Page 48 of Mason Wilder
Tessa strolled along the boardwalk, enjoying the late morning sunshine after jogging for the last 30 minutes. Having spent the last two nights at Mason’s apartment in the City, she missed her morning runs on the beach. It was still warm, but the ocean air always blanketed the air with a cool breeze and necessitated a hoodie. She zipped up the sweatshirt and stuck her hands in her pockets. As she continued down the boardwalk, she heard someone calling her name and immediately perked up. Recognition had become the norm since the band’s popularity had skyrocketed. Locals, who knew Prodigy from their bar band days, often stopped to talk to her and get a selfie. She turned and searched the faces around her, but no one was looking back at her.
“Tessa! I knew it was you!”
Tessa squinted and shielded her eyes from the glare. The older woman didn’t look like a fan, and the wide-brimmed hat and high heels were out of place and too sophisticated for the beach.
The woman waved and picked up her pace. Her heel momentarily got stuck between the planks of the boardwalk, but she freed it and kept approaching. She waved again. “It’s Kendall!”
Surprised, Tessa’s brows rose high on her forehead and she stood rooted in place while she waited for Kendall to catch up to her.
Slightly out of breath and brandishing a huge open-mouthed smile, Kendall hugged Tessa. “I’m so glad I ran into you. I was just calling Mason.”
“What are you doing here?” That sounded rude, and Tessa quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I mean, hi. What brings you to Lido Beach?”
Kendall took off her hat and smoothed her hair back, just in case a hair strayed from the tightly-wound bun at the back of her neck. “I thought I’d visit the beach before my return to Britain. Then I remembered you lived in Lido Beach.” She held up her cell phone. “I was just about to ring Mason to get your number.” Kendall gazed at Tessa, a warm smile on her lips and a tilt to her head. “You’re so pretty. Can I take you to lunch? I have a car waiting. We can go anywhere you like.”
This woman looked so put together, as if she was ready to attend a formal event, and Tessa looked as if she just came from the gym. She tugged on the front of her hoodie to disengage it from her damp tank top. “It’s a nice gesture, but I was jogging. I’m all sweaty.”
“If you want to go back to your place and shower, I wouldn’t mind waiting.”
Tessa struggled with conflicting thoughts on how to respond. She didn’t want to be dismissive or standoffish, but it didn’t feel right to have lunch with Mason’s birth mother without him. There was a hot dog stand a few yards down on the boardwalk and she suggested they get a drink and sit down for a few minutes and talk instead.
Kendall carefully placed the hat back on her head and adjusted the brim. “That would be lovely.”
They walked on the uneven wood, Kendall navigating the pits and cracks in her high heel Manolo Blahnik shoes remarkably well. With a bottle of water and a large salted pretzel, they sat on a nearby bench facing the ocean. Kendall appeared out of place in her pristine Carolina Herrera skirt suit among the casual shorts and tank tops. She knew she was coming to the beach. Why would she wear such formal attire? Tessa wondered. “You’re suit is beautiful, but you don’t look like you’re dressed for the beach.”
“I didn’t pack many clothes. I only expected to come for the funeral.” Kendall picked the salt off her pretzel, one chunk at a time but never took a bite. “I picked up a few pieces the other day, but now that I’m going to stay a while, I probably should go shopping.” Her eyes lit up, and she swiveled toward Tessa, her ankles still crossed in the slim pencil skirt. “I have a splendid idea! Let’s go shopping. Come back to the City with me. We can go shopping at all the designer stores on Fifth Avenue.”
Tessa felt uncomfortable at the idea of going shopping with Kendall. She honestly didn’t know how to react. Part of her wanted to ask Kendall why she wasn’t including Mason in these plans, but she knew it would sound rude. “I don’t think so. It’s a nice offer, but we’re gearing up for a second album, and I have a million things to do. We have people, but I like to oversee everything myself.”
Kendal stared at Tessa for a moment, her smile broadening. “You remind me so much of your father.”
“Which one?”
“Angel, of course!” Kendall waved her hand as if it was an absurd question. “Always working. Always making sure the band is the best it can be.”
Tessa always thought her personality mimicked her mother’s – headstrong, independent, outspoken. But she was like Papi when it came to cooking and music, and, of course the physical resemblance, which is probably why Kendall kept commenting on it.
“If I had him behind me, managing me, I honestly think I could have made something of myself.” Kendal looked out into the ocean, untouched pretzel in hand. “He and I were close, but I guess we drifted apart as the years went by.”
“How exactly do you know my papi?” Tessa asked, with genuine curiosity, and a hint of suspicion.
“From voice class.” Kendall covered her lips with the tips of her fingers while her cheeks filled out. “I love that you call him Papi. That’s adorable.” She tried out the word. “Papi.” She stared off into the distance again, the pretzel now discarded on the bench. “How is he?”
“He’s well.” Tessa noted that she never asked about anyone else, only Papi.
“Please tell him I said hello.” Her smile disappeared and she shook her head rapidly from side to side “No. Please don’t tell him I said anything. Don’t tell any of your parents. It’s really not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story. Not one that matters anymore. At least not to me. I don’t want to stir up any ill feelings that some people may still have for me, especially since I have a chance to get to know you and Mason now.”
Tessa nodded, appreciative of Kendall’s last statement.
“Well,” Kendall patted Tessa’s knee. “I won’t keep you any longer since you have important business to tend to. I’ve bothered you enough.”
“It was nice to see you again,” Tessa said, as they both stood up.
“You, as well. I’m so happy I ran into you today.” Kendall gave Tessa a smothering hug. “Please tell Mason I’ll reach out to him later this afternoon.”
