One Summer

  “Wait a minute.”

  He stopped as she walked over to him. “What exactly do you want to do on this date?”

  “What?”

  “The plan, Blake. I need to know the parameters of what you’re talking about. I’m not looking to run into a crowd of rich people again and have to kick somebody’s butt.” She added, “Unless it’s Tiffany’s. I actually enjoyed that.”

  “It’s nothing like that. There’s a coffee bar in town. They play music at night. Nothing live, but they have a DJ who’s really good. I thought we could go and listen to some tunes, dance, and chill out. That’s all.”

  She considered this. “That sounds okay. But just dancing and listening to tunes.”

  He eyed her closely. “Why? You got something else going?”

  “No, I just—”

  “Liam?”

  “That’s none of your business,” she said hotly.

  “Okay, okay. You’re right. Look, I’ve got my license. I can pick you up tomorrow night around seven?”

  “I’ll check with my dad, but I think that’ll be okay.”

  “Good,” said Blake. “Glad we got that settled. Want to finish the run?”

  She grinned and pushed him backward over a bump in the sand. He fell sprawling on his backside. “Catch me if you can,” she called out as she sprinted off laughing.

  He jumped up and raced after her.

  42

  “I’m hungry, Jack, so let’s go.”

  They were parked on the street in Channing. Sammy was eyeing Jenna’s restaurant, but Jack didn’t seem to want to budge.

  “It’s not like this is the only place to eat in town, Sammy.”

  Sammy opened his door. “You just need to get over it.”

  “Over what?”

  Sammy snapped, “She’s just a nice lady who’s trying to be friends with you, and you won’t give her the time of day because you feel guilty about Lizzie.”

  “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about! I’m nice to her.”

  “Great. If that’s the way you want it. I’m going to eat. Stay here if you want.”

  Sammy slammed the truck door and went inside A Little Bit of Love.

  Jack sat there brooding, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel. Finally, he climbed out of the truck and followed Sammy inside. His friend was tucked in a corner, already studying his menu. Jenna wasn’t at the hostess stand, so Jack wandered back and sat down across from Sammy. The older man handed him a menu. “Figured your empty belly would bring you to your senses.”

  Jack took the menu, glanced at it, and then dropped it on the table. “I don’t know what you expect from me.”

  “I don’t expect anything from you.”

  “Well, something’s clearly bugging the crap out of you.”

  Sammy dropped his menu too. “Okay, man, let’s hash this out. When’s the last time you played with Jackie? Or Cory? Or said two words to Mikki?”

  “I talked to Mikki about stuff just the other night.”

  “I know you did because I was there listening. But what exactly has changed? You work all day, and then you work on that damn lighthouse all night. It’s not healthy, Jack. You planning on having any fun ever again?”

  Jack stared hard at his friend. “What makes you think I deserve to have any fun ever again?”

  “You half killed yourself clawing your way back from a death sentence. And for what? To be miserable the rest of your life?”

  Jack picked up the menu. “You’re making it way too simple.”

  “And you’re making it way too complicated. You got kids, Jack. They need you.”

  “I’m busting my ass to support them.”

  “Is that all?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The only reason you’re busting your ass? Because of them?”

  “I know I haven’t exactly been the perfect father. My daughter has already reminded me of that.”

  “She does that because she cares about you. And, hell, she’s damn near sixteen. She probably wants to spend her time down here doing something other than watching her two kid brothers all day.”

  “She went to a party on the beach. She plays music with that Liam kid.”

  “Okay, fine, excuse me for giving a damn.”

  Jack’s anger evaporated with this last comment. “You’re right. It’s not enough to support my kids. I have to be there for them.”

  Sammy looked surprised and relieved. “Well, hallelujah. Maybe after all that work on the lighthouse, you’re finally seeing it.”

  “What?”

  “The damn light.”

  But Jack wasn’t listening to him anymore. He was thinking about something else Sammy had said.

  She’s damn near sixteen.

  The date popped into Jack’s head. Her birthday. Coming up fast. And it was a big one.

  “You guys ready to order?”

  Jack looked up to see a waitress standing next to their table. “What?”

  The woman smiled and tapped the menu. “This is a restaurant. And that’s a menu. I just took it on faith that you might want to order some food.”

  “I’ll take care of these two, Sally,” said a voice. Jenna walked up. “They could be trouble,” she added with a coy smile.

  “Okay, boss.” Sally walked off.

  Sammy looked at her and grinned. “So tell me the specials.”

  “Now, Mr. Duvall, you know that everything on the menu is special, and you’ve eaten most of it.”

  Jack looked at Sammy in surprise. “You have?”

  Sammy said defensively, “I get hungry. Just because you don’t eat doesn’t mean I have to do the same.”

  “How about our famous pork barbecue sandwich with fried onion rings and slaw on top? It’s hell on the arteries, but you’re guaranteed to die with a smile on your face.”

  “Sounds good,” said Sammy. He stared at Jack. “Make it two. And make sure you put a smiley face on his; might improve the man’s mood.” He winked at Jenna.

  She said, “Well, I wanted to talk to you about something anyway, Jack. Let me put your order in, and I’ll be right back.”

  She walked off and returned a minute later, drawing up a chair.

  “I’ll get to the point. Your daughter would like to waitress here. And I want to hire her.”

  “What?” said Jack. “She didn’t tell me about it.”

  Sammy said testily, “She wanted to, but it’s not like you’ve been around.”

  Jack ignored this and looked at Jenna. “Waitress?”

  “It’s an honest profession, and I pay a fair wage.”

  Jack glanced at Sammy. “I’ll have to get someone to watch the boys.”

  Jenna said, “I actually thought of that. The lady you’re doing work for, Anne Bethune? She runs a summer camp at her place. It’s right on the beach. The boys could go there. They’d have a great time.”

  Sammy said, “I’ve gotten to know Anne, and I saw how the camp was set up. They’ll love it.”

  “But I don’t really know the woman.”

  “She’s the principal at the local elementary school, Jack,” said Jenna. “She has two kids of her own. In fact, when I first moved here, I put Liam in the camp and he had a blast. She has qualified people helping her too.”

  Sammy added, “So that way Mikki can work here during the day. Earn some money, get out of the house. Have a life.”

  Jenna added, “And she gets her meals free. I think it’ll be good for her.”

  “How much does the camp cost?”

  “Now, that’s the interesting thing,” said Sammy. “I’m doing some extra work for her on the side, and Anne agreed to let the boys come there in exchange for it.”

  “Sammy, you didn’t have to do that.”

  “Like hell I didn’t. They need to have some fun too.”

  Jack looked between Jenna and Sammy. “Why do I sense this was all planned out?”

  Sammy snapped, “You got a good
reason not to do it?”

  “Well, no. It actually sounds like a great idea.”

  “Okay, then. So what’s the problem?”

  Jack locked gazes with Sammy for a long moment before finally looking away. “Okay, fine.”

  Sammy slapped the table. “There you go. That wasn’t too hard, was it? Now, Jenna, can you add two beers to our order? I feel the need to celebrate.”

  Jenna went off to do this while Jack pretended to go to the restroom. Instead he followed Jenna. “Can I talk to you about something?”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” he said quickly. “I just need to ask you about something.”

  “Look, Jack, I know it seemed like we ganged up on you about the camp and Mikki working here, but—”

  He smiled. “I actually really appreciate what you’re doing.”

  “Thank Sammy. It was his idea. You got a good friend in that man.”

  “You’re right. I do.” He looked at her. “And a good friend in you too.”

  This comment seemed to catch Jenna off guard.

  “I’m just… It’s not that…”

  She stopped in midsentence and looked away, flustered.

  Jack said, “I know I’ve been a little unfriendly with you, and I’m sorry.”

  She quickly looked back at him. “You don’t have to apologize, Jack. In my book you’ve done nothing wrong. So what did you want to ask me?”

  “I don’t want to do it now. What time would be good later?”

  “I can get away from here around nine.”

  “I can pick you up here. Drive you home.”

  “That’s fine. Liam has his license. He can drive the car back.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  43

  The café was crowded, and Blake and Mikki got as close to the DJ as possible. The tunes were already blasting, and people were dancing. Blake and Mikki got Cokes from the bar and settled into a corner to watch and listen.

  “You look really good,” Blake said.

  Mikki had on jean shorts, flip-flops, a white sleeveless blouse, and a pair of earrings her mother had given her for her fourteenth birthday. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she’d washed the latest color out of the strands. Her skin had tanned, and her face glowed.

  Blake had on jeans and a long-sleeve shirt worn out with the sleeves rolled up. She eyed him. “You don’t look so bad either.”

  He laughed. “Thanks a lot. Want’a dance?”

  “Okay.”

  They hit the dance floor and spent a half hour getting sweaty and out of breath, as they jostled next to kids doing the same thing. After another couple hours of listening to the music, things started to wind down. Blake said, “How about a walk on the beach? Nice night.”

  “Okay, but remember what I did to Tiffany.” She held up her hands in a pseudo–martial arts pose.

  Blake laughed. “I’m not messing with you. Or your dad.”

  They strolled along the sand. Mikki took her flip-flops off and carried them in one hand. Her free hand touched Blake’s, and he wrapped one of his fingers around one of hers. At first she pulled back, but a moment later they were holding hands.

  They reached an isolated section of beach where tall dunes were covered with lush, tangled vegetation.

  Blake said, “I guess we better head on back.”

  “Okay.”

  He turned to her. She faced him.

  “This was nice,” she said.

  “Not just saying that?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Most girls are easy to read. But not you.”

  “I get that a lot.”

  He grinned, cupped her chin with his hand. He dipped his head to hers.

  She pulled back.

  He looked annoyed. “What’s wrong? You’ve kissed before, right?”

  “Of course I have,” she said heatedly. “I’m almost sixteen.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “There’s no problem.” She grabbed him by the neck and planted a kiss on him. When they pulled apart, he exclaimed, “Wow. Okay, that was cool.”

  However, from Mikki’s look, the kiss had not had the same effect on her. In fact, she looked a little guilty.

  “Let’s get back,” she said hurriedly.

  They’d only walked a few feet when Blake said, “What was that?” He turned around and stared at the dunes.

  “What was what?” said Mikki.

  Then the sound came again. Something was moving through the dunes.

  “What is it?” Mikki asked, her fingers closing around Blake’s wrist.

  “I don’t know. But something’s up there.”

  “Maybe a dog or a cat?”

  Another sound.

  Mikki said, “That’s not a dog or cat. That was someone talking. Blake, let’s just get out of here.”

  “Hold on, there’s something weird going on here. I think I recognize that voice.” He called out, “Dukie? Dukie, is that you?”

  “Who’s Dukie?”

  “Left tackle on the football team. Big and dumb. I don’t know what he’d be doing here.” He looked around. “Look, just hang here a sec; I’ll be right back.”

  “Blake, don’t go up there.”

  “Just hang on; I’ll be right back.”

  He scooted toward the mounds of sand and quickly disappeared into the darkness. Mikki stood there looking anxiously around.