Nantucket Blue

Forty-four





“I THINK THAT GUY was working here the last time I was on the ferry,” Mom said under her breath about the unfriendly white-haired guy behind the food counter. We bought hot dogs, chips, an iced tea for me, and a white wine for her, and found two seats by the railing. It was cloudy and even a little cold today. I wished I’d worn my jeans. I told Mom that she didn’t have to come, but now I was glad she was here. I was scared of seeing Jules and Parker and of being rejected by Zack, but it was the thought of having another one of the moments when I couldn’t breathe or move that made me want her around the most.

I’d described the moment with the red Volvo to her back in Providence. I was sitting on her bed with my laptop as she packed. I told her it felt like someone was choking me.

“It’s called an anxiety attack,” Mom said. “Now, do you think we can find a picture of this Paul Morgan person?” I Googled him and found a picture on his law firm’s Web site.

“Oh, yeah, I think I do remember him. He was fun.” She studied the picture. “Nice hair. He remembers me?” she asked.

“I already told you, he’s, like, in love with you.”

Mom smiled and tucked hair behind her ear. Then she looked in her closet and pulled out…oh my god…a pair of heels. They actually had dust on them.

“Cricket, you’re back!” Liz was headed upstairs with an armful of clean towels. She put them on a table and threw her arms around me. “I’m glad to see you.” She pulled back and mock slapped me. “Leaving me alone with Bernadette for two whole days, the nerve.” She stuck out her hand to Mom. “You must be Cricket’s mum. I’m Liz.”

“Nice to meet you,” Mom said.

“I’m Cricket’s top advisor on matters of the heart,” Liz said.

“We could all use one of those,” Mom said, laughing.

“Especially this one,” Liz said, blowing a loose curl from her eyes. “What room are you in, Mrs. Cricket? We’ll make sure you get plenty of towels. Maybe even an extra bar of soap if you play your cards right.”

“I think we can put her in room fourteen. I’ve got to check with Gavin,” I said.

“You should visit Liz in Ireland, Cricket,” Mom said. “That would be fun.”

“That’s impossible, actually, because I’m going to be living on Nantucket full-time.” Liz beamed.

“What about college?” I asked.

“Shane and I decided we’re happy here and want to stay. Why mess with a good thing? If we can avoid becoming raging alcoholics, I think we have a very nice life ahead of us.”

“Cool,” I said. Not going to college seemed crazy to me, but Liz just did whatever she wanted.

“The rooms aren’t cleaning themselves, Liz.” Bernadette glared as she passed us on the steps.

“Thank you for covering for me, Bernadette.”

“Yup,” she said, without looking back.

Liz leaned in and whispered, “And how could I part with such island charmers as Bernadette?” She picked up the towels and headed up the stairs. I showed Mom my room with the slanted ceiling and the rose wallpaper, and the kitchen and the backyard. I knocked on the annex door, which was halfway open. George, as usual, was inside typing away.

“George, this is my mother, Kate Campbell.”

“Nice to meet you,” George said, rising to shake her hand. “Your daughter is just terrific. She might have a future in journalism.”

“Thanks,” I said. Oh, George. It was good to see him. When I’m much, much, much older, I’d like to marry someone like him. I was glad I’d come back.

“Cricket told me about your book,” Mom said. “I think I might have a story that interests you.” So she’d decided to talk to him!

“Great,” George said. He smiled at me, mystified.

“But I’d like to remain anonymous,” Mom said.

“Absolutely.” He clapped once. “I’m intrigued.” They agreed to meet the next morning at the Even Keel.

We were walking back inside to find Gavin when I spotted him in the rosebushes with a pair of clippers.

“Hi, Gavin, I’m back.”

“Hi, Cricket.” Gavin turned around. He paused. He smiled at Mom. He put down his clippers and walked toward us, wiping sweat from his brow.

“This is my mom, Kate. What room should I put her in?” I asked. “Fourteen is free, right?”

“Yes, but the ventilation isn’t that great in there. How about the Admiral’s Suite?”

“She doesn’t need a Jacuzzi and a canopy bed,” I said.

“Actually,” Mom said, shooting me a look, “I could stand a little pampering.”

“It’s like, four hundred dollars a night,” I said.

“I can get you a discount,” Gavin said, waving me away. “I kind of run this place.” He smiled and wiped off his face with the sleeve of his T-shirt. “Kate, I’m just about done here. Would I be able to tempt you with a fresh piece of blueberry pie and a glass of iced tea?”

“Sounds yum,” Mom said with a sly smile. Pampering? Yum? Yuck! She was flirting. With Gavin. I almost preferred her in her bathrobe with her mysteries. Almost.