They chatted about unimportant things while they ate and sipped their wine.
“We had a good day at the store today. It was really busy. I’m not sure why.”
“I thought it seemed busier downtown when I was out and about earlier,” Mia said.
“Right. Memorial Day weekend isn’t far off. Seems like it gets busy earlier every year.”
After a while, Mia grew tired of talking about nothing. She finally asked the uncomfortable question that had to be asked. “So, what’s going on with Rick?”
Izzy sighed, then fiddled with a tortilla chip, taking her time getting the perfect amount of guacamole onto it. Finally, she spoke. “It’s been kind of hard lately.” She reached for another chip and Mia waited for her to continue. “So, his new job wasn’t working out, kind of like the last one. They laid him off at the end of the day yesterday. And he’s—he’s not taking it well.”
“What did he do?” Mia wasn’t liking the sound of this at all.
“I never really saw this side of him until we moved in together. He gets frustrated and angry so fast. Lately, I’ve felt like I’ve had to walk on eggshells around him because I never know what’s going to set him off. His moods change so quickly. But last night was the worst I’ve seen yet. He actually threw a chair through the kitchen window. I think it freaked both of us out.”
“Did he touch you?” Mia asked.
Izzy shook her head. “No. He just lost his temper, really lost it. But the window was the only thing that was damaged.”
This time. “Why didn’t you call me last night? You could’ve come here then.”
“I didn’t feel like I was in any danger. I know that Rick would never actually hurt me. He was just upset. He apologized immediately and was as sweet as could be afterwards. He felt terrible. He went to the hardware store first thing this morning and fixed the window. So, it’s as good as new.”
“So…if everything’s fine, why are you here tonight?”
Izzy took a big sip of wine before answering. “Rick went to lunch with some friends and they had a few beers. He had more than a few. When he came home, I could tell he was drunk, and in a mood, and I just didn’t want to deal. I told him that you and I already had plans and I had forgotten to tell him. He was half asleep in his chair in front of the TV when I left.”
“So, what are you going to do about this? He’s lost two jobs recently. Do you think things are going to get better? I’m worried for you.”
“I’m not ready to give up on him yet. I really do love him. He’s had a hard time of it lately, and I want to see what I can do to support him and to help make things better. I just really needed a break.” Izzy smiled and reached for yet another chip. “And I wanted to spend some time with my sister, like we talked about.”
Mia wanted to tell her sister that she thought she was crazy and that Rick was a loser and potentially dangerous, but she knew her sister wasn’t ready to hear it. Not yet.
After they finished eating, they went back to Mia’s place and took Penny out for a walk on the beach. They all needed the exercise and fresh air.
Once they were inside and settled for the night, Mia opened one of the bottles of wine. They each had another glass and after a while broke out the chips and ice cream and stayed up late watching a marathon of Meg Ryan movies on Netflix.
The next morning, after walking Penny, they went for coffee downstairs and were planning to go out for breakfast, but Lisa talked them into eating her special lobster quiche instead.
“I don’t make this one often, and Izzy is your guest which means she’s more than welcome to have breakfast, too. You just missed the girls. They were here earlier. I’ll leave the two of you to enjoy your food.”
When she disappeared into the main house, Mia explained that Lisa’s girls usually joined her for breakfast on Saturdays. “We’ll see them tomorrow. They’ll all be at Will’s cookout, except for Abby. You and Rick are going, right?”
“I’m not sure if he’s still going to want to go. I hope so.”
“Well, if he doesn’t, you can go with me. It should be fun.”
“We’ll see.” They both looked up as Ben walked into the room and went straight for the food.
“Isn’t that your neighbor?” Izzy spoke softly. “I’d recognize Ben Billings anywhere. He’s even better looking now that he’s older, if that’s possible.”
Mia nodded. “I agree. I didn’t place him immediately when I first saw him, but it was late at night and I’d just woken up.”
Ben loaded his plate with quiche and after adding a half dozen or so sugars to his coffee, he saw Mia and walked over to their table.
“We’re finally here at the same time. Mind if I join you?
“Of course. You remember my sister, Izzy?”
Ben sat and smiled at Izzy. “Of course. You always had that long hair. Are you just visiting, or do you live here, too?”
“I live here, too. I run a shop down by the pier.”
He nodded. “That’s where my condo is, by Mia’s. I’m hoping it won’t be too long before the work is done and we can move in. I met with Will, the guy doing the restoration, yesterday and he seemed to think it might not take as long as they originally thought. Maybe just a few more weeks.”
“Oh, that’s great news,” Izzy said.
“I saw him this week, too,” Mia added. “I picked out new hardwood flooring. I can’t wait to see what it looks like once it’s in.”
“I was a little freaked out when this happened. I was set to move in the next week. I was afraid I’d made a huge mistake by buying this condo. But Will assured me that when it’s done, it will be like brand new.”
“Will’s a good friend. You don’t have anything to worry about. He does beautiful work. He makes furniture, too. He was actually making me an entertainment center before the fire happened, so I’ll have that when it’s all done, too.”
“No kidding. I might have to talk to him about that. I still need to fully furnish my place.”
They chatted a few more minutes until Ben was finished eating, then said their goodbyes. Ben left to go fishing with a friend while Mia and Izzy went back to the room to get Izzy’s bag. Mia walked her out to her car and hugged her goodbye.
“Call me later. Let me know if you want me to pick you up for the cookout.”
“I will. Thanks, Mia. It was good to get away for the night. This was fun.”
“It was. And you know you’re welcome anytime.”
Chapter 8
Kate kissed Jack goodbye as she headed toward the door Sunday morning. She had fifteen minutes to meet Sam at The Bean, and it took ten minutes to get there, so she should be fine.
“Don’t forget, we have Will’s cookout later. We should head over around four.”
“Got it. Have fun on your coffee date,” Jack teased her.
“Very funny. I’ll be home in about an hour.”
Jack was being pretty understanding, considering that she was meeting a former boyfriend for coffee. But she assured him it was just meeting an old friend who was married with kids. Plus, Sam knew she was engaged. Kate knew not all guys would be as calm. And truth be told, Kate knew she wouldn’t be thrilled if one of Jack’s old girlfriends surfaced and wanted to meet up after not seeing him in years. She wasn’t sure she would have been as understanding as Jack.
When she arrived at The Bean, it wasn’t too busy. She looked around and then she saw him—the tall, familiar figure with the thick, blonde hair that he always wore a little on the long side. Sam smiled when he saw her and stood. He was a little fuller than she last remembered, and he had some fine laugh lines now around his mouth and eyes, but they looked good on him.
“Kate! You haven’t changed a bit. You look great.”
“It’s good to see you, Sam. You look the same, too.”
They both moved towards each other at the same time for a quick hug.
“What do you want to drink? I’ll get our coffees,” he asked.
> “Just black for me.”
“Save our seats. I’ll be right back.”
Kate settled at the small table by a window where Sam had been waiting. In just a few minutes, he was back with two paper cups of coffee and handed one to her.
“So, fill me in on everything. You’re living on Nantucket year-round now?”
Kate launched into what she’d been up to since college, living in Boston, working at Boston Style magazine until it was sold and she was laid off. Then moving home to Nantucket, writing and publishing her first mystery, doing some freelance magazine work and falling in love with Jack.
“And so, we got engaged. I’m planning the wedding now.”
“Congratulations. How’s that coming along?”
Kate made a face. “Truthfully, I hate every minute of it, and I even have a wonderful wedding planner helping. I’ve just never been a big wedding kind of girl.”
“No, you never were,” he agreed. “I’m sure once everything is decided and the big day comes, you’ll have a blast.”
Kate grinned. “You’re probably right. I wish I could skip ahead to that day. But enough about me. What have you been up to? You mentioned that you married and had kids. Tell me about them, and about your wife, how did you meet?”
Sam took a deep breath and his smile faded. Kate leaned forward, sensing suddenly that this might not be a happy story.
“I met Mary in college, sophomore year, and that was kind of it for both of us. We both fell hard fast and knew we didn’t want to date anyone else, ever. We got married six months after graduating. And everything was great for ten years. Except that we couldn’t seem to get pregnant. We tried everything. Finally, when we came to terms that it just wasn’t going to happen for us, Mary suddenly found herself pregnant—and with twins. The doctor said that happens sometimes, when you stop trying and just relax.”
“Wow, and twins. Did you have more after that?”
Sam shook his head slowly and Kate was immediately sorry she’d asked the question.
“No, just the girls, Becky and Sarah. They’re seven now. A few years after they were born, Mary found a lump and was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. We thought we could beat it. She did great for a few years, but a little over a year ago she had a bad cough, like a bronchitis that she couldn’t shake. They did a chest x-ray, and that’s when we learned that it had spread to her lungs and her liver. She died five months later.”
“Oh, Sam, I’m so sorry. How are you and the kids coping?”
“It’s been hard, for all of us. I took the kids to a therapist that was recommended, and I think that was a good idea. We just try to focus on all the happy memories. Send balloons up for her on holidays, that kind of thing. It’s a lot for kids that age.”
“For any age,” Kate said.
He smiled. “Right. Anyway, it’s been a hard year, to put it mildly, and I’ve wanted to keep things as stable and smooth for the girls as possible. I’m a consultant, and I stopped traveling. I do everything remotely now over the phone and online using email or Zoom for video calls or presentations. But it’s been a lot. I’m basically home with the girls 24/7 and I love them, but I was feeling burned out. My mother has been after me to move home for years. I finally agreed that it was a good idea and so far, it’s been great. The girls get to see their grandparents more and my mother loves to babysit, which gives me a break.”
“How are your parents?” Kate had always really like them. Lucy was an extrovert, involved in all kinds of local clubs and charities, while his father was the quiet one. He was a kind, friendly man and worked as a tax and estate attorney.
“They’re great. They said to tell you hello. My mother pushed me to join a local bereavement group for people that had lost spouses or partners. I was against the idea at first. But, as usual, she was right. Everyone there knows what I’m going through, and it’s been helpful to talk about it with them.”
“Oh, that’s great. I didn’t know there was a group like that here.” An idea came to Kate, of someone else who could benefit from it. “A good friend lost her fiancé a year ago, and I know she has been struggling, though she puts up a good front. I’d like to tell her about the group.”
“Sure, I’ll message you the details.”
“So, when did you get back? Are the girls settling in? Tell me about them? Do they look alike?” The questions rushed out and Kate laughed. “Sorry to bombard you, it’s the former reporter in me.”
But Sam didn’t seem to mind. “A little over a month ago. The girls seem to love it. My parents are, of course, spoiling them rotten. And we’re staying in their rental property, a year-round cottage that is just a short walk away, so they run over there all the time. They actually look nothing alike. You almost wouldn’t even guess that they are sisters. People say that Becky looks more like me, same color hair and eyes. She’s bubbly and full of energy. Sarah takes after her mom, darker hair, same smile and she’s more quiet, introspective. She worries about me, is more of a nurturer. It’s cute.”
“They sound adorable. I’d love to meet them sometime. Jack and I usually have a cookout over Memorial Day weekend. You’ll have to come by then if you’re free.”
“We’d love to and thanks for the invite. I wanted to reach out to you sooner, but I worried that it might not be welcome, or that your fiancé would mind.”
“Jack is pretty understanding. I’d love for you to meet him.” She thought for a moment. “When you’re ready to start dating, let me know. I could introduce you to some people.”
Sam shook his head. “Thanks, but dating isn’t on my radar at all. I can’t imagine when it will be.” He paused and then his voice cracked a little. “I still think about Mary every day.”
“Of course, you do. I’m really sorry, Sam. I wish I could do something to help.”
“Just meeting me today helped. It has gotten easier as everyone said that it would. Moving home here was the best decision, though. We’ll definitely plan to come for your Memorial Day weekend cookout. I was thinking to take the girls down to the pier that day, too, to show them the Figawi madness with all the boats coming in.”
“That’s a great idea. They’ll love it.” Memorial Day weekend was like the unofficial kickoff to the summer season on Nantucket, and the Figawi race was impressive to see. Several hundred sailboats of all sizes raced from Hyannis to Nantucket and spent the weekend on the island before sailing back on Monday.
Sam glanced at his watch. “I wish I could stay longer, but I have to get back to take the kids to their dance lessons.”
Kate stood. “It was really great seeing you, Sam. I’m glad you’re back here.”
“Me, too. And I’ll send you that info later today for your friend.”
* * *
The girls were waiting for him on the front porch. Sarah was sitting next to his mother on the big sofa swing, brushing his mother’s hair while Becky was chattering non-stop and doing pirouettes while she spoke. As soon as he pulled in the driveway, she stopped mid-twirl and came running to greet him.
“Daddy, you’re late! We have to leave now.”
“We’re not going to be late. Go grab your bag and let’s go.”
“You are cutting it awfully close,” his mother said. “Did you have a nice time, at least?
He smiled. “Yes, it was nice to see Kate and catch up. I’ll fill you in when I get home. Come on, girls.”
“Who did you go see, Daddy?” Sarah asked once they were on the way.
“An old friend. Her name is Kate, and she invited us to her house for a cookout Memorial Day weekend.”
Sarah thought about that for a moment. “Will there be hot dogs?” she asked seriously.
“I don’t know for sure, but there’s a very good chance. Probably hamburgers, too.”
Sarah nodded. “That’s okay, then. We’ll go.”
“You’re taking us to see the sailboats still, right?” Becky sounded worried.
“Yes, of course, honey.” He
pulled up to the dance studio and made sure the girls had everything they needed. He watched them run inside and then headed back to his mother’s. He had an hour to kill before he had to pick up the girls. His mother was in the kitchen, dicing celery and onions for a pot of chicken soup. She looked up when she saw him.
“Have a cup of tea with me?”
“Sure.”
She added the cut veggies and a chicken to the pot of simmering water. Then washed her hands thoroughly with soap and water before making their tea. Once it was ready, she brought the two cups to the kitchen table and sat down.
“So, tell me about Kate. I heard something about an engagement, but maybe that’s not true?
He laughed. He knew his mother was hoping it wasn’t true. She had always really liked Kate. “It’s true, and she seems very happy.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I mean, I’m happy for her. I just thought it would be nice if the two of you got back together.”
“I didn’t go see her with that intention. I’m really not ready to date anyone. Not yet.”
“It’s been over a year, honey. It might be good for you to get out there and meet some people.”
Sam groaned. “Mom, seriously I have no desire to get back ‘out there’. I’ll let you know when I do.”
His mother sighed and changed the subject. “Okay, so you’ll all stay for supper tonight? I made some fresh bread this morning and the chicken soup will be ready by the time you get home with the girls. And I got a blueberry pie at the market. The girls love that. Your father should be home by then, too. He’s off fishing.”
“Sure, Mom. We’ll stay for dinner.” He knew his mother just worried about him and wanted to see him happy again. And he was happy. He had the girls, and they were his whole world. It was nice to see Kate again, and hopefully reconnect with some more friends he once knew and make some new ones. He was looking forward to going to Kate’s cookout. He thought that would be fun for the girls, too. A glance at the clock told him it was just about time to go get them.
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