Page 4 of Rebel Summer

“I was just taking her home, sir. Her cart ran out of battery.”

“In a stolen golf cart?”

We both looked at him in shock while my stomach coiled into knots.

He let out a dry laugh that held no trace of humor. “Francis, from the police department, just called me. Said he chased a stolen golf cart into my garage and thought he saw my daughter inside. But as a favor to me, he said he’d let me check it out first.”

“Dax was just…” I floundered for words. For some reason, a protectiveness for Dax surged through my veins, and I wasn’t sure what to do with that knowledge. “It was just a prank. They’re not really stealing them.”

“The second you take a vehicle off of someone’s property without them knowing, it’s stolen.” He scoffed and nodded toward Dax. “Is that what he told you? That he’s not really stealing it?”

I glanced at Dax. Yes, but…

“It’s my fault, sir,” Dax said, casually stuffing his hands in his pockets.

My dad’s gray eyes narrowed in on Dax. “Oh, I know it is. That’s why you’re going to leave now, return the golf cart, and stay away from my daughter. You hear me? Unless you prefer that I go to the police.”

“Yes, sir.” Dax’s voice was polite, but his face twisted as though something amused him. He took a seat in the golf cart and turned the key.

My dad brushed past my arm, punching the garage door button. The squeak of the door rising felt like awkward elevator music while we all waited.

“I now know who’s involved in these thefts,” my dad said, walking alongside Dax as he backed out. “So remember that. If I hear of you doing this again, I will be going straight to the police. If Francis is not out there waiting for you right now, consider yourself lucky. Now get off my property.”

My dad turned around and strode back to where my mom and I stood. A small smile touched Dax’s lips before he threw me a salute and disappeared into the night.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: June 6th

Subject: RE: HELP ME PLEASE

Hi Ivy,

It’s so nice to hear from you again. I’m proud of you for reaching out. Spending time with a difficult family member can be emotionally complex. It’s so important to give yourself grace while creating boundaries for yourself.

I have a few tips I like to give to clients. Obviously, nothing in life goes as smoothly as we’d like, but hopefully, these tricks will help your weekend to go as well as possible.

1. Avoid engaging in unnecessary conversations.

2. If you do have an encounter—keep calm. Breathing exercises can help maintain composure over passive-aggressive remarks or manipulative tactics.

3. Create an exit strategy. Put distance between yourself and the situation.

4. Surround yourself with positive influences.

I hope these tips help you. Feel free to reach out anytime. I love hearing from past clients. My door is always open.

Best,

Dr. Barb Meadows

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I closed my email, checked the time, and slid my phone into the inside pocket of my purse. Four things. That was doable. Easy to remember. Bless your sweet little heart, Dr. Barb.

Drawing in a steady breath of salty ocean air, my gaze skittered across the crowd dressed in suits and silks and sipping champagne, and settled on a man of medium height and unremarkable brown hair talking animatedly in a crowd that hung on his every word. I doubted he even remembered I was here. Clinging to his arm was a brunette beauty named Angela, his new wife of one year.

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