“Good idea. I’ll join you shortly.”
People had sorted themselves into groups—at the roaster despite the heat emanating from it—at the horseshoe pits—down by the A-frame swing near the water’s edge. She knew so few. Was that Billy Wooten down on the dock? Juli headed toward that one familiar face. A wild Frisbee whisked past her head.
A couple of small boats were tied up alongside the dock with rubber bumpers to protect them as they shifted in the water. Another boat was approaching slowly so as not to create a wake.
Juli touched her pockets for reassurance. Keys in one, cell phone in the other. Volume was turned up all the way, plus vibration.
“Billy?”
He looked over his shoulder. “Juli, hi.”
She sat down carefully to avoid splinters. As worn and rough as the wood was, the smooth feel and the warmth of it beneath her hands and thighs, surprised her.
“No other teenagers around?”
He shrugged. “A few, but I don’t know any of them. I can’t stay long anyway, so it doesn’t matter. Mom said it was polite to come.”
“Is your mom here? I’d like to meet her.”
“No, she had to take my sister somewhere. She’ll be back soon to pick me up.” Wistfully, he looked up the slope toward the house. “I don’t think we’ll eat before I have to go.”
“I’m not going to stay for the food either. I need to get back home to Ben.”
“I heard he’s sick. I hope you don’t mind me saying it.” Billy blushed.
Juli reached over and touched his hand. His face flamed up like wildfire.
“It’s okay to ask. Ben’s a great guy and he’s making the best of it. It’s not easy. I don’t mean to imply that it is.”
Billy stared down at his sneakered feet hanging over the water as if he saw nothing good in front of him. Juli struggled. Should she? Asking was almost like baring her own hurts. She pushed it out, “Whatever’s on your mind, say it out loud, Billy. I’m listening.”
The words fell one by one. “My dad. It’s been a couple of years now.”
“How?”
“No, he left. It’s like he died. My mom said she’d be lost without us kids, but I think sometimes it just makes it harder for her.”
“You’re wrong, Billy.” Juli fought a surge of anger. Her mother and Billy’s mom didn’t have anything in common. Billy’s mom took care of her kids. She didn’t run away and leave them to fend for themselves.
He sighed. “Do you have kids?”
“No.” She swung her foot over and bumped his. “Your mom would be lonely without you and your sister.”
“Think so?” He launched a kick, but a gentler one that brushed the side of her sneaker.
He continued staring down at the water, but now he had a grin trying to grow on his face. From a distance, a woman’s voice called his name.
He looked up toward the house. “Gotta go.” He placed his hands against the edge of the dock and brought up his legs. He pushed himself up onto his feet and held out his hand to Juli. Juli reached up to accept his help.
“I think it’s time for me to leave, too.” She paused. A boat had caught her eye. It was almost to the dock. She looked away quickly, pretending she hadn’t noticed Luke. Billy gave her an odd look, but Juli kept her feet firmly on the dock and waited.
Chapter Sixteen
A woman was sitting on the dock with a teenager. Her legs dangled over the side and he noticed them first—very shapely—then his eyes traveled upward and saw her face and the dark hair cascading from her hair clip. Juli.
Luke cast a quick glance beyond her seeking Ben. Luke hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks. He’d waited patiently for Anna’s cookout, knowing Ben would be here unless he was too ill to attend. And if Ben’s condition had deteriorated that much, Juli would’ve called him. So, if Juli was here, then Ben was, too. Somewhere. Maybe in the house or sitting in the deeper shade with the other picnickers.
The teenager stood and extended his hand to Juli. She rose gracefully, all fluid movement. It reminded him of how much younger she was. A decade might not be much for some people, but there were days when those years felt like a huge chasm.
“Hello, Luke.” A man called out, heading toward the dock.
“Jake.” Luke tossed him the guide rope.
Juli turned as his boat came alongside the dock. She looked apprehensive. He focused his attention on shutting the boat down and making sure Jake had secured the line properly.
“Luke,” Jake said, “come on up. Sally wants to say hello and she’s got someone she wants you to meet.”
“No, Jake.” He noticed Juli had moved nearer as if waiting to speak with him. He didn’t want Sally and Jake to fix him up with anyone, and he certainly didn’t want to talk about it in front of Juli and some pubescent kid.
“She’s a keeper, Luke. We can’t disappoint the ladies.”
He looked at Juli, then back at Jake. “I’ll catch up with you in a few.”
“Serious, man. We’re waiting.”
“Promise.”
As Jake walked away, Luke turned toward Juli, asking, “Where’s Ben?”
Juli put a hand on the boy’s arm. “Luke, this is Billy. He’s one of Anna’s students.”
Luke nodded. The boy had actually moved closer to Juli and stopped slightly in front of her, almost between them. Luke held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Billy looked like he might refuse to shake. Luke waited and Billy gave in.
Juli said, “Billy, do you mind? I need to speak with Luke.”
Luke noted Billy’s slight swagger, a bit of posturing. He hid his amusement.
“Mom’s waiting, anyway. I’ll see you later, Juli?”
“Sure. See you in class.” She watched him leave the dock and walk up the slope. “I think he’s probably relieved to get away from me. I’m one of the old people now.” She laughed.
“I think he had other things on his mind.” Luke almost laughed with Juli, but he didn’t see happiness reflected in her blue eyes and his own good humor dimmed.
“Where’s Ben?”
“At home.” Juli crossed her arms.
“Why?”
She tossed her head and pushed loose strands of hair behind her ears. “His stomach was a little upset. He wanted to stay home.”
He didn’t like the sulky attitude Juli was giving him. “But you’re here. You came without him.” His inflection left it hanging open like a question.
She dropped her arms and even though she put her hands on her hips, the attitude rolled off her shoulders and evaporated. “He insisted.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Two simple words—he insisted. He ate a brownie and it disagreed with him. He’s not supposed to eat stuff like that. I would’ve stayed home happily, but he, well, he wanted me to come.
”
“But—”
Juli held out one hand. “No, that’s enough. I let you get away with a lot because I know you love him. Don’t push it.”
Luke's name was bellowed. The loud voice was Jake’s. Everyone in the back yard, who knew Luke, looked at him. If Jake had been within reach, Luke would’ve decked him. Fear for Ben, annoyance with Juli, and aggravation at Jake clouded his face. When he looked at Juli, she gasped and stumbled backward. At first, it was a stumble, but then another step and then something happened because she was falling. There was nowhere for her to go but over the edge of the dock and into the sound. He lunged forward and grabbed for her.
Her arms waved instinctively reacting to the fall. Luke grabbed one arm and her waist before his shoe, too, caught the same uneven board or nail, and added his momentum to hers.
Chapter Seventeen
In this spot, Bogue Sound was too deep for her to avoid a thorough drenching, yet too shallow to miss the mud and general crud that layered the bottom near shore, especially with Luke’s weight and force added to her own.
Juli caught her breath and held it instinctively because they were bound for the water. She was mortified even before they went under, still it was a wonder she didn’t laugh at the expression of shock on Luke’s face as they plunged down and down until her butt dragged bottom.
Under the water and in the mud, feet scrambled and arms flailed, and they were up again within seconds. Juli pushed her hair out of her face and pulled at her clothing, all in the same movement. Luke came up rubbing his face and shaking his head. All of the guests whose eyes had followed the sound of Jake’s voice were now converging on the dock. She pulled a long, clinging piece of brown grass from her neck.
Luke asked, “Are you all right?”
Juli looked at him incredulously. She sneezed.
“You were falling.”
“Thanks for helping.” But she didn’t say it nicely.
Luke grinned. Water dripped from his hair onto his cheeks and nose. The water that hit him mid-chest reached her shoulders.
“Miss, give me your hand.”
Juli looked up to see a man she didn’t know. There were mostly unknown faces in the growing crowd. Jake and Anna were pushing through them.
Luke nodded at her. She held her hands up. The rescuer wrapped his fingers around her wrists and Luke put his hands on her hips to boost her. The sure strength of his hands on her was so unexpected she nearly fell back again. Her rescuer pulled and Luke pushed and Juli found herself back up on the dock, her sneakers squishing. Her wet shorts had worked up around the tops of her thighs and she tugged at them hastily.
She looked back for no good reason and saw Luke watching her. Jake crossed her line of vision and held out his hand to Luke.
“Need help?” Jake asked, openly laughing.
Luke reached up and grasped Jake’s hand. With his other hand he braced himself on the edge of the dock, brought up his foot, then pushed backward. Someone screamed as Jake windmilled into the Sound.
Anna wrapped an arm around Juli and led her out of the way as the rescuer, also anxious to be out of the way, was bumped by someone else, and he, too, went in with a splash.
“Men,” Anna humphed. “Come with me.”
Someone handed Juli a towel as they walked up the slope.
“Are you okay, honey?”
“I’m fine.” Juli rubbed her face against the towel and patted her neck.
“Come on in. I’ll get you a sundress or something. You’re a few inches shorter than me, but it shouldn’t matter.”
“No, please. Don’t go to any trouble. I’ll drive home.”
Anna made a rude noise. “Like that? I should say not.”
Juli pushed off the wet sneakers and left them by the porch door. The porch smelled like heaven. The empty tables were now arrayed with chafing dishes. Juli and Anna dodged caterers as they made their way through the kitchen.
Anna hustled her down a hallway and pointed her to the bathroom. “Go dry off. If you want to shower, go right ahead. I’ll be back in a jiffy with something for you to wear.”
The extra weight in her pocket caught her attention as she shed her shorts.
“My phone. Oh, no.” She stopped in the middle of undressing and tried to dial Ben. Nothing. No signs of life. She would’ve pulled her wet shorts back on then and there, but Anna knocked and handed in a sundress, cut full and colorful. Juli pulled the dress on over her soggy undergarments. She only needed to wear them long enough to drive home. She was thankful—so totally thankful—that her keys hadn’t fallen out of her pocket and gotten lost in the ooze.
Juli grabbed up her wet, tangled shorts and shirt and barreled out of the bathroom.
Anna rushed after her, “What’s wrong?”
Bless Anna. Juli didn’t want to be rude or worry her. “I’m sorry, but I have to go home right away.” She talked as Anna followed her to the front door.
“Juli? What’s wrong?”
“My phone. It isn’t working.”
“Well, I don’t know, but maybe after it dries out….”
Juli wiped at her eyes. It seemed like water was still dripping. “It’s Ben. He’s supposed to call if he needs me. He can’t call now.”
“It’s okay, Juli. He knows my phone number and I’m sure he’s fine. You wait right here while I get my keys. I’ll drive you home.”
“No need. I’m on my way.” Juli swiped at her teary eyes, again. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’m fine, really. I have to get home to Ben, that’s all.”
Beyond Anna, Luke was standing in the kitchen doorway where the ceramic tile was safe from water damage. He was staring. Suddenly, Juli was so self-conscious, she couldn’t bear it.
“Thanks, Anna. I’m sorry for all the craziness. Maybe you can save us some barbecue?” She painted a smile on her face and gave a last wave as she went down the steps, then half-ran in her bare feet across the lawns bordering the street, to her car.
The car was an oven and she’d never driven barefoot. It felt odd, as if it should be illegal. Maybe it was. She didn’t know. Didn’t care.
Back home, Juli stepped out of the car and danced on the burning hot black asphalt drive. Her feet didn’t stop moving until she entered the side door at the top of the stairs. No Ben.
He was probably upstairs. She was being silly. Guilty conscience? Probably. She shouldn’t have left him when he was feeling unwell, especially for something as silly as a cookout.
But, no, he wasn’t upstairs. Juli saw him through the glass insert in the front door. He was on the porch.
He was leaning against the porch rail, but looking to the east as if in conversation with someone on the other side of the porch privacy divider.
She opened the door. Ben gave her a sideways look. The corner of his mouth was quirked up and he was saying, “Is that so?”
Juli moved to stand beside him, leaning against him to look around the end of the divider. Charlie’s grubby hand was pointing down the crossover and his intent was as unmistakable as his words were unintelligible. It sounded like, “Yo yo ganesh, huh.”
“Hi, Charlie,” she said. “Do you need a translator, Ben?”
“No. I think the universal translation is ‘I want to go down to the water.”
Charlie bumped his bare chest against the wooden gate. The gate bounced. The latch held, but the wood was weathered and rough.
“Careful, big guy. You might pick up some splinters,” Ben said.
“Hua.”
“Right.”
Charlie vanished from view for a second. He was quickly back. With one upraised arm, he flung a green plastic shovel over the gate. It skidded a few feet down the crossover and was closely followed by a red bucket. Then Charlie was back again, hands on the gate, shaking it so forcefully the hardware rattled.
Juli reached around the end of the partition and touched Charlie’s arm. She was planning to call out to get his mom’s attention, but Violet was there, sitting in the back corner of the porch. She wore earphones and was texting, her lips moving ever so slightly as she typed.
Juli called out, “Violet!”
She looked up, mouth gaping.
Charlie had stuck one finger in the corner of his mouth and started bouncing up and down, saying, “Um um um…” It was plain to see, in his chubby-cheeked anticipation, he was sure his big sister was being instructed to get up and convey him to his heart’s desire.
“What?” Violet asked.
“Your brother is going to get splinters.”
“Oh.”
Victoria stuck her head out of the door. “Violet, I’m gonna take that thing away from you. Put it away now. Bring your brother in and get him washed up. It’s naptime.” She waved at Juli and Ben, then went back inside.
Violet grabbed Charlie around the waist with one arm and swung him up onto her skinny hip. Her precious cell phone was held carefully in her other hand as she carried him toward the house. Her outraged brother howled.
Ben stepped onto the crossover to retrieve Charlie’s hopeful bucket and shovel. He dropped them back over the small gate onto the porch floor.
“Cute kid,” he said.
“Grubby. A slightly runny nose, but a man with a mission. What’s not to love?”
“Someday… Do you think that one day you’d like to have children?”
She looked Ben squarely in the eyes. “I’m enjoying today. Today is all I need.”
“I don’t think so.”
“What?”
He grasped her arms gently and looked down. “I think you also need shoes. And where did the dress come from? I’m pretty sure you weren’t wearing that when you left. What happened to your hair?”
Juli touched her hair. It was still damp and felt clammy. “I went swimming in Bogue Sound.”
“Swimming? In the sound?”
“Impromptu.”
“You got pushed, didn’t you?” Ben grinned. “I hope you weren’t too angry. We used to do that all the time. Although, we didn’t usually involve
unwilling
females.”
“We? You and Luke?”
“Among others. We were young, then.”
She pushed his arm playfully. “You actually look a little misty over the memory. Too bad you weren’t there. I’m glad to see you looking better.”
“How’d it happen?”
For some reason, Juli felt like she had to say it right and keep it airy. It was airy, wasn’t it? Not a big deal. “It was unintentional. Luke asked how you were and tripped. We both went sailing…well, not really sailing because we definitely didn’t float.” She watched Ben covertly, from the corner of her eye, and saw nothing concerning. “So then, someone helped me out, but then Jake—do you know Jake? Jake went to help Luke out and got pulled in. After that, I heard other splashes, but I don’t know what happened because I left. Anna loaned me this dress.” She held out her cell phone. “This is a casualty.”
He took the phone. “There are more of these, but only one of you.” He hugged her. “I’m glad you only got wet and not hurt.”
Later, when she was sure most of the guests would be gone, Juli drove back over to Anna’s to retrieve her sneakers.
All was quiet on the street and in front of the house. The noisy hum from earlier was gone and traces of the smell of hickory and barbecue lingered like a sleepy memory. Juli walked around the outside of the house, not going to the door. As she rounded the corner, she saw some guests remained. A group of maybe twenty or so, sat around in lawn chairs talking low with the occasional louder voice and short laughter.
Juli stood on the outside looking in, but with contentment. Some of the chairs were empty and the scene was so relaxed, that even though she didn’t recognize anyone in particular, she was confident if she walked up and took a seat, no one would do or say anything to make her feel like she didn’t belong.
After she had returned to her life without Ben, this would be one of the scenes in time she would always remember.
“Hi.”
“Luke.” He’d come up behind her. “He’s fine. Ben’s fine.”
He nodded. “I took the boat home and cleaned up some. Drove back over. You’re alright?”
“Yes. The dunking was an accident. I told Ben and he took a trip down memory lane. Apparently, you guys used to make a habit of unplanned group swims.”
“Hah.” His eyes seemed to look back into the past, far from flashing amber lights.
“I came back to get my shoes.”
“And the barbecue, don’t forget. Anna put some aside for you.”
“I’m sure it was delicious.”
“No one can do barbecue like Tarheels.”
“No one.” Juli took a step back and as she turned away, said, “Thanks, Luke.”
“For what?”
She shrugged and smiled. “Just thanks.” She waved as she walked away. “And I won’t forget the barbecue.” Under her breath, she added, “Or the swim.”
****
Ben went to church every Sunday morning. Most Sundays he took himself, but this time, after his spell on Saturday, Juli was concerned about him driving unnecessarily. Not that she’d tell him. He’d say he was a grown man who knew enough to pull over if he felt ill. But there was also the matter of the medication he was taking. It was bound to slow his reaction, maybe even impact his judgment in an emergency. It wasn’t worth the risk. Not for the sake of determined independence.
Juli tidied up the kitchen waiting for Ben to bring up the subject. He always did. And a couple of times she’d gone with him. Church was fine. Mostly.
“Juli?”
Here came the invite. “Yes?”
“I think I’ll head upstairs now.”
She waited for him to finish speaking, but apparently he already had. He laid his book on the coffee table and stood. He paused on his way to the stairs to kiss her cheek.
“Ben?”
“Yes?”
“Are you planning to go to church tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“I thought I’d go along with you.” Juli wiped at the counter, keeping her eyes focused on what she was doing.