The Gin and Chowder Club

With Martha happily limping beside him, Asa walked along the beach in the late-afternoon sun. Every once in a while, the shiny black head of a seal bobbed above the surf and studied them curiously. Asa watched it until it went under again and then focused on waves farther down the shore, waiting for it to resurface. He smiled and wondered what Noelle was doing at that very moment. Perhaps making dinner or reading a book on the porch, or maybe she was lying by the pool. He pictured her, and to his dismay, hoped that she wasn’t. But what if she was? Why should Nate be the one to enjoy looking at her? Why should he be the one to touch her smooth skin? Why is he the one who lies beside her every night? Oh, God, why is he the one who gets to make love to her?

With shocking clarity, a merciless answer filled Asa’s consciousness: Because he is her husband! The answer echoed through his mind and blindsided him with yet another wave of jealousy and frustration.

“I don’t give a damn!” he shouted back, his fists clenching in fury.

44

August 31 dawned unexpectedly cool. It had been a chilly night, and the coolness of the morning air whispered of autumn. At breakfast, Samuel teased, “There is an age-old saying, you know…”

Sarah chimed in, “Yes, we know: ‘Six weeks from first katy did to first frost.’ Don’t remind us! It’s still summer!” Then she looked at Asa. “You have another present-why don’t you open it?” Asa had already opened several gifts: two wool sweaters, hiking boots, a wool jacket, and a collection of poems by Robert Frost. A second book, a novel, was from his father. To Kill a Mockingbird had just come out that summer, and Samuel said he hoped Asa didn’t mind that he had read it first.

Asa opened the book and saw his father’s inscription. “I’ve heard about it, Dad. Did you like it?”

“It was very good,” Samuel answered thoughtfully. “A good lesson…”

Asa looked at all the gifts and then at his mother. “You know, Mom, for someone who says ‘It’s still summer,’ you’ve certainly created a conflicting theme with these presents!”

“That’s true, dear. Look at the things you’ve given him,” Samuel said.

“Well, it gets cold in New Hampshire, and I just want him to be prepared.”

“I’m already packed,” Asa teased. “I don’t have room for these things.”

“You’ll just have to make room. Now open.”

Asa started to open the package from his brother. Martha, who was nosing around the breakfast table, came over to help tear the paper away.

Asa looked at the gift and smiled. “Sermons and Soda-Water.” He held up the boxed set of three slim volumes for his parents to see.

“John O’Hara,” Sarah said thoughtfully.

“It’s in case you forget to go to church,” Isaac teased.

They all laughed and Sarah eyed him. “You’d better not!”

It felt good to laugh. It had been a long and lonely week. Even though he had spent it surrounded by friends and hanging out at the beach, Asa ached to see Noelle, to be alone with her once more. The week had dragged by, and it tortured him to realize that time was running out. He couldn’t think of any excuse to stop by the house, and every time he let himself think of Nate and Noelle alone, it drove him crazy. He tried to write, but nothing would come. Sitting at his desk, he just felt empty and lost and sad. The revolving rhythm of the lighthouse only served to further emphasize the fleeting passage of time.

Samuel stood to clear the plates. “Are you two going to be around today?”

The boys looked at their father, and Isaac replied, “Of course, Dad. Who else will pull the clam bellies for you?” He headed up the stairs to shower.

Sarah turned to Asa. “Are you really all packed?”

Asa leaned back in his chair and felt a wave of anxiety. “I think so,” he answered.

“Well, be sure,” Samuel said. “We’d like to head out first thing in the morning. Orientation is at two o’clock.”

“I still don’t see why freshmen have to arrive so much sooner than everyone else,” Asa grumbled. “Just think, Dad, if I stayed here and found a job, you wouldn’t have two tuitions to think about.”

Sarah studied him. She still hadn’t been able to put her finger on what was troubling her son, but she couldn’t help but think it was the prospect of going away. “Asa, everything will be fine. You’ll become adjusted in no time.” She followed Samuel into the kitchen, and Asa could hear them quietly talking. He leaned forward to listen.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately,” he heard his mother say. “He’s been so moody and withdrawn. I honestly think he’s hiding something.”

“You worry too much,” his father answered. “I’m sure he’s just anxious about school. You know he’s not like Isaac. He’s much quieter… and less outgoing. He’ll find his way once he gets settled and caught up in a routine.” Samuel paused and shook his head. “And I don’t know what he could possibly be hiding-I think that’s your imagination.”

“I hope so,” she sighed.

Asa leaned back, closed his eyes, and continued to stroke the noble black head that rested contentedly on his thigh.

45

Isaac was in the driveway when Jen pulled up in the Corvair. He tucked two beers under a beach blanket and convinced her they should go for a ride before everyone else arrived. Asa seized the opportunity to move his truck down to the parking lot at Nauset Light. He had plans of his own. If anyone asked, he would just say that he was making room for all the cars. He grabbed a bottle of champagne from his father’s cellar supply and put it on ice. Placing the cooler on the passenger floor with a blanket thrown over it, he drove the truck down to the parking lot and walked back along the path that passed by the lighthouse.

Samuel was on the porch squeezing a lime into his drink when Asa came up the porch stairs. “Well, what can I get for the birthday boy?” he asked, smiling.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” Asa said, feeling bold and excited by what the evening might hold. Samuel made another drink, held it out to him, and lifted his own glass.

“Happy birthday, Asa,” he said, looking his son in the eye. “May the year ahead be full of blessings, adventure, and high marks!”

Asa laughed. “Thanks, Dad, but you’re supposed to say, ‘ ’Tis the chowdah that warms a man’s belly…’”

Samuel agreed with a chuckle. “Yes, that too.”

They both turned as Martha barked and struggled to pull herself up off the weathered wooden floor.

“Don’t you know me yet, you silly old girl?” Nate came up the steps and kissed Martha on the nose. He smiled, shook hands with Sam, and clapped Asa on the shoulder. “Happy birthday, Asa! It’s all downhill from here!” He turned to Samuel. “And you-you must be feeling really old!”

Samuel laughed and pointed to his glass. Nate nodded.

“Where’s that lovely wife of yours?” Samuel asked, putting ice in a glass for Nate.

“Oh, she’s coming. She has her own birthday gift, and she had to ‘fix’ it,” he said, winking at Asa. “Which reminds me.” He reached into his pocket for an envelope. “Asa, let me give these to you now before it gets crazy.” He held the envelope out to him. “I want you to know, I thought of this all on my own, and I had to get special permission from the boss to get you out of school.” He winked at Sam. “I hope you won’t miss anything too important.”

Asa looked puzzled as he opened the envelope and pulled out four tickets. The two men watched as a smile spread across Asa’s face.

“Hey! Tickets to the Sox-Orioles game!” He looked at the date. Wednesday afternoon, September 28. “Thanks,