Page 69 of An Island Summer
She stared at it. “You know it isn’t as easy as painting this thing. And I’ll have to get a business license, a seller’s permit, a food-handler’s permit… I’ll probably have to get some sort of parking permit… Do we even know where I’d be allowed to park it?” The fear crept in—could she do this? But then, Hester’s blank journal floated back into her mind.
One step at a time.
“You know what?” she said before Tess could respond. “Let’s do it.”
Tess threw her hands in the air and danced around.
They went inside and paid Simp, using the last of Meghan’s tip cash. Then, the two of them went back outside and lifted the end of the cart by the handles, rolling it back to The Seabreeze on one tire, the other flat. As they pushed it down the street, while she had no idea how it would help to pay her bills or fix anything else, she couldn’t help but feel like she was taking that first step in the right direction.
TWENTY-FOUR
The sun casting an early orange light on the sand under their feet, Meghan stood back to take a look at their progress, the bright white cart that they’d painted on the beach out back with their left-over house paint gleaming at her. That morning, she’d gotten straight up and started painting.
“I’m going to have to buy some exterior paint at some point,” Meghan worried aloud next to Tess, “but this should make it through the summer.”
“It looks gorgeous,” Tess said, holding the piece of wood for the top of the cart that she’d just brought back from the hardware store, the salty coastal air swirling around them as she unpacked a saw, screws, a few tools, and some sandpaper.
“I managed to get the old cotton candy bowl and counter off the top,” Meghan said, clapping the sand and dust off her hands.
“Wonderful.” Tess handed her the saw. “We can cut the wood to fit and then affix it to the top.” Then her best friend flashed a devious grin. “I got some other things too.”
Meghan peered into the bag. “What else?”
“They’re not in there,” Tess told her. “Let’s get the top on and then I’ll show you.”
With paint-splattered hands, Meghan pulled the measuring tape from the bag and measured the size of the counter she wanted to make, stretching the tape along the cart. When she had her dimensions, she marked them off on the board.
“Can you hold the other end while I saw?” she asked.
Tess grabbed the free side, keeping it still while Meghan began to move the saw back and forth along the line she’d marked. They worked together until the board was just the right size.
After the tedious task of sanding it, they both held the board, affixed it to the top with the screws, and then puttied over the holes. “This is going to be gorgeous once it’s painted,” Meghan said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her wrist.
“Yes,” Tess agreed. “But wait here. I’ll go get the things I bought. They’re a congratulations present on starting your own business.” She ran around to the front of the house.
Meghan viewed the cart. The doors would need new silver latches and hinges, but she could upgrade those when she got paid, and she’d have to see if she could replace the tires at the bike shop in town…
Tess came running back around the house hugging the pole of a giant red umbrella, with another bag slung over her shoulder. “Surprise!” she said, opening up the umbrella and showing off its bright color. “I bought brackets too, so we can fasten it to the side of the cart.”
“It’s amazing,” Meghan said, astonished by the gesture. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know I didn’t,” Tess replied, digging around in the bag. “I wanted you to have everything you need.” She pulled out a silver box with a lock on the front. “It’s a cash box.”
Meghan smiled, unable to hide her fondness for her best friend.
“And!” Tess held up a finger while rustling in the bag once more, then pulling out a bright red basket. “I got this to sit on top.” She placed it on the counter they’d just made. “To hold your muffins.”
“The red is so bright and stunning against the white,” Meghan said, the color scheme inspiring her. “It justfeelsright.” She reached over and gave her friend a squeeze. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Yes, you could have,” Tess said, wrinkling her nose playfully. “But I’m glad I’m here with you.”
“In a very weird way, while I have no idea where this little cart will take me, it feels so natural, like it truly had been waiting for me. Andyoufound it, so I needed you here.” Meghan came around the other side of the cart. “But not just to find me this cart. You’ve been amazing through all of this.” She reached out and gave her best friend a hug.
“I still wonder if Toby’s going to kick us out of here,” Tess said to Meghan, as they floated on lounge-floats in the pool at The Seabreeze. The sun had dropped just enough in the sky to cause long shadows to stretch across the patio. Tess made little splashes in the water with her feet to get over to the side of the pool and pushed off, sending waves across the pool. “Have you talked to him at all since you showed him the journal?”
“No.” She ran her fingers along the glassy surface of the water, focusing on the last remnants of white paint washing off her nails so she didn’t have to think about Toby. “I miss Rupert. I want to see him.”
Tess paddled over, lining her float up with Meghan’s. “Then why don’t you? If you don’t feel comfortable running into Toby, he probably isn’t there now. You could sneak in and say hello.”
