Our batch of cupcakes had suffered three casualties. I'd covered my tracks well, but the two cupcakes Summer had practically inhaled had left telltale, sugary globs of their icing by her mouth. Snapping shut the tupperware lid on the remaining survivors, I contemplated not telling her, but then I remembered she was only here because I'd asked her to be.
"You got a little--" I cut myself off, gesturing to my own face where her icing was. "Other side," I chuckled, watching her wipe the sleeve of her baggy maroon sweater over her lips and chin. She succeeded in wiping it away and grinned proudly. I smirked back at her. "Gold star, dude."
Even though I knew we weren't planning on being out for long, I locked the front door behind us on our way out. Summer had offered to carry the cupcakes in their tupperware, and I had (possibly unwisely) let her. The van out in front of next door's house was huge, and I tried to picture all of mine and my dad's stuff in there. We'd probably have only needed half the space.
"What are you thinking? Big family?" Summer asked, eyeing the van and then snorting at the sight of the car in the driveway. "Rich family," she corrected herself, trying to stop her eyes bugging out of her head at the disgustingly slick-looking Porsche. "You want me to toss these now?" Sum said, lifting the cupcakes up like she was about to throw them over her shoulder and leave them for dead on the sidewalk. "I mean, their private chef is gonna have something way better whipped up," she teased, cackling happily when I shoved myself into her side to get her to shut up.
We drew nearer in time to see a woman appear in the front doorway to the house, on her way to the back of the van. I raised a hand in greeting to stop her, then immediately forgot every word I knew because I was trying to take it all in. She looked like she'd just gotten off work, you know, if her work had been hosting a glossy daytime TV talk show. She was flawless, head-to-toe in this weird, soft-looking off-white suit. The thin scarf draped around her neck had to be designer. I couldn't have told you which even if I'd had a hundred guesses, but I knew she looked like money.
She had a kind smile on her face, but she looked confused. Then I realised I'd hailed her attention and done nothing but stare at her crisp, fancy clothing for about ten seconds solid. We were about to go into irredeemably awkward territory when Summer, smiling politely between my new neighbor and me, nudged my elbow gently.
"Hi! Sorry, hi. I'm Jess, I live next door," I said, glancing back at my house to demonstrate. "This is my friend, Summer," Summer nodded her greeting, "and we... just thought we'd stop by," I finished, shrugging because I had no idea what I was supposed to do now. Dad hadn't coached me on that.
Summer lifted up the tupperware and shook the box carefully. "And, Jess and her dad brought treats," she said, singsonging out the last word happily as she handed over the goods.
"Well, isn't that kind? You two are just the sweetest! My husband is going to love these. If Nora lets him get a look in, that is!" She chuckled to herself, peering in at the cupcakes through the transparent lid. "I'm Cynthia," she said, extending a hand to me to shake before doing the same to Summer. "We just moved here from Hartford. We wanted to downsize a little and focus on family again, instead of our careers," she nodded very sensibly, and I found myself nodding along with her. "Where's your dad?" Cynthia asked, peeking behind me at the house.
"Oh, he's at work - he'll probably swing by tomorrow before he heads out. He's totally excited to meet you guys. Are you guys into boats? He like... really loves boats," I half-joked, rolling my eyes but grinning because that really was Dad's thing.
"Boats are nice," Cynthia replied, amusement in her voice, and Summer gave another cackle of a laugh because it definitely seemed like Cynthia was in on the joke. "Listen, do you girls want to come in for a drink or a snack while we keep unpacking? The place is a mess, but you're more than welcome. Plus, you really should meet Nora - I'm sure you'll all get on like a house on fire," she grinned, clearly enthusiastic about the idea.
"That's so nice, but um. I don't know," I winced, glancing at Summer, who had her eyebrows and shoulders up and looked encouraging, but mostly in a way that said it was up to me. "I really don't want to get in your way, y'know? You guys are super busy--"
"Nonsense!" Cynthia said, batting the air. "You brought us cupcakes - the least we can do is invite you in for a drink or-- do you kids like coffee? We just got a brand new coffee maker and I cannot for the life of me figure it out. Come on, maybe you can help," she chuckled, "you'll be doing us a favor!" she beamed, gesturing for us to head inside with a flourish of her hand.