After spending the night with Dan and Colin in Millerton a few nights ago, Mike had returned home to Sommerfield where he worked full-time as a store assistant at the local hardware store in Sommerfield.
Mike had a knack for fixing things. Besides assisting customers at the hardware store, Mike also provided handyman services, which were an integral part of the store's commitment to the small Sommerfield community.
On the night before, the hardware store had received a call from Emily's Pastries, a beloved local bakery known for its delectable treats and personable service. Emily's shop had suffered extensive damage the day before when Emily's estranged husband unexpectedly showed up at the quaint little shop and had unleashed an unprovoked attack. Shattered glass display counters, torn shelves, and a chaotic mess of baked goods strewn across the premises greeted Mike as he arrived in the morning to assess the situation.
Determined to restore order and repair the damage, Mike spent the entire morning cleaning up the aftermath of the attack. The extent of the mess and the emotional distress that Emily was experiencing made the task more challenging than expected. However, Mike's sympathy for Emily and his diligence pushed him to complete the cleanup with extra attention and energy despite the throbbing headache he was experiencing.
Installing new glass counters and repairing the broken shelves took longer than anticipated, but Mike persisted, driven by a sense of responsibility and care for Emily. The bakery held a special place in his heart, as Emily had always treated Mike with kindness, often sharing small treats like chocolate chip cookies when he and his friends had passed by the shop.
While working on the repairs, Mike found himself listening attentively as Emily poured out her emotions, sharing the struggles of her broken marriage. Mike, having witnessed the bakery's history and knowing Emily as a big sister figure, felt a deep empathy for her situation. He wanted to ensure she was okay, offering emotional support throughout the process.
As the afternoon wore on, Mike couldn't shake the thought of his friend Dan, who had recently informed him of another longer visit in Sommerfield. Eager to reconnect and learn more about Dan's life, Mike had extended an invitation for Dan to visit him during his time in town. He envisioned a boisterous gathering, complete with good drinks and heartfelt conversations.
With the repairs at Emily's finally complete, Mike realized he was running behind schedule. Originally planning to drive to a brewery for some craft beers, he decided to make a quick stop at the local grocery store instead. He knew that Ted stocked a selection of carefully curated beers that would suit the occasion perfectly.
Parking his red Tacoma outside the grocery store, Mike entered, expecting to see either Sally or Ted behind the counter. To his surprise, there was instead a strangely familiar young woman standing at the counter. It took a moment for Mike to register that it was Becky, whom he hadn't seen in four years.
Unaware that Becky had returned to Sommerfield, Mike's gaze fixated on her refined appearance which had matured from her years away. Her light brown hair cascaded gracefully around her shoulders, and her captivating eyes still sparkled with warmth. He couldn't help but notice her toned and alluring figure, accentuated by the fitted yellow T-shirt she wore.
Startled by the sudden realization, Mike's face broke into a wide smile, his eyes lighting up with delight.
–
In high school Mike and Becky's interactions had been sporadic, mainly occurring during shared social outings with Dan. However, there was one particular memory that stood out to Mike, an incident that signaled at the potential of their relationship.
In the months before Becky's imminent departure from Sommerfield, anticipation for the annual school festival grew. This much-awaited event promised a medley of delights: a bustling carnival, a melodic concert, and a breathtaking fireworks display.
However, just days before the event, Dan succumbed to a severe virus, prompting an urgent hospital admission. As the festival day dawned, his condition remained critical, compelling Becky to prioritize a visit to the hospital.
Reluctant to let his condition dampen Becky's experience at this highly anticipated event, Dan made a heartfelt request to Mike. With their history as close friends since their Little League days, Dan's fervent wish was for Mike to accompany Becky to the festival, ensuring she got a lift to the carnival, have a good time and return home safely.
Both Mike and Becky were hesitant about the arrangement. Mike had meticulously crafted plans for the evening, ones that revolved around his pursuit of Laura Williams who had been his romantic interest all year. Mike eventually yielded, choosing to honor his friend's request despite his initial reservations.
For Becky, though she knew Mike to be a trusted friend of Dan's, his flippancy, foul language and womanizing tendencies led her to feelings of misgiving. It was only with Mike's earnest insistence that they should enjoy the festival together to ease Dan's worry that she agreed to the outing.
Upon arriving at the festival which was held at the local ballpark, they sauntered quietly through the crowd, observing the festivities. One of the carnival games caught Becky's eye, a shooting game that involved a tiny bullseye fifteen yards away. Handing over a dollar note, Becky's joy swelled when she skillfully won a plush doll by hitting the target three times in a row. Mike was impressed with her shooting prowess, Becky revealing that she had a few secrets up her sleeves.
Becky's elation was contagious, and as the night progressed, both Becky and Mike began to relax and enjoy each other's company. Through their conversation, she discovered that Mike had a close relationship with his father, an architect renowned for designing several buildings in Sommerfield and several neighboring towns.
Mike expressed his admiration for his father who had solely raised him from an early age, his mother no longer in the picture due to their parent's divorce when he was five years of age. His eyes blazed momentarily as he revealed his desire to follow in his father's footsteps, although his lackluster academic performance had dimmed his prospects. He shared that he had recently taken on a part-time job at the local hardware store, hoping that the experience and connections within the trade would propel him towards that career. Becky listened attentively, silently impressed by Mike's proactivity and determination, qualities she had never associated with him before.
When it came time for dinner, Becky offered to buy Mike a bratwurst dog and soda as a token of gratitude for his companionship. Mike, trying to be polite, declined the offer, stating that he did it as a favor for their mutual friend Dan.
But Becky would not take no for an answer. With a sweet smile that melted his heart, she insisted that Mike accept the hot dog, assuring him that it would be the most delicious hot dog he had ever tasted. In that moment, Mike was caught off guard by a sudden rush of attraction towards Becky. Her kindness and sunny disposition captivated him and he found himself accepting the hot dog without another word.
After their satisfying dinner, they walked over to the stage in preparation for the concert that Becky had eagerly anticipated. Finding a spot on the grass near the front of the stage, Becky told Mike about the band's exceptional bassist, revealing that she had started learning the bass guitar herself after hearing him play on the radio one day whilst she was hanging out with Dan.
Mike listened intently, the mention of Dan's name reminding him about his situation in tonight's arrangement. As much as he was starting to develop feelings for Becky, he didn't want to jeopardize his friendship with Dan or create any awkwardness between them.
The stage lights illuminated, signaling the band's arrival to a wave of applause. Becky and Mike were swept up in the energy of the concert. Mike's voice soared as he joyfully sang along, and Becky couldn't resist joining in, their voices harmonizing in the open night air. It was a moment of shared elation, their connection growing stronger with every note.
The music washed over them, creating a bond forged through their shared love of music and the special moments they had experienced earlier in the night.
As the final words of the last song echoed through the air, the sky erupted in a dazzling fireworks display. Colors burst above them, painting the night sky with radiant patterns. Startled by the booming sounds, Becky instinctively sought solace, wrapping her arms playfully around Mike. She buried her head onto his chest, seeking refuge from the explosive spectacle above.
It was a gesture of trust, gratitude and an acknowledgement of his presence and the happiness he had brought her.
Mike's smile mirrored Becky's affectionate gesture. For a brief instant, Becky felt a surge of something different, a connection that transcended their past interactions. It was as if they had unlocked a new chapter, fueled by the power of music and the glimpses of the friendship blossoming between them.
Mike looked down towards her, his arms slowly moving to reciprocate the embrace but amongst the boom of colors that exploded above them, a moment of clarity returned to her. Awkwardly, she untangled herself from him, grabbing her phone from her handbag as an excuse to break the tension. Stumbling over her words, she mentioned that she wanted to capture a video of the fireworks for Dan to enjoy.