“Ah,” Sam looked at Caroline.
“Oh, I’m sure Caroline won’t mind being without you for a few hours. Will you Caroline?” he said giving Caroline a teasing look and trying to get under Caroline’s skin as only little brothers can.
With her back to Sam, Caroline glared at Charles.
“Sure, I’m in,” Sam said. “I would love to go. I just have a quick call to make and then I’m free.”
“OK good!” Lawrence said with a clap. “Anyone else interested?” When no one said anything then he continued, “Then it’s settled. Gentleman we’ll all meet at the boat slip in an hour. Maybe someone can talk Sophie into packing a lunch for us.” He winked at Lizzy. “So,” he said still looking at Lizzy, “what are you girls going to do today?”
“I don’t know.” Looking at Caroline and me, Lizzy asked, “Do you want to go into town and go shopping?”
Caroline and I looked at each other. “No!” said Caroline. I shook my head. Since neither Caroline nor I liked to shop and Lizzy and Diane loved it that was a recipe for disaster.
“I’d like to go to the beach,” Diane said quietly.
“I’m in!” I said excited with the prospect of sitting with a good book and doing nothing all day.
“Me too!” said Caroline. She was probably thinking the same thing I was.
“Good! I’ll have Sophie pack us a couple of lunch baskets.” Lizzy got up and went into the kitchen.
As conversations continued around us I turned to Charles and said quietly, “Be nice on the boat.”
“What are you talking about?” Charles whispered back with an exaggerated innocent look on his face. A look I recognized from when Thomas and Aiden were kids and were up to something. “I always behave,” he smiled.
I glared at him. “Be nice to Sam. We don’t know what the situation is between him and Caroline.”
“That’s right!” Charles said forcefully, the smile gone. “And I intend to find out.”
I shook my head knowing Sam had a long afternoon ahead of him.
While the guys were on the boat the ladies and I took the trail down to the Dupree’s private beach.
We all sat down on individual towels and under two big umbrellas. As I rubbed sunscreen lotion on my arms Diane began to talk.
“OK Caroline, the guys aren’t around so spill!”
“What are you talking about?” Caroline said distracted. She was digging in her big bright beach bag for something.
“Sam, of course!” Diane answered eagerly.
Hmmmm…I wanted to know too but I was waiting until Caroline and I were alone but since Diane brought it up I was all ears.
“What?” Caroline said looking up from her bag.
“That hunk of man you walked in with this morning,” Lizzy said. We all laughed to hear Lizzy refer to someone as a hunk.
“Oh him,” Caroline said and then nothing.
“Well?” I said not being able to be silent any more.
Back to rummaging through her beach bag, “He works at one of the Japanese companies our firm works with on occasion. We worked together on a project the last time I was in Japan.”
“About a year ago?” I asked.
“Yes.”
Silence.
“And?” Diane said.
“And what?” Caroline looked aggravated as she couldn’t seem to find what she was looking for in that gigantic beach bag.
“What in the world are you looking for?” I said to Caroline totally annoyed now with her rummaging.
“My book!” Caroline exclaimed.
“Well,” said Lizzy. “I don’t think you’re reading any book until you answer these girls’ questions.”
I laughed to myself because I was sure Lizzy was just as interested in knowing the status of Caroline and Sam’s relationship as we were.
“Look,” Caroline continued sounding bored with the subject. “We became friends while I was in Japan. We stayed in touch and now he’s here in the states on some business. He’s staying with me for a while.”
“Wait!” Diane grabbed Caroline’s bag so she can stop rummaging and give us her undivided attention. “Do you mean he’s staying with you? At your loft? You’re precious domain where no man outside the family is allowed and even then with a limited time?”
“Yes!” Caroline said snatching her beach bag back.
“But, but,” Diane stuttered, “You can’t stand being around a guy for more than a week or two at most.”
“Apparently that’s changed,” Lizzy said.
“So you’re dating him?” I asked surprised that I’m just hearing about this. I thought we were closer than that. I mentally shrugged. I wanted to ask her more questions but I didn’t want to intrude. However I think we’ve all past that mark already.
“Yes,” Caroline said finally finding her book. She put the book by her side and put the bag down. “Yes, I’m dating him.”
Quietly Lizzy asked, “Do you really like this guy?”
Before Caroline could answer Diane jumped in, “How much? How much do you like him?”
Boundaries people I said to myself.
“I like him enough!” Caroline said giving Diane a look that said, “that’s enough questions.”
“Obviously enough that she brought him here,” I said. Feeling uncomfortable for Caroline I continued, “Why don’t we change the subject? I think we’ve butt into Caroline’s business enough.”
“Maybe YOU did!” Diane snapped at me. “But WE’RE Dupree’s.” She said pointing to herself as well as Lizzy and Caroline. “WE are family. That’s how WE are.” She glared at me.
Before I had a chance to tell Diane what I thought of her snippy little attitude Lizzy stepped in.
With a steely voice, that reminded me of my grandmother when we crossed the line, Lizzy snapped back, “That’s enough Diane!” She hesitated as if to calm herself down. “Your grandfather and I consider Simone and her boys like family.”
“Me too!” Caroline chimed in.
Lizzy nodded at Caroline. “And they will be treated accordingly. Now I don’t know what kind of manners you learned over in California but in the Dupree household we treat our family members and guests with the utmost respect. You’d do better to remember that while you’re here!”
There was silence. Then Diane said quietly, “Yes, Mam.” Then looking at me she said in an obedient voice, “I’m sorry Simone.” Even though she gave a slight smile it did not reach her eyes. I didn’t think for a moment that she was sorry. But she did say more than one syllable to me this time. Besides I didn’t know she even knew my name. That was progress. I guess.
I nodded my head at Diane. With that the four of us pulled down our sunglasses; picked up our books and lay down on our towels.
There was still tension in the air. Only the breaking of the waves broke the silence.
Then Caroline sat up. “I have to go back to Japan after the first of the year. Sam wants me to stay with him…permanently.”
The three of us sat up quickly and pulled off our shades. We stared at Caroline with stunned looks on our faces.
“Is that something you want to do?” asked Lizzy.
Caroline hesitated. “I don’t know. I’m considering it.”
“He must be a pretty special guy for you to even be considering the move,” I said.
“He is,” Caroline answered me but was looking at her mother.
With tears welled up in her eyes Lizzy kept looking at Caroline without saying a word. Finally she pulled on her shades and lay back down on her towel.
“Mom?” Caroline said.
Lizzy seemed to have fallen asleep instantly. At least she wasn’t answering.
I looked at Caroline. She looked at me. I reached over and squeezed her hand.
Caroline gave me a watery smile. Put on her sunglasses and laid back down on her towel.
I looked over at Diane who was looking at me. She shrugged her shoulders; put her BOSE earbuds in her ears; pulled down h
er shades and lay back down on the towel.
The silence was deafening. Not able to concentrate on my book I laid back listening to the waves wondering….wondering if we should have gone shopping instead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Babe, I’m sorry about the way Diane has been acting towards you,” Charles said.
We were up in our room at the Martha’s Vineyard house getting ready for bed. I had just taken a shower and washed my face. I was sitting at the vanity in the bedroom putting night cream on my face. I always wanted one of these white antique tri-mirror vanities with a matching bench. It made me feel like a Queen.
Charles was lying back on the white four poster bed. I looked at his reflection through the mirror.
“I didn’t realize you noticed.”
“There’s not too much I miss,” he said. “She has been borderline rude…not speaking to you…one word answers. I didn’t raise her like that and I fully intend to speak to her about it in the morning.”
“No, please don’t do that. It might make things worse. I don’t want her to feel like I’m turning you against her.”
“Of course you’re not!” he exclaimed.
“Yes, but she might feel that way. Girls and their dads have a very special relationship. I don’t want her to think I’m coming in the middle of the two of you.”
“Well, she’s ruining everyone’s fun and she’s being rude to you. I don’t like it.”
Earlier that night the whole family sat out at the fire pit toasting marshmallows and making s’ mores. We all did a lot of storytelling and we had a lot of laughs. But anytime I told a story Diane noticeably did not laugh or join in. After a while she just stopped laughing completely.
Daniel, always so entertaining had told a story of some craziness he and his friends had done just last year. Daniel did not always take life seriously but his sister seemed to take it seriously enough for the both of them.
“You know Daniel you guys could have gotten into a lot of trouble if you had gotten stopped by the police,” Diane admonished her brother.
“Oh lighten up, Diane,” Daniel said putting a burnt marshmallow in his mouth. “We weren’t really doing anything wrong. Just having a little fun.”
“Well still,” she continued. “You’ve got to be smarter than that.”
“Geez Di, what’s gotten up your butt this weekend? You act like your dog just died or something. Whatever it is get over it. You’re bringing us all down.”
There was an awkward silence around the fire pit. Was everyone thinking the same thing but only Daniel had the nerve to say it?
After a moment, “I’m going to bed,” Diane said getting up.
“Oh come on, Diane,” Charles said taking Diane’s hand as she walked by. “Hang with us a little while longer.”
“No thanks. I’m tired.” She bent down and kissed her dad on the cheek. “Good night everyone,” she said as she left the circle and went into the house.
Charles shook his head.
“Well, I can’t sit by and let her treat you this way,” he continued. He got up from the bed and walked over to me while our eyes watched each other in the mirror. “You mean everything to me.” He lifted my hair and kissed me on the back of the neck. Everyone seems to realize that but her. It’s time she knew the deal.”
I turned and kissed him. How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful man as Charles? For that matter how did we get so lucky to have each other?
As he walked back to the bed I asked, “How did the fishing go?”
“It was fun,” he said. There was more beer drinking then fishing but we had fun. That Sam guy’s not half bad. We’re going to get together next week to play a little golf.”
“Oh…that’s nice,” I said rubbing lotion down my arms and adverting his eyes reflected in the mirror.
“What’s wrong?” Charles said.
“What?” I said continuing to avoid his reflection in the mirror.
Sitting up in the bed he said, “Simone, we’ve been together long enough. I know when something’s not right. What’s going on?”
“Did you ask him about his and Caroline’s relationship?” I said now looking at his reflection in the mirror.
“No, but it’s obvious they like each other,” he said. “Why?”
“Yes, apparently it’s very serious.” I turned on the bench to look directly at him. “She’s thinking of moving in with him after the first of the year.”
Looking a bit relieved. “Oh is that all? That’s not ideal but she’s grown.”
“Charles,” I said getting his attention. “He lives in Japan.”
“What?”
“Yes,” I answered. “She’s thinking of moving to Japan after the first of the year.”
Charles stood up and started pacing. “That’s crazy,” he said. “Why would she do that?”
“I think she’s in love with him,” I said.
“But he lives in Japan,” he exclaimed.
“Yes, babe,” I said in a calming voice, “but don’t forget she spends four months out of the year over there. So she’s use to it and apparently she’s use to him.”
“Hmmm,” Charles slowed down his pacing and sat on the edge of the bed. “Wait till my mother finds out.”
“She knows.”
Charles looked up at me. “She knows?”
I shook my head. “What did she say?” he asked.
“Actually nothing.”
“Nothing?” Charles said with doubt in his voice.
“Nope. She stayed absolutely quiet. Actually, when Caroline told us on the beach today your mother laid down and seemed to pretend to be asleep. Caroline kept calling her, but she wouldn’t answer. It was a bit awkward.”
“I noticed she was quiet during dinner tonight but I thought she had other things on her mind.”
“She did,” I said. “Caroline and Japan.”
Charles sighed. “She’s still upset about Daniel and Diane moving to California years ago. She’ll be devastated if Caroline actually moves to Japan. It’s one thing to go there for four months it’s a totally different thing living there. Missy Lizzy likes her family near.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Early Sunday morning I went for a run on the beach. Running along the shore during the sunrise and with the waves crashing there was a sense of peace and calm that fell over me. I felt so blessed. I was determined not to let anyone ruin my mood. Frankly, I couldn’t understand how anyone could be in a bad mood if they lived like this every day. Thinking of Diane, but that was her issue. Not mine.
At the end of my run I ran on the trail through the woods, across the lawn, up the patio stairs, and through the sliding glass doors leading into the kitchen. As I walked into the kitchen for something to drink Miss Sophie was taking fresh baked biscuits out of the oven. Darn! There goes the calories I just burned from my run.
“Good morning Miss Sophie,” I said going into the refrigerator for a glass of orange juice.
“Oh good morning Simone. Out for a run this morning?” she asked.
As she put the biscuits down on the cooling rack on the counter, the aroma from the bacon was wreaking havoc on my goal to start eating healthier.
“Yes, but these biscuits are going to cancel anything I lost from the run,” I said eyeing them.
“I got something to fix that.” With that Sophie pulled out a homemade fruit cup from the refrigerator.
As she handed it to me with a spoon I looked at her.
“Really Miss Sophie?” I asked with my voice and face full of doubt.
“Just start with the fruit and wait a few moments so you won’t be tempted to eat too many biscuits and bacon,” she winked at me.
Shrugging my shoulders I said, “Good point.” So I sat down at the breakfast bar of the kitchen island and dug in.
She smiled at me then turned to the stove and started making scrambled eggs.
“You know Simone I’ve never seen Mr. Charles so happy before,”
she turned to me. “That’s all because of you.”
“Thank you, Miss Sophie. He makes me very happy too.”
“I truly believe if Miss Jacqueline was here she would be very happy too.”
I put my spoon down. “Oh thank you Miss Sophie,” I said “That means a lot to me,” I said feeling very touched.
“No, I mean it,” she said turning back to the eggs. “She would love the way you two care for each other. How you do all you can to make each other happy. He can’t stop talking about that New Orleans trip. And that reminds me.” She turned to me gesturing with the big fork in her hand. “Don’t you let that Diane upset you. I see the way she acts towards you. She’ll come around. She’s been Daddy’s little princess all her life. She’s use to being her daddy’s number 1.”
“But I don’t want to come between Charles and his daughter,” I said.
“But you will,” she said. “Not in a bad way. It’s a part of life. It’s called growing up. Soon she’ll meet someone, fall in love and have a husband. Her daddy will always have a special place in her heart. She won’t love him any less just different. It’s the same with you and Charles. Now that he has you, Diane will still be his little girl but part of his heart now belongs to you. That’s just the way life is sometimes.”
Scooping the eggs up into a platter Miss Sophie continues. “And now Miss Caroline has found someone. I think it’s a lot more serious then she wants to admit…even to herself.”
Sophie sighs. “Both my babies all grown up.”
I laughed to myself because they both grew up ages ago but Miss Sophie still seems them as her babies. I guess that’s a part of growing up too.
“It makes letting go easier,” she said.
I looked up just finishing my fruit cup. “Are you thinking of retiring Miss Sophie?”
Miss Sophie laughed. “Retiring? No I would never think of retiring. Wouldn’t know what to do with myself. But some decisions are taken away from you,” she continued looking off in the distance.
“Miss Sophie,” I said. “Is there something wrong?”
“Oh my girl, I’m afraid so,” she said with tears in her eyes. “When you all came in the other day and caught me daydreaming I had just gotten off the phone with my doctor.”
Till We Meet Again Page 17