Page 7 of One Sultry Summer

We walk through the groves of apple trees past our property line and through a field which will take us to a bridge to cross over a small brook. The sun shines down through the trees, illuminating the path ahead. We take a minute to enjoy the blooming flowers before continuing on our way. We finally made it to the bridge.

We pause again; this time we watch the waterflow below us. Emily picks up a leaf and hands it to me. She walks to the other side and waits for me to drop it so she can see it flow down the river. I turned and smiled at her. I take the leaf and drop it into the water. We both watch as it floats away.

We come to the cemetery gate, its ornate iron doors are open to the public. I held out my hand for Emily to hold on to. I’m not afraid she’s going to get lost. It’s because I need her strength as much as she needs mine. We stroll down the aisle and see flower arrangements laid carefully. We arrive at the place where Lauren is laid to rest. I take a deep breath and look at Emily. She smiles back and we stand at Lauren’s grave site.

“Hi, Momma.” Emily says, as I reach down and place a single flower on the grave. Emily stands beside me and holds my hand. I tell Lauren about our morning and the crazy chicken that tried to attack us. I tell her how much Emily has grown and how she resembles Lauren more each day. Istop talking as the words overwhelm me. Emily takes over giving me a chance to collect myself. “Momma, when I visited last time, I forgot to tell you I like bacon. Oh! Daddy tried to make me eat baby chickens for breakfast today. Isn’t that wrong?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics while I picked the weeds and fallen leaves scattered around her site. I stand and collect myself and look at the granite stone next to Lauren's. I run my hand along the top where an angel sits. We stay silent for a moment before we say our goodbyes.

Chapter 3

Valerie Masterson

All night, I’ve had the most gorgeous man looking at me. He seems to check off every box I could imagine. I try to ignore the loud music and the sound of clinking glasses nearby. My gaze travels from his stunning blue eyes, blonde hair, broad shoulders, and muscular frame. All of which looks like he could pick me up and carry me anywhere.

Perhaps I’m letting his looks stir my libido into overdrive due to my lack of sexual activity. I need to be rational about this. Let’s face it, there haven’t been stimulating conversations all night when we’ve spoken to each other. But we’re in a club after all and haven’t been closer than a fewfeet away from each other. I think to myself, is he the one I want to go home with? Do I want to start a relationship with some random stranger? Are my expectations of men too high?

The music changes to a slow melody, and he finally asks me to dance. He escorts me to the dance floor and pulls me close. Suddenly, alarm bells go off in my head. What is that smell? Is that cigarette smell being covered up by something else? Oh my gosh, it’s worse. He’s trying to cover the gross smoke smell with bad cologne. It’s so strong I can taste it.

Why didn’t I smell this earlier? Must have been too many other colognes and perfumes masking his stench. Oh God, I vomited in my mouth a little. When he sings along to the song, I close my eyes. Not because his voice is hypnotic.

No, it’s because I can’t cover my ears to the ear-piercing sound coming out of his mouth. My body yells retreat. I stayed long enough for the song to end. Not because I’m being polite,but because he has me in a bear hug that is downright crushing. I have to think of a tactful way of telling him I have to go.

A familiar voice shouts out. “Valerie, it’s time to go. Our car is here.” Thank God, I’m being rescued. His arms loosen around me and his eyes meet mine.

“You have to leave?”

“Yeah, sorry, I do.” I shimmy out of his arms and put out my hand like we’re ending a business deal.

“Oh…” The disappointed expression on his face tells me everything. “…can I see you again?”

“I’m not sure. I have a business trip coming up this week and it’s going to take me out of town for weeks.” Which is a bald-faced lie.

“Can I have your number?”

My name is called from the crowd again. “It was nice to meet you. Sorry, I have to run.” I turn and book it off the dance floor as fast as my legs will carry me.

“Valerie, sorry to cut the evening short.”

“No worries, you did me a favor,” I say as Liv hands me my clutch bag. We make our way through a throng of people in the club. We step outside where a car is waiting for us. There’s a crisp chill in the San Francisco air that makes me shiver. I long for a scarf to wrap around my neck. I rub my hand up and down my arms.

We open the door and sit in the backseat of the self-driving car service. It beats walking or driving ourselves. Some people freak out about driverless cars. I prefer them over having conversations with drivers I don’t know. Plus, I don’t have to deal with parking.

The car pulls up in front of our apartment. It’s a cozy, modest apartment in the heart of San Francisco, and I love it. It’s within walking distance of a park where I enjoy relaxing and people watching, and just a few short blocks away from Haight Street. Somewhere I can find a quick coffee, or a store filled with vintage clothesfrom every era. The city has so much to offer. I’m always discovering unfamiliar places to explore. It’s a wonderful place to live.

I say goodnight to my neighbor Liv, unlock my front door, flip the light switch on, and walk up a flight of stairs. Once I get to the landing, I slip off my heels. Whisker-loo, my tabby cat, rubs her head on my legs letting me know she’s hungry. Although I’m exhausted, I take care of Whisker-loo and pour food into her bowl. I scratch the top of her head, and she purrs; now I can head to bed. The morning will come in no time, and I’ll have to start my busy schedule all over again.

After taking off my dress, I slipped into my pajamas. I glance at the clock and pull the covers back. It’s already past midnight, reminding me how quickly the evening slipped away. Despite the late hour, the comforting warmth of my bed seems to promise a restful night’s sleep. I take a deep breath and exhale. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep, feeling content knowing Whisker-loo is taken care of as she lies at my feet.

The next day, I’m woken up by my kitten standing on my chest. She rhythmically presses her paws into my skin. I open my eyes and look at her. She gazes into mine and purrs softly. I stroke her fur and smile. “Okay, okay. I know you feel it’s your job to wake me up before my alarm goes off. But I would have woken up on time.” I pick her up and place her aside, so I can get up and start my day.

I grab my work clothes then take a quick shower. Once I’m done, I wrap a towel around my dark auburn tresses. I look at my reflection and scowl at myself. Another night that I’ve left makeup on my face. I sigh in frustration and grab my makeup remover. I scrub my face clean and pat it dry. After I brush my teeth, I dress for success, just like my mother said, right down to the four-inch heels that accentuate my calves.

I open the app on my phone to call for a car service to pick me up. The estimated timeof arrival is twenty-two minutes. It leaves me plenty of time for cereal, a cup of coffee and to feed Whisker-loo properly. My phone pings with multiple incoming messages. My day begins filled with high-stake negotiations and nights spent attending glamorous events.

Staying busy provides a welcome distraction, allowing me to momentarily sidestep the reality of being single and feeling a hint of loneliness. Many people enjoy being single; the idea of having no ties or responsibilities and the freedom to leave at a moment’s notice seems liberating. But I’m not one of them. At twenty-eight, I’ve accomplished so much in my life. The only thing I haven’t found time for is marriage and having children.

Now with my best friend Layla Matthews set to get married soon, I kind of regret the number of hours worked, and not being available for a serious and meaningful relationship. Who knows, maybe I’ll find “the one”when I leastexpect it. I grab my handbag and keys and head downstairs to catch my ride to work. As I travel in the car, my mind starts to wander. How many precious moments of love have slipped through my fingers? Am I so desperate for love that I would rekindle a previously broken relationship? Before I can contemplate the men that have come and gone in my life, the car pulls up to the curb of my building.

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