16. Mae
SIXTEEN
Mae
It has been ages since I’ve been to the Liars table. I used to go with my dad all the time when I was a kid. It’s in another small-town restaurant about forty-five minutes from our house. Every Monday morning, a group of old men gathers there before it even opens. They make their own coffee and sit around and tell tall tales. They also talk about politics, Jesus, and who is sleeping with who. Honestly, they are worse than a group of gossipy women.
Abi and I started tagging along with our dads when we were in middle school. Mostly because it got us out of school sometimes when breakfast ran late. We loved the stories, and after a few months, we even started joining in on the conversation. It’s another reason I love it here so much. Everyone is family. Even if they live an hour away.
Dad is quiet on the ride over, but I shouldn’t have expected anything less. The silence still bothers me. Once upon a time, I’d chatter all the way there. I used to tell my dad everything, but lately, it seems like I can’t share anything with him. I would say it has to do with Seth, but it started before that.
When I came home between my sophomore and junior years of college, I’d talked to him about fixing up another one of the houses and making it my own for when I was done with college, and he shut that idea down so fast. He told me that over his dead body would I move back here. It was then that I realized he would never support my dreams.
Most of the men are already in the restaurant. Abi’s sitting next to her dad and has her head down on the table. I chuckle and pour three cups of coffee. I set one in front of my dad, one in front of Abi, and one for myself.
It’s hot and dark, just how I like it. I nudge Abi, but she just groans and covers her face.
“Look at the girls, home from college,” Bill practically shouts from the other side of the table. He raises his coffee cup in a mocking salute and takes a sip. We all copy him. “Tell us the stories of your adventures.”
“And don’t leave out the naked bits,” Ferdie replies.
“Hey, that’s my daughter,” Todd and Keith both say at the same time.
“I’m not talking about their naked bits, just any they witnessed.”
I nudge Abi awake, and we spend the next fifteen minutes telling silly stories about our college days, embellishing heavily. Abi had a particularly good time telling them about the frat party we attended where the fire department was called.
“I guess it’s time to find you girls husbands then,” Bill says. “The Franklin twins are back from gallivanting overseas.”
Both Abi and I share a look. No way would either of us date, let alone marry, one of the Franklin twins.
“I think there might be something going with Mae and one of my boys,” Todd says with a wink to me.
“Oh, which one?” Bill asks, taking a sip of his coffee but keeping his eyes on me.
I’ve got to shut this down before it gets out of hand. My dad’s already suspicious—no need to add fuel to that fire.
“I’ve dated all of them. Sadly, nothing is going on with any of them.” I wave my hands in the air.
“Shame you can’t marry off those kids, Todd. What’s wrong with them, Mae?” Ferdie looks at Todd with a smirk on his face.
“Nothing. All of them are fine. It’s just they’re all like brothers to me. That’s the problem with growing up with them.”
The conversation switches to something about fishing, and I’m glad for the distraction. I enjoy listening to the familiar conversations and stories.
An hour or so later, Dad and I are back in the car driving home, and he grips the steering wheel, his hands clenching it tight.
“Todd’s not the only one who thinks something is going on with Seth. Terry asked me the other day if I thought you’d let Todd officiate your wedding. You need to date other people.”
“Dad. Didn’t you try this with Rick? That was a disaster.” And of course Todd will officiate the wedding. I just don’t know when that will actually happen. But someday, I’m gonna marry that boy.
Dad clenches his jaw, but I don’t elaborate. He needs to stop interfering with my love life.
“That was a bad idea. I’m sorry about that.”
“You need to start trusting me to make my own decisions.” I’m so tired of trying to please him all the time. It’s never enough. I can feel a headache forming behind my eyes.
“If I did that, you’d run off with Seth.”
“Why is that a bad idea? If I go with Seth, I won’t get stuck here like you’re afraid I’m going to. And he has money, so I can visit as often as you want me to.”
“I will not explain myself again. But I’m serious. You’re not dating other people because of Seth. Just go out with a couple of other guys, and then I’ll feel better.”
I sigh in frustration. “And if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll assume things are going on with you and Seth, and you don’t want that.” He stares straight ahead, his face red and tight.
“Dad! I don’t even meet a lot of guys right now. I was dating a lot before, but that was when I was lifeguarding. I don’t have the time to get to know guys at the beach like I did before.”
Abi would gladly set me up with the guys she’s meeting, which I can’t say.
“You’re resourceful. I’m sure you’ll find a way.”
I don’t say another word to him all the way home.
* * *
Seth stands in front of the cabinet with his arms crossed, smirking at me. Deka is between us, waiting for a treat. She’s been around Terry too much and has definitely gained a couple of pounds since she arrived.
Seth knows my favorite mug with constellations is up behind him, but I can’t muster the energy to fight him today. We’ve tried so hard, and still it’s not enough for my dad.
I reach into the cupboard next to him, pull out a generic white mug, and approach the coffee pot, noting that the bag of coffee is my favorite from Starbucks. It’s infuriating and endearing that he knows exactly how to make me happy. He’s there in a second, plucking the mug out of my hand and putting my favorite one there instead.
“What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. I’m afraid if I open my mouth and start spilling the things my dad said, I’ll cry.
He places his hands on my shoulders and spins me around. “Mae, tell me what’s going on.”
“My dad is suspicious.”
“We haven’t done anything.”
“I know. But he also knows I’m not dating anyone else. Apparently, that’s enough to cast suspicion. I explained to him that since I’m no longer life-guarding, I don’t meet boys like I used to, but he still thinks I’m not dating because of you.”
“It’s true.” He gives me a crooked grin that makes me want to punch and kiss him at the same time.
I smack him on the chest. “You’re not supposed to take his side.”
“At least once every couple of days, I get a guest that asks me out, and I turn them all down. You know why? Because of you. It’s not a secret.”
“Maybe you should say yes to a few of them.” I don’t mean it. But it would help.
“Maybe I should. And maybe you should go on a couple of dates as well.”
That’s not where I thought this conversation would go, but it is a solution. If Dad sees Seth and me dating other people, then he’ll stop threatening me. I’m so tired of the threats. Sometimes I think that the only reason he hasn’t signed the paperwork yet is because he knows if he does, nothing will stop Seth and me from getting together.
“Fine. I’ll see if Abi can find someone to set me up with.”
He shakes his head. “No way. You’re doing this on your own. Today, you’re a lifeguard. Tonight, you have a date.”
“And you?”
“I’m going to watch you get your game on. And then I’ll track down Suzanne in cabin eight and tell her that I’ve changed my mind, and I would love to go to dinner with her tonight.”
I remember Suzanne from the gazebo. She’s pretty and sophisticated—nothing like me. Maybe Seth will go out with her and realize that I’m just a fleeting fantasy. Suzanne would be better for him than me.
Now I might actually head back to my bunkhouse, lock myself in the bathroom, and sob on the floor.