Page 55 of Sweet Escape at Bayside
They all chuckled.
“Steph, the dude obviously doesn’t care or he wouldn’t have modeled. Can we get off thejunktalk now?” Cory slid the pizza tray closer to them. “You two hungry?” As Andre and Violet grabbed pieces, he said, “What are you guys doing November seventeenth?”
“Sorry, man. I’ll be in Cambodia,” Andre said.
“Dude, that’s crazy,” Cory said. “For how long?”
“I’m not really sure. Three or four months. Why? What’s going on November seventeenth?”
Cory grinned and said, “I’ve got my first big gallery showing in Boston.”
“That’s awesome,” Andre exclaimed. “You must be stoked.”
“I’m beyond stoked. What about you, Vi?” Cory asked. “Can you make it?”
“Dwayne and Rowan and I are going,” Steph said. “If you’re around, we can go together.”
Violet glanced nervously at Andre. He’d bet a buck her toe was turning in, too. He knew she loved him, but she’d changed the subject every time he’d gone anywhere near the topic of his leaving. If only she’d talk about it, at least then he’d know what she was thinking. He’d promised not to push, but waiting was killing him.
“I, um…” She looked down at her pizza, and then she sat up a little taller, looked at Cory, and said, “I don’t know what I’m doing next week, much less in November. But that’s incredible, and you know I’ll be there if I can. Is this the gallery that architect buddy of yours was going to try to hook you up with?”
“Yeah. Drew really came through for me,” Cory answered. “I’ve got to bust my butt to get ready for the show, though.”
And just like that Violet was back to her confident self. His girl was a survivor.
Rowan and Joni returned to the table, and Joni was full of energy, leading the conversation in ten different directions.
A little while later Violet pointed across the patio to Dwayne and Justin standing with five other tough-looking guys. They were eyeing a table full of women a few feet away. “Those are Justin’s three brothers to the right, and Dwayne’s are the two to the left. And see the jarheads over there?”
He followed her gaze to the edge of the patio, where a bunch of guys with military cuts, massive muscles, and serious faces were talking.
“Those are Dwayne’s military buddies. They come each year for the event, along with the Dark Knights, and as you can see, most of the community.”
“Why don’t your other friends come?” he asked. “I know they don’t hang out here, but we’ve been here a number of times, and I’ve never seen most of these other people either.”
“Because we’re inHarwich,” she said, as if that should answer his question. Then she added, “And they rarely go past the rotary in Orleans.”
“But they know Justin and his family. Wouldn’t they want to support them?”
“They do,” she said. “His family holds a smaller service in Wellfleet. This is a Dark Knights event. My friends up there aren’t really into this crowd.”
They were a much rougher-looking group than he’d seen around her friends in Wellfleet, but he had a feeling if she invited them, they’d come. If for no other reason than to support Violet.
“Peach!” Joni shook Violet’s arm. “Can you and Pepper dance with me?”
Violet smirked at Andre and said, “Geez, even the little ladies think you’re hot. Come on,Pepper. Let’s cut a rug with the munchkin.”
They danced with Joni, ate, visited the auction table, chatted with Gabe, Dwayne, and other friends, and then they danced some more. A couple hours later, Gabe announced the winners of the silent auction and the amount of money each item had sold for.
Andre watched Violet closely when they announced that her sculpture had gone for eight thousand dollars. Her beautiful lips curved up as everyone cheered, and when they announced that the winner had submitted the bid anonymously and was donating the sculpture to the coffeehouse, Violet turned her wise, knowing eyes to him.
He put his mouth beside her ear and said, “I’m proud of you, baby. You made that donation possible.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, and she turned, meeting his lips in a sizzling kiss.
“Thank you,” she said for his ears only.
Dwayne’s father gave a speech, thanking everyone for coming out. He spoke about the daughter he’d lost and about spreading hope for a more peaceful future. Then they allowed friends and family to say a few words. Violet held Andre’s hand, squeezing it as each person spoke. Her eyes teared up, and he put his arm around her, holding her close. Justin got up to speak, drawing tears with a tale about his late cousin’s fifteenth birthday party. Rowan was the only one from their table who spoke before the group. Holding Joni, he talked about how hard it was to lose someone and how he and Joni are proud to be included in the suicide-awareness efforts. Dwayne and his brothers each spoke. The burly bikers broke down, and ended up with their arms around each other’s shoulders, letting their tears fall without shame. Stephanie walked right up to them, and Dwayne pulled her into the fold. The military guys spoke of brotherhood and solidarity, their thoughtful words aimed at their brother in arms.
The outpouring of emotion was as sad and touching as it was inspiring, the way people from all walks of life came together to try to make their community a better place. By the time everyone had said their piece, Violet was practically in Andre’s lap, safely nestled within his arms, her side to his chest, her tears landing on his arm.
