Summer: An Adventure That Brings Forth; Truth PT. 3/4

"We're finally here!" I said, damn near collapsing on the ground. Pandora kicked the stand down on the bike and stared at the nearby house.

It was a quaint little ranch style house, not too big or small, with a large expanse of farmland spreading out as far as the eye could see, with the only other building they had being was an old farmhouse. If I'm remembering correctly, it was about 100 acres of land they had.

"Whoa, it's so quiet over here," Pandora murmured. "It's as if we're the only ones here."

"I quite like it here. I wouldn't mind coming all the way out here and living my life in peace."

"Eh!? Huh, that's unexpected." Pandora took off her sunhat and looked over at me. "Are you going to tell me what exactly we're doing here?"

"Oh, that. It's just an old couple who helped me out a while back. It's been too long since I last came here, so I thought it was about time."

"And you brought me here because...?"

"Oh, they like company."

She nodded before cracking her neck. "Alright, I'm ready. Let's do this."

"…You do know we're not fighting, right?"

I let out a small smile at her ridiculousness and proceeded to knock on the door.

"Oh, who could that be dear?" I heard a sweet voice from behind the door, and I heard it click open to reveal a woman in her late 70's, dressed in an apron. She had strikingly white hair, with a pair of soft, brown eyes. She also had many wrinkles all over her body, but still managed to convey this energy of youth. I called her Granny.

"Oh! Oh, dear, you won't believe who decided to come and visit us!"

"Eh, who is it?" yelled out a gruff voice, coming in from deeper inside.

"It's Sonny! You know, the youngin' who comes by often!"

"Oh, that kid's back?" I heard shuffling, and an old man in his late 70's came out, stroking his small salt and pepper beard, although more salt than pepper. He wore an old pair of overalls and had a pair of brown glasses that suited his light-brown eyes, which widened as he saw me standing in the doorway. I called him PawPaw.

"Oho! It is Sonny! It's been quite some time, hasn't it? About 2 summers ago if I'm remembering right." He gave me a warm smile, and I nodded, smiling back.

"Yeah, it really has. Sorry for not visiting sooner," I managed to mumble out, and I felt a light pat on my shoulder.

"Oh, it's fine. You young people are out living your youth. No need to apologize for that. Heck, when I was your age, I almost never came home at night." She giggled to herself. "Anyway, come in, come in! It's been so long; we need to catch up. I'll make a pot of tea." She led me in, guiding me to the living room, where an old CRT-TV was playing a soap opera.

"Hey, did you bring company too?" PawPaw asked, looking at Pandora. "Well lass, no need to be shy now. Come in, come in, the more the merrier!" He led in after me, and we both ended up on the couch together, with PawPaw sitting in a nearby chair.

"So, how've been Sonny? You were a sophomore last we saw yah, so that means you're about to be a senior, right?"

"Yep, last year of high school this year," I said, nodding in agreement. "Honestly, it's been kind of a blur, these past years."

"Yah think it's bad now, wait till you get to my age," he said, laughing at his own joke. I couldn't help but chuckle along, and PawPaw looked over at Pandora, who was admiring the place.

"So, who might you be lass? Are you his girlfriend? Is that why you decided to come here, to show off yah cute lil lady?"

She giggled. "Yep, that's exactly it."

"Hey, don't just lie like that!" She giggled again before smiling.

"No, I'm not. I'm just a friend for the time being. My name's Pandora, pleased to meet you."

"Ah, Sonny, you're a lucky guy, having a lass like that fawn over you."

"I just said we weren't dating!"

He chuckled. "Hey honey, was I like Sonny back in the day?"

Granny walked in, carrying in a tray of tea and biscuits, setting them down on the table. "Yes, maybe even worse dear."

"Oh, let me," Pandora said, offering to pour the tea.

"Oh, thank you Pandy. If only my hubby would be as nice as you."

"Oh hush! I worked hard; I at least deserve my beautiful wife serving me tea during retirement."

Pandora poured out a cup for everyone while Granny sat down, smiling at the two of us.

"What should I call you two?" Pandora asked, handing them each a cup a tea before sitting down, handing me one.

"Oh, just call us what Sonny here does: Granny for me and PawPaw for the old fart over there."

"I take back what I said earlier; you ain't beautiful at all!"

"Hey, stop that you two. I didn't come here just to see you two squabble again," I said, chuckling.

"Oh, hush Sonny. When you get our age, little fights like this only represent our undying love for each other."

Pandora smiled at Granny before taking a sip of tea. "How long have you two been married?"

"Oh, 59 years! We've almost reached the big 6-O!" PawPaw said, musing to himself. "Oh, I remember it like it was yesterday. As she walked down that aisle, in her beautiful white dress, I knew there was no other woman for me. How long we've been together is a testament to that."

"Yes, even though our kids have long grown up and gotten married and had kids of their own. Heck, even some of their kids have kids, if you can believe it!"

"Oh, I would love to get married someday," Pandora said wistfully, glancing at me.

"Why're looking at me?"

"Hmph, no reason," Pandora said, taking another sip of her tea. "Does your family visit often?"

"Not as often as we like. It's been years since they've come to visit. That's why I'm glad Sonny comes to visit every now and again. Some of our grandchildren should be around ya'lls age, so I can't help but spoil you silly!"

"Granny, I already told you, I can try to find them for you if you miss them that much."

"Oh, don't start with that. I mean, look at you! You've grown skinnier again, haven't you? I remember when we first met, you were about 13 at the time. You were run ragged, riding that raggedy old bike. It's why we gave you the one you have now yah know."

"Yeah, I remember. I really must thank you again for that." I bowed my head down. "I don't know what I would've down if you hadn't taken me in."

"No need to thank us Sonny. Its simple kindness is all, anyone would've done the same." Granny took a sip of her tea and breathed a sigh of relief. "But it looks like you're a lil happier, and that's all that matters to me. Although, make sure you eat three meals a day, okay?"

"I'll try my best," I said, taking a bite out the biscuit Granny had made for us.

"Still, it really is a nice place you have hear," Pandora said, gazing around the small, but cozy room. "Depra was just telling me that he wouldn't mind living all the way out here."

"Oho, Sonny, you wanna be a farmer then? I can teach yah the ropes!"

"Oh, I do believe that is the first time that Sonny has mentioned anything about the future!"

The future huh? I stared down at my tea, pondering to myself. "Honestly, I don't know what I wanna be. I haven't really put much thought into it."

"Well, that's alright for now. I didn't think I would be this guys wife while I was growing up. No, I thought I would use my beauty and feminine wiles to snag someone better."

"And I thought I would marry an actress, but life disappoints us, doesn't it honey?"

Pandora started to laugh at their exchange, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle too. I really did miss these two. I really should try to visit them more often in the future…