A Summer to Remember

Copyright © 2024 Shanell Keys.

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ISBN: 979-8-89419-028-0 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-89419-029-7 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-89419-030-3 (e)

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Contents

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

One Year Later

CHAPTER

1

It is hard for anyone to find love these days, especially if you’re born different, like me. I have always been a romantic, always dreamed of meeting my prince charming someday and having him ride in on a white horse and save me. I don’t know what he would be saving me from, but he would be there to save me if I ever needed saving. After all, that was how it was in all the fairy tales my mom used to read to me when I was a little girl. Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White all had one thing in common, a happy ending or as they call it ‘happily ever after.’ But the reality tends to be quite different. There is no white horse, no prince charming, and definitely no happily ever after. I was pondering this one day when my cell phone began to buzz in my pocket. I knew who it was before I even looked at the screen.

Hi, mom. I said with a sigh. I continued to load some dishes into the dishwasher with my free hand.

Hey Sammy, I’m so glad I caught you at a good time. Do you have a minute to talk?

My mother’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. I rolled my eyes at the fact that she still used my nickname even though I had asked her not to hundreds of times. I preferred my full name, Samantha. Besides, no one except her had called me Sammy since I was a child.

Sure mom, what’s up? I asked, guessing what it was before the words came out of her mouth.

It’s your brother. She said, with a tone of worry and desperation in her voice.

She was referring to my younger brother, Freddy. At the ripe old age of fifteen, he had been giving my parents all sorts of trouble recently. Skipping school, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and he had even been caught vandalizing an abandoned house with a group of kids, which resulted in six months of community service. We had all tried to get through to him, to make him realize these bad choices could have some serious consequences, but nothing seemed to work. In his mind, he was right, and we were all wrong.

What did he do now? I asked, not trying to hide the annoyance in my voice.

Well, it’s nothing new, just the same old thing, and to be honest with you, your father and I don’t know what to do anymore. His grades are just awful, even though I know he’s smart. He skips school all the time, and he hangs out with these hoodlums that are always up to no good. And, the attitude, the disrespect is just appalling. I never remember you giving us this much trouble when you were his age. You were always so easy.

I snorted, trying to hold back my laughter. I was hardly easy, mom. I was just challenging in different ways. I think it’s just been so long you forgot.

She paused while she thought about what I said. Well, at least you respected me and your father. Freddy just doesn’t seem to care.

I’m sorry he’s giving you so much grief. I said. But what do you want me to do about it? He hardly respects me any more than he does you or dad. I can try to talk to him, but I’m not sure that will help.

Well, actually, I was hoping he could come stay with you for the summer?

I was quiet for a moment, trying to process what she was saying to me. You want Freddy to stay with me all summer?

Yes. Your father and I have talked it over and we really think it’s the best thing to do. We’ve been trying to plan this trip to Paris forever, and we honestly just need a break. Besides, maybe this is the sibling bonding time you and Freddy need. What do you think? You don’t need to decide today, but can you at least think it over?

The silence was defining as I thought about how I should respond to my mother’s request. Would I be a jerk if I just said no? And would this really be the sibling bonding time she hoped for, or would we both end up fighting the whole time? I felt like there was no good answer, but in the end, I just said;

Ok, I think that can work.

I could hear my mother’s relief on the other end.

Really?

Yes, really.

Ok, well his last day of school is the 7th of June, so we can drop him off on the 8th. And Sammy, I can’t thank you enough for this.

I sighed, wondering what the hell I’d just got myself into. You’re welcome, Mom.

I started cleaning out my guest room that afternoon, and I realized what a mess it was. Nobody had stayed in it for as long as I could remember, so it had become my catch all room, the junk room. As I cleared out some old photos from one of the nightstand drawers, I started to reminisce. One of the pictures was of mom and dad with the two of us on the beach in Santa Cruz, all with big smiles on our faces. That’s when Freddy was going through his awkward toothless phase, and I had to laugh at the big gap where his two front teeth used to be. He was excited though, because that meant he was going to grow his big adult teeth, and he thought that was what was going to make him a man. Little did we know that the sweet little boy in that picture with the mop of curly dark blond hair would become the unruly teenager he was today. I was disappointed when my parents told me I was going to have a brother. I had always dreamed of having a sister. Someone who I could play dolls with and paint my nails with. Someone who I could gossip about girl stuff with. But as soon as I saw him, I was in love. I was nearly eight when he was born, so I was old enough to help with bottles and diapers and things like that. I quickly became like a second mom to him; I would even sing to him every night.

I love you in the morning,

And in the afternoon

I love you in the evening,

And underneath the moon

Skidda marink a dink a dink

Skidda Marink a do

I love you.

When I would sing that song to him, he would smile and fall asleep in my arms. It was the best feeling ever, and it made me realize I wanted to be a mom someday. But right now, I just wondered how I was going to survive the summer with a rebellious teenager in the house.

CHAPTER

2

The last day of school in my First-grade classroom at Crocker elementary was bittersweet. It was only my second year of teaching, and I absolutely loved what I did. Many of my students brought gifts. Flowers, candy, cards, and Knick knacks that said ‘world’s greatest teacher’ covered my desk, and I couldn’t help but smile as I looked down at my students, who all seemed to have grown so much since I first met them in the fall.

Boys and girls, you have all been wonderful students this year. I think you are all more than ready for second grade. I want you to remember everything you have learned this year and keep writing in your journals over the summer. And don’t forget to read the books I gave you. I picked books for each of them based on their interests, so I knew they would be excited to read them. One of my students, a red-haired boy named Charles raised his hand. Yes, Charles? I asked, pointing to him.

Are we ever going to see you again? he asked, sadly.

I smiled. I am sure I will see some of you at recess time, and you are always welcome to come by and say hi. I would love to see how you are all doing, so you are welcome to come see me anytime.

Bonnie raised her hand next, a cute little girl with dark hair and freckles across her nose. But I will be moving this summer, so I won’t be coming to this school anymore. She said with tears in her eyes.

Well, I am sure we can keep in touch by E mail. I said sympathetically. We are lucky to have technology that helps us keep in touch no matter where we are. And I am sure you will do great in your new school.

She nodded, but I noticed she still looked sad. It won’t be the same, Miss Goodwin. All my friends are here, and you’re the best teacher ever. I don’t want to go to second grade. Can’t you just keep us all in first grade?

Yeah, we want to stay with you. Another student shouted from the back.

It doesn’t work that way. I said, suddenly feeling a little misty-eyed myself. I will miss you all, but like I said, you are all ready for second grade. I wouldn’t be doing you any favors if I held you back in first grade. It’s like the story we read about the baby bird who was learning to fly. You all have strong wings, and you are ready to fly wherever life takes you. That might be a different classroom or even a new school, but you are all going to do great. Now it’s almost time for the bell to ring, so I want you all to get your back packs and line up.

They all quietly retrieved their back packs and lined up. Several of them stopped to give me a hug on the way, and I was reminded of how much I would miss each of their darling faces.

After all of my students had gone home, I finished cleaning out my classroom. I brought a wagon to carry all of the gifts and items I didn’t want to leave all summer. I was almost ready to leave when the principal, Mr. Hubert walked in.

Miss Goodwin, did I catch you at a good time? He asked, straightening his glasses.

Sure. I said. I was just finishing up in here.

He nodded. Great. Well first, I wanted to thank you for another great year. You have been a great addition to our school community.

Thank you, Mr. Hubert. I said, beaming with pride.

"I just wanted you to be aware I did receive