Page 17 of Dear Adam
I pull out one of the few good kitchen chairs, the scrape finally waking Hank from his slumber. He mopes over and rests his head on my knee while I enjoy one of my favorite meals in the kitchen where I grew up. I glance around the kitchen, unsure of how things have stayed exactly the same, yet feel completely different in the ten years I’ve been gone.
Looking around, I find all my school pictures still lined up in the hallway leading to the bathroom, where lines and dates mark the doorframe, showing my height at different ages. The windows are open and the salty breeze from the inlet outside and sweet scent of roses from mom’s flower garden greet my nose. I’ve missed this place more than I realized. I take a deep breath and swallow the last bite of my sandwich, lost in the memories of growing up here. I’m so deep in nostalgia, I almost miss the buzzing in my pocket.
Hesitating only a moment when I realize it’s Adam’s, I quickly pull it out, eager to see what Aly sent this time. When I open the text, I find a picture of Aly eating an ice cream cone, clad only in a bikini top, and my cheeks heat at the sight of all that golden skin.
Don’t worry, I’m keeping your seat warm at Dolce Banana Cafe.
Her hair looks a little wet and wavy, like she’s just come from the ocean. Another text comes through while I’m still staring slack-jawed at her picture.
The waves were so good today. You would’ve loved it.
Feeling extra guilty now, I hastily shove the phone back into my pocket, before pulling out my own and typing a message to her.
Hey Aly! I made it back to Charleston. Let me know a good time to come take a look at your shop and I’ll be there.
Immediately, dots appear.
I’m loading up the car right now on Folly. I can meet you there in twenty?
Not wanting to seem too eager, I wait a full two minutes and thirty seconds before responding with,See you then.
“What’s got your cheeks all red like that?” Dad asks, startling me. “You need to go lay down after the trip or something?” A smirk plays at the corner of his mouth.
“Maybe,” I mutter. “Can I borrow your truck?”
“Nope,” Dad says. He’s changed into a pair of khaki shorts and a polo, which I know is his idea of afancyoutfit. I raise an eyebrow. “It’s poker night,” he explains. “You can come if you want.”
“I’m going to go take a look at some work that needs done at Bloomie’s on King Street for Aly, Adam’s sister.”
“I know who Aly is,” Dad says, his smirk growing. “You can’t take the truck but you're welcome to take the Teenie Mobile.”
My mom pops her head out of the laundry room and says, “Be careful when you park her, though. Sometimes her eyelashes stick out farther than you think and you might bump them into the car in front of you.”
A groan escapes me. The Teenie Mobile is my mom’s turquoise Mini Cooper with eyelashes on the headlights, affectionately named after her. “Can you maybe take mom’s car just this once? We can trade?” I ask, afraid of the impression I’ll make on Aly if I show up in what is basically a clown car.
“Nope,” Dad says, fighting a full on laugh now. I barely resist the urge to roll my eyes. This must besomuch fun for him. “The keys are in it. I’ll be back around eleven,” he says without turning as he walks down the steps to his truck. His large, manly, blacked out, not-at-all-embarrassing truck.
Did I mention it’s also very manly?
“You sure?” I call after him. “I really don’t mind trading with you.” Maybe if I make it seem like an offer…
“No can do.” The truck door slams and the engine roars to life. Seconds later, Hank and I are left standing in his dust.
“I just put a new air freshener in there,” Mom says. “It’s strawberries and cream in the shape of a centaur. You’ll love it!”
“Great, thanks.” I muster a smile to mom and whistle for Hank. He comes bounding over and together, we make our way to the garage.
Even though there are a few parking spots in front of Bloomie’s, I find one a block away. Pulling up to Bloomie’s in such a ridiculous car isn’t exactly how I planned to kick this reunion with Aly off. I pull off the centaur air freshener from the rear view mirror and shove it under my seat, then unfold myself from the car and reach into the back to grab the tool bag I stuffed in beside Hank.
“You think I can do this, don’t you Hank? I’m successful-ish, I have decently sized feet unlikesomemen, and I can grow a full beard. Chicks dig beards, right?” Hank only side-eyes me, drool hanging from one corner of his mouth.
Bloomie’s is already closed for the day, but through the windows, I can see someone moving around. Her back is to me, but when she pulls the elastic free from her hair, and her sandy waves float perfectly around her bare shoulders, I know without a doubt it’s Aly. When she pulls off her apron and turns, she reveals a polka dotted sundress.
“Levi?” she says when she spots me through the window. “Is that really you?” She opens the door and Hank noses his way through.
“Long time no see,” I laugh. Awkwardly, we stand there, and I’m not sure if I should give her a quick hug or not. Hank decides for me by jumping onto his hind legs to lick her in the face. A weenie dog comes flying from the back room at the sound of new voices, and I swear Hank drools a little more when he sees her.
“Sorry about that. Hank’s a bit of a ladies’ man.” Aly wipes the slobber from her cheek and bends down to scratch his belly, which he’s happily made available by rolling over at her feet. The little hoe. “I hope it’s okay that I brought him. He was a little too anxious from our flight to leave him alone at the house with my mom.”
