“Not much. Except what you’ve told me about Billy and Stella.”
He points his pizza at her. “You can’t tell anyone I told you this. Cecily is my primary source of information, although some of it I’ve heard directly from Stella.”
“You have my word.” She holds up three fingers for Scout’s honor.
Everett sets down his pizza and wipes his mouth. “So, Billy had an older brother, Ethan, who was killed in a plane crash in the early nineties. He was living in DC at the time. He’d chartered a private plane to fly home for his wedding.”
Presley’s eyes get enormous. “His wedding? That’s so tragic.”
“Everything about this family is tragic.” Everett stuffs the last bite of crust in his mouth and wipes his lips with a napkin. “Both Billy’s parents died within a few years of Ethan, allegedly from natural causes but many believe from broken hearts. Billy and Stella’s mother spent their summers together here, on the farm, when they were growing up. At some point they became romantically involved. At least long enough for Stella to be conceived. Stella’s mother is now living with another woman as an openly gay couple in New York. Her lesbian mothers led Stella to believe that her father was a sperm donor.”
Presley blinks. “Are you kidding me? That’s insane.”
“Billy wasn’t thrilled when Stella’s mother took off to New York with his unborn child. Sometime later, he struck up a relationship with Naomi, and the two of them produced another child, born out of wedlock. That child is Jazz.”
Presley’s lips form an O. “I get it now. Stella is stuck with Naomi because she’s the mother of Stella’s half sister.”
“Exactly.” Everett closes the lid on the pizza box and tosses it like a Frisbee across the room.
Presley cuts her eyes at him. “What was that for? Are you angry about something?”
“Never mind.” Leaving the sofa, he picks up the pizza box, sets it on the coffee table, and walks over to the window.
Presley goes to stand beside him. “Seriously, Everett. I can tell something is bothering you.” She nudges him with her elbow. “You can trust me. Is it something at home? Are your parents okay?”
He doesn’t speak for a long time, but when he does, his voice is calmer. “My dad just got out of the hospital. He had a stroke. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage. He’s doing better now, but I feel bad, not being there for my mom.”
“I’m sure you do. Should you go home for a visit?”
“I should, but I’m not. I can’t leave work right now. I wish I could send them some money to help with the bills. But, with business so slow, I can’t spare a dime.”
Presley places a hand on his arm. “Hang in there, Ev. We’re working as hard as we can to change that.”
They stand together in silence for a long time, staring out at a quiet Main Street. The businesses are shut down, and everyone has gone home to prepare for the start of another work week. Presley feels sorry for Everett. She knows all too well the worry associated with having a sick parent. She appreciates him opening up to her, but she senses there’s something more he’s not telling her.
15
Everett
Everett goes to the library early on Monday morning to check his email. There are no new emails from Carla or Louie. He hopes this means they are finally giving up on tracking him down. He suddenly remembers his dream from last night of Carla and Louie chasing him. When Everett comes to a cliff, he jumps off, tumbles through the air, and lands in Clear Bottom Lake. When he sinks to the bottom of the lake, Naomi, wearing a mask and snorkel, comes after him wielding a long spear like a lobster diver.
The news from home is grim. His mom, who is usually so upbeat, appears to be reaching the end of her rope. Physically, his dad is fine. Emotionally, he hasn’t fully recovered from his stroke. According to his mom, his dad is argumentative and verbally abusive. He’s reverted to the man of five years ago before the diabetes got the best of him. His mom doesn’t outright admit it, but Everett suspects he’s physically abusing her. Everett’s mom is too proud to ask for money, but he senses their financial situation is becoming desperate. He signs into his bank’s website and transfers every dime he can spare, which doesn’t amount to much.
On the way to work, Everett considers looking into part-time positions at some of the businesses on Main Street, but with his erratic hours at the inn, he doubts he’ll find anything that will mesh with his job at the inn. Besides, the majority of the guests at the inn have money, and most of them are big tippers. Perhaps he should wait it out at Billy’s Bar a little longer. If business hasn’t improved by Thanksgiving, he’ll move on.
Everett arrives as his coworkers are congregating in Stella’s office for a staff meeting. Sitting across from Naomi at the small conference table, he feels Naomi’s suspicious eyes on him, watching his every move. He can’t go on like this much longer. The stress is getting to him. He’s been distracted at work, breaking things easily, messing up drink orders, and misinterpreting things his coworkers say to him. He doesn’t mean to lash out at them, but controlling his temper is becoming increasingly difficult. He worries he’s turning into his father.
Music has been the one constant in his life that has brought him any semblance of happiness. With Presley living next door, he can’t risk playing for his audience at Town Tavern. He was forced to ignore them last week when he heard them chanting, “Music Man. Music Man. Music Man.”
After the meeting, he overhears Presley making plans with Lucy to drive to Richmond for a wine tasting
