Moon Shell Beach

by Nancy Thayer

  He settled back on the sand, arms around his knees, listening to her babble, amused by her excitement.

  “And we’ll live in a house together!” She felt her eyes go wide at the thought.

  “That’s usually what married people do.”

  “And we’ll have children! Oh, Adam!” She launched herself at him so hard and fast she knocked him over backward, and she wrestled around on top of him, kissing his mouth, his face, his neck, his arms and chest and belly. “Oh, I love you! Oh, I’m so happy! I’ve never been so happy in my life!” Suddenly she rolled off him and sat up and held out her hand. “I don’t know what I want to do more, kiss you or look at my ring!”

  “Kiss me,” Adam told her.

  And she did.

  FIFTY

  Lexi lay in her old twin bed, the one she’d slept in as a teenager. She’d slept well, and the morning had passed quickly with Clare and Adam around. When they went off, she returned to her bedroom to rest. The doctors had insisted she rest. She wished she could fall back asleep. Her energy was returning, and her various aches and pains were subsiding, but her heart was heavy.

  She heard her mother coming down the hall. She closed her eyes tight, playing possum as she had so many times as a child. She just didn’t want to deal with her mother, or anyone right now. She didn’t even want to deal with herself.

  The bedroom door opened a crack. She heard her mother’s breathing. The door closed. Lexi snuggled down into her pillow and tried to relax her body, to return to the comfort of sleep.

  But no, it wasn’t going to work. She couldn’t will herself back to sleep. She couldn’t even conjure up a fantasy to entertain her while she rested. For the first time, she wished she had a television in her bedroom. It would be a relief to let some show—Seinfeld, Scrubs, even Lassie—flicker before her, taking her from her own thoughts.

  Beyond her door, her mother’s dogs went into barking fits. Voices broke the silence—laughter and shouts. Doors slammed. People clattered down the hall, and all at once her bedroom door opened again. Lexi opened her eyes.

  “Wake up!” It was Clare, Clare smelling like sunshine in her red bikini and sarong and jeweled flip-flops and sunburned nose. She was glowing. “You have to wake up!”

  Lexi shifted around in bed. “What’s going on?”

  Over Clare’s shoulder, Adam appeared, and behind him their mother and father, and the Jack Russells Buddah and Pest yelping all around everyone.

  “I’m engaged to your brother!” Clare bounced on the bed. “Sit up. Here, let me put another pillow behind you. Lean forward. Now look!”

  Lexi looked. “Oh, wow, Clare!” She glanced at her brother. He was grinning as if he’d just invented laughing gas. “What a big fat diamond! Adam, you’re the man!”

  “Yup,” Adam agreed.

  “They’re going to get married!” Myrna was practically levitating.

  “That’s usually what getting engaged means,” Lexi said drily. She looked at Clare. “Congratulations. I’m so so glad for you. For both of you. For all of us.”

  “I’m going to be your sister!” Clare said. “Finally, we can make it official!”

  Lexi laughed. “This is so fabulous.”

  “I’m thinking a church wedding,” Myrna said. “Or maybe the beach. Or Brant Point, by the lighthouse? Of course it depends on what time of year—did you say when the wedding will be?”

  “Mom”—Adam wrapped an arm around his mother—“we just this minute got engaged. We haven’t set the date yet.”

  “But soon, right?” Myrna asked.

  “Soon, right,” Adam agreed.

  “Penny can be my matron of honor, but you have to be my maid of honor,” Clare told Lexi. Tilting her head, she said teasingly, “I’m thinking eggplant dresses with big puffy sleeves and a huge bow over the butt.”

  “Oh, Clare.” Myrna looked horrified. “I’m not so sure…”

  “It’s okay, Mom,” Lexi assured her mother. “Clare’s just playing.”

  Adam said, “I brought a bottle of champagne.”

  “Oh, yummy!” Myrna clapped her hands. “I’ll get the glasses.”

  “Do you feel like getting up?” Clare asked.

  “Sure,” Lexi told her. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute to pull on some clothes.” On impulse, she reached out and hugged Clare hard. “I’m so glad for you. And I’m so glad for my brother.”

  “I’m going to call your father,” Adam told Clare. “I want him to come over here and join us.”

  “Oh, good idea!” Clare said.

  Myrna said, “Tell him to bring his dog.”

  Lexi pulled on loose cotton trousers and a big button-down shirt. She shuffled into the living room where Adam helped her settle on the sofa, her feet on an ottoman and a blanket tucked around her feet. She smiled fondly at everyone as the commotion continued. George Hart arrived with Ralph, and for a while the dogs stole the show as they got acquainted.

  “I should go get Bella and Lucky,” Adam said.

  “Another time, maybe,” Myrna told him. “There’s enough chaos now.”

  George shook Adam’s hand and congratulated the couple and sat down across from Lexi, looking slightly dazed. He’d shaved and dressed, although Lexi noticed he’d forgotten to put on socks. Lots of men wore loafers without socks, but few went sockless in wingtips.

  Myrna brought out a platter of smoked bluefish pâté and crackers and one of smoked salmon and rye. The group gathered around the coffee table with their champagne.

  The chatter died down as everyone munched, and into the silence, George Hart said, “I’ve been thinking.”

  Everyone looked surprised, not that George had been thinking, of course he was always doing that, but that he was speaking up.

  “When Clare marries Adam, my house will be far too big for me alone. I’ve been wanting to spend more time in Boston—research for my book, you see. Clare, I think I might put the house on the market, and buy myself a smaller place here. I could give you and Adam a nice chunk of money for your wedding present, and still have some funds left over for something like a little flat in Boston for me.”

  Clare’s jaw dropped. “Well, Dad!”

  “I think that’s a great idea, George,” Adam said. “But look, don’t you worry about Clare and me. I already own a house. It’s small, and we might need to get a bigger one—”

  Lexi shifted uncomfortably on the sofa, but kept a look of cheerful interest on her face. How lovely, she thought, even befuddled George Hart is getting his act together, and here Clare and Adam are already planning on getting a bigger house because obviously they want to have children soon, and lots of them. She saw the affectionate looks flying between her father and mother, and between Clare and Adam, and even George’s dog Ralphie looked ecstatic as she trotted around, nosing Buddah’s and Pest’s butts.

  I’ll get well, she quietly assured herself. I’ll get over this. I’ll get strong, and I’ll have some tests run and see if any doctor thinks I’ll ever be able to carry a baby to term, not that I’ll ever be able to get pregnant again since I’ve so totally gone off men. She would much rather be sitting here, with cuts on her legs and a cramping, empty belly, than back in New York with Ed Hardin, or anywhere in the world with Ed, for that matter. It was right for her to be here. She was sure of that. And someday she might meet a good man.

  She wondered where Jesse was. Wouldn’t he have needed some kind of visa to get into Russia? Did he even have a passport? She had really liked Oksana, and she found herself wishing hard, with complete sincerity, that Jesse would stay true to her. Labinsk, Russia, might just be exotic enough that life there would keep Jesse challenged and stimulated, and he would need Oksana to center him.

  The dogs, all three of them, suddenly exploded into barking fits.

  Myrna said, “Who can that be?”

  The dogs paraded to the door in a little marching band of wagging tails. Myrna followed them into the hall, and returned. Behind her came Jewel and B
onnie, with baby Frankie on her back.

  Jewel wore a blue-and-white-striped cotton sundress, the terribly simple Nantucket kind that probably cost the earth. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and tied with a sparkly flowered band. She looked shy, with her shoulders nearly squeezed up to her ears.

  Bonnie announced proprietarily, “Jewel has a present for Lexi. And one for you, too, Clare. To thank you both for saving her life.”

  “Well, goodness, how nice!” Myrna went all hostessy. “Come in, come in, would you like some champagne? Jewel, how about a glass of apple juice? Or orange juice, but that’s not very celebratory, or we have Coke, or diet ginger ale.”

  Adam lifted baby Frankie off Bonnie’s back. “Hey, guy, are those teeth I’m seeing?”

  Frankie chortled and squealed and drooled down his chin.

  Myrna settled Bonnie in a chair with a glass of champagne, then went off to the kitchen for apple juice. Bashfully, Jewel handed Clare a small brightly colored paper bag, then sat down on the sofa next to Lexi and handed Lexi a bag, too.

  “Oh!” Clare lifted out a beaded bracelet. A pink heart hung from it, etched with her name. “Jewel, did you make this?”

  Jewel nodded proudly. “I have a kit. You make the shape and design, then bake it in a little oven. But be careful, the heart is fragile. It might break.”

  Clare looked over at Lexi and smiled.

  “Look at yours!” Jewel told Lexi.

  Lexi opened her little bag and reached into the nest of tissue paper. Her beaded bracelet was similar to Clare’s. Dangling from it were three silver stars, a crescent moon, and a shining moon shell with “Lexi” written on it.

  “It’s perfect!” Lexi hugged the girl. “Thank you! Can you fasten it on me?”

  Ralphie chose this moment to investigate Frankie’s bare toes. She licked them, sending the baby into screams of delight.

  “Oh, he’s so cute, can I hold him?” Myrna asked.

  “Are you okay?” Jewel asked Lexi shyly.

  “I’m fine. Just a few cuts that need to heal. How about you? That’s quite a bruise you have on your forehead.”

  Jewel touched it delicately. “It hurts a bit, but that’s really my only injury. Did you know we’re going to be in the newspaper next week? Maybe even pictures of us?” Her expression changed. Soberly, she added, “Not that I’m proud of what I did, I know it was stupid, and it endangered me and you and Clare as well and I’ll never do anything like that again.”

  Bonnie nodded, satisfied by her daughter’s speech.

  “Would you like some more champagne?” Fred asked.

  “Well…” Bonnie relaxed into the chair. “I don’t know when I’ve had champagne in the middle of the day. But sure, I guess so. It’s kind of cool to be with both my children—while someone else is holding that very heavy little boy!”

  “I like holding him,” Adam assured her.

  FIFTY-ONE

  Sunday afternoon, Clare and Adam lay in his bed, curled up with each other, lazy and sated after a long session of making love and a delicious nap.

  “Hungry?” Adam asked.

  “Mmmm,” Clare responded, snuggling closer to him. “I’ll be hungry in a minute.”

  Bella and Lucky, who had been ordered off the bed earlier, stood at attention, quivering with anticipation.

  “I wasn’t talking to you two fools,” Adam told them. “I know you’re always ready to eat.”

  They both jumped when the phone rang. Adam lifted himself up on one elbow to check out the Caller ID. It was his day off from the MSPCA. Miranda was taking the emergencies.

  Adam frowned. “Logan Airport?”

  Clare stretched and yawned. “Pick it up.” She was so relaxed, she didn’t know if she could summon the energy to shower. Perhaps if she made a new pot of coffee…

  “Holy shit, man!” Adam exploded. “Clare—it’s Tris!”

  “Tris?” Clare sat up straight. “How can it be Tris? Tris is—”

  Adam had thrown himself out of bed and was pacing the floor, nodding his head as he listened. His energy was contagious—both dogs trailed him, watching him nervously. Clare found herself out of bed and pulling on clothes without realizing what she was doing, she was so focused on Adam’s conversation.

  “Thank God you’re alive, Tris, thank God, thank God,” Adam said fervently.

  Where? Clare mouthed. How? What happened?

  Adam waved at Clare, holding off her questions while he listened. “Yeah, I’ve heard about Sable Island, it’s a notorious shipwreck site, man, what an ordeal, are you okay?” He listened for a while, then said in a quieter voice, “Yeah, well, I guess we kind of thought you’d gone under, Tris. It’s been three months…”

  “Jewel never thought he died,” Clare reminded Adam. “Jewel’s been waiting for him.”

  Adam nodded at Clare. “Jewel waited for you almost every day at the town pier, Tris. That’s true, man, she really did. At the very end of the pier. She never gave up hope. I know, Tris, it’s awesome.” Adam’s eyes filled with tears and his voice thickened. “I’m so glad you’re alive, Tris. Man, I’m so glad.” He strode into the bathroom, grabbed a handful of toilet paper and blew his nose. Returning to the bedroom, he said, “I don’t know, I’ll ask Clare.”

  Clare was nearly dancing with excitement. “Ask me what?”

  “Hang on, Tris, let me tell Clare—” Clamping the phone to his chest, he said, “Tris is at the airport in Boston! The captain of the fishing vessel that found him loaned him money for airfare. His flight to Nantucket is about to be called. He’ll be here in forty-five minutes! He’s been trying to reach Bonnie and Jewel, but all he can get is their answering machine. Do you know where Jewel is?”

  Clare shook her head. “I can call Lexi and find out whether she knows…”

  “Look, man,” Adam said into the phone. “We’ll find Jewel. We’ll meet you at the airport. Nantucket Airlines. Got it. Jesus Christ, Tris, this is a fucking miracle, you know? Yeah, Tris, I love you, too, buddy.”

  Adam tossed the phone on the bed, picked Clare up in his arms, and swung her around. “Tris is alive!”

  The dogs caught the mood, dancing and barking and pawing at Adam and Clare, wanting to join the fun.

  “You’re making me dizzy,” Clare told Adam. “Slow down. And put some clothes on before your animals scratch the family jewels.”

  “Right.” Adam let go of Clare and stared around the room, dazed and ebullient. “Right.”

  “Your pants are on the chair,” Clare informed him. “Now tell me, where has Tris been?”

  “It’s amazing, Clare.” Adam pulled on his T-shirt and shorts as he talked. “His boat was wrecked near Sable Island, up in Nova Scotia. He ended up on a smaller island near Sable Island, completely uninhabited, but people have stayed there before, maybe to fish, because there were a couple of old shacks and some canned goods. He figures he spent the first month just mostly sleeping, he thinks he had a concussion. He was completely naked, he had no matches, no cell phone—he found some old jackets in the shacks—and then finally just early this morning some Newfoundland fishermen anchored near the island. He got their attention. The captain of the boat gave him some clothes, got him to Grand Manon Island, loaned him some money for airfare. He flew from there to Boston. He’s been trying to reach Jewel, but Bonnie doesn’t answer her phone.” He looked wildly around the room. “Where are my car keys?”

  “On the bedside table.” Clare pointed to where the keys lay in clear sight. “Perhaps I should drive?”

  “No, no, I’m fine.” Adam grabbed up the keys. “Let’s go.” The dogs milled around his legs, whimpering, anxious now that he was leaving.

  “Wait a minute,” Clare told him. “Let’s give the dogs their breakfast.”

  They emptied dry food into the bowls, then raced out of the house.

  “Wait!” Clare stopped with her hand on the passenger door. “Let me get my cell phone. I’ll try calling Bonnie and Jewel while we drive.”
>
  “Good idea.”

  When she returned, cell phone in hand, Adam had the engine running. Clare jumped in and they tore out of the driveway and down the street.

  “Careful,” she warned. “The last thing we want right now is to get stopped by a cop.”

  “Right. You’re right.” Adam eased up on the gas but his leg jiggled with excess adrenaline.

  “Damn!” Clare stared at the cell phone. “I don’t know Bonnie Frost’s number, do you?”

  “Phone Lexi.”

  Clare punched in Lexi’s number and got her machine. She tried calling the boutique, but it was closed. She dialed Lexi’s home number again and left a message: “Lexi! You won’t believe it! Tris is alive! He’s flying home now, Adam and I are on our way to pick him up at the airport. He’s been trying to reach Jewel, but Bonnie’s not home. Do you know where they are? Listen, phone me on Adam’s cell.” She recited the number, then clicked off.

  Adam was focused now, steering through the narrow side lanes and one-way streets with caution as vacationing pedestrians and bike riders wandered dreamily into the traffic.

  “Who else can we call?” Clare wondered.

  Adam said, “Directory assistance.”

  But Clare was already punching in her father’s number. “Dad? Listen, can you look up a phone number for me? Bonnie Frost, on Main Street.” She shared the news with her father, got the number, and dialed. The machine answered. “Bonnie, it’s Clare. Tris said he’s been trying to reach you—I know he’s left messages for you—isn’t it miraculous? Listen, Adam and I are on the way to the airport to get Tris. Call us and tell us where you are—where Jewel is. He wants to see Jewel.” She left Adam’s cell number.

  “Hey!” Adam slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of Orange Street. “Maybe Jewel’s out on the town pier.”

  Clare thought about this. “She promised to stop going…”

  “But she’s a kid. You know how kids bend rules. Maybe she’s hanging out nearby…”

  “It’s worth checking.”

  “It won’t take more than five minutes. We won’t be late meeting Tris—”