No Ordinary Summer

by Linda Barrett

  “Ahh.” A veritable men’s chorus. Nodding heads. Then each ROMEO leaned back in his seat with a contented grin.

  “And the summer’s just beginning,” said Bart with a twinkle in his eye. “Who knows what can happen?”

  The man had no subtlety, but his heart was in the right place. However, nothing was going to happen between Shelley and the man upstairs, who hadn’t been able to get away from her fast enough last night or this morning. He’d pulled on those sweatpants quickly, nodded at her and continued walking the dog along the shoreline away from Sea View House.

  And as for her, forget it. She had other priorities. Shelley glanced at Josh and Emily, who had cleaned their plates quite well and were starting to fidget. Daniel Stone may have been able to jump-start her internal-combustion engine, but she had no desire for a major overhaul. Not even for the summer. This summer, her attention would be firmly on Emily and Josh.

  “Is the amusement park I noticed near the beach open yet?” Shelley asked.

  Josh straightened in his seat when he heard the question.

  “Neptune’s Park? Sure is,” replied Bart. “The owners have been setting up for days. The season starts this weekend. Every year, it’s the same routine. The park stays open till midnight on the weekends. So you kids are in luck.”

  “Midnight?” said Josh, his face lighting up. “Awesome!”

  Shelley reached over and squeezed him close. “You’re awesome,” she said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, and urging both children to their feet before Josh could protest her show of affection.

  She turned to Bart and his cohorts, thanking them for the unique experience of breakfast with a band of do-gooders.

  “Some would call us nosey parkers! But we don’t care. What we do care about is Pilgrim Cove, so we put a lot of effort into making it a wholesome yet progressive town,” the librarian said.

  “Come around when my folks visit,” invited Shelley with an unfamiliar enthusiasm. “All of you. Wives, too. Cocktails and dinner. Hmm…let’s see how I can tempt you. How about a stuffed butterflied leg of lamb grilled to juicy perfection? Rosemary potatoes and a salad with walnuts and Gorgonzola cheese topped with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.”

  She had their attention, but she, herself, was getting more excited. “Please,” she said, “I’d love to cook for you. I haven’t done anything big in so long, I’m almost breaking out in hives from the deprivation.”

  “Holy lobster pot!” said Bart. “If my daughters heard that menu, they’d grab you for their restaurant.”

  Shelley grinned. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m an at-home kind of cook. Saturday-night entertaining. And big Sunday family dinners with friends, too…” Her voice trailed off. That’s the way her life used to be when she and Carl were married. With her cooking skills and her love of entertaining, she’d turned out to be a bigger asset to him than he’d ever realized in the beginning. What irony that her talents had backfired! In the end, the domestic goddess came in second to the attorney goddess. Not that Shelley had known there had been a contest.

  Ancient history now. Time to move on. Figuratively and literally. “Let’s go, kids. We’ve got a lot to do before we hit Neptune’s Park.” She looked at the men. “Thanks again for the breakfast and even more for the welcome.” She eyed her offspring and was relieved when they voiced their thanks, too.

  As she and the children walked through the diner, she heard Bart say, “She’s perfect. Pretty, talented, stronger than she knows. She sparkles. And she’s the perfect one to bring the lonely professor back to life.”

  Shelley almost smashed the door open. She’d give those matchmaking, meddling old men dried prunes for dessert!

  LATER THAT MORNING, with her car loaded with groceries, Shelley pulled into the driveway of Sea View House behind Daniel Stone’s vehicle. No time to stand on ceremony about parking spots when she’d be much closer to her back door, which opened directly into the kitchen.

  “If you both help me real quick, we’ll have time to go exploring on the beach.”

  “I thought we were going to Neptune’s Park,” said Josh, disappointment in his voice.

  “We will. Later on.”

  “But…”

  “Look at your sister, Josh. She’s falling asleep.”

  “No, I’m not, Mommy.” Emily smiled, then sighed and closed her eyes.

  Shelley eyed her son. “Looks like I’m depending on you for help…or, you can take a nap, too.”

  The look of horror on his face made Shelley laugh. “I guess I’ll help,” he said, reaching for a bag of groceries.

  “I knew I could count on you.”

  They each carried two bags into the house and returned to the car for the third time. Josh reached for the last bag of supplies from the trunk, and Shelley opened Emily’s door.

  “Woof.”

  Coming in from the beach, Jessie outpaced her owner and headed straight for Josh, licking his face and whining.

  Josh twirled toward Shelley. “Mom! She’s happy to see me.”

  “I can tell.” Yup, she’d get him a dog after the summer when they returned home. Maybe a golden retriever, just like Jessie.

  To her surprise, the dog left Josh and trotted to her in greeting. Sniffed and looked up at Shelley. Then whined.

  “Well, hello to you, too.” Shelley petted her and looked toward her owner just as he called the dog back.

  “Sorry,” said Daniel. “The breed is sometimes too friendly.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible. What could be bad about a friendly dog?” Shelley smiled at him and saw his brown eyes slowly darken.

  “Uh, you need some help today?” Daniel walked toward the trunk of her car.

  “We’re fine,” said Josh, slipping in front of the man and hoisting the groceries. “I’ll put these inside, Mom. Then I’ll be right back.”

  “And I’m sorry about that,” said Shelley, nodding toward her son before turning to Daniel. “He’s…ah…”

  “Mom-my!” The word was a cry.

  “That’s Emily, nap interrupted.” Shelley, glad of the distraction, walked quickly to release her daughter from the seat belt. Scooping her up, she returned to her neighbor.

  “Your son,” Daniel continued quietly, as Josh rejoined them, “is trying to protect you…from me.”

  “That’s ’cause we’re divorced.” Emily’s quiet, matter-of-fact voice resonated in the clear air. “And Daddy said Josh should look out for us ’cause Daddy doesn’t live with us anymore.”

  No wonder Josh had developed an attitude in the past few months! She’d murder Carl for throwing that piece of responsibility at an eight-year-old boy.

  “Shut up, Emily!” Josh looked at his sister, the all too familiar scowl once again visible.

  “Josh! That’s enough.” Shelley carefully placed Emily on her feet and reached for her son. “Joshie, look at me.”

  He slowly brought his eyes to her level as she squatted in front of him. “Looking out for us is not your job, son. It’s mine. I’m a very smart lady, Josh, and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of us.” She held his gaze and hoped the sincerity she planted in her voice came through. “You know what your job is?”

  He shook his head slightly, the scowl gone, but the forehead still creased.

  “Your job is to play baseball. To go to school and do your best. Your job is to be a good friend to Emily.” She paused to catch a breath. “Josh. Your job is to be a boy. To be eight years old. Later on, you’ll be a spectacular man. But not now. Getting older is like climbing steps one at a time until you get to the top of the staircase. Little by little. Do you understand?”

  She waited for his response, aware of his effort to absorb so much, but knowing her job wasn’t finished yet. She needed to remove more of the burden he was carrying.

  When he nodded, she continued, “There’s a chance, Josh, that you and Emily might not have understood what Daddy was saying. Maybe he said something like, ‘take care of yours
elf.’ And you thought he meant to take care of everybody.”

  Josh looked thoughtful. Then he cocked his head. “Maybe.” He reached out and touched her face. “Do you think so? Maybe he said something else?”

  She met his earnest gaze. “I can practically guarantee it. Don’t you think Daddy knows the difference between being eight years old and thirty-eight years old? He’s been both, you know, and he’s good with math!”

  And then her son laughed, his face suddenly brighter than the afternoon sun in the clear blue sky over Pilgrim Beach. Tears pressed against Shelley’s eyes. Tears of relief. She needed a minute to compose herself. “Please take Emily inside for me, Josh. She needs more of a nap. And put the milk in the fridge right away.”

  “Sure, Mom.” The kids disappeared. She heard the door slam shut, and felt a tear roll down her cheek as she gathered her remaining strength to stand up.

  “Here you go. Hold on.” Daniel’s voice. She’d forgotten about him and, at the moment, didn’t care that he’d witnessed her conversation with Josh. She moved her head and with her peripheral vision, saw his hand reaching toward her.

  It was a large hand. A masculine hand. Broad fingers, clean, blunt nails and skin tanned from his California sun. She glanced up. He stood at ease in his navy jersey and shorts. Just waiting. She saw the question on his face and looked down again. His open palm faced her now. She placed her hand in his, and felt the quiet strength and support this man offered as she rose from near the ground.

  “Good job,” he murmured as she shook the stiffness from her legs.

  “Thanks,” she replied. “But don’t be too impressed. I had no clue…the words sort of just fell out of my mouth.” She turned away, new thoughts tumbling over themselves and resolving into speech. “The truth is, I’d like to shake that man to his senses! What kind of a father puts such a heavy burden on a child?”

  Daniel shrugged. “Hey. I don’t know the guy, but if I had to guess, I’d say he’s not thinking of the consequences to Josh at all. Maybe he simply wants a way to keep track of you and what goes on in your home. Josh is the way.”

  Shelley stepped back from Daniel and didn’t reply. Was this really a control issue? She thought about her postdivorce relationship with Carl. A constant push-pull with him about everything. Second-guessing herself and her own decisions. Feeling guilty. Worrying all the time. Was Carl doing that to her? Undermining her confidence? And was she allowing him to?

  She leaned against the car and glanced up at her neighbor. “You’re not a divorce lawyer, are you?” She joked, but her laugh fell flat as the possibility reared its head.

  Although he seemed startled by the question, Daniel shook his head. “No, I’m not a divorce lawyer. Unfortunately, I’ve seen several friends go through the painful process, their common sense flying out the window. The East Coast doesn’t have the franchise on separation and divorce!”

  She smiled easily now at his attempt at humor. “I need to go inside. But thanks for your help.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t do anything. You handled it all.” Suddenly, Daniel looked toward the ocean, his gaze becoming dreamy, as if going to a faraway place. “Nikki and I missed out on kids…we almost had…but we were very happy anyway…very happy….” A moment passed, and Shelley barely breathed, sensing that he rarely spoke about his wife. Then Daniel shook his head as if recalling himself to the present. He looked at her. Hard. “So I’m not sure it means anything if I say…I think you’re a good mother.”

  He immediately motioned to the dog and disappeared through the side entrance before Shelley could thank him again. She stared at the closed door. Her upstairs neighbor was embarrassed! The California professor—a beach boy with the broad shoulders and body to die for—was one big hunk of shyness.

  She walked toward her back entry, her mind retracing all her interactions with him. Each time, he’d watched, waited and listened. And then he’d replied or taken action. Last night, he’d seen what needed to be done and had done it. This morning on the beach, he’d stood patiently while she ranted and raved at him, and then he’d quietly explained about practicing lifesaving techniques.

  A man of quiet strength. No constant chatter and commotion. No bluster. No need to be center stage.

  By the time she opened the kitchen door, she realized what she was doing. She was comparing a man she’d known for fifteen years with one she’d known for fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, her children’s father was coming up short.

  IN THE END, they all took naps that afternoon. Shelley rolled over in her bed, opened her eyes and stretched. Sitting up, she listened for evidence of activity, but the house was quiet. She leaned back against her pillow, eyelids closing again, wanting to steal another minute before getting out of bed.

  A sense of well-being filled her. Maybe the nap had helped. Maybe the credit belonged to the fresh air and being at the ocean. Or maybe it was the compliment from her upstairs neighbor. “I think you’re a good mother.” A phrase worth more than gold to her. She was a good mother. Always had been.

  The doubts had infiltrated recently because of all the changes in their lives. The family structure had changed. Emotions had run high. Conflict and confusion had reigned for a while.

  But today, a new acquaintance had said, “I think you’re a good mother.” The compliment was enough to make a gal hop out of bed and gather those children for a trip to Neptune’s Park.

  Shelley stepped to the threshold of Emily’s room and smiled at the two children still sound asleep on the double bed. Josh was sprawled across the foot, apparently having given up the fight while waiting for Emily to fall asleep. Emily was tucked under the top sheet, head on her pillow, Raggedy Ann under her arm.

  The room itself had once been used as an office, and Emily had claimed it immediately. As the child had explained to her mother, she needed the big desk for all her “arts and crats” stuff. Shelley agreed wholeheartedly. A place for Emily’s supplies would keep them both sane.

  Shelley knew, however, that the projects themselves would be created smack-dab in the middle of the kitchen. Although Joshua preferred the privacy of his bedroom for his works-in-progress—“Emily touches everything!”—Emily chose to be near her mom.

  Tiptoeing to the bed, Shelley placed a butterfly kiss on each child’s forehead and began to nuzzle them awake.

  Sweet hugs from Emily. A jaw-cracking yawn from Josh. But in seconds, both children were up, washed and ready to go.

  Shelley opened the kitchen door, stepped onto the back porch and promptly shivered. The pale light of the setting sun behind them cast shadows on the water as evening drew near.

  “What, Mom?” said Josh.

  “The sun’s going down and we all need jackets and long pants. Summer’s not quite here yet.”

  “But we’ll be late,” protested Josh, heading toward the steps.

  “No such thing as late at Neptune’s Park,” said Shelley. “Remember? Open until midnight.”

  Josh’s eyes grew bigger. “Are we really staying out that long?”

  Shelley shrugged and smiled. “Maybe. We’ll see.”

  Josh grabbed his sister’s hand. “C’mon, Emily. Let’s change and get our jackets.”

  Shelley grinned. It all came down to motivation. She doubted they’d be out past nine o’clock, but even if they were, so what? It was a holiday weekend, they were on vacation and tonight was a night for fun. She pulled a sweatshirt over her jeans, put money and keys in her pocket and called her children.

  “Let’s walk. It’s only about a half mile away. I think you’re both old enough and strong enough to do it.”

  Ten minutes later, Shelley realized that dozens—maybe hundreds—of other people had had the same idea. “Stay together, kids,” she said, offering a hand to each. In pairs or small groups, Pilgrim Cove residents of all ages were converging at the amusement park. “Look at the Ferris wheel, Mom. That’s first.”

  Shelley did look and her stomach flip-flopped. The ride was a
t least seventy feet high. Then Emily pulled at her hand. “Look. A merry-go-round. Horses.” Her stomach settled. She could handle a carousel.

  “Let’s kind of work up to the Ferris wheel, Josh. How about the bumper cars?”

  Josh nodded. “There’s lots of rides here, Mom.” Excitement laced his voice. “And it’s open all summer. We can come here every night. This is great.”

  “Slow down, sport,” said Shelley. “I’m not a millionaire. Let’s just have a good time tonight.”

  She guided them to the ticket booth and reached into her pocket for her cash. “Look at that,” she said, pointing to a sign. “Aren’t we lucky? It’s half price on opening night.”

  “Then buy lots of tickets!”

  She did. And spent the next hour riding the roller coaster three times, the whip twice, with Emily in the middle, and the musical carousel, which her daughter loved the most. Josh overcame his chagrin at having to cater to his sister and mounted a smiling painted Arabian without complaint.

  “There’s the bumper cars,” said Josh when the tame ride was over. “Let’s go.”

  “This ride is your treat,” said Shelley. “Emily’s too small to drive her own car. We’ll stand here and watch you.” She gave him the tickets and found a place behind the rail, a minute later watched him happily smashing into his neighbors’ vehicles.

  “Mommy, look,” said Emily. “There’s Jessie and her man.” Emily darted into the crowd before Shelley could see where her daughter had spotted Daniel and Jessie. Shelley raced in pursuit, but couldn’t catch up with the child, who easily zigzagged around all obstacles between her and her objective. “Jess-ee. Jess-ee.” Emily’s little-girl voice got the dog’s attention, and the golden greeted her with kisses, nuzzles and wagging tail. Pure love.

  Heart pounding at Emily’s quick action, Shelley arrived at the spot. “Emily! Don’t you ever run off like that again. You could get lost with all these people around.” Shelley reached to hug her child, but Emily’s arms were fastened around Jessie’s neck.