“Emery, who’s our visitor?” Dad stepped out of the cottage looking like a nutty professor with his hair all wild, wearing his thick, ratty sweater, holey slippers, and black ankle socks.
“Caleb Ransom, sir.” He stood to shake Dad’s hand.
“Donald Quinn, Emery’s dad. You’re a local boy?”
“Yes, sir. We’re off Pelican Way.”
Dad pulled his phone out of his pocket.Uh-oh,Dad,what are you doing?“Enter your name and home number, Caleb Ransom. Do you have a cellular phone?”
“Um, yes.”
“Enter that with your father’s cellular number. He also has one, I assume.”
“Y-yes, he does.”
“Dad, good grief, what are you doing?”
“Watching out for my girl.” When Caleb handed back the phone, Dad pressed the call button and held the phone to his ear.
Caleb glanced back at Emery. She shot him her best, “Sorry!”expression.
“Mr. Ransom? Douglas Quinn. Your son is over here at the Sands Motor Motel talking to my daughter by the firepit. Well, the pit doesn’t have a fire, it’s just dark, but he’s here and I wanted to make sure he was an upstanding young man, as well as introduce myself to you.” Pause. “Yes, we’re down for the summer. From Ohio.” He handed the phone to Caleb. “He wants to talk to you.”
Caleb turned away as he pressed the Nokia to his ear. “I don’t know ... He just asked for your number. Okay, bye.” Caleb handed over Dad’s phone. “Emery tells me you know Krav Maga. I was wondering if you could show me a few moves, sir.”
“Krav Maga? Do I look like a man who could take you out with my bare hands?” Dad turned back for the cottage. “Don’t stay out late, Em.”
She laughed when Caleb returned to his chair. “You are so gullible, Caleb Ransom.”
“Better than being a pathological liar.”
“Pathological. Wow, that’s a big word.” She sat up straight, deepening her voice as she said, “‘I was wondering if you could show me a few moves ...sir.’” She slapped his arm, laughing.
“I see how it is, Emery Quinn. I see how it is.”
“Okay, maybe he doesn’t know Krav Maga, but I promise you this, Caleb Ransom. Dad is the Boyfriendinator. The father who scares off any boy sniffing around his daughter. His words, not mine.”
“The Boyfriendinator? Let me guess, he’s a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger.” He had the cutest smirk on his full lips, and her heart plunked a little. “So, does it work? The Boyfriendinator?”
“I’m not sure. He’s only tried it once.” She glanced sideways at him, grinning. “And you’re still here.”
Now . . .
Gazette Editorial
Sunday, January 12th
By Emery Quinn
Editor-in-Chief
For the past three days, I’ve reacquainted myself with Sea Blue Beach and its lovely citizens, listening and trying to discover how this newspaper can best serve you.
With so much news available twenty-four seven, theGazetteseeks to be a microlocal newspaper—stories about you and thecommunity, your neighbors and friends. Which seems in keeping with the vision and traditions set by Rachel Kirby when she took over theGazettefrom her father and grandfather.
TheGazetteis one of you. (Soon I’ll feel comfortable saying “us.”) This newspaper is a viable member of the community, telling the stories of your lives.
The staff—Rex Smithfield, Jane Upperton, Junie Hollis, Gayle Hamilton, and Tobias Elling—and I are committed to quality stories and quality production. We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]
