Edd awoke the next morning a bit cranky. He was usually an early riser but today he, and a good part of the neighborhood, were awoken by Rolf's old and very loud tractor. Rolf was one of Edd's dearest friends and he knew he would never intentionally do something like this, so he couldn't possibly be mad. Although that didn't excuse the fact that it was 6:15 AM and he was awake. Not being able to get back to sleep Edd decided to just start off his day. After a quick shower and ironing his freshly washed cloths he headed down to make some breakfast. Where on the Kitchen table he found a note from his mother.

'Eddward, please make sure you pick up some groceries today. You're father and I won't be back for a couple of weeks. I'll be sure to call you as soon as I can. Love you!'

Edd had actually forgotten that his parents would be leaving today. With both of them gone, Eddy grounded for the foreseeable future, and Ed actually having a job that took up most of his free time down at the construction yard, Edd was pretty alone right now. Even Rolf, who he considered one of his best friends was gone for the day at some farmers market. Thinking about this while standing in his big house, alone, Edd felt a heavy pain. 'Bzzz Bzzz' Edd's pocket was vibrating. He had received a text from Kevin, of all people.

"Double D, I saw you're lights on. Guess Rolf woke you up too. I'm working on my car and need a few tools I don't have. Can you bring yours over and help me out for a bit?"

Kevin and Edd had never been best friends, but their shared interest in engineering had brought them closer then they'd been in the past. Whenever one was building or fixing something they would often end up doing it together. Although, Edd didn't specialize in cars and certainly didn't know more about how they worked then Kevin did. It didn't sound like he needed help as much as he needed tools though. The way he was feeling right now, Edd didn't care what it was, he just wanted to get out of the house. So he grabbed the tools Kevin listed and headed out.

It was refreshingly cool outside with the sun just starting to rise. A nice change from the blistering heat the day brought.

"Eddward!" turning to the adjacent house Edd saw his elderly neighbor Mr. Golden. "Hello Mr. Golden! What brings you out this early"?

"Same thing as you, Rolf''s Damned Tractor! Figured since I was up I'd start the house work". Edd noticed the sign and hammer in Mr. Golden's hands. He saw Edd eying it and let out a sigh as he started hammering it into the dirt. "This is a big house Eddward. With the kids gone the Mrs. and I just don't think it's worth it trying to keep up with all the work she needs. There's a bunch of smaller houses not that far from here. We could never leave Peach Creak." he said with a hardy laugh. Edd could only smile at his lively neighbor.

"Let me know if you need any help Mr. Golden. Have a nice day." Mr Golden smiled and waved and got back to his work while Edd continued to make his way to Kevin's.

Kevin was checking the air in his tires, as he did at every spare minute, for whatever reason. He saw Edd walking up his driveway with the tools he needed and his face lit up.

"Damn man, you're a life saver! I left my toolbox at Rolf's yesterday. Completely forgot he had that market thing today. Would have gone insane not being able to work on Serenity". Kevin took the toolbox and held out his fist, which Edd hit with his (something they started doing years ago). Kevin wasted no time and immediately got under his car and started turning, twisting, cutting, and pulling things. For a few minutes he was so utterly into what he was doing he had almost forgotten Edd was standing next to him. Edd on the other hand was just happy to have some company. Eventually Kevin came back up and started messing around under the hood of the car.

"Must have loved it right?" Edd looked over with a confused look.

"Loved what, Kevin"?

"Getting to spend the whole summer with your parents Dork." surprised, Edd could only smile and nod his head. "I can't pretend to know what it's like. Having your parents gone all the time. I'm lucky enough to have them both every day. Edd was completely taken back by the sincerity of Kevin's words. "Throw me that rag will ya? Haha, you did miss one hell of a show though. Did you hear about Eddy".

"About how he is being held back with the 10th graders this year? Yes, I'm afraid I did."

"You got to admit, it's pretty funny right? Even Ed managed to pass all of his classes, and he was holding his job at the construction yard all year too. That's what he gets though. Skipping all the time and never doing work. Good thing you stopped carrying him". Eventually Edd had gotten tired of doing all of Eddy's work for him. Which is when his decline in interest of school started.

"I suppose he does deserve being held back. So, do you plan on trying out for the football team this year? I remember you wanted to last year but never did".

"Yeah. Last year my parents wanted to make sure I could hold up good grades before I could be on any teams. What about you? You going to try out for the Soccer team"?

"Oh, of course not. I don't have the skills for such a thing". Kevin looked up with a blank stare at Edd.

"We both know that's a load of shit dude. The team could use you. They're not exactly good."

"I don't know what you think I could contribute to the team. Ether way, I have my studies to focus on, thank you".

"Whatever you say. Come help me a minute will ya".

Edd helped Kevin on his car well into the morning. Most of the kids were outside enjoying the sun and freedom of the last week of summer. He even saw Ed head out to work. He ran out of his house yelling "Late, late, late! No buttered toast for Ed!" Edd still hadn't gotten to say hi to Ed since he got back. He had picked him up some gifts he wanted to give him.

"Alright man. I think we're done." Kevin through Edd a towel to wash off his hands. "Thanks for bringing the tools over. Owe you one". Kevin's mother was yelling for him from his front door.

"Kevin! Breakfast is ready!" They really were a tight nit family. Edd grabbed his tools and headed back to his house.

It was only 9:30. Edd felt like he needed another shower and to actually make some breakfast this time. While making some toast he pondered what he was going to do for the next few hours before he went and picked up groceries. He remembered the book Marie lent him. He decided to grab it and read for a while to kill some time.

What he thought would be a nice way to kill an hour or so turned into him sitting in his study for 6 hours, reading the book cover to cover without even realizing it. Marie was right. It was certainly not the kind of book he would have ever picked up on his own, but it was definitely worth every minute he spent reading it. Realizing what time it was Edd decided it was a good time to go shopping. He debated on whether or not he should try stopping by the library to give Marie back her book. He wasn't sure when she worked, but he could leave it with Donna. He was sure she'd make sure Marie got it. So with that he grabbed the money his parents leave for groceries and headed out the to the store.

Much to Edd's dismay the local store was packed. Having to maneuver between people, overhearing their conversations, and worst of all getting their germs all over him. Not his ideal situation at all. Good news was the list of things to get wasn't horribly long, just the essentials.

"Watch it kid!" a rather large women screamed at Edd as she slammed into him.

"Terribly sorry ma'am." he said, trying his to sound sincere. The women made similar remarks to others as she bumped into them. Being in the store for a total of five minutes and he was ready to bash his head into a wall. He should be enjoying himself. With the insane heat outside and his own air conditioner being broken, the store was his refuge.

"Just have to get some bread, milk, and water. Then I'll have everything and can get out of this place". 'Crash'

"Watch it punk!" Great, someone else rams into him and he has to act like it was his fault.

"So sorry, don't know what I was doing". He was bending over picking up some of his groceries that had fallen out of his cart when he heard the person start laughing. Looking up he saw it was Marie.

"Relax Double D. Just messing with you." she helped Edd pick up the last of his groceries. He couldn't help but notice the perfume Marie was wearing. It smelled wonderful. "Sorry about that. Wasn't too focused, didn't mean to crash into you like that".

"It's no problem at all I assure you, Marie".

"I'm not used to being here so late in the afternoon. It's so crowded. And some fat lady tried starting stuff with me. Got right in her face and told her off. No manners in people nowadays." Edd simply nodded at what Marie was saying.

"I feel the same way. I had planned on coming here early this morning, hoping to avoid all the rush".

"Why didn't you"?

"I actually got caught up in reading the book you lent me". Marie's face lit up. Like she didn't expect Edd to actually take the time to start reading it.

"Do you like it so far? How much have you read"?

"I finished it. It was a very well written book".

"You finished it! Jeez Double D. I honestly didn't expect you to even read it, let alone finish it in a day". The two talked about the book until they had both cashed out and were outside the store.

"Oh! I almost forgot." Edd pulled out Marie's Book and handed it back to her. "Thank you so much for lending it to me. Any other books you could recommend I'd be more then happy to read".

"I'll keep that in mind". Edd waved and began walking towards him house when Marie called out. "Hey Double D. Would you mind coming by the library sometime and hanging out? Not a lot of interesting people come by. I get pretty bored and it would be nice to actually have someone to talk to for once".

"I'd love to Marie. Not sure how great of company I can be though".

"Oh please. You're wonderful company. You can tell me all about your summer. And I can give you books that aren't about plants".

Marie headed back to her trailer and Edd back to his house with a smile. He was happy he ran into Marie. Although their conversation was short, it was nice to have someone to talk to. He grabbed his phone form his pocket to check the time. He had one missed call and a text from his mother.

"Sorry I missed you Eddward. I'll call back later tonight. Love you".

Edd was surprised he didn't notice his phone going off. Didn't realize how into his conversation with Marie he must have been. The day started off awful, but ended up being rather enjoyable. Between the time he spent working with Kevin and talking with Marie. Now he could go home and whip up something for Dinner. And maybe fix the air conditioner.