Page 40 of Hook, Line, and Summer

When we planned our life all those years ago, this is exactly what I envisioned it would be like, with a couple kids thrown in for good measure. I shook that thought out of my head and focused on the conversation. There’s no use lamenting on the past, or obsessing about an uncertain future. I just need to keep reminding myself to live in the moment.

* * *

Adam

I steppedout of the truck and noticed my mom curled up on the porch swing reading a book.

“Hey mom.” I settled into a rocking chair across from her. “Mmm, something smells good.”

She set the book in her lap.

“I made spaghetti and meatballs,” she said.

“I’m surprised you cooked since dad is out with his friends tonight.”

“I was at the farmers’ market with Diane and the tomatoes looked so good, I got a bushel and decided to make sauce,” she said. “There’s plenty, so if you and Summer don’t have dinner plans, you’re welcome to eat here.”

“We might just take you up on that.”

Her answering smile made me chuckle. She hasn’t been too in my face about Summer, but I know she’s dying to ask questions. I’m sure she’ll have plenty to say once I tell her what Summer and I discussed yesterday on our hike.

“That would be wonderful. You know how much I love Summer and even though she lives next door, I barely see her anymore.”

“We’ll try to spend more time here.”

“We’ll?I like the sound of that.”

Talk about a perfect segue into what I have to tell her.

“I’m happy to hear that because Summer and I were talking yesterday and I’m going to stay at her house for the rest of my time here.”

She blinked.

“How will that be different from what you’ve been doing the past week?”

I rolled my eyes.

“I haven’t been staying there every night, now I will be,” I said. “I’m going to bring my stuff over so I don’t have to come home to get ready.”

“I’m thrilled that you two finally got together,” she said. “Have you made any plans for going forward?”

Me temporarily moving into Summer’s house for the rest of my stay is the only planning we’ve done. I think we’ve both just been enjoying the here and now without worrying about what will happen in a few weeks. But I know we’ll have to figure it out eventually. Time is flying by and I don’t want to leave here without a solid plan. I can’t lose her again.

As if she read my last thoughts, my mother said, “Just make sure you don’t let her go this time. Life is much more joyful when you spend it with the one you love.”

I stood and rubbed the back of my neck.

“I’m going to go pack,” I said. “I’ll text Summer and let her know about dinner.”

She nodded and went back to reading her book. I stepped into the house, made my way to the bedroom, and flopped onto the bed. After shooting Summer a quick text, I reached over and grabbed my laptop off the nightstand. There are hundreds of emails in my inbox waiting to be answered. I worked my way through a fraction of them before setting my computer aside.

I’m technically on vacation, but I’ve set the precedent of being available for work-related things even when I shouldn’t be. The fact that I have enough time accrued to be here for months says a lot about what my work-life balance has been like for the past decade.

I stood and stretched out my shoulders, then retrieved my suitcase from the closet. My mom has insisted on doing my laundry…which I have to say has been pretty nice…so all my clothes are clean. I pulled out an outfit to wear after I shower and tossed the rest in the suitcase. After years of traveling, I’m a master packer and fit everything without issue.

My phone buzzed just as I finished. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw Summer’s smiling face looking up at me.

“I got your text,” she said when I answered. “Spaghetti sounds good. If nothing happens in the next hour, I’ll be home on time.”

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