One Summer

44

Jack was waiting outside the restaurant when Jenna came out promptly at nine. She climbed in the VW van, and he pulled off.

“This looks like a vintage ride,” she said.

“Sammy’s. He likes to tinker with cars.”

“That’s not all he likes to tinker with.”

He glanced at her. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning he and Anne Bethune are seeing each other.”

“What? Why am I always the last to know?”

She squeezed his shoulder. “You just need to get out more, honey.”

“When did it start?”

“Oh, about the time they laid eyes on each other; at least that was how Anne described it. In fact, that’s where he was the day you beat up those guys. They went for a ride on his Harley.” Jenna bent down and took off her shoes and started rubbing her feet. “Sorry, after ten hours these puppies are screaming.” She rolled down the window and breathed in the crisp evening air. “God, I remember in college, a guy I dated had a Harley. One time when Liam was staying with my mom we rode it all over the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was so much fun.”

“Were you away from Liam a lot back then?”

She rolled the window back up. “Hardly ever, actually. I went to college close to home so I could stay there. My mom was divorced and ran a business out of her house. She would watch Liam for me when I was at class or working.”

“Working?”

“Only way to pay for school. No silver spoons in my neighborhood. I knew I wanted to go to college, and then law school. And then work at a big firm in a big city.”

“Sounds like you had it all mapped out.”

“Well, I didn’t have Liam mapped out. He just happened. Two stupid teenagers.” Her features grew solemn. “But I don’t know what I’d do without him in my life. He’s a great kid. And he and Mikki really seem to have hit it off. When I told him she was going to be working at the Little Bit, he was really psyched.”

“Well, that’s actually the reason I wanted to talk to you. About Liam.”

“What about him?”

Jack told her his plan.

She was smiling and nodding as he finished. “Okay, that sounds terrific. In fact, I’m real proud of you, Dad. But in return you have to do one thing for me.”

He looked at her warily. “What?”

“Can you take me for a ride on the Harley?”

Jack drove to the Palace, got Sammy’s permission, and fired up the Harley. Jenna got on back, and they drove off, paralleling the ocean on the long, winding road. As the wind whipped across their faces, Jenna said, “Boy does this bring back memories.”

“Having fun, then?”

“You know it.” She squeezed his middle as they leaned into turn after turn. After thirty minutes he drove her home.

“Liam’s not here yet. Would you like to come in for some tea or coffee, or something stronger?”

They sat out on the rear deck sipping glasses of Chardonnay Jenna had poured them. After going over the details of Jack’s plan in more depth, Jenna said, “How’s the lighthouse coming?”

He put down his glass. “Good. Stairs are coming along, and Charles found the parts to repair the light.”

“I bet it’ll be something to see it fired up again.”

“Yeah, I think it will,” Jack said absently.

“And why do I think that’s not why you’re really doing it?”

He glanced up at her. “I fix things. That’s what I do.”

“Some things can’t be fixed with a hammer and a set of plans.”

He drained the rest of his glass. “I better get going.” He rose.

“Jack?”

“Yeah?” His voice seemed defensive.

“Let me know when you get the lighthouse working. I’d really love to see it.”

Taken aback by her obvious sincerity, he said, “I will, Jenna.”

“And thanks for the ride. Most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

Before he realized, Jack had already said it.

“Me too.”