Right.
I swear the car ride to the Auclair “Manor”, as Rhett called it, feels like forever. I’m shocked that it even has a Green Branch address. Tanner’s place is out of the way, but this is even further out. Eventually, I see a white picket fence that trails along the road up to where tons of flowers are blooming all around a mailbox and driveway. All shades of yellow and orange.
Up ahead on the dirt driveway there is a small weather-worn farmhouse with faded black shutters. There’s a clothesline draped in white sheets that are softly waving in the breeze and chickens roaming about the lawn. It’s beautiful and homey and so much like Tanner’s.
I park the van next to Tanner’s green truck and we don’t even get to knock on the door because Danielle is already there, swinging it open and pulling us inside.
“Oh, look at you pretty girls.” She beams. “Come in, come in.”
“I love your house,” I tell her as we shuffle in the front door.
“Oh, thank you. It has been in my family for generations. Don’t mind the mess.”
Usually, when someone says, “Don’t mind the mess,” their house has usually been scrubbed top to bottom. That’s what my mom did, and it’s what I do, but Danielle Auclair means it. Though the house is clean, every corner is lived in. Shoes by the door, a stack of clothes on the stairs to go up. A pile of magazines and newspapers on a bench in the entry way. The kitchen sink has dishes from the dinner she’s been cooking, and the counter is lined with a rag and some hand washed dishes to dry. Christmas cards cover the fridge even though it’s July. The windowsill over the sink is lined with dying plants. The doorway is etched with little lines and scribbled names next to each one. I even spot Rhett’s name amongst them. It looks like summer after sophomore year really stretched Tanner out and he finally surpassed Rhett’s height.
“I love it,” I tell her.
The barreling of paws comes down the hallway and we spin to find a golden retriever panting happily.
“Oh, that’s Lemon. He’s currently on a diet, so don’t let him fool you into giving him treats.”
“Lemon?” Winnie’s face lights up. “That’s a funny name.”
“Winnie.” I bump her with my hip. “Do you want to tell Mrs. Auclair what you named your goldfish?”
Winnie giggles, hiding behind my leg until she peeks out blushing. “Tanner.”
“Nowthatis a silly name.” Danielle’s whole face lights up. “I love it.”
“Can Lemon play with me?”
“Sure, take him outside. Tanner and Mr. Dan are out back.”
Out the back door I watch Winnie run across the yard and right into Tanner’s arm. He lifts her onto his hip while he talks to his dad.
I blink away the emotion swelling up and turn to Danielle. “What can I help you with?”
“Want to chop up some zucchini?” Danielle nods to the cutting board on the island.
“Absolutely.”
“Hey Mom!” Mayben swings into the kitchen.
“Hey sweetheart, is Jackie with you?”
“Yeah, he’s bringing in the tools we borrowed from Dad. Hey Hannah!”
“Jackie used those tools?” her mom asks incredulously.
“Mom.” Mayben tilts her head. “You know better.”
“I know.” Danielle winks, then turns her attention back on me. “Hannah, Tanner said you’re just here for the summer?”
“Originally it was just for the weekend. Then it turned into a week, now the summer, and who knows.”
“I heard you met Riley and Poppy.” Mayben grimaces, looking like she has just found a sensitive wound.
I dump the cut zucchini into a bowl and grab the squash Danielle has handed me. “Yeah, actually, Poppy is Winnie's best friend at camp.”
