The Summer Moon

Chapter Four

Malia

My cheeks burned for the duration of the Uber ride over to my dad’s house. I couldn’t believe the events that had just passed. I had just hooked up with a total stranger in the airport bathroom. Meanwhile, none of my past boyfriends had even made it past second base with me. But there Ty was with his charming smile, smooth voice, and hypnotizing eyes that I could easily lose myself in. Every time he touched me it just felt right. I leaned my head against the car window and groaned internally. Clearly, I must be losing my mind.

The car came to a stop in front of a large grey house with a white porch that wrapped around it. The yard was filled with gardens, flowers in full bloom, and I couldn’t help but let my eyes linger on the swing that hung on the porch. This place was beautiful, and nothing like I had remembered. The home that I remember had paint chipping off the walls, dead grass, and broken steps on the patio. It was untaken care of, neglected. This place now, was a family home. People lived here, they loved their home.

“Honey!” My dad came jogging down the front steps and towards the car. Savanah, his wife, followed behind with a smile on her face. I couldn’t help but notice how different she looked from my mom. Her black hair hung to her shoulders and she dressed in a simple plaid button down with jeans; an outfit I was sure my mother would rather die than be seen in.

My dad wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug, and once he backed away, Savanah did the same. “How was your trip honey?” My dad asked as he pulled my suitcase from the trunk of the car.

“It was okay, felt a little sick and just sat at the airport for a while,” I clutched my carry-on bag in front of me and shifted awkwardly on my feet, hoping they wouldn’t question me any further about my time at the airport. “Happy to be here now though,” I added and received a smile from them both. I returned a small smile of my own and followed them inside.

Savanah gave me a long tour of all the rooms in the house, pointing out all the things they had changed since I had moved out. Although, it wasn't like I would have recognized many changes. The few memories I have of this place are vague and mostly involve my parents screaming at each other. After the tour, my dad introduced me to the two children he and Savanah shared, my now half siblings. Their oldest, Thomas, was 11, with curly brown hair that reminded me of my dad's. Kali, their daughter, was 8 and when I looked at her I found myself surprised to be met with those same green eyes that I had inherited from my dad as well.

“So this is going to be your room,” my dad said as he opened a door at the back of the house and led me inside. A large bed with four posts and a white canopy sat in the middle of the room. I gazed over the pastel purple walls to find a photo of my dad and I hanging. A TV and stand was set up against the far wall, and I felt a sudden pain in my chest as my eyes came to rest on an old dresser in the corner. I remembered this. I walked over and traced over the etched marks where my dad had been tracking my height. My fingers stopped over the last one, 4 years old.

“So yeah, we got you a new bed, figured you might’ve outgrown the other one by now,” my dad chuckled and I snapped back to our conversation. “I also got you some keys to the house, this is the front door, and this one will unlock the back door here,” he showed me the keychain and gestured towards the French patio doors on the back wall. “I know you’re a teenager and all so you’ll probably have some late nights out. This town is really safe, everyone knows everyone. So I’m not going to set a curfew for you, but I do ask if you’re coming home late, please use these doors so Thomas and Kali aren’t woken.” He dropped the keys in my hand and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Clearly, he didn’t know me very well. While I planned to do some exploring in town during the daytime, I preferred to spend my nights curled up in bed with a book or watching a movie. Besides, I didn’t even know anyone here. Where exactly would I be going late at night?

I spent the remainder of the afternoon unpacking my suitcase and organizing the room. It felt surreal to be in a place I had once called home but remembered so little about. Dad barbecued for dinner and I couldn’t help but enjoy having dinner with them as a part of the family. Thomas and Kali argued over some game they had been playing while Savanah, my dad, and I made some awkward small talk. Even though it was awkward, it had been a while since I’d been a part of a family dinner and I ended up enjoying every minute of it. My mother preferred to spend dinner time catching up on the news, so we never spoke a lot. Usually I just ended up just eating in my room, so this was a nice change.

Throughout the day, my mind continued to wander back to Tyrese and those heavenly minutes in the bathroom. Even after a 20 minute shower, I could still smell him lingering on my skin, and while that was a little unnerving, I was enjoying it. I was grateful when my dad came in to say goodnight and I finally had some alone time. I immediately pulled out my phone and texted my best friend Alana.

I have something urgent to tell you! Are you free?

I was surprised when, immediately after setting my phone down, it began to ring. “Hey,” I answered.

“Omg, spill everything! How’s having the house to yourself?” Alana’s voice was peppy through the phone and I realized how much I would miss having her around this summer. I proceeded to tell her all about how I had ended up spending my summer in Florida with my dad and lying to my mom about it. Then finally, our conversation came to land on Tyrese.

“You threw up on a guy's shoes then had sex with him in the bathroom?!” Alana was practically screaming on the other side of the phone and I shushed her, silently praying that wherever she was other people weren’t around. She was always more outgoing than I was, but this was something I really did need her to keep between us. I didn’t want to be the next target of slut-shaming.

“We didn’t have sex!” I half-yelled, half-whispered back so my dad wouldn’t hear me.

“Okay, he went down on you, whatever you wanna call it. Girl that’s hot! I’ve never been so proud, you’re growing up so fast!” I rolled my eyes, Alana was also more outgoing in her sexual endeavours, whereas I think she often saw me as a bit of a prude. “Please tell me you got his number!” She squealed.

“I mean he gave it to me, but do you really think I should call him?” I bit my lip, could I face him after today? It seemed like I had already had enough embarrassment with Ty.

“Duh!” Alana practically screamed into the phone once more, “that’s why he gave it to you! Call. Him. Now!” I groaned, knowing she wouldn’t let this go.

Finally, I felt myself caving, “I’ll think about it.” Alana accepted my answer, knowing that even considering calling him was a big step for me.