Beer Run

Jenny lead Emma outside to the front porch. Emma watched as her cousin sent a text, followed by several more, and some laughing, to Craig.

"He'll be by in just a few. He has some friends with him, but you should like them. Then we'll hit Ridgefield and get some beer, then come back and hang out by the lake, if that's cool?" Jenny explained.

Emma shrugged and said, "Is that a good idea? Your parents are home and you aren't exactly drinking age."

Jenny waved away Emma's concerns with a hand and said, "They don't care what we do. If I'm with you, mom and dad will leave us alone. You're like the responsible older adult. The smart college kid that won't let anything happen to me. The street wise hustler from the city that will stand up for her country-bumpkin cousin."

Emma laughed at the last part. "I've been called a street wise hustler way too few times in my life."

It was Jenny's turn to shrug. "They trust me with you. We'll be fine. They'll probably be glad to see me doing stuff. I get out about as much as James. This town is pretty lame if you haven't noticed."

Emma nodded to her cousin then admired the darkening sky. The stars were visible now, even without the sky being very dark. "There are some advantages to the country though."

Jenny shrugged again then perked up at a vehicle pulling into the driveway. "That's Craig! How do I look? Nevermind, let's just go."

Emma threw her hands up in resignation and followed Jenny to the car.