One Summer

34

On Sunday, while Sammy took his motorcycle for a spin, Jack piled all the kids into the VW and drove into Channing. He’d been working hard at Jenna’s house and a few other jobs, and the kids needed a break from the Palace. Jack had gotten hold of Ned Parker, and he’d agreed to give the family a behind-the-scenes tour of the playhouse.

Parker met them outside the theater, and over the next hour he took them through the darkened spaces. He showed Cory how to manipulate the house lights, lift and lower scenery, move equipment on stage dollies, and work the trapdoor in the middle of the stage that would allow people to seem to vanish. Jackie in particular thought that was very cool.

They left the theater and walked along, looking at various restaurants. Someone called out to Jack from across the street. He looked over and saw Charles Pinckney hurrying over to them. He was dressed casually in khaki shorts and a short-sleeve button-down oxford shirt with a T-shirt underneath it; leather sandals were on his feet.

“Taking the Sabbath off to enjoy some sunshine and the pleasures of Channing?”

Jack nodded. “Get away from the house for a bit. See the town.”

“You hungry?”

Jack said, “We’re deciding where to go.”

Charles’s eyes twinkled. “Then there’s only one real option.”

“A Little Bit of Love,” said Mikki immediately.

Jack said, “We’ve already been there. How about another place? There’re three right here on this block.”

“But Jackie and Cory haven’t seen it.” She turned to her brothers. “It’s full of musical stuff; it’s so cool.”

“Cool,” chimed in Jackie.

She smiled. “You want a bit of love, Jackie, huh?”

He jumped up and down. “Bitalove. Bitalove.” He grabbed his dad’s leg. “Bitalove. Bitalove.”

Cory said, “That was, like, such a cheap trick, Mikki.”

“Jenna does the best Sunday brunch in town, actually,” advised Charles. “I was just heading there myself.”

“Okay,” Jack said in a resigned tone.

Jenna smiled when she saw them come in. The place was crowded, but she said, “I’ve got a nice window table. Catch some of the breeze from outside. Follow me.”

She seated them at the table, handed out menus, and took their drink orders.

“Is Liam around today?” asked Mikki.

“In the kitchen, grilling. He’s turned into quite the short-order cook.”

“We’d arranged that I could come by tonight to do a few sets.”

Jack looked at her. “You did?”

She stared back at him and said sharply, “Yeah, I did. Sitting home all day watching Cory and Jackie isn’t exactly how I planned to spend my summer.”

“You don’t need to watch me,” said Cory.

“Yeah,” said Jackie. “Not me.”

Jenna looked at Jack and, sensing his distress, said, “Well, your dad is working really hard on the soundproofing, but it’s not done yet. And while you guys sound great together, I do like a little peace and quiet in the evening. But I tell you what: Come by around eight. Liam will be home by then, and that’s when I take my walk on the beach. I’ll be gone about an hour or so. Does that work?”

“That’s cool, Jenna, thanks.”

Jenna looked at Jack. “And is that cool with Dad?”

“Yeah,” Jack said slowly.

“So where’s your Delta buddy?” she asked.

“Out riding his Harley,” answered Cory.

“Ah. Well he better watch himself. I know a few single ladies of a certain age in this town who will snap him up.”

“Snap!” cried out Jackie.

After Jenna left, Jack leaned over and whispered to his daughter, “This is strictly music between you and Liam, right?”

“Dad, please.”

“Just asking.” He turned to Charles. “Bonnie came by to see me.”

“She told me she was.”

“Did she tell you what about?”

“Yes. I saw her afterward too. She told me what you two talked about. She told me what you said. And I told her I agreed with you. I don’t think that’s what she wanted to hear, but so be it.”

Mikki, who’d been listening, said, “What didn’t she want to hear?”

“Another time, Mik; not now,” said her father, shooting a glance at the boys. Then he added, “Did you have a good visit with her, Mik?”

“She was more laid-back than in Arizona,” Mikki replied. “There she was like a control freak. Drove me nuts.”

Jack turned to Charles. “I checked out the lighthouse the other night.”

“Did you? And how is it looking?”

“Not great, actually.”

“It really was something in its day.”

“I bet it was,” said Jack. “I bet it was.”