Page 73 of What Happens in Paradise
Galen says, “Certainly you have a life preserver for Niles?”
“Life preservers are under the seat behind me,” Huck says. “We have one to fit the boy, though for an inshore trip, we won’t go faster than ten knots, so he probably won’t need it.”
“I was clear with the woman on the phone—” Galen says and before she can finish her sentence, Irene is pulling out a life preserver for Niles. D is for difficult.
Niles sits next to Huck at the wheel as Huck explains the dash, shows Niles the fish finder, and points off the port and starboard sides, identifying the other islands. Irene checks the light tackle rods, then sits on the stern bench next to Galen and Altar, who are whispering angrily back and forth. Irene doesn’t want to eavesdrop—as Huck told her early on, family drama rarely stops because people are out on a fishing charter, and it’s absolutely none of their concern. However, it’s impossible not to overhear. The daughter, Altar, is turning eighteen sometime after the family returns to New York, and Altar wants her mother to allow her to throw a party in the—house? Apartment?—for a hundred people with a DJ and a keg.
“No, no, and no,” Galen says. “It’s me saying no but it’s also building security saying no. A DJ won’t work, a hundred kids dancing to a DJ won’t work. We’ll get evicted.”
“What about Pineland?” Altar says. “She had that exact party on the fourth floor two years ago.”
“Pineland’s father bribed Mr. Soo,” Galen says.
“So there’s the answer,” Altar says. “You bribe Mr. Soo.”
“I have neither the desire nor the spare cash,” Galen says. “Your brother’s treatment.”
“I knew that was the real reason,” Altar says. “It’s Niles’s fault I can’t have a party.”
“Well, what exactly are Niles and I supposed to do while you throw this party in our home?”
“I don’t know,” Altar says. “Check into a hotel?” She laughs. “Niles will probably be in the hospital anyway, and you’ll be at his bedside, so what does it even matter?”
Irene can’t stand to hear another word. She moves to the captain’s seat. Niles is now on his knees on the bow banquette, earbuds in. He’s as still and majestic as a figurehead.
The earbuds, she supposes, are useful for blocking out his mother and sister.
Irene leans in to Huck. “They’re fighting back there.”
Huck nods to let Irene know he’s heard her, but he doesn’t seem to care. Maybe he’s thinking about Agent Vasco. Or, more likely, he’s trying to pick a good spot to anchor and cast. The engine noise makes most conversations impossible and yet the mother and daughter’s discussion has escalated to a screaming match. It’s impossible to ignore them.
“I’ll just ask Dad to pay for it, then!”
“Be my guest! See how far that gets you!”
“…bitter because Misty is way cooler than you…”
“Misty is twenty-six years old. She should be cooler than me…”
“I’m calling him now and telling him to book me a plane ticket home. I don’t want to be here! The only reason we’re here is because of Niles!”
“…selfish little…”
“…I have children, I’m going to love them all equally…”
“…sick, Altar…”
“I don’t care!” Altar screams. “I hate you and I hate Niles!”
Finally, Huck leans over to Irene. “I know it’s difficult, but you have to let them go. They obviously have things to work through.”
Irene wipes away the tears that are rolling down her cheeks. She’s crying for them but also for herself and for all families that have been broken.
Turns out, she’s not as tough as she thought.
When it sounds like Galen and Altar might actually come to blows—Galen grabs Altar’s phone and holds it over her head, threatening to throw it overboard—Irene moves up to the bow with two light tackle rods. She touches Niles on the back.
When he turns to see Irene holding both rods, his face lights up. Irene feels more tears building behind her eyes but she’ll be damned if she’s going to cry in front of Niles.
