Luna #2
Every Thursday, it became something they looked forward to, and once Bella and Sophia got older, they joined in on the fun. Emma came soon after, and then, when I was old enough, I joined the crew. It’s become our thing to do together and a way for us to connect each week with our busy lives.
Dance has always taken up a huge part of my life, so I didn’t have much of a social life in high school. My best friend, Ava, who I’ve known since kindergarten, wanted to experience the whole college life and explore bigger cities outside our small town of Crystal Isle.
She ended up leaving after graduation to move to California, where she could pursue her dream of dancing and acting on the big screen. It was hard at first not having her around, but I knew I would never be happy anywhere else.
Crystal Isle is my home. It’s where the people I love most in the world are, and it’s where I know I’m meant to be.
Pulling out my lip gloss, I apply a thin, glossy coat in the mirror while we freshen up in my mom’s private bathroom in her back office.
Since the bar is casual, we never bother changing out of our yoga pants and sports bras, but hair, on the other hand, needs to be dealt with after a hot yoga session.
Pulling on a hoodie because of the cooler weather, I release my messy bun and finger-comb my light brunette hair, letting the waves fall around my shoulders before adding some dry shampoo to the roots.
“Everyone ready?” Sophia asks, shoving her makeup back into her purse and smoothing down her raven-colored hair. She’s got a panther-like presence with her green cat-like eyes and beautiful dark mane, completely matching her fiery, playful attitude.
“Ready!” Bella grins, giving her blonde waves a shake before picking up her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. Linking her arm with mine, we follow Sophia and Emma to the parking lot, where Emma’s vehicle is parked.
Smiling, I run my hand over the hood of the light blue 1974 Bronco that’s gleaming in the moonlight. It was Emma’s dad’s pride and joy, restoring it piece by piece back to its original beauty. When her parents passed away, it was the one thing of her dad’s that she couldn’t let go of.
Noah has made sure over the years that it’s maintained and cared for. Most Sunday mornings are spent with them taking their kids for drives along the coast, keeping Emma’s family traditions alive just like her dad and mom used to do along the mountains of Tennessee when she was young.
We make sure to bring it out on the nights when it’s Emma’s turn to drive.
I know it’s just pieces of metal put together, but there’s something about it I can’t explain.
You can’t help but smile when you are riding in it.
I guess all the love and beautiful memories that are poured into it somehow seep through and wrap around you.
Emma unlocks the doors, and I climb into the back seat with my sister, settling into the soft tan leather with a sigh.
“Top or no top?” Emma asks, turning around and looking at us.
“No top,” we all say at the same time with grins on our faces.
With a push of a button, the canvas top disappears overhead, freeing us to the night sky.
“That may just be my favorite update that Noah has done,” Emma laughs. “I’m spoiled now with how easy it is to remove.”
“I’m pretty sure Noah’s main reason on this earth is to spoil you,” Bella smiles, catching Emma’s eye in the rear-view mirror.
“He’s the best,” she sighs dreamily while we pull out of the parking lot.
The night air is cool against my heated flesh as I lift my face to the moon.
The sky is bright tonight with hundreds of stars lighting our way as we drive through the downtown area, passing small local shops and cafes lining both sides of the street.
Families and couples stroll leisurely down the street, enjoying the evening as we head out of the main part of town and along the coastal road.
Rusty’s comes into view a few minutes later, and Emma pulls in to park. Music drifts out from the restaurant on the water as we make our way across the parking lot and up the wooden deck stairs.
Rusty has been a staple in this town for years.
Sitting right on the water, it’s the perfect place to come after a day at the beach or when you just want to hang out with friends and enjoy their live music.
They pride themselves on their daily fresh seafood and laid-back atmosphere, easily becoming a favorite place for locals.
Following the girls through the outdoor seating on the deck, we head to our usual reserved table in the corner overlooking the beach and ocean view.
“Right on time,” Rusty smiles, coming up behind us with a bottle of wine in his hand.
“Is that what I think it is?” Sophia points to the label that he’s clutching as we take our seats.
“When my girls said they needed their favorite wine stocked at my bar, I couldn’t say no,” his blue eyes twinkle against his tanned, weathered face. “Olivia was quick to hook me up.”
Olivia is Sophia’s sister-in-law and one of our friends in Blue Haven, just an hour north of here. She’s also a wine distributor and introduced us to a whole new palette that we’ve become obsessed with.
“You are too good to us.” Bella smiles, reaching up to kiss Rusty on the cheek. His face reddens slightly as he rubs his hand through his thick white beard.
“Except for Emma here, I’ve known you all since you were in diapers, sitting in high chairs and eating more fries than I thought was humanly possible,” he chuckles.
“What my girls want, my girls get. Besides, your men would have made sure I had some on hand anyway,” he laughs, pouring us each a glass.
“Enjoy your night, ladies. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“How about a plate of those fries to share?” I smile at the man who’s always been like a grandfather to me.
“Coming right up, Lunabug,” he winks at me with a grin, using my nickname from my childhood, before walking away.
“God, I love small towns,” Emma sighs, taking a sip of her wine and closing her eyes in bliss.