“Ever heard the phrase, It takes a village?” Dad always introduced new sayings, many of which I didn’t appreciate until later in life. “I’ve let you sleep in late enough, kiddo.”
He gave me another hearty shake. I sighed, slung my legs to the side and placed my feet on the floor.
“Let me get dressed,” I said, my eyes squinted against the room’s brightness. I grabbed my contacts container on the nightstand and popped the clear discs into my eyes. Now everything was in focus. Dad’s face, with his thin beard and thick glasses. His smile.
“That’s my girl,” Dad said, rustling my hair with his hand before standing.
It didn’t take me long to get ready in those days. I hadn’t been bitten by the beauty bug that infected my peers. I was thirteen but could have passed for younger. I opened my top drawer and selected a yellow one-piece bathing suit. I pulled it on and layered it with one of Dad’s oversized shirts. I braided my hair and brushed my teeth. Ta-da, I was ready for the day.
I slumped downstairs and found Dad sitting in the kitchen, his focus on the morning newspaper.
“You ready, Dell?” he asked when, after several seconds, he noticed I’d arrived.
“I guess.”
He stood and grabbed the car keys from the center fruit bowl.
“Why don’t we just walk?” I asked. “It’s like five minutes away.”
“Mom might have something we need to load or pick up.” He finished his coffee in one swig and placed it on the counter. “Say, why don’t you ever want to help with your mom’s events?”
“She’s just so…” I scanned the kitchen, as though written on the refrigerator or microwave would be a snarky word that would best describe my mother. “Intense.”
Dad laughed. “She can definitely be that.” He put his arm over my shoulder, and we walked toward the front door. “But she’s intense in the best kind of way.”
I rolled my eyes. Minutes later and only a few meters away, we pulled into an empty parking space. The pool area was already decorated. Each gatepost had a red, white or blue balloon attached. Through the metal slats, I could see Mom and Brian scurrying around the pool’s edge. When she heard the car door close, Mom jerked her head and looked.
“Thank God,” she said. “Honey, I need you to pick up food platters from the deli. Della, come on in here and help me.”
“Told you I needed the car,” Dad whispered, shrinking back into the vehicle. “Do what your mother says.”
“About time,” Brian said when he heard the pool gate slam.
“Shut it,” I said, walking toward Mom.
“What did you say to me?” Brian put down the roll of streamers he had in his hands and took a step closer.
“That’s enough,” Mom said, standing between us and using both hands to point. “People will be here within the hour. We don’t have time for bickering.”
“He started it,” I whined.
“Not now, Della.” Her voice was firm. “Besides, it is about time. What were you thinking sleeping in so late?”
“Mom, I—”
“Enough,” she said, stomping her foot on the concrete. “The tables are already set up. I just need you to add tablecloths.”
“Fine,” I said, biting my bottom lip and storming off.
Brian returned to manhandling the streamers, an aggravating smile on his face.
By noon, the entire pool area was packed. Everyone gravitated toward their usual neighborhood crowd. For Dad, that meant he stood alone by the barbecue hoping to go unnoticed. Mom floated from one cluster to the next, ensuring everyone was jovial and well fed. Brian was talking to his best friend in the neighborhood, Danny.
“The place looks great,” said Amber as she walked up. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head and she wore a striped cover-up. “Did you help?”
“Yeah,” I said, thumbing my braid. “It takes a village.”
Amber was the only girl in my grade who lived in the neighborhood, which made her my best friend. She lived five houses down on Danny’s side of the street. Their row of houses was the most expensive on the cul-de-sac. That’s why they’re only children, Mom would say in a bitter tone. She said Amber’s parents couldn’t handle more than one, and she referred to Danny as an Oops baby, since his mother was nearing forty when she had him.
“I can’t believe this is the last week of summer,” Amber said.
For Floridians, that wasn’t necessarily true. While Wilsonville certainly had cold spells, entertainment was always nearby. An hour’s drive in one direction took us to the beach. An hour’s drive in another direction landed us near all the major theme parks. Even the community pool stayed open year-round. The days would be unbearably hot for at least another two months.
“I think the party is more about returning to school than saying goodbye to summer.”
“Just think, we’ll be in high school next year.” Amber scanned the area, her eyes landing on the huddle of neighborhood boys. “Should we say hello to our future classmates?”
“Amber, no,” I said, sinking my weight into a flimsy patio chair. Amber was my best friend, but utterly exhausting. She loved pestering boys. Brian always seemed part of that group, and I tried to avoid him even more in public than I did at home. “Let’s just go for a swim.”
“I’m not getting my hair wet.” She unwrapped her cover-up and slung it next to my chair. Her fuchsia bikini certainly made her look older than thirteen, which was always her goal.
“Why’d you wear a bathing suit if you’re not swimming?”
“Really, Della?” She yanked on my arm until I stood. Suddenly, we were standing next to Brian and his friends.
“Hey, guys,” Amber said, poking out her bony hip.
“How’s it going, girls?” asked Danny. He looked at me and smiled. Even then, he was the
