When she was almost to the house, Kayla came up to her. They lived about seven houses down from Jessie's grandparents'.
"Hey! Did you talk to Kyle?" She asked.
"Yeah, I just did. He's breaking up with her soon. Maybe now actually. He's talking to her down the beach a little way."
"Oh, great! I'm gonna go eavesdrop. See ya later!" Kayla was so joyful and full of youth. Even though Jessie wasn't too much older than her, she envied how free she could be.
When Jessie walked in the house that night, her grandparents could see a change in her attitude. That had a little to do, of course, with the fact that she came home at an early, decent hour.
"You know, Clint, I think Jessica looks happier. Wouldn't you say so?" Jessie's Grandma, Dawn, asked.
"I would! Say, what happened to that out of control teen we were dealing with just this morning?" Clint asked.
"She left. I hope I'm a better replacement. She told me to tell you that she's sorry for her behavior lately. She hopes you can forgive her," Jessie said.
"I think we can. Do you want to have dinner with us?"
"I'd love to. Hey, do you know anything about the Jameson's down the street?"
"Of course we do. They're very nice people. Why?" Dawn asked.
"Well, I'm friends with Kayla and Kyle. I just wanted to know if you knew them. I've been hanging out with them a lot lately."
"They're such sweethearts. I remember meeting them when they just moved in. The kids were hardly talking," Clint said.
Despite her doubts about her grandparents, Jessie actually had a fun evening with them. They had good stories to share and had great senses of humor. Jessie was getting a good feeling about the oncoming summer.
They began a game of cards around eight, when someone knocked on the door.
"I'll get it," Clint said, standing up. He was steady on his feet, even though Jessie thought he would be a little shaky. While Dawn and Jessie talked, Jessie noticed Kyle's voice coming from the door. She also recognized his laugh, mixed with Clint's.
"Jessica, guess who's here," Clint said. He walked in the room with Kyle following behind him.
"Kyle, I haven't seen you in ages," Dawn said. Jessie stood up and walked toward him. He seemed delighted to be in the presence of her and her family.
"It's good seeing you," He responded. "Would it be alright if Jessie and I hang out at the beach for a little bit? I won't keep her longer than you want me to." Jessie loved the way he interacted with her grandparents. She knew he was trying to charm them, but it was like they couldn't even tell.
"Of course. You know, she already came back at a decent hour to check in today. You could keep her all night and I'm sure we wouldn't know the difference." Jessie was really liking Dawn tonight.
"Let me just grab my jacket. I'll be right back," Jessie said. She ran into her room, grabbed the jacket off her bed, fixed her hair, and went back into the living room. "Ready?"
"Yeah," Kyle said.
"Bye, Grandma, Grandpa. Thanks for this. I'll check in later." Jessie and Kyle headed out to the beach, right in Jessie's backyard.