The June humidity began to fall on Port Aston. Which meant all the tourists and summer stayers were slowly filing back into town. "Summer stayers" is a term the locals use to refer to the wealthy folk of Port Aston who only live here in the warmer months. I can't blame them, Port Aston was basically the place to be during June-September. Honestly, the majority of New Hampshire was. It was one of those towns that didn't even look real. It was just too perfect, other than Homeless Pete who resides in a cave down the beach. It was littered with big, dramatic beach houses lining the coast and its fair share of various seafood restaurants. The downtown was quaint, with unique small shops and boutiques making up the bulk of our small beach town. Along with the market, an auto mechanic shop run by none other than my Dad, a few other odds and ends stores, and three too many ice cream parlors that was basically all of Port Aston. Not including the normal houses us commoners lived in. They were still nice homes, don't get me wrong. Most of them were painted funky colors, like: yellow, peach, blues, you name it. They just weren't nearly as extravagant as the coastal mansions, but still walking distance to basically everything. Which was awesome for me because my lilac beach cruiser is my main source of transportation.
At this point, I think I was panting. The heat skyrocketed this week, leaving the air heavy and sticky. Certainly not bike riding weather but I had to get to work somehow. I was on my way to "Lilian's Tots and Tees", a posh, trendy, children's clothing boutique. It was insanely overpriced and most of our clothes were washed out and boring. But white women love a baby in beige these days and honey, we got beige. It was borderline baby abuse if you ask me, I mean what kind of kid wants to be dressed head to toe in a potato sack?
Rounding the corner to the shop, the literal last person I wanted to see was standing outside. Lilian herself, arms crossed, looking way more pissed than usual. Lilian had owned this joint since the 90s. We get pretty steady business, but summer time is when the ball really gets rolling. That's how it is for the majority of the shops here in Port, tourists and the seasonal dwellers really help rack up the funds and foot traffic.
"You're late," she snapped as I rolled up to her. "Again."
"I know, I'm real sorry Lilian it's just—" I started but she held up a perfectly manicured hand, cutting me off.
"Just that you have to ride your bike all the way from the south end. I've heard it a million times, Ruby. Do you know what I have to say next?" Lilian narrowed her eyes at me, or tried at least. She was a beautiful woman, or at least I think she was; before she got all that work done. Don't get me wrong, I am all for a tip and tuck but I think Lilian let it get to her head, literally. Her skin was almost too tight, she couldn't quite make actual facial expressions which worked in my favor because it made her way less intimidating. Her eyebrows were always at a high arch, narrowing into her piercing blue eyes. Lilian's graying hair was almost always slicked into a tight bun, when it wasn't it was because she was hungover. Which was usually about two times a week, I could imagine the tension of that hair do would only increase a hangover headache. Lilian was one of those wealthy beach house owners I had mentioned earlier, but she resided in Port year round. Mostly to boss us around and make days harder.
I sighed, "that I should leave earlier to account for my slow pedaling."
"Correct," she smiled, standing a bit straighter. "Now come in, I have some things I need to discuss with you and Claire."
My brain flooded with all the possible things Lilian wanted to talk to us about. A raise? Is the shop closing? Am I getting fired?!
Claire was behind the counter, going through a box of small headbands we must've gotten in. Claire was definitely one of my favorite people here in Port. She was a year older than me, just finished her freshman year at University of Maine. I had to practically beg her to come back here for the summer, I really missed her while she was away. Claire and I share what I would consider a trauma bond. Working here for the past few years has made us really close, nobody else would understand what it's like being one of Lilian's henchmen. She was a short little thing, barely hitting the five foot mark but she was certainly mighty. Her long brunette hair was always perfectly curled and she always wore long sleeves to work, even in the summer months. That's because last year she got a really bad tattoo. According to Claire, it was Mexico, she was drunk, and she woke up with a "it's is my life -jovi bon" tattoo right on her forearm. Lilian was a very... traditional woman and while she would probably be disgusted with Claire getting a tattoo in general, this one might be firing worthy. Ridiculous, I know but it's not like Claire would want our customers to see it anyways. With our clientele they'd definitely have some snotty comments to make about it. Anywhere outside of work though she wears it proudly. Well, proudly might be a stretch but she certainly wears it.
Claire's eyes brightened as soon as she saw my bike and I roll into the store, she was probably just happy to not be stuck here alone with Lilian. That was never a fun shift.
"Hey Rubs!" She smiled. "You look... shiny."
"Oh thanks," I replied, whipping my forehead with the back of my hand.
I could feel Lilan shifting her eyes between the both of us, one of the only facial muscles she could actually move and I immediately turned my attention to her.
"My nephew Spencer is staying with me this summer," She announced. But the way she said it made it seem like there would be more to that statement. Instead she stood silent, her hands clamped together behind her back.
I glanced over at Claire, who looked equally as confused as I probably did.
"That's... great news?" I spit out.
Lilian shook her head, "I wouldn't consider it that." Jeez, aunt of the year over here. "Spencer is staying with me as a punishment for a... mishap he had at his boarding school. As part of said punishment, he will be working here. With you two, and Anna of course."
Boarding school, uck. My best guess is Tilden Prep in Massachusetts. An all boys school for the uppity, rich, douchey teenagers of our beautiful nation. Every boy I've had the displeasure of meeting who has gone there has been the absolute worst, and they all love The Godfather.
"Oh," Is all I could manage to say.
Claire cleared her throat, props to her for taking this one. I'll be sure to thank her later. "Well, we'll be sure to welcome him with open arms."
"Oh that will not be necessary, Claire," Lilian laughed. Something I think I've only heard about four times in the three years I've worked here. "Spencer is in desperate need of a reality check. I ask that whatever energy he gives you, you return it. I cannot imagine he will be pleasant to be around. He has some... issues he needs to work out amongst himself. Although you might get along with him, Ruby. You're both quite mouthy"
First of all, ouch, and secondly, you have got to be kidding me. He sounds awful, not surprising if he's related to Lilian but if that heartless wench thinks he sucks then this Spencer guy must be a real shitshow. Plus the whole boarding school thing, that also automatically gives a person major dickhead points. I can't help but wonder what he did that got him doomed to Port Aston. I have to admit though, spending 3 months living with Lilian is a crazy good punishment. He must've done something insane, like killed a guy or commited arson or something. A felony, he HAD to have committed a felony to land him with that woman. Her wrath is easily worse than prison.
"Man you're really upselling this guy huh, Lilian?" I joked. Although I don't think Lilian quite knows what a joke is. I think she smiled, just a teeny tiny bit though.
"Spencer arrives Saturday," she ignored me. "Ruby, I'm putting you in charge of training and keeping an eye on him. Spencer can... get out of hand at times. Can I trust you to do that?"
Ugh, I hate when Lilian gives me tasks like these. This reminds me of the time her cousins from England came to visit and instead of having me in the store I had to run around with them in search of some weird English tea. Which made me completely understand the whole Boston Tea Party fiasco, they're SO annoying about it. Her cousins also had the most insane accents. They were from the northest north of England which basically meant their English accents had English accents. I could barely understand a word they were saying and when I wasn't attempting to translate them I was trying not to laugh at how ridiculous they sounded. I guess when you own your own store and pay your employees under the table you can do things like that.
I bowed my head a bit, "I will teach him only the crispest of folds."
Lilian sighed, "you are not nearly as funny as you think you are, Ruby."
I heard Claire choke back a laugh. As much as Lilian hates my bike, my sarcasm, and overall attitude, I know deep down she loves me. And she's so much fun to mess around with.
"Yea, I know," I shrugged.
Lilian barked some orders at us before leaving the shop for the day. Lucky for us, the store's hours were only 11am-6pm and it was already 4 o'clock.
Claire and I locked at each other as soon as the door shut behind her and immediately broke into giggles.
"You are not nearly as funny as you think you are, Ruby," Claire mimicked Lilian's light British accent. Which made me laugh even harder.
"Did you hear how she called me 'mouthy'!?" I asked. "I'm not mouthy."
"You definitely have your moments," Claire laughed, shaking her head. "But I couldn't imagine you being buddy buddy with that Spencer kid. He sounds like a total jerk."
"He goes to Tilden fuckin' Prep, he's no doubt the worst."
Claire shrugged, "they're not all that bad."
"Oh don't you start Jovi Bon."
"Michael is just misunderstood! He's a good guy, Rubs. really," Claire huffed.
I sighed, grabbing a stack of sad wall colored onesies. "He literally cheated on you, with your professor! Michael is literally king of the Tilden Prep jerkoffs, Claire. You could do so much better, I know you know that."
Michael Spifton was a guy Claire met while at University of Maine. He was gorgeous, don't get me wrong. Most of the boys that attend Tilden Prep are, must be something in that fancy mineral water they probably have there. But Michael was probably one of the worst cases of Tilden I had ever heard. Him and Claire were an item while at school, and while Michael never really possessed boyfriend qualities, Claire fell head over converse for him. They were together for about four months until he was caught cheating on her with Claire's Women's Studies professor, super ironic I know. The professor was fired on the spot but Michael of course, never got any repercussions for it, the students never really do in instances like these. Anyways, Claire was done with him after that but a few months later Michael somehow weaseled his way back into her life. They're not like, together at the moment, but certainly in kahoots.
"It's is my life, Rubs," she smiled. "I can take care of myself, promise."
I laughed, one thing I love about Claire is she knows to never take herself too seriously. "Oh I know you can. I just care about you dude, without me up in Maine I worry about you!"
"Well you're freshly graduated," she sang. "You could always apply, by next semester we could be up there together."
I shrugged, it's not that I don't want to go to Maine. That would honestly be the ideal situation, a fresh start, new people, and I would get to see Claire all the time again. But I don't think I'm quite ready to leave Port yet, my Dad and brothers still need me here anyways.
"Maybe," Is all I could manage to say.