Discovering Clairmont: Part II
Posted by DiF on Sunday, August 14, 2011 Under: Discovering Clairmont
Title: Discovering Clairmont: Part II
Rating: PG-13 [language, oblique mention of drugs]
Characters: Summer and Adele Dylan, James Page Jr., Cameron Crowe, Stacy Hamilton, Linda Barrett, Mark "Rat" Ratner, Jeff Spicoli, Mr. Hand
Author's Note: This series is based on Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Using both the book and movie as guides, I hope to provide a glimpse into what could have happened, especially in relation to Midnight Shift. Completely canon with the epic and WILL contain spoilers.
Summary: Summer arrives at Clairmont High, without warning Cameron beforehand. Once 'Dave' sees her, he quickly befriends 'Katrin' and the journey truly begins.
September 1979
San Diego, CA
Pulling up to the high school, Summer suddenly felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She dated rock stars, dined with legends, and performed in front of crowds of discerning folk fans; high school should not be that big of a deal. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact she had absolutely no frame of reference as to how anything would be. She had never attended public school in her life, never even set foot on any campus. Her nerves were so great; they nearly kept her seated in the passenger seat of her mother’s car.
But she could not remain in the car, just watching everyone head up to the building. She had not rented a house in San Diego with her mother and left her fiancé back in England for the next ten months for no reason. Turning around, she smiled at her son who happily gurgled and waved his hands about. Making a few faces at the infant and telling him to behave for his grandmother, her blue eyes flicked to her mother.
“We’ll be fine, Summer,” Adele proclaimed. “You enjoy your first day of school and don’t worry about us.”
“Okay… okay…” she reached for her large purse. “Um… I’ll probably get a ride home with Cameron.”
She grinned, “I won’t worry about coming to pick you up then. Have a good day, honey.”
Getting out of the practical sedan, Summer slung the bag over her shoulder, closed the car door, took a deep breath, and looked up at the imposing building. Biting her bottom lip slightly, she headed up to the administrative building. She introduced herself to the principal and received her schedule. He briefly went over the rules, which she was certain he had not done with Cameron, but did not say anything. Instead, she thanked him and headed towards her home room as the second bell rang.
Locating her homeroom, English with Mrs. George one of the teachers in on Cameron’s espionage, she took another breath and opened the door. The English teacher halted her speech and looked at the young blond woman. With a sheepish smile, Summer held out her schedule card. The older woman glanced over it and handed it back with a smile.
“Class, this is Katrin Davis and she will be joining us in homeroom,” the teacher introduced Summer. “There is an open desk in the second row.”
“Thank you,” she tucked her schedule card into her jeans pocket and headed to the empty seat.
“Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself, Katrin?”
“Well,” she kept her eyes on the teacher, “I was born outside San Francisco and lived in Los Angeles until recently, when my mom decided to move my… brother and me down here for a new start. Um… I like to play guitar and hope to learn how to surf soon.”
“Great,” Mrs. George continued to smile. “Class, please turn to page 115 in your textbook. Katrin, here is a book for you.”
It was not until her third class that Summer actually saw Cameron. A few feet behind him as she searched for her history class, her eyes landed on the back of his head. He could have been any other senior at the school, chatting with another guy as they strolled down the hallway. Though she wanted to call out to him, she tempered herself by silently reminding herself that they had not yet met. He did not even know she was at the school yet. As he stepped into a classroom, her eyes flicked to the room number. He had the same class she did.
Entering the room as the second bell rang, Summer hesitated at the front of the classroom while everyone shuffled into their seats. The teacher noticed her the same moment Cameron did. She noticed the surprise in his eyes, but focused her attention on the history teacher, offering her schedule.
“You can sit in Mr. Spicoli’s seat, Miss Davis,” he motioned to the desk nearest the door.
“Thank you, Mr. Hand,” she responded, accepting her card back before heading to the desk.
The teacher returned to his lecture, though he passed by Summer, setting a book in front of her. Glancing at her classmates, she flipped it open to the correct page. Rather than pay any attention to the Treaty he was talking about, her blue eyes cast around the room. Her gaze connected with Cameron’s, a quick smile gracing her lips. He nodded and smiled slightly, before glancing towards the door.
Mr. Hand’s lecture came to an abrupt halt as a student dressed in cut-off jeans, sandals, and an open Hawaiian shirt stepped into the classroom. Summer quickly appraised him, certain he was higher than she had been in a long time. He shuffled towards her, his bloodshot eyes staring at her.
“Uhhhh, you’re in my seat,” he declared, ignoring the teacher’s menacing glare for his interruption.
“It was empty when the bell rang for class,” Summer replied.
“Uhhhh…”
She glanced over her shoulder at the rest of the class quickly, “There’s a seat over there in the corner.”
“No way,” his eyes glanced to the only empty desk. “I am not sitting next to stinky Steve.”
“Then, perhaps,” she paused, waiting for his eyes to return to her, “you should have been on-time to class.”
“Dude,” he glanced towards the teacher.
Mr. Hand shrugged slightly, “Have a seat, Mr. Spicoli.”
“But–”
“Now, Mr. Spicoli.”
Rather than protest any more, the surfer boy headed to the seat in the back. The history teacher returned to his lecture and the students soon began passing notes and whispering. Summer idly doodled in her text book, not paying any more attention than the others were. She stole a couple more glances at Cameron, but never connected with his eyes again.
However, once the class ended, Cameron approached her, “Hello.”
“Hi,” she responded, shoving the history book into her large purse.
“What’s your next class? Maybe I can help you find it?” he offered.
“Um…” Summer pulled out her schedule card. “Biology.”
He instantly grinned, “Me too. We can walk together.”
“I’d like that…?”
“Dave. Dave Cameron.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Katrin Davis,” she stated, following him from the classroom.
By the time they reached the Biology classroom, he promised to help her catch up in her classes, though they both knew grades did not matter to them. They separated in the classroom, Summer heading to the teacher to introduce herself. Without much ado, she was assigned to partner with Mark “Rat” Ratner and given a textbook. Sighing, she sat next to the boy, muttered a hello, and dropped the large book on the table.
Within a few minutes of the teacher lecturing, Summer’s thoughts drifted off. She was truly interested in science-type things, but the man’s monotone voice could have put a coked out groupie to sleep. Apparently she was not the only one for midway through his lecture someone began to snore fairly loudly in the back of the classroom. Stifling her giggle, Summer turned around in her seat to see who the guilty party was. Her eyes briefly met Cameron’s before flicking pass eye contact to the sleeping student. She smirked and turned around a moment before the teacher drolly addressed the sleeping boy.
Summer managed to get through two more classes before lunch – neither with Cameron. However, as she made her way to her locker to get rid of the additional books she procured, he found her in the hallway. Her blue eyes filled with light as he smiled at her. Everything seemed to make sense when he was around. At least it reminded her why she was trying to fit into the high school world.
“I know you don’t really know anyone here, Katrin,” he stated, leaning up against the closed locker next to hers, “and since I’m new here myself, I thought maybe you would like to have lunch with me?”
Her eyes flicked to his again and she smiled, “I’d like that, Dave. Thank you.”
A few minutes later, the two friends sat down at a table in the center of the high school campus. Cameron introduced her to the others. Within a few minutes, Summer was in easy conversations with the girls. She had a feeling she was going to like high school.
Watching Summer put her books into her locker, Cameron smiled slightly. He had not really expected her to join him in high school. Even though he was now settled into a clique, thanks to befriending Linda Barrett the week prior, having his best friend in residence made everything seem so much better. He really could not believe his fortune in having her along for this particular journey. Even the very fact that he would be seeing her on a daily basis – even on weekends, he supposed – seemed mind-blowing to Cameron. Talking to her on the phone often was great; seeing her was… he could not describe it.
After saying goodbye to a few of his friends, Cameron headed down the hallway towards her. As she closed her locker door, he stopped. Their eyes met and she smiled.
“How you getting home?” he asked casually.
“I was going to walk. It’s nice outside,” she responded.
“Let me give you a ride,” Cameron offered.
“I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way.”
“It’s no big deal,” he replied.
“Alright then,” she smiled.
They chatted about classes as they headed out of the green-dominated school building. Cameron pointed out a few groups of people Summer had not met, explaining them as Linda had to him a week before. As they reached the parking lot, she felt as if she had a much better understanding of the school as a whole. She hoped it would make fitting in even easier the following day.
Reaching his modest car, Cameron opened the door for Summer. She smiled brightly at him, stowing her large purse on the floorboard. He trotted around the car and slipped behind the wheel. Starting the car, his Led Zeppelin IV tape instantly blared, making his eyes widen and his fingers fumble to turn it down. Summer merely giggled.
Waiting until they pulled out of the parking lot, not that anyone could hear them while in his car, Cameron commented, “I wasn’t expecting to see you at school.”
“It took me awhile to work out everything, including finding a house to rent. I’m sorry I missed the first day of school with you,” Summer replied.
He quickly flashed her a smile, “But you’re here now and that’s what matters.”
“I’m really glad. I can’t wait to spend so much time with you.”
Stopped at a stoplight, Cameron met her eyes, “Me too. We haven’t really had the chance to spend more than a few days together in a while.”
“You’ve got me until summer, for the most part.”
“I like that,” he turned his attention back to the drive. “Oh. I didn’t ask where you’re living…”
“Our house is literally around the corner from yours,” Summer replied.
“Really?” he smirked.
“Yeah. I almost walked over to surprise you last night, but… I thought it would be better to meet in school.”
Cameron remained silent for a minute, “There’s a football game this Saturday. Do you want to go with me?”
“I just need to make sure Mom can watch James, but I would love to go.”
“Is your dad here too?”
Summer chuckled, “No. We both know he would get in the way. That’s why my story is that my parents are getting a divorce and my mom fled here to San Diego with mybrother and I, to start over without any memories of my dad.”
“Oh, good story,” he nodded. “I just told those who asked that I finally convinced my parents to let me attend public school.”
“Oh that’s right. You went to Catholic school before becoming the Rolling Stone’s boy genius.”
He flushed slightly, “Something like that.”
“Turn right at the next street. It’s the fourth house on the left. The blue one,” she instructed, smiling at his slight blush. “You’re going to come in and say hi to my mom, right?”
“And to thank her for being here,” Cameron agreed.
Arriving at Summer’s house a few minutes later, he glanced over the façade of the modest home. Shaking his head, he got out of his car. Just the week before, hewatched movers unload. He had not stopped to see who was moving in, or else he would have spent far more time with her.
As they entered the house, Summer’s son squealed happily and crawled quickly towards his mother. Letting Cameron close the door, she scooped him up, showering his face with kisses. He giggled and gurgled happily, apparently telling her how much he missed her and what filled his day without her presence. Adele motioned Cameron in, leading him to the kitchen while Summer and James conversed.
“I just wanted to tell you myself,” Adele opened up the fridge and removed a large pitcher of iced tea, “that I appreciate you bringing Summer on this journey with you. I think this will be a great learning experience for you both.”
“I… thank you,” he responded, accepting a glass of tea. “I’m really glad she’s here. It will make it all so much… easier and better and… yeah.”
“She probably hasn’t mentioned how miserable she has been with Jimmy lately,” she spoke softly, returning the pitcher to the fridge.
Though Summer had mentioned in passing a few months back that being in the UK with Jimmy was rather dull, she had not really expressed much else about it to him. Or perhaps she had, but Cameron had been wrapped up in his breakup and the subsequent push to start the research on “the kids.” Had he let down his best friend when she needed him?
“Not that I can recall…”
“She probably did not want to worry you, but… Jimmy’s drug use has become very… excessive. She cannot get through to him about it and more often than not… she is either in one house while he in another or… she’s spent weeks here in California with Bob and I. She’s not happy, Cameron. But she’s clinging to… something. I don’t know what.”
“I see…”
Adele waved her hand dismissively, “I’m sure she’ll tell you all of this once you two get settled into seeing each other often. You’ve always been very close.”
“Yeah…”
“Oh here I am just chatting your ear off,” she shook her head. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” he responded as Summer entered the kitchen, baby on her hip.
The infant instantly reached for Cameron. Setting down his glass, he accepted his godson and made a face at the baby. Summer reached around him and picked up his glass, sipping some of his iced tea without a thought.
“Summer, I thought you could make a fresh fruit salad to go with the shrimp I’m going to grill,” Adele suggested. “I even baked brownies for dessert.”
“Okay, Mom, sounds good,” her blue eyes flicked to her best friend and her son. “Are you staying for dinner?”
Cameron smiled slightly, “How could I say no to you?”
Sitting in Summer’s backyard as she sang her son to sleep, Cameron smiled. She was such a natural mother. He could see with every interaction with James, now and every moment before, she truly loved and adored her son. She might have come on this journey with him, but he knew she would drop it in a heartbeat if her son needed her. It was admirable and a bit… nerve wracking. Now that she was here, going to school with him, Cameron could not imagine attending without her – and she had only been at the school a week now.
As her singing voice softly ended, Cameron’s eyes left her son to meet hers. She smiled sweetly at him before pressing her pointer finger to her lips and motioning to her son. Understanding, he remained silent. Just sitting with her was enough. A few silent minutes passed before Summer got to her feet and headed into the house. She returned without the baby and moved her chair a bit closer to Cameron.
“Do you have any idea how wonderful this week has been?” she asked softly, her hand reaching for his.
He enfolded her hand in his own, “I’m pretty sure that I do.”
“I haven’t felt so… good for such an extended period of time for… yeah…” her eyes looked away as she refused to finish her sentence.
“Summer,” he squeezed her hand, “you know you can tell me anything.”
“Yeah…”
While he wanted to pry her thoughts from her pretty head, Cameron resisted. He had managed to suppress her mother’s babbling on his first visit to the house earlier in the week, as he did not want to push her before she was ready. However, as she held his hand and avoided his eyes, he knew something was weighing down on her soul. He had a feeling that something had a name.
“Summer…”
“I like Linda, but there’s something about her I can’t quite put my finger on. Like she’s trying hard to be someone that she really isn’t. And why is she friends with Stacy? They seem polar opposites. But they met at the ice cream parlor, right? How did you meet Linda again? What’s football like? I’ve watched futbol with Robert, but I know that’s different. What should I wear to the game tomorrow? What–”
“Summer,” he interrupted abruptly, “relax. You don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you if you don’t want to. We’re best friends. I won’t push you.”
She seemed to visibly relax, but not completely. Her blue eyes turned up towards the cloudless night sky. Wiggling his hand free from hers, Cameron scooted his chair as close to hers as possible, leaning so his shoulder touched hers. He turned his gaze up to the sky too, pressing his head against hers. A slight smile touched his lips as he could feel her smile. As his hand found hers again, a star glittered across the sky, leaving a brief, gassy trail.
“Cam,” Summer breathed, “did you see that?”
He leaned slightly away so he could look down into her eyes, “I did. Did you make a wish?”
“I did,” she responded.
He smiled again and quickly kissed her forehead, “Then the heavens will move to make it so.”
“Whenever I’m with you, I believe again.”
“What do you believe, Summer?”
Her eyes held his, “I believe that–”
“Excuse my interruption,” Adele’s head leaned out the back door, “but, Cameron, your mother is on the phone.”
He sighed, “I’ll be right there.”
Summer’s mother nodded and ducked back into the house.
Meeting Summer’s eyes again, he smiled, “You stay here and wish on more falling stars. I’ll go remind my mother that even though I’m attending high school, I am in fact not a child anymore.”
As he headed into the modest, middleclass house, Summer turned her blue eyes back up to the night sky. Her fingers plucked the engagement ring that dangled from a necklace about her throat up. She played with the ring on the chain, but did not slip it onto any finger. This research of Cameron’s was going to reveal a lot more than just how ‘the kids’ thought. She knew in her soul, she was changing too.
Rating: PG-13 [language, oblique mention of drugs]
Characters: Summer and Adele Dylan, James Page Jr., Cameron Crowe, Stacy Hamilton, Linda Barrett, Mark "Rat" Ratner, Jeff Spicoli, Mr. Hand
Author's Note: This series is based on Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Using both the book and movie as guides, I hope to provide a glimpse into what could have happened, especially in relation to Midnight Shift. Completely canon with the epic and WILL contain spoilers.
Summary: Summer arrives at Clairmont High, without warning Cameron beforehand. Once 'Dave' sees her, he quickly befriends 'Katrin' and the journey truly begins.
Part I | Part II | --- |
September 1979
San Diego, CA
Pulling up to the high school, Summer suddenly felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She dated rock stars, dined with legends, and performed in front of crowds of discerning folk fans; high school should not be that big of a deal. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact she had absolutely no frame of reference as to how anything would be. She had never attended public school in her life, never even set foot on any campus. Her nerves were so great; they nearly kept her seated in the passenger seat of her mother’s car.
But she could not remain in the car, just watching everyone head up to the building. She had not rented a house in San Diego with her mother and left her fiancé back in England for the next ten months for no reason. Turning around, she smiled at her son who happily gurgled and waved his hands about. Making a few faces at the infant and telling him to behave for his grandmother, her blue eyes flicked to her mother.
“We’ll be fine, Summer,” Adele proclaimed. “You enjoy your first day of school and don’t worry about us.”
“Okay… okay…” she reached for her large purse. “Um… I’ll probably get a ride home with Cameron.”
She grinned, “I won’t worry about coming to pick you up then. Have a good day, honey.”
Getting out of the practical sedan, Summer slung the bag over her shoulder, closed the car door, took a deep breath, and looked up at the imposing building. Biting her bottom lip slightly, she headed up to the administrative building. She introduced herself to the principal and received her schedule. He briefly went over the rules, which she was certain he had not done with Cameron, but did not say anything. Instead, she thanked him and headed towards her home room as the second bell rang.
Locating her homeroom, English with Mrs. George one of the teachers in on Cameron’s espionage, she took another breath and opened the door. The English teacher halted her speech and looked at the young blond woman. With a sheepish smile, Summer held out her schedule card. The older woman glanced over it and handed it back with a smile.
“Class, this is Katrin Davis and she will be joining us in homeroom,” the teacher introduced Summer. “There is an open desk in the second row.”
“Thank you,” she tucked her schedule card into her jeans pocket and headed to the empty seat.
“Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself, Katrin?”
“Well,” she kept her eyes on the teacher, “I was born outside San Francisco and lived in Los Angeles until recently, when my mom decided to move my… brother and me down here for a new start. Um… I like to play guitar and hope to learn how to surf soon.”
“Great,” Mrs. George continued to smile. “Class, please turn to page 115 in your textbook. Katrin, here is a book for you.”
It was not until her third class that Summer actually saw Cameron. A few feet behind him as she searched for her history class, her eyes landed on the back of his head. He could have been any other senior at the school, chatting with another guy as they strolled down the hallway. Though she wanted to call out to him, she tempered herself by silently reminding herself that they had not yet met. He did not even know she was at the school yet. As he stepped into a classroom, her eyes flicked to the room number. He had the same class she did.
Entering the room as the second bell rang, Summer hesitated at the front of the classroom while everyone shuffled into their seats. The teacher noticed her the same moment Cameron did. She noticed the surprise in his eyes, but focused her attention on the history teacher, offering her schedule.
“You can sit in Mr. Spicoli’s seat, Miss Davis,” he motioned to the desk nearest the door.
“Thank you, Mr. Hand,” she responded, accepting her card back before heading to the desk.
The teacher returned to his lecture, though he passed by Summer, setting a book in front of her. Glancing at her classmates, she flipped it open to the correct page. Rather than pay any attention to the Treaty he was talking about, her blue eyes cast around the room. Her gaze connected with Cameron’s, a quick smile gracing her lips. He nodded and smiled slightly, before glancing towards the door.
Mr. Hand’s lecture came to an abrupt halt as a student dressed in cut-off jeans, sandals, and an open Hawaiian shirt stepped into the classroom. Summer quickly appraised him, certain he was higher than she had been in a long time. He shuffled towards her, his bloodshot eyes staring at her.
“Uhhhh, you’re in my seat,” he declared, ignoring the teacher’s menacing glare for his interruption.
“It was empty when the bell rang for class,” Summer replied.
“Uhhhh…”
She glanced over her shoulder at the rest of the class quickly, “There’s a seat over there in the corner.”
“No way,” his eyes glanced to the only empty desk. “I am not sitting next to stinky Steve.”
“Then, perhaps,” she paused, waiting for his eyes to return to her, “you should have been on-time to class.”
“Dude,” he glanced towards the teacher.
Mr. Hand shrugged slightly, “Have a seat, Mr. Spicoli.”
“But–”
“Now, Mr. Spicoli.”
Rather than protest any more, the surfer boy headed to the seat in the back. The history teacher returned to his lecture and the students soon began passing notes and whispering. Summer idly doodled in her text book, not paying any more attention than the others were. She stole a couple more glances at Cameron, but never connected with his eyes again.
However, once the class ended, Cameron approached her, “Hello.”
“Hi,” she responded, shoving the history book into her large purse.
“What’s your next class? Maybe I can help you find it?” he offered.
“Um…” Summer pulled out her schedule card. “Biology.”
He instantly grinned, “Me too. We can walk together.”
“I’d like that…?”
“Dave. Dave Cameron.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Katrin Davis,” she stated, following him from the classroom.
By the time they reached the Biology classroom, he promised to help her catch up in her classes, though they both knew grades did not matter to them. They separated in the classroom, Summer heading to the teacher to introduce herself. Without much ado, she was assigned to partner with Mark “Rat” Ratner and given a textbook. Sighing, she sat next to the boy, muttered a hello, and dropped the large book on the table.
Within a few minutes of the teacher lecturing, Summer’s thoughts drifted off. She was truly interested in science-type things, but the man’s monotone voice could have put a coked out groupie to sleep. Apparently she was not the only one for midway through his lecture someone began to snore fairly loudly in the back of the classroom. Stifling her giggle, Summer turned around in her seat to see who the guilty party was. Her eyes briefly met Cameron’s before flicking pass eye contact to the sleeping student. She smirked and turned around a moment before the teacher drolly addressed the sleeping boy.
Summer managed to get through two more classes before lunch – neither with Cameron. However, as she made her way to her locker to get rid of the additional books she procured, he found her in the hallway. Her blue eyes filled with light as he smiled at her. Everything seemed to make sense when he was around. At least it reminded her why she was trying to fit into the high school world.
“I know you don’t really know anyone here, Katrin,” he stated, leaning up against the closed locker next to hers, “and since I’m new here myself, I thought maybe you would like to have lunch with me?”
Her eyes flicked to his again and she smiled, “I’d like that, Dave. Thank you.”
A few minutes later, the two friends sat down at a table in the center of the high school campus. Cameron introduced her to the others. Within a few minutes, Summer was in easy conversations with the girls. She had a feeling she was going to like high school.
Watching Summer put her books into her locker, Cameron smiled slightly. He had not really expected her to join him in high school. Even though he was now settled into a clique, thanks to befriending Linda Barrett the week prior, having his best friend in residence made everything seem so much better. He really could not believe his fortune in having her along for this particular journey. Even the very fact that he would be seeing her on a daily basis – even on weekends, he supposed – seemed mind-blowing to Cameron. Talking to her on the phone often was great; seeing her was… he could not describe it.
After saying goodbye to a few of his friends, Cameron headed down the hallway towards her. As she closed her locker door, he stopped. Their eyes met and she smiled.
“How you getting home?” he asked casually.
“I was going to walk. It’s nice outside,” she responded.
“Let me give you a ride,” Cameron offered.
“I wouldn’t want you to go out of your way.”
“It’s no big deal,” he replied.
“Alright then,” she smiled.
They chatted about classes as they headed out of the green-dominated school building. Cameron pointed out a few groups of people Summer had not met, explaining them as Linda had to him a week before. As they reached the parking lot, she felt as if she had a much better understanding of the school as a whole. She hoped it would make fitting in even easier the following day.
Reaching his modest car, Cameron opened the door for Summer. She smiled brightly at him, stowing her large purse on the floorboard. He trotted around the car and slipped behind the wheel. Starting the car, his Led Zeppelin IV tape instantly blared, making his eyes widen and his fingers fumble to turn it down. Summer merely giggled.
Waiting until they pulled out of the parking lot, not that anyone could hear them while in his car, Cameron commented, “I wasn’t expecting to see you at school.”
“It took me awhile to work out everything, including finding a house to rent. I’m sorry I missed the first day of school with you,” Summer replied.
He quickly flashed her a smile, “But you’re here now and that’s what matters.”
“I’m really glad. I can’t wait to spend so much time with you.”
Stopped at a stoplight, Cameron met her eyes, “Me too. We haven’t really had the chance to spend more than a few days together in a while.”
“You’ve got me until summer, for the most part.”
“I like that,” he turned his attention back to the drive. “Oh. I didn’t ask where you’re living…”
“Our house is literally around the corner from yours,” Summer replied.
“Really?” he smirked.
“Yeah. I almost walked over to surprise you last night, but… I thought it would be better to meet in school.”
Cameron remained silent for a minute, “There’s a football game this Saturday. Do you want to go with me?”
“I just need to make sure Mom can watch James, but I would love to go.”
“Is your dad here too?”
Summer chuckled, “No. We both know he would get in the way. That’s why my story is that my parents are getting a divorce and my mom fled here to San Diego with mybrother and I, to start over without any memories of my dad.”
“Oh, good story,” he nodded. “I just told those who asked that I finally convinced my parents to let me attend public school.”
“Oh that’s right. You went to Catholic school before becoming the Rolling Stone’s boy genius.”
He flushed slightly, “Something like that.”
“Turn right at the next street. It’s the fourth house on the left. The blue one,” she instructed, smiling at his slight blush. “You’re going to come in and say hi to my mom, right?”
“And to thank her for being here,” Cameron agreed.
Arriving at Summer’s house a few minutes later, he glanced over the façade of the modest home. Shaking his head, he got out of his car. Just the week before, hewatched movers unload. He had not stopped to see who was moving in, or else he would have spent far more time with her.
As they entered the house, Summer’s son squealed happily and crawled quickly towards his mother. Letting Cameron close the door, she scooped him up, showering his face with kisses. He giggled and gurgled happily, apparently telling her how much he missed her and what filled his day without her presence. Adele motioned Cameron in, leading him to the kitchen while Summer and James conversed.
“I just wanted to tell you myself,” Adele opened up the fridge and removed a large pitcher of iced tea, “that I appreciate you bringing Summer on this journey with you. I think this will be a great learning experience for you both.”
“I… thank you,” he responded, accepting a glass of tea. “I’m really glad she’s here. It will make it all so much… easier and better and… yeah.”
“She probably hasn’t mentioned how miserable she has been with Jimmy lately,” she spoke softly, returning the pitcher to the fridge.
Though Summer had mentioned in passing a few months back that being in the UK with Jimmy was rather dull, she had not really expressed much else about it to him. Or perhaps she had, but Cameron had been wrapped up in his breakup and the subsequent push to start the research on “the kids.” Had he let down his best friend when she needed him?
“Not that I can recall…”
“She probably did not want to worry you, but… Jimmy’s drug use has become very… excessive. She cannot get through to him about it and more often than not… she is either in one house while he in another or… she’s spent weeks here in California with Bob and I. She’s not happy, Cameron. But she’s clinging to… something. I don’t know what.”
“I see…”
Adele waved her hand dismissively, “I’m sure she’ll tell you all of this once you two get settled into seeing each other often. You’ve always been very close.”
“Yeah…”
“Oh here I am just chatting your ear off,” she shook her head. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” he responded as Summer entered the kitchen, baby on her hip.
The infant instantly reached for Cameron. Setting down his glass, he accepted his godson and made a face at the baby. Summer reached around him and picked up his glass, sipping some of his iced tea without a thought.
“Summer, I thought you could make a fresh fruit salad to go with the shrimp I’m going to grill,” Adele suggested. “I even baked brownies for dessert.”
“Okay, Mom, sounds good,” her blue eyes flicked to her best friend and her son. “Are you staying for dinner?”
Cameron smiled slightly, “How could I say no to you?”
Sitting in Summer’s backyard as she sang her son to sleep, Cameron smiled. She was such a natural mother. He could see with every interaction with James, now and every moment before, she truly loved and adored her son. She might have come on this journey with him, but he knew she would drop it in a heartbeat if her son needed her. It was admirable and a bit… nerve wracking. Now that she was here, going to school with him, Cameron could not imagine attending without her – and she had only been at the school a week now.
As her singing voice softly ended, Cameron’s eyes left her son to meet hers. She smiled sweetly at him before pressing her pointer finger to her lips and motioning to her son. Understanding, he remained silent. Just sitting with her was enough. A few silent minutes passed before Summer got to her feet and headed into the house. She returned without the baby and moved her chair a bit closer to Cameron.
“Do you have any idea how wonderful this week has been?” she asked softly, her hand reaching for his.
He enfolded her hand in his own, “I’m pretty sure that I do.”
“I haven’t felt so… good for such an extended period of time for… yeah…” her eyes looked away as she refused to finish her sentence.
“Summer,” he squeezed her hand, “you know you can tell me anything.”
“Yeah…”
While he wanted to pry her thoughts from her pretty head, Cameron resisted. He had managed to suppress her mother’s babbling on his first visit to the house earlier in the week, as he did not want to push her before she was ready. However, as she held his hand and avoided his eyes, he knew something was weighing down on her soul. He had a feeling that something had a name.
“Summer…”
“I like Linda, but there’s something about her I can’t quite put my finger on. Like she’s trying hard to be someone that she really isn’t. And why is she friends with Stacy? They seem polar opposites. But they met at the ice cream parlor, right? How did you meet Linda again? What’s football like? I’ve watched futbol with Robert, but I know that’s different. What should I wear to the game tomorrow? What–”
“Summer,” he interrupted abruptly, “relax. You don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you if you don’t want to. We’re best friends. I won’t push you.”
She seemed to visibly relax, but not completely. Her blue eyes turned up towards the cloudless night sky. Wiggling his hand free from hers, Cameron scooted his chair as close to hers as possible, leaning so his shoulder touched hers. He turned his gaze up to the sky too, pressing his head against hers. A slight smile touched his lips as he could feel her smile. As his hand found hers again, a star glittered across the sky, leaving a brief, gassy trail.
“Cam,” Summer breathed, “did you see that?”
He leaned slightly away so he could look down into her eyes, “I did. Did you make a wish?”
“I did,” she responded.
He smiled again and quickly kissed her forehead, “Then the heavens will move to make it so.”
“Whenever I’m with you, I believe again.”
“What do you believe, Summer?”
Her eyes held his, “I believe that–”
“Excuse my interruption,” Adele’s head leaned out the back door, “but, Cameron, your mother is on the phone.”
He sighed, “I’ll be right there.”
Summer’s mother nodded and ducked back into the house.
Meeting Summer’s eyes again, he smiled, “You stay here and wish on more falling stars. I’ll go remind my mother that even though I’m attending high school, I am in fact not a child anymore.”
As he headed into the modest, middleclass house, Summer turned her blue eyes back up to the night sky. Her fingers plucked the engagement ring that dangled from a necklace about her throat up. She played with the ring on the chain, but did not slip it onto any finger. This research of Cameron’s was going to reveal a lot more than just how ‘the kids’ thought. She knew in her soul, she was changing too.
Tags: "discovering clairmont" "cameron crowe"
blog comments powered by Disqus