AJ felt unsure what to do next. Go hug Grandpa? Give him a manly smack him on the back?
His grandfather turned to face him, love in his face and his brief smile. “Hit the light, will you, son?” He settled back on the pillow and pulled the blanket atop him.
Warmth surged through him. Being a family wasn’t so complicated after all.
AJ flicked the switch. “Night.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
His mom stood in doorway, touching AJ’s face as if she would never see him again. Grandpa waited outside, her bag in his hand.
“Promise me you’ll take it easy,” she urged.
AJ pretended to wince. “I have no choice. Grandpa will make sure of that.”
Grandpa cleared his throat. “We should leave now, Diana.” He went to the Caprice and put her bag in the back seat.
AJ kissed her cheek. “Don’t miss your flight. You don’t want to be late for work tomorrow.” That she scheduled such a late flight said a lot about how much she’d changed. If he hadn’t seen her, he’d never have believed she could get up for work the next day. Now, he had no doubt.
She sighed. “I’ll be back soon. For the wedding.”
Forcing a smile as he leaned in the doorway, AJ teased, “Can’t wait.”
“I’m not cooling the outside.” Grandpa held the car door open for her.
Diana turned. “All right, Dad. I’m coming.”
As they pulled away, she waved to AJ. The reflection in the glass made her appear underwater, like a mermaid. Her beauty must be a mer trait, a gift “from her side of the family,” as Grandpa said. His grandmother’s gift to her daughter, though the only one, apparently.
AJ shut the door. The bungalow looked neater, and smelled better, than it had in awhile. Possibly years. His mom had cooked and cleaned and fussed over them both while she’d been here. The house seemed a bit empty now.
He went to his room and picked up his guitar, but set it down again. He was tired of sitting in this room, tired of watching the news. Tired of the same four walls. He needed open air. The beach.
He scrawled a hasty note to Grandpa, just in case, though AJ would be back long before his grandfather, who would wait until his daughter’s plane became a silver blip in the sky before leaving the airport.
Pacing himself, he walked across the street, straight for the open water.
The sand pushed back, as always, against AJ’s steps. Not such a terrible thing. It forced him to work harder. That’s the kind of push he’d always needed. Something to work against. To challenge him.
Tonight, he walked with less purpose than usual. He strolled to where the water rushed up the sand, covering it with white lacy foam. Only vaguely did he hear the few others on the beach behind him as he stood and watched the water roll in, crest into a wave and crash toward shore. A curious gull circled above, its high-pitched cry a lonely sound. It sailed away on an air current when AJ didn’t move. To his left, the rocks jutted out into the Gulf. He didn’t have the heart to go there. Not now. It felt like tearing open his insides all over again. Instead, he turned to his right and made his way up the beach, until his side ached for rest. Only then did he head home to his room, his guitar. His life.
Chapter Thirty-Three
AJ sat in the parking lot of Weeki Wachee Springs with Grandpa, the Caprice idling noisily.
Grandpa turned down the radio. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
AJ clutched the door handle. “I can’t sit around one more day or I’ll go insane.”
Grandpa looked grim. “Well, if you begin to feel badly…”
AJ nodded. “I’ll let Tobias know. I’m sure you already have him on the lookout, anyway.”
“Be sure to mind what the doctor said. No heavy lifting. No physical exertion.”
“Gotcha. I will captain the Wilderness Cruise sitting down, as always.” He grinned, trying not to flinch as he got out. His side still hurt, but not as bad. Nothing he couldn’t handle. It would be good to be out in the open air for a change. Have a purpose to his days, other than let his mind wander. And drive himself crazy.
At every corner, he couldn’t help but steel himself against the possibility of running into Chaz. Intellectually, he knew Chaz was locked away, but somehow, his anger and mean spirit permeated this place. Lurked in the shadows, as if Chaz were still watching AJ’s every move.
Tobias walked through the hut as AJ unlatched the chain to the dock. After grilling AJ on his health, Tobias tilted the engine into the water. “At the end of the day, I’ll be back to secure this. I don’t want you exhausting yourself.”
“Thanks. I promise I won’t do anything to injure myself any further.” No problem keeping that promise. AJ was tired of feeling awful.
Tobias clasped his shoulder. “I’m glad everything turned out well.” He headed for the dock.
“Tobias.”
He turned and waited.
AJ steadied himself against the captain’s post. “I appreciate all you did.”
Tobias’ mouth twitched in a half-smile. “My pleasure.”
As he walked through the hut, Tobias greeted the morning’s first passengers. Grandpa’s complete trust in him had proved well-founded, but it seemed strange. The two were supposedly good friends, close as brothers, yet AJ had only seen them together a handful of times.
The approaching couple with a toddler and grade school girl made AJ tense. He couldn’t dive in after any kids for awhile. He’d have to ratchet up the warning to stay in their seats.
Once he got out on the river, AJ relaxed. He fell easily into his old routine, though each time he passed the spot where Cassiopeia saved him that day, an ache filled him, worse than the wound in his side. He considered adding a bit of mermaid folk lore to the spiel, but Tobias might not like him adding material he hadn’t approved, even if he told it as a fairy tale. Anyway, AJ couldn’t trust himself to talk about any mermaid and not choke up.
At lunch break, AJ walked to the Mermaid Galley Restaurant, glad to be alone for a little while. Susie and Darlene walked in. AJ wished he’d bought a newspaper or had a book, anything to make him appear busy.
They hurried to his table before ordering, speaking loudly so all heads turned in his direction.
“AJ, you’re back,” Darlene said as she sat to his left.
Susie touched his arm. “Are you feeling all right? I’m so glad Chaz is in jail now.”
“He always gave me the creeps,” Darlene said. “To shoot you like that? He’s insane.”
AJ thought he could probably merely sit there and let them fawn all over him without any actual participation on his part. They didn’t need any encouragement beyond an occasional nod or grunt to keep the conversation going. And what, exactly, did Darlene know about that night? Grandpa said she’d been in the car when they took Cassiopeia from the pool. But what else did they tell her? Did she believe it was a joke gone terribly wrong?
“I’m much better now,” he finally interjected.
Susie tilted her head and batted her eyes. “Thank goodness. I was so worried we’d lose you.” Her voice softened, and she squeezed his arm.
“Nope. Other than about a gallon of blood, I’m back.” He downed the last of his milk.
She clucked her tongue with pouted lips. “Poor baby.”
He gathered his trash. “Sorry, ladies, but I have to get back to work.”
“Take care,” Darlene said.
Susie’s heated gaze locked on AJ. “See you later.”
He hoped not. He definitely wasn’t up to it. As he shoved his trash into the waste container, AJ tried to smile. These days, it was the most he could muster from the emptiness inside.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The first few days of working, AJ pretty much crashed into bed after dinner. As much as he hated to admit it, even piloting the Wilderness Cruise wore him down.
After the first week or so, his energy slowly returned, and with it, his creativity. The waves crashing on the shore w
ere like a beacon, calling him, but he couldn’t face going there and not seeing her.
His guitar provided the best company. The few songs he’d written since being in the hospital excited him. They were good. So good, he became restless to try them out on an audience. He told his grandfather one night, as they sat on the patio.
Grandpa leaned back on the glider. “You should, then.”
Yeah, he should. But where, in this godforsaken little pinprick on the map? “I guess.”
His grandfather’s scrutiny made AJ uncomfortable. “Did you not declare music to be your passion? The only real livelihood you wished to pursue?”
“Yeah. It is.” He shifted in his seat. It was just like the old man to throw his words back at him.
“Then let nothing stop you, boy.”
AJ set his foot against his knee, and picked at his shoe. “I’m working on some songs. I’m going to record them. But there aren’t a lot of places to play around here, you know?”
Grandpa waved him off. “Pah. All the greats started out small. Even Elvis. In the beginning, he had nothing but a dream. And do you know what he said?”
AJ shook his head.
“‘Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.’ So rev it up, son.” Grandpa winked.
“Yeah. You’re right.” Elvis had the soul of a dreamer, all right, but knew those dreams had to be powered by something stronger.
Grandpa slapped his hands against his knees. “Why don’t we go out for a beer? While we’re there, we’ll speak to Mel about you performing there.”
“At Mel’s?” Man, the geriatric crowd in that little hole in the wall couldn’t possibly relate to his music.
“Why not? You have to start somewhere.” Grandpa’s optimism was the polar opposite of his normal outlook. But maybe he was trying to make up for coming between him and Cassiopeia.
AJ had nothing to lose. “You’re right. Mel’s is as good a place as any.”
Grandpa stood. “Now you’re talking. We’ll make posters to advertise. I’m sure Tobias would allow you one on the bulletin board. And the grocery store. And the library.”
Sure, the usual places you’d advertise an indie musician. AJ nodded, and let Grandpa lead him to the car.
When they walked into Mel’s, AJ’s heart sunk. Yes, tonight was a Thursday, not exactly the big night out. Only two tables were occupied, and three old men sat at the bar.
AJ was about to tell his grandfather never mind, this was crazy, when Grandpa sat on a bar stool and told him to sit.
Sandra came out of the kitchen and smiled. “Walt and AJ. No table tonight?”
Grandpa smiled. “Not tonight, dear. We’re having a beer.”
Mel braced his hands against the bar top. “Gentlemen, what can I get you?”
His grandfather ordered, then AJ. When Mel set their beers on the counter, Grandpa said, “We also have a proposition for you.”
Mel’s smile never flinched, but his eyes darted from Grandpa to AJ. “A proposition. Uh oh. I don’t like the sound of this.” He chuckled.
Grandpa sat straight. “Nonsense. This is a win-win proposition.”
The two old men on Grandpa’s left listened intently. Already they’d attracted a crowd. Maybe it was a good sign. People here were starved for anything new.
Mel’s smile waned. “Really. I suppose the proof will be in the pudding, but let’s hear it.”
Grandpa laid a hand on AJ’s shoulder. “My grandson is a talented musician. Used to have a successful band in the northeast.”
Mel looked unconvinced. “Is that so.”
“Yes. Unfortunate events led to the breakup of his band. Now that AJ’s here in Florida, he would like to begin performing solo.”
Mel held up his hands. “And what does this have to do with me?”
Grandpa leaned forward. “AJ is willing to play here. For tips only. All you need to provide is a bar stool and a clear space.” He glanced across the room with a critical eye. “Say, that corner. Patrons will get a good view from anywhere they sit.”
Mel blew through his lips. “I don’t know, Walt. My customers aren’t into that kind of music.”
Grandpa argued, “AJ would play after the dinner hour. Say, nine o’clock.” He looked at AJ for confirmation. AJ nodded. Nine was about right. But past the bedtimes of most of Mel’s usuals.
One of the men at the bar said, “I’d like to hear him.”
“You see? He’s already drawn interest.” Grandpa shrugged. “Who knows? It might bring in a new crowd.”
Mel leaned across the bar. “It might. But maybe I don’t want that kind of crowd in my place. I like the older crowd, the slow crowd, the kind who are too slow to fight and cause trouble.” His pleasant smile made AJ uncomfortable. He wasn’t about to give in.
Grandpa chuckled. “Maybe you’re afraid you’d be too slow to keep up with all the orders. Maybe you’re afraid a new patronage would interrupt your breaks.”
The two men engaged in a stare-down. Grandpa made the statement in a lighthearted way, but there was a challenge at its core. Mel knew this, knew it was a way for Grandpa to get what he wanted, but also knew there was an element of truth to it, and his pride hung in the balance.
Mel laughed. “Ah, what the hell. We’ll try it, huh? If it doesn’t work, well, at least we gave it a shot.”
Grandpa nudged AJ. “That’s what I’m always telling my grandson. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
AJ peered at his grandfather. “Seems to me, that’s what I’ve been saying to you too.”
Taken aback, Grandpa’s mouth hung agape, then he chuckled. “I suppose we should start listening to one another. Eh?” He clinked his bottle to AJ’s.
Grandpa was probably right. AJ would never have thought to ask Mel about playing here. He had to think more creatively. Like his grandfather. And then teach Grandpa to do the same for himself.
Chapter Thirty-Five
A buzz ran through AJ’s nerves. Stage fright never affected him before. But he’d never played solo before, either. Mel didn’t have a microphone, but AJ’s voice projected pretty well. So long as the crowd didn’t get rowdy. He chuckled as he tuned his strings. Not likely, but that was no surprise. He’d put together a laid-back playlist, counting on an older crowd.
The flyers his grandfather had put up around town had brought in a few new faces, at least. Grandpa had even driven out to the Oak Hills Country Club and Timber Pines Golf Course to tack the posters onto their bulletin boards. Tobias let AJ put several around Weeki Wachee Springs–the eateries, the gift shop, the ticket booth. AJ even taped one to the side of his captain’s deck.
Grandpa sat at the bar, looking more nervous than AJ felt. He said something to Mel, who set down the white towel he held and walked from behind the bar to the corner where AJ sat.
Mel clapped his hands together, his leathery face wrinkled by his smile. “We have a real treat for you folks tonight. AJ Dillon, grandson of our own Walt Anderson, is here to play for you. If you like what you hear, show your appreciation by leaving a tip in the container at the bar.”
Grandpa held up the overly optimistic jar, an empty jumbo-size pretzel jug with one of the handmade flyers taped to it.
Mel turned to AJ. “Any time you’re ready.”
AJ nodded. He felt naked without a microphone. “Thanks, Mel, everbody. I thought I’d start off with some acoustic versions of the songs my band used to play.” He launched into Nirvana’s About a Girl. As he sang about needing an easy friend, his insides gave a twinge. Cassiopeia had been that easy friend for him, the first girl he could really talk to, who understood him. He couldn’t help wishing she were here tonight.
The song brought mild applause at the end. Except for Grandpa, whose loud whistle pierced his ear even from across the room. “Thanks, and thanks, Grandpa, for that enthusiastic response.” He settled on his stool. This wasn’t as bad as he thought. Two girls had walked in and sat at a table nearby. Dark hair, dark eyes, black clothes. A bit lat
e for the Goth look, but he liked nonconformists. The way they looked at him left no doubt he could go home with either. He hoped they’d find some other guys to pick up.
He played two more old band covers, Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam, then announced, “This next one is an original. The world premiere,” he joked, then started strumming before he could freak himself out about it. He closed his eyes and imagined he sang to Cassiopeia.
When he finished, he opened his eyes to loud clapping. Susie and Darlene sat at a table close by.
“Woo, go, AJ,” Susie yelled.
He laughed. “Ah, ladies and gentlemen… two of the Weeki Wachee mermaids have arrived. Everyone give a round of applause for these hard-working girls.”
With wide smiles, they stood and waved to the sparsely-filled room. When the polite applause died down, Susie said, “Hey AJ, play something we can dance to.”
He adjusted his guitar. “Hmm. I hadn’t planned on anything like that, but let’s see. Maybe this will work.” He banged out the intro to Springsteen’s Cover Me, and Susie and Darlene jumped to their feet and filled the small space between the table and where AJ sat with their gyrations. The other two girls at the adjacent table joined them. He hadn’t noticed their tattoos earlier. Their necks and wrists were tattooed with flowers. One had a butterfly tattoo low on her back, peeking above the waist of her tight low riser jeans. He wondered what else she had hidden beneath her clothes.
Sandra smiled at AJ as she pulled the tables out of the way of the makeshift dance floor.
When he ended the song, the four girls crowded before him, clapping and smiling.
AJ laughed. “Well, all right. Let’s get rocking.” He launched into more songs from his old playlist, then threw in another original. Two recent arrivals, younger guys who sat at the bar, approached Susie and Darlene’s table. The girls stood and stepped into their waiting arms for a slow dance.
Two hours flew by. At almost eleven, Grandpa looked half asleep. AJ announced he was taking ten. When he set down his guitar, Susie appeared at his side. “I’ll buy you a beer.” Her voice sounded inviting.
Surfacing Page 16
