Elaine stood up and began gathering her clothes and racket. “This will all be over soon, and they’ll send that Truegood boy away. People will move on and forget.”
“I’m too ashamed to even go into town, or up to the club. Everyone’s looking at me like I’m the biggest tramp, or something.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Elaine said, “other than drink most of a whole bottle of bad whiskey.”
“Don’t remind me,” Jennifer said, putting her glass back on the table and reaching up to press on her temples. “I still can’t believe Sammy would do something like this.”
“I’m glad that I passed out by the fire,” Elaine said, “or he might have come after me, too.”
Jennifer looked at her friend and tried to find some comfort in her face. “Just tell me none of this really happened. Wake me up!”
Elaine reached over and rubbed her shoulder. “Honey, this will all go away soon enough.”
Jennifer heard the words and felt the comforting touch but couldn’t quell the fear that sent prickles through every nerve-ending in her body. She tried hard to push back the thought she might also get pregnant from what happened. “I wonder if Andy will even talk to me?”
The EmmaLee eased around the point that protected Horton Bay from the wind and waves blowing down from Charlevoix. Jonathan and George stood at the rail up in the bow, feeling the Captain power down the big ship to ease into the calm waters of the bay. George watched the heavy woods that lined the shore along the point. He thought back to the story of Nick Adams that he had read and Hemingway telling the story of Nick rowing out to the point with his girlfriend Marjorie and telling her that it wasn’t fun anymore.
“What’s going to happen to Sammy Truegood?” Jonathan asked.
George kept looking at the shore and the trees along the point. “I don’t feel good about this at all, not at all,” he answered.
“What does Sammy have to say?” Jonathan asked.
“You know I believe the boy,” George said. “He tells me he was there with the girls and they went swimming and had a good time swimming out there near Fisherman’s Island. He says some more kids came down to the beach later that night and they had a bonfire and there was a lot of liquor getting passed around. He left them when he had to get back to town and he said he ran into some summer boys on the way back through the woods.”
“What summer boys?”
George turned away from the shore and rested back against the rail looking down the lake towards Boyne City. “Some friends of the Harris girl. They tried to start a fight with him. There were three of them and Sammy was smart not to get into it with them.”
“Have you talked to Jennifer Harris yet?” Jonathan asked.
“No, Connor and her old man won’t let me see her. God, Connor Harris can be such an asshole,” George said, shaking his head. “Too bad old Luke didn’t catch him a bit harder with that board that summer.” George watched his friend wince and look away. Jonathan’s brother, Luke, had almost killed Connor Harris that summer back before the war. And then those years later, when they found Luke was the one responsible for the death of George’s sister, Catherine. They rarely mentioned Luke anymore and he regretted bringing it up. “Hey, I’m sorry,” George said.
Jonathan looked over at his friend and smiled. “Too much bad history in this place, isn’t there?”
George nodded in agreement without answering.
“You need to talk to the girl, George, the Harris girl.”
“Yeah, I know. The sheriff is setting it up for Monday.”
“So, meanwhile Sammy’s sitting down there in the jail?” Jonathan asked.
“No, I got him out this morning. The judge up in Petoskey set bail and I got him out,” said George. “He’s back home with his mother. I told him to stay there.”
They turned to watch as the ship’s crew came forward to prepare to anchor the EmmaLee. Emily and Elizabeth came up on deck in their swimming suits. The two men watched as their wives approached, towels over their shoulders.
“Hey George, look at these two,” said Jonathan. “Think they’d go for a pair of old worn-out locals?”
The women smiled and whispered something to each other as they came closer.
“What was that about?” asked George.
“I was just telling my friend Elizabeth here we must have made a wrong turn to end up out here with the likes of you two,” Emily said and laughed as she threw her towel at Jonathan.
“Come over here,” he answered, holding out his arms. Emily came to him and they leaned against the rail and then kissed each other.
“Alright, break it up you two,” said George. “Looks like we’re going for a swim, McKendry.”
The ship slowed to a stop and the anchor was dropped. The captain reversed the engines and backed off the anchor chain, securing it in the deep bottom of the bay. The water was glassy calm and the deep green of the cedars along the creek mouth reflected beautifully back across the bay.
They all noticed Emily’s father coming out on deck with a fishing pole in one hand and a drink in the other. He walked somewhat unsteadily over to the side rail and set the glass down. He started to fiddle with the rod and reel, trying to free the bait hook. He moved over to an opening in the rail and prepared to cast.
“Daddy, catch some supper for us!” Emily yelled. She was about to walk over and help him when she noticed he dropped the fishing pole and stumbled slightly. “Daddy?”
Stewart Compton tried to reach for the railing to support himself, but then clutched at his chest and fell to his knees, a look of excruciating pain on his face. Emily stood frozen for a moment in shock as Jonathan ran by her to help his father-in-law. Before he could get there, the older man cried out in a low moan and then fell over on his side.
Jonathan ran faster. “Stewart!”
“Daddy!” Emily screamed.
Just before Jonathan reached him, the older man collapsed completely and then fell over the side of boat. They all heard the splash on the water as Stewart Compton fell helplessly into the bay.
Jonathan heard Emily scream again as he jumped through the railing, arms flying to steady himself as he fell towards the lake’s surface. He saw the splash where Stewart hit the water. He hadn’t resurfaced. Jonathan splashed down into the water and then turned to swim back to where his father-in-law had gone in. He heard Emily yelling at him hysterically from above as he dove below the surface. Giving no thought to the cold chill of the water, he dove deep with his eyes wide open. He spotted the man floating lifelessly with his arms and legs splayed out in the green darkness of the water. When he reached him, he grabbed him by the shirt behind his neck and began kicking and paddling with his free hand back towards the surface, struggling with the heavy weight of the big man. He broke through and took a deep breath, pulling Emily’s father up with him, trying to get his face up above the surface of the water. He could see his eyes were closed and he seemed to be unconscious. Water spilled out from his mouth. He heard the crew shouting above him.
“Get the stairs over the side!” someone yelled.
A life buoy fell beside him, and Jonathan reached out with his free hand for the support of the float. Then someone else splashed down beside him and he saw Emily come up next to him, panic on her face.
“Honey, hold onto the float here and try to help keep his head up!” Jonathan instructed.
“Daddy, are you okay?” she screamed.
Her father remained motionless and unresponsive in their arms.
The stairs were lowered, and George and a crewman ran down. George threw a line out to them and Jonathan held it tightly as they were pulled back the short distance to the ship. The men managed to get the lifeless form of Stewart Compton up onto the stair platform. His great mass lay there, his head to one side. Emily came up on the platform and pushed everyone away. She pulled open his shirt and put her ear to his chest. Jonathan watched as his wife became a doctor, trying to save her own father. S
he rose up and put two fingers against his neck trying to feel for a pulse. She looked up at Jonathan helplessly. She reached for his wrist and felt again for a pulse. She started crying as her mother came up and looked down at the platform.
“What in God’s name?” her mother yelled.
Jonathan put his arm around his wife’s shoulders as she started weeping uncontrollably. She looked at him and tried to catch her breath. She looked back at father. “Jonathan, he’s gone.”
Chapter Seven
The midday summer rush of Charlevoix in season was in a full state of chaos and commotion. Cars moved slowly down the main street through town, backed up as far as one could see in both directions. More cars lined up on the side streets trying to inch their way out onto Bridge Street. The sidewalks were packed with shoppers strolling by the shops, looking for something special in the window displays they just had to have. Boats of all sizes and shapes jammed the small harbor of Round Lake.
Sally Clark walked down the sidewalk through the crowds, occasionally saying “hello” to someone she knew. The sign hanging above the door to her old art gallery loomed just ahead. The memories of her years running the business with her old partner, Gwen Roberts, came rushing back to her. She felt a sadness come over her and she often missed the business and her time with Gwen. She was still painting, and Alex had built a wonderful studio for her back East. He had even helped to get her a showing at one of the more prestigious galleries in New York. The work had been both a critical and commercial success. She realized she hadn’t spoken to Gwen since George’s funeral the other day.
Gwen had a new partner in business and in life. Sally had met her the previous summer. Her name was Tara Peterson. She was a painter Gwen and Sally had shown in the gallery back when Sally still owned half of the business.
Sally slowed in front of the shop and took in the beautiful pieces Gwen and Tara had displayed. She noticed one of her own paintings on an easel, a piece she had done out on the shores of Beaver Island. She hesitated for a moment, thinking about whether she should go inside. She was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Gwen Roberts smiling at her.
“Hello stranger,” Gwen said and then reached out to give Sally a hug. The two women stood there together for a few moments just holding each other. “Sal, I’m still so sad about George. How are you doing?”
Sally stood back and held on to Gwen’s hands with her own. Taking a deep sigh, she said, “I’m not sure I’ll ever get over not having him around here. How can he possibly be gone?”
“Have you seen Elizabeth since the service? How is she holding up?” Gwen asked.
“I called her last night. She’s going out to Montana for a few weeks to stay with her sister. She lives near Dillon up in the mountains and she’s got a house full of grandkids for the summer Liz can help mother.”
“That should be good for her.”
Sally turned to look again at the gallery’s window. “The shop looks beautiful. You and Tara are doing a wonderful job. How’s business?”
“We’re off to a great start this summer. Mary Alice and her mother are in every other day to find another piece for the redecorating they’re doing out there.”
“Yes, I saw her Highness, Ms. Gregory, earlier this morning,” Sally said. “Charming as usual,”
Gwen just shook her head. “She still gets to you, doesn’t she?”
“Let’s change the subject.”
Gwen laughed and took her by the arm. “Come on in. Let me show you some of the new work we’ve brought in and I want you to say hello to Tara.”
Rebecca Holmes was waiting on the foredeck of the EmmaLee when Will and Megan came back into Round Lake. Megan saw her leaning on the rail. “Oh good,” she said. “I want you to meet my friend Becca. We’ve been pals up here for years.”
“Is that her?” Will asked, pointing out ahead to the ship.
Megan watched as someone else walked up next to her friend on the deck of the EmmaLee. She could tell right away it was her summer boyfriend, Rick Brandtley. She felt a nervous flutter surge through her body and then quickly thought to herself…Well, they had to meet sooner or later. She watched as Rebecca waived. Will’s small fishing boat cruised slowly up along the bow of the big ship.
Rebecca yelled down, “Rick and I came out to take you to lunch.” She didn’t acknowledge Will sitting in the back of the boat.
Megan just waived back. She turned to look at Will. “Rick is another friend of mine.”
“Is he your boyfriend?” Will asked calmly.
She was surprised by his directness. “Well,” she said and hesitated. “Yeah, that’s probably a good way to describe it.” She felt her face flush and she didn’t want to hurt Will’s feelings.
“Do you love him?”
“Will!”
“Can he fish?” Will couldn’t hide his smile.
“Will Truegood, you’re an evil boy,” she said sternly and then started laughing, too.
Will pulled the small boat up to the platform as Rebecca and Rick came down the stairs.
“Hi guys,” Megan said. “This is my friend Will. Will, this is Rick and Becca.”
Rick reached out and caught the boat as it came alongside. “Good morning, beautiful,” he said.
“I thought you weren’t going to be up until the fourth?” Megan answered.
“You don’t seem very happy to see me.”
“Of course, I am.” Megan jumped out of the boat and gave him a hug. She turned her face as he tried to kiss her, and he got her on the cheek.
“I’ve missed you, kid,” he said.
“I’ve missed you,” Megan said, stepping back and feeling very awkward with the whole situation.
Will interrupted the welcome scene by saying, “Hey Megan, I really need to get going. I’ve got some chores I need to take care of this afternoon.”
She turned and knelt by the side of the boat. “Guys, you should have seen the fish I caught this morning. Will took me out and I hooked this awesome steelhead right in the channel and we chased it way out into the big lake.”
“It was a beauty,” Will said.
“You must be quite the fisherman,” Rick said to Will with a not so subtle edge.
“Yeah, we’ll have to get out some time. Do you like to fly fish?”
“I don’t think I’ll have much time this summer,” Rick said. “Megan and I usually keep pretty busy.”
Will seemed to ignore his rudeness. “Megan, I’ll see you. Thanks for coming out with me this morning.”
“Will, that was the greatest time!” she said. “You’ll have to take me again.”
Will Truegood reached back to pull the lever on the side of the motor into gear. “I’ll see you. Nice to meet you all,” he said as he steered the boat away from the EmmaLee and then out toward the channel into Lake Charlevoix.
Megan stood up and turned to face her friends, still feeling awkward and uncomfortable about all of this and at the same time, hating herself for feeling that way. “Well…” was all she could think to say.
“So, who’s this Will guy?” Rick asked. “What is he, an Indian, or what?”
“His family has been friends with Sally’s for years up here. We met him up in the park after George Hansen’s funeral the other day.”
Rick must have decided to put the whole incident aside because he came over and gave Megan another long hug. “Hey beautiful, I really missed you.”
“I missed you too, Brandtley,” she said, reaching up and scruffing his hair.
Becca grabbed them both by the arm. “Come on, I’m starving. Let’s go find some lunch.”
As they walked up the stairs, Megan looked back and saw the small boat carrying Will Truegood disappear beyond the channel.
Louis Kramer saw his wife pull into the drive at the back of her parent’s summer home. Her white Mercedes convertible came to an abrupt stop. Mary Alice Gregory quickly got out of the car and grabbed several bags from the passenger se
at. He knew that look on her face and also knew it meant nothing but trouble. Moving quickly to the front of the house, he was surrounded by large windows framing the view of Lake Charlevoix. A long dock stretched out into the lake in sharp white contrast to the deep green of the water. Several boat hoists held jet skis and a ski boat. A larger cruising yacht was tied up at permanent pilings at the end of the dock.
He heard the door slam closed and walked over to a bar against the far wall and poured a glass of red wine. Hell, what do they say? It’s 5:00 somewhere.
“Louis Kramer, where are you?” yelled Mary Alice as she came through the house.
He sipped his wine and looked out at the lake, thinking about how he could escape the inevitable confrontation that awaited him. What have I done this time? He heard his wife come into the room and turned. “Hi dear, how is your morning going?”
She threw the bags down on a chair and came over to him, a look of anger and malice on her face.
“Care for a drink, dear?”
Mary Alice took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before starting. “Can you tell me what in hell is going on with Alex Clark?”
Stepping back in surprise, Louis placed his glass down on a table by the window. He could feel the familiar pain starting to build in his gut. “With Alex?” he said, trying to vie for time to react.
“Yes, with Alex! I just ran into Sally down in Charlevoix and she told me you stopped by to see her last night.”
“Honey…”
Not letting him finish, she moved closer. “Don’t you think you might have told me about this little visit? Don’t you think you might want to let me in on what the hell this is all about?” Mary Alice reached for his wine glass and took a drink, staring directly into her husband’s eyes. “I’ve never been so embarrassed!”
Louis decided on the spot he better go on the offensive. “Mary Alice, you’ve never given two shits for what goes on in my business! As long as the checks keep arriving and your credit card bills are paid, you seem to get by just fine. Why should I start sharing now?” As soon as the words were out, he knew this conversation was quickly going in the wrong direction.
The Summer Town Page 7
