When Summer Ends

Phone Call

The card was understated and simple.  The shape of an ice cream cone in yellow and orange was center-stage, with “Luca’s” beneath in a clean, neat font.  The address of the ice cream shop, as well as a website, was below that.

That wasn’t what I was focused on, though. 

Instead, I studied the back of the card.  That was where Lucas had scribbled another set of numbers, which presumably would get me to him. 

I sat on the couch of the spacious living area in our rental, knees pulled up to my chest while I fidgeted with the card.  I’d been flipping it over and over again in my hand all day; occasionally, while sunbathing, I’d fish it out of my bag as though to make sure I still had it.  And then, on the way home, I’d held it like I was afraid I’d lose it.  Now, I clutched it in one hand as I tapped my fingertips on the glass screen of my phone, considering whether or not I had the nerve to actually use it.

I probably didn’t even need the card now, to be honest.  I was pretty sure I had the number memorized.

I took a deep breath, then looked around as I steeled myself.  The TV was turned down; my parents had gone out to eat; there was silence.  I could do this!

I picked up my phone before I could chicken out, unlocked the screen, and hastily dialed the number.  I pulled my knees in tighter, the ringing on the other end suddenly sending my pulse skyrocketing.  The last ring cut off, though, and I heard the familiar voice.

“Luca’s, how can I help you?”

Wait, what?!

I panicked, flipping the card back over and searching for the shop’s number.  It wasn’t there.  Just the address, and the website.  Oh my God, he gave me the shop’s number!?  I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. 

“Hello?” he repeated, obviously impatient with the person on the other end of the line.

“I’m so sorry, wrong number!” I cried, flailing to pull the phone from my ear and press the ‘end call’ button.   Was I completely moronic?!  I seriously thought that the handsome, mature ice cream shop owner had actually given me his personal phone number so that we could… what, exactly?  Hang out?  I was an i***t.

I groaned, then gave a start when I felt my phone buzz in my hand.  s**t, was he calling me back?  Did he think I was a prank caller?!

I reluctantly lifted the phone and saw that it was a notification for a text message.  My breath caught when I saw the number; I had it memorized, after all.

Did you really have the wrong number, Livvie?

He recognized my voice!  Oh God, this was absolutely terrible.  I picked at the skin on my bottom lip, toes curling beneath me while I fought to figure out my response.  I tapped away at the tiny keyboard, then hit send before flinging my phone to the other end of the sofa.

Sorry, I didn’t realize that you gave me the shop’s number; have a great night!

I felt like a lovesick fool.  I wasn’t sure why I thought he might have been interested in me.  I was probably way too young for him, and he was definitely way out of my league.  He probably swept women off their feet on the daily, and he surely didn’t –

I felt the buzz of the phone through the couch cushions, and I fought myself for a moment.  I should just let it be.  I didn’t need to rush to read the response.  Right?

I crawled across the couch and fished it from beneath the decorative pillow, unlocking the screen in anticipation.  His response made a stupid, lopsided grin spread across my face, and I immediately knew I was in deep, deep trouble.

I use my phone for the shop, but I didn’t give you the number for ice cream orders.

I was in the process of trying to formulate a witty, flirtatious response when my phone buzzed again, this time notifying me of an incoming call.  He was calling me back.

“Hey,” I said, forcing myself to relax so that I didn’t sound as breathless as I felt.

“Hey,” he replied.  I swore I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Yeah, sorry about that.  I kind of panicked.”  I was smiling now, feeling giddy and full of relentless excitement.  Was it really already 8pm?  I could have ran a few miles and still had energy to burn.

“No, you’re good.  I didn’t actually expect you to call, I figured you would have texted.  I’m glad you did, though.  It’s different hearing someone’s voice, y’know?”  I could hear some sounds in the background; chatter, chairs scraping the floor.  I wondered if the shop was closing up for the night.

“Yeah, I feel like there’s way too much pressure to be witty via text,” I explained.  “And now I’ve told you that I’m not witty at all and it would have been a charade, great.”  I laughed, just in case he thought I wasn’t joking, and I heard him return the favor.  God, that laugh.

“So what’s your story, Livvie?  I’ve never seen you before, so you’re not a townie.  How long do I have to enjoy your company before you vanish on me?”

He was so forward; I felt a little on guard because of it, but on the other hand my body was screaming at me to just go with it.  When would I stop ignoring my feelings just because it wasn’t right, or what was expected? 

“Not a townie,” I confirmed, shaking my head even though he couldn’t see me.  “I’m here with my family for vacation, we’re here for two weeks.”  I cringed at the fact that I admitted that; would that send up a red flag for him?  Hopefully not.  I didn’t want to have to clarify that I was eighteen, that just seemed incredibly awkward.

“Fall semester starts late August, so it’s just a little family getaway before then,” I added.  I was satisfied with that; it left no doubt that I was a college student, which was technically true.  I just didn’t tell him what year.

“Which school?” he asked.  I wondered if he was genuinely curious or if he was trying to ensure that there was no gray area here.

“Southern,” I replied; it was only two hours away from here, and it was the biggest school in the state.  Just about everyone called it by that, so he’d know.

“Well that’s not far at all,” he mused, a little lilt in his voice.  Even though I was trying to listen to my desires and let my hair down, he had me feeling a little silly hope that there might be more to this than just a summer fling.  Was that crazy!?  It felt crazy.

“Mmm, not far from here, no.  Far enough from home, though,” I added, laughing lightly. 

There was more background noise, and I heard his voice – muffled now – as he gave the all clear to someone else.  “You guys can take off, I got the rest.”  I was right earlier; he was at the shop and they were closing up. 

“Are you at the shop?” I asked, partly just to keep the conversation going. 

“Sorry, yeah,” he said, voice clear again.  “We’re just finishing up.  But I’m up for maybe taking a walk down on the beach if you’d join me?”

I wanted to immediately respond.  I wanted to leap at the chance.  But would it make me easy?  I wasn’t trying to get into his pants on the first “date” but would he think I wasn’t interested if I said no?  I hated this part of dating.  I never wanted to play games, I was terrible at it anyway.

“Sure.”  I smiled to myself, satisfied with my simple response. 

“Great,” he said, and there was that happiness in his voice once again.  “Okay, I’m wrapping up here; how far away are you?  Want to meet me here?”

“Yeah, that’s fine; I’ll be about fifteen minutes or so,” I told him, already standing and walking to my room.  I was definitely not ready, but I could make it happen in quick enough time to get there in fifteen.  “We’re in a rental just off the main street, the boardwalk is only a block away.”

“Sounds good.  Please be safe.”

I didn’t think that there were many threats in this small beach town, but it was kind of nice that he was concerned anyway.  I assured him I would, then we hung up and I tore through my luggage for something different to wear.