Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 29

Chapter 29 

I wanted it to be enough, but I couldn't figure out how it could be.

   I let myself believe that Max and Harley did what they had to do, and leaving me behind was just one of the consequences. I was sure they were both texting and calling over the next few days, but I'd shattered my phone. The cell phone store was forty-five minutes away and I had to work.

   I felt bad for quitting, but I decided to stick to it. I worked every day for the following week, only taking one day off that Sunday. Cora and Sam were back; it was nice to be surrounded by family again. Sam had a broken femur and sprained collarbone, along with a broken ankle. He was in a brace and a cast, and was cooped up on the leather sofa in the living room from the moment they got home. But something about him seemed different. He talked to me, a real conversation, the first evening they arrived. He asked about my life, my job, my friends. I hadn't told Cora that I quit my job yet; she had enough to worry about. But, somehow, it felt right to have Sam there, in the beach house again.

   Cora asked about Harley and Max, and I told her they had to go home, leaving it at that. On Sunday, I invited Cay over for a barbecue - Tom was cooking and Cora made a huge pasta salad. Sam was able to sit up and get into the wheelchair a bit easier, so we managed to get him out onto the back deck.

   "Oh, I miss it here," he said quietly, looking out at the water.

   "Really?" I asked him, then took a bite out of my burger.

   "Of course. It's where I grew up," he replied.

   "But you left, and you haven't even come back to visit," I accused him.

   "Wasn't I here like a month ago, for your birthday?" he asked, then let himself smile.

   "Sure," I said, nodding.

   "Growing up is a weird thing. I loved living here. I love the people I met, the friends I made, the life I had. But all of a sudden I just had an urge to go somewhere else, and see new things. College in the city is so different. Plus, I met Sarah." He smiled at Cora, who was listening to him speak.

   "I'm glad you're okay," I told him, swallowing hard.

   "Thanks." He bit into his burger. "Hey, Isabelle?"

   "Yeah?"

   "I'm sorry, for not being a great brother to you."

   "Oh, uh... you're not really my brother..." I stuttered.

   "I know that. But I could have been. When Aaron left, you were still little. Clara and I... we should have taken care of you," Sam went on.

   "It's fine," I said quickly. "Really. I managed okay."

   "That's right," Cora added. "Izzie is a strong, smart girl."

   I smiled at her, then at Cay, who was nearby, eating a hot dog. I liked that she was there, even if she remained mostly quiet. I was surprised by Sam's confession, but it made me feel good that he realized the harm he and Clara may have caused me. I wouldn't make it a big deal, or tell him how I really felt then - but it was nice to know he cared.

   "Have you talked to the boys at all this week?" Cay asked me later that evening, up in my bedroom.

   I was painting my finger nails; she was scrolling through Netflix on my laptop. We were going to watch a show, and just chill. I hadn't talked about Harley or Max all day, but I had thought of them, of course.