I don’t believe the number of views or comments should validate what I do, yet it is sort of important to keep being able to do this. Therefore, I tend to obsess over it for at least the first few days.
We drive through Main Street after Love buys me a coffee and a bagel for me to nibble on. I watch the large groups of people making their way down the street and into shops that are turning their signs around to state they’re open for business.
It’s just after lunchtime, and they’re only now opening? How odd.
“There are a lot of people around. Is that normal for a Sunday here?”
“It’s not usually this mad, but everyone is still here because of the Founder’s Parade. By tomorrow, this place will be only half as full, and next Sunday, you’ll see what it’s usually like.”
“Next Sunday? Lo, I’m not planning on being here past tomorrow, if I can help it.”
“I know,” she mutters quietly, the mood in the car plummeting again.
“Hey, you’ve shown me that Midsummer is actually pretty cool. I won’t be a stranger,” I promise her, though I’m not sure where life is going to take me.
She nods, but I get the feeling she’s disappointed. But it isn’t like I can stay here for good.
I mean, what is there even for me here? A sheriff who is only interested in sex, a new friend who has her own life and can’t be my personal tour guide forever, and a cool actor I’ve seen in the distance once?
I have to make a living, and I don’t think I can manage that in the little town of Midsummer.
***
“Hello, Mayor Fuller.” I smile at the older lady who looks dressed to the nines, like I am.
Love changed out of her dress, but she still looks much nicer than she did yesterday. I guess meeting the mayor is almost as important as dressing up for Sunday Mass.
She throws her hands up at me. “Please, no need to be so formal on a Sunday. You’re in my house, so call me June.”
“Right. Thank you for inviting me. You have a lovely home.”
She smiles warmly. “Thank you. Are you a movie buff? You might recognize this sitting room as being in the Angus Thom movie Crystal Ice.”
I haven’t seen that movie, but I get the feeling the mayor is super proud of this claim to movie fame. “Wow, that’s really incredible!”
“It is, isn’t it? I often get visitors who are blown away from being in the same space as so many great actors.”
“This town is very cool that way. Love has been showing me around, and I’ve been very impressed.”
June glances over at Love and beams at her. “We’re very lucky to have Love in Midsummer. She’s an asset to this town and so damn smart.”
I glance over at Love to see her basically preen at the praise.
An awkward silence settles over us as I wonder what the hell I’m supposed to say next.
Talk about the weather?
“So, Love tells me you’re somewhat of an internet celebrity?”
My eyes quickly bulge out at Love, because no, I’m not! What is her agenda here?
“Oh, well, I don’t know about that.”
June is already nodding her head enthusiastically. “She showed me your … What was it called again?”
“Instagram,” Love supplies for her.
“Yes, your Instagram and the videos on YouTube. All very amusing. I was amazed by the amount of views you have on those videos. A couple of them have over a million!”
I’ve never done overly well with praise, especially praise that feels undeserved. Yes, that’s a great number, but in the scheme of things, I wouldn’t even be in the top thousand for what I do.
“Yeah, it’s all rather strange. I mean, I just put up a video, and then hope it resonates with my viewers.”
“And the video you put up last night has been very successful already.”
“It has?” I’m kicking myself now for not checking before I came. I had no idea the conversation was going to go this way, though.
“Yes. You said the video was the first of three. I was very impressed with how you showcased our town.”
“Thank you. Honestly, it was all Love. She showed me a good time, and I had a lot of fun with her.”
“I’m glad, and I’m hoping you might be interested in a proposal I have for you.”
“Proposal?”
June’s smile is big enough that I barely see the edges of her cheeks. “Yes. I would like to see how well the other two videos you post do, but given the fact that, in less than twenty-four hours, that video last night has had over six-hundred thousand views, and visits to our town website jumped a substantial amount, I don’t believe this will change.”
Her words crash into me. I can’t believe my video already has six-hundred thousand views! That has to be the fastest viewing video I’ve ever uploaded.
“It’s my hope that you would be open to staying on here in Midsummer for at least another few weeks. We’ll pay for all your expenses, including putting you up in a room at The Last Resort if you would prefer that to where you are now. And we will also pay you for your time. Here in Midsummer, we’re confident that we have a town that people would love to see, but right now, people aren’t viewing us that way. I think you can help us to change that perception.”
“I … I don’t know what to say.”
“Think about it. Like I said, we’ll wait to see how the other videos do, but I think, if you can continue making and posting positive videos of our town, then we can both find this a mutually beneficial situation. I can get you access to the latest Angus Thom movie set, and I believe he has stated that at least one of his stars has shown interest in you potentially interviewing them. Plus, as I’m sure Love has already stated, there is still plenty to see and do here in Midsummer. And I believe I heard a rumor that you might have snagged the heart of our resident sheriff?” She’s smirking now, obviously happy with this possible development.
I splutter at even the thought of that being the rumor. “Not quite.”
“Well, that’s a shame. I think you both would make a cute couple.”
My mouth hangs open at the idea of the mayor hoping I might start dating Rocky Green. Out of every person I’ve ever met in my life, I think he has made it the clearest that he is not interested in being in a relationship.
“Another month of dating might turn that around!” Love suggests, earning a glare from me and a sneaky smile from June.
“We’ll see,” she says as she stands, leading both Love and me to follow suit. “It was lovely meeting you, and I look forward to what other videos you put up about our town. I don’t suppose you would be willing to pose for a photo for our website and the Midsummer Chronicle?” she asks, already shifting me to face Love while she wraps an arm around me and smiles.
Out of habit, I smile, too, but as I’m led out of the house with her beaming and waving, I can’t help feeling like I was a bit manipulated.
I’m still not even sure what I just agreed to. Wait—I didn’t agree to anything, did I?
“Your aunt is …” I’m at a loss as to what to call her.
“She is,” Love easily agrees. “I love her dearly, but she is ruthless when it comes to her love of this town. I know I’ve stated that I think Rocky wants you, but if my aunt gets that into her head and commits to it, then you’ll be hearing wedding bells before either of you know what’s happening.”
I splutter through a laugh, not sure if I should believe her or not. However, she looks serious, so I decide it is best to heed her words as a warning.
Right, make sure June Fuller doesn’t get any ideas for me and Green. Or at least any more ideas.
“So, any plans for today?” Love asks as we get back into her car.
“Not for today. I might tonight, though.” I cringe as I say this. Maybe I should have kept my potential plans with Green to myself. I especially think I should have when her face lights up.
“Hot date?”
“More like a hot fuck.�
��
“You know I’ve never been wrong in my matchmaking abilities, and you recall I use the scientific method for stating the fucking obvious.”
“Sheriff Green and I are not star-crossed lovers. We’re just highly attracted to each other. It takes more than sex to form a relationship. You need to be compatible with each other and likable people.”
“And you need to go on an actual date to learn if those things are possible,” she argues as she reverses out of the driveway and backs onto the road.
“Technically, we sort of had a date last night.”
Love scoffs. “Submitting a statement to him about an almost carjacking is not a date.”
“Why not? We shared a meal.”
“Really?” She taps her fingers on the wheel in contemplation. “Did you go out?”
“No, he had containers of food for us that he brought from home.”
“So, he thought ahead and wanted to share a meal? Interesting. Was there a kiss goodnight?”
I don’t answer that, because I don’t think that you can call what we did a goodnight kiss. More like a desperate-to-fuck-but-was-interrupted kiss. One is sweet; the other is nothing but dirty.
“You’re blushing! Oh, you totally did! You were holding out on my aunt,” Love teases, driving not in the direction of the hotel but onto the highway.
“Where are we going?”
“I thought we could go for a hike, and I can show you some better views that our town has to offer.”
I glance down at myself. “I’m not exactly in hiking clothes.”
“I know. I packed some shorts. Plus, I took a look at your shoes, and you’re the same size as my dad. He didn’t mind you borrowing his hiking boots. We’ll have to get you your own, but you’re gonna want to wear them in first.”
“You expect us to hike a lot?”
“You’ll understand when we reach the top,” she explains.
While I still have a signal on my phone, I decide to check my social media, confirming that Mayor Fuller was not mistaken.
“I can’t believe this many people have watched my video.”
“I know! I think you might owe it all to me.” She winks.
I raise my eyebrows at her, not quite following.
“I have thirty followers on Twitter, and I told them all last night to watch.”
I laugh at her seriousness. “I guess, if they watched several thousand times each, then that makes sense,” I joke. “What’s your Twitter handle?”
I search for her, and once I find her, I follow her back, making her followers shift up to thirty one.
I respond to a few of the comments on my video, noticing everyone is pretty divided about whether or not I should grow a beard or shave the scruff off.
About ten minutes later, I lose signal and, instead of having my face glued to my phone, I find myself staring out the window at the incredible views.
The town seems to be the focal point for Midsummer, but all surrounding it are mountains and farmland. There’s a small suburb with blocked-in homes, like where Sheriff Green lives to the west of town. Along the northern part is where Angus Thom has built his mansion and large movie studio that is somewhat of an eyesore when you glance in that direction, and yet it’s also damn exciting to think of what magic is being produced there. We’re driving south, and the only thing here is open land and beautiful scenery.
“So, you’ve lived here all your life?”
“Yep.”
“Never left?”
“I’ve been to nearby towns. We used to have a high school here, but it closed down about fifteen years ago. My parents met there. But, since there is a declining student population, they have combined us with the neighboring town of Paxton. That’s where I went to school. It meant an hour bus trip twice a day, but I never took these views for granted.” She smiles as she looks over the land around us, and I have to admit that I would probably never get sick of these views, either.
“I can’t imagine having to travel so far for school. My high school was, like, two blocks away. If it wasn’t crap weather, then I walked. If it was crap weather, then I ran and hoped liked hell I didn’t fall flat on my ass or break a bone.”
Love snorts at my description. “Ours wasn’t ideal. There is sort of a rivalry between Paxton and Midsummer. Midsummer used to be the larger town, but then Paxton had some wealthy donors who really invested in their town. They built some state of the art facilities and poached a lot of our residents. Most people here are farmers, or they work for the film crews, or the brewery. Paxton made a pretty good case for still working those careers but living in Paxton instead. And I guess, if I’m honest, their campaign was smart.
“Their town has embraced a modern look, whereas we like the rustic charm of the past. Older people tend to prefer our town, while younger people like Paxton. They have several movie cinemas, coffee houses, a rock climbing facility, and they really capitalized on tourist tours that go to famous places from recent films. Truthfully, they just did a better job than we did.
“Before we realized the impact it would have, it became normal for people to move away as soon as they could. Young families and anyone under forty tend to live in the surrounding areas.”
“You’re under forty, and you’re still here. So is your sheriff.”
“If that’s your way of inquiring about Rocky’s age, then yes, he’s under forty. Thirty-five, to be exact. As for me, well, I never felt the urge to leave Midsummer. I love it here.”
“I can see why. It’s stunning.” I pull out my camera and, with the window wound down, I take a few snaps at the landscape around us. It looks like something you might find on a postcard. “I bet Paxton doesn’t have Angus Thom, though.”
“No. But he does do a lot of business with Paxton, as well as some filming there. They always try to lure him away from us. I think they’ve offered him every sum of money they have access to just so he won’t be here anymore. They hate that he lives here and not there.”
“Sounds a little petty to me.”
“It really is. But it’s easy to get sucked into it. I never used to care, but now I tend to avoid Paxton if I can.”
“Then I shall, too,” I declare, making her smile hugely.
“My aunt will love that. She has an extra reason for hating Paxton.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Their mayor is her ex-husband and a dick. He wasn’t nice to my aunt. He saw her more as a nice smile and a woman who would look pretty on his arm rather than a smart individual.”
“Sounds like he’s an idiot then.” June Fuller is so much more than a pretty face. One meeting with her, and I already see that loud and clear.
“Yep. He does all right as far as being the mayor, but get him in a room filled with people, and he’ll single out a woman and ask for coffee. Plus, he’s all about the boys’ club.”
“So, a sexist idiot. Got it.”
“We’re here.” She pulls over to an empty, sectioned-off parking area and shuts off her engine. Then she grabs a bag out from the back seat and passes it to me. I find my shorts in there. Then she drops the hiking shoes by me before she shuffles to the other side of the car and changes into shorts, too. Once we’re both dressed, Love hands me a baseball cap. I put it on and take a deep breath of the crisp fresh air.
I smile when she passes me two large bottles of water and place them in the small backpack she offers me next.
“Phone charged?”
“Yep.”
“Then let’s get recording.”
After several days of sitting in my car, driving, being able to stretch my legs like this feels like heaven. And though I’ve never done much hiking or walking for fun, I find myself instantly relaxed as I take in the views.
It’s midafternoon, and the sun is shining down upon us, heating us enough to leave a fine sheen of sweat over our skin. I unbutton the shirt so my undershirt is visible, appreciating the breeze against me.
We walk mostly in silenc
e as we make our way through a trail. It’s steep in places but mostly flat with a small incline, which isn’t likely to kill my calves.
I get some awesome shots of native plants, a tree that looks like it belongs in The Lion King, and all types of insects and animals.
Love films me talking about our hike, and I only freak out once when a bird swoops at me, and then shits on top of my hat and part of my shoulder.
“That is one massive poop,” Love informs me, staring at my shoulder.
“Being shat on is meant to be good luck, right? I mean, shitting yourself is the opposite, but a bird shitting on you is meant to be good luck, yeah?” I ask, wondering if I’m going to freak out about this now or later.
She laughs. “If you say so.”
I wince, not sure I can do much about the cap, but I pull my shirt off, leaving on just my undershirt.
“Well, I don’t know about you having good luck, but I think that’ll be hilarious on one of your videos, and I got it all.” She waves the phone in her hands at me.
“Thanks for the warning.”
“If I warned you, then you probably would have looked up and gotten bird poop over your face,” she points out.
“Fair point. Okay, thank you for not warning me.”
We walk for a while longer, and when we finally reach the top, I’m in awe.
The air is cooler up here, but it tastes so fresh and unpolluted. The view is breathtaking, and the feeling it leaves me with is serene.
“Wow,” I say on an exhale, my eyes skirting from place to place.
The top offers a three-hundred-and-sixty degree view of Midsummer and the neighboring towns. It’s …
“Incredible,” I mutter distractedly, barely noticing a grinning Love as I grab the camera and film everything before I put the phone away and sit on a large rock, just taking it in.
“I know, right? This trail isn’t known to a lot of people. There is a shorter one a little farther out that offers a nice view, but this one is better.”
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