Summer of Regrets
Chapter 2
Bobby
Getting ready for another
boring family function! I thought when I moved out and started college I would
be able to skip these events. What was I thinking? My grandmother has my balls
in a vice. She controls my college tuition, future, and inheritance. With out
her I would actually have to work a real job. Not going to happen! I’m too
accustomed to my leisurely lifestyle. I give myself a quick check in the mirror
and start for my bedroom door.
There is a soft knock.
“Darling, guests are starting to arrive.” Grandmother tells me through this
door in her soft voice.
“I’m coming.” I open the
door and she looks me up and down.
I threw on my dress khaki
shorts, maroon polo, and brown leather flip flops. Figured this was appropriate
enough for a Fourth of July picnic and grandmother.
She looks down at my feet
and shakes her head. “I really wish you would wear different shoes.”
“It’s a picnic grandmother
and it’s hot.” I lean down and kiss her forehead.
“Oh alright then. Remember
your cousin Lilly will be here. I want you to be nice to her.” She says with
her do it or else voice.
I nod my head yes. “She’s
not really my cousin, but I will play nice. You should tell Melissa to play
nice. You know how she can be.”
“I’ve already talked to her.
Not that she listens to me.” The doorbell rings and Grandmother walks off to
answer the door.
I go to the back door and
walk outside to greet some family that has already arrived. I do my rounds of
handshakes and hugs. Answer fine to the repeat question of “How’s college.” I’m
so glad I only have to see some of my family once per year. Boring!!! If it
hadn’t been for grandmother insisting I stay with her this summer I would be in
Cancun soaking up the sun and getting smashed
with all of my frat brothers. There were going to be some hot girls in bikinis!
This better be the last summer I have to entertain the grandparents. I’m not
sure why I get stuck with them every year. Melissa, my sister, gets to do
whatever she wants. The only reason she is here is because grandmother told her
she had to this year. My parents have taken us on vacation the last couple of
years, but this year my grandparents insisted we all be here. I have yet to
find out the reason.
I look over at the far end of
the yard and see my sister, Melissa. She’s lying on a blanket in the sun
reading a book. I purposely walk and stand in front of the sun to block it.
“Bobby, sit or get off of my
blanket you jerk!” She kicks my leg, but never looks away from her book.
I sit. “So Uncle John is
bringing his step-daughter. Grandmother wants us to play nice.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard. You play
nice. I’m only here because I was forced. Me being nice to some kid was never
in the agreement for me showing up at this bore fest.” Melissa flips onto her
stomach to continue reading.
I look up just as a little
vision in pink walks through the back door. “Hey, she doesn’t look like a kid
to me.” I
point to where John and his step-daughter are standing.
“Oh please, look at that old
sundress she’s wearing. What did Uncle John see in her mom anyway? She’s not
from good family and has no money of her own. For that matter he didn’t even
want kids.” Melissa shrugs and looks back down at her book. “Be careful big
brother. She is technically your cousin by marriage and I’m sure she will be at
more family functions in the future. Don’t go slumming it while we’re here this
summer.” She bookmarks her book and sits up.
Grandmother walks over and
introduces the little beauty in pink as Lilly. She has to be at least sixteen
or seventeen. I normally wouldn’t go for the long dark hair, hazel eyes, and
smallish chest, but there’s something about her I like. Lilly, being polite,
puts her hand out to Melissa to shake, but Melissa is rude as usual and walks
off. I put on the charm as thick as possible and it works. We hang out all
night and watch the fireworks together. I lean into Lilly during the fireworks
on purpose and whisper in her ear about stupid stuff. I have hopes she will
want to go further later, but I’m pretty sure Lilly is too sweet and innocent
for that. She will be a challenge. I am stuck here for the summer so I might as
well make it interesting. She agrees to the pool tomorrow. Yes! This summer
will be very interesting and a bit more entertaining.
