Beach Rental

by Greene, Grace

  “That was amazing.”

  “What was amazing?” She was truly puzzled.

  “Your response. You didn’t wait to see if someone else was coming after him. You just went.”

  “What’s so unusual about that? There wasn’t any danger. Not to me.”

  “You were wonderful in action. Most people hang back, not wanting to get involved or give offense. You went.”

  She let him hug her again, glad he was pleased, but not understanding why. After all, little Charlie’s parents could’ve been out there, out of her sight, but still in control. They could have been offended. She could’ve caused a big headache for Ben.

  Dealing with other people was often a crap shoot. Ultimately, you had to do what you had to do, what your conscience could live with.

  ****

  Ron Spagnoli favored early morning jogs. Juli usually walked. They passed each other day after day. They exchanged waves, rarely stopping to chat. It was a very long beach. Twelve miles were specifically tagged as Emerald Isle, but it was only one of the beaches fringing the twenty-one-mile long island of Bogue Banks. Ron jogged to the pier and back, or so he said. Given his muscled appearance, Juli believed him. She liked his open face. He seemed a nice guy, calm and quiet in contrast to his wife and the imp, Charlie.

  ****

  Donna spread liberal amounts of red pigment on the canvas. “It’s a poppy,” she said.

  Juli said, “A large poppy. Very red. Lots of energy.”

  “Red is my favorite color. My husband wants me to hang it in the guestroom when it’s done.”

  Laura spoke up. “It will look gorgeous.” She stepped back to admire her own close-up flower painting. “Do you think the color’s strong enough? I want the yellow to stand out.” She brushed in a dark line of umber along the edge of a petal, then paused to view it. “I wish I could go to the cookout. You’re going, aren’t you? Donna is. Billy, too. It’s super. Anna holds it every year.”

  “Seems like half the island shows up.” Donna wiped her brush on a rag to clear the excess paint.

  Anna walked over to them. “I expect you and Ben to be there.”

  “Ben told me your cookout is practically an island institution. We’ll be there. What should I bring? Chips or paper plates or something?”

  “No need to bring anything, but if you like, bring a dish to share. So many people will be there I never keep a list of who’ll bring what. As long as you and Ben bring yourselves, that’s all I ask.”

  Anna’s cookout wouldn’t be all that different from pot-luck holiday lunches she’d participated in at Singer’s, so she settled for bringing her standard contribution, brownies. Who didn’t like a chewy, chocolate brownie?

  On the day of the cookout Ben said, “Dress lightly. Even by the water and under the shade of Anna’s trees, it will be hot. It’s the height of summer. The best you can hope for is moderate humidity.”

  The aroma of brownies filled the air. They had cooled and were already sliced into portions. Ben was loitering in the kitchen.

  Juli took the plastic wrap from the drawer, saying, “The breeze is supposed to be onshore. That’ll be good.” The salt air blowing in from the ocean helped cut the humidity. “Even in Morehead City, the ocean breeze makes a difference.”

  “Hah. Well, that’s the same salty, drying breeze that corrodes almost everything.”

  “Take the good with the bad, right?”

  He was back in the kitchen door, leaning against the lintel, so she walked past him to the counter. She tugged the plastic wrap so it tore against the metal rib on the box, then floated it carefully over the brownies before wrapping the edges under the plate.

  “Seems like one is missing. Is that a good idea?”

  Ben smiled. “Didn’t want to risk not getting one.”

  Juli went upstairs to change while Ben did the same.. It was too hot to leave her hair down. It would be sticking to her neck, driving her crazy. She clipped it up, but the fine strands were slipping out even before she left her room.

  Ben’s door was open. She stuck her head in. “Ben?” No answer, but he’d left his slacks folded on the bed.

  He was downstairs seated in the rattan rocker with his eyes closed and his head back. Had he fallen asleep? It was past his usual naptime, but he hadn’t looked sleepy when they separated to change for the cookout.

  Juli walked softly to where he sat. He was wearing shorts. When had his legs gotten so thin? Why hadn’t she noticed before? It was true he’d been wearing slacks more often.

  “Are you asleep?”

  He shook his head and opened his eyes. “No, not asleep. I shouldn’t have eaten that brownie, after all. It isn’t sitting well. Please, don’t take offense.”

  “No offense. It was too rich for you.” They had been modifying his diet over time, reducing the rich and spicy to bland and tolerable. “Forget the cookout. You lie down and when you get up we’ll do something quiet. We’ll watch a movie or something.”

  “You’re all ready. Please go. Anna is expecting us. Give her my apology.”

  “I don’t want to leave you.”

  “I can rest whether you’re here to watch me or not. I don’t need a babysitter.” He leaned forward, an arm extended.

  “Here.” She pushed the footstool within reach and propped his feet on it. His tone was different. He hadn’t talked that way before—about babysitting. Petulant.

  “If you’re sure, I’ll go, but I won’t stay long.”

  “Stay for the whole thing. Go have some fun.”

  “No, Ben. You don’t get to have your way about everything just because you’re feeling sick. You say ‘go,’ then I’ll go, but I’m not staying for the whole cookout. No matter how much fun it is, I’m coming back home to you. So, there.” Juli knelt by his side and stroked her hand through his hair. It was soft, the strands falling between her fingers like silk.

  “Can I get you something before I leave?”

  He reached up, grasped her hand and pressed both of his hands around hers “A glass of ice water, if you don’t mind. And I’ll hold you to that.”

  “To what?”

  “Come back to me.”

  “I’ll keep my cell on loud. Call or text if you need me. If you need anything at all.”

  Cars of every description lined Anna’s driveway, the street, and even the neighbors’ driveways seemed full. She looked at the passenger seat and the plate of brownies. It seemed a puny offering. Maybe it was better to arrive empty-handed. And then what? Take them back home with her?

  Juli pulled into an open space at the end of the block. With this many people roaming her back yard, would Anna notice if she never showed?

  When she got out of the car, she tugged her shorts back into place over her thighs, then tucked the escaped hair strands behind her ears. Distant sounds came to her around the houses and trees, distorted so that it was hard to pin down the location. Barbecue, hickory and charcoal smells filled the air. If Juli hadn’t been familiar with Anna’s house she might have had to check out some extra back yards to find the picnic. She put her purse in the trunk, made sure the keys were in hand, then slammed the lid. Her phone went into her short’s pocket.

  “Hey, you’re forgetting the brownies, aren’t you? I see ‘em on the car seat.”

  “Dodge. Hey, yourself.” She reached back into the car and snagged the plate.

  He was wearing crisply pressed slacks and a plaid cotton shirt, all tucked in and properly belted. “Can I carry those for you?”

  “Yes. Thanks.” Good. Everyone would think Dodge had brought the paltry plate of brownies. Not so bad, after all. And she was parked conveniently away from the action. She could sneak away after a few minutes, hike back up the road to her car with no witnesses to see her driving off.

  They walked down the street, moist heat baking up from the asphalt.

  “Where’s your husband? I was looking forward to meeting him. Is he already at the cookout?”

  “No. He wa
s coming, but felt under the weather.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She should’ve refused to leave Ben. Juli almost turned around to go back home. “I didn’t want to leave him. He insisted.”

  “I’m glad you came. Maybe next time.”

  “Maybe. I can’t stay long. I need to get back home.”

  Maia surprised her in the driveway. Her sundress was brightly colored with tropical flowers. A butterfly hair pin was fastened behind her ear. “Hi, glad you made it.” She looked past Juli. “Where’s Ben?”

  Here we go again. “He was planning to come, but felt a little ill and decided to stay home.”

  “Ill? Anything I can do?”

  “No, it’s nothing serious, or, rather, well, you know what I mean.” Juli rubbed her face and tucked the hair behind her ears again. “He wanted to rest.”

  Maia nodded, then said, “Dodge, look at you. Brownies. I’m impressed.”

  “No, ma’am. I’m the bearer. Juli’s the baker.”

  Thanks, Dodge.

  “They look delicious.”

  Together, they rounded the end of the house, walking down the slope to the back yard, following the aroma of fired-up grills and hickory.

  “What’s that heavenly smell?”

  Dodge answered, “Gal, I know you recognize the aroma of Carolina barbecue. Don’t even hint otherwise.”

  “What about the neighbors? How do they feel about the cars and the crowd and the smells?”

  He laughed. “Well, I think they’re all here at the party.”

  Juli clutched Maia’s arm surprising them both. “Look at all the people.”

  “They’re all nice. Relax and be yourself.”

  Dodge said, “Anna’s got the food in the studio—uh, the converted porch, that is. Shall I take her the brownies?”

  Anna was visible through the long wall of windows, moving.

  “I’ll take them to her. I need to speak with her. Thanks for your help.”

  “Pleased to be of service, ma’am.” He tipped an imaginary cap. “I’m going to check out that barbecue. Make sure they get it done right.” He walked off toward a stand of oaks and the large black trailer roaster.

  “Can you excuse me, Juli?” Maia was looking at a group over by the horseshoe pits. She touched her hair and smoothed her sundress.

  Juli couldn’t tell which man interested Maia. “Go.”

  She climbed the few steps to the porch. When the chill of the air conditioning hit her, she shivered almost missing the heat outside. “Is it too cold in here? I wanted to have somewhere cool for Ben to relax if the heat bothered him. It’s better for keeping the food, too.”

  “I’m sorry, Anna. Ben didn’t come. He wasn’t feeling well.”

  Anna paused in taping the white paper to the table. “I’m sorry about that, too, but I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Ben insisted. He really did want to be here. I felt strange leaving him.”

  “He knows best about how he feels. Put the brownies with the other desserts on that table.”

  Most of the two long tables were empty. “The barbecue smells fantastic. Do you need help bringing anything out?”

  “The caterers are taking care of that. They own the kitchen this afternoon and I’m about to get out of their way.”

  Caterers. Caterers. The words repeated in her head. Not likely Sammy or anyone she knew. This was out of their territory. Still, no need for a reunion, just in case. “I’ll take a walk outside.”

  “Good idea. I’ll join you shortly.”

  People had sorted themselves into groups—at the roaster despite the heat emanating from it—at the horseshoe pits—down by the A-frame swing near the water’s edge. She knew so few. Was that Billy Wooten down on the dock? Juli headed toward that one familiar face. A wild Frisbee whisked past her head.

  A couple of small boats were tied up alongside the dock with rubber bumpers to protect them as they shifted in the water. Another boat was approaching slowly so as not to create a wake.

  Juli touched her pockets for reassurance. Keys in one, cell phone in the other. Volume was turned up all the way, plus vibration.

  “Billy?”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Juli, hi.”

  She sat down carefully to avoid splinters. As worn and rough as the wood was, the smooth feel and the warmth of it beneath her hands and thighs, surprised her.

  “No other teenagers around?”

  He shrugged. “A few, but I don’t know any of them. I can’t stay long anyway, so it doesn’t matter. Mom said it was polite to come.”

  “Is your mom here? I’d like to meet her.”

  “No, she had to take my sister somewhere. She’ll be back soon to pick me up.” Wistfully, he looked up the slope toward the house. “I don’t think we’ll eat before I have to go.”

  “I’m not going to stay for the food either. I need to get back home to Ben.”

  “I heard he’s sick. I hope you don’t mind me saying it.” Billy blushed.

  Juli reached over and touched his hand. His face flamed up like wildfire.

  “It’s okay to ask. Ben’s a great guy and he’s making the best of it. It’s not easy. I don’t mean to imply that it is.”

  Billy stared down at his sneakered feet hanging over the water as if he saw nothing good in front of him. Juli struggled. Should she? Asking was almost like baring her own hurts. She pushed it out, “Whatever’s on your mind, say it out loud, Billy. I’m listening.”

  The words fell one by one. “My dad. It’s been a couple of years now.”

  “How?”

  “No, he left. It’s like he died. My mom said she’d be lost without us kids, but I think sometimes it just makes it harder for her.”

  “You’re wrong, Billy.” Juli fought a surge of anger. Her mother and Billy’s mom didn’t have anything in common. Billy’s mom took care of her kids. She didn’t run away and leave them to fend for themselves.

  He sighed. “Do you have kids?”

  “No.” She swung her foot over and bumped his. “Your mom would be lonely without you and your sister.”

  “Think so?” He launched a kick, but a gentler one that brushed the side of her sneaker.

  He continued staring down at the water, but now he had a grin trying to grow on his face. From a distance, a woman’s voice called his name.

  He looked up toward the house. “Gotta go.” He placed his hands against the edge of the dock and brought up his legs. He pushed himself up onto his feet and held out his hand to Juli. Juli reached up to accept his help.

  “I think it’s time for me to leave, too.” She paused. A boat had caught her eye. It was almost to the dock. She looked away quickly, pretending she hadn’t noticed Luke. Billy gave her an odd look, but Juli kept her feet firmly on the dock and waited.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A woman was sitting on the dock with a teenager. Her legs dangled over the side and he noticed them first—very shapely—then his eyes traveled upward and saw her face and the dark hair cascading from her hair clip. Juli.

  Luke cast a quick glance beyond her seeking Ben. Luke hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks. He’d waited patiently for Anna’s cookout, knowing Ben would be here unless he was too ill to attend. And if Ben’s condition had deteriorated that much, Juli would’ve called him. So, if Juli was here, then Ben was, too. Somewhere. Maybe in the house or sitting in the deeper shade with the other picnickers.

  The teenager stood and extended his hand to Juli. She rose gracefully, all fluid movement. It reminded him of how much younger she was. A decade might not be much for some people, but there were days when those years felt like a huge chasm.

  “Hello, Luke.” A man called out, heading toward the dock.

  “Jake.” Luke tossed him the guide rope.

  Juli turned as his boat came alongside the dock. She looked apprehensive. He focused his attention on shutting the boat down and making sure Jake had secured the line properly.

  “Luke,
” Jake said, “come on up. Sally wants to say hello and she’s got someone she wants you to meet.”

  “No, Jake.” He noticed Juli had moved nearer as if waiting to speak with him. He didn’t want Sally and Jake to fix him up with anyone, and he certainly didn’t want to talk about it in front of Juli and some pubescent kid.

  “She’s a keeper, Luke. We can’t disappoint the ladies.”

  He looked at Juli, then back at Jake. “I’ll catch up with you in a few.”

  “Serious, man. We’re waiting.”

  “Promise.”

  As Jake walked away, Luke turned toward Juli, asking, “Where’s Ben?”

  Juli put a hand on the boy’s arm. “Luke, this is Billy. He’s one of Anna’s students.”

  Luke nodded. The boy had actually moved closer to Juli and stopped slightly in front of her, almost between them. Luke held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Billy looked like he might refuse to shake. Luke waited and Billy gave in.

  Juli said, “Billy, do you mind? I need to speak with Luke.”

  Luke noted Billy’s slight swagger, a bit of posturing. He hid his amusement.

  “Mom’s waiting, anyway. I’ll see you later, Juli?”

  “Sure. See you in class.” She watched him leave the dock and walk up the slope. “I think he’s probably relieved to get away from me. I’m one of the old people now.” She laughed.

  “I think he had other things on his mind.” Luke almost laughed with Juli, but he didn’t see happiness reflected in her blue eyes and his own good humor dimmed.

  “Where’s Ben?”

  “At home.” Juli crossed her arms.

  “Why?”

  She tossed her head and pushed loose strands of hair behind her ears. “His stomach was a little upset. He wanted to stay home.”

  He didn’t like the sulky attitude Juli was giving him. “But you’re here. You came without him.” His inflection left it hanging open like a question.

  She dropped her arms and even though she put her hands on her hips, the attitude rolled off her shoulders and evaporated. “He insisted.”