Wait for the Rain

by Murnane, Maria

  “I can’t imagine having to worry about that all the time,” Skylar said. “I’m not averse to dating a man who has kids, but I don’t know how well I’d handle being a stepmother.”

  “I think you’d make a fantastic stepmother,” KC said. “Especially to girls. You’d be such a great role model, outside of the driving thing, of course. Do you see how tightly I’m gripping this door handle right now? That’s the fear of death, my friend.”

  “Zip it,” Skylar said.

  Daphne turned around and grimaced at KC in the backseat. “For the record, I’m holding on just as tight.”

  “You zip it too,” Skylar said. “Anyhow, I think any woman who is doing whatever it is that makes her happy is a great role model. Whether it’s having a corporate job or being a stay-at-home mom, the important thing is to show kids that it’s up to them to choose the life they want. Take Daphne here. We all know she could have crushed it professionally, but she chose to dedicate herself to raising Emma, which I think is commendable.”

  Daphne gave Skylar a grateful look, then cleared her throat. “Actually, I think I’m going to look into some new adventures when I get home.”

  “Adventures? I like the sound of that. What did you have in mind?” KC asked.

  “For starters, I was thinking about signing up for a dance class, just so I could have a hobby of my own, something outside of Emma’s world. Plus, being around you all week has inspired me to get in better shape.”

  “I love that idea,” KC said. “I love inspiring people!”

  Daphne smiled at her. “I also think it’s time to dip my toe back into journalism so I can use the part of my brain that I’ve neglected for too long. I know the industry has changed dramatically since I learned the ropes in school, but I’m kind of excited about learning something new.”

  “Ready to pop that suburban bubble, are we?” Skylar said.

  “Pop might be an overstatement, but while I love being a mom, part of me has known for a long time that I need more than that in my life. It took this trip for me to come to terms with it, and to realize that it’s okay to want more for myself while still loving my daughter to pieces.”

  “Of course it’s okay,” KC said. “You have to love yourself too.”

  “Maybe you should try one of my business ideas,” Skylar said.

  Daphne looked at her. “You think I should start my own company? What do I know about starting a business?”

  Skylar shrugged. “What does anyone know about anything before they try it? You’re smart, you could totally do it. Plus, I could use some stock options in a hot new venture. I still want to hire my traveling stylist someday.”

  Daphne laughed. “I think I’ll start with submitting an article to a magazine, but I’ll keep that in mind. So is anyone up for a walk on the beach before dinner?”

  Early that evening, the three friends were taking a stroll along the shore when the skies erupted for the second time that day. The first downpour had been while they were at the monkey forest after the spa, much to the delight of KC. The rain had briefly cleared the park of the fair-weathered, leaving her free to attract the monkeys with the enormous batch of bananas she’d purchased at the entrance. She’d already set the wallpaper on her phone to a picture Daphne had taken of her, featuring a plump monkey perched on one shoulder, the trademark KC grin on her face.

  “I love this rain.” Daphne tilted her head back and held her arms open wide. “It’s so refreshing.”

  “Not as refreshing as a rum punch would be right now. Anyone up for cocktails on the beach after dinner?” Skylar said.

  “I wonder if Clay and the guys will be at the Castaway tonight,” Daphne said. “I ran into him earlier today.”

  Skylar raised her eyebrows. “Is that so? Interesting that you chose to keep that little nugget of information to yourself.”

  “We didn’t talk for that long.” Daphne looked at KC and pointed to her leg. “I told him about your little voyage to the emergency room.”

  “Did you two talk about getting together again?” Skylar asked.

  Daphne glanced back in the direction of the house where Clay was staying. “I decided not to go there. I think I just want to spend as much time with you two as I can before we have to return to reality.”

  Skylar held up a hand. “I fail to see how you can’t do both. It’s not like peg leg here or I have plans to sleep in your bed tonight.” She gestured to KC, then to herself.

  Daphne laughed. “You know what I mean.”

  “We could always drop by the Castaway later to see if he’s there,” KC said. “There’s no harm in that.”

  “If I were you, I’d listen to peg leg,” Skylar said. “I say you knock it out of the park or go down swinging.” She pointed to KC’s thigh. “How’s the peg feeling, by the way?”

  “Okay, not great. I think it will feel better after a couple cocktails.”

  Skylar rubbed her hands together. “Now we’re talking. Maybe we should head back to the house for a predinner drink?”

  “Sounds good to me,” KC said.

  The three of them turned around and began walking toward the beach house. After a few minutes KC squinted at two figures in the distance. “Is that Harry and Eleanor? I can’t see that far.”

  Daphne nodded. “I think so.”

  As they approached the couple, Daphne and KC waved hello. Harry and Eleanor both returned the greeting, but Daphne immediately sensed a difference in their energy—and Harry’s appearance. His skin was notably pale, almost ashen, and he was moving quite slowly. But he met them with a warm smile. “There they are. The prettiest ladies on the island, after my wife, of course.”

  “Ahoy mates,” KC said. “This is our friend Skylar, also known as the third Musketeer.”

  “It’s lovely to meet you, dear.” Eleanor seemed distracted, but she took Skylar’s hand in hers. “Is this your first visit to St. Mirika?”

  Skylar nodded. “It’s also my first tropical vacation with my best girlfriends in tow, so it’s been my favorite.”

  “Yesterday was Daphne’s birthday,” KC said.

  Harry smiled at Daphne. “Happy belated birthday, kiddo. You don’t look a day over twenty-five to me.”

  “Thank you, Harry. Are you . . . feeling all right?” She didn’t mean to pry, but she couldn’t pretend she hadn’t noticed his condition.

  “I’ve been better,” he said.

  “What have you darlings been up to since we met you?” Eleanor asked.

  Skylar pointed at KC. “That one got herself stung by a jellyfish.”

  Harry chuckled. “Is that so?”

  KC frowned. “Little sucker got me pretty bad.”

  “She ended up in the hospital,” Daphne said. “It turns out she’s allergic.”

  “First beets, and now jellyfish. Who knew?” KC said.

  Eleanor interlaced her arm with Harry’s. “Big H here was in the hospital earlier today too.”

  Daphne and her friends all looked at him, his pallid tone suddenly taking on more significance. “Oh my gosh. Are you okay?” Daphne asked.

  He smiled and shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. It’s my ticker.”

  “He’s on his second,” Eleanor said, the shadow in her eyes growing a bit darker.

  Wide-eyed, Daphne asked, “You had a heart transplant?”

  Harry nodded. “We were hopeful this one would stick, but it doesn’t look like that’s in the cards.”

  “We’re not giving up, though,” Eleanor said. “I’m never giving up.”

  “She’s more optimistic than I am,” Harry said. “Always has been, that’s one of the reasons I love her.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Daphne whispered.

  A hush enveloped the group. Daphne was too stunned to say anything else, and Skylar and KC were equally taken aback. Harry’s
dying?

  Eleanor stroked Harry’s cheek with her hand, then turned toward Daphne and her friends. “Thanks, love. If there’s one thing I’d tell young people like you three dolls, it’s just enjoy every day while you can, especially every birthday, and don’t waste time fussing over things that don’t mean squat.”

  Harry took Eleanor’s hand and kissed it. “Well said, my love. Enjoy the party while you can still dance, that’s my motto.”

  Daphne stared at the wise couple standing before her. He’s really dying?

  Eleanor wrapped her arm tightly around her husband’s, then carefully looked at the three friends, giving them each a warm smile as she did so. “We’d better get back to the house. It was such a pleasure running into you again. Happy belated birthday, Daphne! Enjoy the continued celebration, and be sure to soak up every minute you have left here, promise?”

  Daphne, KC, and Skylar all nodded like schoolchildren. They knew Eleanor was no longer talking about St. Mirika.

  Harry gave them a wave as he and Eleanor slowly ambled away. “Have a drink for me to toast this glorious sunset.”

  “I can’t believe he’s that sick,” KC said on the slow walk back to the beach house. “When we met on the beach the other day, he was so . . . sprightly.”

  “He still is, at least on the inside,” Skylar said. “He knows what’s important in life. They both do.”

  “I want to be like that when I’m that age,” Daphne said. “Actually, what am I saying? I want to be like that now.”

  “We should all be like that,” Skylar said.

  KC pinched both their waists. “Does that mean you’re up for a workout tomorrow morning? You know what they say—a healthy body makes for a healthy soul. I should probably take it easy, however.”

  “Maybe. It depends on how late I stay up tonight,” Daphne said.

  Skylar looked at her. “You have plans we don’t know about?”

  Daphne bit her lip. “Maybe.”

  Skylar narrowed her eyes. “Would these plans involve a certain Clay Handsome?”

  Daphne smiled slightly. “I was thinking it was best to close that book, but seeing Harry like that just now is kind of making me look at things in a different way. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a terrible thing if I ran into Clay one last time, right?”

  “Of course it wouldn’t be,” Skylar said.

  “Definitely not,” KC said.

  “You think we should stop by the Castaway later?” Daphne asked them. “Just to check it out? He might not even be there, though.”

  “But he might be,” Skylar said. “I say it’s worth a flyby.”

  KC pretended to maneuver the controls of an airplane. “I don’t think I have another wild night in me, but I’m happy to play wingman.”

  Daphne blushed. “I haven’t heard the term wingman in a long time.”

  Skylar put a hand on Daphne’s shoulder. “I never thought I’d say this to you, but maybe it’s time you refreshed your vocabulary. Now, let’s go get some dinner. I’m starving.”

  Chapter Twelve

  That evening they had just left the restaurant and were strolling down the sidewalk on Main Street when Skylar froze in her tracks.

  “What is it?” Daphne asked, coming to a halt beside her.

  “It’s my phone. Damn it.” Skylar reached into her purse and fished out the vibrating device, then frowned at the text message on the screen. “I knew it.”

  “Another work emergency?” KC said.

  Skylar began walking again. “Yes. I’m sorry, ladies. No Castaway for me tonight. I need to go back to the house for an important call.”

  “Does it ever stop?” Daphne asked. At the beginning of the week she’d assumed the endless conference calls were related to one particular emergency that needed attention, but now she realized Skylar’s job required her to hop continuously from one crisis to the next, with no end in sight and the weight—and heat—of each fire resting firmly on her shoulders.

  Skylar tossed the phone back into her purse. “I don’t think it used to be this bad, but I might just be saying that. I’m so used to it now that I don’t realize how all-consuming it is until I’m around people who live relatively normal lives.”

  “You have spent a lot of this week on the phone,” KC said.

  Skylar sighed. “I know. I love my job and the lifestyle it allows me to lead, but in moments like this, when I’m supposed to be on vacation, I can’t help but ask myself if I’ve traded too much in return. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s kind of true.”

  “How would you change things if you could?” Daphne asked.

  Skylar hesitated for a moment before responding.

  “I don’t know exactly,” she finally said. “I’ve had an amazing career, but I’ve never been in a committed, serious relationship. Not that it’s ever been something I’ve really coveted, but meeting Eleanor and Harry tonight made me wonder if one day I’m going to regret that, if when I’m their age, I’m going to wish I had someone by my side until the very end, you know?”

  Daphne and KC nodded, sensing Skylar wasn’t done.

  She continued. “I don’t necessarily think that having a demanding job and a serious relationship are mutually exclusive, but sometimes I can’t help but think that maybe in my case they are, if somehow I’ve stopped myself from finding the right man without even realizing it. Not that my goal has ever been to get married, but I guess on some base level we all want to love someone . . . and feel loved in return, right?”

  Daphne looked at Skylar, her fair skin slightly sun-kissed, her auburn locks flowing down her back, not a strand out of place. Dressed in a silky turquoise halter top and flowy island-chic white pants, she was the picture of success, yet this was the first time Daphne had ever heard her express an ounce of misgiving over the price she’d paid for it. No one’s life is perfect. Not even Skylar’s. Before she realized what she was doing, she walked over to Skylar and hugged her tight.

  “Whoa, are you okay?” Skylar asked. “Where is this coming from?”

  “I would never unsubscribe from you,” Daphne said. “I just think it’s about time I told you that.”

  When they reached the Castaway, Skylar bade Daphne and KC good-bye, then hurried down the beach back to the house.

  KC pointed toward the bar. “Okay champ, you ready? Let’s do this for Harry!”

  Daphne laughed. “I get the sentiment, but that sounded kind of creepy.” They began walking toward the deck entrance. Despite her determination to be casual and just have fun, as they ascended the steps, she felt her nerves begin to jitter. Do I really want to do this?

  “Maybe this is a mistake,” she called to KC over her shoulder. The steel drum band was playing again, and the dance floor was filled with bobbing heads.

  “Just keep moving,” KC yelled back. “Dance while you still can, remember?”

  They climbed the steps and joined the scene, which looked exactly the same as it had the night they’d been there. Couples snuggling in the lounge chairs, friends bopping together in groups in the center of the room, revelers doing shots at the bar. The stage and the play unfolding upon it remained essentially unchanged, except for the characters flowing in and out like a gentle breeze.

  “I think I had enough of this place the other night,” KC said. “I’m getting a hangover just remembering my hangover.”

  Daphne gave her a hopeful look. “So we can go back to the house? I’d much rather relax on the couch than face this scene right now.”

  KC shook her head. “We have to at least do a run-through to see if he’s here. You’ll kick yourself if we don’t. Besides, Skylar’s probably going to be at her desk for a while, so it’s better if we give her some space.”

  Daphne nodded. She knew KC was right: she would kick herself if she bailed out now. “Okay.”

  Beginning at the
outdoor bar where KC had downed her tequila shots, they slowly began to survey the landscape for any sign of Clay or his friends. They didn’t spot them anywhere on the deck, so KC put her hand on Daphne’s back and nudged her inside. The area in front of the long bar was packed, but Daphne immediately noticed a tall man at the far end near the street entrance. His face was obstructed, but she could see the back of his head.

  “I think that’s Scott,” she said to KC.

  “Nice.” KC snapped her fingers. “Houston, we have contact.”

  They squeezed their way through the crowd until they reached the area where Scott was standing. KC stood on her tiptoes and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, you!” she said with a grin.

  He turned around and looked down, a surprised expression on his face. “Oh hi, KC. Hey, Daphne.” He gestured toward the young redhead sitting next to him. “This is Ashley.”

  KC smiled at Ashley, then looked back up at Scott. “Are Clay and Doug here?”

  Daphne’s eyes darted around the bar. Is he here? She recognized a couple other guys from their crew milling about, but not the one she really wanted to see.

  Scott jutted his chin toward the back deck area. “They’re with their lady friends.”

  “Their lady friends?” KC said.

  Daphne felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach. This was a bad idea.

  Scott pointed back toward the deck. “Last I saw they were dancing. You didn’t see them on your way in?”

  “No,” KC said.

  Scott shrugged. “Maybe they took off.” He turned back toward Ashley and began to play with her hair as she giggled. Empty shot glasses sat on the bar before them. Daphne wondered what Scott’s girlfriend back home was doing right now. Then again, maybe Scott’s girlfriend was running her fingers through someone else’s hair too. Who was she to judge their relationship from the outside?

  “Okay, thanks, Scott. It was nice meeting you, Ashley.” KC smiled again, then pulled Daphne by the arm back into the crowd. “You want to keep looking?” she asked her.