Page 30 of Summer's Echo
October 2019, The Day After the Wedding that Wasn’t
I stilled instantly, my grip loosening as I leaned back, giving her space and taking a little for myself to absorb the burden of her pain. Concern must have been written all over my face. It was never my intent to put her in this predicament. “Sun, I’m so sorry,” I said quietly. “We don’t have to do this. We probablyshouldn’tdo this.”
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breathing uneven, and I could see the conflict swirling inside her. Her heart was racing—I could feel it—and more tears threatened to spill over. The sight twisted something deep in me, making me wish I could erase her doubts, her pain, her fear.
I cupped her face gently, my thumbs brushing against the damp trails of her tears as I tried to calm the storm brewing in her.
“Sunshine,” I said, “we don’t have to figure it out right now. Not tonight.” I leaned in closer, hoping my words would sink past her fear. “You don’t have to be scared. Not with me.”
The way she looked at me, like she was torn between running away and leaning into me, made a heavy knot form right in my gut. I could see the struggle, the fear tangled with something deeper—something I hoped was trust. I held my breath, silently willing her to believe me, to let herself feel what she was so clearly trying to resist.
“Talk to me,” I urged, brushing my thumb against her cheek, careful not to push her further than she was ready to go. “What do you need right now, Summer?” In that moment, nothing else mattered but her. If it took patience, time, I’d give her both.
“I shouldn’t have let it go this far, but…” She tensed, her voice fading into the uncertain space she always seemed to retreat to, the one that reminded me of when we were kids.
“But what, Summer? Talk to me, please.” I cradled her face gently in my hands.
I pressed soft, comforting kisses across her cheeks and forehead, hoping to soothe the angst radiating from her. I’d seen this movie before—The Unsettling ofSummer—and I knew how the story usually ended. But this time, I wasn’t letting her go. Not without a fight. Because for the first time in years, it felt like we were having a breakthrough, teetering on the brink of rediscovering something we’d lost long ago:us. I wasn’t ready to let it slip through my fingers again. I tightened my arms around her, silently daring her to pull away, to say my name and tell me to stop. But the words didn’t come.
“But what?” I repeated, my lips lingering against her ear, desperate for her to meet me halfway. I should’ve been the one pulling back. She was engaged—meant to marry someone else today, for God’s sake. But I couldn’t. Logic begged me to step away, to let her go, but my heart wouldn’t listen.
“I think I want this, but it’s not the right time,” she said finally, her voice barely audible, as if speaking any louder might break her completely.
“Just like last time,” I murmured.
Summer
Senior Year, 2004
Yesterday marked the last day of school before holiday break, and my parents and I were already packed and ready for our trip to Nashville. We’d be spending the holidays with my brother and his family, staying through the New Year. Normally, I’d be thrilled at the thought of weeks with my new niece and endless opportunities to bother my siblings, but this year, the excitement was dulled by one glaring fact: I wouldn’t get to see Echo.
Knowing it was my last day in town before vacation, I’d promised him we’d spend some time together, and I’d made good on that promise. Echo whisked me away for a full day that included the mall, the arcade, and dinner. Now, our last stop brought us to Maxell’s house—the unofficial hangout spot, thanks to his always out-of-town parents. I’d only been here once before but agreed to come tonight since some of our old camp friends were supposed to be there.
The moment we stepped into the basement, I realized this wasn’t the low-key gathering I’d imagined. The space was packed, bodies pressing against each other as music pounded from the speakers. Laughter and shouts blended with the unmistakable clink of red plastic cups. I glanced at Echo, my wide-eyed expression betraying my surprise.
“This wasn’t what I expected,” I said, leaning closer so he could hear me over the noise.
“We don’t have to stay long,” he said, his voice reassuring as he leaned in closer so that I could hear him.
“I’m good.”
Before we could move farther into the room, a familiar squeal pierced through the noise. “Summer!”
I turned just in time to see my friends, Trinity and Brooke, weaving their way through the crowd toward me. Their excitement was infectious as they pulled me into a group hug.
“Hey, boo!” they chimed in unison.
“Hey, hey!” I sang back.
Brooke’s eyes flicked toward Echo, standing a few steps behind me. “Can we steal her for a minute?” she asked, already tugging me toward the far side of the room before Echo could even respond. He gave me a small knowing nod before leaning back against the wall to survey the room. Even in a crowded party, Echo was my anchor, and I felt lighter knowing he was nearby.
Maxell’s house was beautiful, and the basement was like its own private apartment, complete with plush couches, a mini kitchen, and even a built-in bar area. Brooke and Trinity dragged me toward the bar, where red plastic cups were stacked next to a haphazard collection of bottles filled with clear and dark liquids.
“Are y’all drinking?” I asked, my tone teetering on motherly concern.
“Just a sip,” Brooke said. Her flushed cheeks told that it was likely much more than that.
“Here, I’ll make you something,” Trinity offered confidently, grabbing a cobalt-blue bottle and pouring a clear liquid into one of the cups. I watched her movements in disbelief.
