by Jenny Hale
“I’ve never had chicken and dumplings,” Charlie said as they entered the kitchen.
Gram turned around with a look of astonishment on her face. Then she smiled. “Well,” she said, reaching into the fridge for the covered dish. Flash threw himself down at her feet and sniffed the air. “You’re definitely havin’ dinner with us tonight then.” She stepped over Flash who was more worried about what was in her hands than the movement of her feet or her cane. “It’ll be ready in about twenty minutes.” Flash barked, his eyes on Gram. “I suppose you can have some too,” she said with mock displeasure. Flash stood up expectantly.
“Do you need any help, Gram?” Emily asked.
“I’m just fine, dear. Why don’t y’all go outside and enjoy the fresh air.”
“If you’re sure,” Emily said, giving it one last effort.
“I’m sure.”
“Call us when you need us,” she said. Charlie held the door open for her and Gram shooed Flash out with them.
Flash ran toward her with the ball from the pet store, which he’d found nearby. He dropped it at her feet. Emily picked it up and threw it across the yard, the dog leaping into the air to fetch it.
She couldn’t help but ask the question that had come to mind as soon as she’d seen Charlie. “How did things go with the architect?” She wanted to be on the inside of things, to know what was happening so that she could try to stop it, but every time things moved forward at all, she felt worse, so she hated to even ask, but her curiosity got the better of her.
“Really well,” Charlie said with a smile that was beginning to look familiar. His eyes gave away his caution. “It looks like leaving a few acres between the inn and the neighborhood will work out just fine. I’m hoping to make that a selling point when I meet with the commission again.”
Emily nodded, satisfaction settling in her chest. She knew Rocky wouldn’t budge.
Charlie had moved over to Papa’s boat, and it was clear that he didn’t want to talk about the architects. Did he worry he’d upset her? She walked up beside him. Flash came tearing over and dropped his ball. This time, Charlie picked it up and sent it sailing across the grass. He continued to throw the ball so many times that Flash eventually got tired and started rooting around in the woods. Charlie’s relaxed demeanor, the way he seemed more comfortable every time he was there, made her confidence grow. She might actually change his mind about what was important down here.
“I was going to come by to paint the boat tomorrow,” he said. “You’re off, yes?”
“Yes. Today and tomorrow. Tomorrow night I have to go in for a wedding, but that’s it.”
“Why don’t I come over and we’ll go to the paint store to pick out some paint? Then I can get the first coat on.”
“What time?”
“How about nine o’clock? I’ll treat you to breakfast.”
“Okay,” she said. She didn’t want to admit to the flutter she felt when he offered to take her to breakfast. She didn’t want to enjoy being with him as much as she did.
Emily called Flash and he came running her way. “Want to get your chicken and dumplings?” she asked as he trailed along beside them like he’d been her dog for years.
When they got inside, the icy cool air conditioning hitting them, Gram said, “I was just about to get you.” She’d set the table with the “good plates,” as she’d always called them. On each, a portion of chicken and dumplings steamed, the hearty, soupy mixture set off by a tall glass of iced tea and a piece of crusty bread for dipping.
With an extra spoon, Gram dropped a few dumplings into Flash’s bowl. He grunted and slurped until they were gone and then settled under the table. Charlie pulled out a chair for Gram and then one for Emily.
“Thank you,” she said. Papa used to do that for them, too. As she looked over at Gram, she wondered, by her expression, if she was thinking the same thing.
“This smells amazing,” Charlie said, taking a seat and scooting up to the table.
“The recipe’s been in our family for years,” she said. “It’s nothin’ special, but it hits the spot when you’re hungry.”
Charlie spooned some into his mouth. “It’s delicious,” he said once he’d swallowed.
“What kinds of things do y’all eat up in that fancy city of yours?” Gram asked, draping her napkin in her lap.
Charlie smiled at her. “Oh, I don’t know… Nothing like the food you’ve offered me. I’ve really enjoyed trying it all.” He took a sip of his iced tea and then he said, “Perhaps I can cook you something one night.”
Gram clasped her hands together in delight. “That would be lovely! Why don’t you and Emily decide what to cook and then we’ll get the ingredients you need.”
“That would be fine,” he said. “But I don’t mind getting what I need.”
There was a thump under the table and they all looked to find Flash had laid himself out completely, his head resting on Charlie’s foot. They all laughed.
“I love having you kids in the house,” Gram said. “Never a dull moment.”
Emily and Charlie arrived at Tippy’s Grille. “Tippy’s,” she explained, “was named after the original owner, two generations ago. Now it’s owned by his grandson.” It was a small space, nestled between two other establishments on a strip of land by the water. She could see some of her friends inside through the large window as they walked up.
Charlie put his hand on her back to guide her through the door. She couldn’t help but think how much she liked his gesture.
“Hey!” she said as she neared her group of friends. They smiled and threw up their hands, embracing her. Rocky leaned in for a handshake and greeted Charlie before introducing Elizabeth. Emily couldn’t stop smiling. It had been too long since she’d been with this crew. They’d all known each other for so many years, though, that her time away had hardly changed a thing. It was as if they’d never left each other.
When everyone had settled into a more normal volume, and drink rounds were ironed out, Emily introduced Charlie to the group. “This is my friend, Kim and her husband Joe,” she said, nodding toward them. “And that’s Scotty over there with his wife, Ann. And you know Rachel and Jeff.” She turned to her sister. “Where’s Clara?”
“We got a babysitter!” Rachel said, her excitement clear as she did mini-claps with her hands and bounced slightly. “I haven’t been out in ages! I’m so glad to be with everyone.”
“I’m glad you’re here!” Emily said. She noticed the grin on Jeff’s face and she hoped he and her sister could enjoy themselves tonight. Jeff was already drinking a beer, which was a good sign.
“The lead singer grew up with us. His name is Jason Richards,” she told Charlie. “He used to play his guitar for us on the beach at Oyster Bay.” The memory made her nostalgic. She was so glad she could hear him play tonight.
“Remember that song he wrote about Sally Jenkins?” Rachel said. “It was so good. I still think that could’ve been a hit.”
“Yes, but Sally wouldn’t have been happy hearing it on the radio over and over,” she said with a chuckle. Then she said to Charlie, “It was a break-up song.”
“Ah,” he said, nodding, as they started walking toward the front.
“I remember he’d play for us before school at our bus stop and then he’d drag that big guitar all the way to school just so he could play it as soon as the dismissal bell rang.”
“I remember that!” Scotty said. “I’m glad we’re all together tonight. Emily, It’s great to see you.”
They all took a seat at a small table on the side of the stage as the place started to fill up. A waitress came over and took their drink orders. Charlie ordered everyone the beers he and Emily had had at Merroir—he’d remembered. “I hope that’s all right,” he said as the waitress left, leaning toward her, his voice in her ear. “If you want something else, please feel free to get it. I’m buying tonight. I’ll get one tab for everyone.”
“Thank you. But I don�
�t mind paying for myself,” she said. “And I’m sure the others are willing to pay.
“I know. But it’s the least I can do for crashing your reunion with all your friends.”
“They don’t mind, I’m sure.”
The band took their places and began to warm up, the notes gritty and southern, Jason’s familiar raspy voice pulling Charlie’s attention to the stage. Emily was watching the band as well, but she also noticed the interest on Charlie’s face as he watched them play. He was enjoying himself. Maybe he was thinking that he didn’t want to drown out little places like Tippy’s with a giant expansion, maybe he was thinking, like she was, that he could go back to the farm, have a drink on the patio, and talk until the sun rose over the bay.
“Y’all know what we’re gonna do first, Clearwater!” Jason said into the microphone, and the crowd went wild.
Charlie sent a silent question over to Emily, his eyebrows furrowing.
Emily couldn’t stop the smile that had spread across her face. She held her beer in the air like the rest of the crowd. Then, she leaned over to Charlie as he turned his head to hear her voice over the noise, and she could smell that spicy scent of his. “He has a song called ‘Water,’ that he always plays first,” she said as the guitars got going, the drums kicking in. “He wrote it on Oyster Bay.”
“Where’s the best place to be?” Jason’s voice roared through the speakers, the crowd whooping and cheering.
“IN THE WATER,” the crowd chanted as they got to their feet. Emily tugged gently on Charlie’s arm, and he stood up beside her.
“What water?” Jason said, the music loud and thumping.
“CLEARWATER!”
Then the drums went wild, the guitars going. The entire crowd toasted their beers and took a drink.
“I’m glad to be home, y’all,” Jason said as a waitress climbed on stage and handed him a beer. “Let’s have some fun!” He took a sip of his beer and started singing. The crowd erupted into cheers and dancing, laughter and excitement.
Jeff and Rachel had moved to the small dance floor up front. He was spinning her around like he did when they were younger. Rachel was giggling, and, more excitingly, she was looking at Jeff in that way she always had before.
“Would you like to dance?” Charlie said, his proximity startling her. Emily turned toward him in response, their faces so close she could feel his breath. The energy of the moment, the happiness that was bubbling up—before she could think things through, Charlie had her hand and was taking her beer from her. He set it on the table and walked her through the crowd to an empty spot on the dance floor.
The stage lights were flashing through the dim room, the air humid. The music pounded through her chest, the tinny sound of the notes coming off the guitars ringing in her ears.
Charlie spun her around, surprising her. Emily laughed, the movement making her dizzy. He pulled her close and then sent her sailing outward again in some kind of perfectly orchestrated swing dance. His skill was evident.
“Where did you learn to dance like this?” she asked over the music as he guided her, sliding his fingers down one of her arms before taking her hands and leading her backward two steps.
“My mother made me take dance lessons so I wouldn’t make a fool of myself at my wedding. Although, I didn’t learn the Charleston.” He winked at her.
She threw her head back and laughed.
Joe and Kim had joined them. Charlie, so well versed in his dance steps, made Emily look as though they’d practiced together.
“Don’t make it tough for the rest of us,” Joe teased.
“Hey, I’m just glad you’re out here,” Kim said to him, taking Joe’s hands and swaying awkwardly with him. “Not a dancer, this one,” she said, leaning toward Joe. They all laughed.
As Charlie and Emily danced, she was less aware of the noise and the crowd, her eyes on him as he took control, his gentle movements so fluid and perfect that even though she didn’t have a clue how to dance like this, he didn’t let her fail. There was something so thrilling about dancing with him, feeling his hands moving from her back to her arms and returning to her own hands—it made her wish the night would go on forever.
Eventually, the music slowed, and Jason said into the microphone, “Grab your dates, your friends, the random person next to you! It’s time for a slow dance.” The band kicked in again. It was a soft, bluesy tune; it balanced Jason’s voice perfectly. It was too intimate, and she knew that Charlie would probably lead her off the dance floor, but she couldn’t help but hope that he’d stay out there with her.
“Want to keep dancing?” he said in her ear, giving her goose bumps down her arm.
Emily looked up at him. She wanted to say “Yes,” but she was afraid to let herself.
“A business dance,” he said, a smile lurking below his features.
Charlie wound his fingers around hers, his thumb moving across her knuckles tenderly, and pulled her close. He reached out and took her other hand, moving her toward him. Then he put his arms around her and it felt more like a hug than a dance. It was as if his arms were keeping her together and suddenly, she didn’t want to let him go.
Emily slid her arms up around his neck, intertwining her fingers and trying to look away. She didn’t trust herself if she looked into his eyes.
They swayed together to the music, the heat, the alcohol, and their closeness making her cheeks feel hot. She stole a glance at him and had to push the breath through her lungs as she saw him looking down at her. Their faces were so close, his eyes direct and warm at the same time. Happiness was swelling in her chest, making her smile at him, but it emerged with shyness. She’d never felt shy before, but she was struggling not to give away her feelings.
“What are we doing?” she said, her eyes darting up to his face only briefly.
“Dancing,” he finally said, avoiding the question.
She mustered the strength to look him in the eye again.
“Let’s go outside,” she said, feeling the need to move away from him, before she lost all resolve and kissed him. With a quick wave to Jason on stage, she let go of Charlie, each of them grabbing their beer from the table, and led him to the door.
Rachel followed after her. “You okay?” she asked quietly.
Emily nodded, telling Rachel in that sisterly way of theirs that she needed to let her go.
“I’ll tell the others you had to go if you don’t come back in.”
Emily nodded and walked outside with Charlie.
The evening temperature wasn’t any cooler, but the breeze coming off the bay sent a wave of relief her way. Tippy’s long deck, full of tables and twinkle lights, was nearly empty with everyone inside tonight to see the band. She walked to the edge, facing the water. The moon had just started to reveal itself above them.
“This has been a very weird week,” Charlie said, walking up beside her and leaning on the railing, his arm brushing hers.
He looked out over the water for a moment, but then turned to her, his body so close that exhaustion was setting in from having to fight the way she felt about him. Right there, in the moonlight, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and not let go.
“I have enjoyed spending time with you, but I worry that we’re eventually going to have to face what’s before us,” he said.
She turned toward him and she was so close that she had to look up. Without warning, without even hesitation, he took her hand, his touch light enough to cause a shiver through her body. “We don’t have to face it tonight,” she said.
The air carried nothing but the sound of the gentle lapping of the waves and the muffled band inside.
“I want to see you tomorrow,” he said, not taking his eyes off her. “I still want to take you to the paint shop and choose a paint for your grandfather’s boat.”
“Okay,” she said, feeling so confused. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had someone who challenged her, who made her want to be better, and it was the very
person who was hurting her. It made her feel like she shouldn’t see him anymore, but she knew she didn’t want to do that.
Twelve
Emily stood back and looked at the fish Charlie had bought for Libby as Flash hopped up on her bed and made himself comfortable. She had removed the wreath Gram had placed there and hung it on the wall in her bedroom. The blues were so beautiful that she decided she’d like to paint Papa’s boat a similar shade.
Charlie was supposed to come over soon to pick her up so they could look at paint colors. She called down to Gram to ask her to keep an ear out for the door, but when she heard a loud crash, she figured she’d better help with whatever Gram had just dropped. Flash jumped off the bed and followed behind her.
“What happened, Gram?” she called as she came down the stairs but Gram didn’t answer. “Gram?” She rounded the corner and headed into the kitchen, her heart pounding harder with every second of silence. “Gram?”
Gram was on the floor, unconscious, broken dishes scattered around her, her cane on the other side of the room. Flash walked up to her protectively and sniffed her face before sitting next to her still body.
“Gram!” Emily yanked her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed 911 as she listened for breathing. To her relief, she heard Gram’s breaths, but they were shallow. “I need an ambulance! My grandmother is unconscious and I think she’s had a heart attack or something!” She answered the emergency person’s questions while stroking Gram’s arm.
The paramedics arrived quickly, and were lifting Gram into the ambulance as Charlie pulled up. He jumped out of the car and ran up to Emily, the sunlight flickering across his shirt as it escaped through the shade of the trees. “What’s going on?”
“Will you be riding, ma’am?” the paramedic asked.
“Yes,” she said, frantic. The wind blew the trees to the side, sending a sharp streak of sun into her eyes. She struggled to focus.
“What happened?” Charlie said, grabbing her arm.