“Whatever.”
Riordan’s was in downtown Bonaventure, across the street from the municipal marina. It was surprisingly busy for a late Sunday afternoon, with boaters coming in hungry after a day on the water. She ordered two iced teas and two turkey club sandwiches, Livvy’s favorite. Of course, Livvy kept her waiting for fifteen minutes. Shannon didn’t care. It gave her more time to rehearse her spiel.
When Livvy did arrive, she slid onto the bench opposite hers, out of breath, dressed in a faded T-shirt, gym shorts, and flip-flops with her hair pulled back in an off-center ponytail and the sullen expression Shannon had come to expect. Livvy noted her mother assessing her appearance.
“I told you it’s laundry day, and I have stuff to do, so don’t give me that look, okay?”
Their server appeared at their table with their order. “I didn’t know if you were hungry or what,” Shannon said.
“Okay, spill,” Livvy said, ignoring the food. “But I’m warning you, donotstart on me about working at the Saint. I’m in a foul mood because I just had to write my college loan check. By the time I get done paying it every month, I’ve got almost nothing left.”
“I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about that anymore,” Shannon blurted.
“What? Did they pass a new law? Overrule an old one?”
“Please slow down and let me tell you this in my own way,” Shannon said. She was jiggling her foot and tapping her fingertips on the tabletop, like she did when she was stressed or nervous.
Livvy reached across the table and stilled her mother’s hands. “You’re starting to freak me out. I promise, I’m listening. Just lay it on me.”
“It’s about your father. Your biological father. He died recently, and I just found out that he apparently included you in his will.”
“The deadbeat left me some old hubcaps? A double-wide?”
“Don’t joke about it, Liv, please. I talked to his lawyer this morning, or the man who used to be his lawyer. There’s quite a large estate.”
“Who is he?”
Shannon hesitated. “Fred Eddings.”
“Are you shitting me?” Livvy shrieked. “That gross old man? Is this a sick joke?”
“Shhh.” Shannon looked around nervously. People at nearby tables were staring. She’d seen two women who worked at thehospital come in to pick up a to-go order. They’d nodded politely to each other.
Livvy leaned across the table, her voice an angry whisper. “Mom? Talk to me.”
“It was the last summer I worked at the Saint. As a lifeguard. He asked me to meet with him, about a new job. At his house. Like the little idiot I was, I went. He, um…” Shannon found herself tearing up again. She pushed her plate of food away and tossed money onto the table. “I can’t do this in here. People are watching. It’s a small town…”
“You’re right. Let’s get out of here.” Livvy stood up. She stopped to speak to their server, and Shannon followed her out of the café. “Where did you park?”
Shannon pointed to her car, which was parked at the marina lot across the street.
They got in the car and Shannon rolled the windows down, gulping in the warm, humid air.
She turned in her seat, cupped Olivia’s face between the palms of her hands. “I’m so sorry, baby. About all of it. Can you understand?”
“You’re saying, what? He raped you?”
“I never allowed myself to call it that, because I didn’t want to be a rape victim. I just blocked it all out, wouldn’t let myself think about it. But yes, that’s what it amounted to. I was only nineteen years old. He was in his sixties. His sons were older than me. And he was the owner of the resort. Afterward, he told me if I told anyone, he’d make sure I never got another job in Bonaventure County. So I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Traci.”
“And you never went to the police? My God, Mom.”
“It was a different time. Somehow, I thought it was my fault. For being stupid enough to go to his house, for drinking the martini he offered me. I was so ashamed, Liv.”
“Fucker,” Livvy said fiercely, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Shannon put a finger across her daughter’s lips. “Hush. It was a long time ago. It’s over and done with.”
“I can’t believe you never told me,” Livvy said. “Did Granny know?”
