Page 71 of Fighting the Tide
I haven’t seen Cassie.She’s been staying away, not that I blame her.After that last fight, I can’t really see her wanting to have anything to do with me.Yesterday, Avery secured a job at the local newspaper.The owner is nearing retirement, and even though she should be handing over the helm, she’s spry and wants to continue to work.I’ve already told Avery to secure her future and the bag by dating the geriatric, to which she acted horrified but contemplative.
The tourists flood into town, bringing with them the chaos of big cities.Litter decorates the sand along the beach and the sidewalks in town.More cars bring exhaust and loud music, but even this is a part of Chatham.These people and their big city lifestyles play a big role in Chatham’s livelihood.
“We should see a movie,” Avery suggests as we sit in my car eating gelato.Mint chocolate for me and rainbow for her.Just the mention of the theater has my ears filling with a buzz and my skin tingling with fear.
“I can’t,” I croak out as I attempt to suck in a breath.There’s no way I’d be able to make it a foot inside that theater without collapsing.
“Not here.”She places her hand on mine and squeezes.“We could go to Harwich.They have a drive-in.”The air expels from my lungs in a loudwhooshas my heart begins to regulate and my stomach slowly unknots.Is this going to be the reaction I have for the rest of my life?This is why living here in Chatham would make no sense.I couldn’t live each day with this much anxiety and avoid certain places because I’m afraid of facing the ghosts of my past.
“They have a drive-in in Harwich?”I finally force out as I lick the melting ice cream from my fingers.“Did they always have a drive-in?”
“Yeah.It makes me a little angry that we never got out there to experience it as teenagers.Not together!”she rushes out when I raise my eyebrow at her.“Actually, I take that back.You probably would have lost your virginity in the back seat of a car, watching something stupid, and contracting gonorrhea.”
“Wow!”I nod as I take another lick of my ice cream.“That is detailed.”I chuckle as she shrugs her shoulders.“What movies are playing?”
Her head spins around to look at me, her eyes rounding with excitement.“You wanna go?”
“Yeah.I’ve never been to a drive-in.”I finish the ice cream and run the napkin along my mouth as she squeals and bounces in her seat.
“I’m so excited!They’re playing only two movies, and I figured you would probably want to watch theLincoln LawyeroverRed Riding Hood.You being a pussy and all,” she says matter-of-factly as I groan and bounce my head off the back of my seat.
“Is that the one with Matthew McConaughey?”I ask as she nods excitedly.“Fine, but it’s Friday night.It’ll probably be packed.”
“It will for sure be packed because it’s half-off night.We’ll have to get there early to get a spot.”I groan at the thought of being surrounded by a bunch of people in cars and teenagers making out, but when I look over and find Avery staring at me with big, pleading eyes, I give in.
“Fine.Let’s go, but you’re also buying me popcorn.”I start the car as she squeals a bit more, pulling the seat belt across her body.“And nachos.I want nachos.”
“Calm down, heifer!”she snaps as I pull out of the parking lot.“I’ll agree to popcorn, but nachos are just absurd.”
“And a hot dog… with that chili stuff on it.”I snicker as she continues to stare at me.
“I’m telling Cassie she knocked you up and you’re gonna be stuck with her forever.”I choke on a laugh as she stares at me, aghast.“I’m not ready to be an auntie, Nolan.”
The drive to Harwich takes about ten minutes, and even though it’s so close to Chatham, it’s not a town I frequented often as a kid.Chatham has more attractions, but as I drive through Harwich, I see a couple of patio bars dotting the main strip that look interesting.
We pull up to the drive-in.Luckily we are one of the first, and we pick a spot near the screen.An attendant comes over and tells us which station to tune into, making sure we’ll be able to hear the movie.“This is so cool!”Avery exclaims as she opens the door.“I’m going to go look around.”
I open the car door and get out to stretch my legs, looking around the lot as I do.The drive-in stayed true to its retro origins and looks very much like it’s been time capsulated from the fifties.Vendors line up along the side, offering popcorn, caramel corn, chips, hot dogs, and drinks.A few people have already started to line up, and as I lean against the hood of the car, I see a familiar face standing about five people ahead of Avery.
Kasen Barnette is developing a bit of a bald spot on the crown of his head, and his stomach is still pronounced, even though he’s trying to hide it behind a thicker shirt.I continue to watch him as he grabs two bags of popcorn and a large drink, carrying the small box back across the lot.He stops in front of a Ford pickup, the passenger side window rolling down, and hands the food inside.Then he walks around the front toward the driver’s side, my eyes flicking back to the figure sitting in the cab.Clearly, it’s a woman, her curly hair twisted up into a familiar bun on the top of her head.I would know that hair anywhere.It looks like Kasen has Cassie out on a date, and suddenly it all makes sense to me.Cassie wants to live in Chatham and Kasen has an establishedsinglelife here.
I’m not saying she’s using him, and to be honest, I don’t care if she does.I’m happy for her, if this is what she wants.
Avery comes back with a box piled high with popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and drinks, the sight making me laugh as I rush around to open the door and help her inside.“You called me a heifer for no reason,” I chastise as she shrugs her shoulders.
“It’s your fault,” she accuses as I close the door and chuckle, making my way back to the driver’s side.
I get in the seat and grab a bag of popcorn and nachos from the box sitting on the console between us when Avery’s staring becomes a little too intense.“What?”I ask, my mouth stuffed with popcorn, making the word sound muffled.
“I know you saw them.”She narrows her eyes on me, and I shake my head as I swallow the popcorn.“I didn’t know they were going to be here.They make more sense than you and her ever did, anyway.”
“I agree.”I nod as I stuff my mouth again with popcorn, chewing slowly as my eyes travel back to the Ford pickup a row in front of us.
“So we can stay and watch the movie?”she asks, taking a large bite from a hot dog.
“Yeah.I paid for the fucking tickets,” I grumble and dip a nacho chip in cheese before biting into the salty crisp.
“Wow,” she says around a mouthful of hot dog.“You really weren’t kidding when you said you didn’t want something serious with her.”
