Rum Punch Regrets

by Anne Kemp

  Instead of responding, Abby stood up and walked around the table to hug Maria. They stood there in silence for a second, and then Maria called out to Ziggy. Seemed he had appeared at the screen door in the kitchen like a dog wanting to get back in.

  “You old fool, get in here. You got people to take on tour. Get ready and go. And you --” she turned to Abby and stroked her head -- “you need to talk to Ben when he gets home from school later. Make peace.”

  Abby smiled at Maria and was about to say thank you when she realized what she had just said.

  “Maria, did you say when Ben is home from school later?”

  Maria looked at Abby quizzically.

  “Yes, girl. Didn’t you see his car is gone? He got up early today and went to school at 6 a.m. Like he does every day. Maybe you’re still a little drunk?”

  “Maybe, Maria,” Abby answered. “Maybe.”

  Abby headed out the door to go back to the little pool house. What Maria didn’t seem to understand was that Ben had left this morning at his usual time, at 6 a.m., to go to school.

  And Abby never heard the screen door slam.

  #

  With Buddy in place on the roof, Abby slipped down to the office in the inn so she could enter a few numbers for the day’s accounting. She and Maria had been co-bookkeeping in case the buyers needed answers fast, and so far they had done a great job staying on top of things daily. Maria had used to take one day a week, Sundays, to enter all of the data. With Abby there, Maria was actually able to enjoy her Sundays with a little more freedom and wasn’t as tied to the inn as she had been.

  As Abby was pushing away from the desk to go check on Buddy, the phone rang. Knowing Maria was busy cleaning the rooms, she grabbed it.

  “La Cantina!”

  The voice that greeted Abby was laced with a clipped accent, definitely British and female.

  “Hello, I’m calling on behalf of Jack Rhys. He’d like a reservation at your inn.”

  “Great! Let me get the book out and we can get him set up.”

  “He is hoping to have some time with the owners while there.”

  At first surprised by this request, she quickly guessed he must be interested in the inn. “Is he looking at the property, since it’s for sale?”

  “Yes. He’s in the area presently and is planning on meeting with the real estate agent.”

  “Okay, I’ll note the reservation and make sure the owners are aware.”

  Abby logged the new guest into the computer and wrote Maria a note referencing the guest’s intentions as a potential buyer of the inn. As she was finalizing the reservation, she felt sad to think that this gorgeous place would be sold soon, but happy knowing it would all be taken care of for Leigh. She knew her sister wanted to sell it and move on.

  Abby took a few moments to go over the comings and goings of guests and to return a few messages on the inn’s voicemail before she made her way to Ricky’s for her lunch date with J.D.

  Abby arrived at Ricky’s right at noon, and found J.D. by himself at a table, and alone on the deck except for Miss C., who was tending bar. As Abby strolled up to the table, Miss C. began making throw-up motions from behind the bar, teasing her. J.D. caught her in mid-act.

  “You two know each other well?” he asked.

  Abby shook her head. “No . . . I actually got really sick here on one of my first nights out. Threw up in the Caribbean and everything.”

  J.D. grinned at his date. “I heard about you. Captain Cutty loves you.”

  She giggled. “Yes, he does. I saw you chatting with Cutty and Ziggy, too. You seem to know everyone here pretty well.”

  “Well, let’s just say it’s my job to know people.” He slid a menu across the table to Abby. “Veggie burgers are okay here, but the conch fritters . . . ”

  “You don’t have to tell me,” she replied, grinning. “So, are you running for office?”

  He stared at her in quizzical amusement. “Funny. But no. I’m kind of the perpetual tourist. I take a few weeks out of every summer and hit the islands to see whatever I can. I like to get to know the locals, makes life that much more interesting.”

  Abby wasn’t sure if she should believe him or not, but really didn’t care at the moment.

  “Well, I’m from L.A. Transplanted here for just a bit to help my family with some business, and then I go back.” She grinned at him evilly. “And my business is very hush-hush, so don’t expect me to tell you anything more.”

  “Agreed. Let’s both be mysterious, then, shall we?” His British accent dripped with a sultry edge that made her heart skip a beat.

  Miss C. arrived just then with their drinks. They raised their glasses into the air and they toasted each other.

  “To mysterious British men that jump islands for fun.”

  J.D. chuckled, retorting, “To mysterious American women that won’t explain why they’re transplanted.”

  Abby put her cocktail down after a hearty swig, and looked her lunch companion square in the eyes. “So, tell me something about you no one else knows.”

  J.D. put down his glass as well, contemplating his answer.

  “No, don’t think about what you are going to say. Just say the first thing that you think of. Go.”

  “Okay. Umm . . . that I give to charity every month.”

  “Okay . . . good one. Cute and kind.”

  He smirked in her direction, then pointed at Abby. “And you?”

  “That I can play the drums, not very well, but I can keep a beat.”

  J.D.’s look was of sheer admiration. “I don’t think I can even keep a beat. Two left feet, here.”

  Abby shrugged her shoulders. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”

  They were about to order their food when Abby’s phone rang. It was Buddy, and since she had left him on the roof, she knew she had to take it. She bit her lip and looked apologetic as she stood up. “I’m so sorry to do this again . . . ”

  J.D. waved her off. “Please, it’s obvious you are on an important mission for the drumming alliance of America. Please, take your call,” he said with a wink.

  Abby barely had time to hit Talk when she heard Buddy’s voice over the speaker, “Ziggy! Calm down, mon. I’m callin’ Miss Abby now!”

  “Buddy? What’s going on?” Abby was trying with all of her might to multitask properly: focus on her lunch companion, keep her cool and also sound calm and collected as she handled a repairman on the phone. But his frantic reply knocked that house of cards over and quick.

  “Abby! You got to get back here now. Quick! We need you on de roof!” And with that he hung up, leaving her staring at her phone.

  It also meant that once again, Abby was going to be saying goodbye earlier than expected to J.D. Sadly she put her phone down and pushed her chair back away from the table.

  “I have to go, again. I’m so sorry.”

  J.D. didn’t seem to be someone who was easily disappointed, but the look on his face gave him away to Abby. At least he’s as bummed about this as I am, she thought.

  “Can I at least drive you to where you need to go?”

  She started to say yes, but then realized she had driven Maria’s little car. “I came prepared, actually. Rain check? Again?”

  “Of course. Let me at least walk you to your car.” Without waiting for an answer, he fell into step beside her, almost protectively guiding her to the parking lot of Ricky’s.

  As she reached the car, Abby turned to J.D. and went to say thank you, but found his lips on hers. It was breathtaking and refreshing, surprising and also monumental, since this was the first man she had wanted to kiss in a long time. His kiss was sweet and slow, as if neither of them should have a care in the world. When it was over, she slid out of his arms and into the front seat of the car.

  “I hope you’re serious about that rain check, Abby,” he said, grinning down at her.

  “I’ll call you,” was all she could muster as she threw the car in reverse.

  “O
r I’ll find you,” he said as he waved goodbye.

  As she was tearing out of the lot at Ricky’s, Abby glanced up at her rearview mirror to find J.D. standing in his spot, watching her as she drove away.

  #

  Abby hit the brakes and was almost out of the car as it slowed down to a stop in the driveway at La Cantina. She had barely pulled the keys out of the ignition before she was charging up the stairs to check on Buddy.

  As Abby was entering the bathroom, she could hear a symphony of voices as they cursed and hollered at one another. There was a ladder set up in the bathroom, so she was able to climb it and poke her head out of the hole to take in the scene on the roof.

  At first glance, Abby couldn’t tell that anything was amiss. There was tile scattered everywhere, the tarp was balled up over to one side, and things were just in a general disarray. Then she noticed the bricks from the chimney. And Ziggy sitting among the bricks from the chimney, which were suddenly not attached to the chimney stack any longer.

  “Ziggy? Buddy? Does someone want to tell me why the chimney no longer looks like it’s in one piece?”

  “Oh mon,” Ziggy began, “I tripped backwards and fell into de chimney, Abby. It just gave way! Didn’t tink I hit it dat hard.”

  Buddy was nodding his head in agreement. “He didn’t hit it hard, mon. He tripped on de tile and maybe he hit his head . . . ”

  Abby was on the roof now, and making her way, slowly, across the tile to Ziggy. “Are you okay? You aren’t bleeding or cut, are you?”

  Ziggy smiled at her. “No. I’m good.” He started to stand up, but quickly sat back down. “Okay, maybe a little dizzy.”

  Abby nodded. As much as she was freaking out that there was more work to be done, she knew that Ziggy’s health was more important. And if they didn’t get him off the roof in one piece, Maria might kill all three of them.

  “Ziggy, tell you what, how about Buddy and I get you down so Maria can get you checked out by the doctor, okay? Please?”

  Ziggy started to shake his head, then stopped, closing his eyes and holding his neck. “Okay. It does hurt.” He grinned up at Abby. “Well, just a little.”

  “Okay. Come on. Buddy?”

  Abby waved Buddy over to help her pick him up, steadying Ziggy on his feet. They worked together in silence, guiding Ziggy to the ladder and back inside the inn with little resistance and almost no balance issues.

  Abby left Buddy to continue on the roof while she escorted Ziggy downstairs so they could find Maria. Thankfully, she was on the second floor putting linens down in one of the rooms.

  “There you are!” Maria greeted them as they entered the room. “Ziggy, I need you to run out for me --”

  Abby cut her off. “I’ll let Ziggy explain how it happened, but he fell into the chimney and hit his head. He said it hurts a little, but I really think he should get it checked out, okay?”

  Maria’s eyes widened in fear as she flew to her husband’s side.

  “What were you doing up there, falling down? Are you crazy? We’re lucky you didn’t fall off the damn roof!”

  Abby smiled at Ziggy and left the two of them to get organized, calling out over her shoulder, “Maria, make sure the inn is billed. Obviously we’ll pay for it. Workmen’s comp and all.”

  Maria nodded as she took Ziggy by the arm and led him to the stairs. Abby watched them go, pausing for only one second before returning to the roof to survey the amount of damage they needed to deal with now.

  #

  The last of the tools had been put away for the day and Buddy was loading up his truck. The rest of the day had gone smoothly; Buddy was making headway with the roof despite the interlude this morning of Hurricane Ziggy. He was able to reach a few of his freelance workmen, including his brother Rush, asking for help. When the small community of St. Kitts had heard that Ziggy was hurt from trying to fix the roof, a few of the men had rallied and shown up to help. Abby was surprised and touched by the gesture, noting that the little island was much like a small town standing up to support one of their own when the going got tough.

  “Dat brick be easy to fix. I get some tomorrow, Abby, and just add it to de bill, okay?”

  Abby nodded. “Totally fine. Thank you, Buddy. I know this is turning out to be more than you agreed to.”

  Buddy shrugged his shoulders. “It is what it is. No worry.” His gaze fixed across the lawn. “He be da one you need to be worrying about.”

  Abby followed his gaze to see Ziggy strolling across the lawn to them, his head wrapped in a bandage. Abby groaned.

  “Ziggy! Please tell me you’re not suffering any kind of serious injury?”

  “The bandage isn’t from the chimney, mon,” he said with a grin. “I tripped on de way into da doctor’s office and cracked my head.” His lips peeled back, flaunting those yellow teeth, and he held up his hand to show three fingers. “Tree stitches.”

  Buddy laughed at his friend while Abby shook her head. “You’re a mess, Ziggy.”

  “It’s all good. Anyways, I be back up dere tomor--” But he never got a chance to finish.

  “No way!” Abby said sternly. “Not at all. You are allowed to be in the bathroom and help with the ceiling if, and only if, Maria and the doctor agree. But not the roof. Got it?”

  Ziggy nodded sheepishly while Abby shook her head. Ziggy and Buddy were already chatting quickly in the Kittian way about what else needed to be done, so she took that moment to slip away and head back to the pool house for a little quiet time and some reflection on the day’s events.

  The pool house was silent when Abby entered. She knew Ben wasn’t there, since his car wasn’t in the driveway and the telltale smattering of books and scrubs from the day weren’t littered in their usual spots throughout the living room. Surveying the first floor, Abby knew there was one thing that would make her feel completely at peace right now. Cleaning.

  Since they had agreed before the argument that Abby could clean a little around the house, she decided to begin her project as her “I’m sorry” to Ben. She had already planned to apologize when he returned from school, and she wanted to show her sincerity. She wasn’t quite sure how to do that; all she knew how to do was clean and organize and try to make him feel a little better. And since her talk with Maria that morning, Abby knew it was time that she made more of a point with showing and not telling.

  Since he had been so adamant about her not doing the cleaning at first, she decided she would focus on the kitchen area to start, since it was more general and not an invasion of personal space. That way she could also pull out the bag she found and ask him in a kinder fashion what was going on with it. No conclusion-jumping, she thought. She gathered her supplies, changed her clothes and got ready to attack the grime in the kitchen.

  Luckily, the inn had a great collection of CDs that Abby was able to borrow from. She found a few different albums she loved, carted them out to the pool house and put them in the five-disc changer. She hit “Random” and began cruising around the kitchen.

  Abby had always sought solace in cleaning duties, even as a child. She had vague memories of the chores that her dad always gave her. As she grew up, chores had become her escape. Quiet time to think about anything she had going on in her life and time for her to play with all the ways she could change things. Doing the dishes was one of her most favorite things to do in the whole world, and she always welcomed the role of dish washer after a big meal. It was always a good way to reflect on the night and the people who had been present.

  It was with this happiness that she began cleaning out the refrigerator, washing and scrubbing the interior and exterior so it sparkled. Once she was done there, she moved on to the other major appliance, the oven/stove combo, and scrubbed it until it, too, twinkled from its cleaning.

  She moved on to the same cabinets she had torn through yesterday when looking for the cat food, and found more stored items in various spots. Some of the boxes were clearly marked in what appeared to be Leigh’s han
dwriting. Obviously, Leigh was making good use of every possible space as storage.

  Abby took the bags and boxes out, placing them in random locations all over the kitchen. There were four in total, plus the bag she had found yesterday, so she decided to open them up, take stock of their contents and then seal them shut for when it came time for the big move.

  Can’t hurt, in case Ben’s things were mixed up with Leigh’s, she thought. I can separate them out, and go over it with Ben. Then later, when Ziggy wasn’t busy, maybe he could help her find a better place for Leigh’s things, in the main house.

  Abby grabbed one of the open boxes so she could get a look at its contents. She found old clothes of Leigh’s that looked like things she probably kept to use when she came down. There were shorts, tank tops and other island wear that seemed very Leigh-like. There was a bandana tucked away and a few hats -- things Leigh would use for covering up from the sun.

  Abby grabbed a marker and made a note on the outside of the box and then put the box by the door. Time to open box number two.

  Inside the second one, Abby found books and pictures, along with a few island knick-knacks, again similar to things Leigh would collect for herself or to give to the boys. She pulled out all of the little island collectibles and made a note to herself to grab some wrapping paper or bubble wrap so she could store them better. She then scanned the books quickly, straightening them up, and grabbed the pictures to organize, thinking it might be best to put them in an envelope so they wouldn’t be harmed.

  Remembering that Ben had large manila envelopes on his bookshelf, she grabbed one and reached for the pictures to get them contained before she continued further.

  It was in her hurry to grab the pictures that she accidentally tossed the lot of them all over the kitchen, almost in a repeat of the day before. Abby laughed at her clumsiness and bent over to gather them up. She was surprised to see there were more pictures in this pile of her dad. And these looked like they had been taken on St. Kitts.

  The first one she picked up from the pile was one of just her dad. He was standing on a beach with a drink in his hand, maybe here on Frigate Bay? His smile was large and warm like sunshine, and Abby felt tears spring into her eyes. This was the father she remembered, happy and in love with life. The next one was another shot of her dad, this time in a business suit. It looked like he was sitting in a booth of a chain restaurant, like an Applebee’s or Outback. His grin was wide as he pretended to be shoveling food in his mouth. Weird pictures for Leigh to have, Abby thought. Why are all of these things here? And were these pictures taken here on the island?