I really have to get home. My mother’s expecting me.”
“So is mine, but she drives me so crazy at times that I dread returning home.” She drove in silence for a few minutes. “I think it’s totally cool that you were at that party. I get so sick and tired of all these spoiled rich kids from Chance. People like you bring a real authenticity to our lives.”
Authenticity? People like me? She sounded so patronizing that I wanted to slap her pretty face. But she’d agreed to give me a ride home, so I let it pass, thankful for her kindness.
“Did I talk to you at the party?” she asked.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I can’t remember much about last night.”
“I know, right?” She laughed. “That was a wild one.”
“Wild doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
“My name’s Bella.” She held her right hand over the seat divide. “Bella Case.”
“Katie Eaves.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Katie. I’m so glad we met.”
“Me too.” I felt slightly nauseous and wanted to get out of this car before I threw up.
“You’re so down to earth. It’s totally refreshing to meet a real Mainer.”
“Yup, that’s me. Refreshing.”
“I’m going to Smith next fall. You should totally come out and visit me some time.”
“Thanks. I’ll consider it.”
She pulled up to the entrance to my driveway. Despite the cold and snow, I told her she could let me off at the edge of the road. I didn’t want her to see my crappy house and think any less of me.
“Thanks again,” I said while holding the passenger door open.
“I hear you’re good friends with Willow.”
“Yeah.”
“Be careful of that girl. She’s totally crazy.”
“Duly noted.” And yet her words struck a chord with me.
“Hey, we should hang out sometime.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, shivering and eager to leave.
“Doing anything Saturday night?”
“Probably hanging with my boyfriend.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Gotta run. It’s freezing out here. Thanks again for the ride, Bella.”
I sprinted up the driveway and then up the steps, pushed my way inside the house, rushed past my mother, who was sitting at the kitchen table, and collapsed into bed. Tomorrow would bring a fresh start. I’d get back to my routine. Start working out for the softball season. Finish all my homework. Call Drew and apologize for whatever I’d done. I fell asleep with these reassuring thoughts swirling around in my head.
And yet I couldn’t get that troubling image of Dakota sobbing out of my mind. Or of him and Julian shouting at each other in the dark and then getting separated by Willow’s father. I tossed and turned. My thoughts became agitated and interrupted my sleep. The question remained, What were they all arguing about?
ISLA
ISLA STOOD ON THE DECK OF THE SHEPHERD’S BAY COUNTRY CLUB, A drink in hand, admiring the expansive view. Although she had lived here most of her life, she often took the beauty of this landscape for granted. The lush first hole of the club’s golf course meandered alongside the rocky coast. Waves crashed against the rocks and created a salty aerosol. Built five years ago to accommodate these wealthy newcomers, the club was on a parcel of land a quarter mile in from the road and possibly the most beautiful property in the area. Of course, the locals rarely if ever got to see this golf course, because of the security gate out front.
Servers dressed in black and white waltzed around, carrying trays of hors d’oeuvres and champagne. Nervous, she grabbed a flute in order to keep her hands busy. It felt odd being part of this affluent crowd. Clearly, she didn’t belong here, evident by the other guests’ expensively tailored clothes and glitzy jewelry. She should be one of the help instead of a guest. She even knew a few of the servers, and they winked or nodded at her as they passed. At events like this, socializing between staff and guests was strictly prohibited.
Everyone seemed happy and beautiful, conversing easily with one another about subjects far removed from Isla’s own life. It made her nervous. She knew hardly anyone save for the few clients she happened to run into. All this happy discourse and lightness of being left her reeling with guilt. Were any of them thinking about Willow’s or Katie’s well-being? What about the body found in the old boat shed this morning? Hadn’t they heard the news? It felt like a cognitive disconnect, standing on this magnificent deck with the great view of the ocean, knowing tragedy had happened in their small town.