thought it was weird that they had all these different-colored beans in them. Didn’t look like the canned kind I was used to. ” He took another bite.
“Didn’t know what I was missing.”
He couldn’t believe he was talking to her about beans and food, when his insides were still churning from their conversation that afternoon. In less than two weeks, the country would divide them. She felt the same way, he could tell by the way she looked at him as they sat down on the beach chairs near the fire. It was a look of resignation and sorrow that made him reach out to touch her arm. He wished they had the beach to themselves rather than having to share it with their neighbors from the cul-de-sac.
Daria suddenly looked over her shoulder in the direction of the cul-de-sac.
“There’s Grace,” she said.
Rory turned around. Sure enough, Grace had crossed through the sea oats and was walking toward them, a large bowl in her arms.
“What’s she doing here?” he said under his breath to Daria. He hadn’t seen Grace, hadn’t even heard from her, since the day he’d told her that he and Daria were together. He stood up and took a step away from the circle to greet her.
“Hi, Rory. Hi, Daria,” Grace said, an uncertain smile on her face.
“I
hope you don’t mind my stopping by. I brought some fruit salad. “
Daria rested her plate on the fire ring and stood up to take the bowl from Grace’s arms.
“We’ve got the food over here,” she said, walking toward the picnic table.
Grace must have caught Rory’s look of confusion as they followed Daria to the table.
“I know you weren’t expecting to see me here,” she said.
“And, Daria, I want you to know how really pleased I am that you and Rory are… you know, seeing each other.”
Daria gave her a half smile.
“Thanks,” she said.
“I think you two are really good together,” Grace continued “But when I remembered that tonight was the bon fire, I decided to come over. I hope that’s all right. It’s just that I knew everyone from the cul-de-sac would be here, and there’s something I need to talk about.
To everyone. “
Why? he wanted to ask. Grace had perplexed him. from the moment he’d met her. He wasn’t sure what she was up to this time, but he didn’t feel like making her his responsibility.
“Okay,” he said.
“Help yourself and come sit by the fire.”
He and Daria waited while she took a couple of spoonfuls of food onto her plate, then the three of them moved to the fire. Rory found an empty beach chair and set it in the sand next to Daria for Grace.
Better next to her than him, he thought. Chloe, who was sitting on the other side of the fire near Ellen and Ted, greeted Grace by name, but the other neighbors merely nodded and smiled in her direction.
Chloe stood up and moved to the empty beach chair next to Rory, leaning across him to speak to Daria.
“How’s Shelly?” she asked.
“Isn’t she eating?”
“She said she’s not hungry,” Daria said.
“What’s wrong with Shelly?” Grace asked.
“Where is she?”
“She had a seizure today,” Daria said.
“I think she’s still feeling a little tired from it.”
“Is she at the Sea Shanty?” Grace glanced over her shoulder, where the widow’s walk was barely visible in the darkness.
“No, she’s down there with the kids.” Daria pointed toward the second fire.
Melissa lifted her head to sniff Rory’s food, then leaned against his legs. He scratched her behind her ears.
“My guys are going to miss you when summer’s over,” Linda said to Rory from her seat on the other side of the fire. She had her arm around Jackie.
“Yeah, I was thinking I might have to get me one of these when I get home.” Rory looked down at Melissa’s kind eyes.
“When do you leave?” Ted asked.
“September third.”
“I’m sorry to see you go,” Ted said.
“It’s great seeing you and Daria together.”
