by Abigail Keam
“What’s that?”
Changing the subject, Mike put the bottle down. “I want to thank you for helping Jenny. We went snorkeling Sunday and had a wonderful time. Jenny struggled here and there, but she’s game for more.”
“That’s grand.”
“Eva and I think she made an important step in returning to the sea. Her mother loved the ocean and I want Jenny to love it too.”
“It would seem she is well on her way to recovery then.”
“Yeah.”
“Is there something else on your mind, Mike, son of Mary?”
“I don’t mean to pry, and I am grateful for your help with Jenny, but I’m wondering what’s going on between you and my mom.”
River took a long drink from his bottle and then put the bottle down. He folded his hands while leaning back in his chair. “That’s between Mary and me, don’t you think? At least, that’s the way I see it.”
“Here’s the thing, Mr. Egan. My father died very suddenly, and he was the whole world to my mother. She has had a very hard time coping with his loss.” Mike stopped for a moment searching for the right words. “My mother is a good, decent woman. I would hate to see someone take advantage of her good nature if they weren’t serious about her.”
“Mike, I can understand your concern. I really can. I lost my wife too, so I know how that can affect someone who’s been married for a long time. But I’m just a regular guy. I have no criminal record. I’ve never hit a woman in my life. My health is reasonable for my age, but there is room for improvement. I have my own money. I’m not a billionaire, but I’m comfortable. I’ve worked hard all my life.” River unfolded his hands and leaned in toward Mike.
“Your mother and I have many things in common. Both our spouses died before their time. We are of similar age, and we share the same memories.” River grinned. “We both saw the Beatles for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show. We both practiced hiding under our school desks during the Cuban missile crisis. We both know exactly where we were when Kennedy was shot. We understand each other, and we’re lonely.”
“I don’t want my mother hurt. If you’re not serious, I would advise you to move on.”
“Advise me, huh? I suppose that’s fair enough since Mary is your mother. Now, son, let me advise you about something. Your mother is an independent woman and of sound mind. She’s still in charge of her own life. It’s really none of your business who she sees.”
“My family is my business, and that includes my mother.”
“Son, I don’t want to quarrel with you. You love your mother. You’re concerned about her. I respect that, but I would like you to respect that I might have feelings for her too. She’s too young to be thrown on a loveless trash heap.”
Mike rose. “I’ve said my piece. I’ll be going now.”
River stood up also and faced Mike squarely. “Let’s shake hands and part amicably. I want no hard feelings between us. I’ll tell you what–if I treat your mother badly, then you have my permission to take me out and beat the livin’ tar out of me. We both know you can do it. Does that make you feel better?”
Mike exhaled. He felt the tension leave his body. Shaking River’s hand, Mike smirked, “Oddly, that does. Thanks River.”
25
“I don’t know why you are so upset. You’d think you would be happy that someone is interested in your mother,” Jenny heard Eva say to her father in the living room. Even though she was supposed to be asleep, she sneaked out of her bed and listened from the hall when she heard her father grumbling about Mr. Egan.
“But we don’t know anything about him,” argued Mike.
“Mary’s not running off to Tahiti with him. She’s a big girl and smart. Stay out of it.”
“It doesn’t feel right to me,” complained Mike.
“I think if you interfere with something that might turn out to be a blessing for Mary, she will have a difficult time forgiving you.”
Mike harrumphed. “That’s ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not,” replied Eva, clasping Mike’s hand. “You need to pay attention to me in this. Your mother spent years of her life looking after you and Jenny after Beth passed away. That’s over. Now she wants to spread her wings. Enjoy life a little. Less duty, more fun.”
“She say something to you?”
“She doesn’t have to. I know women, and I’m telling you that Mary is interested in River Egan.”
Eva continued, “Even you will have to admit that he is nice looking. He and Mary would make a darling couple. And so far there have been no red flags from him.”
“About being a creep?”
“Exactly. I hardly think he’s Jack the Ripper. If it would make you feel any better, have Jim Masterson do a background check on him, but be discreet.”
Jenny frowned, since she didn’t know who this Jack the Ripper was.
“That’s a thought.”
“And if River Egan comes up clean, then will you get off this train to nowhere?”
Mike smiled and pulled Eva onto his lap. “Maybe. Maybe not. Are we finished arguing?”
“I didn’t know we were.”
“Haven’t you heard of great make-up sex after an argument?” Mike whispered as he leaned in and kissed Eva on the neck.
Eva’s face brightened. “Then I guess we were arguing. Race you to the bedroom.”
Seeing that Eva and her father were heading toward the hall, Jenny ducked back into her bedroom. She didn’t understand why her daddy didn’t like River Egan. He was her friend. Why didn’t her daddy understand how Mr. Egan had helped her overcome her fear of the ocean?
Sometimes grown-ups didn’t make any sense at all.
26
River was washing a few dirty dishes when he heard footsteps outside his door. He strode over and opened the door before there was a knock. “Mary, how nice to see you,” he said, surprised.
“Hey, you startled me,” replied Mary. “I didn’t even have a chance to knock.” She turned and pointed to an angry-looking sky over the Atlantic Ocean. “See that?”
River observed the sky. “Yep. So what?”
“I know you don’t have a TV yet, but that’s a tropical storm. She is gonna rock your little trailer world like there’s no tomorrow.”
River gave Mary a mischievous grin. “Really? Geez, people will talk about us.”
“That storm’s no joke, River. You better come home with me and wait her out. What you and Jenny went through was just a polite little rainstorm. Mike reinforced my house so it could withstand everything but the very worst storm. You might as well take shelter in a cardboard box as be in this trailer.”
“I thought it was sexist to refer to storms as she.”
“It’s a she, all right, and she’s looks mighty angry to me. Come on now. Get your stuff and let’s get out of here.”
River closed the door and locked it. “There’s nothing in there I want to save, and I’m sure not going to argue about spending time with you. Do you think we have time to have dinner at Aussie Jack’s before the storm hits?”
Mary scanned the sky. “Let’s try it. NOAA says we’ve got two or three hours before she lands. Besides, I’ve a taste for fresh Florida lobster. If we get caught, we can just wait it out at the Last Chance.”
“You mean the Pink Flamingo?”
“Don’t tell Eva that I called it the Last Chance, will ya?”
River mimed zipping his mouth shut and throwing away the key. “Your secret is safe with me, doll.”
27
River watched the ocean nervously. “Are you sure this is not a full-blown hurricane?”
Mary laughed, “Of course I’m sure. This is just a lil’ ol’ tropical storm. She’ll be over in about three-four hours.”
“Then why are Jack’s employees boarding up the windows?”
“I didn’t say the winds would not get fierce. You felt how the car was buffeted so hard on the way over here that it was swaying.”
“I was wondering about that. I t
hought the wind was going to knock the car off the road.”
“Hi Lillian,” said Mary, greeting her friend.
“Hi folks. See you’re braving the high winds.”
“Lillian, tell this nervous Nellie that this is just a lil’ ol’ tropical storm.”
“Well, I trust your word on that, Mary. I’ve never been in a storm yet, but Jack is not closing. He’s open for business, so I guess there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Then why are the windows being boarded up?” asked River a second time, looking around.
“I’m told this is a common procedure here when the winds are predicted to be above 25 mph, and then once the storm has passed, they take the plywood down off the back windows. You’ll probably still be eating when the windows are open again.”
“See, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Shall we order?” Mary said to River. “Nothing to worry about.”
“I’ll get your waiter for you,” replied Lillian, scanning the room. She waved to a man who hurried over. “Joe, take care of these people. Consider them VIPs. They are special.”
“Sure will, Lillian.” He turned to River and Mary. “Can I get you a cocktail?”
“For sure,” jumped in River. “A Whiskey Sour, don’t be timid about pouring that whisky, and keep them coming.” River looked at Mary.
Then Joe looked at Mary.
“The same. We need Dutch courage, I see.”
“Dutch courage, hell. I need drunk courage,” laughed River.
“We get these storms a lot during the summer. You better get used to them if you want to stay in Florida, River.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks,” reassured Joe before hurrying off. He certainly sympathized with River. He was from Ohio, and these storms unnerved him too. But he was going to give them the best service possible and pray for a big tip. That would make the evening bearable, since what he wanted was to take refuge in the kitchen. Maybe he and River could hide there together.
28
Jenny stared at the angry sky over the Atlantic Ocean while Eva calmed her guests. “Folks, I’ve been closely monitoring the Weather Service, and this is just a small tropical storm that may even play itself out before it hits the shore. I would not recommend boating at this time, but please enjoy the pool or swimming in the lagoon for now. I’ll keep you posted as the storm develops. And if you want to go out to dinner, all the restaurants are open, as well as all the stores.”
“The sky is so dark over there,” complained one guest.
“But it’s still miles away from us. These kinds of storms are quite common in the summer,” advised Eva.
“Shoot, this is nothing compared to the tornados we get in Kentucky. I’m going back to the pool,” quipped one guest after listening to Eva. “When I see lightning, I’ll get out. Just common sense.”
“That’s the spirit,” said Eva, nodding. “I’ll be in the office if anyone should want an update on the weather.”
As she headed back, Jenny grabbed her hand. Eva assured her, “There’s nothing to worry about, Jenny.”
“What about Daddy and Grandma?”
“I talked to your father moments ago. He’s going to keep working at the apartment, but his cell is on. Your daddy is fine and your grandmother is not at home.”
Seeing Jenny’s crestfallen face, Eva tried to comfort her. “Your grandmother has been living through these storms since before you were born. She’ll be okay.”
“But she’s old now!” insisted Jenny, looking fearfully at the sky.
“Don’t let her hear you say that,” Eva teased. “I’ll keep trying to reach her. Would that make you feel better?”
Jenny nodded.
“She probably just turned her phone off.”
“Can we go to her house?”
Eva shook her head. “No, baby. I’ve got to stay here until Lillian gets off work from Aussie Jack’s. There’s no one else to watch the front desk.”
Jennie looked anxiously at the sky again. “Do you think Snowball will be safe?”
“Yes. She’s in the house.”
“Can we check on her?”
“Not at this time, honey” replied Eva, chewing on her lip.
“What about Mr. Egan?”
Eva tried not to show it, but she was getting frustrated with Jenny’s fear of storms. The child was simply wearing her out with her clinging and need for constant reassurance. She wished Mike would come for Jenny, but understood his need to finish his work at the apartment building. She gave Jenny a hug and said, “Jenny, Mr. Egan is fine, I’m sure. You don’t need to worry.”
“Can we call him?”
“I don’t have his phone number, and I’m not sure he has a phone yet.”
“Then how will he know about the storm?”
“He will look at the sky. Jenny, please! Everyone is safe. This is just a tiny tropical storm. It’s not a hurricane.”
Eva continued walking toward the office. “Are you coming?”
Jenny hung back. “I–I’m going to tie up the kayaks first.”
Eva smiled. “That’s the spirit. Yes, please tie up the kayaks so they won’t float away. Good thinking, Jenny. Come to the office when you’re finished, okay?”
“I will,” Jenny replied.
But Jenny had no intention of going back to the office. Snowball was her responsibility, and she was going to make sure her kitten was okay. Jenny had to check on Snowball. She simply had to!
29
When Jenny didn’t return to the office, Eva checked her watch. It had been ten minutes. Where was that kid?
Eva opened the office door and peered out. There were still guests swimming in the pool, even with the increasing wind. Mildly irritated with Jenny for not promptly returning to the office, Eva locked the office and strode over to the pool, expecting to find Jenny swimming with several other children squealing in the water, but none of them were Jenny. Eva began to feel uneasy.
“Hi. Have any of you seen my daughter, Jenny?” asked Eva.
One teenage boy spoke up. “Yeah. She was tying up the kayaks, and then she got in the last one and took off.”
Eva felt as if someone had knocked the wind out of her. “When?”
“I don’t know. Maybe fifteen minutes ago. It’s hard to tell.”
“Which way did she go?”
“Umm, that way,” he replied, pointing west.
Eva smiled unevenly. She didn’t want the guests to know she was upset. “Thanks for the info. Enjoy your swim.”
Hurrying back to the office, Eva unlocked the door and swung it open. Grabbing her cell phone, she frantically called Mike. He didn’t answer.
Eva then called Mary, who answered the phone laughing. She heard Mary say something to someone, “See. You’re being a baby. Uh, hello?”
“Mary, this is Eva.”
“Hello, Eva.”
“Mary, I can’t find Jenny. A guest just told me she took one of the kayaks and headed west. I’m stuck here until Lillian arrives. Is she still working? I need her to come right over, so I can look for Jenny.”
“Eva, calm down. I’m here with River at Jack’s. We’ll be right over. Don’t worry.”
“What is wrong with that kid? She has done nothing but defy me since I married Mike.”
“We’re leaving right now. Have you gotten ahold of Mike?”
“He’s not answering his phone.”
“Okay, we’ll figure this out. We’re on our way.” Mary hung up.
“What’s wrong?” asked River. He was holding a large chunk of lobster dripping with butter on his fork. “Jenny took one of the kayaks out and Eva can’t find her.”
“In this storm? A wee lass like her!”
Mary tossed her keys to River. “Can you run out and get the car for me? I’ve got to get Lillian. Just wait at the front door.”
“Sure thing,” assured River rising from the table and reaching for his wallet. He threw some bills on the table while motioning to the waiter. �
��Hey, thanks Joe, but we gotta scoot.”
Mary found Aussie Jack behind the bar and told him what had happened.
“Lillian’s probably in the kitchen,” Aussie Jack told Mary. “I’ll get someone to cover her. You guys get going.”
After nodding thanks, Mary hurried past the swinging kitchen doors. She stopped at the salad area. “Lillian!” she called out.
“Over here,” replied Lillian in the stockroom collecting condiments the tables needed. She looked up in surprise when she saw Mary coming toward her. “What’s up?”
Mary hurriedly told Lillian what had happened.
Lillian pulled off her kitchen apron, and grabbing her purse, she went off with Mary to meet River at the front door of the restaurant. Within minutes, they pulled up in front of the office of the Pink Flamingo Motel, aka the Last Chance Motel.
30
“I still can’t get in touch with Mike,” fretted Eva, her eyes tearing up.
Mary could see Eva was rattled. “Why don’t we search for her first before calling Mike? If we find Jenny, we might not have to bother him. Let’s split up. Lillian will take charge of the office, so Eva, you take the boat and search for her on the water. I’ll go to my house and see if she’s there.”
Lillian put her car keys on the office counter. “Mr. Egan can take my car and check his trailer.”
“She was worried about you,” confirmed Eva.
River picked up the keys. “Thanks. I’ll go to my place. If she’s not there, I’ll go to Mary’s.” The need to be of help had made River forget all about his own anxiety over the storm.
“Now, we’ll each check in with Lillian, and Lillian will call and let you know if we have found her or not. And the same with you,” suggested Mary.
Eva nodded. She felt better.
“Now, Eva, if River and I don’t find her, I will take my boat out and go around the island until I meet you. Okay?”
Eva wrung her hands in frustration. “I really think I need to call Mike. Maybe she is with him.”