4. A Girls Day

I had the next day off and Reya had a half day, Aja got out of school at 1:30PM so I packed up some lunch and our beach stuff in my SUV, laid out everyone a swimsuit, and prepared to take the girls for an afternoon at the beach.

"I hope no one has too much homework," I stated excitedly as both girls arrived home.

"I don't have anything." Aja stated with a shrug

"I only have to read a couple of chapters in our new book, Letters from Rifka." Reya said

"I love that book." Aja and I say at the same time and we both giggle. "Well you can read in the car on the way to the BEACH!" I was excited to do something together. Aja shrugged in her teenage way. " I packed food too.."

Aja always the foodie asked "What kind of food?"

"I made Machaca burritos and some salsa and guacamole" her smile spread across her face and she darted off to her room.

"ok then let's get our suits on."

It might be February and probably the coldest month so far since we have moved here, but we were used to freezing cold temperatures so the weather in the high 60's seem just fine.

We made it to the beach, while I do admit it is a bit chilly, it is very quite. I can only see an older couple far down the beach. We all wore dresses over our swim suits so I just started setting up a blanket and the food I had prepared.

Aja helped me while Reya took her sandles off to test the water out.

"You know she is going to be soaking wet in a few minutes." Aja stated tilting her head toward Reya.

"I know, I brought her some extra cloths just in case." I knew if I put Reya near water she was going to be playing in it, when she was little it was hard to keep her out of even fountains. " We can eat while she plays for a bit, there's plenty of food."

"I'll say do you even know how to cook for 3?" Aja plyfuly scolded I just shook my head as a no, and opened a bag of tortilla chips to dig into my homemade guacamole.

"Wow, that looks great." A male voice said from behind Aja and me. The sudden intrusion really startled both of us, and I stood up as quickly as I could, really to do what I don't know, but I did put my body between the man and Aja. "Hey, I didn't mean to startle you, I'm Troy remember me I delivered you food to your work yesterday Miss. Renee right?" he smiled and I looked at the sweet looking young man with his mop of blonde hair.

I relized it was just the young man from the restaurant. "Hi, sorry about that you did give us quite the fright. Are you hungry if you want you can eat with us, I always make food like I'm feeding an army."

Aja started laughing drawing our attention back yo her. " I'm Aja, oldest and wisest of the children of Renee." I rolled my eyes she is just too much sometimes.

" I really want to but I'm here with my friend Tristan and I don't wanna put you lady's out of food, although Mexican food is by far my favorite." Troy licked his lips overexagerating the motion.

"Sit down." I instruct Troy " Your friend is more than welcome to join us as well."

"ok cool," Troy plopped down as close to the food basket as possible. Opening the lid he whistled, " You weren't kidding there are like 10 giant burritos in here." Troy grabbed one out and started unwrapping it, he took a huge bit and I was a little worried that he might choke. He chewed his bite and smiled broadly, " This is the best," than he launched himself into me and gave me a big hug. It was a hug that gave me a feeling of family. I think I just adopted a new child. "sorry about that," he set himself back down. "It's just really good."

Aja and I started laughing. "I think you just became part of the family." Aja stated. she read me perfectly I nodded in agreement. We kept eating and Reya, soaking wet joined us, she also commented on Troy being a new family member. We just laughed and enjoyed the food.

"Troy," a voice called from a bit away. We all turned to see another young man walking toward us. He had broader shoulders than Troy and brown hair styled neatly. He seemed much more serious than Troy, at least on first impression.

"Hey, Tristan.... come on over man, meet my new favorite ladies." Reya giggling covered her cheeks at his comment, Aja saw Reya blush and like any big sister leaned in to whisper in her early. I didn't hear it but I'm sure it was something that quite embarrassed poor Reya. I just rolled my eyes at the silliness and stood up.

"Hi, I'm Renee... do you want to join us?" I looked directly at Tristan and I must say he looked familiar to me, but I couldn't place it. He really was quite tall for a young man. He was wearing board shorts and a long sleeves with a nice pair of raybans covering his eyes. I noticed him hesitant and turn his head towards Troy, then he stiffed a bit and sat down without saying a word.

I sat back down as well and I internationally patted myself on the back for not only over packing food but also for bringing a giant blanket to sit on.

" You go to Bayfield, right?" Aja suddenly asked looking at Tristan who still looked a bit stiff even while eating. He bristled a bit at the question.

"Yeah I do, how did you know that, do you go there too?"

"I do, I saw you at the senior meeting a couple of days ago, your kinda the tallest guy at school, you stand out." Aja stated tilting her head an shrugging her shoulders.

" Oh man how come I had to graduate last year," Troy pouted " I want to go to school with my new bestie."

"You can come to school with me any day you want." Reya interjected with a wide smile. We all laughed at her little crush, but Troy just put his arm around Reya and told us

"see at least someone wants me around." which made everyone laugh even more. Even Tristan was loosening up.

The evening came quickly andit was time to get home, the boys helped clean up and pack everything back into my SUV. They thanked me again for the food, and really with the two of them I only had 2 burritos left over.

"Can we exchange phone numbers?" Tristan asked me as we were gettingready to go, " both of you." He said looking at Aja as well

"Sure." Aja said reciting my number and hers as well

"I got it too." Troy yelled to her

" I expected nothing less." she yelled to him from the passenger seat.