Summer at 8
“Hello, Kaye?” Edna frantically
answers the phone while worriedly pacing the tiny space of their living room. “We
returned home coz mom wasn’t feeling good.”
“Shit! Don’t tell me you dragged mom along with you to the Higgins estate?”
Kaye’s pissed off voice resounds at the other end. I look at Mrs. Robinson that’s sitting lifelessly on a single chair. They left the house in a hurry earlier and returned just now looking visibly weak. She’s pale, sweating and seems to have difficulty breathing.
“Hey, Summie. Look after mom for a moment.” Edna pats my head before going to the door and continues talking to Kaye on the phone. “She thought that the Higgins will recognize us if she personally speaks to them, that’s why she insisted going to the estate.”
Hearing the surname Higgins, my young heart throbs. I don’t really know what exactly is happening but if that family is involved, then I’m sure it only means trouble. I know it personally. I return my attention to Mrs. Robinson and hug her around the waist as if by doing so, she’ll get better.
“Mrs. Robinson, don’t worry anymore,” I tell her consolingly although that’s more for myself since I don’t like seeing her like this. “Kaye will make everything better.”
The woman grunts and places a trembling hand over me, patting my head as if agreeing to my words. I hug her tighter and close my eyes, willing her erratic breathing to calm down already.
A few moments later, both Kaye and Sue return home. I can sense how tense they are. I wonder what’s going on. But just as my mother taught me, adult people have their own problem which children usually don’t get. So I stay silent while sitting beside Mrs. Robinson and holding onto her hand.
“Mom, are you alright?” Kaye asks and checks on Mrs. Robinson’s status before looking back to Edna. “Damn it! You know that mom’s health is weak. Besides, she and the old Higgins are only acquainted. Even if you beg that family, nothing will faze them. Especially when the wife’s the one making decisions right now coz of her husband’s critical condition.”
“I know, ok. That’s why I’m sorry,” Edna apologizes while wringing her hands. “I just thought that maybe something’ll turn out if we appear in their estate.”
“Have you administered her medication?”
“Yes.”
“What are we gonna do, Kaye? We've nowhere to go!” Sue interjects worriedly. “The contractors informed that they’ll demolish everything on this area by next week. On top of that, I got laid off from the casino.”
“Yeah, about that. I got terminated from work, too. So,” Kaye rubs his nape agitatedly. “Mom, let’s go to your room and rest.”
I silently follow Kaye as he carries his mother to her bedroom. Now that I heard their conversation, I somehow understand their situation. If only I can do something to help. I sit on the bed and rub Mrs. Robinson’s arm just like how Kaye does to my back so as to soothe the pain away.
“Will she be alright?” I ask.
“She will be once she gets to rest.” Kaye ruffles my hair indulgently. “Thanks for looking after her while I’m gone. Let’s go so she can rest for a while.”
Kaye scoops me up in his arms and carries me back to the living room. The two sisters are huddling on the couch, looking into space. Both are beautiful but with the problem they’re facing right now, they look pale and haggard.
“I’ll be out for a while,” Kaye announces and carries me with him out of the house.
“I’ll prepare dinner,” Sue informs and jumps off the couch while Edna continues sulking on the seat holding her head in both hands.
“Why do you want to come here?” I ask as soon as Kaye sits me on the sand beside him.
“I thought the cold breeze will help me calm down and think of ways to resolve our problem.”
“Don’t you mind me here with you?” I ask suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“Of course not,” Kaye chuckles and pulls me to his side, extending his body warmth to guard me against the cold night air. “I’ve always thought that life in the island isn’t for us. Maybe this time has proven it true.”
“Are you,” I swallow as anxiety suddenly struck me by his words. “Are you planning on leaving the island?”
“It’s one of my options,” Kaye sighs and leans back with one hand while the other remains wrapped around me.
“And the other?”
“Try talking to the Higgins. See if I can ask for time allowance. Or perhaps ask for a bargain or something. That if they’ll hear me out.”
Despite the short time knowing the Robinson family, I’ve grown close to them especially to Kaye. It will be terrible if I’d be apart from them. Even thinking it makes me want to cry. Does that mean if Kaye can convince the Higgins, he won’t leave the island?
If that’s what it takes for the Robinson to stay, I can probably help. No, I’ll help! If things work out fine, then Kaye and I won’t be separated. We’ll continue to play together, and we’ll both grow old together here.
“I’ll help,” I grab onto his shirt and look him determinedly in the eyes. “I’ll help you, Kaye.”
Kaye laughs softly, indulgently, before placing me on his lap and kisses the top of my head. “Sure you will,” he says but I have a feeling that he’s only saying it just because. “Are you cold? We should go back now.”
Kaye seems to not understand that I mean what I said. When he’s about to return to their house, I tug at his shirt while looking at my feet.
“I’ll go back to their house for tonight.”
“Oh,” Kaye kneels down and holds me by the shoulders while studying my face. “Will you be fine?”
“I will. I’m a big boy now, aren’t I?”
“Girl,” Kaye corrects softly with a chuckle. “Remember, only both of us know that you’re a boy. So that makes you a girl. That's why you shouldn’t be out at nighttime.”
A tepid smile stretches my lips and I duck my head in embarrassment. “I… I should go.”
“Do you want me to send you there?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Alright then,” Kaye hugs me tight while pressing a lingering kiss against my temple before finally letting go. “Careful on your way, ok?”
I nod and rush away back to the Higgins’ villa. Few people are still waiting outside the estate for the doors to open. Some even decide on camping there overnight. Just how many families are about to lose their home because of the Higgins’ plan of demolition?
Once I enter the house, I go straight to the rooms upstairs. I’m currently rooming with the servants but they didn’t forbid me to roam about the house. I know it’s the third room of the east wing coz I’ve seen him coming out of it once.
Knock. Knock. Knock. The door takes so long from opening and when it does, Clark stands in front of me, still dripping from the shower while wrapped with a towel around his waist. His brows raise seeing me at his doorstep.
“What are you doing here?” He interrogates. “Who says you can come up here?” He looks from side to side to check if there’s anyone else on the floor. “Hey, Minerva! Kyla!”
Clark starts calling out the servants’ names, probably to get rid of me. But I quickly enter his room and close the door shut.
“Please, brother. Just hear me out! I have a request to ask.” I plead desperately.
“Don’t you ever call me brother!” He seethes. “Get out right now!”
“No Kaye! My friend, Kaye Robinson, needs help! His family’s affected by the demolition and he even lost his job. I’m asking you to please spare them. If their home will be destroyed, they’ll be forced to leave the island.”
“Oh, is that where you’ve been living lately? At the Robinson?” Clark sneers and rubs his chin. “Good choice.” He aggressively grabs my face and forces me to meet his gaze. “Now that I’m looking closely, you really got such pretty face. It’s just a shame it looks exactly like your whore of a mother. Hmph!” He releases my face by pushing me off that I stagger backwards. “So you’re friends with Kaye?”
“Y-yes,” I stutter, drawing my eyes to the side because his gaze terrifies me. “T-they’re very g-good to me.”
“Hmm,” Clark smirks as if something tickles his mind. “Alright.” He shrugs and plops on his massive bed while rubbing a towel on his hair. “Tell Kaye to meet me at the resort hotel tomorrow, suite 4201 at seven o’clock in the evening. No one else should know about this. Even you should forget this after informing him.”
“A-are you s-sure you can spare them from having their h-house demolished?” I ask in a mix of excitement and apprehension.
“Of course!” Clark’s eyes glint with mischief as he continues drying his hair. “Leave now. I don’t want to spend a longer time with an outsider like you. Oh, and I don’t want you to see the Robinson from now on.”
“W-what?” I’m taken aback by his order that my excitement vanished prematurely. “B-but why?”
“Because I hate it! I don’t like you getting close to them especially to Kaye! He’s had so many women already! Adding another is vexing even if it’s just a child like you!”
“B-but—”
“No buts or your request will be canceled. After you send the message to Kaye, come back here and that’s that. Don’t involve yourself with him anymore.”
I stare at him in disbelief. The reason why I ask him a favor is so I could keep the Robinson from leaving. Thus, my chance to spend more time with them. I want to be with Kaye most especially. Yet, now he’s making me unreasonably stop seeing Kaye. I don’t understand.
“Remember you’re the one’s asking for a favor. For such a big request, this condition shouldn’t be too much at all, should it?” He makes an annoyed expression and waves his hand at me. “Now go!”
I leave his room and sprint my way back to the Robinson’s house. I can’t help it as my tears begin racing down my face as fast as my feet stomp on the pebbled ground. The thought of not seeing Kaye anymore is so painful that I have trouble breathing.
When I arrive at their doorstep, I compose myself and wipe my face clean. I hope my eyes won’t be too obvious though. Coz if Kaye detects that I cried, he might get suspicious. If he knows something’s off, he might not go to the meeting place tomorrow. I don’t want that. I would really hate to say goodbye.
I pounded against their door and Kaye opens it himself. Rather than entering their warm house and eat with them for dinner, I stay just outside and relay him Clark’s message. Kaye furrows his brows but eventually nods his head. I leave just as fast as I arrive.
I’m too restless and worried the entire night that I’m unable to sleep. Especially because I’ve grown used to sleeping beside Kaye for the last couple of months. Come to think of it, I’ve practically lived in the Robinson by now like I’m part of the family.
Just like what I’ve been doing in the past before meeting Kaye, I spend the entire day sitting by the shore. Since Kaye has been terminated from work effective yesterday, I didn’t see him come by this side of the road.
I wonder what Clark wants from Kaye. It’s already past seven in the evening. I didn’t get to sleep properly last night and today I’ve also skipped meals. I can’t calm down. When the night air becomes freezing cold, I finally return to the Higgins’ estate.
It’s already nine o’clock and most people are already in each of their room while the servants continue cleaning the already squeaky place. I rest on my bed and stare at the ceiling. What could’ve Clark want with Kaye?
Tonight, I’m able to sleep due to fatigue and stress. When I wake up, Clark’s room is where I first go after washing up. However, when I arrive at second floor, I saw Mrs. Higgins standing by Clark’s open room. They seem to be in the middle of an argument.
“Where have you been all night? Drag racing again? My, God! What happened to your face?”
“No, no. This is nothing. Really. I just spent some time with Kaye. I didn’t go to drag racing. You made me stop going, remember?”
“Kaye? That son of your nanny before? I told you not to involve yourself with that peasant! They’re low class. Did he do this to you? Stop meeting with him!”
“No! No, mom. I can’t do that. I agreed that they can stay in our property as long as he becomes my slave. He’ll do whatever I tell him. He’s really good, last night—”
“What do you mean stay on the property! They obviously can’t! Clark, isn’t it time for you to learn the ropes in managing the business? Stop toying with people already especially that… that disgusting person! Why can’t you let this one go?”
“Because he’s special! He doesn’t bend easily and I wanna break him!”
The mother pauses for a few heartbeats before sighing resolutely. “But they can’t stay in our property and that’s absolute!”
“Then let them stay in one of the cottages at the resort. How’s that? I don’t want them to leave the island, mom. Just this once. I promise to ensure the Higgins’ inheritance!”
The two become silent for a moment so I take the time for my escape. My heart violently thumps in my chest that I start feeling a severe headache. Slave? Toy with? Break him? Just what exactly does that mean? What did Clark do to Kaye last night?
I clutch the front of my dress when I feel my heart clenches even tighter. Did I just put the Robinson, especially Kaye, in a more difficult situation? I feel guilty and miserable. In panic, I leave the estate once again to go to the Robinson. I don’t care if I’m breaking my promise to Clark. I need to see Kaye.
“Oh, Summie! You’re early today.” Edna says as she answers the door for me. “Come in, we’re having breakfast.”
“Where’s Kaye?” I ask frantically.
“Summer, come here, pretty girl!” Mrs. Robinson excitedly says but her smile freezes seeing my face. “W-why… Why are you crying? Did something happen?”
“No, I—” I wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my dress and sniff. “I just got sand on my eyes.” I show them my tepid smile and continue looking around. “Where’s Kaye?”
“He’s still in bed. He didn’t return home last night, said he found a way so we can stay—”
“Please leave!” I tell them in a rush, cutting her words effectively.
“What did you say?”
“Please leave!” I start crying in despair at my own words. “I heard Mrs. Higgins and her son t-this morning. They p-plan on doing harmful t-things to you, e-especially to Kaye, if you k-keep being indebted to them. So please, just leave the island. Unh…” I suddenly duck down while clutching the spot just above my heart and sob in series.
“Oh, my baby!” Mrs. Robinson rushes towards me and helps me up to my feet before placing me on her lap as she sits on the couch. “Alright, stop crying. There, there.” She presses me to her chest and pets my hair. “We’ll listen to you. I know you only mean well.”
“I, I don’t w-want anything bad to happen to K-Kaye. Unh—” I sob even more. “Please, d-don’t depend on the Higgins anymore and l-leave… and I, I w-want you to tell this to Kaye,” In a disjointed manner, I tell them my personal message for Kaye.
The three women look at each other meaningfully. I don’t know what that look means but I can tell that they understand and have decided for themselves for Kaye’s sake as well. Despite the sisters’ mischief, they definitely love their brother. Even an outsider like me can tell.
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