Page 20 of Bad Summer People
“I was also really happy with the way our school handled Black Lives Matter,” said Paul. He was wearing a yellow-and-pink Hawaiian shirt, though Robert assumed it was more “a play” on a Hawaiian shirt than the actual kind that his dad liked to wear when people came over for barbecues. It was probably Valentino or something.
Sam had been silently sipping his drink, but he perked up at that.
“The race stuff, the #MeToo stuff. I’m sick of all of it,” Sam said. “People need to stop complaining and get on with their lives.”
Jen looked at him, surprised. Everyone was taken aback; Sam was always so positive and light.
“I don’t disagree with you,” said Paul.
Here we go,thought Robert. He’d heard a million and one of these conversations among his clients. Rich people loved to bitch about people who tried to take away their power.
“At our company this year, the only employees who were promoted were Black. It was totally for optics. We’d send out a nice press release, whichVarietywould pick up, and we’d get some good PR for the fact that our leadership was stacking its ranks with people of color. But honestly, it wasn’t a great move for the business. You need to promote thebestpeople, full stop. Even white women are now getting the shaft!” Paul chuckled.
“Paul, aren’t you supposed to be the woke one?” sneered Sam.
At that moment, Theo Burch, the only Black guy in Salcombe, walked by the group. He was with his white wife, Erica Todd, whose family owned a house on Atlantic Walk and the beach. There was a tense second during which no one knew if Theo had heard Paul’s rant. Theo, who dressed at all times like he was about to play golf at Augusta, had just been promoted to COO of a major insurance company. Robert had heard whispering on the court about how Theo had “benefited from the times,” but from what Robert could see, Theo wasn’t any less deserving than the other wealthy executives in this town.
“I don’t know about white women,” Sam continued darkly. “They still hold a lot of the cards in my world.”
Robert, having finished his slider, drained his champagne glass. Howcould he get out of this conversation? He scanned the crowd—no Lauren yet. He didn’t see Jason, either.
“Well, this chat just took a strange turn,” said Jen.
Robert was getting shitty vibes from everyone.
“Robert, why don’t you and I go look for stronger drinks?” she said.
Sam glared at him.
“Cheers, everyone,” Robert said as he followed Jen into the bar area, leaving Sam and Emily and Paul standing there, looking uncomfortable.
Jen slid onto one of the red wooden stools and patted the one next to her. He sat down.
“Sorry about that,” she said as she flagged down the bartender, Micah Holt. “Two whiskeys, please, Micah.”
Micah’s brown hair was parted dramatically on the side, and he was smiling widely, enjoying the power to please all his parents’ friends. Robert felt a wave of envy for Micah’s position in life; young, rich family, fun summer job. He reminded Robert of all the guys he knew at Stanford.
“Paul can be an asshole, as you might have heard, and I’m not sure what’s going on with Sam. I don’t think he really feels that way. Just ignore him,” Jen said. She was clearly embarrassed. “I think people here forget that not everyone in the world has the means to buy a beautiful second home and live in this privileged place.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve heard way worse,” said Robert. It was true.
The door opened, and Lauren walked in, with Jason trailing behind her. Robert felt woozy. He turned so he was facing Jen entirely, not wanting Lauren to see him yet. She was in a sleek navy dress that hit at her calves and hugged the rest of her body. She looked dewy, her cheeks flushed, her blond bob angled just so. She waved at someone toward the back of the room and headed that way, passing Robert and Jen without seeing them. Jason, meanwhile, made a beeline right to their seats. Robert felt Jen tense up.
“Jen, Robert, hi,” said Jason. “How was your July 4? Did you see all the hoopla at the field?”
“Yes, I was there,” said Robert. “Quite a day this town puts on.” His throat felt tight. Why had Jason come to speak to him?
“Then maybe you saw my wife get into a fight? I heard it was a scene,” he said.
Robert couldn’t tell where this was leading. “Yeah, I saw something,” he said.
“Is she doing okay?” Jen interjected.
“Yes, you know Lauren,” Jason said. He seemed to have lost interest in Robert and was fully standing in front of Jen, staring at her. “She’s always fine in the end.” He waved Micah over. “I’ll have a vodka martini, straight up with a twist.”
Micah nodded and got to work.
Jen smiled at Jason. There was something going on that Robert couldn’t put his finger on, but he was just happy to not have Jason’s attention focused on him, the person who’d fucked his wife in his bed earlier that afternoon. No one said anything. Was Robert supposed to make conversation?
