Page 70 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
“They can’t be finding random charity cases and hoping for the best.” Rosalind’s soft drawl snapping the words brought me to an abrupt halt. “She’s a sweet, pretty girl, but we all know this is going to blow up.”
Kit answered, “We don’tknowthat.”
“She’s sixteen years old,” Rosalind said again, scowling at him when I peeked through the crack.
“You were seventeen when you showed up at our door—wet, alone, and running for your life.” Dina sighed. “You may have forgotten how young you were, but I haven’t.”
Daniel cleared his throat. “She makes a good point.”
“She isn’t from this life. She wasn’t raised like us. It is so much easier if they come from the life first.” Rosalind must have been pacing, because the volume of her voice went up and down.
Dina answered after a long silence. “I wasn’t from the life. You ran like hell from it. I’m grateful she’s not part of that world. If you wanted that for your sons, you could have left here and raised them on the Lake like their grandfathers. But you didn’t, and neither did I. She isn’t a charity case, the kind and it is unkind of you to even suggest it. You haven’t been taking them down to the Lake for the summers, and even I did that. You haven’t been telling them that their choices remain there, even though they live here. I never guessed this would happen when I met her, but it did. I’m telling you, instantly. I’ll point out again, she isn’t a charity case. Don’t think about her like that, and don’t you dare talk about her like that. It’s hurtful and not accurate.”
“Then I guess it’s good she didn’t hear it,” Kit replied smoothly. “But I agree, that wasn’t … nice.”
Rosalind blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t mean to be unkind. I’m very sorry for whatever she has been through, but does she seem like she would be ready for this kind of commitment? For what it means to live like this? And the boys? Do they seem ready to you?”
I swallowed, leaning closer.Ready for what?What did she think was going to happen or was happening? I curled into a knot, wrapping my arms around my knees as I listened at the crack.Charity case.In their eyes, I wasn’t much better than an unwanted dog hanging around for scraps while they were all thoroughbreds.
“Actually, with her they do,” Eric answered easily. “They do. I see what Mom sees. Even Phoenix seems … better.”
I couldn’t listen anymore, my eyes burning still because I was just another charity case. There were probably hundreds of people just like me. I forced myself to get up and head to Phoenix’s room.Fine, they don’t like me? Fine. The pearls made me strong, so I clutched them, their warm weight somewhat comforting. I knew Dina had some agenda of her own, so I would have to be careful around her, too. I rushed up the stairs on quiet feet and retrieved Phoenix’s lighter.
Tomorrow I will leave. They couldn’t force me to stay, and why would they want to? I would have to go back to my aunt who hated me, but she wouldn’t be surprised I failed here. She probably expected it, honestly.
I didn’t need the Lents or their opinions about whether I belonged with their kids or not. I wasn’t interested in their classist nonsense.
Not to mention the way the conversation sounded, it seemed they would be picking me for something, maybe a competition? Whatever it was, the brothers could do far better with a teammate other than me.
Art covered most of the walls in Phoenix’s room and clothes littered his floor. On another day, I might have snooped out of curiosity, hoping to learn more about him, but in that moment, I grabbed the lighter and headed back out the door.
20
As the sun went down, Phoenix’s bonfire began to blaze, lighting up the sky. People came out of nowhere, seeming to see the fire and know. Down the beach from all directions, neighbors streamed into their private oasis, making the space crowded all of a sudden. I sat on a blanket and watched the scene with my toes buried in the sand. One of the Lents stayed by my side at all times, which in my current mood might not have been a great thing.Charity case.
How long until they all agreed? I didn’t fit in their world, not really.Probably because they are rich and good looking, I thought with a snort. It made sense, since I wasn’t part of their group, wasn’t brought up with them, but I didn’t know what she meant about the Lake …
“You’re quiet.” Julian nudged me. “You have been since dinner. Something happen?”
I shook my head. “No, I am just contemplating things. You should go be with your friends.”
“These aren’t my friends. These are neighbors or people staying around here who have come to get fucked up on our beach tonight.”
The bonfire blazed, sparks shooting off as a burl popped within the flames. I had to admit, they built an impressive fire, especially since they only threw it together at the last moment. It roared with an intensity that matched my mood, smoke curling from the tendrils in clouds of black. The smell of burning wood mingled with the salty sea air, a strangely exciting smell, if I was entirely honest. I wasn’t sure I cared for the scent, but it teased at my nose anyway. People laughed and danced around the flames, an almost pagan looking festival, their silhouettes twining in a hypnotic rhythm that matched the thump of music coming from invisible speakers. My toes began to tap along with the beat despite myself.
A strange sense of isolation separated me from them, as though the fire itself provided a barrier for all my feelings. Julian sat by my side, but could have been a million miles away for what it was worth. The heat of the flames brushed against my skin, but inside, I felt cold and distant. The fire danced, people kissed and wrapped themselves up in each other, and I remained the spectator on the outside.
“Hey. ” Julian nudged me again. “I don’t believe you, and I think we’ve turned a corner where you can tell me the truth. It won’t bother me, even if it’s dark.”
Phoenix stumbled forward, landing on his knees in front of us. Julian shook his head. “Shit timing.”
“Our neighbors want to meet you,” Phoenix slurred even though I hadn’t seen him drinking anything. Barrett, Julian and Jeremy all were, but Phoenix must have taken something. He grinned, his eyes distant. “These are the Joneses. We only see them in the summer. They live here all summer.” He laughed. “They are from Jersey. The Joneses from Jersey.”
The brother and sister looked at each other and then started laughing, their gazes as equally lost as Phoenix’s.
“Alatheia is a weird name,” the girl said. Her kind of flawless beauty fit in their world—brown hair, brown eyes, penny loafers, and she probably didn’t even sweat. People like her didn’t sweat, theyglowed.
I took a sip of my water. “Thanks.”
