Stones of Sandhill Island

by Peggy Chambers

  “I don’t want her to see me like this. I’m going to change.” Billie walked toward her own bedroom while Raven took care of her patient.

  Knocking on the bedroom door, Sandy entered to find her friend toweling her hair dry. She stared into the mirror that hung above the dresser. The afghan laid on the bed. Sandy picked it up and draped it over the rocker that sat in the corner to dry, then hung her own towel on a hook.

  “I’m so tired of being a mess.” Billie spoke to the mirror as much as her friend. She leaned in and looked at her eyes, wiping one with the towel.

  “I don’t think you’re a mess. I think you just still need time.” Sandy patted her friend’s shoulder then gave it a little squeeze. “I’m going to go home before your Mom gets up. You and I will talk later, okay? You did fine out there today. It was a storm on the water. They’re scary to everyone. I want you to remember that. We were all scared, even if we didn’t want to admit it. And you did fine.” She quickly hugged her friend and left the bedroom, closing the door behind her, then walked out the front door of the small house and down the road toward her mother’s home. She and Billie would talk again later. Maybe she’d join her for Yoga early in the morning.

  ****

  Billie’s long dark hair swayed in the breeze as she sat cross-legged on the mat. Seagulls screeched overhead, always on the lookout for a morsel. Waves rolled rhythmically in as the sea breeze blew, and the sun moved higher into the sky.

  “You just going to stand there or are you going to speak?” Billie smiled when she turned around to see Sandy standing behind her.

  “I didn’t want to interrupt. I see you found some sea glass.” Sandy knelt next to the stacked stones and picked up the tiny pieces of sanded glass the ocean offered up from a treasure trove that lay beneath her waves. They were frosted from the tumbling they took as they rolled over sand and were smoothed to perfection. She held it up to the sun to look through its icy aqua blue color and wondered what it once had been. A bottle? Bowl? Only the sea knew, and she wasn’t talking.

  “Pretty, isn’t it? We have a jar in the kitchen and I add to it now and then. There is a woman in town that makes jewelry from it, and I give her what I find.”

  “Lovely.” Sandy put the colored glass back on the sand and stood. “How are you this morning?”

  “I feel a little like the sea glass—tumbled relentlessly.” Billie stood from her mat and turned to face her friend.

  “Well, a little sanding off the rough edges could do us all some good.”

  “At this rate, I’ll be smooth as silk soon.” Billie smiled and brushed back the hair from her face.

  “I’m going home today. The kids are due back tomorrow. Then I am going to start the paperwork to resign my commission. I got the job offer from the school, and I start classes in September.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you, Sandy. If anyone deserves this, it is you. You’ve worked so hard.”

  “Well, I’m ready. I’ll tell the kids when I get home and then we’ll be back soon. I want to spend as much time as possible with you and Mom this summer between jobs. Then I’ll be rested and relaxed when the new job starts in the fall.” Sandy stirred the colored glass with one toe.

  “By the way, did you call your doctor about the incident yesterday?” Sandy looked up from the sand.

  “No. I hate to go running to her every time I have a little glitch. When will it end? I need to learn to handle a few things myself.” Billie rolled the Yoga mat up and stuffed it in the bag.

  “True, you do. But don’t wait too long if the symptoms return.” Sandy leaned in and hugged her friend. “I’ll let you know when I get home; and when I have a date to be back, I’ll let you know that too.”

  “Oh, and by the way, there is paint left over. Maybe we should think about painting your house when I get back. That is if you like yellow and white. I’m never good at knowing how much to buy, so I buy too much. You take care of yourself. Tell Giselle and Raven bye for me, and I’ll see you soon.” Sandy waved goodbye as she walked away.

  Billie wiped a tear away. She was crying again.

  Chapter 22

  The blustery wind shook salt water from the screens of her mother’s beach house windows. The morning had started off cool and rainy, but the rain had quickly subsided.

  “Take a jacket,” Sandy called to her children after the battle to get them out of shorts and into jeans. Still wearing flip flops, they ran out the door for the opposite end of the island, happy to be out of the house. Mom finally trusted them out alone on Grandma’s island. They were going to be here for a few weeks this time.

  Barely away from the house, Jake turned. “Why are you following me?”

  Carol stopped short of running into him.

  “Where am I supposed to go?” Carol’s eyes showed the pain of his remark.

  “Huuuhh.” The air blew out between Jake’s clenched teeth. “Anywhere but here! Go do something. I don’t need a baby sister following me everywhere I go.” He stomped off toward the opposite end of the island unzipping his jacket leaving it flying open in the wind, never looking back.

  Carol stood still and watched him go, then crouched down to pick up the tiny sea shells in the road. She looked them over in her palm and pocketed the ones she found the most interesting, then continued to walk.

  Brothers! Who needed them anyway? She knew this island as well as he did, and she could find her way alone. He forgot he was only one year older than her. She’d been around a while too, and knew Grandma’s island as well as anyone. Mom told them to stay together, but as usual, Jake didn’t listen. She’d just let him go, and then he’d be the one that got in trouble, not her.

  Unconsciously she continued to follow Jake. At least she walked the same way he did—toward the rocks. Carol knew Mom didn’t like her near them, which made them more attractive. When she saw Jake climbing up and over, she stopped and shook her head. She turned toward Le Chez. Maybe Sam would give her some of his wonderful rolls if she looked especially pitiful.

  She walked idly toward the restaurant. Someone she didn’t recognize swept the deck where Aunt Billie sang. Carol wished she could sing as well as Billie, and she’d leave her brother and never look back. Of course, she’d have to get Mom’s permission, but once an adult, she’d never have to see her brother again.

  Sam stepped out the side door of the restaurant with a pan in his hands. Lillie appeared instantly at his side. Billie’s new dog, Lillie, kept getting fatter and maybe Carol knew why. She ate Sam’s food and Billie’s. Sam bent down and scooped the scraps into a bowl for Lillie, and then picked up the water bowl, dumping it on the ground.

  “Hi Sam,” Carol spoke shyly.

  Sam looked up from petting the long brown dog. “Hi Carol. Are you alone? Where’s your mother?”

  Carol reached down to pet Lillie. “She’s at Grandma’s. Jake and I were supposed to be out together, but he ran off. I think he’s on the rocks, and he’ll get in trouble when Mom finds out.”

  Sam looked toward the rocks. “Well, it’s just too bad that he’ll miss the rolls I’ve been baking. They’re hot out of the oven. Want some?”

  Carol’s eyes flew open wide and she looked up no longer shy. “Yes! And can Lillie have one too?”

  “Well, we’ll see if there are any leftover from yesterday for Lillie. I need to keep a few for the customers.” Sam filled Lillie’s water bowl and then opened the door for Carol.

  The inside of the restaurant smelled like her grandmother’s kitchen. Always something cooking. Maybe Carol would like to be a chef like Sam instead of a singer like Billie, then she could have all the rolls she wanted.

  Sam led her to a table and pulled a chair out for her. He returned from the kitchen with a tray holding a basket of rolls, two plates, a container of butter, and two glasses of tea.

  “Help yourself, little lady. Your brother will be sad he missed this.” Sam smiled and buttered a roll.

  Carol smeared butter on
the roll she took from the basket and licked the excess off her fingers. She took a bite of the warm bread dripping in butter, and it melted in her mouth. Then she ate another. She ate until stuffed while Sam chatted asking about school and what she wanted to do when she grew up.

  “I thought I wanted to be a singer like Billie, but now I might want to be a chef like you. Could you teach me to make rolls?”

  “You bet. Oh, I have a customer. You eat all you want. Your mother will hang me for spoiling your dinner.” Sam smiled then walked away toward the man and woman who stepped in the door. Sam treated everyone nicely.

  Finally, Carol pushed the plate away, she couldn’t eat another bite. She took the last roll and wrapped it in a paper napkin. She’d give it to Lillie. After all, Sam said she could have all she wanted. And she walked toward the exit.

  “Thank you, Sam,” she said as she waved and left through the front door. Walking to the side of the building, she looked for the dog. She was nowhere to be found. And then she headed back to the rocks. She’d tell Jake about the rolls and how he missed out.

  Jake’s jacket lay crumpled where she’d last seen him climbing the rocks. But she didn’t see Jake. She shoved the roll in her sweatshirt pocket and then took it off. She dropped the sweatshirt on the ground next to Jake’s.

  She turned to the panting as Lillie ran up behind her. The long brown nose searched the sweatshirt for the bread she smelled.

  “Hi, Lillie. I brought you something.” Carol reached in the pocket and pulled out the smashed roll wrapped in a napkin. Pulling off a small piece, she fed it to the anxious dog.

  “Lillie, you are getting fat! Mom says you’re having puppies.” Carol giggled at the dog who nosed her hand for more. “You want some more? Huh? More roll?” She giggled louder as the dog jumped for her hand and then let out a happy yelp.

  “I’ve never heard you bark. Good girl.” Carol ran her hand over the velvet pelt of the dog feeling the wiggling puppies inside. She wondered if Mom would let her have one of the puppies. Of course, it would be a while before it could leave its mother. But they were planning to spend the summer here. Maybe before they left the island to go back to school the puppies would be old enough. She fed the pregnant dog another piece of the roll and fell into laughter as the dog grabbed the bread.

  “Carol!” A voice on the other side of the rocks called. It sounded like Jake, but Carol knew Jake would not call his baby sister no matter what.

  “Carol! Are you there? I need help!” The voice did belong to Jake—and came from the other side of the rocks.

  Running to the rocks with the dog right behind her she climbed to the top and looked down. Jake stood in water up to his knees.

  “You’re gonna be in trouble. Mom said not to get wet.”

  “I’m stuck! I can’t get out!” Jake retorted, showing her his legs.

  “How did you do that?” Carol slid down the giant boulder toward her brother.

  “Carol, wait! Don’t come any closer. You’ll get stuck too.”

  “Well, how did you do that, silly?” Carol reached for his hand.

  “I just stepped into this hole to get the starfish and my pant leg got stuck. Now the tide’s coming in.” On cue, a wave rushed over the children soaking both to the bone.

  “Augh, I’m wet. Mom’s gonna kill me!” Carol looked up at Lillie barking above her. It was a frantic sound. “Here, take my hand, and I’ll pull you free.” Carol reached for Jake and his outstretched hand. She pulled, but her hand slipped free as another wave crashed over them both.

  “I tried to push the rock back, but my jeans are stuck. I can’t get my pants out. See?” Jake pushed on the rock that held his pants. Carol reached down into the water and pulled on his leg and realized the water now reached his thighs. The tide rose, and Jake might not have much time.

  “Take ’em off,” she cried as she looked at his soaked jeans.

  “I can’t take off my pants. How would I get home?”

  “You have to; the water is getting deeper. You’ll drown!” The waves crashed again soaking them both as Lillie barked above.

  Jake looked pleadingly at his sister. “Turn around,” he commanded as another wave washed over both of them. Carol turned her head and then heard a splash that didn’t sound like a wave. Jake shimmied out of his jeans and fell backwards in the process. He floated in the ocean. She reached out grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the shore. They scrambled up on the wet slippery rocks as the dog continued to bark. Carol turned and looked down at the floating jeans. Mom would kill Jake.

  Without thinking she went back for the clothes stuck between the rocks and floating in the water. She grabbed them and pulled just as the wave crashed over her head sucking her off the rocks and into the pool. She held on to the pants for her life to keep from being washed out to sea. Salt water up her nose and in her mouth, she coughed as she used the wedged jeans to pull herself hand over hand back onto the rocks. Then another wave, and this time the strength of the water moved the rock just enough.

  They were free!

  She held the pants with one hand and the rock with the other. The next thing she knew Jake was pulling her to safety. They both climbed higher up the rocks with the water rising behind them.

  At the top, she realized she still had Jake’s jeans in her hands. She handed them to her brother and once again turned around, so he could dress. Lillie stood sentry at the top. As Carol climbed over the top of the rocky shore, Lillie licked her face. Dripping, Carol reached down for her sweatshirt.

  “You saved my life.” Jake stared at his baby sister in astonishment.

  “You were drowning,” she said matter-of-factly. “And Mom would kill you if you lost your pants.”

  Jake helped her into her sweatshirt reaching around her shoulders. He almost hugged her as he did.

  “I can’t believe you saved me and then went back for my jeans. For a little sister, you’re all right.” Jake smiled at his sister for the first time in a long time.

  “That’s okay; you’d do it for me,” Carol replied. “What are we gonna tell Mom?” Carol asked as they walked back toward the beach house. They both imagined a conversation with Mom they didn’t want to have.

  “I’ll say I fell in trying to get a starfish, and you helped me back up.” He smiled again and pushed her wet hair out of her face.

  Maybe brothers were okay after all. “You missed the fresh rolls at Le Chez.” Carol rubbed Lillie’s head as they walked home together.

  Chapter 23

  Billie sang most of the set solo that evening as the tourists ate shrimp and fish until they could eat no more. String had a summer cold. His throat raspy, she tried to give him a break.

  “You sound like Dr. John,” she said giving his shoulder a shove.

  “Maybe that’s not a bad thing.” String laughed which caused another coughing fit. “But I don’t want to infect the microphone or anyone that uses it. Would you be opposed to quitting early? The last group is about to pass out anyway. Sam will send them home soon. I think I may have Mitch, the bartender, give me a walking hot toddy and go to bed early.”

  “Mitch is the best. I’ll bet he has something in mind that might help you. And since you’re just sleeping upstairs, I think a to-go cup would be allowed. A hot toddy sounds good. I wish I could have a drink now and then. I look forward to the day I am off the meds and back on my feet—and not just for a drink.” Billie closed down the piano and stowed the cords after she signaled to Sam. He normally checked the deck around this time of night to be sure the customers were taken care of. The kitchen was done for the evening.

  The last diner walked in and sat in the back. She squinted trying to see in the mist that blew up from the sea. She thought it was Neil. He sat with a drink in his hand and waited until the waiter brought his dinner in a bag.

  Billie felt badly that she hadn’t seen him much lately. Since the day of the squall he had not come around. Maybe she needed to talk to him.

  Leaving
the stage in the hands of String and the busboys, she walked toward Neil’s table.

  “I haven’t seen you in a while.” Billie smiled at the man standing to leave after he gave the waiter a tip.

  “Hey, it’s good to see you. I wasn’t sure you wanted me around after the storm.” Neil looked apprehensive. “You know your friend was right. I need to learn about the weather around here. In fact, I talked to Paul about going out on the shrimper with him a little. I know he knows things you can’t find in books.”

  “That’s true. Anyway, it’s okay. Everyone’s got to learn. I know nothing about ice and snow in Montana.” A moth circled around the light on the deck and flew between them.

  “Well, I could tell you all about it, but I really don’t want to go back and live there again. I think I’m sticking around for a while.”

  “Good. That’s good to hear.” Billie, glad he had decided to stick around, felt badly about how she last left him.

  “It is good to know you’re not permanently traumatized. I hated how you left the boat that day.” Neil batted at the moth.

  “I’m fine, really. I should have contacted you before now. I told Sandy, I’m tired of being scared or upset all the time.” Billie tucked her hair behind one ear.

  “You had a right to be scared that day. I think we all were. But as long as you are okay.”

  “I’m fine.” String tapped her on the shoulder and nodded upstairs. “Good night, String, take care.” He walked away with a glass in his hand.

  “Maybe a drink some evening after your set?” Neil looked apprehensive again.

  “I don’t drink—meds you know.”

  “Well, it doesn’t have to be alcohol. Anything you want.”

  “That would be nice. Some other time? String has a summer cold and is going to bed with a night- cap. He probably needs it. And I think I’ll take off too. It was good to see you.” She nodded goodbye as she walked away toward the kitchen.

  Chapter 24

  The fog horn sounded for anyone crazy enough to be out to sea that night. Joe Franks walked through the darkened neighborhood aware only of the sounds of the surf. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness. The island shut down at night. The few streetlights were shrouded in mist and fog. The breeze blew mounds of grounded clouds away only to be replaced by another.