The Shore

by Todd Strasser

  They walked along the boardwalk, but despite the noise and colors, Owen seemed to only be aware of the beautiful girl beside him. It was late when the boardwalk began to close down. Where once there had been brilliant signs and lights on the roller-coaster tracks, there were now only shadows and darkness. Nearby, the carousel came to a final stop, and its cheerful timeless music ended. In the gathering dark the moon seemed to become only brighter and the stars filled the sky.

  They walked back to the house in silence. Owen thought of stopping and kissing her, but he dared not push it. If this was some kind of test, he was determined to pass it. But when they got inside the house, he could feel a sudden change. They were no longer walking in a fairyland of lights and sensations, but back in reality.

  She turned to look at him. “Thank you for a nice evening, Owen.” She offered him her hand.

  Owen stared at her hand. He’d hoped for more, and felt disappointed. Maybe it had been a test. Or maybe she just wanted someone to go on the Ferris wheel with. He took it and nodded, then let go. Sabrina marched up the stairs and closed herself in her room, leaving him, once again, alone.

  Eight

  April spent the morning visiting her grandmother while her mother was at work. She loved her granny, but it frightened her when she saw how sick and frail she looked. She always remembered her grandmother as having round, pink cheeks but now they were hollow and pale. Like a ghost, April thought, back in her little room. Like me.

  She had been running away from life for years. She hadn’t wanted to be noticed or touched by anything or anyone. Maybe it was time to stop running. She didn’t want to be eighty and look back on her life and realize that all she had done was run. She needed to start living.

  April had heard The Seashell restaurant where Avery and Polly worked was nice. After going through her closet for half an hour she finally decided that nothing she had could be classified as “nice.” She bit her lip and made a decision. A moment later she left her room and knocked on Sabrina’s door. Sabrina opened her door, wrapped in a fluffy pink towel, fresh from a shower. Must be nice to have a private bathroom, April thought with a stab of jealousy.

  Sabrina looked surprised to see her, but opened the door wide to let her in. Sabrina’s room was huge, with a king-size bed and its own sitting room. April tried to block out thoughts of the closet-size room she was living in. She knew she had told Curt that the size of the room didn’t matter as long as she had her privacy, but the tiny, dark, windowless room had started to depress her.

  “What’s up?” Sabrina asked.

  “I was wondering if I could borrow a dress,” April said, hating herself for asking but feeling like she had no choice.

  Sabrina gave her a coy look. “Sure. Can you fit into a size two?”

  April nodded, hoping the dress wouldn’t be too small on her. Sabrina studied her for a moment before crossing to her closet.

  “Black or red?” Sabrina asked at last. April took a deep breath. She always wore black, so tonight the answer just had to be, “Red.”

  Sabrina turned with a smile, holding what appeared to be a designer dress. It was a red halter with a short, full skirt. April took it from her hesitantly. I don’t know if I’m ready to live this much, she thought. “Thanks,” she told Sabrina.

  Back in her room, she tried the dress on. It fit surprisingly well. A sudden knock on the door startled her. “Who is it?”

  “Sabrina. What size shoe do you wear?”

  “Eight why?” April called.

  “Open up.”

  She opened the door, and Sabrina handed her a pair of strappy red heels. “You’re going to need some shoes.”

  “Thanks,” April said, taking them.

  “You look great, by the way.” Sabrina glanced into the room, and her brow wrinkled. “Hey, is this really a room? Or a closet?”

  Lucas hadn’t anticipated wearing a jacket on his vacation, but now he was glad his mother had snuck one into his suitcase. Owen said they were to dress well for dinner. Armani should be dressy enough, Lucas thought. Underneath the jacket he wore a white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck. No way am I wearing a tie.

  He inspected himself in the mirror and had to admit that even his parents would be pleased with the results.

  “You ready?” Owen called, knocking on his door.

  Lucas glanced at himself again in the mirror. It had been eons since he’d seen this much forehead. The dreads were gone, sacrificed earlier in the day on impulse. He still wasn’t sure why. It just seemed like the time had finally come. He turned and opened the door.

  Owen blinked, then grinned. “Sorry, I was looking for a guy with dreadlocks named Lucas.”

  “Very funny.” Lucas grinned.

  “Dude, you clean up well,” Owen said.

  “So do they,” Lucas said, pointing toward the stairs. Snow White and Rose Red, he thought as he and Owen watched April and Sabrina descend the stairs. April was stunning in a red dress that showed off her long legs. Sabrina wore a white, filmy dress that hugged her curves in a way that had to be making Owen crazy.

  He noted with satisfaction that the girls were also staring unabashedly at them. Owen was wearing black flat-front slacks with a blue pin-striped shirt, but it was Lucas they were clearly puzzled by. Then, at the very same moment, it seemed, they both realized who it was.

  “Oh, no!” April gasped.

  “Oh, yes!” Sabrina cheered.

  Everyone laughed. Lucas and Owen joined the girls at the bottom of the stairs. Lucas extended his arm to April. “Shall we dine?” he asked.

  April took his arm and Lucas noticed that Sabrina took Owen’s. The walk down the boardwalk to The Seashell was pleasant, but amusing. Dressed the way they were they were attracting a lot of attention.

  When they entered the restaurant Avery stared at them in shock, especially at Lucas. He, in turn, noticed that she looked gorgeous in her white dress and her hair piled on top of her head. He had never seen her in her work clothes before and found himself enjoying the view.

  “Lucas?” Avery said uncertainly.

  “The real deal.” He gave her a big smile.

  Avery smiled back, then turned to the others. “What are all of you doing here?”

  “We are here to dine,” Owen said.

  “But the place is packed. You’d need a—”

  “A reservation?” Owen asked, sounding pleased with himself. “Ah, but we have one. Party of four.”

  Avery glanced down at her papers. “The only party of four I have listed for right now is the Sola party.”

  “My dear lady,” Owen said with feigned formality, “that is us. Sabrina, Owen, Lucas, and April. The SOLA party.”

  Avery laughed, obviously glad that her friends would be able to enjoy dinner after all. With an impish grin, she led them to their table. “I’ll send a certain waitress over right away,” she said with a wink.

  They settled into their seats. A moment later, Polly hustled over, an armful of menus in one hand and a pitcher of water in the other. “Hi, welcome to The Seashell.” She started handing out menus and began her waitress rap. “I’d just like to tell you about tonight’s specials. For an appetizer . . .” The words stopped. Lucas looked up. Polly’s mouth was hanging open. The pitcher of water in her hands had tilted slightly, and a thin clear stream was pouring onto the floor.

  “Watering the carpet?” Owen asked with a grin.

  “I don’t believe it!” Polly blurted.

  • • •

  When Avery saw Lucas standing in front of her in his black jacket and short hair, she had thought for a moment that she was going to faint. She had heard the blood rushing in her ears and felt her heart begin to pound like a triphammer. He had looked so good that she had wanted to throw herself in his arms.

  Steady, you’re going to be okay Remember your boyfriend, Curt? The one you love? Just, don’t think about Lucas, she coached herself. Don’t think about him looking gorgeous. Don’t think about how he listened
to you when you were upset about your mother’s death. Don’t think about how determined he was to find those two boys, and how gentle he was when he found them. Don’t remember the way his arms felt when he was holding you on that surfboard. And, most of all, don’t forget to breathe.

  Fortunately, as hostess, her job was over once she delivered the “SOLA” party to their table. Still, she found her eyes drifting their way frequently throughout dinner until Owen caught her staring and waved her over.

  When she got there, Polly was serving dessert. Owen raised his glass of water. “I would like to make a toast,” he proclaimed. “To two of our hardest-working roommates. Polly, Avery, great job.”

  “Here, here,” Lucas said as he and the others raised their glasses first toward Polly, then toward Avery. Avery caught Lucas’s eye and for a long moment neither of them could tear their gazes away. She felt her heart begin to race and knew she was in trouble. This had to stop. It was too complicated and confusing.

  As soon as she could, Avery once again retreated to the front of the restaurant. It wasn’t long, though, before the group was finished and came her way.

  “Restroom?” April asked.

  Avery pointed, and April, Sabrina, and Owen headed down the corridor. That left her alone with Lucas. An awkward silence fell in which she could hear her heart start to pound again. “How was dinner?” she asked.

  “Great,” Lucas replied. “It was cool seeing you and Polly in action. Too bad you couldn’t join us. Maybe we can do it again on one of your days off so you can relax and not work.”

  He’s always thinking about making someone else feel good, she thought. So selfless. And sweet. And handsome. Before she could stop herself, she stepped forward and gave him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and for a moment she felt safe against him. Then she realized what she was doing and stepped back, forcing herself to break the contact. Idiot! Control yourself!

  Of course, it was just then that everyone else returned from the bathrooms. “My turn!” Owen said, swooping in for a hug of his own.

  “You’re welcome,” Avery said, laughing and immensely grateful for Owen at that moment.

  Both Sabrina and April stared at her. None of them were really at the close-enough-to-hug stage. Suddenly, though, April stepped forward and gave Avery a quick hug. Surprised, Avery hugged her back.

  “Fine, if everyone’s doing it,” Sabrina said with a shrug, giving Avery a quick half hug.

  Avery glanced again at Lucas. His smile was broad and his eyes were shining. He knows, she thought miserably. Hugging the others was a good cover, but he wasn’t fooled.

  Then they were out the door and waving good-bye. As soon as they were out of sight, Avery collapsed against the podium. Life had become unbearably complicated.

  Curt was fuming. He was sitting at a table in the Surfin’ Spot with the rest of STF, checking out the competition for the upcoming Battle of the Bands. The Naked Mole Rats were steaming. But much more aggravating was what had just happened with Avery. Since the bar was right next door to Avery’s restaurant, he had decided to drop in and tell her he was going to be out late.

  What he’d seen through the window had set his blood on fire. He had seen Avery hugging some blond guy in a black jacket. He’d been on the verge of busting in on them and confronting her when Bobby grabbed him and hustled him into the bar.

  “Don’t do it,” Bobby said, as if he could read Curt’s mind.

  “I want to know who she was hugging,” he growled.

  “Forget it, dude. It’s just a friendly hug. Probably some friend of hers.”

  Curt was about to break free of his grip when Sabrina, April, and Owen came up and hugged Avery as well. Curt relaxed. Okay, it was just friends. He let Bobby lead him back into the Surfin’ Spot.

  “Why are you so freaked, anyway?” Bobby asked. “It’s Avery. You know she’s totally into you.”

  “You never know,” Curt grumbled.

  “Come on, man, hugs mean nothing to girls. They hug everyone.”

  Bobby was probably right. Girls were always hugging people. Maybe Avery hadn’t even initiated the hug. It was probably nothing. He relaxed slightly and began to listen to the Naked Mole Rats again. They’re good, real good, he thought. He wished STF could play this place. Maybe if they did well at the Battle of the Bands, they would. It was the kind of break they needed.

  “Another beer?” the bartender asked.

  Curt nodded and as he started on his second beer felt himself begin to relax. It was just a hug. No big deal. Forget about Avery. I have bigger problems to worry about.

  It was early in the morning when Sabrina slipped into Lucas’s room. She knew he was out surfing and it was too early for anyone else to be up. Even in the age of credit and debit cards, everyone still carried cash. Especially here. April’s employer wasn’t the only one who preferred to pay his employees off the books. Sabrina quietly began opening drawers and rifling through them, looking for money. She came up empty. She checked the closet but found nothing. Finally she slid her hands underneath the mattress. Halfway down the right side, her fingers brushed an envelope. She pulled it out and opened it. Inside were bills. She pulled out about forty dollars and then carefully put the envelope back. The important thing was not to take too much at once. People often forgot how much they had. She slipped the envelope back under the mattress and turned around. April was standing in the doorway.

  Sabrina froze and felt a horrible sinking sensation in her gut.

  “So it’s you,” April said quietly.

  Sabrina’s mind raced as she tried to think of a convincing lie, but nothing came to her. Finally she sank down on the bed. Her hands were shaking, and she pressed them together between her knees. “Happy?”

  “No way.” April’s reply surprised her, and she looked up curiously.

  “I would have been much happier if it had been some stranger—not someone I’m sharing a house with,” April explained.

  “How did you know?” Sabrina asked.

  “The clothes. They were new, but there was no way you could afford them on a nanny’s salary.”

  Sabrina nodded sadly as she realized her mistake. She’d been too obvious. “My parents cut me off, just like that,” she said, snapping her fingers.

  “So?”

  “You don’t know what it’s like,” Sabrina said. “I’ve never had to work for anything, ever. It’s hard. And I’ve never had to go so long without shopping. I just can’t do it.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” April asked.

  “No, I can’t be patient and count my pennies,” Sabrina admitted, desperation welling up in her. “Like those jeans. I saw them and just had to have them.”

  “Uh, hello? Welcome to the real world,” April grumbled, not taken in. “That’s not how life works, okay? Most of us have to earn what we get. You can’t just take it. What do you think the rest of us are doing? My mother works two jobs to care for my grandma, and I help as much as possible. Don’t you think there are things we want? You’ll just have to wait like the rest of us.”

  “That’s sad, but that’s not me,” Sabrina replied.

  “It is now, at least until you’re back in Mommy’s and Daddy’s good graces. You’re just going to have to get used to it. And in the meantime, you’re going to give the money back.”

  The words startled Sabrina. “I can’t. I’ve spent it all.”

  “Then you’ll give them what you earn from now on,” April said. “And you have to admit to everyone else what you did.”

  “No way,” Sabrina flared, horrified by the embarrassment she would feel. “I won’t do that.”

  “You will, otherwise, I could report you to the police.”

  “You wouldn’t,” Sabrina gasped.

  “You don’t think so?” April said. “I’ll tell you why I will. One, because it’s the only way you’ll learn not to steal again. And two, because it’s the only way I’ll know for sure you won’t steal from any of us for
the rest of the summer. I’m giving you a chance here, Sabrina—don’t screw it up.”

  Sabrina felt her head begin to pound. She had never admitted to anyone that she was wrong before, ever. How can I do this?

  April backed away from the door.

  “You’re leaving?” Sabrina gasped.

  “You’re on your own,” April said. “You know what to do.”

  Twenty minutes later, with her heart in her throat, Sabrina knocked on Owen’s door. She’d decided to start with him because she hoped he’d be the easiest. After all, he knew about making mistakes. Sleepy-faced, his hair a mess, he opened it and smiled wide when he saw her. “Hey!”

  Sabrina dipped her head so she wouldn’t have to look at him. “You know how money’s been missing?” Rarely in her life had she spoken such painful words. “I’m sorry.”

  Owen didn’t answer. She glanced up to make sure he’d heard.

  “It . . . it was you?” Owen asked, incredulous.

  She nodded.

  “Why?”

  She tried to meet his eyes but couldn’t. She tried to speak but had no words that would make sense. Finally she just shook her head.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” he said softly. “Everybody makes a mistake. Look at me, right? I’m the king of mistakes. Anyway, it was really brave of you to admit this. I think it’s admirable.”

  Sabrina felt the tears well up and flood out of her eyes. His kind words were the last things she’d ever expected.

  “Thank you, Owen,” she said with a sniff, and turned down the hall. One down, four more to go.

  April opened the door almost immediately after Curt knocked. He swept her with his eyes taking in her green blouse and white skirt. What happened to the black? he wondered. But he didn’t mind. It was a change, and it looked good on her. She blinked twice as though surprised to see him standing there.