Dead and Breakfast

by Kimberly G. Giarratano

  “Yes. We used to have the best parties there. Doesn’t your grandfather have photos from then?”

  The only photos of Pops that Liam had seen were one on his wedding day when he was in his mid-twenties and one of him holding Ray, Liam’s father. Mostly, Liam only knew the Pops that was wrinkled and hunched over. Who smoked cigars when he thought no one would be home for a while. Who still believed Ray was a good man even though he never raised his own son, choosing to find work in every state but Florida.

  Liam smiled, mostly to himself. Four friends, sailors about to conquer the world. What could be better? A sense of adventure. Driving out to his dad’s job, Liam had seen a lot of America, but only the crappy parts. Liam pointed to a shapely leg in a plaid skirt. “Who’s this?”

  “Probably one of the girls from St. Veronica’s,” Mick said gruffly. His eyes drifted past Liam.

  Liam wanted to utter Inez’s name and gauge Mick’s reaction, but he couldn’t be so cruel. If what Autumn had seen was real, then he had loved Inez only to have his heart broken.

  Mick set the picture back on the mantel. “The Cayo Hueso seems to be in dire straits.”

  Liam shrugged. “It’s seen better days, that’s for sure.”

  “Well, when I heard Glenda’s niece came all the way down from New Jersey to keep that place afloat, I figured things couldn’t be good. Shame. Duncan was a good friend, but Glenda became unhinged after he died. Kept going on and on about ghosts and the spirit world. Duncan would be ashamed if he knew how quickly she ran his hotel into the ground. House has been in the family for generations.”

  Liam felt uneasy under the weight of Mick’s shoulder.

  “She’s probably getting desperate to sell the old place,” Mick said.

  Liam wasn’t thinking about the Cayo Hueso anymore. He was studying another old photo of Mick, his arm draped around a lithe blonde bride. For some reason, he thought about his parents and wished he had seen their wedding photo. Liam mumbled, “Uh huh.” This seemed to please Mick, who slapped him heartily on the shoulder.

  Liam disengaged himself from Mick’s grasp. Apparently, when he was on the old man’s turf, Mick become tamer and friendlier. Liam decided to hedge his bets. “So, there are no hard feelings about my scooter business?”

  Mick stubbed his cigar out in the ashtray. “Of course not. I’m not worried about the likes of you. Most businesses fail. Yours won’t be any different.”

  “Hush,” came a soft voice. “That’s no way to speak to one of Victoria’s friends.”

  Victoria’s grandmother, Bernadette Canton, leaned against the doorframe. She was tall, slim, with her blonde hair pinned elegantly off her neck. Her smile took up most of her face. There was something about her that reminded Liam of Victoria. Unlike Mick, Bernadette had always been nice to Liam. Or at least, nicer.

  Mrs. Canton limped into Mick’s study, her walk affected by polio when she was a kid, and rested her slender hands on her husband’s shoulders. “There’s more than enough business in Key West to go around. You can’t control everything.” She massaged Mick’s shoulders. “Victoria is asking that the adults leave the house now. I think she’s feeling embarrassed by her old grandparents.”

  Mick grunted. “I’ll have the captain bring around the boat.”

  Liam wondered what Autumn would think about this conversation. Boats. Captains. It would probably solidify all her negative opinions about living in the Keys. Better she not hear it then.

  Autumn! Shoot! He left her all alone. He inched toward the door, trying to politely make his exit, when he heard a scream.

  #

  Autumn thought a million things as she was falling backward into the pool. Her home in New Jersey for one. The dark bannister that she used to slide down when she was a kid. The neighbor’s tabby cat, who used to catch and kill yellow finches and leave them at their back door. Her mother hated that. But her last thought when she was falling was her large four-poster bed. The one she could fall into and hide under mounds of soft blankets whenever the world had let her down. That was what she wished for as the warm water enveloped her.

  Autumn stayed underwater until she was desperate to breathe before erupting to the surface and a bombardment of laughter. She emerged from the pool. The hem of her dress clung awkwardly to her thighs, the way wet clothes did against skin.

  Autumn’s chin trembled, a sure sign she was about to cry. But when she saw Victoria’s smug face greet her, Autumn bit her lip and lifted her head. No way was she going to let this spoiled, rich bitch get the best of her.

  Autumn flung her long hair over shoulder, droplets of water scattering everywhere. Victoria held her hands up to protect herself from the spray. “Thanks for inviting me,” Autumn said through gritted teeth. “Awesome party.”

  She steeled herself against the stares and walked back into the house. Liam met her in the kitchen.

  “Oh, crap,” he said. “You’re all wet.”

  “I am.” Her voice wobbled. “I was pushed into the pool. Can we go now?”

  Liam pulled off his button down shirt, leaving a thin T-shirt underneath, and draped it over Autumn’s shoulders.

  Autumn relaxed, but only for a moment. “Grab more of those shrimp and let’s get the hell out of here.”

  Liam bit his lip to suppress his laughter. “Whatever you say.” He swiped a cocktail napkin, palmed several grilled shrimp, and followed Autumn out the ornate front door.

  Autumn slipped off her sandals and carried them in her hands. All she could think about was getting back home to New Jersey. Liam could make her see how wonderful island living could be, but girls like Victoria made Autumn realize that no matter how warm and tropical Key West was, it could never be home. All vacations came to an end.

  #

  Liam turned off the scooter and dismounted first before he helped Autumn off the bike. They hadn’t said much on the ferry. Okay, they said nothing to each other on the ferry. Liam could only imagine how much anger Autumn must’ve felt toward him. After all, it was his moronic idea to drag her to the party of a jealous ex-girlfriend. Liam hadn’t been thinking too smart lately. He’d been too distracted. Autumn had a lot to do with that.

  Autumn’s clothing had dried some in the warmth of the night. Her dark hair, still damp, cascaded down her back. She looked beautiful, and he wanted to tell her that but feared the backlash.

  “Listen,” he said, his voice soft and hushed. “I’m so sorry about what happened. I know Victoria can be a bitch, but I had no idea she’d do something like shove you into the pool.”

  She held up her hand. “You don’t have to apologize.”

  “I feel like I do.”

  She shook her head, her hair undulating like waves breaking on the shore. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been there.”

  Liam reached for her hand. Her skin felt warm and soft. “You should be wherever you want.” He wanted to say, “Even if that means New Jersey and not here in Key West with me.” But he didn’t. Again, she just shook her head.

  “That’s not what I meant.” She seemed to be lost in thought, and Liam didn’t want to intrude.

  Instead, he nodded. “Okay, let me just walk you to the door.” But Autumn had already bolted ahead. She had taken only a few steps on the path, before Liam whispered, “I keep messing up.”

  Autumn paused, her back still to him, her shoulders drooped. She spun on her heels and charged toward him. Liam didn’t budge. Autumn stopped inches in front of his face. Her eyes searched his and she seemed like she wanted to say something, but instead she just pressed her lips to his. At first, he was stunned, but he instantly wrapped his arms around her waist and drew in her body. His skin heated up as if he’d been lying in the sun. He’d never felt so alive. Until the porch light went on and Evelyn poked her head outside.

  “Autumn, is that you?”

  And they broke apart.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Autumn winced at the sound of her mother’s voice. She didn’t know w
hy she kissed Liam. One moment she was so angry at her stupidity for going into Victoria’s room—school would be a nightmare on Monday, that was for sure—and the next moment, she felt this tug inside her body, pushing her toward him. Even though she had been kind of irritated with Liam for inviting her to that party, she still wanted to be near him, and she wanted to keep on kissing him—if it wasn’t for her mother.

  She parted from Liam and walked backward toward the Cayo Hueso, giving him a small wave. He smiled and it warmed her over, making her sweat just a bit despite her damp clothes.

  Evelyn greeted her when she came inside, a hot steaming mug of coffee in her hands. “You’re home earlier than I expected.” Her brows knitted at Autumn’s appearance. “You look disheveled.”

  Autumn didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to get into the details about how the bitchy girls at school were out to get her. And after that kiss with Liam, it didn’t seem important anymore. “How come you’re not in bed?”

  Her mom sipped from her coffee mug. “Can’t sleep. Worried about the bills.”

  Autumn nodded. She knew the Cayo wasn’t doing well, but she’d assumed her mom was a worrywart. Aunt Glenda made it seem like there was enough money in savings to keep the place afloat for a while. Maybe that wasn’t true. “Is there something I can do to help?”

  Evelyn pursed her lips, and the gesture made Autumn’s stomach clench. Autumn was trying to be nice, but Evelyn’s expression hinted at an unpleasant response. “Actually, there is. I’m going to need you to take a pay cut.”

  Autumn stepped back. A pay cut? How was she supposed to save money for school? She was already scrounging her earnings away. “How much of a pay cut?”

  Her mother shifted her weight. “I was thinking we suspend your salary until we can bring in more business.”

  Autumn balked. She wasn’t expecting that. “How am I supposed to save for college? Candlewick is my cheapest option, and it’s still like twenty-five grand a year.”

  “It’s not your cheapest option.” Evelyn patted her daughter’s shoulder. “You could always do a year of community college in Florida.”

  Autumn squirmed away from her mother’s touch and backed up against the dark wood paneling in the foyer. “I want to go back home.”

  Evelyn sighed. “Please, Autumn, be reasonable. If I can’t ask you to do this, then I’ll have to fire Liam, and we need him here during the day to do the heavy lifting while you’re at school. If it makes you feel better, I’m not making any money either.”

  “No, it doesn’t make me feel better.”

  “We need to change our expectations.” Her mother frowned, although her attention seemed focused on a crack in the wall and not Autumn’s feelings.

  “We?” Autumn’s voice hit a shrill note. “This is my future we’re talking about. What about Dad?”

  Evelyn’s eyes hardened. “He’ll pay some, but don’t expect more from him. You shouldn’t rely on your father to keep his word.”

  “What kind of parent blows their child’s college fund on an investment and then makes her work for free? Like a slave? Doesn’t that sound ridiculous to you?”

  “Would you rather I fire Liam? You two are getting cozy. Do you want to be the reason he loses his job now?” Evelyn put her mug down on the vestibule table. “Look. I’m sorry to do this to you. It’s possible we can make this place great again. Profitable. But we’re hemorrhaging money, and I need you to help me. I want you to go to college. I want you to be a success. But please, just be a little more understanding. Okay?”

  Autumn pushed past her mother. “I’m going to bed.”

  Evelyn always said she wanted what was best for Autumn, but most days, her mother only wanted what was best for Evelyn.

  The first thing Autumn did after flopping on her bed was retrieve her cell phone. She sent out a text to the number on Mr. Blazevig’s ghost tour brochure.

  It’s Autumn Abernathy. If that job is still available, I’d like to start work right away.

  Mr. Blazevig replied with a smiley emoticon, pretty tech savvy for a seventy-year-old man. Unfortunately for Autumn, she didn’t have much to smile about.

  #

  Liam walked alongside Autumn. Unlike most evenings when the air was so thick with humidity Liam swore he could carve out a chunk with a knife, tonight held a tinge of crispness. He watched Autumn inhale deeply. She was practically skipping down the sidewalk, which was weird because when he saw her earlier, she had held up her hand and said, “Fair warning. I’m in a mood.” But now Autumn grinned as if all her troubles had hitched a ride on the cool breeze that meandered through the streets.

  “I feel like I can breathe,” she said. “I bet I could wear a light cardigan.” She laughed. Liam liked the sound.

  “Are you cold?” He wasn’t sure why he asked. He wasn’t wearing anything heavier than his T-shirt and couldn’t offer her a hoodie like a real gentleman.

  Autumn glanced at him, her eyes twinkling. “Are you kidding? This feels amazing. The weight of all that humidity is gone. You know, you didn’t have to walk me to Duval.” Autumn was on her way to meet Ralpah Blazevig, dodging tourists and roosters on their way to Duval.

  “We should’ve taken the scooter,” said Liam.

  “Are you kidding? On a night like this? I’d rather walk.” Autumn hopped over a crack in the sidewalk. “Sorry about snapping at you before. I’m mad at my mom.”

  Liam wasn’t sure whether he was relieved or upset that they hadn’t discussed the kiss. Last night, for the first time in a long while, he slept without dreaming and woke up anxious to see Autumn. But right now, she seemed more excited about the drop in temperature than about him.

  They turned the corner in silence, and Liam gently touched her elbow, easing them to a stop. “Did I get you in trouble? Did your mom get upset about the—” He couldn’t bring himself to say kiss. He saw a deep blush creep up Autumn’s neck.

  “No. She didn’t—I don’t even think she saw. It’s about money.”

  “Oh.”

  “She isn’t going to pay me anymore for working at the Cayo.”

  “This is my fault,” Liam said. “I should quit so your mom has more funds.”

  Autumn squeezed Liam’s hand, and it took all his resolve not to lean into her for another kiss. “The truth is, she needs you at the Cayo more than she needs me. I’ll earn more money working for Mr. Blazevig than I will at the Cayo, anyway. I’m pissed at her because she makes decisions without consulting me. I don’t blame you at all.”

  Liam exhaled. “I thought maybe you were mad at me because of all the crap with Victoria and me kissing you—”

  “I kissed you.”

  A smile crept up on his face. “Well, that is true.”

  Autumn pressed against the thick trunk of a palm tree with her hands behind her back. “A month ago, the craziest thing happening at the Cayo was a guest checking in. I couldn’t get away fast enough.”

  “And now?” he asked.

  She grazed the tip of her black hi-top sneaker along a crack in the cement. “And now, I don’t know. I’m not gonna lie. I’d do anything to go back to Jersey. Go to my high school’s crappy football game. They always lose. Hang out with Natasha at the bonfire.” Her voice got soft. “But then, I’d probably want . . .” She didn’t finish her thought. Instead she said, “Do you think you’d ever leave the Keys?”

  The presence of tourists thickened the closer they got to Duval Street. Fantasy Fest was still a week away, but the city was getting crowded. Liam listened to the cacophony of scooters and electric cars buzzing through the streets. Close by, he heard laughter and music. There was a party just about everywhere in Key West.

  Liam shook his head. “I did leave Key West, and that didn’t turn out so well. Also Pops is getting older now, and I need to stick around for his sake.”

  Autumn watched the tourists. Liam thought he could see the gears inside her head churning.

  “Can I ask you a personal question?” sh
e said. “You can totally say no.”

  Liam couldn’t imagine saying no to Autumn ever. “Shoot.”

  “How come you need money if you were working in North Dakota for a whole year? I thought guys were making small fortunes up there.”

  Liam blinked at her. He opened his mouth to speak, but snapped it closed. Why was this so hard to share? He had confided so much to her already. But Liam worried about what Autumn would think of him if she knew he had to pay for his father to go to rehab.

  “I shouldn’t have asked. It’s not my business.” Autumn checked the time on her phone. “I better get going, anyway. You don’t have to walk me the rest of the way.” She smiled sincerely, although that did little to alleviate the anxiety in Liam’s stomach. Just when he thought he was getting close to Autumn, he pushed her away.

  Liam wanted to escort her to Duval Street. Hell, I’d walk her to New Jersey if it meant I could hang out with her more. But he respected her desire to be alone. “Sure. I have some things to do anyway.”

  Autumn kissed Liam on the cheek before she turned and headed toward the meeting spot for Mr. Blazevig’s haunted tours. Liam couldn’t help but notice that her chin was tilted down and her eyes watched the sidewalk instead of the life going on around her.

  He ran his hands through his hair and exhaled. Liam wanted to warn himself away from Autumn, but he knew that was pointless. He was in danger of falling for Autumn, even as she admitted how badly she wanted to leave the Keys.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Autumn spotted Mr. Blazevig standing near the large Banyan tree at the base of the old Porter Mansion on Duval Street. He stood hunched over a small table set up on the sidewalk and fussed with brochures. He smiled and made grand gestures with his hands as he chatted with tourists. He appeared slightly younger than the sad man she often saw in the City Cemetery, the widower tending to the graves of the two people he loved most.

  Autumn dodged a couple in white shorts and Panama hats and crossed Duval. This section of Old Town reminded her of a carnival. Bodies pressed in on all sides. Laughter and music filled the empty spaces and light flooded the street. The scent of grilled burgers wafted among the breeze, tempting hungry tourists. Everyone was happy to be in Key West. Admittedly, even Autumn. Her time with Liam made her longing for New Jersey weaken ever so slightly.