Perfect Summer by Bethany Lopez
Faith
One of the things I’d missed about Mason Creek were the festivals.
In Mason Creek we celebrated everything. If there was a holiday, we’d have a festival for it in the middle of Town Square and everything would close down so the whole town could get involved.
It was Memorial Day and Hope was over-the-moon excited about attending another festival in the square.
She loved everything about it … the ice cream tasting, the pie-eating contest, and especially the live music. My girl loved to dance, so whenever we attended anything with music, she was centerstage, dancing until she couldn’t breathe.
The forecast said we had a beautiful day ahead of us, and since the salon was closed along with everything else, we planned to spend the whole day in the square.
My parents were meeting us for lunch, and I was sure throughout the day I’d see everyone I knew at least once. Including Mitch … and I could admit to myself that, although the thought made me a little nervous, the feeling that won out was excitement.
Hope had been singing Mr. Mitch’s praises all week to anyone who would listen. She was completely in love with Prince Alice and saw Mitch as the person who made getting him possible. So right now, he was her favorite person on the planet.
“Little bear, are you ready?” I called as I gathered everything together.
“Almost. I gotta make sure Prince Alice has food and water … and his stuffed bunny. He’s going to be lonely,” she called back.
I smiled, thinking of how great she’d been caring for the cat. She was too little to worry about kitty litter, but she’d been diligent about his food and water, and she loved having him in her bed at night.
A few moments later she came bounding down the hall.
“Ready?”
Hope nodded enthusiastically and kicked out her foot. “I’ve got my dancing shoes on.”
She had on matching sneakers. When she knew she was going to be dancing, Hope dressed for comfort, not style.
“Let’s shake a tail feather then,” I said, loving it when Hope laughed in response.
We walked to the square, since parking would be impossible, with a cloth bag filled with water, a blanket, and snacks for Hope, and a picnic basket filled with goodies for the auction.
Since I didn’t want to lug it around all day, we went to the auction table first.
“Good morning, Faith. Hope, how are you on this gorgeous morning?” Mrs. Wright asked with a welcoming smile.
“Wonderful, how are you?” I asked.
“Couldn’t be better,” she replied easily.
“I just wanted to drop off my basket for the auction. I can’t believe my mom talked me into making one,” I said, a little embarrassed.
I could almost guarantee I was going to be the oldest woman auctioning off her basket today. It was a Mason Creek tradition and a staple at our festivals. The single women in town would make up elaborate picnic baskets and auction them off to the single men in town. Whichever man won, would get to share the picnic with the woman. Some may say it was archaic, but it was all in good fun, and the proceeds went to the children’s hospital, so it was for a good cause.
Still, I’d never participated in one, so I was a little nervous and embarrassed at the thought.
I mean, what if no one bids on my basket? How humiliating would that be?
“Mommy, where’s Mr. Tucker? I don’t see him on the stage.”
I glanced over to the empty stage and said, “They just haven’t started yet, sweetheart. I’m sure they will soon.”
Hope tapped her foot impatiently and said, “Then can we go see Ms. Hattie and Ms. Hazel?”
“It’s a little early for ice cream. Why don’t we go over to the games?” I suggested, not wanting Hope to have a meltdown already. She looked so forward to these events that sometimes the anticipation of everything could overwhelm her.
“Okay, Mommy. Bye, Mrs. Wright,” Hope said, grabbing my hand with hers and tugging me away so I wouldn’t start talking again and get waylaid.
We said hi to everyone as we moved across the grass and closer to the fountain, where the games were set up.
Once we got there, Hope saw a couple of her friends and they all started playing the fishing game. Knowing Hope could play and talk to her friends forever if I’d let her, I moved to a free bench and sat down so I could watch her.
I was enjoying the sun on my face and the sound of Hope and her friends laughing together, when a shadow fell over me.
I looked up to see Mitch standing there with two cups of coffee in his hands.
When he held one out to me with a grin, I asked, “What’s this?”
“Dirty Chai, right?”
“Yeah,” I said, accepting it with surprise. “How did you remember that?”
He shrugged and gestured to the bench. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” I said, scooting over to make room.
Mitch sat next to me and looked over at Hope. “She’s having a good time.”
“Always,” I agreed with a grin. “She loves festivals.”
“Who doesn’t,” Mitch quipped. He leaned close and bumped my shoulder with his. “A little birdy told me you’re in the picnic auction.”
I felt my cheeks heat and mumbled, “My mom made me do it.”
Mitch’s laugh was loud and from the belly, which had me smiling along with him, and got Hope’s attention.
She came running over calling, “Mr. Mitch, Mr. Mitch…”
“Why, hello, Ms. Hope. How are you? And how’s Prince Alice?” he asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees when she stopped right in front of him.
“He sleeps with me every night and I give him food and water. He loves it at our house,” she said, speaking fast and bouncing on her feet. “He’s got a pet bunny and he purrs really loud. Don’t you love the festival? I’m going to eat ice cream and dance all day. Do you like to dance?”
“I love to dance,” Mitch said with a laugh.
“Okay. We’ll dance once Mr. Tucker gets on the stage. Do you know when he’s going to start?”
Mitch looked over at the still-empty stage and said, “I think the sign said at one o’clock. So, after lunch I reckon.”
Hope nodded seriously and said, “I hope he’s not late,” before she spun around and went running back to her friends.
Mitch chuckled and said, “You’ve got a great girl there.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty amazing,” I agreed.
Mitch stood up and said, “Well, I told the Jackson twins I’d help them set up for the ice cream tasting, and if I’m late they’ll send out a search party.”
“I’m sure I’ll see you around,” I replied.
“Oh, you will. I’ll be in the front row for the auction,” he said, shooting me a devilish grin before walking away.
Oh boy!