by Nancy Thayer
“Likes me?”
“More than that. But I’m his sister. He’ll kill me if I say anything more.”
“We wouldn’t want that to happen.” Beth’s heart was a helium balloon floating to the sky. “Anyway,” she said, bringing them back on task and feeling rather impressed with herself for doing it, “let’s go over the names again and decide who should be invited to join the board first.”
“Great,” Juliet said.
They worked together for another hour, talking easily, deciding with some discussion but no arguments, and Beth began to wonder if they could become friends.
And what would Theo think if they did?
twenty-three
The June day notched up the serious summer heat. Tom and Dave had installed the window in his mom’s bathroom. Now they were tearing out the layers of old wallpaper so they could repair the plaster and hang new paper. Theo had a huge bulky bunch of old wallpaper in his arms and was carrying it down to dump into the trash barrels when Mack drove into the driveway.
“Hey!” Theo said, nodding a hello. He stuffed the load of paper into an already full barrel.
“Hi, Theo.” Mack climbed out of his truck and walked over to him. “I need to talk to you a minute.”
“Sure,” Theo said, but his guts turned to ice.
“You’ve been helping out the guys almost every day, I hear,” Mack said.
Theo couldn’t speak. What could he say? I’m a lazy useless bastard and don’t have a job on this island where all the businesses are desperate to hire?
“So here’s what I’m thinking,” Mack continued. “I’d like to put you on the payroll for the summer. I need a good worker and you could learn on the job. Is this a possibility?”
Theo stopped breathing. He wanted to hit the sides of his head as if he had water in his ears. Had he heard right? Mack wanted to put him on the payroll? Mack thought Theo was good enough to work for him?
“Yeah,” Theo said. “I’d like that.”
“Let’s go up and tell the guys,” Mack said. “Dave is the boss when I’m not here. You answer to him.”
“Works for me,” Theo said, adding, “I mean, great!”
* * *
—
Theo worked like Superman the rest of the day. While he drove a load of debris to the dump, he had time to think it through, why he was so exhilarated, so absolutely damn proud to be on Mack’s crew. Theo had prided himself on his performance in sports, but he still had felt inferior to Juliet. She was older than he was, and way smarter, plus she was innately cool.
Now he thought maybe he wasn’t inferior. Just different. He liked the clean, visible effects of his work. A shingle hammered, an old cracked baseboard pried loose and replaced with a nice, sweet-smelling piece of new board, the truck bed emptied at the end of the day. Helping transform a room from just okay to spectacular. He admired Mack for the kind of work he did, restoring and renovating houses rather than building ridiculously large vanity mansions.
He’d always known as a boy growing up that he could never model himself on his father. First of all, he never saw his father, but also, he knew he would go crazy trying to work in a bank. It might be a stretch to consider Mack as a father figure, but he could definitely qualify as a mentor. He was a man Theo would like to be. And while Theo learned, he’d be hammering, wrenching, carrying, painting, and his world would become just a little bit better, safer, lasting.
When he got home, Theo was still emotionally high, so he decided he’d make his one never-fail meal: meatloaf, baked potatoes, frozen peas. He understood that this was a meal enjoyed best in winter, but it was better than pizza or tacos. Also, he always enjoyed squishing the egg, crackers, onions, and grated cheese into the hamburger. He decorated the top of the loaf with a design of confetti made from ketchup. Disappointingly, once it had cooked, the ketchup had spread and didn’t look like confetti, so he smeared it all around and it looked better that way.
“What smells so good?” his mom asked when she walked into the house.
“I made dinner,” Theo announced, trying not to sound too pleased with himself. After work, he’d taken a quick shower and pulled on clean clothes, and while the meatloaf and potatoes were baking, he’d cleaned the kitchen and set the table.
“Why, Theo, this is wonderful!” His mom hugged him. “It’s so nice to have a hot, home-cooked meal for a change.”
Juliet strolled into the kitchen. “Wow, Theo. Get you. Something must have happened. Tell us.”
“Don’t be so cynical,” Lisa said. “I’m going to open a bottle of red wine. Anyone else?”
“I’m having beer,” Theo said. “And Juliet’s right. I’ve got an announcement. Mack has asked me to join his crew.”
“Theo, how wonderful!” Lisa held up her glass. “Here’s to you, Theo!”
Juliet said, “I wonder what Beth’s going to think about this.”
Theo knew he was turning red, partly from embarrassment at his cynical sister even knowing how he felt about Beth, partly in anger. He put on the damn oven mitts, took out the meatloaf, all shiny with ketchup, took out the four baked potatoes—he planned to eat two. His mother and Juliet bustled around filling glasses with water, putting the butter dish on the table, pouring the peas into a small serving bowl. Theo had already laid out the dishes and silverware and salt and pepper.
He swigged back a big gulp of beer, trying to think how to let Juliet know he was pissed off at her. He knew he wasn’t as smart as she was. She was making a six-figure salary with her computer expertise. But she was always butting into his personal business, and he wanted her to step back.
“Juliet—”
“Theo,” his mom said, “this meatloaf is delicious!”
“Theo,” Juliet said, “I shouldn’t say this, but Beth likes you.”
His mom said, “Well, that’s hardly a surprise.”
Theo gave Juliet a wary look. “What do you mean, likes?”
“I guess you’ll have to find that out for yourself,” Juliet said with a wicked grin.
“I love the way you put shredded cheese in the potato,” his mom said.
Theo sat there, confused and not even hungry.
“Oh, Theo,” Juliet said. “Don’t look so pathetic. I’m not trying to trick you. I was at the Ocean Matters office with Beth today, and she told me she likes you. A lot.”
“Close your mouth, Theo,” his mother said. “Now tell Juliet thank you.”
“Thank you,” Theo muttered to his sister. Then he ate both potatoes and at least half the meatloaf.
* * *
—
Theo wanted to ask Beth for a date, but he really wanted to do something different. Something special. Something that would set him apart from the other Nantucket guys. But he was committed to working all day, and so was Beth. The weather forecast was for rain, so a long walk on the beach was out. He flipped through the island weekly newspaper and came up with an idea. The Theatre Workshop of Nantucket was putting on Grease, which would be a lot of fun, and Laura McGinniss, one of their classmates, had the lead role.
He called Beth and asked her to go with him the following night.
“That would be so much fun!” Beth told him.
His spirits soared like an eagle toward the sky.
The next night, Theo showered and dressed in a decent-looking button-down shirt and board shorts. He thought he looked okay, and not like he was trying too hard.
Beth had asked him to pick her up at the Ocean Matters office. He walked down to Easy Street and found Beth inside, working at her computer.
“Hey.” Beth gave him a great big smile when he entered the office. Theo wished he could freeze time right there.
“Hey,” Theo replied. He ached to kiss her, but first of all, he wanted to treat her right and not act like his normal gorilla se
lf. Second of all, Mack was her father, and he didn’t want to make Mack mad.
“Sorry I had to work so late,” Beth said. “We’re really rushing to launch Ocean Matters.”
“I wish I could take you out to dinner after the play, but I’m not sure how long it will be.”
Beth busied around, hitching her shoulder bag over her arm, straightening a pile of papers. “Oh, don’t worry about eating. Let’s get ice cream cones and stroll the streets after the play. As if we’re tourists.”
“Good idea.” Theo thought Beth was like Tinker Bell, light and glowing and brightening everything she touched. He didn’t tell her that, though. She probably wouldn’t appreciate the comparison.
They stepped outside. Beth locked the door and together they walked up the street to Bennett Hall. Dark clouds were rolling in from the northeast, and in the small harbor near the Steamship Authority, waves were beginning to dance in the wind. The wind whipped her skirt against her.
“Nor’easter on the way,” Theo said.
“I know. I love it. The drama!”
They stepped off the curb and Beth slid her hand around Theo’s arm. He almost fainted with happiness.
“So how’s it going, working for Mack?” Beth asked.
“It’s good. You know what, it’s really good. Your father is so organized, and quick to respond if a problem comes up. I haven’t seen him lose his temper yet.”
“I have,” Beth joked.
“How are you doing with your ocean group?”
“Okay, I think. Your sister got a fabulous website set up. I’ve started a Facebook page and an Instagram account. Of course the other environmental groups have pages on Facebook, so we’ve liked each other and already a lot of people have become friends on our page.”
“I hear Meghan Trainor’s coming for the fundraiser.”
Beth sighed. “Maybe. She’s interested and she’s going to get back to us, but we haven’t pinned her down for sure. I’ve found a date in early September that isn’t booked up for another event, so I’ve claimed it, but I can’t send out invitations, put out publicity, all of that, until she’s confirmed. Honestly, it’s a lot of work.”
“But you’re enjoying it.”
“I am enjoying it. A lot. Especially working with Juliet. Plus, it’s the right thing to do.”
Theo looked warmly at Beth. “You’ve always been the right thing girl.”
She flinched. “Well, that sounds like an insult.”
“God, no, Beth, I didn’t mean it that way at all. I mean, like in high school you got all A’s, and you chose Atticus over me because he was the better guy.”
A long silence stretched between them.
“Chose Atticus?” Beth looked away. “That’s not the way it felt. Besides, you went with so many girls.”
“Yeah, I was kind of uncentered back them. But I was interested, Beth. I mean, if you and I had ever, well, if I’d ever had a chance with you, I’d have been so loyal.”
Beth burst out laughing. “No, you wouldn’t have,” she shot back.
His mouth twisted in a smile. “Yeah, no, I probably wouldn’t have.” He looked into her eyes. “But I’d like to try, now. The moment I saw you in the café…well, couldn’t we have a couple of dates and see where it goes?”
Beth stopped. “My father…”
“Beth, Mack likes me. He’s hired me. I’m a good worker. I’m reliable, I’m strong. I’m learning a lot from him.”
“What about surfing?” Beth asked. “Don’t you want to go back to California?”
“No. I’ve had enough of that life. I’m glad I did it. It will be with me forever. But no, I’m not going back to California.”
“Tell me about surfing, Theo. Surfing out in California.”
Theo nodded. They started walking again toward the theater. “Wow. California surfing. Okay. Well, it’s terrifying. Exhausting. Challenging. And a rush like no other. Beth, when you’re really in the green tunnel, it sounds like thunder is chasing you, and it is. The whole orchestra. Kettle drums. There’s a circle of light in front of you and the collapsing wave behind you and it’s all about you and the wave, you and speed and control and this amazing connection with the wave.” He almost stopped walking, caught in his memory. “It’s profound, Beth.”
“Won’t you miss it?”
“Sure I’ll miss it. But when that last wave slammed me into the ocean floor, okay, it hurt like a mother, but it also frightened me. Like it was warning me. Like it was personal. Like the ocean was saying, ‘Don’t mess with me, little man. Go away. You’re nothing compared to me.’ ”
Beth said, “That’s amazing.”
Theo thought maybe for once he sounded like someone with a brain in his head. He continued, “Some people are saying that the ocean, the entire planet, is going to wipe human beings from the face of the earth because it, the planet, is so angry at us for our disrespect.”
“I know,” Beth agreed somberly. “I’ve read that, too.”
They had arrived at the theater now. Theo put his hand on Beth’s waist to guide her into the line for tickets. The buzz and chatter of other people was exhilarating.
Beth suddenly turned, stood on tiptoes, and quickly kissed Theo on his lips. “Thanks for this. Just what I need!”
“Yeah, me, too,” Theo replied, reeling from her unexpected kiss.
They got their tickets and showed them to the usher, who led them to the middle row in the back. The theater was full, everyone expectant. They flipped through their programs, pointing out people they knew from the island who were doing the lighting or the costumes. And of course Laura McGinniss, who had starred in high school plays. Then the house lights went down. Music filled the air. People settled back in their seats, watching the stage, and the show began.
The story of a good girl and a greaser in love was classic, and the songs had the audience cheering. The cast might not have been Broadway material, but it didn’t matter, because the singing and dancing were so much fun. When it ended, there was a screaming standing ovation.
“Oh, my God,” Beth yelled in Theo’s ear, “would you please get a black leather jacket?”
“Anything for you,” Theo told her, and it was easy to say this in the theater where the atmosphere was pure adrenaline and sugar. He wanted to pick her up and kiss her thoroughly, but he had to move so people could exit the row.
They laughed and talked as they headed for the lobby, and there they discovered that while they’d been completely immersed in the play, the weather had decided to become dramatic. Rain streamed down and wind shook the bushes and trees. Other people pulled their jackets over their heads and raced out into the storm.
Theo turned to Beth. “If you wait here, I’ll run home and get my car and come back for you—”
“That’s a very courteous offer, Theo, but let’s just walk to my house. It’s not too far, and if we get wet, we won’t melt.”
“Well.” Theo considered the rain, coming down so furiously the streets were running with water. “It’s not cold out. So that’s a good thing.”
He opened the door. Rain blew against them, shocking them. Theo took Beth’s hand and pulled her out onto the street. They ran, still caught in the mood of the music, and laughed. The raindrops were small, and the lights from the businesses along the streets turned the drops into thousands of sparkling sequins and suddenly running in the rain with Beth seemed like a glamorous, romantic thing to do. Theo’s clothes quickly were soaked through, and a glance at Beth confirmed that hers were, too. They ran down Centre Street, zigzagged onto Main, and stopped beneath a shop’s awning.
“I’ve got to catch my breath!” Beth cried.
“I’ve got to kiss you,” Theo told her.
He put his hands on the sides of her face and lifted her mouth up to meet his. Her lips were wet and her skin
was warm. Beth lifted up her arms around his neck and swayed against his body. Her clothes, his clothes, were only thin barriers between them, their bodies slid against each other as they kissed. A gust of rain splattered them. They drew apart.
“Oh, man,” Theo said. “I want to make love to you right here on the street.”
Beth laughed. “I think we’d get arrested.”
Theo glanced down Main Street. A few brave souls were on the brick sidewalks, fighting with their umbrellas, trying to wrest them from the force of the wind.
“I truly wouldn’t care,” Theo said. Even with the protection of the awning, water dripped down his face from his hair.
“I might,” Beth told him. “Plus, this pavement is hard.”
“Is your father home?”
“I don’t know. But my car is there. And the backseat is empty.”
Theo frowned. “Um, wouldn’t that lose some of the…romance?”
“We could lose some of the romance and have plenty to spare,” Beth assured him, tugging on the front of his shirt.
Theo gasped. “I’ve always wanted to see the backseat of your car, Beth.”
He took her hand, and they both ran toward Pine Street.
Their wet clothes showed their skin in many places. Their shoes were soggy, and their hair was plastered against their heads. Several times Theo stopped, pulled Beth against him, and kissed her, holding her close, and finally they stopped kissing but simply stood there in the rain, their arms around each other, catching their breath, feeling each other’s heartbeat, joining together in the rain as if they were taking part in a universal sacrament.
“Only a few more blocks,” Beth said.
Holding hands, they walked fast, too winded to run. They turned the corner and went down Pine Street toward Beth’s house. Her old trusty Volvo waited at the curb of her house. Lights shone from the living room window.
“Almost there,” Beth said, smiling up at Theo.
Theo stared down the street, frozen. “Beth, look.”
Coming toward them from the other direction were Beth’s father and Theo’s mother.