Maybe After Summer

The Texas heat hit differently. Even inside the rental SUV, with the AC blasting, Gemma could still feel it pressing against the windows like it was trying to get in. They had landed in Austin an hour ago. New airport. New state. New life. Gemma sat in the back seat, arms folded tightly across her chest like that alone could undo everything. She hadn’t said more than three words since they left Albuquerque. Her mom adjusted her sunglasses and glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “¿Tienes hambre, mija?” Are you hungry, honey? Gemma didn’t look up. “Oh, now you ask me.” Julie sighed softly. “I asked you before we boarded the plane. You ignored me.” “Yeah. On purpose.” Chloe giggled from the front seat. Julie gave Gemma that look. The one that meant don’t push it. “Mija,” she said calmly, one hand steady on the steering wheel, “I know you’re upset. But starving yourself is not a protest.” “I’m not protesting. I’m suffering.” Chloe turned around in her seat. “She’s been suffering since we left New Mexico.” “Albuquerque,” Gemma corrected automatically. “At least get the city right.” “Whatever,” Chloe said. “I’m hungry.” Julie’s face softened immediately. “Of course you are, mi amor. You’re always hungry.” She signaled and switched lanes smoothly. “There’s a diner five minutes ahead. Waffles?” Chloe gasped. “Yes!” “I’ll tell you what I want,” Gemma suddenly snapped, leaning forward between the seats. “I want to get off this road and go back home.” Julie didn’t flinch. “Waffles it is,” she said simply. “Yay!” Chloe cheered. Gemma dropped back into her seat with a dramatic groan. “Unbelievable.” The radio started playing some old Spanish love song, and Chloe began singing loudly and off-key. Julie joined in, laughing. Gemma covered her ears. “This is emotional abuse.” Julie glanced back again. “You’ll survive.” ********************************************************************** Thirty minutes later, they were back on the highway, waffle syrup still sticky on Chloe’s fingers. The Texas sky stretched endlessly above them ; Wide, flat, almost too open. No mountains like back in New Mexico. No familiar skyline. Just road. “Are we there yet?” Gemma asked. Julie didn’t answer. “Are we there yet?” Still nothing. Gemma leaned forward and tapped her mom’s shoulder. “Are we there yet?” “For the last time,” Julie said calmly, “no.” Chloe groaned. “You’re so annoying.” Gemma leaned close to her sister’s ear. “Oh, you think that’s annoying?” She shouted, “ARE WE THERE YET?!” Chloe flinched. “Mamá!” “Gemma Isabella Hernandez .” That tone. Gemma leaned back slowly. “Yes, Mother.” “Do not scream in my car.” “It’s a rental.” “It is still my car.” Chloe stuck her tongue out at Gemma. Gemma smirked. “Just wake me up when we’re on the driveway.” Chloe turned around dramatically. “Only you would ignore the beautiful Texas landscape.” “I don’t care, nerd.” “I’m not a nerd!” “You read for fun.” “And you cry during movies!” Gemma froze. “That was one time.” Julie chuckled under her breath. “See? This is good. We are bonding.” “Yeah,” Gemma muttered. “Over trauma.” Chloe crossed her arms. “I’m glad we left.” That made Gemma look up. “What?” Chloe shrugged. “There was too much drama back home.” Gemma’s jaw tightened. Julie noticed immediately. “That’s enough,” she said gently. “We are not bringing old problems into our new house. This is a fresh start. Entienden?” Neither of them answered. Julie looked at them through the mirror again. “I mean it.” Silence filled the car. The only sound was the tires against the road. And somewhere ahead of them, Austin waited. ********************************************************************** Get up!!” Chloe yanked on Gemma’s hoodie. Gemma jolted awake, nearly hitting her head on the car window. “Are you insane?!” “No,” Chloe said sweetly. “But you are.” And then she ran. “I swear to God—” Gemma started, pushing the car door open. “Gemma,” Julie warned from the front. “Stop trying to murder your sister and help me with these boxes.” Gemma stepped out of the SUV and froze. They weren’t moving anymore. The engine was off. The street was still. “We’re here,” Julie said softly. Gemma looked around. The neighborhood was… quiet. Not city quiet. Not peaceful quiet. Suburban quiet . Wide sidewalks. Trimmed lawns. Identical mailboxes. Trees lined neatly like they’d been planted by someone with control issues. A couple of parked cars. No kids running around. No music blasting from somewhere. Back in Albuquerque, their street had always been loud. Laughter. Arguments. Dogs barking. Someone’s uncle fixing something in the driveway. Here? Nothing. The house stood in front of them ; two stories, beige brick with dark brown shutters. A small porch with white railings. A wooden swing hanging on one side. The lawn was green but a little too perfect. Like nobody ever stepped on it. It didn’t feel lived in. It felt staged. “Great,” Gemma muttered, slamming the car door harder than necessary. “We moved to a toothpaste commercial.” “Gemma,” Julie said sharply, walking toward her. “Attitude.” “Mamá, I don’t like it here. It’s so… fake.” Before Julie could respond….. “Hi there!” All three of them turned. A woman in her late forties stepped out of the house next door, bright smile, floral blouse, and big gold hoop earrings that caught the sunlight. Her dark hair was tied up in a neat bun, and she walked like she owned the entire block. Beside her was a tall man with broad shoulders and a polite but quiet expression. Salt-and-pepper hair. Serious eyes. The kind of man who looked like he fixed things without calling anyone for help. “It looks like we have new neighbors!” the woman said cheerfully. Julie immediately put on her warm smile. “Hi. Yes. We just got in.” The woman walked closer, hands clasped together. “I’m Elena Martinez, and this is my husband, Garett.” Garett stepped forward and shook Julie’s hand firmly. “Nice to meet you.” “Julie Hernandez ,” she replied. “And these are my daughters, Gemma and Chloe.” “Hi!” Chloe waved enthusiastically. Gemma gave a small nod. “Oh, aren’t they adorable little ladybugs?” Elena gushed. “Did she just call us bugs?” Gemma whispered. “Just smile,” Chloe whispered back through her teeth. Elena’s eyes flicked back to Julie. “Where’s your husband? Still unloading the moving truck?” There was a small pause. Julie straightened slightly. “It’s just us. I’m a single mom.” Elena’s expression softened instantly. “Oh.” Garett cleared his throat awkwardly. But Elena stepped forward and gently squeezed Julie’s hands. “Well then, you’re even stronger than I thought. Welcome to the neighborhood.” Gemma blinked. Okay. That wasn’t pity. That was respect. “Why don’t we help you unload?” Elena continued. “You must be exhausted.” “Oh, no, I don’t want to impose……” “Nonsense!” Elena waved it off. “Garett, grab a box.” Garett immediately picked up the heaviest one like it weighed nothing. Elena turned toward her house and shouted, “Boys! Collins! Jason! Get out here and help your new neighbors!” Gemma lifted a box and muttered, “Well. She’s intense.” “I like her,” Chloe said. “You like everyone.” “Can you try being positive for once?” Gemma smirked. “Sure. I’ll let you know when it happens.” The front door next door opened. And then —-------- Two guys stepped out. One had on a loose gray hoodie, headphones around his neck, messy brown hair falling into calm eyes. He walked casually, hands in pockets. Relaxed. Observing. The other. Black tank top. Broad shoulders. Lean arms. Dark hair slightly damp like he’d just showered. His jaw was sharp, his expresion unreadable, and when he spoke; “Yes, Mom?” His voice was low. Smooth. Not loud. But it carried. Gemma’s fingers tightened around the box she was holding. “Help with the boxes, please,” Elena said. “Yeah,” the guy in the tank top replied. He walked straight toward Gemma. Close enough that she could see the faint scar above his eyebrow. “May I?” he asked, gesturing to the box in her hands. Gemma forgot how to speak. She handed it to him without breaking eye contact. He took it easily. “You look like you’re about to drop it " “I wasn’t,” she lied. A small corner of his mouth lifted. Chloe suddenly appeared beside her and poked her arm. “Are you okay?” Gemma blinked slowly. “You know when I said I’d let you know when the positive attitude hits?” Chloe’s eyes widened. “Yeah?” Gemma swallowed. “It just did."