This Summer Forever

“But Steven, you just came home.” His mother pursed her lips and put her hands on her hips. Even when he was a little boy, he knew not to argue with his mother when she was like this. Even though she was a tiny thing, she definitely struck fear into his heart many, many times when he was a little boy. He knew the anger was only a cover. She was sad that he wouldn’t stay home and talk with her and his father.

He was too amped up for that. He blamed the pain meds. They were beginning to wear out, and when they did at the end, they always left him hyper. Where most would have people asleep, Steven was hyper. He wanted to be out and about, doing things with people. Or he would be up until four thirty in the morning, playing video games and generally doing nothing but something at the same time.

“Mom, you’ll have me all summer,” Steven stated, trying to appease her. He loved his mother, he really did, but he needed to get out. “I haven’t been out in months. Please, Mom? I promised Mike I would go.” He could see his mother relenting when he brought up his buddy Mike. His mom had a soft spot for Michael Del Zotto. And the best part was, it wasn’t a lie. He promised Mike his first night back in the Toronto area, win or lose, they would be going out.

“Fine,” she finally relented and, even though it really fucking hurt, Steven gave his mother a megawatt grin. She grinned back at him “Love you.”

“Love you more, Mom.”



“Dude, nice fucking shiner,” Mike Del Zotto said loudly, pulling Steven into a bro-hug. Steven walked into the bar, dim lighting, horrible music and all, glad that it was already late and he wouldn’t be drinking. He could already feel a headache coming on. He observed the bar as Mike rattled on at his side, taking them through the crowded bar to where his girl and some of their friends were sitting. The bar was nothing fancy, just the usual hangout for them in the off season.

“Stevie!” His head turned in the voice’s direction, and he couldn’t help but grin.

“Cassie!” He mimicked, taking two long strides and wrapping the petite girl in a tight hug.

“Hey, you never greet me like that Cass, and I’m your boyfriend!” Everyone around laughed at Mike, and Steven let go of Cassie, keeping a casual arm over her shoulder. Everyone knew that Cassie and Steven were like brother and sister, but he couldn’t help but grin over at Mike’s antagonized face.

Soon enough everyone was talking and laughing and having a good time, like always. Steven couldn’t help but notice a new girl in their folds, watching as she laughed and talked openly with Mike, Cassie and their friends.

“Who’s the new girl?” Steven asked Mike when the guys offered to go get everyone a second round of drinks.

“Oh, that’s Vinny Carbone’s little sister.” Steven scrunched his eyebrows together; the name was familiar, but it had probably been years since he had seen or heard from the man. They were on their way back to their tables when the name finally hit him.

“Addie Carbone? That’s Addie Carbone?” Steven said quietly, watching the confident young woman chat with Cassie and Tom, a longtime friend of Steven and Mike’s.

“Well, she goes by Mandy now, but yeah that’s the one.”

Steven nodded, carefully holding the three beers in his one hand and his own drink in the other. He slid onto a stool, putting the beers on the table, and relaxing. He let the conversation around him run wild. He looked around the room, his own thoughts – plus the pain in his face – causing his head to pound.

All of a sudden delicate fingers were snapping in front of his face. Steven resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead turned his attention back to his friends, taking a swig of his drink.

“Sorry, got distracted,” Steven said loudly, trying to be heard over the music and other patrons. Cassie just shook her head at him at the other girl, Mandy, just rolled her eyes. “What’s up?”

“The girls were thinking of getting out of here, going somewhere quieter.”

“False,” Mandy spoke up, directing the words at Mike. “Cassie wanted to go somewhere quieter, preferably with just you, but didn’t want to be rude.” Steven was shocked at the blunt words falling from her mouth, but the other three didn’t seem fazed by it at all. It made him wonder just how much he had missed in the last year.

“Somewhere quieter sounds great, my head feels like it’s about to explode,” Steven replied, lifting a hand to rub his temple.

“Wow, you’re a lush; not even halfway through your beer and already nursing a hangover,” Mandy stated, and Steven couldn’t tell if she was trying to be funny or serious. So he just gave a little shrug, finished his ginger ale, and pushed back from the table. Everyone followed suit, and Steven casually slipped his phone out of his pocket. They had only been at the bar for a few hours, but it was already going on eleven o’clock.

When they were outside, Steven finally opened his mouth to let everyone know he would be heading home.

Mandy couldn’t help but get another rib in before he left. “Are you sure you’ll be able to drive yourself with all the alcohol you drank tonight?” She stood next to Tom, a hand propped on her hip and her head tilted to the side. This time Steven didn’t bother to hide his rolling eyes.

“Nope, I’m pretty sure the ginger ale kept me well under the legal limit,” he stated drily, before saying goodbye to the group. The walk to his car was quick and quiet; he was only stopped twice for autographs. The whole time to his car and driving home, he couldn’t help but hope that Mandy wouldn’t be hanging out with them all summer.

He might just consider finding new best friends.