“We all want to help you, Summer.” He bends down and presses a kiss to my head before leaning down to whisper. “I simply happen to want tohelpyou in more ways than just here at the resort.” He pulls back and winks before taking my hand and leading me over to the first cabin. When we get there, he bends down and picks up a tool belt with a hammer hanging from it and attaches it around my waist. Then he stands back and grins.
“Ready to work?”
16
Ethan
Even though I do my best to keep a cheerful and encouraging perspective all afternoon, it doesn’t reflect the churning emotions I’m facing on the inside. Summer’s pain when she heard Pete and Turner talk about her dad is eating away at me.
With the perspective I have now, I can appreciate the sad look that was often on Carl’s face at family events like the summer solstice festival, the fall fair, and the Christmas tree lighting. He was missing his daughter, the same way she is missing him now. I get the sense that she sees Oceanside as her last tie to him, and while that gives me hope that she would never want to sell, I can’t underestimate the financial strain this place puts on her.
It’s early evening, we’ve been working for several hours, and things are looking good. Mila had everyone organized into groups, tackling as much cleanup as we could get done in the time we had. The list of renovations that have to be done next is daunting to me, so I can’t imagine how Summer is feeling. But she’s in a better mood now, thanks in part to me sneaking kisses every chance I get.
Like right now. Holding her flush against my body, tasting the bead of sweat on her upper lip. Kissing her makes me feel as if I’m drowning and coming up for air all at the same damn time.
“Hello? Mayor Monroe? Hello?”
We break apart, and I look down at Summer, confused as to who is calling my name. Not many people bother calling me Mayor Monroe, I’m simply Ethan. Then I hear Mila’s voice chime in.
“Mrs. Henderson, so nice of you to stop by.”
“Hattie Henderson is still alive?” Summer whispers to me, and I fight to hold in my laughter.
“She’s gonna outlive us all,” I whisper back. “I better go and see why she’s here.”
I make my way out of the cabin we’ve been working on, brushing my hands on my pants as I go.
“Hello, Mrs. Henderson. What brings you to Oceanside?” I ask cordially.
“I’m here for Carl’s girl. She’s the one running this place now, isn’t she?”
I nod, still confused, as Summer comes up to stand beside me.
“Hello, I’m Summer Harris.”
“Yes, dear, I know. I used to babysit you when you were an infant. I’d recognize those blue-green eyes anywhere.”
“Wh…what? You did? I don’t…I don’t remember that.” Summer stammers, her hand blindly grabbing for mine. I take it and link our fingers together, feeling her surprise and confusion mirroring mine.
“Oh yes. Your father, rest his soul, would sometimes have to go looking for that woman who birthed you. She was always off gallivanting in the city. Carl would call me, and I’d sit with you at night.”
Summer sways, and my arm automatically comes around her. Mila and Serena are standing close by, listening to everything, but the others are still working. No one brings any attention to the way Mrs. Henderson describes Summer’s mom, but the biting tone makes it clear what the old lady thought of her.
“Mrs. Henderson, I think it’s safe to say Summer is a bit confused by what you’re telling her. Could you possibly explain?”
Hattie Henderson, who most of my generation know as the kooky lady who wears a fancy hat to go to the grocery store, pats Summer’s arm kindly.
“Of course, of course. I’m sorry, dear.” She shuffles over to a chair someone put out and sinks down into it. “Your mother was never happy here. Did you know the story of how your parents met?” She looks up at Summer, who shakes her head. Mila brings over another chair, and with a grateful smile, Summer sits down. I bring my hand to her shoulder, to let her know I’m still here.
“Well. Carl told me all about it one evening when he asked me over to watch you. He was so exhausted from trying to keep that woman happy; he just couldn’t take it any longer and needed to tell someone. Poor soul. From what he said, it seems he met your mother at a music festival in Vancouver. She got pregnant that night, and he wanted to do right by the two of you. So, when he asked her to move here with him, she agreed. But that woman wasn’t made for small town life. She missed the hustle and bustle of the city and was often picking up and leaving town for a day or two. But with no such thing as cell phones back then, well, she’d send your father into a right state when she would disappear.”
I swear if my arms weren’t holding Summer up, she would have collapsed to the ground. It’s clear this is all coming as a total shock for her. Part of me is glad we might be getting some insight into her mother, but I can see how hard this is for her as well. I ache to take away the pain and comfort her. And I will, later.
“This went on for over three years. Carl would call me; I lived right next door you see, and I would look after you while he would go and find your mother. Then one night, something happened. He never did tell me exactly what, but he came home with bruised knuckles and a much more subdued version of your mother.” At Summer’s intake of breath, Mrs. Henderson shakes her head and taps her knee. “Oh, no, no, no, dear, he didn’t hurt her. He hurt someone, certainly, but never your mother. Despite everything, he loved her dearly. Almost as much as he loved you. She didn’t ever disappear again after that night, but I know your father was very stressed. Always worried she would leave again, and that someday she would take you with her. And then one day, of course, she did.” Mrs. Henderson’s eyes start to water. “He was heartbroken. I asked why he never went after you, and that’s when he told me he couldn’t. He said your mother promised to let you come home if you ever asked to, and when you never did, he assumed it was your choice.”
“It wasn’t. I never knew he wanted me, she never told me anything,” Summer blurts out, her voice shaking. She turns and buries her face in my stomach, sobs wracking her body. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mila and Serena go to Mrs. Henderson and comfort her, but she brushes them off and stands, walking over to us. Her eyes meet mine, and I see nothing but care and affection in them, so I let her turn Summer to face her.
“Summer, your father was like the son I never had. I won’t speak ill of your mother, because without her, we wouldn’t have you. He loved you, and so did I. And I know that he’s so happy you are finally home.”
