Chapter 2
2
T abitha lived on Merritt Island in a three-bedroom house with Deenie. It wasn’t an island but a peninsula filled with people who worked at Cape Canaveral. They moved in after the divorce. It was close to work and only a mile from where she had lived with Greg. Deenie didn’t have to change schools, so at least that part of her life didn’t change.
Tabitha was in the kitchen when Deenie came down with wet hair and ridiculously wide-legged jeans. Her T-shirt wasn’t quite a crop top, and underneath was her unpierced naval. She’d take care of that after her eighteenth birthday because Tabitha had forbidden it while she could, and it was something she and Greg agreed upon. Actually, she and Greg agreed on most things when it concerned their daughter. As a sixteen-year-old, Deenie didn’t care much for either of them, but she loved them.
“Are the neighbor kids coming for breakfast?” Deenie asked, referring to the Mickey Mouse pancakes on the table.
“No, I thought I could coax a smile out of you this morning. It’s your last week of junior year, and I’ve always made these for you when you complete another year,” Tabitha said.
“I’m not six and graduating from kindergarten. If you really want to do something for me, let me remain in Merritt this summer,” Deenie said. “The Martins said I could stay with them. Cay has a job at Cassidy's and she says they'll hire me, too, if I apply.”
“The answer is no, just like yesterday and will be tomorrow. Your father is looking forward to having you this summer, and you know that,” Tabitha said.
This conversation was the same every morning, although Deenie was creative and always put a different spin on it.
“Dad is like super depressed or something. He’s divorcing Julia, and half the time, he’s dealing with that,” Deenie said.
"I've known your dad for a long time, and he’s good at compartmentalizing. He’ll cheer up having you around, and your cousins live only a few blocks away. I know you adore them.”
“Mom, I won’t forget this when you’re old and can’t care for yourself. I’m going to have you declared unfit or whatever.” Deenie could barely get those words out and laughed because she'd never done such a thing.
“I know you’re frustrated, but try to savor these two somewhat sheltered years you have left. Life on the other side of eighteen can be pretty tricky to navigate. Try to work with me on this, please. I’ll pay for you and Cay to get your nails done to make it through another year. Even though you devoured them, I realize the pancakes weren’t enough,” Tabitha said.
“Do I sense a bit of bribery?” Deenie asked.
“No. I’m being nice.”
“Can we get manicures and pedicures?”
“No,” Tabitha said. “I’m not that nice.”
Deenie stood and gave her a tight squeeze. She smelled like she did when she was born and laid on Tabitha’s chest. She had somebody spray mixed in.
“What’s his name?” Tabitha asked with a smile.
“There is no he,” Deenie insisted.
Deenie inherited her mother's blonde hair, green eyes, and high cheekbones. While going through her rebellious years, she still managed to be sweet. There was no way she didn’t have guys lining up to date her. Tabitha and Greg were endlessly proud of the way she handled the divorce. She never took sides, even when it was clear her father had stepped out with another woman. She told Tabitha that she was only given one mother and one father, neither of which she was willing to sacrifice. Her amazing attitude meant that there was no custody mess. A divorce was hard enough, and they were grateful they didn’t have to fight over their daughter.
“You’re sixteen, and I know you’re boy crazy, which is normal. Those were the years when I was delusional because I thought with all my heart that I was going to marry my high school boyfriend. You’re so much more level-headed than I was. I haven’t snooped or listened in on your phone calls, but I have a sense,” Tabitha said as she pushed a chunk of blonde hair from her face.
“His name is Glenn, and he has just popped up on my radar,” Deenie revealed. “He’s on the swim team but took a year off because of an injury. That’s why I didn’t notice him until now. He’s going to Florida Atlantic next year on an academic scholarship. He hasn’t noticed me yet, but I know where he lifeguards, and he’ll spot me on the beach for sure. Isn’t that a good enough reason to stay with the Martin family for the summer?”
“No, but it’s a nice try,” Tabitha said. “Finish getting ready, and I’ll drive you to school.”
Deenie was scheduled to take her driving test before she went to Houston. She’d have all summer to convince her father to buy her a car. Tabitha would be waiting for his call so they could discuss the purchase, and they’d undoubtedly split the cost.
Tabitha dropped Deenie off in her Prius and continued to work. While en route, her friend Deb Gallow called, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. She put the call on Bluetooth to chat while she sat in traffic.
"What's up, girlfriend?" Tabitha asked. “I’m in traffic, and it sounds like you’re in the same situation.”
“I have an early client, and I am sitting in traffic. I thought I’d be productive and give you a call,” Deb said.
“Who makes a salon appointment this early?”
“You’d be surprised. I have people calling to see if I’m available twenty-four hours. When I was starting out, an appointment at 10 p.m. was something I would have considered, but not anymore. I have a client list that any stylist on the East Coast would kill for.”
“Is the person who wants an appointment before nine one of those clients?” Tabitha asked.
“She is. Her name is Candy, and she wants a blowout before her interview this morning. I'm her lucky stylist because I gave her highlights the night her then-boyfriend and now-husband proposed. I gave her a fresh cut when she was feeling the blues as she couldn’t conceive. The next month, she was pregnant,” Deb said.
“Wow, I need to sit in your chair the next time I want a wish to come true,” Tabitha remarked.
“Only two weeks until you’re off to the land of the lobster. I will miss you so much, and I wish you were staying closer to home. Does Florida not have enough beaches for you?”
Tabitha laughed. “It does, but this was offered, and it seemed like a good idea. It will be a true getaway. If I were close by, I might have been tempted to go into the office. I’ll stop in before I go and have my roots taken care of.”
“You had better. I don’t want to find out you’ve been cheating on me. Stylists are very touchy about that. I’ll have to come to Maine and give your hair a little love.”
“I’m counting on it. Did you get my text about drinks at my place this week? I will be so busy packing and seeing Deenie off to Houston that I’m unsure of my availability after then. It’s just snacks and stuff. Deenie will be there with a couple of her friends, so it’ll be fun,” Tabitha said.
"Of course, I'm coming. I love a front-row seat to teenagers – it’s like going to the zoo. Seriously, I love Deenie, but I just don’t get them. When I see cute babies, my heart aches a little since I’m childless, but when they are teenagers, my decision not to have children seems brilliant,” Deb said.
Deb Gallow had been Tabitha’s friend since she moved to the Space Coast. She was one of her friends who pre-dated her marriage to Greg. Deb was a therapist and stylist to her clients, who traveled from all over to sit in her chair. She dated a lot, had a couple of long-term relationships, and was happy with the freedom of being single. She had blue eyes, perfect hair, and curves that she wasn't shy about accentuating. Not having children allowed her to spend money on herself. Deb’s wardrobe was Rodeo Drive/Fifth Avenue chic.
“Has Deenie hit you up about staying with you for the summer?” Tabitha asked.
Deb laughed. “I knew I was in trouble when she called me Auntie Deb. I’d never allow her to stay with me unless you ask, and all summer is a hard no. Why doesn’t she want to go to Houston? Are there daddy/daughter issues?”
“No. She’s sixteen and crushing on a guy who will be gone in the fall,” Tabitha said.
“Any changes with the young Frenchman?” Deb asked.
“He’s still charming and hot. Maxim treats me like a goddess, and he knows this won’t last forever. I’m enjoying spending time with him now.”
“Careful, someone will walk away with a broken heart, and I don’t think it will be you. Most of the time, it hurts more to disappoint someone rather than being disappointed.”
“I know that, but I think things are different between Maxim and me,” Tabitha said. “Traffic is moving, and I have to pay attention to the clowns on the road.”
“It’s moving here, too. I’ll be in touch, and count me in for your farewell reception.”
She was having small regrets about spending her entire sabbatical in Maine. She could have chosen to travel or visit her sister in Hawaii. The latter was a great week of vacation, but beyond that, it got expensive. When Tabitha made the decision, she was still raw from her divorce and wanted to hide away. It would have been a fluid thing if she hadn't agreed to house/animal sit for six weeks. They were going to Europe, and she was happy to help her college chum, Val.
Mostly, she would miss her friends. Last summer, she had gone to Tampa for a week, and Deenie came along. They stayed with her ex-sister-in-law, April, and her sixteen-year-old Kylen. He was also an only child, so he and Deenie were like brother and sister. That wouldn’t happen this year, but maybe Christmas would work.
The regrets vanished eventually. It was Tabitha’s habit to second-guess her decisions, but she always stuck with them. In the end, things usually worked out.