Summer Of '40

Chapter three.

“Darling your sister just called, Her family is coming down to stay with us for a couple of weeks.” My mother walked into my fathers study where I was unpacking his favorite books and placing them on unused shelves. I wanted to groan out loud when I heard my cousins were coming.

“That should be nice.” My father stated, he had his nose stuck in a news paper and his round glasses were on the edge of his nose. My mother, this morning, was in a simple pink summer dress, her dark blonde hair was in a tight bun and her pearls were in a strict line on her long neck. I looked down at my honey gold dress with white lace around the neck and skirt, my pockets were also lines with white lace and my shoes were a white buckle, heel. My curly hair was in a secure pony tale trailing down my back, however my fly always were driving me crazy.

“They said they should be here tomorrow, if not late tonight.” My mother told him one last thing and swiftly left the room, heading back to unpack more of our things from our house in New York. After I shoved the last book into its new home I kissed my fathers cheek, told him goodbye, and skipped out of our house. Passing Mary who was planting a late garden of flowers around a old maple tree.

“Miss Winnie are you going someplace particular?” She stood up and wiped the dirt on her apron and walked over to me. I smiled and shrugged.

“Well could you run to the store and pick me up a packet of seasoning, Carlson is planning on making some stake tonight.” She handed me a dollar and I nodded and waved at her as I jogged down the drive and onto the newly paved road. I looked left, then right, then breathed in a big gulp of fresh sea air and smiled and took off in the direction toward the town. Since it was yet ten o’clock I assume people would just be getting out of their house and on with their days.

I looked at everything I passed on the way to Sea-Haven. There was a family of chipmunks by the old bridge, a snapping turtle was eating something on the bank of the creek. A snake was ran over in the middle of the road about ten steps past the giant pot hole. Right before the Sea-Haven sign there was a rusty truck that had a nest of sparrows living in it also. Then once I got into town, and stepped onto the sidewalk I noticed every house and every little store. You could hear the waved on the beach from the other side of everything. Once I got onto main street it was like heaven. There was a small bakery that looked like the depression never touched it, a tiny post office was on the corner and across from that was a bank that had a beautiful flower bed in front of the big glass window. There was a medium size grocery store next to a beauty salon and there was a small clothing store next to it. It was the perfect town for my perfect summer.

I opened the grocery store door, a loud bell rang through the store, letting everyone know someone had entered. I walked down a few isles, looking for a packet of seasoning. I grabbed a pack then moised my way down to the candy section and picked up a bag of hard candy and some sweet chewier animals. I brought a handful of change out of my pocket and counted it, making sure I had enough for a coke also. I made my way over to the check out and smiled at the girl behind the counter.

“Will this be all?” She asked as she poked the numbers into the register. It was huge and gold. I nodded and handed her the money.

“Im Winnie.” I held my hand out to her, introducing myself. She smiled and shook it, then tucked a stand of red hair behind her freckled ear.

“Im Patty, did your family just move here?” She made conversation. I nodded at her and handed her the money.

“Yes my father just bought the house on Canvis road, it’s the old two story brick mansion.” I told her, she nodded and handed me my bag.

“Hey Winnie? There is a carnival tomorrow night and my boyfriend and I are going.” She told me, I just looked at her. Then she blushed.

“Oh I meant to ask if you would like to with us? Tommy is bringing a friend too.” I smiled at her and leaned over and hugged her.

“I would love to go!” I waved at her one last time and ran home, excited to tell someone that I was going to my first ever Carnival.