Ruined by You (2 page)

“You’ve grown up so much,” I said, genuinely surprised.

She pulled away, a huge smile spread across her face. “I’m not the
only
one,” she said, eyeing me up and down.

Sarah was a year younger than me, and when we were kids we had been all but inseparable. I hadn’t seen her since we moved to Jersey.

“When did you get taller than me?” I asked.

“Probably around the same time that you got prettier than me,” she laughed. “Aunt Patty, it’s so nice to see you.” Sarah walked around the car and gave Mom a hug. “You look like you’ve lost some weight.”

“How sweet of you to say,” Mom said, beaming.

“I better go wake up Grandma - she wanted to know as soon as you got here.”

My mother shushed her. “If she’s sleeping, don’t bother her.”

“She’s not sleeping,” a voice said, from near the gate. “And you
do
look like you’ve lost some weight, dear.”

Grandma stood there, looking even younger and more vibrant than the last time I’d seen her. Her hair was stark white and done up in tiny curls. She walked over to me and wrapped me in a hug. We squeezed each other, and she kissed me lightly on the forehead. Her smell brought back even more memories of my childhood summers.

“It’s good to see you, Grandma,” I said.

“You too, child,” she said.

She turned and faced my mom. There was a tiny distance between the two women as they studied one another, and Mom had an uncertain look in her eye. Neither of them said anything for a long moment. Then, Grandma walked over and gave her a hug.

“How was the drive?” she asked, finally pulling away.

“Long,” Mom said. “But, we’re here now.”

Grandma stared deep into her eyes and nodded. “That you are,” she said. “I’m so happy to see the both of you.”

Sarah beamed while she looked between the two of them.

“You two start getting the car unloaded,” Grandma said to us. “We’ll be inside getting everything settled.”

Sarah’s eyebrows bounced in excitement as her eyes met mine.

“We’re on it,” she said.

Sarah had already popped the trunk of the car and was hauling out suitcases when Mom and Grandma disappeared behind the fence, arm in arm.

“I bet you’re exhausted,” she said. “How long of a drive was it from Newark?”

“Too long,” I grumbled.

“I’m so excited that you’re spending the summer here,” she said. “It’s been forever.”

I nodded. “It’s been a while.”

“Eight years,” she said, matter-of-factly. “Ever since you all moved from Houston to New Jersey.”

“I hadn’t even realized,” I said.

She shrugged. “You’re here now. It’s going to be a great summer.”

We grabbed the first load of suitcases and began dragging them toward the house. As we cleared the gate, I got my first look at the massive back yard. A cement walkway led from the gate to the right. It wound around the side of the house to the back patio. A gigantic pool nestled itself to the left of it, and a cabana sat on the far side of the pool. The water splashed and rippled with the gentle breeze, and the smell of the chlorine tried to lure me closer.

To the left of the gate, sat Grandma’s house. Compared to the main house, it wasn’t that big, but I imagined it was more than enough for her. A huge oak door was cracked open, and Sarah led the way with two suitcases in tow. The opening led into a tiny living room, and a hallway extended further into the house.

“This place is beautiful,” I said, taking it all in. “Your parents went all out.”

“Wait till you see the house,” Sarah laughed. “They’re crazy.”

I shrugged. “I guess if you have the money, you might as well spend it.”

“I think my mom is trying to spend it all,” Sarah said. “I just hope she leaves some for the rest of us.”

We laughed together. It felt nice to be near her again. There was an unspoken bond that connected us, and I hadn’t realized just how much I missed it until that very moment. Those kinds of connections were hard to find.

I followed her to the master bedroom where Mom and Grandma quieted when they heard us coming.

“Let me help you with that,” Grandma said, rushing over with her hand outstretched.

“No, I’ve got it,” I said, tugging the suitcase out of her reach. “Where should I put my things?” I asked.

“Oh, you’re staying with me in the house,” Sarah said, her eyes bright. “It’s going to be like an all-summer slumber party.”

We both laughed. “That sounds like just what I need before going off to college.”

A knock at the door interrupted the laughter, and everyone looked around, confused.
 

“Who could that possibly be?” Grandma said, her head leaning toward the front door.

Sarah’s grin widened.

“It’s probably Huck,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

I followed Sarah to the front door. When she opens it, there’s a tall guy with blond hair standing in the doorway. He gives us both a huge smile.

“Huck, you made it,” Sarah said.

He grinned. “I told you I would.”

“Huck, you remember Maggie,” she said, gesturing to me.

“It’s hard to forget the girl with the bright red hair,” he said.

Seeing him brings back memories long forgotten. The three of us had spent many summers together, tubing out on the river. Those were simpler times.

He held his hand out, and I shook it.

It’s been so long,” I said. “How’ve you been?”

I’ve been good,” he said. “Not much excitement here in Green Falls. Not like New Jersey, I’m sure.

We followed Sarah to the back of the house. Mom and Grandma were already unpacking bags and putting clothes away in the closet.

“Well hello there, little Huckleberry,” Mom said. Huck’s cheeks burned bright red. “I bet you don’t get called that much anymore,” she said.

“Hello, Mrs. Simpson,” he said. “Sometimes my parents use my full name, but mostly its just ‘Huck’. Grandma Estelle, hello.”

“
Ms.
Simpson,” Mom corrected. She regarded him for a moment. “You’ve grown into a handsome young man, Huckleberry. I hope you’re not getting yourself into too much trouble.”

“No ma’am,” he said. “My Dad keeps me busy enough to make sure I stay out of trouble.”

“How are our parents doing?” Mom asked. She was close to them, when we lived in Texas.

“They’re doing well,” Huck said. “I actually can’t stay long - I promised Dad I would help him with the deer fence. We found a hole in it last night, and the deer are getting out.”

Mom gave him another warm smile. “Give them my best when you see them,” she said. “And tell them to come by and visit sometime. I’d love to catch up with them.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, again. “I’m sure they will. They were excited when I told them y’all were going to be in town.” He gave her one final smile and then turned back to Sarah. “Are we still on for tonight?” he asked.

Sarah nodded her head, quickly. “Maggie’s going to love it,” she said, excitedly.

I frowned in confusion. “What’s going on tonight?” I asked.

Sarah turned to me, her eyes narrowing mischievously. “It’s a surprise,” she said. “But you’re going to enjoy it.”

“You’re not taking her to the Saloon are you?” Grandma asked, tilting her chin down.

“Grandma!” Sarah whined, folding her arms.

Grandma shrugged, throwing her hands in the air. “It’s no big surprise,” she said. “You two are down there almost every night.”

“Wait, you’re going out to a bar?” Mom said, her eyes darting between us.

I shrugged my shoulders, hoping that she understood I had nothing to do with it.

“It’s harmless,” Sarah said. “We just go there sand hang out and have a good time.”

“Just a good time? You girls aren’t even close to twenty-one,” Mom said, her tone frantic. “What are you doing hanging out at bars?”

Sarah’s smile was unrelenting. “It’s just where everyone goes. It’s harmless fun.”

Mom stared at her in disbelief. For a second, I worried she was going to forbid me from going. Thankfully, Grandma came to our rescue.

“Patricia, it’ll be fine,” she said. “Everyone knows them down there. They’ll be perfectly safe.” Then, she fixed each of us with a threatening stare. “And I’m sure they’ll be on their
best
behavior.”

We all gulped and nodded our heads quickly. Mom studied me for another long second, though. She wasn’t going to be swayed that easily. Not about something like this.

“Just make sure you’re safe,” she said to me. “And don’t even
think
about touching that stuff.”

“We’ll be fine, Mom,” I said, trying to downplay it as much as possible. That was the wrong move.

She shook her head. “No. You promise me you’re not going to drink,” she said.

I cast a nervous smile at Sarah. “Mom, stop, you’re embarrassing me,” I said.

She took a step closer, and I saw her cheeks tinge red. It was the most upset I’d seen her in a long time.

“Promise me,” she said.

I nodded, quickly. “I promise, Mom,” I said. “You know I don’t drink.”

She studied me long and hard, like she thought I might be hiding something from her. I felt my cheeks blushing. Huck probably thought I was a recovering alcoholic, or something. I’m sure I was leaving quite the first impression.

Finally, Mom gave me a tight nod, and the tension in her face eased. Everyone smiled at each other, nervously. Sarah rocked on her feet, unsure of what to say.

“Well, I better get going,” Huck said. His eyes glanced at Grandma and Mom, cautiously. “I don’t want Dad thinking I’ve forgotten my responsibilities.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Sarah said.

“I’ll join you,” I chimed in, quickly.

Grandma gave us a knowing smile, but she didn’t say anything. It was going to be an interesting summer.

* * * * *

After seeing Huck off, Sarah led me through the house to her room. I remembered the basic layout of the house from my summers spent there before, but my aunt and uncle had done so much remodeling that it felt like a different house, entirely. The floors had been completely redone in some kind of elaborate marble, and the house felt like it belonged in some kind of magazine.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Sarah said as she led us through the house. Finally, she broke off of the main hallway to one of the bedrooms, and upon entering I knew that it belonged to her. It was much larger than my own bedroom back in Jersey, and even with the two of us sharing it--there was plenty of room. Sarah pulled open her closet and waved at a huge empty space off to one side. “I even cleared out space for your clothes,” she said, beaming. “Of course, you’re welcome to wear anything of mine.”

“That’s sweet of you,” I said, taking it all in. “Everything is so nice around here. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live in a place like this.”

“Well, you’re going to be calling it home for the next couple months,” Sarah said. “So you better start getting used to it.”

“Where are your parents, anyway?” I asked, realizing that I hadn’t seen them, yet.

She rolled her eyes. “Another one of their vacations. I think they spend more time on vacation than they do at home.”

“Wow, that must be nice,” I said. “Where are they?”

“I think it’s the Bahamas this week, but I can never keep up.”

“They just leave you here by yourself?” I asked.

“Well, Grandma is here,” she said, her eyes distant. “And Ben is just an hour away in Austin. And they know Huck is always over - sometimes I think they love him more than me.” She giggled at this, and her eyes took on their familiar sparkle when she mentioned his name.

Ben was her older brother, my oldest cousin. Last I’d heard, he was going to the University of Texas, and was studying movies, or something.

“You two seem to get along pretty well,” I said, smirking at her in a knowing way.

“We’re best of friends,” she said.

“And that’s all?” I asked.

She looked at me and frowned.

“What do you mean?” she said.

I grinned. “I mean, are you two
just
friends?”

After a moment, her pale white cheeks blushed a crimson red.

“Of course we’re
just
friends,” she said, shying away from me. “We’re practically brother and sister.” My eyes narrowed as I considered her, but her face brightened, quickly. “I bet there’s all kinds of boys in Newark that ask you out,” she said.

“Not really,” I said.

“But, you’re so pretty,” she said. “Are you already dating someone?”

I turned back to my suitcase and set it on the bed. “No,” I said. “Mom’s… sensitive, about guys. Besides, there really isn’t anyone interesting back home.”

“There must be tons of guys there,” she said. “Maybe you’re just not looking?”

I distracted myself with unpacking. I didn’t want to answer that, because the truth was embarrassing.
 

“Well, you’ll be going off to college soon,” she said. She started pulling clothes from the suitcases and began folding them. “Then, you’ll have all of New York chasing after you. You could probably go out with someone new every night, if you wanted.”

“The big city really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” I said. “It’s just a city, the same as any other.”

“But, it’s so big,” Sarah said. “There must be so much to do.”

“It’s cool at first,” I agreed. “But eventually it’s the same as anywhere else, I suppose. You still get bored with whatever is going on.”

“It
must
be better than Green Falls,” she said. “There’s
nothing
to do here.”

“It can’t be that bad,” I said. “Besides, seems there’s plenty of cute boys around here, too.”

Sarah’s hands stopped, holding a half-folded shirt.

“Oh?” she said.

“Well, Huck’s pretty cute,” I said. “But, you already know that.” I grinned as she started shoving shirts in a drawer, recklessly. “But… I actually met a guy this morning when we came into town.”

“You met a guy, already?” she said. “Where?”

“A gas station just off the interstate,” I said. “We were pumping gas at the same time.”

“What was his name?” she asked, her voice growing more excited.

I frowned. “I don’t know,” I said. “Mom drug me away as soon as he started talking to me.” I hung another shirt in the closet. “I don’t think he was from around here, though.” I shrugged. “I’ll probably never see him again.”