Summer's coming

@summer-talbot

Pulling up to his four car garage, Miles let out a startled gasp when he noticed a figure crouched down by one of the doors. “What on earth?” he muttered to himself while straining his eyes to make out the female figure. When his car lights picked up a hint of red hair, Miles halted Rosita and got out to approach his cousin. “Summer? Do you know what time it is? What are you doing here in Ecrin?” He hurled the questions at her like he was interrogating an eye witness to a crime. Before she could answer he recalled the last text messages he exchanged with her. Something about the family cutting her off and a broken engagement. The details were hazy, but Miles remembered the jist of the situation, not giving it much thought until finding her at his home unannounced. Leaning down he peered at her to access her plight. “Are you all right? You look positively dreadful. Please tell me you aren’t high or drunk?” He was beginning to sound more like a stern older brother than a cousin. He knew things weren’t grand for her in London, but he didn’t imagine she’d venture to see him. Extending his arm he helped her stand and said, “Come on then. You can tell me the details once we’re inside.” With his keys in hand, Miles walked a few paces to the side door and unlocked it, holding it open for her to enter. Flicking on the lights he strode into the living quarters and waited for her explanation to unravel. It was late and he hoped it wasn’t going to be comparable to a soap opera drama.

Summer awoke with a jolt, startled by the sound o her name. She was just so tired. It hadn’t been that long that she had been in London, and the journey to that little corner of the world where her cousin had established himself was strenuous. "Time?" Summer looked up at him while making a face. "No bloody clue, Miles darling," she said with a shake of her head that made her red hair go cascading around her shoulders. "I'm going to assume it's late otherwise you wouldn't be asking me." Summer proceeded. "As for the what, I request at least a full glass of," she thought for a few seconds as she assessed her cousin. Summer knew he had always fancied good booze, and now was the time for her to take advantage of that. "I would like to say bourbon or brandy, but depending on the circumstance, I would settle for fine wine," she continued. "The narrative is just going to sound a lot more appealing when we're not sober," Summer added and analyzed Miles. "That is if you still are that way. We've already surmised it's late after all." Summer rolled her light hues at his conclusion. "Well, thank you, Miles!" She said wryly. "I would like to say you also looked positively ghastly, but perhaps living closer to the Equator has helped your complexion." She had taken the comment lightly, aware that considering how long she had been traveling, she had to look awful. "I wish I were drunk, and getting high lost most of its appeal once I left boarding school, so, unfortunately, I'm not, in any way, buzzed." She took his arm and pushed her tired body upwards, taking a step forward for balance. "Yes, let's go inside. I've spent far too much time sitting on your front porch, I could use something slightly more comfortable. And possibly a warm shower. Or bubble bath. I won't be picky about which." She dragged the bag that contained the few belongings she still owned and made her way inside, noticing the grandioseness of what she could see. "Well, well, well," she paused, "not too shabby..." She complimented. "As for the extraordinary tale of why I'm here and what are my plans, I'm forced to repeat myself on the whole alcohol ordeal. Besides, we always conversed better when we allowed it to flow."

“Alright– I’m willing to settle for that argument.” Juniper eventually concluded giving the other woman a smile as she nodded her head. She could already tell that they seemed to be getting along reasonably well especially for a first impression. “Oh yeah well….I wouldn’t exactly say coming here was a choice either.” June mentioned though she held her tongue before she could spill anymore details. “But that’s a story for another day. Maybe. I’m sure your cousin will help you out though. I mean, that’s what family are for, right?”

“You cannot deny there’s some logic to it!” She exclaimed, her head motioning side to side. “However twisted it might be!” Summer laughed. “Don’t worry about it. There’s no pressure. You can tell me about it whenever you’d like. But, it’s also fine if you never feel like mentioning it.” The redhead said with a smile. Forcing anyone to do anything against their will only serves to irritate them. Or, well, that’s how it made her feel. “Families are… They’re complicated. Especially if you don’t meet their expectations.”

“You don’t know where you come from? Your parents moved away when you were really young?” he asked, wanting to know why exactly she didn’t know that. “London seems a lovely place, and a place that I wanted to visit some day. How did you think that a Mexican would look alike?” he asked. “I always have been drawn to small towns, and I always wanted to live in Italy, so”

“Oh, no, no, no.” She shook her head. “What I meant to say was that I may never know the reason why my parents decided to call me Summer. It kinda seems like a moot point to ask now.” She explained, a frown settling over her features. “London is… Well, it’s London, and there’s a lot of history to it. One of those places everyone should visit if given the chance.” Summer spoke about it. She may not love it one hundred percent of the times, but it was her hometown after all. “Uhm… I don’t know… More tanned, perhaps? Shorter? Darker hair?” She briefly considered it. “I really never thought of myself living in a small town, but…” She said it with a somewhat popping sound of the last word. “It’s not like I had much of a choice.”

“I think that’s the whole point of being a hermit. They don’t come out of their houses so you really don’t see them. I think the only way you can tell they are there is if you see a light on in a house but you never see anyone leave,” Marian pointed out with a laugh. “Well I’m sure you’ll soon be as close as you were back in the day once you catch up and all that. I hope that whatever it is that you need help with that he’ll be willing to do it.” She was curious to know who her cousin was. Maybe she knew him. Probably not. She didn’t know that many people in this town nor did a lot of people care to associate with her because of her profession. “I wouldn’t say that the British have the sexiest accent. Have you heard the French? Just hearing them sends shivers down my back. Also there’s some Italian men that I just want to kiss every time they speak though I could be bias about that considering that we live in Italy,” Marian joked. “So boarding schools are just for rich snobs then? Even non-boarding schools make their students where uniforms? Well that kind of sucks. Sometimes I think that wearing what you want is better. Green and gold? Yeah not the best color combo,” She shook her head at the thought of how hideous those uniforms were. “An edgy panda? Aww! That sounds so cute! Some of those people on YouTube are good. Others though really should just stop. They’re not very good and just look like a mess.” Or at least that was her opinion. “I think I might have one. I’m always looking for new things to do for charity and a bazaar does sound like fun.”

“I’m starting to think this sounds an awful lot like a girl I knew, Deirdre, but she was agoraphobic. It was hell whenever she had to move in or out of the school. So bad that her parents started sending in a doctor to put her to sleep so they could move her… I wonder how she’s doing…” Summer uttered the question out loud. She and Deirdre were never particularly close, the girl was two years her senior, but Deirdre’s situation was gruesome enough for her to think of her and wonder if she’d gotten any better. “We’ll have to see about that. It seems like we’re in a place in our lives in which very little has actually changed, however, it seems like that small portion was, somehow, fundamental…” She thought about it. Maybe it just felt that way for none of them had been around to see the changes happening. “But, I’m sure he’ll help… He might be a scoundrel when it comes to certain things, but he’s the perfect gentleman when it comes to others.” She noted. “Oh, it isn’t me saying, especially since I don’t notice it. It was some kind of laughable research I heard of in the news a few years back. If it were up to me, I would probably go with Aussie. I find the lilt in their speech rather charming…” The corners of Summer’s lips turned upwards in a smile. “And I’m eager to experience that. I haven’t yet met my fair share of Italians… So far, rumors seem to be positive!” The prospect was quite enticing. “Something along those lines. I hated that place. It seems that they raise you to live in a bubble. Of course I had no say on the matter, so, it was all about enduring. And the uniforms,” she snorted “weren’t made to flatter anyone. Believe me when I say it could have been worse. There was this other school that sported purple and hot pink… It was an atrocity!” Summer made a face of distaste. “I think some of those tutorials are only meant to be funny. Like the guy who was going to show others how to quick fix stick out ears, and he ended up with his finger super glued to his ear lobe… Like… That can’t be serious…” The redhead stated, shaking her head from side to side. “That should be really cool. And if you want people to contribute, sending some of their items to sell, I could use the money…”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a hermit before, so I wouldn’t even know what to look for,” she shook her head. “So, maybe this will be my chance to come across one… And for some reason what I just said makes me feel like I’m in one of those shows about wild life with those hosts that get overly enthused whenever they see a different animal coming around…” Summer mused. “Growing up we used to be really tight. We’re close in age and everything, but I hadn’t seen him in years… Now I’m in the hopes he’ll help me out.” The redhead added. Summer hadn’t actually had the chance to discuss it with him yet, so she was letting him think that her being there was just a temporary arrangement… Vacation, you could say, but she would explain the situation when she had the opportunity for it. “It is said that we have the sexiest accent out there!” She mentioned with a soft chuckle. “As for the boarding school thing… Not all of us do. Though most families try to, cause everyone who’s someone has their kids in one. But, yes, the uniforms are part of that tradition. Each school has their own colors though. Mine were dark green and gold and I thought it was hideous.” Summer said with a roll of her light blue irises. “Well, although I’m not sure of the classes, I can tell you that youtube tutorials have certainly helped improve my look from trashy panda to what I want to think it’s an edgy panda.” The woman commented and cocked her head to the side while moving her shoulders in a gesture that denoted there wasn’t much she could do about it. “Bazaars are fabulous. You can find wonderful things in them. Besides, what’s old for you can be new for someone else.”

She shrugged. “I might never hear the real answer to that, but I’m content with my assumptions, so, they shall be my truth.” Summer added. “I’m from London, so, I’m sure you know what I was talking about. Mexico, really?! You definitely aren’t what I believed Mexicans would look like…” She motioned her head negatively. “And, what made you come here?”

Summer chuckled at the woman’s statement. “Okay, okay, I think it’s probably cause you’re from sunny and warm California, while I’m from rainy and gloomy London. I guess after a while I just start missing the days I’ve grown up getting used to, you know?!” She thought about it. It seemed reasonable to her. “I know exactly how that goes…” Summer agreed. Her story wasn’t any different from that after all, though she wasn’t exactly shy about it, she wasn’t at a place where she wanted to share it either. “Well, like I said, I’m from London, and, unlike you, coming here wasn’t exactly a choice. I actually wound up here in hopes Miles would help me get back to my feet…” She shrugged at the mention.

“Miles? Hmmm.” June replied, pausing for a moment to mull it over. The name seemed familiar though it took her a minute to recall where from. “He owns a law firm doesn’t he? Miles Talbot?” She recalled as it came to her mind. As a financial analyst for the local bank she was familiar with their clients even if she didn’t exactly deal directly with him. “Yeah– trust me, I know what you mean. It wasn’t exactly something that I’m use to either growing up in California. But hey, if you can travel the world to forever be in the summer it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me.” She commented with a smirk.

“Yup, that’s the one!” She exclaimed. Considering the other one’s reaction, it seemed fair to assume she didn’t know him in a more intimate level. “Much as it may sound like a good idea, I think I would eventually get tired of it always being summer. I mean, I enjoy watching the seasons change and to have that to look forward to...” She smiled. She didn’t know whether the thought made a whole lot of sense, but it was one of those little things she appreciated. “So, how does a girl from California ends up in a town like this?” She asked out of sheer curiosity. It seemed interesting that there was someone else from a big city that was relatively far away had made their way around there as well.

“Yeah. That’s one thing about small towns. They always attract the most interesting people who are trying to hide from something. Who’d think to look for someone in a small town after all?” Marian joked. “English, French, and drunk German? Interesting. So where are you from then?” It was tempting to ask how she had ended up here but she figured it would be rude to ask. If the woman wanted her to know she’d tell her. “Being able to make your eyes pop without using makeup is a trick that every woman should know.” She looked at the dress the other woman had grabbed and grinned, “I was actually debating on if I should get that. My closest is so full I really should be getting rid of things instead of buying more.”

“Well, I think I would only ever go searching for a hermit in small towns. Especially if it’s one of those in the middle of nowhere.” Summer pointed out. “But I can see your point there. I think the only reason why I ended up here or even hearing of this place is cause I have a third cousin living in town...” Summer trailed off, motioning her shoulders in a shrug. “I’m British.” She supplied.The redhead didn’t go into the technicalities of how she’d learned French and German. “You know, God save the Queen...” Summer added with a light chuckle. “I’ve always admired people who can do that... I always sucked at it though... I always end up looking like a panda or a raccoon, so... It’s really not a flattering look.” She said with a shake of her head. “Have you ever considered a bazaar? It’s a great way to get rid of stuff you don’t wear anymore, and you can even earn some money!”

“Okay, ”  he told the salesman what she said, and watched as he walked away so he could get her the clothes. “It’s no problem at all, I am always glad to help. Nice meeting you, Summer, my name is Eliott, your parents are a big fan of summer, huh?”

“I think it’s cause we’re from a place where it’s cloudy or rainy most of the times... Or cause they wanted a ray of sunshine in their lives.” She told him with a smile. Since she had no problem thinking highly of herself, it wasn’t an idea that bothered her in any way. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Eliott. So, are you from around these ends?”

“I believe I should be either small or medium. They could bring me both so I could try them on and see which one looks best.” Summer noted. “Thanks for your help by the way. I’m Summer.” She introduced herself.

“Really?!” Her statement piqued her curiosity. Maybe this wasn’t such a dull little town after all… “For me it’s mostly English and French. German if I’m drunk enough.” She said with a chuckle. There was once upon a time when she had a fling with this this Austrian guy named Jan. He had hopes of introducing her to his family and taught her a few things. It was something that never happened though. “Thanks!” She said with a smile. “I loved the color! I think it will really make my eyes pop!” Summer mentioned. “Now this one…” She announced, grabbing a dress on a hanger behind the woman. “This would look great on you!”

“His name is Miles… He has a law firm around here. Maybe you’ve met him?” Summer wondered. Considering the things she knew about him, Miles tended to be popular everywhere he went. Not to mention how he generally had women fawning over him, so, it was likely they would have crossed paths. One way or another. “Yeah… I know about the reversed seasons thing on the South hemisphere… I just have a hard time wrapping my head around it, since it wasn’t what I was used to…” She motioned her shoulders in a shrug. “That sounds great! I’ll definitely take you up on your offer! Thanks!”

Summer moved her eyes from the phone in her hand and flashed the other one a smile. “That would actually be awesome!” She exclaimed. It was something she found exciting. Being in a different city meant that she didn’t really know anyone, and it seemed like Miles was always away. It would be nice to have someone to talk to.

Summer looked from the woman to the clerk shortly, and then focused on her. “It was more like… I fled here, so… I couldn’t exactly afford to be picky.” She allowed her shoulders to move in a shrug. “Actually, scratch that, I couldn’t technically afford anything at all, which is why I had to come.” Summer informed. “Anyway, I was wondering if they had this blouse in my size.” She showed it to her.