6. Langdon
Six
Langdon
I swear to God it’s got to be the hottest day of the year. The church is packed and doesn’t have air conditioning. Too many bodies, arms touching arms, thighs pressed against thighs. Sticky skin and air like molasses. The fucking ceiling fans do nothing to cool the place down. Mom fans her hymn book at her face. It doesn’t stop the bead of sweat forming on her upper lip. Finally, we’re dismissed and I’m off.
“Langdon!” My dad shouts.
I stop mid-stride and spin to face him. “What?”
“Where are you off to?”
I push my hair off my forehead. “Work. Vivianna’s. Remember?” I say.
Mom sidles up to Dad and starts to wrap her arm around his waist before she thinks better of it. Too hot. “Right. Be home in time to clean up and leave for dinner with us though,” Dad says .
“Aye, aye captain,” I say and salute them both.
Niko bumps my shoulder on the way out the door, it’s no less hot outside but the breeze makes it slightly more bearable.
“We’re going to the river today. Wanna ride?” he asks.
My breath puffs out my cheeks while I exhale. “Anderson fucked up Vivianna’s plant, I have to work off the cost. I start today.”
Niko’s chin draws back toward his chest and he scrunches his nose. “I swear man, you have got to stop covering for your asshole little brother. What happens when you graduate and leave for college and your parents are magically left with a kid who is constantly in trouble.”
I shrug. “Not my problem then. Anderson’s gonna have to learn how not to get caught.”
Niko chuckles as we head to the parking lot, his long strides matching mine. “Can you drop me at Viv’s though?”
“Yeah man, you got it.” We head to his jeep. Again I’m trapped without air conditioning, he’s got the doors and top off and although it’s a chick magnet, I could really use a cool down before getting to Viv’s shop, or a dryer. My shirt feels soaked and heavy.
Niko pulls to the curb in front of RootBound, Vivianna’s shop. “Thanks man,” I say as I exit the car.
“If you’re down later, some of the girls and me and Campbell are going out tonight.”
I roll my eyes. “Can’t, dinner at the orchard tonight.”
Niko raises an eyebrow. “When’s that end?”
I shrug. “No idea. Probably never if my mom has anything to say about it.”
“Bummer, see ya bro.” Niko salutes me.
“Later.” I wave him off and turn to head into shop.
This is going to suck .