Page 11 of A Girl Named Summer
Borgenâs, an elegant department store, was the first place they planned to hit, and both girls grew silent as they hurried toward their target. Regina found just the outfit, shorts that flattered her long shapely legs and a fitted T-shirt.
âYou look good,â Summer said, and meant every word. Regina did look spectacular.
It took another hour of hunting and digging before Summer found her dream. It was a white sundress that flattered her tan. She felt quite sophisticated as she stood in front of the dressing-room mirror, one hand holding the thick mass of hair atop her head.
âWhat do you think?â she asked her friend. âWill I do?â
âWeâre going to knock âem dead.â
As soon as Summer returned home, she changed into her new dress and modeled âthe new Summerâ in front of an admiring grandfather and her parents. âIâve completed my transformation,â she informed her family at the dinner table. âThe old Summer is gone.â
âWhatâs all this about change?â her grandfather asked.
âIâve decided you were right, Grandpa. I did lack confidence, so I decided to change myself.â
âYou still havenât gotten the point,â her grandfather said with a shake of his head.
âWeâll talk about it on the way to bingo. Better get moving.â
Grandpa showed his disappointment during the walk to the church. âYouâve completely sidestepped the issue. Or perhaps you just donât understand what Iâve been trying to say to you, child. I want you to be happy with you, not flit around trying to change this and that. Youâre special just as you are, and until you believe that, no matter what changes you make, youâll always feel unhappy. Celebrate who you are. Realize there is only one Summer Matthews. Only then can you share your specialness with anyone else.â
Summer mulled over her grandfatherâs words. âItâs hard,â she whispered.
âYou mean itâs much easier to envy someone else?â
âI guess so.â
âThe grass isnât always greener on the other side of the fence.â
âMeaning?â
âWell, this Ann person. Are you sure you want to be like her?â
âSort of,â Summer hedged.
âHave you ever considered that maybe she isnât all that happy? Never hope to change places with someone else. They have just as many problemsâmaybe different problems, but problems all the same. How many times have I said that you should count your blessings?â
âLots,â Summer answered.
While she continued to listen to her grandfatherâs quiet encouragement, a part of her was preoccupied with the thought that David might be helping Mr. Clancy again. Her fingers crossed in hopefulness when she and grandfather walked into the church hall. He wasnât there, and her disappointment was almost overwhelming. By the time intermission began, she had accepted the fact that David wasnât going to show up.
She almost jumped when she turned to refill the coffeemaker and saw David leaning against the doorframe watching her. She couldnât stop the smile of greeting, but it quickly faded when she saw the hesitancy in his eyes.
âHello, Summer. Sorry Iâm late.â
âDonât worry. Lots of people donât come until the second half. Thatâs when the big bingo games are played. Your grandfatherâ¦?â
âHe didnât come tonight.â He seemed embarrassed by that admission. âBut I thought Iâd drop by and see if you needed any help.â
âYou really want to help?â She was singing inside. She knew she sounded incredulous, but couldnât seem to help it.
âSure,â he answered. âIâll do that for you,â he added, taking the coffeemaker from her. âWhereâs Mr. Clancy?â
âHe went to get some more paper cups. Itâs a full house tonight. Thereâs a five-thousand-dollar cash prize on the last bingo if anyone wins before seventy numbers have been called. Of course, the odds are impossible, but the lure brings everybody out.â
âAnn suggested that you and Gregg might want to double with us Saturday night. What do you say?â
Summer didnât know how to reply, and luckily Mr. Clancy appeared just at that moment. âDavid, good to see you,â he said enthusiastically. âYouâre just in time. Help me serve this coffee before the big jackpot starts.â
The next twenty minutes were busy. David stopped Summer in the middle of filling the popcorn vat with a tap on her shoulder. âWhat about doubling?â
âI canât,â she answered. âI promised to help Regina, so Gregg is picking me up early,â she lied. Was he really that dense? she asked herself. Didnât he know how miserable she would be watching him with Ann? Why, she would rather stay home than be subjected to that scene! All hopes that David cared for her vanished. He was obviously under Annâs spell. It was hopeless.
âWill you save a dance for me Saturday?â he asked.
âOf course,â she answered. âIâm sure Gregg wonât mind.â Now, why had she added that? she asked herself. She saw the hesitancy creep into Davidâs eyes and was surprised by it.
âFine,â was all that he said, but that one word was terribly flat.
The big jackpot started, and silence, except for the numbers being called, reigned. It was the last game, and as soon as the seventy numbers were called, she would find her grandfather and head home.
Summer waited with her arms folded, leaning against the windowpane, for Mrs. Wilkinsâs ritualistic, âSee you next week, ladies and gentlemen.â Instead, she heard her grandfatherâs jubilant bellow, âBingo!â
It took a full minute for Summer to register the fact that her grandfather had just won a huge amount of money, and then she was jumping up and down and clapping. Everyone was thrilled. David hugged her and so did Mr. Clancy.
âThat Irish rascal deserves to win,â Mr. Clancy announced.
When Summer finally reached her beaming grandfather, she hugged him and laughed with delight. âWhat are you going to do with all that money, Grandpa?â she asked when Mrs. Wilkins handed him the check.
He didnât answer her until they were on their way home. âIâve grand plans, my girl, grand plans. Iâm giving some of the money to your father, just for the sheer pleasure of the deed. And Iâm going to take a trip to Ireland with the rest.â
âIreland?â
âItâs not a fact, yet. Your mother and father might give me a hard time, but I long for Dublinâs green, Summer. Ah, child, the grass of Ireland is like no other. The leprechaunâs surely had a hand in farming the land.â
âI hope Mom and Dad are still awake. Theyâll be so excited for you, but I bet Daddy wonât take any of the money.â
All the lights were on in the house when Grandpa and Summer hurried toward the door. Michaelâs sobs could be heard from the porch. âMick must be coming down with something,â her grandfather said with a frown.
Summerâs father was busy rocking a distressed Michael in the squeaky rocking chair but stopped the motion when they entered the living room.
âHave a good time, Dad?â her father asked Grandpa.
âYou could say that, my boy,â her grandfather replied with a twinkle in his eyes. âNow, give me my grandson, and Iâll tell you what happened tonight.â
Michael immediately slipped off his fatherâs lap and stretched his arms out to his grandfather. It was a fact that he liked to cuddle up against his grandfather and loved to listen to the stories he had a special way of telling.
Michaelâs face was all flushed. âYou look terrible,â Summer said to her little brother, and only then realized it wasnât the right thing to say to a three-year-old.
Michael promptly started wailing again.
âHeâs got a bit of a fever, thatâs all,â her mother said from the doorway. âProbably just the flu,â she added.
Grandpa patted Michael and began to rock him. âIâve won the jackpot, children.â
The reaction was instantaneous. Everyone began to talk at once. When the cheers had quieted, and her grandfather had outlined h
is intent to give Summerâs parents part of the money, her father declined.
âBut if Iâm ever strapped for money, I wonât hesitate to ask you for a loan,â her father said.
âAll right, I wonât pressure you,â Grandpa answered. âBut itâs there when you need it. By the way,â he added, winking at Summer, âIâm going to take a little trip with some of the money.â
âOh?â Summerâs father and mother seemed surprised with that information, and she noticed the funny look that passed between the two of them. Summer didnât understand why they would be anything but delighted. After all, it was Grandpaâs winnings, and he was an adult. He certainly didnât need their permission to take a trip.
âTo Ireland,â her grandfather said.
âBut, Dad!â
âYes, son?â Grandpaâs voice sounded very calm.
âIreland is so far away,â he replied, âand I donât like the idea of you traveling halfway around the world all by yourself. If anything happened, youâd be all alone.â
Now Summer began to understand. Both her mother and her father were concerned that Grandpa would go into one of his confused spells. She hadnât considered that!
âMr. Clancy!â Summer blurted the name into the tension-filled room and then giggled at the look of surprise and delight her grandfather sent her way.
âNow, why didnât I think of that?â he asked with a chuckle. âJohn hails from Ireland, and I know he longs to return, just as I do. But I was thinking of taking you, Summer. After all, youâre family.â
Summer knew that Grandpa would prefer Mr. Clancyâs companionship and didnât hesitate to say so. âI can see Ireland later, Grandpa. Mr. Clancy is such a good friend of yours. I mean, Iâd like to go, but he doesnât have much time left.â
Oh, Summer thought, Iâve said it all wrong. She looked at her mother for some support before adding, âAnd I couldnât go into all those pubs you keep telling me about. Youâd worry that I was bored, and Iâd worry that you werenât doing what you wanted to do.â
âYouâre a very special child,â her grandfather said. His voice was full of praise and love, and Summer began to feel a glow of pride at her unselfishness. But then honesty nudged her back from her vision of sainthood. She really didnât want to go to Ireland all that much. Too many important things were happening now, and she didnât want to miss any of them.
âDoes that stop your worrying?â her grandfather asked Summerâs father.
âNow, Dad, I wasnât really worried, just concerned. If John Clancy will go with you, I admit, Iâd feel a whole lot better.â
âThen itâs settled. Now, letâs get this little imp off to bed.â
âGrandpa,â Summer asked in a whisper, âyou wonât leave for Ireland before my race will you?â
âOur race, Summer,â her grandfather corrected. âAnd I wouldnât even consider leaving before then.â
âGood,â she sighed. It was very important that her Grandpa be thereâvery important indeed.
âJust nine more days, sweetheart, and victory will be yours.â
âYouâre so sure Iâm going to win?â she teased.
âJust by running, youâre victorious. Thatâs what we will celebrate. Should you winâ¦well then, that will just be the frosting on the cake.â
âI donât understand,â she said.
âNo, I know you donât, but someday you will.â
She thought over her grandfatherâs words for more than an hour but couldnât reconcile his feelings about the unimportance of winning. Wasnât that saying, âWinning isnât everything, itâs the only thing,â true?
The sounds of crying from her parentsâ room interrupted Summerâs introspection. Michael was keeping her parents awake, for at his insistence, he had been allowed to sleep with them. His insistence had actually been a full-blown tantrum.
Summer dragged herself out of bed and went to her parentsâ room. âMike, come on and sleep with me,â she said, taking pity on her exhausted parents. âIâll rub your back.â
Five minutes later, Michael was snuggled against Summer, and the heat from his fever made Summer feel as though she were wrapped in an electric heating blanket. Summer rubbed his back until he fell into a fitful sleep.
When she opened her eyes the next morning, Michael was just inches from her face, staring intently into her eyes.
âIâm all better,â he announced with a grin, but Summer, once she was able to focus, had to disagree.
âMichael, youâre covered with spots! Go and look in the mirror!â The surprise in her voice triggered alarm in Michaelâs eyes. Summer quickly recovered and forced a smile. âAre you ever lucky! Now youâll get lots of presents and treats when Mom sees you.â
If Michael was anything, he was definitely mercenary. The grin returned, and he bounded off the bed running to find his mother. The sooner she saw the spots, the better.
âChicken pox,â her mother announced at the breakfast table.
âHe looks funny,â Summer said when Michael left the room.
âSummer, honey,â her mother began, âthereâs no easy way to tell you this. But youâve never had the chicken pox, either.â
âWhat?â The one word was a scream of distress, but her mother reacted sympathetically, reaching across the table and patting her hand. âBut the race!â
âNow, letâs see, the race is eight days away, and thereâs a seven-to-ten day span before you break outâ¦provided you were just exposed, that is.â¦â
âMother, this is horrible.â
âNow, Summer, letâs not borrow trouble. How do you feel?â
âFine,â she answered.
âMaybe youâre not going to get them. Oh, dear, I donât know.â
âMother, if thereâs a seven-day waiting period, I could break out right before the race.â Even as she said the words, the full realization that all her hard work could go right down the drain hit her like a slap in the face.
âItâs useless to worry. There isnât anything we can do about it. Just say a prayer and cross your fingers. It will all work out.â
âNo way, not with my luck,â she muttered. âJust watch, Iâll get sick the morning of the race. I canât run with a fever and spots,â she moaned.
âNot everyone gets as sick as Michael. You might just have a little rash, and no fever at all. Of course, you still couldnât run.â
Ironic, Summer decided. When she had first started to run, she would have welcomed the chicken pox, or even a plague, for that matterâanything for an excuse not to compete. Well, that situation had changed! Now she would do anything to run.
Regina was borderline sympathetic when Summer told her the news about Michael. âJust be happy you donât have them now. Youâd miss my party,â she explained. Summer didnât tell Regina that she would rather miss the party than the race, for she knew Regina would never understand.
Chapter 16
It wasnât until the morning of Reginaâs party that Summer remembered what she had told David. Grandpaâs windfall must have pushed that thought aside. Now she realized that she had told him that Gregg would be her date tonight.
Panic that she couldnât talk Gregg into it, or that he already had a date, made dialing the phone a bit awkward. After two attempts, she finally had Regina on the line. âI told David I had a date with Gregg. How are we going to talk Gregg into it?â
âThat was good thinking,â Regina replied, âto make David think you and Gregg are going together. I think he has a date to go to a movie with Amy McGuire, but Iâm not sure.â
âWhat are we going to do?â
âDonât get all upset. Weâre dealing with Gregg, remember?â
âAnd?â Summer said, hope entering her tone.
âWe can get him to do anything we want. Trust me.â
âHow?â Summer demanded.
âMoney, of course. Gregg is always broke.â
âBut if he has a dateâ¦â
âSummer,â Regina groaned
in exasperation, âweâre talking about Gregg. Heâll give up a date with Miss America if the price is right.â
A half hour later Gregg called, sounding very miffed.
âThirty dollars! Gregg, thatâs too much,â Summer yelped.
âTake it or leave it,â he returned. âMy car needs a new muffler, and I have to placate Amy. Youâre getting a real deal.â
âI canât pay you more than ten dollars tonight, but Iâll have the rest soon. I promise.â
Her mind was racing to solve the dilemma of where she would ever dredge up another twenty dollars, and she was bordering on acute despair when she heard her grandfatherâs voice in the background.
Her grandfather was in a generous mood. Instead of giving her the ten dollars she asked for, he gave her the full amount when she explained the reason for the emergency loan. Still, his obvious displeasure with the entire situation was unmistakable.
âYou are actually going to pay a boy to take you to a party?â
âItâs not a boy, itâs Gregg,â Summer reasoned. âAnd it isnât like it sounds.â
âTimes have certainly changed since I was a lad. Why, I canât imagine your grandmother, bless her soul, ever paying for an escort.â
âThis is a unique situation. I just got trapped in aâ¦story, and Iâm trying to save face.â
âBut who trapped you? Answer me that?â
âGrandpa, you sound like Iâm doing something illegal. Itâs no big deal. You just donât understand. And Iâm the one who got myself trapped into this.â
âExactly. You might not be doing anything against the law, but you certainly werenât very truthful, were you?â
âNo.â She gave up trying to make him understand. He did have a valid point, though.
She soaked a long while in the scented bubble bath before she dressed for Reginaâs party. She forced the cobweb of excuses from her mind. Her grandfather was right. Since meeting David, Summer had done nothing but lie. And that first little half-truth, that lie, like a tiny snowball on its trek down a steep mountain, had gathered force and grown awesome in size, until it threatened to do terrible damage. Summer had become trapped in one deception after another, and each little white lie had grown just as immense as the innocent snowball. It was time for her to stop. The lies were becoming too easy, and the idea that she would someday be unable to tell the difference, to distinguish truth from deceit, frightened her. Besides, trying to remember what story she had told required stamina. Most of all, even though she had been able to squeeze through one situation after another, she didnât feel very happy about itâor herself.