We're One: Two wrongs always make a right

Chapter Fifteen

Sia

The bell over the door chimes as Sasha, Nikki, and I step into The Mermaid Café. We can’t come to town without coming here first every single time. The cozy hum of the café erupts into cheerful greetings as patrons recognize us. This town is so dang inviting. Why I was in such a hurry to get out of here, I’ll never know. Maybe as a teen it felt stifling, but when you’re in a city of over a million people, it’s easy to feel lost or forgotten. That will never happen in Seaville.

“Look who the sea dragged in,” Sasha’s Aunt Eileen calls from her usual table nestled into the corner of the café where Vivian, Martha and she are sitting. They’re at this café for hours each day. This is gossip central. “You girls get your booties over here,” Eileen demands. We know better than to disobey. We’ll be fifty and still nodding and doing what we’re told. I wonder if anyone ever told these ladies what to do. I highly doubt it.

“Surprise, Aunt Eileen,” Sasha says with a grin, and leans down to hug her aunt before moving over and hugging Vivian and Martha.

“Oh, we see you all the time,” Eileen says with a grin as she stands. “I want some sugar from these two beautiful ladies.” She hugs me then Nikki. “It’s been far too long since you’ve been home. Shame on you.” It may be an admonishment, but the love is clear to see.

“I ran into Sasha last night. I had no idea she was in Seattle, so we hopped a ride with her to come home for the weekend,” I say, beaming from ear to ear. It’s so good to be back home. All of my worries instantly faded and that says a lot, considering I just took a two-hour jet ride with Zach next to me, trying to act like I didn’t care.

“I’m happy you’re both here. Your mamas will be very happy. You better not linger here too long because you know how the gossip mill works. If she finds out you’re in town before you get to your house, both of you will be toast,” Eileen says.

Sasha, Nikki, and I laugh. “That’s very true, but we’re starving so we’ll slam down some food first.” The breakfast on the jet was simply an appetizer.

Our favorite waitress, Amelia, comes over quickly and hugs us before taking our orders as we sit at the table right beside the terrible threesome. “It’s on the house girls. Maybe some incentive for you to come home a little more often,” Amelia says. She rushes away. It’s a packed house, normal for this place.

“Okay, Aunt Eileen, it’s been forever since these two have been home so you better catch them up on what’s been happening in town,” Sasha says. I hide my smile. Sasha certainly knows how to get her auntie excited. I have to admit I’m not against hearing the latest and greatest of what’s going on in town. Instead of it annoying me like it used to, it will be soothing for my soul.

Eileen leans in with a big smile. “Well, since you asked so nicely I guess it’s my duty,” she says.

“This town wouldn’t know what to do if it weren’t for you,” Martha says. I laugh at this because Martha gossips as much as Eileen and Vivian. They’re called troublemakers for a reason. They love their drama.

“Mrs. Hadworth is still at the dentist office every other week. Rumor is though, that she’s doing this on purpose to keep herself in the gossip mill, not because she has some illicit affair going on with the suave new dentist,” Eileen says in what she thinks is a conspiratorial whisper, but is loud enough for the entire café to hear.

“Her hubby is also up for the next mayoral election and all anyone in town is talking about is the two of them, so she might be doing it for that reason too. He’s sure to win because people feel sorry for the poor man whose wife is the flirt of the town,” Martha says before taking a bite of her fries.

“But it makes her sound like a homewrecker,” Nikki says.

“Ah, darling when you get to be our age, you want people to think you’re a floozy. That’s the difference between twenty-five and seventy-five, not that I’m close to that number,” Eileen quickly says, making us all laugh with a bit of horror mixed in.

“Hey, I hope to have half the energy you three have when I’m fifty,” Nikki says, earning her beaming smiles from the trio whose ages are a well-guarded secret.

“Oh, Mike from the surf shop is officially exclusive with Sarah from the bookstore now. They tried to hide their budding romance for a while, but we all know how small this town is. They were caught more than once in the back of the bookstore, trying to reenact some steamy scenes from those smut books,” Martha says with a chuckle and a blush.

“Smut books, my butt. You read at least four of those romance books every week,” Vivian quickly says, making Martha blush even more.

“You can’t prove anything,” Martha says.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with romance. I like a little spanking in my romance books,” Aunt Eileen says, saying it loud and proud. Sasha chokes on her Oreo milkshake at her aunt’s salacious words.

“Aunt Eileen!” she gasps.

“Oh, don’t be so shocked, my darling niece. I live by the philosophy that women are ladies in public, and naughty in the bedroom. You gotta keep your man happy so his eyes don’t wander. Missionary is so seventies. I’m thinking of hiring a nice cabana boy to prance around in a pair of speedos.”

Sasha chokes again and Nikki and I burst out laughing. “You go, Aunt Eileen,” I tell her. I might be blushing too, but damn do I want to have this woman’s confidence when I’m older. I don’t care if she’s putting on a show or not, it’s damn funny and impressive.

“How is Dale doing?” Sasha gasps, desperately trying to change the subject. I can see why she doesn’t want to hear about her aunt’s sex life. I’d probably be horrified if it was my mom giving this speech. Scratch that, I’d definitely be horrified.

Eileen waves a hand in the air. “That man is absolutely insufferable. He’s still spinning tales about the Sea Mistress and all of his fishing adventures. The way he talks you’d think he’s fought off pirates single handedly and caught the biggest fish in the sea. I see him in here eating far too much to believe he’s catching any fish at all.”

“He does have that finger he carries around in his pocket to prove he’s been out to sea,” Nikki points out. I shudder, remembering my first introduction to Dale. He’s known to scare kids and visitors alike pulling out that old, withered finger he always carries around. I don’t think it’s legal, but no one has tried to stop him.

There’s a commotion at the door when Emily and Jess push their way inside. They let out a squeal when they see the three of us and rush through the restaurant. We all exchange hugs. They’ve been besties with Sasha forever, just as Nikki and I are, but all of us have been lifelong friends. When we all come together, trouble is sure to follow. We immediately lose ten years as we jump up and down, excited to have the gang back together for the first time in nearly a decade. Why do we let so much time pass by when we know where we belong? It won’t happen again. I’m too happy to not come home more often.

I know the moment Zach and Callan arrive at the café. They take a table on the other side of the room from us to give us privacy, but this place is too small to not be aware of what they’re doing and the conversations they’re having.

I keep up with the conversation at my table while also sending sideways glances Zach’s way. It’s so odd to be back in my hometown where our romance began. It reminds me of all the fun we had together, of the many late nights. It also reminds me of him leaving and how devastated I was. I’m filled with mixed emotions, and don’t know how to deal with them.

Callan’s getting a lot of good-natured teasing at the moment, and Zach’s leaning back, clearly enjoying every moment of his brother being schooled. When Callan first came to this town he wasn’t really welcomed. But he’s done a fabulous job with his resort, and he’s now embraced, a part of the community, something that isn’t easy for people to do in this tight-knit town.

I see grumbly old Mr. Carter enter the café, and he immediately spots Callan and makes a beeline straight for his table. Mom has filled me in on all of the gossip, so I listen in as Mr. Carter glares at Callan. “I’m still not convinced about that resort, Callan,” he says.

Callan gives Mr. Carter a big grin, not at all put off by the man. “One of these days I’m going to win you over, Mr. Carter. Then you’ll be sitting at the table with me, laughing and eating pie.”

Mr. Carter gives a harumph, then walks away to join Mr. Fox at a window table where they’ve shared breakfast together for many years. The two old men are both widowed and retired, so they like to sit and gossip as much as the trio next to us. They also like to go down to the docks and cast their lines in the water. I don’t know if they ever actually catch any fish. I think it’s the sunshine and company they’re really after.

Chief Mitchel comes in next, most likely to pick up his usual order of breakfast burritos for his crew at the fire station. None of those men can cook worth a lick unless it’s on a grill. If it wasn’t for The Mermaid Café the men would most likely starve. It’s a good thing there aren’t too many fires in town because they play a lot more than they work. When the time comes that they’re needed, they’re professional and amazing. They also save a lot of cats in trees and help our seniors. They’re good men.

“Hey, Callan, up for another burn-to-learn?” Chief Mitchel asks, making Callan groan. I smile. I love the torture Sasha put Callan through. I think men are much better off if the beginning of the relationship is set in fire. That way it’s all downhill from there in the best of ways.

“I think my brother would love to come to one,” Callan quickly says.

Chief Mitchel shakes Zach’s hand. “We’d love to have you. Your brother did so good, I have no doubt you will too.”

Zach laughs. “I’d love to just as long as it’s not on a chicken farm,” Zach quickly says and the chief laughs with delight.

“I can’t guarantee anything but a good time,” the chief says. Amelia steps from the back with two large bags and the chief takes them and rushes away. His men need fed quickly or they get up to no good, like having hose wars that leave a river of water running down the street. The kids love when that happens. Lots of homemade sailboats come out of closets.

A few more people approach the table and Callan lets out a laugh as he leans back sipping on his coffee. “Maybe it wasn’t the best idea bringing you here so you could hear all about the torture I went through.”

“Are you kidding me? This is amazing,” Zach replies.

I want to continue listening in on Zach, but I need to get to my mom’s house. I’m already later than I was planning but it’s hard to pull myself away when I’ve been gone for so long. I’ve missed out on some great gossip. “I love you guys, but if I don’t leave now I’m going to get a spanking. My mom always says I’m not too old to be punished,” I tell the girls as I stand.

“Okay, be back at the beach at nine for the biggest bonfire of our lives,” Jess demands.

“I wouldn’t miss it.” I look at Zach from the corner of my eye as I exit the café, and see him watching me leave. As usual, my heart picks up its pace. After a month you’d think I’d be used to it, but I’m not, just like the first time I was with him. He’s always left me feeling dizzy. I wonder if it will ever stop.

I make my way down the beautiful streets of Seaville to my parents’ quiet neighborhood. There’s something magical about coming home. I pray they never move. I can’t imagine how sad it would be to lose my childhood home. People do it all the time, but this place is so comforting, knowing no matter where I go I can always come back home.

I rush through the front door and find my mother in the kitchen. She turns with a huge smile on her face. “It’s about time you got here. You’ve been in town for an hour already,” she says with a laugh as she enfolds me in a perfect hug that only she can give.

“I knew you’d find out before I got home. I wanted to surprise you,” I tell her with a laugh.

“I was very surprised when Julia called me. I’ve been counting down the minutes until you got here. I knew you’d swing by The Mermaid Café first. You’re a creature of habit,” she says. “I made a fresh batch of iced tea so let’s pour some glasses and sit on the back deck.”

“Sounds like heaven, Mom.”

As soon as we sit down, Mrs. Jones peeks over the fence and greets me with a smile before she grumbles at my mother, then disappears again. I laugh heartily. “It seems the feud over the blackberry bushes is still going on.” My mom and dad, Carol and Ben, have been neighbors with Mrs. Jones for as long as I’ve been alive. They’ve always feuded over the property line. I think they do it because they’re bored.

“I’m not letting Mrs. Jones win this battle. It’s been going on forever, and I’ll be the last man standing,” my mother declares with a determined glint in her eyes. I lean over and give her another hug.

“Oh, Mom, it’s so wonderful to see some things never change. I love coming home.” I lean back and sip on her perfectly made sweet iced tea, listening to the birds and enjoying the beautiful sunshine on my face. We don’t get nearly enough sun in Seattle. That’s reason alone to come back home.

“Well then, you need to do it more often,” Mom says, always good at filling me with guilt.

“Well, now that I’ve run into Sasha and she comes down here pretty regularly, I might be able to do that. It’s so expensive to fly and takes forever going through the regular airport. As long as she’s willing to give me a ride, I’ll come home monthly.”

“That’s music to my ears, darling,” Mom says. I admire her and how beautiful she is. She doesn’t look old enough to have a grown daughter. Mom likes to spend a lot of time in the sun, but she’s a firm believer in sunblock, and is meticulous with her morning and night face routine. She says she wants to be a grandmother sooner rather than later, but she doesn’t want to look like one. I love it.

“Tell me all about your work,” she demands. “How is everything going on your big job?”

“It’s amazing, Mom. I’m having so much fun with Zach’s house. It’s certainly the biggest project I’ve ever done, and it’s sure to lead to more. I took a bunch of before and during pics. When it’s all finished, I’ll put them on my website. With a project this big, I can really show what I can do. Maybe I’ll even get hired to do new construction. How fun to have a blank slate. I do love remodels, but I want to do it all.”

“That’s wonderful, darling. Do you have more jobs lined up?”

I beam at her. “I was hired to do a re-haul on a small boutique hotel that I’m super excited about. Their budget is smaller than I like, but that only challenges me to find the best deals possible. I get bored if things come too easily.”

“You’ve always been that way,” Mom says. “It’s good to like a challenge. It keeps you young. I’m very proud of you.”

“Your confidence in me is why I’m where I’m at today. You’ve always told me there’s nothing I can’t do if I work hard enough. It helps me get through the hard times, and makes me push even harder. You hear all about me each phone call we have, though. I want to hear more about what you’re doing.”

Mom laughs again. I love the sound of her laughter, love how happy she is. She and my father are perfect for each other. He’s out playing golf right now. I love my dad to the moon and back, but I also love one-on-one time with my mom. As an only child I’ve always been showered with affection from both of my parents.

“I’m working on the summer festival this year. It’s been so much fun. I took several years off so your dad and I could travel, but we both realize we’ve gotten that out of our systems. We live in the most perfect place in the US, so we prefer to stay right where we are. I’ve shaken things up a bit this year. We’re having a sandcastle building contest, a baking competition, and a killer talent show,” she says.

“Oh, I’ll tell Nikki. She’ll want to enter the baking competition.”

“That’s wonderful, I’ll sign her up.” She jumps to her feet and runs inside. She comes back out with her iPad and sits back down, immediately pulling up a document and typing.

“I’m sure she’ll want to do it, but we should ask first.”

Mom waves her hand in the air. “She’ll do it,” she says with confidence, making me laugh again. I think Mom’s ensuring we come back down for the festival this year.

“I remember how excited I was each year for the festival. The whole town turns into one giant playground. Great food, music, activities, and people coming from all over. I met more than one cute boy during those festivals,” I tell her with a wink.

“Oh, teenage girls and puppy love. The festivals are even better than before. Our neighbors come to town, but they’re all respectful and there’s very little trouble brewing during them. It’s so rewarding to be a part of pulling it all together. It’s also a great excuse to catch up with old friends and meet new people. This is why I’ll never move from Seaville. I’d be sad to not know my neighbors.”

“Even Mrs. Jones?” I ask with a laugh.

“Especially Mrs. Jones,” my mom replies with a wink. Their feud is pleasurable for both of them. It keeps them from getting bored.

“I’m just grateful you’re happy and keeping busy. I don’t ever want to lose you,” I tell my mom. Her eyes fill with tears and she leans over and takes my hand, squeezing it.

“I’ll be around for as long as I can. It’s why your father and I are drinking that disgusting kale smoothie for breakfast. The doctor told us it will add years to our lives.”

A shudder runs through me. “I’m glad you’re drinking it too. Icky,” I say with a laugh.

We continue to visit until Dad gets home and lifts me off my feet in a giant bear hug. I love my mom’s hugs, but I might like Dad’s even more. He always makes me feel like a little girl again. My dad’s huge, standing at six-five. He’s still suave and fit, and keeps active. I’m grateful because I really can’t imagine this world without both of my parents in it. This makes me feel empathy for Zach once again. He has his brothers but has lost everyone else in his life. It’s truly sad.

We all visit while Dad pulls out some steaks and fires up the grill. Mom and I make potato salad that’s to die for and we spend the evening on the deck eating, talking, and watching the sunset. There are some pretty sunsets in Seattle, but the ones here are absolutely spectacular.

Both of my parents start yawning as soon as the sun goes down, and I laugh again. Things really never do change. They are early sleepers and risers. I help clean up then hug them both again.

“I’m going to let you sleep while I head to the beach.”

“I bet the bonfire is already going,” Mom says.

“It better be. It’s a lot warmer down here than in Seattle, but there’s still a nip in the air.”

“You have a wonderful time with your friends. We’ll leave the porch light on for you,” Mom assures me. My room’s still the same as when I left, pictures from my senior year still hanging on the walls. It really is fun to come back home.

“I will. Goodnight, Mom, Dad.” I give them one more hug then make my way down the street to our favorite place on the beach. I’m two blocks away when I see the glow from the fire that’s already raging. A block away I hear music and laughter and quicken my steps.

As soon as I step onto the sand, I kick off my shoes and can’t stop grinning. This right here is my favorite part of being back in Seaville. I love the sense of community, the comfort of being with old friends, and the sight and smell of the sea.

My name’s called out as I move forward, and I’m instantly in the middle of a giant group hug. I’m home, exactly where I belong.