I follow behind Mary as we walk along the paved road that leads to the north part of town, where the navy set up their own base near Fort Pond Bay.
“Jinx is still working in the factory, and Mick’s coming home in a month or two. Suze is over the moon. He wrote her every week, just like he promised; isn’t that swell? Sometimes the letters would come in a big batch, twenty at a time, and Suze and I would read them for days. Billy wrote to me too, sometimes. But then . . . the letters stopped.” She turns her face toward the rough pavement.
I picture the young man dancing with Mary on the sand, laughing as they spun in circles. “What happened?”
“He died overseas.” She lifts her head and her eyes are wet again. “German sniper, we heard. It’s just awful. His sister was the year below me in school and she hasn’t spoken a word since they found out. Ma and I baked their family a cake—we used real sugar, even though supplies were low, but there was no other choice, obviously—and brought it by a few months ago, and their whole house was stuffed with food from neighbors. Isn’t that nice? We could barely fit it in on the counter.” Her voice drops. “Though half the women sitting in the parlor clucking like old hens were those fuddy-duddies from church who always whisper about Mr. McDonald, Billy’s dad, being a philanderer. He is one, everyone knows it, but still.”
She spins around and starts walking backward in her scuffed saddle shoes. It is chillier the closer we get to the ocean, and I rub my hands together, wishing my dress had longer sleeves.
A grayish-blue navy jeep passes and Mary waves. The soldiers honk their tinny-sounding horn at us, but don’t stop.
“I’ve been talking your ear off, haven’t I?” Mary asks once it has disappeared farther down the road. “It’s just that Suze is so busy setting up house for Mick, and I’ve been so lonely lately.”
“What’s going on with Lucas?” I ask. “When I left it seemed like something might happen between you two.”
She smiles quickly. “Lucas is keen on me. Who would have guessed it? He’s been coming around on Sundays for dinner, and he takes me to the movies or dancing on Fridays. You know I’ve been stuck on him for years, ever since De—” She takes a quick breath. “Lucas is getting discharged soon, and I know he’s gonna ask me to marry him. He wants us to go live on his farm in Georgia with his sisters.”
I look sideways at her. “Aren’t you excited? You don’t sound it.”
Mary shrugs. “Georgia? It seems so far away. And how can I leave Montauk? Especially now.”
I speed up a little until we’re side by side. “You don’t want to leave because of Dean.”
She doesn’t answer. I hesitate, glancing over at her profile. Her red hair is in short tight curls, her skin glowing pink in the afternoon sun. “Mary, I don’t think Dean’s coming back. Be happy with Lucas. If you want to go with him to Georgia, then you should.”
She tilts her head at me, her mouth twisted to the side. “It’s a nice thought, Lydia.”
I start to speak but she cuts me off, her voice bright again. “Can you picture me as a farmer’s wife? The thought of waking up at five just to milk cows.” She gives an exaggerated shiver, her shoulders wiggling up and down. “I’d have to get rid of all my dresses. I’d probably never even do my hair again. I’d be too busy chasing after chickens.”
I try not to laugh. “You’re a nurse, aren’t you? I think you can handle a few cows.”
“Easy for you to say, when you’re not the one shoveling manure for a lifetime.” She bumps into me on purpose, locks our hands together and swings our joined arms back and forth as though we’re little kids.
This time I don’t bother trying to hide my laughter as I pull away.
She laughs too, though the sound quickly dies away when she glances over at me. “I’m so glad you’re back, Lydia. If only you had been here a year ago. It would have made things easier. But you just disappeared. I never even heard from you.”
There is enough accusation in her voice for me to stop walking. I turn to face her. “I’m sorry I left so suddenly. I didn’t mean to abandon you. I know I don’t have a great explanation, but the truth is that I couldn’t help it.”
She folds my left hand in both of hers. “I know. You had a man to follow. I understand, I do. I just wish you’d been here.”
“I missed you,” I say. “This year . . . it hasn’t been easy for me either.”
“And here I’ve been blabbing away, not asking about you at all.” She squeezes my hand. I reach out and touch her shoulder, my fingers brushing against the soft wool of her sweater.
She turns to look up the road. “If we weren’t in a hurry, we’d sit right here in the dirt and I’d make you tell me everything. You’d have to spew your guts out. But you’re back now, and we’ll have plenty of time later. We’ll talk for hours and hours and hours, don’t worry.”
I smile and follow her as she starts walking again. I’d bet anything we’re going to Susie’s house, a small cottage near the ocean, or maybe we’re visiting Jinx, just home from her day at the factory.
We finally reach the top of the hill, and I see the wide bay spread out in front of us, deep blue and shining where the sun hits it. To the left is the naval base: small seaplanes are floating in the water, while men in blue-and-white uniforms stand in groups along the shore. Some are talking and smoking cigarettes, while others kick at the waves.
“It’s nice to see, isn’t it?” Mary asks. “Just a few months
