Rocky Point Reunion

by Barbara McMahon

  “This is fun, Auntie Marcie,” Jenny said, riding by. “It’s so big. Watch, I can ride all the way to the fence and back.” She took off, pedaling fast as she went the entire length of the lot. The men were standing near the main entrance to the building, gesturing. She could tell Sean was not contributing, but he seemed to be soaking up every word.

  Her gaze was drawn to Zack. He and Tate were the same height, Hal Norris just a bit shorter. But it wasn’t only the age difference or size that set the two Rocky Point men apart. Zack had an air of confidence, clearly showing the world that here was a man who knew what he wanted and how to get it. Tate had a similar assurance, in part because he represented the local law, she thought. Or maybe from his years in Boston.

  Sean couldn’t find better men to associate with. She still wondered why Zack had stepped in. Another man would have let Sean deal with his own troubles last night. She sighed softly. Zack would make an awesome father.

  Marcie was starting to grow bored when they finally headed back to the car. A quick glance at her watch told her they’d been here over an hour. What could they talk about all that time? It was a simple proposition—let Zack and Sean use it or not.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Zack said to Hal when they reached the vehicles. They shook hands and Hal and Tate went to their cars. Soon only Zack and Sean stood, still studying the lot.

  “So, how did it go? Will this work?” Marcie asked, hopping down from the tailgate.

  “Some details to work out,” Zack said, looking at Sean. “But I think we have ourselves a course.”

  The teenager grinned. “Man, that was some discussion. I never knew so much would be involved.”

  “It’s not a done deal, but we’re one step along the way. Anyone interested in lunch?”

  With a chorus of I ams, he smiled and gestured to the truck. “Let’s find something here in Monkesville before we drive home.”

  The hamburger joint they picked offered picnic tables on the side of the property. Once everyone had all they’d ordered, they went to sit in the shade to enjoy the burgers and fries and milkshakes.

  Marcie glanced around and noticed others smiling at their group. They probably looked like a family out for lunch, instead of four people from four different families gathered together.

  Once seated Jenny piped up, “I’ll say grace.”

  Sean looked startled, but when he saw Zack and Marcie closed their eyes, he followed suit.

  The food was delicious. The shade kept the warmth at bay. The two males in the group talked almost nonstop about the prospect of a course. Sounded to Marcie more like an obstacle course than a race course.

  When they seemed to wind down, she smiled at Sean. “Do you and your mother attend Trinity Church?” she asked.

  “Sometimes,” he said.

  “We go every Sunday,” Jenny said. “And Vacation Bible School starts soon and then we get to go every day.”

  “Every day?” Sean asked.

  “It’s for all ages, you should try it,” Marcie invited. She looked at Zack. “Remember our senior year, we had basket weaving as our project.”

  He smiled in return. “Mine looked like a much-used bird’s nest.”

  “At least you finished yours. Mine still had the straw sticking every which way when I got so tired of looking at it, I threw it away.”

  “Basket weaving?” Sean asked.

  “There are crafts as part of the activities, geared to age groups. I guess they thought we’d all learn something about patience doing that project.”

  “Last year I made a picture frame and we had pictures of our class to go in it. This year Gillian’s teaching my grade,” Jenny said.

  “Who’s Gillian?” Sean asked.

  “She’s going to be my new mom. She’s really wonderful.”

  Sean glanced at Zack.

  “My brother’s marrying the girl next door. They’re moving her things from Nevada now. Be home next week, we hope. They had car trouble.”

  “And nothing’s more frustrating for a car mechanic than to have someone else work on his car,” Marcie added. “And to have to wait for parts. Invite your mother to church Sunday. I’d love to meet her.”

  Sean nodded but didn’t say anything.

  It was midafternoon when they reached Rocky Point. Zack dropped Sean off at his place then drove to Bill Winter’s insurance office. There was a Closed sign on the door.

  Marcie frowned. “That’s odd. Dad usually stays open Saturdays for those clients who can’t see him during the week,” she said when she spotted the sign. She got out of the truck and went to the door. The sign simply said, Closed Saturday. Back on Tuesday. There wasn’t even a phone number to call to get in touch with him. That was unlike her father.

  “Everything okay?” Zack asked. He joined her and peered through the glass beside the door. “Office’s empty.”

  “The sign says he’ll be back on Tuesday. Wonder where he is.”

  “Want to run by his place and make sure he’s okay?”

  She bit her lip in indecision. “I can go after you drop me off.”

  “I don’t mind. It’s not as if he lives way out in the country or anything. Come on.”

  When they reached Marcie’s family home, Bill’s car was not in the carport.

  “No need to get out. If the car’s gone, so’s he.”

  “Maybe a fishing expedition?”

  “Probably. But much as he likes fishing, he also cares for his clients. He wouldn’t normally leave them in the lurch.”

  “Did he know you were going over to Monkesville with us?”

  “No.”

  “So, you two don’t share plans—who knows what he had going today. I’m sure he’s fine. Come on, I’ll take you home. Unless you’d like to come out to the house, have some more hot dogs on the beach.”

  “Yes, that’s so cool, Uncle Zack,” Jenny said from the backseat.

  “No, thanks. I need to get some things done at my place. And I want to check in at the restaurant. It’s been interesting today. I hope this project keeps Sean on the right path.”

  “We’ll pray for him, Auntie Marcie, won’t we, Uncle Zack?”

  Zack nodded. “I guess we will.”

  Marcie grinned and patted his arm then drew her hand back. That was too personal. “Be good for you. And say a prayer for yourself, Zack.”

  Marcie freshened up a bit and then walked to the restaurant to see how things were going. Saturday afternoons proved popular with visitors, stopping for a quick snack, or in some cases an early dinner. Her manager was doing well, so she returned home. After starting a load of laundry, she called her father. There was no answer.

  She called two of his friends. One was home and had no knowledge of any fishing plans. The other phone just rang and rang. She was beginning to become more concerned. Where was her dad?

  When her phone rang, she grabbed it, hoping it was her dad. It was Zack.

  “Did you hear from your father?” he asked. She relaxed a bit, realizing how grateful she was that someone else cared.

  “Not yet. I called and left a message on his answering machine, but he hasn’t called back. And I checked with one of his friends—no big fishing expedition that he knew of. This isn’t like him. Usually I can reach him whenever I need him. I hope everything is okay.”

  “I tried his home, too, but thought he might just be avoiding me. I’m not exactly on his list of favorite people,” Zack said.

  “Did you call him about the racing plan you have for locals?”

  “Actually, I might give some racing pointers, but now I’m thinking more defensive driving training, how to react to sudden obstacles, that kind of thing.”

  “You’d know better than most, having had so much experience in Europe.”

  “I would indeed.”

  “I don’t know what else to do about my dad. I’ve left messages.”

  “As soon as he hears one, he’ll call. Don’t worry. My experience is if it’s bad news, it
gets around fast, especially in a small town like this.”

  “Different from Europe, I know. Which city did you like best?” she asked. Maybe hearing about his life away from Rocky Point would give her something else to think about other than her father. A man who left because a town was too pokey wouldn’t return after experiencing all the fabulous things foreign cities had to offer.

  “Probably Stuttgart. It reminded me a bit of here. No ocean, of course, but the mountains, the hills and the terrain. London’s fabulous, too.”

  Marcie settled back to listen to Zack talk about his life over the past years. So different from hers. She loved hearing his voice. From the descriptions he gave, she could envision the places he’d seen, almost as if she’d been there, too.

  He talked a lot about a man named Jacques. Finally she asked him who he was.

  “A good friend. We started together. Ended up competing, of course, but always had time to visit around the circuit.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “He’s dead. A freak crash last February. I sometimes can’t believe it. But his death put things in perspective.” His voice sounded bleak over the phone.

  “Like?” She ached for the sorrow she knew he dealt with. He really missed his friend.

  “Like, I’ve spent the last ten years of my life living with strangers, not coming home, not getting to know my niece. Racing’s great. I owe a lot of who I am today to that sport, but it’s not everything. And certainly not worth dying young.”

  “So that’s why you came home.”

  “No, I came home because Gillian sent word Joe needed me. I’m staying for that reason. Jacques’s death hit me hard.”

  “Won’t you miss racing?”

  “Might.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that.

  “But I’d miss spending time with my family more. Imagine if Jenny had grown up without me even knowing her, or her me. Imagine if I missed time with my brother and another accident happened. Racing is exhilarating, challenging and dangerous. But I never really considered dying young. After Jacques, I have. And there’s lots I want to do before dying. Racing has been good to me. I’m comfortably well-off. I can choose how to spend the next ten years and the ten after that and after that. I’m hoping for the old age Sophie had, not the early death of my parents or Jacques.”

  “None of us know when God will call us home.”

  “No, so I need to make the most of the time I have, wouldn’t you say?”

  “There’s nothing stopping you from visiting from time to time. You don’t race every day of the year.”

  “True, but there’s the danger factor. And the loneliness factor.”

  Marcie knew about loneliness, but she kept silent. She was not giving him any ammunition to use against her better judgment. She would guard her heart this time against the searing hurt she’d experienced before. Though she wondered if it were already too late. She enjoyed being with Zack, seeing the man he’d become. Knowing he cared enough to rally when family needed him. To even help out a virtual stranger when he had stepped in with Sean.

  “Do you think Sean will come to church with his mother? It’s a great way to get connected to like-minded people.”

  “He’s been there. I hope he knows he’d always be welcomed. If they come, good and well. If not, it’s their choice,” he said.

  “But you and Jenny will be there, right?”

  “Sure.”

  “See you then.” Marcie said good-night and hung up the phone. Trying her father once more before bed, still no answer. She left another message and went to bed, comforted by Zack’s assessment that bad news traveled swiftly. If something was wrong, she would have heard by now.

  The next morning was gray and drizzly. Marcie drove the short distance to church rather than splash through puddles. The parking lot was filling up fast. She wasn’t the only one to drive in this weather. Waving at friends, she dashed into the building and headed for her Bible study class. She’d see her dad later and find out what was going on.

  However, when she entered the sanctuary for the morning service, she didn’t see her father. Going to the pew they normally sat in, she looked around, wondering if he were sick or something. That would not explain the car’s absence from the carport.

  Or maybe he had made fishing plans with other friends that his old friend Walt didn’t know.

  “Hi, Auntie Marcie,” Jenny said, slipping into the pew beside her. “I wish it wasn’t raining. I can’t ride my bike in the rain and Sally Anne and I were going to the park today. Uncle Zack said I could.”

  “Where is your uncle Zack?” Marcie asked, wondering if he wasn’t coming.

  “He’s coming. He had to park the car,” Jenny said, and Marcie’s anticipation grew.

  “This seat taken?” Marcie’s dad smiled at her from the aisle. “How’re you doing, cupcake?”

  “Dad! Where have you been? I was worried sick when I couldn’t reach you.” She searched his face, looking for any sign of something wrong. He looked the same as always.

  “Sorry, I guess I was out of cell service.”

  “When did you get home?”

  “Came straight here this morning. I haven’t been home yet.” He looked beyond her to wink at Jenny. “Your dad coming home soon?”

  “Yes. He calls every night. I miss him.”

  “I bet you do.” Settling back, Bill gazed at the front of the church. The musicians were taking their places; the service would begin shortly.

  “We came by your place yesterday, but you weren’t home,” Marcie said softly.

  “We?”

  “Zack Kincaid has an insurance question.”

  From her father’s expression, she knew he was not going to take this well. “Are you seeing him?”

  “Not really.” Well, not seeing as in dating. “He asked me to help watch Jenny yesterday, so we all spent the day together.” She’d been excited when he’d invited her to join them. She’d seen more of the man he’d become. And liked the way he did things.

  “There’re other insurance representatives,” her father said, interrupting her thoughts.

  “But not in town. Come on, Dad, listen to what he has to say, then decide. Never turn away a customer.”

  “Humph.”

  “So, where were you yesterday?” she asked. She wanted answers!

  “Out and about. The service is beginning.”

  She stared at him, taking in the more deeply etched lines on his face, the tiredness in his eyes. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine.”

  She eyed him again, but the music began and Marcie picked up her hymn book. As the congregation stood for the opening song, Zack came down the side aisle and made his way to stand beside Jenny. Marcie kept her gaze firmly on her hymn book. Her nerves seemed to hum with his nearness. She was acutely aware of his strong voice when it joined in the singing. How often they’d sat together, harmonized and relished the different hymns, talking after the service about which they’d liked best.

  Her father’s strong voice was on her left, Zack’s on her right. She could hear Jenny’s sweet young voice as she raised her own in joyful worship.

  When Pastor John finished the sermon some time later and the final hymn had been sung, Bill Winter stepped quickly into the aisle.

  Not so fast, she thought. “Want to have lunch together?” Marcie asked him as she gathered her purse and Bible.

  “Sorry, cupcake, I told Walt we could get some fishing in.”

  “I thought you like early morning fishing.”

  “On Sunday, I’ll take it whenever. Next week for sure we’ll have lunch.”

  He bid Jenny goodbye but refused to look at Zack.

  “I’m thinking your father’s not going to become my insurance broker,” Zack said right behind her.

  Jenny squeezed between them and hurried toward the back of the sanctuary to see Sally Anne. With the press of the people moving out, Marcie stepped back out of the flow.

 
“I’m worried about him. Something’s wrong.”

  He held her gaze, concern in his own eyes. “What?”

  “I don’t know, but I want to find out.”

  “If something’s going on, wouldn’t he tell you?” Zack asked. He longed to reach out and touch her forehead, erase the worry lines, say something that would bring a smile.

  “I guess. But I’m not sure. He keeps telling me he’s the parent, I’m the child, though I’m all grown up now. But he doesn’t want to worry me.” She sighed. “It’s probably nothing.”

  “Since he’s not taking you to lunch, want to join Jenny and me?”

  Marcie was ready to say no, but then she looked at Zack. He was close enough that she could smell his aftershave. His dark eyes watched her steadily. He waited patiently for her answer, something in his eyes asking her to say yes. And why not? He was a nice man. And she adored Jenny. Sunday was her day of rest—she might as well enjoy it.

  “Thank you, that would be nice. Did you want to go to the café?”

  “I originally thought about trying the sea shanty at the marina. Not in the rain, however. There’s only outdoor seating. So, if you’re not too tired of your own place, let’s go there.”

  “Okay.” They stepped into the aisle and joined the flow to the back. When they reached the vestibule, Zack touched Marcie’s shoulder and pointed to the left. Sean and his mother stood watching the crowd mill by.

  “They came!” Marcie said, surprise then pleasure showing on her face.

  “Let’s go say hi.”

  Marcie glanced at Zack as they headed that way. Together as a couple as they’d once been. She liked it.

  Sean’s face lit up when he spotted Zack and Marcie coming their way. He spoke to his mother and she smiled.

  Introductions were quickly made and the four of them chatted for a few minutes.

  “I can’t tell you how much your taking an interest in Zack means to me,” Earline O’Connell said. “He loves working and earning some money of his own. And knows now to be a good steward of the money and not let fly-by-night friends talk him into anything he knows is wrong,” she said with emphasis, nailing her son with a steely look.