My Summer Sunshine

***

Thank you all for your comments on my previous story, as without feedback I cannot improve and develop my writing.

This is another story with a long build up, but I hope you find it an enjoyable journey.

Again, please vote and give feedback either in the Comments or by private message. I will respond to each and every message.

DG

***

Friday Afternoon

Returning home from town in the late afternoon of what had been a glorious day with duck egg blue skies and the occasional wispy cloud drifting across the face of the sun, it wasn't until I stepped into the shade of my two-story house that I realised just how hot it still was. I planned to get changed into shorts and a tee shirt then sit in the sun on my back deck with a cold drink.

But you know what they say about the best laid plans.

Walking up my front path and about to put my key in the lock, I froze; something had changed, and as I live alone nothing should have been different.

Taking a couple of steps back I inspected my door, the path, the lawns on each side, the rock garden... yes, the rock garden. The fake rock hiding my spare front door key had been moved.

My daughter Victoria and granddaughter Em each had their own key, and they let me know if they were coming to visit and I had received no message or call from them today.

If I'm being burgled, I reasoned to myself, chances are one of the lead-glass panels in the door would have been broken and the door left ajar to allow for a quick exit, but the door stood there hard against the jamb, closed and with the window unbroken.

What a great start to a Friday evening.

'Alf,' I told myself, 'You're not going to find out by standing here,' so gliding in the key and twisting it round, I pushed it open. The door opened with a faint susurrus as it brushed over the carpet, and I stepped inside to the wonderful aroma of something savoury cooking.

Living alone, this doesn't happen often, and I had already reasoned it wasn't my daughter come to visit. I had no idea who the cook may be.

Hanging my coat and hat on the hall stand I tiptoed through to the empty kitchen.

"Hello," I called. "Who's there?"

"Hi Grampa, I'm upstairs," came a voice I hadn't heard for too many years.

"Summer? Is that you?"

"Sure is," she called. "I'll be down in a sec."

Summer is my daughter Victoria's, stepdaughter, her now ex-husband's child from his first marriage. He and Vic had been together for eight years, and Summer, being only fifteen at the time of the breakup four years ago had to go with her father when he moved into his new home a six-hour drive away.

Vaughan, her father, blocked all of our attempts to keep in touch with her, and we hadn't seen or heard from them since they left.

"You know, those fake rock key holders are only any good if you have other rocks around that are similar to them," she said as she flew down the stairs, swung around the newel post and ran into my arms, almost knocking me backwards. "Oh, Grampa, I have missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too, Summer. It's so good to see you again. Let me look at you."

We released each other from the tight hug, and both stepped back.

"You've hardly changed," she said, reaching up and ruffling my hair. "A little more salt than pepper up here but I love the goatee; it makes you look quite dashing and piratical."

"A little more around the belly now, too. Middle age spread is a real thing, not just an urban myth."

"Yeah, but you carry a dad-bod well. You always have, even though you are short," she said with a grin. Summer had often teased me about how she would soon tower over me; but then she had left and taken a decent chunk of joy from my life. It thrilled me that she still remembered.

"I'm not short; I just don't look my height," I replied with my usual rejoinder from years back. "I'm still 5'7 in my platform socks. Have been for years."

"I can look you straight in the eyes now, Grampa; I do believe I am as tall as you." Taking a step forward she threw her arms around me again and gave me a full body hug, her cheek pressed against mine. "I can finally hug you as an adult, not a little kid."

"How do you mean?" I could tell she had an adult figure hidden under the baggy sweatshirt and trackies she wore.

"I mean, I'm not shorter than you, you don't have to pick me up or scrunch down."

I stepped back from the hug. "At least you aren't towering over me like you'd always threatened. Promise me you've stopped growing."

"Yes, Grampa, I've stopped growing up."

"Just as well. I see you have changed your hair style," I said, looking at her short auburn hair with silver tips.

"Long hair is fine, but it takes a hell of a lot of looking after, so I had it chopped off. This pixie cut takes bugger all time to sort out in the morning. Oops," she said putting her hand to her mouth. "Excuse my French, Grampa."

"I think you're old enough to say what you want, Summer. Don't sweat it."

"Hmmm, to say what I want, hey? Well, I think dinner's about ready. Let's eat and I will tell you what I want."

"What you really, really want."

She gave me the look. "Don't be a wannabe, Grampa."

I set the table while Summer dished out the lasagna and salad she'd made and brought the plates to the table.

I offered and Summer accepted a glass of red wine, and over dinner we chatted away bringing the other up to date on what has been happening over the last four years.

"Have you seen Vicky and Em yet? I know they'll be thrilled to see you."

"No, not yet. I got off the train about what, four or five hours ago," she said after glancing at the clock, "and came straight here after picking up the basics for dinner. I'll see them both tomorrow. I'm so pleased you haven't moved somewhere else."

"I haven't but Vic and Em have. They've moved out of the house where you lived and are now in an apartment in town, close to her work. Not far from the station, actually. This is Em's last year at school."

"Is she going to university next year?"

"She wants to get a job and earn some money then travel and see the world. She'll get a job first and take it from there." I topped up our glasses, then asked, "So Summer, what about you. What has happened in your life since you left?"

"Grampa, it hasn't been fun," she sighed. "When Dad left Vicky and dragged me up north with him, he had already bought a house. He made it clear that I wasn't to contact any of you, and he even replaced the SIM in my phone, and as neither you nor Vic have a landline you aren't in the phone book."

"We tried calling you, but it kept coming up with number unavailable. Vic and I thought of sending you a letter, but realised we didn't have your address."

"I'd meant to write to you, but the more I thought it over the more I realised you couldn't do anything to make things better. I decided to just leave things alone rather than, I dunno, make you feel bad that you couldn't help."

"You know we would have done anything possible, but Vaughan is your father. He has the law on his side."

"Yeah. But life was just so different from what I'd got used to. Vicky had been a mum to me when she and dad were together. She cared about me. She spent as much time with me as she spent with Em, and I don't think you can begin to imagine just how much that meant to me. And you were the same. You didn't mind me coming to visit and we'd chat away for hours, and you listened to me. You showed me what a father should be like, and Dad just couldn't compare."

"Vaughan and I were at different stages of our lives, Summer. I had little in the way of responsibilities by then, and being single gave me different priorities."

"I get that, but it doesn't change who you are; dad didn't handle pressure well and you just took everything in your stride. You personified the whole 'don't sweat the small stuff' thing. You and dad had vastly different personalities." She leaned over and took my hand. "I loved Vicky, and Em, and you. Still do. But as for dad, well, I don't want to see him again. Ever."

"What aren't you telling me, Summer. Did something happen?"

"Yeah. You could say that. He changed once I turned eighteen. He started getting more attentive, you know, looking at me? He'd thrown his girlfriend out after a year, and that Christmas he got drunk and tried to get a bit touchy-feely."

"He what now? Did he...?"

"No, but I felt it wouldn't be long until he tried something. Next morning he apologised, blaming the drink, while staring at my boobs the whole time. It got so bad I had to avoid him. That's when I started wearing baggy clothes, and he hated that."

"Bloody hell, Summer. What a lousy thing to have to deal with. Your own father."

"Yeah, tell me about it, Grampa. He wasn't the nicest dad, but this took things to a whole new level. I decided I had to leave. I'd been saving most of my wages since I got my first after-school job. I have a reasonable amount saved up; much more than dad knew about." She smiled at me, "I have happy memories of here, so I thought I'd come down and suss it out, you know, see what work there is, see if you and Vic and Em are still here. See if I could be happy here again."

"And I'm pleased you're here. What sort of work are you looking for?"

"I thought I'd start out temping to build up a local work history and get known around different companies, then see what permanent positions come up. I have a couple of interviews lined up for Monday morning."

"Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"Yeah, about that." She looked a bit sheepish, and admitted, "I've... um... moved into your spare room already. I didn't think you would mind. And it means we can spend time together again like we used to. And maybe Vic and Em could come over and we can all be together again."

"I see, so you've made yourself at home," I said with a chuckle. "Of course you are welcome to stay. How long did you have in mind?"

"Weeeellll, I was hoping I could just move in with you; you know, live here. With you. You do have a spare room, and it's a decent size too. You have an en suite off your bedroom so we would have a bathroom each. And the bus stop is just a couple of doors down, which is perfect for getting into town for work. And I can cook and clean for you, too. I'd pay board of course. It'd be fun."

I turned and put the jug on to make a hot drink while my mind reacted to her proposition. I had lived alone for quite a number of years now and enjoyed being by myself. Em stayed over for a night or two sometimes, longer during the school holidays, but this would be different. Hugely different. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I couldn't turn her away.

Turning back, I said, "Don't make too many promises, I may hold you to them all."

Summer laughed while trying to stifle a yawn.

I said, "Why don't you turn in, and I'll tidy up down here."

"I'm sorry Grampa, I didn't realise how tired I am. It's been quite a day."

We stood and she gave me a very tight hug. "It's so good to be here; I've missed you so much."

I took a step back, pulling away from her embrace. "We've missed you too, sunshine. It's so nice to see you again; I know Vic and Em will be thrilled."

She gave me another hug, saying, "Sunshine. You are the only person who calls me that. I've missed it GP."

"Back at ya with the GP."

"Does Em call you GP now? She never used to."

"No, still doesn't. I'm either Grandpa or Granddad, depending on where we are and who's around."

"I'm sure we can get together tomorrow. But right now, I'm going to bed. Good night, GP. Love you."

"Sleep well, sunshine. Love you too."

Watching her walk up the stairs I couldn't help but compare the Summer I remembered with the Summer I see now. I had seen her grow from a small and shy seven-year-old to a young lady of fifteen, growing into whom she would become, with that charming blend of self-confidence mixed with insecurity looking for validation and approval though never admitted to.

The Summer now upstairs was nineteen, stepping out into the world and making a go of things herself, but under circumstances making her seek support and affection where she knew it would be given unequivocally.

And yet I had lived alone since Victoria's mother left me, well before Vic met Vaughan. The last thing I wanted was to have Summer move into my home and for me to begin to resent her being there. But she was my granddaughter. But I liked living alone. But I loved Summer, and it was so good to have here.

With my head full of conflict I tidied up, poured myself an Irish, and sat on the couch sipping the liquid goodness. I didn't find the answer I wanted by the time I emptied the glass so took myself off to bed feeling annoyed that I would think I had to choose between my granddaughter and my selfishness and berating myself for even thinking I had a choice.

I had to come to terms with it, I knew I couldn't turn her away.

Saturday

Next morning, Saturday, I was in the kitchen, coffee maker doing its thing, bread in the toaster, butter, and spreads on the little square kitchen table. I'm an early riser, and as half six approached I had the radio on low to catch the news.

"Good morning, GP," Summer said as she walked around behind my chair and gave me a hug, kissing the top of my head.

"Good morning, Sunshine. Coffee's hot and fresh, toast is about ready, help yourself."

"Hmmm, coffee first, then I'll see about food. It's all about priorities, Grampa."

Standing at the bench, she filled her mug and held it to her face with both hands, breathing in the divine aroma. She wore my guest robe which came to mid-calf and was cinched with the belt.

"Did you sleep alright?"

"Yes, really well; out like a light. That's a comfy bed, much nicer than my one up north."

"You're lucky I keep it made up; Em comes and stays sometimes. She likes the garden and walking barefoot on the lawn. I guess it gets a bit claustrophobic in the apartment."

"Ha, that's not the reason she comes to visit, Grampa. She loves you and I know she likes spending time with you. Just like I did."

"Why don't you give them a call from my phone, surprise them and invite them over?"

I unlocked my phone, dialed Vic, and handed it over to Summer, who put it on speaker with a smile.

"Hey dad, what's happening?"

"Hi, Vickie, it's not Grampa, it's Summer...." she said, choking on the last syllable.

Anything else she intended to say was drowned out by a happy scream of "SUMMER! Is it really you? Where are you? Stupid question. Don't move, don't you dare go anywhere, we're coming over. Em... EM!... get your arse out of bed, we're going to Grampa's, and I mean now."

Vic must have put the phone down because it went quiet except for some banging around and distant voices so Summer disconnected the call. She looked at me with a grin. "I think they are coming over; I'd better get dressed."

She had been back downstairs for less than a minute when the front door flew open and Vic rushed in followed by Em who quietly closed the door. Vic stood there looking at Summer as if not believing her eyes, then, with a cry of, "It really is you. Oh, my love, come here," Vic enveloped Summer in her arms, squeezing her, then pulling back to look at her with tears flowing down her face, before holding her tight again.

"Anyone would think you missed me," Summer joked, wiping tears from her own face.

"Ya think? Too fricken right we did. Oh, sorry Dad."

"I'll let that one go, Victoria," I said in my 'father' voice while winking at Em. "Don't I get a squidge from my favorite Em?" I asked her.

"Sorry Granddad," she said, putting her arms as far around me as she could reach.

Kissing the top of her head I suggested she help me make the drinks for us all, and I held her hand as we walked through to the kitchen.

Emily May, Em, my little munchkin. She had been sickly as a baby and that had affected her growth and development. Throughout school she had been the smallest in her class, and now at sixteen she stood all of four feet five and a half inches tall. Being less developed than most girls her age she still had to buy clothes from the children's section, much to her embarrassment.

"Is she in my room, Granddad?" Em whispered.

"Yes, she is. Do you mind?"

"Does it make me a bad person that I do mind a little bit?"

"No, Emmie dear. You're the only one who's used it since she left, but Summer didn't know that. She assumed it was my spare room which I'm sure you can understand. It's not like it's full of your things."

"I know. But it's just been you and me for years and I love being with you. I don't really know Summer anymore and if she's staying it's going to be weird sharing you again."

"Come here," I said, sitting down on a kitchen chair and holding her upper arms. "It's fine that you feel the way you do; it has been just you and me, and I have loved spending time with you, too. I love you, punkin, and I will always love you."

"Oh Granddad, I love you, too."

I continued, "I also love Summer. And deep down, you do too. Remember how upset you were when Vaughan took her away? You were inconsolable. She was a few years older than you, but you two were so close. How many times did your mum find you both snuggled up together in her bed after a storm?"

"Not just on stormy nights. I would often climb into bed with her."

"And she never refused you, hey. She loved you and you loved her."

"But it's been so long. I was what, eleven, when they left."

"That sounds right. And you're now sixteen and you've changed from who you were then. And Summer has, too. Having her around again will take some getting used to; things will be different again."

"Yeah, I guess I'm being a bit childish."

"No, Em, not childish. Change is unsettling no matter how old we are, and your life changed when Summer left, and you adapted and it became the norm, and now Summer is back, and it will take time to adapt again. Keep in mind, though, you may never get back to being as close as you were. She was gone during some important years for you. Don't feel you have to put on a show or anything, just be you, take the time you need to get to know each other again."

"Thanks Granddad. I can talk to you about things Mum just wouldn't get. She'd be doing the 'group hug' thing and cooing about how awesome it is having Summer back."

"Well, Em, I am so much older and wiser than your mum."

"True. Soooo much older. What was it like dodging dinosaurs on the way to school?"

"Stop giving your poor old grandfather a hard time! He can't help being ancient." Vic said as she walked in with Summer. "And where is the coffee? What have you two been doing?"

"I thought you were making the drinks, Em."

"No, you offered so you make them."

"Well, that's not fair. What's the point in having grandkids if they don't run around after me."

"Oh, get out of the way, I'll make it." Summer said, grabbing the kettle and filling the coffee maker with water. "Sheesh, whatever happened to southern hospitality?"

"You're in the wrong country for that, kiddo."

Vic grabbed Summer and moved her out of the way. "Go and sit at the table and let me do everything, as usual."

"Yup, OK, works for me," Summer replied.

"While you're up, put some more bread in the toaster," I said with a grin.

I sat in my usual place at the head of the table and Em sat on the side to my left, watching Summer walk around and take a seat opposite me.

"Hey Squirt," she said as she looked at Em. "You've grown."

"Hey Sums," Em replied, using their nick names for each other. "Yeah, but not much. You're way taller."

"You don't know how much I've missed you. I was so angry at dad for the way he made us leave. I couldn't even get the chance to say goodbye."