warm compared to my cold stricken body. She pulled away slightly, then brushed some wet hair out of my face. We both laughed a bit as this moment lingered.

“What’s taking you two so long? I’m starved!” James shouted down to us. We looked at each other one last time. Laura looped her arm around mine and we headed back up the bridge.

For the rest of the day all three of us chatted about the upcoming school year. James made us promise that we would come to every football game. He not only was the quarterback but was the captain as well. I found out Laura and I had most of the same classes. James warned us about certain teachers, like who liked to give random pop quizzes and who were the most lax graders. Laura made James promise to teach us to drive once we turned sixteen, and he reluctantly agreed. All in all, it was a wonderful day.

Afterwards, James dropped me off at home. When I opened the door, I heard the sound of glass breaking. I ran to the source of the sound. I skidded to a stop as I took in the scene before me. The kitchen floor was covered in shards of glass and pooled red wine. Crouching in the corner was Aunt Lily, her head buried in her knees as she sobbed. I was speechless. I had never seen Aunt Lily in such a state. She was always so cheerful.

I carefully walked around the pieces of glass to get a washcloth to clean it up. Cautiously I picked up the glass, dumping it into the trash can, and wiped up the wine before it soaked into the wood floors. Aunt Lily hadn’t even lifted her head the entire time. Then I noticed the package from earlier was now opened. I looked inside and was instantly gutted. Two wedding bands, an engagement ring, a delicate chain necklace, and a slightly tattered leather wallet. The belongings that were on my parents when they died. They were finally returned to us. Tears begun to sting my eyes. I crouched next to Aunt Lily and wrapped my arms around her. She switched her position to do the same. We both sobbed into each other’s arms practically all night.

Percolating coffee brought me back to the present. I mindlessly took out a mug from the cupboard above the coffee pot. As I poured my first cup, I realized that I was holding my breath. I slowly let it out, feeling my ribcage collapse in on my lungs. I took a sip of the bitter coffee. I feel the warm liquid go down my throat, branch across my chest, then hit my empty stomach. I need to leave this town before I lose it.