Summer Love

Charlie allows the book she is reading to fall into her lap. She kicks her legs back and forth a few times before tucking them under her body and leaning back      into the cushions. She attempts to settle her nerves as she enjoys the feeling of her pod chair, swaying in the warm, early evening breeze. She focuses on the        sounds around her and searches for signs of their arrival. There are none. She sighs, long and slow.

     It’s after six o’clock on the first Sunday of the summer holidays and their neighbour’s house remains silent, dark, closed off to the outside world. The Tuckers have been spending summer at their Rye beach house every year, since they purchased the property five years ago, and they always arrive on the morning of the first Sunday of the school holidays. Always. So, where are they?

   Charlie’s family are locals. She has lived all of her fourteen years here on Tasman Drive, walking distance to Number Sixteen Beach. Close enough to hear the  pounding of the surf from her bed. The sound as soothing to Charlie as her mother’s hugs.

   The first year of the Tuckers’ arrival had minimal impact on Charlie. Back then, aged ten, Charlie was a shy girl and it was her habit to let her brother, Jamie, two years her senior, take the lead. The Tuckers were polite, friendly if their paths crossed but they kept to themselves, doing their own thing as a family and continually hosting their city based friends.

   It was the second summer when everything changed between the Tuckers and the Greens. The year the youngest of the Tucker brood went missing, just one hour after their arrival. Charlie can still recall hearing Mrs Tucker calling for Oscar. Even to Charlie’s young ears her calls sounded desperate, pleading, scared.

Charlie’s parents had run next door and joined in the search. It was a frantic thirty minutes before Oscar was found, asleep in the back of Mr Tucker’s car, hidden under a blanket. That night, the two families shared a meal, the adults bonding over parenting challenges and travel experiences. The children becoming friends during games of hide and seek, and tag.

   From that summer and every one thereafter, for six weeks of the year, the Tuckers and the Greens were inseparable, enjoying easy, fun filled summer days and long, laughter filled nights. The kids were a rowdy, adventure seeking group of five, who loved to climb trees, play night spotto and sleep outside, under the stars, in either the Green’s or the Tucker’s back yard.

   Last summer, after the third visit to the doctors due to a fall from the timber fence dividing the two properties, the two dads spent a weekend installing a gate between their back gardens. That was a magical summer for Charlie. The best of them all. But as Charlie sways in the breeze, listening to the sound of waves crashing against rocks, with still no sign of the Tuckers’ arrival, Charlie is beginning to think she imagined it.

   The sly glances across the table. The manoeuvring to sit beside her. The offer to stay home and keep Charlie company when she didn’t feel like going out. Nathan Tucker isn’t loud like Jamie nor is he quiet like Charlie. Nathan Tucker is even tempered, kind, fun and smart. He likes to read, watch funny movies and search for star fish in rock pools.

   Nathan Tucker likes to cook but isn’t lazy about cleaning up after himself. He’s a really good swimmer and loves boogie boarding but will stay in the shallows of the front beach for hours, playing with his younger siblings.

   Nathan Tucker is—

   ‘Charlie! Dinner in ten,’ Charlie’s mum calls from the kitchen.

   ‘Coming,’ Charlie replies. She turns her head towards the Tucker’s one more time.

   Still nothing.

   Charlie unfurls her legs and climbs down from the pod swing. She opens the sliding door that leads into the Green’s family room. The aroma of spices and cooking oil fills her nostrils, making her mouth water. Charlie’s mum loves cooking curries. The hotter the better, even in summer. Tonight’s curry smells like one her Sri-Lankan specialities. Charlie walks to the fridge and pours herself a glass of milk.

   ‘Any sign of them?’ her mum asks from the kitchen.

   ‘Not yet,’ Charlie replies, as she places her glass on the table.

   ‘Don’t worry, Charlie, Ava will be here soon enough.’ Charlie’s dad messes her hair as he walks past.

   ‘Hey!’ Charlie cries out.

   ‘I don’t think it’s Ava Charlie’s pining for,’ Jamie says from the couch.

   ‘Shut up, Jamie.’ Charlie frowns at her brother.

   ‘Truth hurts, Charlie.’ Jamie laughs.

   Charlie stomps down the hall to her bedroom. Closing the door behind her, Charlie pulls a box from her “secret place” and once again reads the note from Nathan. Hurriedly written on the last day of the previous summer holiday, just before the Tuckers left.

   Thanks for a great summer Charlie. Have fun in year 10. Can’t wait to see you again next summer. I will miss you. Love Nathan

   ‘Love, Nathan,’ Charlie whispers softly to herself. ‘Love.’

   Not like. Not a heart symbol or a smiley face but L. O. V. E. Love.

   Love, Nathan.

   Charlie thinks back to the last day of the holidays, the day everything changed between her and Nathan. She’s been holding the memory of it within her heart all year, hoping it wasn’t a dream, hoping Nathan has remembered his promise.

***

Not wanting to waste a minute of her last day with the Tuckers, Charlie woke early. The house was quiet and still, her parents and brother remained cocooned in their beds. She showered quickly and once dry, sprayed her body with her favourite Impulse body spray. She put on her best bikini and sun dress, slipped the sandals she was given for Christmas on her feet, then stepped lightly through the house and out the side door.

   Charlie lifted the latch on the shared gate and entered the Tucker’s backyard. She heard voices and the sound of feet running across floorboards. Charlie recognised the raised voice as Ava’s, calling out to Oscar to stop doing something that was clearly annoying her.

   ‘Ava. Not so loud please,’ Mrs Tucker asked. ‘Your dad’s still sleeping.’

   Charlie knocked gently on their back door. It is made of glass and provided Charlie with a clear view of the chaos which had erupted in the Tucker’s family room. It was pack up day for the Tuckers but Oscar appeared to have had other ideas. He had taken what looked to be every toy and game in the house out of the cupboards and strewn them across the family room floor.

   ‘Come in, Charlie,’ Mrs Tucker called out. ‘But only if you’re feeling brave.’

   ‘Morning.’ Charlie stood at the edge of the mess, not sure which way to proceed and not risk stepping on something.

   ‘Is Charlie here?’ Nathan called out from somewhere down the hall.

   ‘Yes!’ Ava called back. ‘Hey Charlie, nice dress.’ Ava gave Charlie a knowing smile.

   Charlie felt caught out and had blushed bright red. She’d been saving the dress for that day; for Nathan. She wanted to look her best for him on their last day together.

   ‘Nathan, love.’ Mrs Tucker placed a plate piled high with toast on a table already ladened with butter and a variety of spreads, juice, milk, glasses, cereals, bowls and cutlery. There is always an abundance of food at the Tucker’s table and that morning was no different. ‘Come and have some breakfast then you can help me by taking the others to the beach.

    ‘I need some peace and quiet so I can do something about this mess and start on the packing. You would think they don’t want to go home.’ Mrs Tucker gave Charlie a look she can’t decipher. ‘You don’t mind going to the beach with Nathan do you, Charlie?’

   ‘Ah, no, course not,’ Charlie had stammered in reply.

   ‘Morning,’ Nathan greeted Charlie as he entered the room. His hair was still wet and he was wearing the T-shirt Charlie’s family gave him for Christmas with his favourite boardshorts. Charlie remembers thinking he had never looked more handsome. Nathan had been wearing the T-shirt a lot since Christmas but not every day, as he had the bracelet Charlie gave him, in secret.

   Late Christmas night, when the adults were relaxing on the Green’s deck, listening to music and the children were in the Tucker’s watching a movie, Charlie went to the toilet, then snuck into Nathan’s room and slid her gift under his pillow.

   Nathan never acknowledged her gift verbally but he wore it every day since. More than once, Charlie caught him playing with it, twisting it round his wrist, one way then the other, with a faraway look in his eye. At these times, Charlie had hoped he was thinking of her.

   ‘Come on kids, have some breakfast then you can head to the beach,’ Mrs Tucker encouraged them. ‘Morning, Jamie. Right on time for breakfast.’

   ‘As usual,’ commented Charlie, as her brother entered the room, without knocking. Charlie wished she could be so confident, so bold.

   ‘Thanks, Mrs T.’ Jamie made himself at home at the Tucker’s dining table. The five children spend a noisy thirty minutes having breakfast and planning what to take to the beach for their last hurrah before the Tuckers return to their city home.

   With beach bags packed, sunscreen applied and promises to be back by one, in time for the last shared lunch, the five friends headed down to the beach. The first hour or two involved playing beach cricket, boogie boarding, and the usual beach day frivolity only the summer holidays can offer.

Ava, though one of the younger ones, always plays the role of mother within the group and reminded them to reapply sunscreen and drink water throughout the morning. She even convinced Oscar to wear a hat when his nose started to look too red for her liking, something Mrs Tucker can never do.

   Later in the morning, Ava and Charlie were sunbathing and reading: Ava an anime graphic novel she was given for Christmas; Charlie a young adult dystopian novel she bought with her savings, when, without warning, Ava lowered her book and asked Charlie. ‘Has he kissed you yet?’

   Charlie froze. All her systems went on high alert and the instinct to flee made her skin itch. I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear her.

   ‘I know you heard me,’ Ava said.

   ‘Who? What? What are you talking about?’ Charlie replied.

   ‘I’m not stupid, or blind. I can see my brother likes you. Do you like him?’

   ‘Of course I like him. I like all of you.’ Charlie kept her eyes on her book.

   ‘Don’t even. You know I mean; do you like him?’ Ava sat up and looked down at Charlie.

   ‘Well … I …’ Charlie had wanted nothing more than to be swallowed by the sand, to sink below the surface and disappear. She knew she couldn’t answer Ava’s question without giving away her feelings.

   Whilst Charlie was struggling to find an answer, the boys decided it was time for a cold drink and something to eat, and returned to their towels. ‘What’s up?’       Jamie asked, looking from Ava to Charlie.

   ‘Nothing,’ Charlie answered.

   ‘Just girl talk,’ replied Ava, giving Charlie a sideways glance. ‘Or should I say, boy talk.’

   Nathan flopped down next to Charlie. His towel was overlapping hers, his body was so close she could feel the coolness of the ocean’s water on his skin. She wanted to sink against him, to feel his cool skin against her own, overheated flesh.

   ‘What’s she talking about?’ Nathan asked Charlie.

   ‘Nothing. It’s hot. Are you hot? I’m hot. Think I’ll go cool off. Back in a mo,’ Charlie announced. Back in a mo? Who says mo? Charlie’s discomfort increased as she struggled to stand, lost her balance and tripped over Nathan.

   ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Jamie asked as he reached into the cooler bag for an apple. ‘You look drunk. Have you girls been sipping Cruisers over here?’

   ‘Don’t be stupid, Jamie.’ Charlie recovered and walked away from the group. She walked into the shallows and without hesitation, dove into the waves. A few minutes of body surfing and duck diving waves, and Charlie began to feel cooler and more settled. She was sitting at the water’s edge, the waves lapping at her ankles, her feet sinking into the sand, when she sensed someone settle beside her.

   ‘Hey. Feeling cooler?’ Nathan asked.

   ‘Yep,’ replied Charlie, continuing to look out across the waves.

   ‘You seem a bit … well, not yourself. Everything okay?’ He turned to her.

   ‘Yep.’

   ‘It’s just that, today’s our last day and I thought maybe you might be thinking …’ Nathan paused.

   ‘What?’ Charlie asked. She turned towards him.

   ‘I thought maybe, you might be, well, you might be thinking you will miss us. Miss me?’ Nathan looked down at his feet.

   ‘You?’ Charlie held her breath.

   ‘Yeah. Me. ‘Cause, you know, I’m gonna miss you.’ Nathan moved his hand closer to Charlie’s, touching his little finger to hers.

Charlie drew in a deep breath. Is this happening?

   ‘Come on you two. It’s time to head back,’ Jamie called out.

   No! Charlie wanted to scream at her brother.

   ‘You go. We’ll be right behind you,’ Nathan called out in reply.

   ‘But there’s too much to carry,’ Jamie complains.

   ‘Leave what you want.’ Nathan turned around. ‘Give us a minute will you?’

   ‘Okay. Okay.’ Jamie gathered the others and they headed off, back up the beach, towards the path home.

   ‘I never said thanks, for the bracelet.’ Nathan touched his hand to it and smiled. His funny, awkward, crooked smile. The one he uses only for her. The one that makes her toes curl and her heart sing. ‘I really like it.’

   Charlie had lost the ability to speak. It was the moment she had been waiting for, dreamed of all summer and she couldn’t think what to say.

   Nathan sat quietly. His finger remained next to Charlie’s, his shoulder rested against hers as he waited.

   Say something! Charlie shouted at herself. Anything. ‘It looks good on you,’ she eventually said.

   ‘Thanks.’

   They remained sitting as the waves washed further up their legs; the tide was coming in.

   ‘Guess we better head back. Mum will be mad if I’m late.’ Nathan stood.

   ‘Yeah.’ Charlie was reluctant to leave, to end this moment but Nathan was right, it was time to go.

   They gathered the remaining items and walked up the beach, towards the path. The path is narrow and when they reached the start of it, Nathan stepped aside and motioned for Charlie to go first.

   Charlie could feel Nathan behind her. She heard every scrunch of his feet in the sand, the swish of his shorts with every step and imagined his breath on her neck. She reached the end of the path; they were almost home. Charlie could see her driveway. She was about to step onto the road when Nathan called out.             ‘Wait!’

   Charlie stopped in her tracks. Nathan came and stood beside her. He looked down at his hand then placed it in Charlie’s. He looked at her, smiled his crooked smile and they began walking again.

   ‘I won’t forget this day, Charlie. Not ever. When I come back next summer, I’m gonna hold your hand every day.’ Nathan slowed his pace; they were almost at    Charlie’s house. He squeezed her hand gently. ‘I promise.’

   They reached Charlie’s drive. They could hear their siblings; their excited voices carried on the summer breeze. Their parents begged for quiet whilst they carried plates of food out to the veranda.

   Charlie had smiled at Nathan. She didn’t blush, or lower her eyes, she looked him straight in the eye and smiled. ‘I can’t wait,’ she replied. Charlie reluctantly released Nathan’s hand and they walked down her drive, side by side.

 

Later that day, the Tuckers were gone and the house was quiet. Too quiet. The first couple of days after the Tuckers leave are always an adjustment for all the Greens but that Summer, their absence hurt Charlie, a lot.

   Unable to hide her sadness any longer, she went to her room and threw herself on her bed. Her hands reached under her pillow and she pulled it towards her face, wanting to bury her tears in it. She felt something on the mattress.

   It was the note.

   The note from Nathan.

   The note Charlie will go on to read, almost every day of the year.

   The note that means everything to Charlie.

***

Now, it is the first Sunday of the summer holidays and Charlie’s tired of waiting. She wants to ask Nathan if he missed her. She wants to hold his hand again. She wants to see his crooked smile. But the Tuckers aren’t here. They are never this late. Never.

   ‘Charlie! Dinner!’

   Charlie hides the note away.

   As she enters the family room, she hears a dog barking, the sound of voices from over the fence. The door to the veranda slides opens. A head appears through the gap.

   ‘Hi, Mrs Green. Mr Green. Is Charlie home?’ Nathan asks.