Chapter Sixty-Three
At the Landing, Kelly waits behind several people at the hostess stand, keeping an eye on Caleb. He’s nearby, face pressed to the glass on the huge aquarium she told him about. Talia and Ben lagged behind and are still outside, probably having another disagreement over Hayley.
Kelly wishes she’d told Talia about Sarah Greene back on the beach. Yes, Talia would likely have reacted then as she has now. And yes, her intention was to preserve Talia’s peace of mind. And yes, she’s certain Hayley is safe at Haven Cliff.
Still, when it comes to friendship—any friendship, but especially theirs—withholding information can feel like a lie.
“Table for two?” the teenage hostess asks.
“No, for four.”
“I can’t seat you until the entire party is here.”
“They’re right outside.”
“Just let me know when they’re inside,” the girl says, and moves on to a newly arrived couple in tennis whites.
Kelly rolls her eyes and turns to Caleb. “Pretty cool fish tank, isn’t it?”
“Yep. I’m trying to count how many fish there are.”
“I don’t know if you can count that high, kiddo.” Feeling her phone vibrate with an incoming call, she curses under her breath, certain it’s Mrs. Verga.
“That’s a bad word,” Caleb informs her without turning away from the fish tank.
“It absolutely is. And you have bionic hearing.”
The call is from Talia.
Kelly answers with a quiet, “Where are you?”
“Can you please get lunch with Caleb? Ben and I are going back to Haven Cliff.”
“Why?”
“Hayley’s not answering texts or picking up her phone.”
“I’m sure she’s just sulking, Tal’. Don’t let her ruin your lunch.”
“I really hope so, but she’s not answering for Ben either. We’re worried, and—” She breaks off and says, “No, don’t turn here. Up there, at the stop sign.”
“Is that my mommy?” Caleb asks. “Where is she?”
“She’s just going to check on Hayley.”
“I want to go with her!” He starts toward the door.
She goes after him. “Caleb, no, come back here.”
“Kelly, please don’t take your eyes off him. I need you to keep him safe,” Talia says, sounding choked.
“Of course, but—”
“And don’t tell him anything that will scare him.”
“Why would I—”
“And can you please call Midge and tell her to meet us at the house? I tried her a few times just now, but she must not have her phone.”
“She always has her phone.” Kelly catches up to Caleb by the door and steers him back toward the fish tank.
“She didn’t pick up. Maybe she didn’t recognize my number.”
Kelly agrees, though they both know that wouldn’t be the case.
“I need her, Kelly. I’m really worried. Just get ahold of her, will you?”
“I will. Right away. Just try to breathe.”
Caleb grabs her arm. “Mommy can’t breathe?”
“Tell him I’m fine. I have to hang up. We’re almost there.” She disconnects the call.
“Wait! What’s wrong with Mommy?”
“Nothing at all, sweetie. How many fish did you count so far?”
“Twenty-nine or maybe twenty-ten.”
“Okay, great. Keep going. I have to call Aunt Midge.”
It rings immediately, going right into voicemail.
The hostess is back, about to help the next people in line.
“Wait,” Kelly says. “There are only two of us now. We can be seated. Come on, Caleb. We can finish counting later.”
The girl grabs a leather-bound menu and a kids’ menu that comes in a packet with crayons and leads the way to the outdoor dining deck.
She seats them alongside the rail overlooking the water.
Kelly settles Caleb into his seat, shows him the activities printed on his paper menu, and hands him the crayons.
“Can we play tic-tac-toe?” he asks.
“Sure, in a second. I just have to call Auntie Midge again,” she says, dialing.
“Where is she?”
“That’s a good question,” Kelly says.
There’s still no answer.
She texts instead.
Meet Talia at Haven Cliff ASAP. Something might be wrong.
She hesitates for a moment, replaces the words might be with is, and hits send.