Page 91 of Summer People
“Yes.” She nods crisply. “We also need a dock for thePink Lady.”
Eyes squeezed shut, I blow out a breath. I could build a dock for Libby, but it wouldn’t make it through the waves caused by a single storm.
“Since when are we taking requests from uninformed summer people?” Flora calls out.
The crowd breaks into chatter, one person talking over another, and Libby seems to deflate, slinking back into her chair. When I spot her lashes fluttering rapidly, I realize she’s trying not to cry.
Fuck. What I’d give to throw Flora off the dock that I will now have to build.
It’s unrealistic, yeah, but if it makes Libby smile, then I’ll do it. Fuck it, I’ll build ten. And they can all wash away.
Voice wobbly, Libby says, “I’m gonna go.”
She stands and I move to follow her. My chest fucking aches for her. Flora could have said all kinds of nasty shit, but she didn’t have to. All she had to do was call Libby summer peopleto take all the wind from her sails.
I’m on my feet without hesitation. “You should all be ashamed of yourselves,” I say over the chatter. One by one, people turn toward me. “I, for one, have never been so embarrassed to be from Monhegan Island than I am today. Since when do we treat people like this? All Libby has wanted since the day she arrived on the damn trash boat was to fit in with this island. She was kind. Quiet. She didn’t ask for much. Just some sherbet and diet ginger ale and even that was too much.” I glare in Doris’s direction. “She’s helping with the town play, she put all that time and effort into the parade. Hell, she’s running errands around here for all of you.” Chest heaving, I glare at them all, every last one of them, and point back toward the door where Libby rushed out just moments ago. “That woman went without cable, hot water, clothes. She had her cable wires cut, she’s been hurt and shunned. Yet, day in and day out, she’s had a friendly face for all of you. No matter what.Do better.”
I move to push past Wilder to go after Libby when Cank calls after me. “Sheriff, you’re right. So is Libby. Come up here. What do you think about bringing on a mailman?”
I stop, hands balled into fists, but I don’t turn. I don’t give a shit about the mailman, especially when my girl is upset. With a long exhale, I shake my head, ready to rush off, but Wilder slams a hand to my chest.
“Dude, you can’t just leave. Especially when everything Libby said before makes sense. Come on. Give them some truth. Youdon’t want to be the errand boy anymore. It was Hunter’s thing. Not yours. And that’s okay.”
I sigh. “Five minutes.” Eyes narrowed, I stomp to the front of the room.
For the next ten minutes, I answer question after question from Cank, as well as half the people gathered. Most of them demand I keep one job or another. They all think they need my help, which is why normally I don’t push back.
But when Farmer Todd says,“I want to keep Fisher on goat duty, no one else can get the damn beast out of my green house, he has a magic touch. And what else do you have to do?”I’m done.
Glaring, I growl, “I still have a job in Boston.”
Are these people so goddamn self-centered that they’ve forgotten that? How else am I going to make a living since they don’t pay me?
The room erupts again, and I take the opportunity to get the fuck out.
“I’m leaving,” I mumble to Wilder. “Let me know what they decide.” I’ve only made it a step or two when I’m stopped by a hand on my arm.
The red nails come into view first, and on instinct, I pull away. “Yes?” I ask Flora as I shuffle back a step. Out of respect for Marissa’s memory I’ve given her cousin a lot of leeway over the years. But knowing that Sutton is uncomfortable around her is all the encouragement I need to put a stop to her antics once and for all. And after the way she was rude to Libby today, well yeah, she’s used up every bit of my patience already.
“I wanted to invite you over for dinner tomorrow night.” She drags her teeth over her lower lip, lashes fluttering. “I thought we could talk about Sutton and plans for the fall.”
I blink. She’s invited us to dinner a few times, and I’ve gone out of obligation, but never alone. And fall plans? What’s thereto discuss? Sutton will go back to school in the fall and be part of whatever island activities are available, just like always. And frankly none of that is Flora’s business.
“I don't think that’s a good idea.”
“But it would be nice. To have a break from everyone.” She reaches out but before she can touch me I cross my arms over my chest and take another step back. “We’ve never had the chance to hang out, just the two of us.”
“Why do you think that is? I’d never spend time with someone who refuses to serve someone because she doesn’t like her. Your attitude towards summer people is awful but with Libby you crossed a line. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’mwithLibby.”
Sending me a patronizing smile like she’s heard not a single word I’ve said, she nods. “For now. You and Wilder have your summer fun.” She chuckles. “But she’s leaving. Summer people don't stay.”
The statement is like a dagger to the heart. I might know Libby’s leaving, I might understand it, but my heart hates it. But my anger over her treatment of Libby is stronger. “And yet I’d still choose her over you anyway.”
Her mouth falls open and on a parting glare, I add, “Oh and Flora, you know all those fancy iced coffees and extra donuts I’ve been adding to my order? Yeah, those have been for Libby. Mygirlfriend.”
Flora’s face is beet red but before she can even formulate a response, I stride away.
Walking out the back doors of the school, I head straight home. I should stop by and pick up Sutton from Mrs. K, but for now, talking to Libby is my first priority.
