The Summer Of My Life

Harry's Taylor Ranch

People disappear along the way, giving way to an empty road. As we progress along the path, the asphalt eventually gives way to a dirt road, and the road's light is covered by the tree canopy, leaving the ground always with mud puddles.

Huge iron gates and a large black gate are seen in the distance. As we approach, the massive iron gates open, and the car quickly passes through them.

It takes us a few minutes until we arrive at the huge Victorian-style white mansion.

I quickly get out of the car as soon as it stops. Before I could ring the doorbell, the door is opened by Rick, Ross's younger brother.

His eyes widen, and his lips form a smile, revealing his septum piercing. His tattooed arms embrace me in a tight hug, making me groan in pain.

"Cousin, I missed you!" he exclaims excitedly and kisses my face, provoking laughter.

His smile fades, and he mumbles something incomprehensible.

"Unfortunately, I'm on my way out; I have some things to take care of in the city," Rick runs his hand through his cap and laughs awkwardly.

I kiss his cheek, and he smiles. Rick was very different from Ross, a sweet and outgoing young man, with a heart so large and pure that it resembled that of a child.

Ross passes by me with suitcases in hand and tosses the key to his pickup truck to his brother, who catches it in mid-air. Before Rick gets into the truck, he waves at me and blows a kiss.

"See you at dinner!" he shouts as he drives away.

I eagerly enter the house where I grew up and see Oliver, Rick's son, playing with his toy car next to the stairs. The little boy doesn't notice when I approach, kiss his forehead, and it startles him. He looks at me with his blue eyes and smiles happily to see me.

Oliver had freckles on his face, just like his late mother, and his hair was brown like hers. His features resembled Sam, especially his nose and his smile. The only things he inherited from his father were the blue eyes and the jawline; even his personality was similar to his mother's.

Although Rick became a father at a young age, only at eighteen, he had always been a great father and a great example, especially considering the pain of losing his girlfriend during his son's birth. Oliver was a reminder of how much he loved Sam; it was as if the photographer were still alive, given the resemblance between her and her son.

The last time I visited Oliver, he was three years old. After that, I saw him more through video calls or every Carnival when he went to my parents' house with Ross and Rick.

"Aunt Brenda! I missed you so much!" his childlike voice speaks with excitement.

His arms envelop me in a hug as I bend down to his level.

The little one laughs with my tickles, and his childish laughter makes me smile. He playfully pushes me while laughing.

"I missed my little baby!" I say in a cute voice, the kind we use to talk to babies and animals.

My comment makes a look of anger appear on Oliver's face, and he crosses his arms and pouts.

"I'm not a baby! I'm a man now; I'm eight years old!" he says in annoyance while looking at me indignantly.

I raise my arms in a sign of surrender; the little one laughs and hugs me again.

"I'm so happy you came to spend the summer with us," his expression becomes cheerful again. "You have to keep your promise."

I pretend not to understand, and this irritates the little one, who rolls his eyes. Such an attitude reminds me of his mother, and it brings a shy smile to my face.

"What promise?" I put a finger to my chin, pretending to think.

"You promised we'd go to all the places you liked to go when you were little, that we'd go fishing at the lake with Daddy," he says, sounding disappointed. "You were going to teach me how to swim, too."

"Wait, it was Ross who said he'd teach you how to swim," I accuse him.

"I don't want to learn from Uncle Ross, I want you to teach me!" His eyes sparkle, and he smiles. "I saw your videos from when you were a teenager, you were on the school swim team and even did acrobatics!"

My eyes widen. Who had shown my videos to Oliver? My mind points to the culprit: Ross Harris Taylor. My dear cousin was the only one with access to our family's old videos and he was the one who recorded my training sessions.

"Okay, I'll teach you this weekend, if it doesn't rain," I say with a smile.

I stroke his hair, tousling it, and he laughs in a cute way. Oliver goes back to playing with his toy car, and I head toward the living room.

"Brenda dear, it's been so long since I've seen you!" Grandma says excitedly as soon as she sees me entering the living room.

Her hair is tied up with a scarf, and her skin is pale. Her eyes have dark circles and lack the sparkle they used to have.

I hug her tightly, and tears fall from my eyes, tears I've held in for a long time. I kiss her cheek, and her hands hold my face as her lips form a smile.

"Look how much you've grown. I've missed you so much, my dear," her voice is choked, and her eyes are teary.

I shower her face with kisses and hear her laughter. Grandma sits on the couch and smiles cheerfully.

"Oliver didn't stop talking about you during these three weeks; he couldn't even sleep last night. I had to promise that you would go with him and Ross to the ice cream parlor," Grandma says, letting out a weak laugh.

"He's a good kid," I say with a yawn. "I'll take him to the ice cream parlor later."

"Leave that for tomorrow. Right now, you need to rest," her voice sounds authoritative.

My body is extremely tired, and she knows it; Grandma knows me better than anyone. I hug her and watch Ross appear at the living room door.

"I've put your bags in your room, and the staff has already arranged everything to make you comfortable," he says as he approaches.

"Thank you, Ross," I smile, watching him come closer.

"Now, go to sleep; you look terrible!" he says in a teasing tone.

I show him my middle finger, and he rolls his eyes.

"You two will keep teasing each other for years," Grandma laughs, shaking her head.

She calls Ross, who sits beside her, and we all share a tight embrace.

"My babies are now adults, and I'm grateful to see you grow up, to witness Oliver's birth, and to see Brenda become a recognized model," tears flow from Grandma's cheeks.

She kisses my head, and then Ross's. Her voice has a sense of calm, although it makes me sad to know that this is a preparation for her departure. I couldn't take this moment away from her; I didn't have that right. Grandma squeezes her arms around our bodies and smiles.

Once she lets go, I see Ross's eyes filled with tears, trying to hide them as he looks at the ceiling and blinks a few times.

Grandma kisses my cheek, and I give her a smile. I run up the stairs, and I can hear her scolding me.

It's surreal to know that someone you love will be leaving; it's such a strong feeling that you can't put into words, especially when you know that these might be your last days with someone you love.

I walk to the bathroom and sigh with relief when I see that the bathtub has already been prepared.

I dip my hand into the warm water, at the perfect temperature I love, and play with the vanilla-scented foam. I take off my clothes and sink into the bathtub, feeling my body relax.