“You’re going to have heatstroke in that wool suit.”
Lexi was wearing a big straw hat, sunglasses, a breezy crop top, and loose white shorts in billowy fabric. She was handing out thank-you cards to the flight crew, telling them she was going to see them in a few days, and recommending where they should eat and the best beach spots in town.
It was a little surprising to see how many people had shown up for her arrival.
She’s popular, I realized in shock. In high school she would have been that person who was on every committee and at the football games.
Gizzy lumbered behind her off the plane, seeming more relaxed in the Florida humidity.
Lexi talked to two middle-aged people who I assumed were her parents while I shook hands with the mayor.
You’re stalling, I told myself as I nodded politely while he told me about the wonderful investment opportunities in the small town of Dudley Grove.
“Vito,” Lexi’s mom finally yelled at the effusive mayor, “leave the poor man alone.”
She was as short as Lexi, but with a darker hue to her red hair. She grabbed me by the wrist.
“We’re all just so excited to have you here, Gray. Can I call you Gray, or do you prefer Grayson?”
“Whatever is easiest for you,” I told her.
“His name is Grayson,” Lexi said, sounding almost annoyed.
“I’m just so happy Lexi’s making friends in Manhattan,” Lexi’s mom gushed and gave me a big hug. “I’m Cindy, by the way. This is Barry, Lexi’s dad.”
A man with sandy-blond hair and freckles all over his arms shook my hand.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” he said in a strange sort of high-pitched voice.
“Dad,” Lexi hissed, “you can’t use the Mickey Mouse voice.”
“Who doesn’t like Mickey Mouse?” he cried.
“Barry, you’re embarrassing her.”
“Oh, Lexi.” He gave her a hug. “You can have a hug, too, Grayson. We need more hugs in the world.” Barry hugged me tightly. It was oddly endearing.
“You’re going to cook in that suit,” he fussed. “Take that off, take it off. Let’s help him out of his suit, Cindy.” I looked down, bemused, as Lexi’s mom started unbuttoning my jacket.
“Mom, stop it,” Lexi cried.
“I’m just trying to help him. I’m a mom. You know how I am.” She handed Lexi my suit jacket. “Put that somewhere Gizzy can’t get to. It’s mating season, and you know how all those iguanas are.”
Beside me, Gizzy hissed at another iguana that was in a nearby orange tree.
Lexi’s dad took out a brightly patterned short-sleeve shirt from his enormous backpack.
“Brought this for you. It’s got oranges on it. Now you’re really going to be a Floridian!”
Lexi snatched it from her father. “You do not need to put that on, Grayson. Can we just get in the car before the FAA fines us for loitering on the runway?”
“You’re not giving Grayson a warm Dudley Grove welcome, Alexandra Collins,” Cindy said in a warning tone. She beamed at me. “You do what you need to feel comfortable, Grayson.”
I accepted the shirt from Lexi’s father. “When in Rome.”
“See, Lexi? Grayson’s open to trying new things,” Barry said as I quickly shrugged off my dress shirt and put on the brightly colored replacement.
“Tall, handsome, and willing to seize life by the horns,” Cindy said we headed to the van. “I love him already.” She squeezed my arm. “Your mom must be so proud to have you as a son.”
