Brooklyn Summer

by Maggie Cummings

  “Right now?”

  “Oh, hey, I didn’t mean to imply you have to come with me. If you’ve got plans, I’m totally fine on my own.”

  “I don’t but—”

  “Do not feel like you have to entertain me—I’m a fully functional adult.”

  “No, it’s actually a beautiful day for it.” She was oddly excited by the unexpected plan and reached for her phone. “Just give me a second to make sure my mom can pick up my grandmother later.” She messaged her mom and was pleased when the response was immediate. “Okay, I’m all set. Let me just see what subway we should take from here. I’m not a hundred percent familiar with the public transportation options over this way.”

  Kellan tapped out a quick rhythm with her empty paper cup. “Actually, the East River ferry stops just over there.” She pointed in the distance. “The next one comes in five minutes. We can make it.”

  “But where will it leave us?”

  “If I’m reading the app correctly, this one is heading back from the city, so Dumbo is the last stop in Brooklyn. It’ll drop us over by Wall Street, we can grab a subway there, right?”

  “We can.” She collected her purse and tossed out their cups, smoothing her skirt as she stood up. “Dumbo. Look at you, already mastering the lingo.”

  “My doorman explained it to me. What a weird way to name a town.”

  Ashleigh held back on explaining that while New Yorkers often came up with the name of a neighborhood based on an acronym describing its location—SoHo stood for South of Houston street, Dumbo simplified Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, and Tribeca was a shortened version of Triangle Between Canal—they absolutely never referred to those neighborhoods as towns. Instead, she smiled and held out her arm, indicating Kellan should lead the way.

  “I have to follow you. I honestly don’t know where I’m going,” she explained with a laugh.

  “All right then, let’s do this.”

  Chapter Five

  “Did you grow up with Liam?”

  Kellan looked out over the Great Lawn littered with picnic blankets and people frolicking as they walked the paved path that looped around Central Park.

  “Right next door. Our grandparents were friends in Ireland. Mine came over first. Well, my granddad did. My grandmother is from America. Liam’s grandparents and my grandfather were all from the same place.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “County Laois. Do you know it?”

  Kellan shook her head, unable to stop asking questions. “I was just wondering how long you’ve known each other. You seem very close.”

  “We are. It’s nice. I was devastated when he joined the Army.”

  “Were you two, like, a couple?”

  Ashleigh’s look of shock told her that was a ridiculous question, and she started speaking before Kellan had a chance to qualify it.

  “He’s gay. You know that, right? I am too.”

  “No, I know. I mean about Liam anyway.” She was making a mess of this. She took a slow breath hoping to channel her inner suave. “I just…I wasn’t sure. I don’t know. People change. Like I said the other night, Liam talked about you in the Army, but I didn’t know the entire history. I didn’t want to assume anything.”

  What she wanted were facts. She was dying to know Ashleigh’s status. Gay, straight, bi, single, coupled, dating. At present all she had was old intel from Liam, dating back to when they were overseas together. While she thought she remembered that Ashleigh was married, she wore no ring and hadn’t mentioned a partner at all. When she’d tried to probe last night, Lisa steered the conversation back to herself every time. Even though she thought she detected an energy between them, she might be wrong. It had been a while since she’d dated anyone, so perhaps she was misreading the vibe. It didn’t matter. Attracted to Ashleigh or not, she knew better than to try for a summer fling with the best friend of her buddy. There were plenty of women in Brooklyn. She’d have to find someone else to fulfill those desires.

  “Liam is the best,” she said, hoping to get her mind back to a safe place.

  “He’s like a brother to me.”

  “Cool. Do you have any? Brothers or sisters?”

  “I have two sisters. Stella and Siobhan. They’re twins.”

  “Older or younger?”

  “Younger. By seven years. In a way it was like I was an only child.” Ashleigh tapped her arm. “Up this way is Strawberry Fields. Are you a Beatles fan?”

  “Not really. Be cool to see it anyway.” It was cute that Ashleigh asked for her input, but she was enjoying the conversation as much as the walk. It was nice to be outside on a gorgeous, mild, windless day. “You’re not close with your sisters?”

  “I am now. But growing up, I was a lot older, and they had each other, you know? The twin thing. I was closer to Liam in a lot of ways. Plus, we were both gay. Not that it’s the same, but we could relate to each other. We’re both from working class immigrant families. Irish, Catholic.”

  “I’m sure. How is your family? Are they accepting of you?”

  Ashleigh waved her hands, shaking her head repeatedly, and Kellan watched her blond waves bounce around her shoulders. “I’m sorry, I should be clear. My family is great. Honestly, they have always been super supportive. I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise. Liam just understood me in a way they didn’t. We clicked.”

  “I totally get that. I connected with him that way in the Army. Probably for some of the same reasons.”

  “I always worried about him being gay in the military. The rules seem to change all the time. I suppose it wasn’t easy for you, either.”

  The way her voice lilted up made it seem as if she was asking a question, and when Kellan looked at her, she saw genuine concern in her lovely blue eyes, and she longed to put her at ease.

  “It wasn’t as bad as you might think. The policy was a wreck sometimes. But the people were amazing. Including Liam. That’s what matters.” They had stopped walking and she wondered if it was so Ashleigh could search her face for battle scars. With only a few feet between them, Kellan couldn’t help but focus on Ashleigh’s soft full lips, parted ever so slightly as she listened to her talk. “Anyway, there it is, right?” The “Imagine” mosaic appeared in the nick of time. She needed a distraction, and quick.

  “There it is.” Ashleigh walked closer, taking out her cell to snap a pic.

  “Take one with me?” Kellan asked, before she could overthink it. “For the scrapbook I’m sure you’ve got planned already.”

  “Jerk.” Ashleigh nudged her with an elbow to the ribs, all but admitting Kellan was on the money. “Who are you kidding anyway?” Ashleigh asked, as she smiled into the camera. “My photo books rock. You’ll be begging me for a copy.”

  “Begging, huh?” Kellan used her thumb to snap a series of pics of them together in front of the memorial and the flowers around it. “That’s a bold statement.”

  Ashleigh’s shrug was full of spirit. “What can I say—I’m good at some things.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  It was almost flirting and she knew it, but Ashleigh had started it, right? Either way, it was harmless. Even though it was a terrible idea, she found herself strongly attracted to Ashleigh. After passing the boathouse and the lake, and debating the zoo—Ashleigh found them sad, but was willing to go if she wanted—Kellan wondered if they’d call it a day. She didn’t want their time together to end, which she knew was absolutely ridiculous, because they literally had the rest of the summer together, so long as Ashleigh was willing to let her tag along. She was enjoying listening to Ashleigh teach her the facts of the park and the city around it. She liked the light pitch in her tone, how excited she seemed to share the history, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, how soft her skin was when their forearms brushed against each other.

  “Do you want to pop into the Museum of Natural History?”

  “What?” Kellan was completely thrown by the question.

  “I
t’s just a few blocks away. We’re already here. I know it’s on the agenda for later in the summer, but it’s enormous. If you’re into it, we could always come back again.”

  “Are you sure we’re allowed to manipulate the schedule like that?”

  “Don’t push it.”

  “I’m just teasing you.” She bumped Ashleigh’s shoulder with hers. “Can I grab a hot dog first, though? I’m starving.”

  “You’re not going to eat a dirty water dog. We can do better than that.”

  “Wait, is that really what they call them?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “Now I definitely want one. Part of the New York experience.” She turned around and walked backward so she could get the full view of Ashleigh’s disapproval. “Come on, you know you want one.”

  “I definitely don’t.”

  Kellan jogged the last few yards up to the vendor, then purchased a hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut and two waters.

  “Here.” She handed Ashleigh a bottle of water and slipped the other into her pocket as they exited the park onto Central Park West. She spotted the museum directly across the street. “Holy smokes. It’s right here.”

  Ashleigh’s smile was confident and beautiful and Kellan felt her pulse race. “I told you.” Kellan felt the touch of her hand at her elbow. “Come on, let’s cross while we have the light. We can sit on the steps while you eat.”

  They sat in companionable silence against the constant rush of the city around them, people watching the hordes as they entered and exited the park and the museum, fiddled with strollers, hailed cabs, jogged, rollerbladed. It blew Kellan’s mind that there wasn’t a collision every second.

  “What brings you to the city again?” Ashleigh broke her train of thought. “Something having to do with your aunt?”

  “Yes. Aunt Holly is away for the summer for work. She has a new cat and didn’t have the time to find a pet sitter. Or maybe she didn’t want one. I’m not really sure. My mom asked me if I’d do it.”

  “That was nice of you.”

  She’d been elated at the opportunity, mostly because she thought proximity might open a window to her past, but she opted to keep her response simple. “It wasn’t a big deal, honestly.”

  “And you were able to get off from work with no problem?”

  “I work for my parents, so yes.”

  “Oh, right. At a resort. What do you do there?”

  “Whatever they tell me.” She laughed at her own joke, even though it was kind of true. She didn’t have an official title or job description just yet. Her niche at the resort would develop organically, and until then she was happy helping out any way she could. “Odds and ends right now. My parents are halfway retired, so they’re transitioning the business over to me and my brother.” She finished the last of her hot dog and wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. “He’s been home longer than I have, so he’s basically leading the charge right now.”

  “Is that frustrating? Being here while he’s learning the business?”

  “Not at all. Turk’s been home three years. He was in the Army too. That’s how I met Liam. They were in the same unit. Anyway, he knows Mom asked me to help Aunt Holly. Family first. He gets that.” She took a sip of water. “I think he was just happy he’s got a wife and three kids of his own. He was off the hook.” She finished with a laugh.

  “I know you Army folk are used to it, picking up and leaving at a moment’s notice, but it still can’t be easy to move to a place where you barely know a soul.”

  “Well, I knew Liam was here. Or at least I hoped he was. I didn’t know for sure until the other night.” But she knew Dara was here. It was a truth that both excited and scared her. Being geographically close provided an opportunity to mend their friendship face-to-face. Her gut told her that in each other’s presence the distance would melt away instantly. How could it not? Their connection was deeper than with almost anyone she knew. Of that she was certain. After all, it wasn’t every day a person underwent actual surgery for their bestie. But she’d done it without hesitation. To this day, she had no regrets. Just confusion over how a decision that should have bonded them forever had somehow contributed to their undoing. The clarity of a decade gone by made the answer to that question starkly obvious, to her, at least. The only question now was whether she’d find the courage to contact Dara and figure a way to get things back on track.

  Decisions for another day. “Shall we?” Kellan asked, pushing it out of her mind as she stood to brush off her shorts. She offered a hand to help Ashleigh stand.

  “We shall.” Ashleigh accepted the assistance but let go of her hand the second she had her footing. “You ready to be completely overwhelmed?”

  Kellan didn’t have a clue what Ashleigh meant, but by the time they worked their way through the Neanderthal section, she realized it was about the crowds, not the displays.

  “Is it always like this?” She had to stay close so Ashleigh could hear her over the noise.

  Ashleigh closed her eyes and seemed to sigh. “I probably shouldn’t have brought you here on the weekend. It’s always crowded, but a Saturday during summer…” She covered half her face with one hand. “Not my best decision.”

  “Well, you did make a schedule, and this was not part of it,” Kellan said.

  Ashleigh’s expression hinted that she thought Kellan was teasing her, but nothing could be further from the truth, and she wanted her to know it. “No, I mean it. I’m taking the hit for this.”

  “You just said the Park. I suggested the museum.”

  “So we’re both to blame.” She shrugged, hoping Ashleigh knew she didn’t mind at all. “We’re here now. You gonna show me some dinosaurs or what?”

  Ashleigh’s face lit up. “Follow me—I know a shortcut.”

  “Of course you do.”

  Three hours later, they had viewed all the big attractions, but Ashleigh had led them through some lesser known exhibits as well—a marble courtyard replicating the architecture found in ancient Greece, old artifacts used for teaching arithmetic that Ashleigh photographed extensively, explaining that she’d use them in lessons with her students next year.

  Kellan finally felt herself relax as they descended the stairs to the sidewalk.

  “That was intense.” But so unbelievably enjoyable. Being in Ashleigh’s presence, even surrounded by hundreds of people, felt intimate. What was happening here? She checked the time on her phone, hoping their day wasn’t over.

  “Sorry. I know it was a lot for your first day.”

  “It was perfect. Thank you for coming with me.” They were walking south, and Kellan wondered if they were headed home. “What now?”

  “I’m kind of hungry. I know you just ate—”

  “Just ate!” Kellan interrupted. “That was hours ago. I honestly don’t know how you’re surviving. I haven’t seen you eat a thing.”

  “I didn’t feel great this morning.”

  “You were that hungover, huh?”

  “I really don’t drink much. I’m a lightweight.”

  “I just wish I had known. I wouldn’t have dragged you all over the city.”

  “It’s okay. I had a nice day.” Ashleigh looked at her watch. “How do you feel about heading back to Brooklyn and going over to Liam’s place for dinner? I bet he’d love to see us.”

  She couldn’t think of a more perfect idea.

  * * *

  “Well, if it isn’t my two favorite people in all of Brooklyn.” Liam’s enthusiasm met them the second they came through the door.

  “Your favorites are starving,” Ashleigh said dramatically. “Feed us.”

  “You want to sit inside or out?”

  Kellan registered Ashleigh checking to see if she had an opinion, and it touched her that she cared. As for where they parked themselves, it didn’t matter one bit. She was having a great time. The fact that the afternoon had stretched into dinner was an absolute bonus.

  “Wherever,” Ashleigh ans
wered, reading her perfectly.

  “I’m working in here tonight,” he said. “Why don’t you grab that corner table so I can come visit you. Or you could eat at the bar, if you want. Then I could really talk to you.”

  “That’s cool,” Kellan said, hoping it was okay with Ashleigh.

  “Excellent.”

  He reached under the bar to grab some menus, and Kellan took the opportunity to guide them to the corner of the bar. She pulled out a stool for Ashleigh. “This okay? He seemed excited for the company.”

  Ashleigh’s sweet smile told her it was perfectly fine, the look in her eyes echoing the sentiment. “It’s perfect.”

  Liam hooked them up with drinks—seltzers with lime for both of them—before taking their food orders. While he was busy serving other customers, they perused the day in pictures on their phones, leaning over to share and inspect the moments they’d captured. Even with the congestion of the museum and a packed subway, this was the closest she’d been to Ashleigh. She could smell the light aromas of shampoo and perfume and the heat of the day combining together like a summer elixir drawing her in.

  “What are you guys looking at so intently?”

  “Pictures from our outing together,” Ashleigh answered.

  “No shit. That happened already? Am I a genius or am I a genius?” He laughed at his own joke. “I knew you two would hit it off.”

  Without another word, he was off mixing a series of drinks for some new customers but was back almost as quickly.

  “So, what did you see today?”

  Kellan looked at Ashleigh to give her the opportunity to explain, but Ashleigh conceded the explanation with a smile. Her heart skipped a little at the ease with which they were able to wordlessly communicate. Kellan could feel herself starting to overthink it, so she stopped on the spot, instead taking the nonverbal cue and walking Liam through the day, starting at the coffee shop.

  “Nice.” He seemed impressed when she finished. “Sounds like a long day, though. You sure I can’t interest you in a beer, Kell?”

  “I’m still paying for last night, bro.”