Page 4 of One Short Summer

“Look at this, you guys. It looks beautiful.” Our grandmother, Hannah Mitchell, walks down the steps of her porch to join us. I’m glad to see she’s taking it nice and easy, and isn’t running around like she’s in her twenties instead of her seventies. She’s definitely that young at heart, but even our unstoppable grandma has had to learn to slow down some over the last few years so she wouldn’t get hurt.

Her hands are filled with several water bottles, which she hands us as she settles between us. “I should’ve done this years ago. The white fence looks so much better than the dark wood one I had before. Thanks so much, you two. You did such a great job.”

Hudson wipes his hands off on the back of his jeans, smearing dirt all over it. Not that it matters since both of our jeans and T-shirts are equally dirty and sweaty. Even though summer officially began a few weeks ago, we’re not used to the high temperatures we currently have. Our small California mountain town got unexpectedly hit with a heat wave, making most of us miserable ever since. Thank goodness the temperatures are supposed to drop again soon, but for now, we have air-conditioning—not that it helps much when your grandmother calls you to help her put up her new fence.

We’re quiet as Grandma admires our work some more, Hudson and I guzzling down our water like we haven’t had a drop to drink in months. After wiping my forehead with the back of my hand, I screw the lid back on my empty bottle, relieved to be done. Working on this project for the last few hours definitely did a number on my body, and I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow.

“So”—Grandma turns to face us, a small grin on her face as her gaze settles on me—“a little birdie told me you’re taking Monica up to Lake Tahoe with you this week.”

“You are?” Hudson’s face snaps to me as he lets himself fall into one of the patio chairs we dragged over earlier. He studies me, a small grin forming around his mouth when he picks up his bottle to take another long drink. “Interesting.”

Grandma claps her hands together, looking way too cheerful to me right now. “I think it’s lovely. Even though I’ve heard you halfway bullied her into it.”

Hudson starts laughing but Grandma ignores him. Instead, she pats my arm. “I know why you did it though. You’re a good man, Gabe. Our Monica is a stubborn one, but you’ll be able to help her, I just know it.”

“I hope so. I’m not sure what else to do anymore.”

Another pat from her. “She’ll get there, I’m sure of it. I think she just needs a little push, and you’re the best one for that job. Don’t let her tell you otherwise, you hear me?”

I nod and think about it for a moment, hoping she’s right. Then something dawns on me. “Wait a second. How do you even know about this?”

She chuckles, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she shrugs her shoulders. “Monica texted me.” She says it so matter-of-factly, as if we’re talking about the weather.

“Of course you guys message each other.” I close my eyes and shake my head.

When the heck did that happen? Since when does my grandmother text with my roommate?

Hudson is halfway bent over with laughter by now, obviously enjoying this way more than he should.

Grandma turns to him, her hands on her hips, clearly meaning business. “What’s so funny? I text with Charlie all the time too.”

That sobers him up quickly, even though a small smile remains on his face. “I know, Grandma. I was just trying to picture Gabe bullying Monica into anything.”

She thinks about that for a moment before nodding. Then a small chuckle escapes her lips. “I was thinking the same. That’s the reason they haven’t killed each other yet though, living in the same house and all. These two push and pull each other in a unique way. It’s an interesting dynamic, to say the least.”

“That it is.”

Just then, I’m saved by the bell, or rather the telephone inside the house, which we can hear ringing from the far side of the backyard. Someone needs to turn down that ringer, pronto, before Grandma suffers from hearing damage.

“Sorry, boys, but I have to take this. I’m expecting a call from Edna. Come say goodbye before you leave, okay?”

We nod in agreement.

Hudson gets up to stand next to me as we watch her rush back into the house. “Sooooo, you’re taking Monica up to Tahoe with you, huh?”

I don’t have to look at him to know he’s grinning. It’s easy to detect in his voice.

“Yup. Looks like it.”

“Mmmhmm.”

He stays silent, and I take the bait. “What is it?”

Shrugging his shoulders, he studies me. “Nothing, really. I was just thinking of that one time, a couple of years ago, when you wouldn’t let any of us stay at your place up there. You said it killed your writing mojo, but you’d happily find us a rental close by.”

Crap. I totally forgot about that. I barely refrain from shuffling my feet, not wanting to make this more awkward than it already is. “Monica is different.”

Well, ifthatwasn’t original.

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