Page 61 of Summer After Summer

“The Navy.”

“Right.” I didn’t forget, but I can’t make my brain work right. “And?”

“I did my four years. I’m on the G.I. Bill now.”

“What college?”

“Boston State. Studying business.”

“All according to plan, then.”

He glances at me now, his face a shadow across mine. “Mostly.”

I sink into my seat. It hurts my rib, and I hold it gently, knowing it’s another hour before I can take a pill.

“Does it hurt?”

“A lot.”

“What happened?”

“I went for a shot I should’ve let pass me by.”

“Sounds like a metaphor.”

“Probably.” I hug myself. “Anyway, I’m out for the summer, so I thought I’d recuperate here. What about you?”

“Here for the summer. My mom’s in town for the funeral, and then I’ll stay and help my aunt till school starts in the fall.”

I roll down the window, needing air. We’re on my street now, the dunes rolling by, the crashing waves our background music. “So we’re both here for the summer.”

“Seems like.”

What now? I want to say, but I don’t. I don’t know what I want, and until I do, I don’t want to make it about Fred’s wishes. Assuming he wants anything from me at all. But he said it’s five years later …

Is this my decision to make? Could we be reuniting right now if I said the word?

He turns down my driveway and stops the truck in front of the house. I don’t even know if there will be anyone but Aunt Tracy to greet me, but it doesn’t matter. Soon, I’ll take another pill and then a long nap, and tomorrow I’ll see how I feel about all of this.

“Thanks for picking me up.”

“Can we … can we get lunch later this week?”

“I’d like that.”

He smiles for the first time since the station, but it’s short-lived. He climbs out of the truck, and I do the same. He lifts my bag from the back and puts it down in front of the door. “Do you need me to bring this in?”

“I can do it. Or Aunt Tracy can help me.”

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry again about your uncle.”

He lifts his chin. “He was sick for a long time. Ever since …”

“The heart attack.”

“Yes.”

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