Page 52 of Promise Me Nothing
Of course, driving a behemoth of an SUV around makes parking in Hermosa a bit more difficult. Which is why I take advantage of the fact that no one is going to call HBPD on a Calloway vehicle parked at Bennie’s.
When I finally meet Ivy at the entrance, she gives me a smile –these mood swings are going to drive me up a wall – and loops her arm with mine before I open the door and we head inside.
I pull off my sunglasses, letting my eyes adjust to the interior of Bennie’s, tucking them into the neck of my shirt. Glancing around, I spot Hamish in the corner.
I lift a hand, giving him a wave.
He smiles at me and heads over from where he was at the bar.
“Wyatt Calloway, as I live and breath.” We clasp hands. “Good to see you, friend.”
We’re not friends, but I don’t say that to him.
I’m not friends with people who treat my sister like she’s invisible. I know I might be the one people want to talk to, but she’s a person too, and it pisses me the fuck off that I’ve been in here with Ivy a handful of times, and not once has he even acknowledged her.
You don’t have to be able to sign to give someone a fucking smile.
“We’re here for lunch and to see Ben,” I say, getting to the point. “It would be great if you could let him know we’re here.”
“Absolutely,” he says. Then he flags down a server. Denise, I think. “Can you take Wyatt and Ivy to table two please,” he tells her. Then he looks back to me. “Glad you’re back in town. This will be a fun summer.”
I nod once, then head off behind Denise, Ivy following, her hand laced in mine.
I try not to baby Ivy. She’s twelve. In junior high. Has lots of personality and attitude. But when we’re in public, interacting with people we know, she turns into this wallflower that just wants to hold my hand and stand halfway behind me, shielding herself from everyone.
And it’s in those moments that I can’t help it. When I see her being ignored, or when people try to yell at her, as if increasing their volume will make her less deaf. It’s maddening. And it makes her feel like people think she’s stupid.
My big worry is that it makes her feel like she is, too.
Denise takes us up the stairs and out onto the deck, giving us a seat at table two, which is the only table I sit at when I come here since it has the best view of the ocean, The Strand and Pier Ave.
She leaves us with some menus and then tells me she’ll be right back with waters. As soon as she’s gone, Ivy stands back up.
I have to go to the bathroom.
Okay. Do you want me to order for you or wait?
Wait, please,she says, giving me a smile, then prancing off to the stairs.
A few minutes go by and Denise returns.
“Can I get you anything yet?” she asks, setting our glasses on the table.
I shake my head. “I’m gonna wait until Ivy gets back from the bathroom.”
She nods. “Sounds good. I’ll be back in a little bit to check in again.” Then she heads off, back inside the building and likely down the stairs to the bar area, where the servers typically congregate.
I like coming to Bennie’s this early. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s only a little bit after eleven o’clock. Having just opened, Ivy and I will be the only ones on the rooftop, at least for a little while since it looks like an oddly cool day, the morning fog having not been fully burnt away by the sun just yet.
My eyes look off to the distance, down The Strand, in the direction of Mary’s, which is a few blocks away. I can’t seem to stop myself from wondering if Hannah and Lucas are there, being chummy with my friends.
I fold a cardboard coaster in half, irritatedas fuck. I can’t explain it. This seemingly irrational frustration. This overwhelming anger at the fact that she’s here and…
I sigh, remembering how she included Ivy. Thought about her in relation to everyone else. It makes the blood in my body thrum harder as it pumps through me, until I can feel my own pulse in my neck and my fingers.
Chucking the now broken coaster onto the table, I grab my water and take a sip, looking out at the beach. I just have to remind myself that I’m allowed to think she’s beautiful, and even that she’s capable of being a nice person, and still be suspect of the fact that she’s here. Sniffing around our town.
Of course, now that I’m irritated and frustrated, a chair next to mine gets pulled back.
