My Golden Summer Begins

I woke up feeling like a different person. I forgot how good it felt to actually bathe myself and sleep in a real bed. But it wasn’t only that. Bria was right, today is the day I can start a new adventure in life. I don’t know where I may be going, or what I may end up doing but I’m excited.

Well I kind of do know the first place I will be going is probably the safety deposit box mom left me the key for. And the first thing I will be doing is calling Mrs. Julie. Calling Mrs. Julie… I’m not necessarily scared to talk to her. No, not at all. In fact I’m more scared to talk to her about Luke. I honestly don’t know what he looks like now. I know I’ve changed a lot. The only thing that would give me away is my hair. Although when we were younger it wasn’t this golden at all. In fact it looked more orange then, than it does now. But now my hair resembles a beautiful marigold.

Speaking of which, I need to look at that framed marigold again. It looked like there may have been something on the back of it. To clarify, the marigold isn’t really in a picture frame per say, but it’s framed to look like a bookmark. Front side transparent and the back solid. It is very cute. As I pulled it out of the box again, I couldn’t help but small at all the things my mom left me.

I proceeded to turn around the framed marigold and saw a small note. Obviously from mom, it read:

I doubt you remember the day, but you wore this flower in your hair the day Luke gave it to you on our summer trip to Mexico. You fell asleep with it because you didn’t want to lose it or take it out, but it fell out while you were sleeping. So, I dried it out and framed it for you. But being that I’m your mother and I know how often you lose things I just put it away for safe keeps (just imagine me laughing at you because I am while writing this). Love, mom.

This woman never seizes to amaze me, and I expect nothing else. As I move to put it back in comes the early bird. I heard Bria moving around since 7 this morning, but I didn’t even bother moving. I honestly don't know how she does it. Another thing I envy about her. This lady is something special.

“Rise and shine sleepy head,” Bria yelled as she burst into my room.

“I’m awake just putting these things away.”

“Couldn’t help but look again?”

“Actually something fell out as I was packing everything back in the box, but I was too tired to look at it.”

“Oh, okay, well have you called Mrs. Julie yet?”

“Not yet I haven’t even gotten up and brushed my teeth yet,” I groaned.

“I figured. Well that’s okay, I called her for you and she said we could meet her at the shop. You just go get ready for the day, and we can grab breakfast there!”

Again I don’t know how she does it, maybe when I grow up I can be just like her. I got up and did as I was told. We are halfway through summer, so I picked out a cute summer dress, and paired it with my favorite vans. Washed up, brushed my teeth, fixed my fro, and I met Bria downstairs.

“Well, don't you look fabulous today! That outfit should bring lover boy right to you!”

I don’t think it’s hard to tell that my best friend is a stickler for love. All things romance. I still find it hard to believe she’s not dating right now. She was all for it in school. Although, she did say something about ‘needing to focus on her future for now’, which is understandable.

“Yeah, well, it's supposed to be 85 degrees today and it sounds like we are going to be pretty busy. And who says we’ll see him today. We don’t even know where he is, if he’s even around.”

“High hopes babe. High hopes. Gotta think positive. All of our tears from last night shall not go in vain,” Bria stated in a pose that looks much like Superman’s. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re right, I’m just a little nervous. What would I even say to him when I see him? Hey, old best friend, how have you been?”

I looked up at Bria and her face was in between laughter and a state of curiosity.

“You're so cute. I’ve never seen you flustered. You were always nonchalant when it came to guys. Heck anyone really.” Bria let out a small giggle before, dragging me to my feet.

“Come on let's go, Mrs. Julie is probably waiting on us now. And I’m starving!”

With that we were on our way to the shop.

I dreamed about the chocolate cake, however that doesn’t come out till the afternoon, and I probably shouldn't eat chocolate for breakfast. Chocolate cake that is. I got myself a chocolate muffin for breakfast today. Chocolate has no bounds.

As we all sat down and waited for our goodies to arrive, you could see the excitement on Mrs. Julie's face.

“I’ve been waiting on your call since you left here yesterday! I knew it would’ve taken you some time, but I was just so excited,” Mrs. Julie said with the brightest smile.

“It was hard. But I’m so glad that I did. I’m guessing you were prepared for me to come, since you have the car and stuff..”

“Yup my husband made sure to keep in tiptop shape for ya. Your mom gave me the spare key just in case. But I guess I won’t need that anymore.”

“Keep it. I wouldn’t want anyone else to have it,” I said with a genuine smile.

“Actually I want to give it back. I feel like there’s someone else who you may want to have it.” Mrs. Julie smirked at me and so did Bria. And then it clicked.

“Mrs. Julie, that's embarrassing!”

“Oh dear, you’re still as cute as I remember. And please if you will just call me Julie honey. I would say call me aunt Julie like when you were a child, however I’m looking forward to a new title soon.”

This time she had an even bigger smirk.

“I’m starting to think you and Bria absolutely love making fun of me,” I said as I blushed, but thank goodness for my warm, brown skin. They can’t see it.

“Well, after breakfast if it’s okay can I come pick up the car? I’m assuming you know, but mom left me a couple of more things for me to get today.”

“Yeah, I was there to help your mom put everything together and such. Through tears of course. And of course it’s okay! It is yours after all, silly girl.”

I gave Mrs. Julie a sad smile, and nodded my head.

“And I guess while we are on the topic, how is Luke?”

I honestly still don’t know what I’d do if I were to see him right now. Or how I'd feel. I mean, I'd be happy of course. I mean I'd get to see my best friend again , but would he want to see me? Would he be happy to see me? How does he look now? What would I say…?

“Hey Lily, snap out of it girl! How are you going to ask a question and then zone out like that. I know you can be a space cadet sometimes but jeez!,” Bria said while laughing.

“I guess today is pick on Lily day, yeah?” I rolled my eyes with a smile but gave Julie my undivided attention.

“You are still the same,” Julie started with a laugh, “but he’s great! He actually went home to our little town to visit. It’s been a little over a month now. He said he had some things he wanted to do out there. Apparently, he doesn’t remember much about home after we left there. But you guys were very young when we left so I understood. My husband and I were just casually reminiscing about home, and he started asking questions. I guess it piqued his curiosity.”

“We were pretty young, and adventurous. I could remember that much,” I said through a laugh. “Do you know when he’s coming back,” I asked hesitantly.

“He should be coming home any day actually. He’s been keeping me updated on his little adventure, but he hasn’t said exactly when he’s coming home.”

That was a little disappointing to hear actually. But I expected as much.

“Yeah I kind of expected that.”

“High hopes Lily. Remember that,” Bria said with a smile as she rubbed my arm.

“You’ll be the first person I tell when he arrives home sweetie,” Mrs. Julie said with a bright smile.

“Thanks. I really-”

“Hey mom, your favorite son has returned!

I was interrupted by a very tall, familiar looking face.

“You're the guy from the barn!,” I yelled out loud. I then covered my mouth, forgetting I’m in public. “Sorry guys!”

Mrs. Julie laughed then it clicked. Mom!?

“Did you just say mom!?,” I whisper yelled then turned to Mrs. Julie, “Did he just say mom!?”

This made Mrs. Julie laughed a little harder.

“Yup that’s my baby,” she smiled proudly.

“That's the hot guy you met in that barn you were telling me about!?,” Bria exclaimed.

“Bria hush!,” I whisper yelled again.

I look at Luke who looks confused, and intrigued but is laughing nonetheless. “Well, this is an interesting turn of events,” Luke chuckled. “ Who are they mom?”

“To my left is Bria. You should remember her she works for me. And to my right, well I’d like for you to tell me who this is,” Mrs. Julie said with another evil grin. Next to her Bria is doing the same. “Hint, do you remember that hair?

He looked confused and then we locked eyes. Luke whispered something to himself, and then as if it all hit him at the same time, “The girl with hair that could outshine the sun! As golden as a marigold. Lilypad is that you!?”

Tears started rolling down my face and I couldn’t bring myself to say anything, so I just nodded my head. Before I could even muster up the strength to say anything or do anything, Luke pulled me up to my feet and hugged me like our life depended on it. Who would’ve thought the hot barn guy was my best friend this whole time. He has definitely changed.

Whispering in my hair, so only I could hear he said, “I dreamed about you every night. I missed you so much.”

As you could imagine, that made me cry a little harder. Once we finally moved apart, Julie and Bria were crying too.

“I’ve waited for this day for so long! I’m so happy to see you two together again.”

“Well mom, you did say you felt like the time was coming. Maybe aunt Clary passed her abilities down to you.”

We all let out a small laugh then Mrs. Julie said, “Well, I think this is a good time to catch up. Luke, how about you assist the girls on their little adventure!”

“Adventure?”

“Yeah, mom left me a couple of things including my car and we need to go pick up everything,” I smiled up at him now that he is way taller than me.

“Well okay then, more adventure for me!”

With that I left the café, after paying of course, with my two best friends as I prepare to have the best summer yet.

TO BE CONTINUED.