6 Chapter 6

Too bad this place didn’t sell beer or else I would had grabbed a six pack. As it was, I settled for a case of root beer instead. Maybe Dad had some ice cream and we could make floats.

Oh God, this is so pathetic. Floats? I wasn’t sixteen anymore, and yet being home made me feel I was. If I was in Phoenix, I’d see a concert with friends, or we’d all hit up a restaurant in Scottsdale, or see a movie at the Film Bar. Here, I was reduced to wanting ice cream floats.

There were few other options. I’d missed the fairs in July and August. The seasonal changing of trees was another two months away. No snow at the Wisp for skiing.

Sinking to a new low, I set my items for purchase up on the checkout counter.

“Marty Smith?”

I spun in surprise and glanced at the good-looking guy behind me. No recognition, but he wascovered in a thick layer of mud. At least, I hoped it was mud.

“Uh….” I replied.

He grinned. “I’m Colten Williams. I was a year behind you at school.”