Summer at the Shore Leave Cafe (22 page)

“Dad is staying at his uncle's,” Camille informed me, from a porch table, where she was munching a bowl of popcorn. “He's going to call you tomorrow.”

“Great,” I muttered. I joined her, asking, “Did you guys get to talk?”

“Yeah, and he's not mad at me,” Camille said.

Ellen appeared with a glass containing ice and what I guessed was gin and tonic, from the scent. I took a long drink, winced a little, and then took one more. “Thanks, Ell.”

“This will all wear out in the wash, you just wait and see,” she told me, patting my shoulder, and I wanted so badly to believe her.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“So is Blythe in trouble, Mom?” Tish asked, plopping into the third chair at the table. She regarded me with somber eyes.

I drew in another deep breath, but it came back out like a gasp. I said, “I don't know, honey, I don't know what will happen.”

“So, is he like your boyfriend then?” Tish went on.

“I don't know,” I told her again, feeling breathless and as though I might pass out. But I would not create more drama for my children tonight.

Jilly said gently, “Girls, enough with the questioning right now, all right?”

“I think I'll head to bed,” I managed. “You guys are all right?”

“Don't worry, Mom, we're just fine,” Camille reassured, gripping my fingers for a moment.

“I love you,” I told them, bending to kiss each of their heads. And then I made my way back over the lake path, not allowing tears until I was out of sight, and then they came hard, striking me like a fist in the gut. Despite everything else that had occurred tonight, I couldn't stop thinking that I'd left the jail without telling Blythe that I loved him, too.

Hours later, after sleep would not come, I rose and wrapped Gran's robe around myself, leaving her snoring in her bed. With aching eyes I made my way out to the dock, where the wee-hours sky was sparkling with stars. I wasn't even surprised to find my sister and Justin sharing the glider. Jilly scooted over to make room for me without a word, and I sank beside her and let my head fall lightly against her shoulder.

Justin, from her far side, said softly, “Rich got Blythe out of jail, but they left for Oklahoma tonight. Rich is taking him down there.”

“Rich will bring him back,” Jillian whispered, catching my left hand in her right.

“No, I don't think he will,” I whispered back. “And that's why I'm going after him.”