Summertime Nostalgia Novels & Stories

Standing over the porch, overlooking the view of the Mountains, brought up so many fond memories. The green valleys downwards and alive browns of earth - woods and the rich humus - reminded her when things were just simpler. The smelt of fresh tropical air signalled that summer was coming - and summer was the time of joy.

"I can be Spider-Man and Batman? Best day ever!" He turned and bolted up the stairs two at a time, already lost in his own joy, completely unaware of the storm gathering beneath our roof. Alone in the hallway, my fingers drifted to the pendant resting against my collarbone, the one I had worn every single day for ten years. I didn't need to look at it to know the words engraved across its surface. 'Next summer, find me if you can.' I had written that promise for me and Miguel, believing it was the beginning of a love story.

“I’m making my peach cobbler.” I exclaimed, “Peach cobbler.” It wasn't the delicate truffle-infused risotto or the seared foie gras I’d grown accustomed to. This was soul food. The food of survival, of celebration, of long, hot Sundays. It wasn't just a dessert.It was my childhood. It was summer vacation that felt endless, the sticky-sweet juice of Georgia peaches running down our chins. It was the reward for good report cards, the comfort on rainy days, the centerpiece of every birthday. It was the scent of my father, smiling, asking for a second helping.

Maybe I was destined to feel this only for him. "Well we have to leave you now, Joshua has to open up the salon and I have to meet with the real estate agency." Anthony said as he and Joshua got up. "Well see each other this weekend for camping, Summer you said you know a perfect spot." Huh, Summer had no clue, somehow I think she never even went camping. "Yes, my driver will pick us all up and drop us off." Summer said, her eyes shined as she looked at Anthony. It was either the shine of love or the shine of a hangover, either way it was nice to see.

If Summer agreed with Edmund, what would happen to their relationship? But apparently, Summer had not finished her sentence. "But my wounds are nothing compared to the happiness that Uncle Louis gave me." Everyone was stunned, except Edmund. He snorted, belittling the memories that Summer kept. "You must be kidding. That man has given you a fever. How could you be happy because of him?" "But that's the truth, Grandpa. I'm happy every time Uncle Louis is near me. Especially when he takes me to the amusement park." Summer's gaze drifted away. With a little smile, she muttered, "I like how he held my hand when we walked. I like the time we ate ice cream and cotton candy together. I will never f

The sight sent a wave of nostalgia crashing over her. The necklace, a delicate snowflake pendant sparkling with an inner fire, was a tangible reminder of a simpler time. Back then, she and Gandal were just carefree children, bundled in winter coats, their laughter echoing through snow-covered fields. There was an innocence in those memories, a purity untainted by the complexities of the adult world.

Those moments in the utility closet were the last I saw of him. My friends and I spent the summer basking in the sun, grilling, and playing in the backyard. We would have some plan or another every weekend, everything from attending concerts to holding water gun tournaments—in which Betty eventually arose as the undefeated champion—to barbecues filled with the scent of smoked meat and cold beer. All in all, it was an idyllic summer; late nights catching fireflies in mason jars, reading in shafts of sunlight, sewing in my little attic room.

"Hmmm. This tastes like the end of summer." She rose up to meet me, "In two weeks, we shall bid summer farewell to welcome winter and her blasting winds." I took another bite of the bread, picking a strawberry in the other hand. "I'll miss summer. It's my favorite time of the year." I stretched my hand to the open window, dramatizing. "Oh summer, my sweet sweet summer."

Well, after a few hours of being ignored on end, I decided that I was tired of waiting for him to come to speak to me. Now, we were driving to the grocery store to get snacks for the movies tonight. I remembered the first time we had watched a movie. It went well. My cheeks heated up at the memory and I turned and faced the window. Didn't want him glancing over and seeing I was blushing for no reason. He turned the radio up and luckily for me, Lana Del Rey's Summertime Sadness came on. I felt a wave of nostalgia hit me. I had gone through a Lana Del Rey crazed phase back in college and it had been so long since I listened to her.

The older and larger the family was, the more they would remember their history. Regaining her senses, Summer composed herself and asked, "Howe, is there a reason why you were looking for me?" "To play." Summer rolled her eyes at him. Howe was always talking about playing, but she didn't know what he wanted to play. Whatever it was, it would probably only do her more harm than good. Waving her hand, Summer said goodbye to Howe. There was nothing else to say, since whatever ideas for entertainment he had in mind were definitely not suitable for her.