Summer walked up to the doorstep of the Cohen home. She waited about a minute before ringing the doorbell. It was times like these she wished she had picked up a nervous habit. Chewing her bottom lip always got lip gloss on her teeth and she stopped biting her nails when she was in fourth grade to avoid chipping her bright blue nail polish. She didn't know why she was nervous. She normally didn't get nervous around her exes' parents. But this was Seth's parents. This was Seth, he wasn't like her other boyfriends.
A stout Mexican woman opened the door. A small, polite smile lit up on Rosa's face. Rosa had greeted Summer a few times. Rosa was never surprised to see Summer, considering she usually came over to be with Seth.
"Hola, Rosa, como estás?" Summer greeted politely.
"I speak English, you know," Rosa said with a smirk.
"Yeah, just brushing up on my Spanish. Good, right? Anyway, is Kirsten around? She called me," Summer explained.
Rosa nodded and opened her mouth, then decided that it wasn't a good idea to tell the girl that her boyfriend was gone. "I'll go get her," Rosa replied obediently.
Rosa scurried off, leaving Summer alone. Summer closed the door behind her and walked into the house. She looked around at the hallway she had become so familiar with. It almost felt like a home. Although it was empty right now, the fact that she was welcome felt comfortable. She sometimes felt more at home at the Cohen house then her own house, actually, she felt more at home at the Cohen house a lot of times.
"Summer!"
Summer spun around to see Kirsten approaching her. Summer smiled. "Hi, Mrs. Cohen," she said politely.
Kirsten smiled and shook her head. "Don't tell Seth, he would get all 'Mo-om, don't be weird!', but please don't call me Mrs. Cohen, there's no reason to be polite...Just ask Seth," she said, rambling slightly. Summer now knew where Seth got it from, or maybe it rubs off. Yeah, it probably rubs off.
"Speaking of Seth, what was it you wanted to tell me?" Summer asked nervously.
"I'll tell you in a second, but first do you want anything to drink or eat?" Kirsten offered, making her way to the kitchen with Summer following behind.
Summer nodded. "Um, water," she requested.
Kirsten got a glass from the cabinet and began filling up the glass. She thought of just how she could tell Summer. It wasn't like Seth could die out there, well, he could, but Kirsten decided not to think of that. He was probably okay, just needed some time to get away and cool off and think. But who needs forty-two days to think? Maybe it was his escape, and maybe in the back of her head, Kirsten knew he really didn't want to come back.
Kirsten turned off the faucet and handed the glass to Summer, who was patiently waiting at the table. "Thanks," Summer mumbled and took a sip.
Kirsten got up and took the letter from the kitchen counter, where she had been keeping it. She sat down at the table alongside Summer and took a deep breath in. "I've been thinking about how I can tell this to you, and I wish I didn't have to, but you need to know. I know this summer was going to be great, and then the plans were...changed. They're going to change more," Kirsten started.
Summer nodded and chewed her bottom lip a little. MAC tasted terrible.
"Seth was upset and angry, angry at me and Sandy for not stopping Ryan, angry at Theresa for this, angry at Ryan, and most likely angry at Marissa. He just didn't know what to do, it's a lot for him and I know his life before Ryan wasn't always great. So...he decided to take a trip alone, to think, get things sorted out. He's gone. To Tahiti. He left you this," Kirsten explained and handed the envelope to Summer. It didn't come out the way she had planned, but it got the job done. She wished she had sounded more understanding, and less like a robot spitting out words.
Summer stared at the envelope, almost as if she looked at it long enough it would disappear and in its place Seth would walk into the kitchen. The silence was uncomfortable for the both of them; it lasted for about two minutes.
"I think I'm gonna go," Summer stated. Her expression was a mixture of shock and heartbreak. She took the letter and got up from the table. Kirsten got up with her.
They walked to the front door without any words. "I know it's probably tough, with Marissa, and everything...I just want you to know if you want anyone to talk to or keep you company...I'll be here all summer," Kirsten assured comfortingly.
Summer nodded and Kirsten pulled her into a hug. Summer mumbled, "Thanks," and left the house.
It would be a long summer alone. But maybe she would take Kirsten up on that offer; after all, a mom would be nice, even if it was for just a while.
A/N: Not exactly how I planned it to come out, but what can ya do? Oh, how I love Rosa. Please review, if it's on here or TWoP. It's nice to get feedback, and flames are appreciated. =) I'm super-terrible when it comes to long chapters, sorry! I'll try to make the next one longer, m'kay?