“Sure. I’m the one who got away. You’ve been telling me that for how many years? Way before Jarvis ever died.” Maeve loved the ease of their friendship.
“It was kind of a joke in the beginning, but there was truth to it. I hope the few things you’ve let me do have made your life a little easier, or at least more enjoyable. Knowing you’ll be coming down for breakfast has kept me getting up and going to the diner every day. You know they don’t really need me down there.”
“But you’re so much fun, and The Wife would be sad not to spend the summers there.”
“I’m better looking than all those young kids working for me too.”
She pretended to completely agree. “I was getting ready to say that.”
“I’m sure you were.” He placed his hand on top of hers. “It’s a very nice thing leaving your house to Amanda. I’ll take care of her when you’re gone.”
Maeve sniffled. “I know you will.”
“You tell my best friend that I’ve missed him.” Tug squeezed her hand. “You tell him that I did my best to take care of you but you’re just as stubborn and independent as you always were.”
“You don’t think he already knows all that? I know he’s been watching over me. You too.”
“I’m sure he has.” Tug shook his head. “How can you leave Whelk’s Island? This is your beach.”
“It doesn’t matter where I am, Tug. I’m ready to go, and this will bring Judy some peace of mind. She’s my baby sister. I owe her that. Besides, wouldn’t it be a little creepy for me to die here at home and then expect Amanda and her kids to love the place?” She shuddered.
“Oh yeah.” His long, low whistle sounded like a missile. “That’s kind of morbid.”
“Exactly.”
“Like I said. Not one loose marble in that beautiful mind of yours. This way everyone gets what they need and deserve out of all this.” He slapped his chest. “I’m going to miss you so much. I love you, Maeve.” Tug stood and reached for her hands. “Come here, you.”
She stood and he hugged her, holding her tightly, both of them crying tears for more memories than anyone could remember anymore. He choked back a sob.
“Thank you for being the best best man in the whole world and for being the best friend.” She tried to hold her voice steady. “Better than I deserved.”
Whatever he’d just mumbled she couldn’t make out.
He let go of her and stumbled back a step. “I need a minute.”
She watched as he stepped out on the deck, leaning over it, his shoulders shaking. He really did love me. It wasn’t a joke. “You silly old man. Why didn’t you say that before now?” she said quietly.
He walked back inside a few minutes later, his eyes red and his nose swollen but his voice steady. “Will you let me at least pack some things for you to bring on your trip to Georgia?”
“That would be lovely, Tug. Judy is sending a car next Friday morning.”
“Okay. Yeah, and anything else you need from me. I’ll check your post-office box, help out around here. Whatever you need.”
He walked back over and hugged her for a long time. So long that for a moment Maeve thought he’d dozed off.
“I gotta go before I get all sappy on you again,” he said.
“Don’t you grieve for me, Tug. I’ll be with Jarvis. We’ll get the fishing trip planned for when you make it to the pearly gates. There’s got to be a good fishing spot. For sure Jarvis has already built a boat.”
“I hope it’s not an ark. I get a little antsy around a bunch of animals.”
“You’re so funny, but then again with Jarvis you never know. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. I love you too.” She pressed her lips to Tug’s cheek, then slowly backed up, smudging her lipstick into his cheek. “You live that good life, Tug.”
He nodded, then bolted out the door.
As the door closed behind him, she whispered, “Goodbye, my friend.”
The Senior Helper was in the kitchen, listening. She was always listening.
Maeve walked down the hall and crawled into bed. She’d allowed Judy to work with the doctor’s office to arrange the help here and for when Maeve got to Georgia, but she didn’t have to like it. She was tired and thirsty. Didn’t need a nurse for that. She took her pills and went to sleep.
—
When Maeve woke up, she remembered her dream. Jarvis was there. She could almost feel his presence. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. It hadn’t been that long of a nap. Less than an hour, but she felt refreshed.
She got up and was headed to the kitchen to get some water when she remembered the aide was still there. She hesitated, but she wasn’t about to hole up in this room all week either. She’d do her best just to ignore the woman.
“Miss Maeve, I made some soup. Can I get you a bowl and a sparkling fruit spritzer?”
Well, that didn’t work so well. Maeve pasted a pleasant look on her face. “The fruit spritzer sounds wonderful. I guess I could eat something. I’ll take it on the patio.” She walked out on the deck, looking out over the water as she had for so many years.
The water perked and rippled when she saw the first dolphin crest. With delight, she reached for her binoculars. Sure enough, it was the dolphin with the notch out of its dorsal fin that made it look like a hook was among them. It was hard to count with so many coming out of the water alongside one another. At least twelve or more. Then she followed one specifically. A calf. So much smaller than the others. “Thank you for visiting me one last time.” She watched until they were out of sight.
The helper came out and placed a bowl of soup with a lovely
