Chapter 13: End of Summer

Except for a talkative seatmate, the flight from Atlanta was uneventful. She was making the trip to visit her new granddaughter. By the time the plane landed she knew how I had spent my summer, all about Pontiac College and even that I didn't have a current girlfriend. I helped her with her carry-on luggage and she introduced me to her son-in-law.

"I thought you didn't have a girlfriend," she said when she saw Jeannie Baldwin jump into my arms. I guess we got carried away, kissing like long lost lovers.

"He's my brother," Jeannie said, and we laughed at the surprised look on the woman's face all the way to the car.

"I didn't expect you to pick me up," I said, looking at the changes a few months had made in Jeannie. She was more mature than I remembered. At age nineteen, she looked very grown up in the summer dress.

"I called to find out when you were expected and your Aunt said I could come after you. I jumped at the chance to see you."

"Suzanne's going to be my adopted mother soon," I informed her.

"So I hear."

Jeannie was driving her mother's car. We stored my luggage and golf bag in the trunk and got under way.

"Okay, what's this about?" I asked.

She looked at me with wrinkled brow as if to ask, 'What are you talking about'?

"This sudden urge to see me."

As if she couldn't talk and drive at the same time, Jeannie pulled off the road and entered a restaurant parking lot.

"Are you in a terrible rush to get home, Sammy? Can we go inside for coffee or something?"

I jumped out of the car and ran around to the driver's side. She smiled when I opened the door and extended my hand, but she didn't say anything until we were seated in a booth. It was nearly three P M and the dining room was practically empty. I would just as soon have had something cold to drink, but since she had mentioned coffee, that's what we ordered. The waitress frowned before leaving us to settle our lover's quarrel or whatever she thought we were seated in the booth to do.

"You know me too well," Jeannie began.

"That's not true. Now tell me what this is about."

"I think..." she paused, waiting for the waitress to set our coffee in front of us, ask if there was anything else we needed and leave.

"I think ... I know Josh is cheating on me."

"Look at me, Jeannie."

She raised her eyes. "You're the only one I can talk to about this. Do you think I'm jumping to conclusions?"

"Probably," I said, smiling and watched her try to smile too. "What makes you think something's going on with Josh? Do you have anything conclusive?"

"He has a job in the stockroom of an electronics company and he's working crazy hours. All he talks about are capacitors and integrated circuits, whatever they are. Oh, he talks about his supervisor, too. Her name is Betty and she..." Jeannie's eyes filled with tears and she was unable to continue.

"You think Josh and Betty are getting it on in the stockroom?" I asked, hiding my desire to laugh.

"He's really bulked up since you last saw him, Sammy," Jeannie said as if to explain how he could be attractive to his Betty.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Can you ... can you ... I don't know ... ever since we, you know, lost our virginity the same night we've always said there would never be anyone else."

"I know, I was there, remember?"

She smiled through tears, lovingly. "You were so good to me. Thank you."

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

She brightened. "Would you?"

I paid the check and left a tip for the waitress, leaving the coffee untouched.

"Do you want to bring Josh to my house for a swim tomorrow or would you prefer that I come to your house?" I asked as we got back into the car.

"Your house may be better," she said. "I don't want my parents to eavesdrop."

"How was school?" I asked, changing the subject.

She made a face. "Boring, I'm hoping it will be better next year with Josh and Eddie and Celia there. Will you come to see us sometime?"

"I may. Marcie Cochran keeps asking me to come for a visit. She's at Wellesley you know."

"I know, but I never understood what you saw in her. She so..."

"Ugly?"

Jeannie looked at me, disapprovingly. "You know me better than that, Sammy. I would never say anything like that about one of your best friends."

"Correction, Honey. Marcie's my best friend. We talk on the phone twice a week."

"Do you feel the same way about her that she feels for you?"

"Best friends? Yes, I believe I'm her best friend, too."

"That's not what I meant," she said, looking over at me, critically. I just laughed at her concern.

We talked about what I had been doing all summer and about Jessica. "Have you decided to go to Cindy's wedding? Perhaps you can be my date. I'm sure Josh will be busy, working or whatever."

"I'll think about it. Next summer is a long time off. I don't know where I'll be or what my dad has planned for me."

"Are you turning down a chance to be my date?" she asked, wiggling in her seat to make her dress creep up and show her thighs.

We were stopping in front of my house. "Does being your date include all the benefits?" I asked as I got out of the car. She got out too and watched me take my luggage out of the truck.

"I don't know. Like you say, next summer is a long time off."

We hugged and she got into the car. Next summer she'll be twenty and even more beautiful, I thought as I watched her drive away.

Penelope was the only one in the house. Mr. Oldham was at the office and Suzanne was shopping. I sat down and we brought each other up to date. She expressed regret that I wouldn't be home for Samantha's first birthday and I told her some of the funny things that happened in Atlanta.

I was anxious to change clothes and relax before Mr. Oldham and Suzanne came home. Penelope offered to help me with my bags, but I told her I could manage. I left my golf clubs in the back entrance and started upstairs.

"I hope you like what we've done with your room," she said, sounding mysterious.

"Don't tell me Suzanne redecorated?" I asked and received a shy smile.

Anticipating finding the toy soldier wallpaper replaced with some gaudy pattern, I braced myself for a shock. Surprisingly, the wall covering was the same that I had become accustomed to. The changes Penelope had alluded to were merely new carpeting and rearrangement of the furniture. I wasn't sure I would like having the bed turned the other way and my desk on the opposite side of the room, but since I was seldom there I decided I could live with it.

In addition to the envelope containing the three pips that Karen had sent, there was a letter from Shirley.

Dear Sammy,

Thank you for being so understanding about my deciding not to stay at Pontiac. I'm sure that once you had time to think about it you agree that my leaving was best for us. I'll always cherish the time we spent together, but as you know, I take my ambitions very seriously, as do you.

Would you be a dear and send my diaphragm to me? I believe you'll find it in the pencil drawer of my study desk. Thank you, my love.

Sincerely,

Shirley

P.S. Darien sends his regards.

"Fuck!" I said, crumpling the letter. "Isn't that sweet, Darien sends his regards."

I felt the three pips in the other envelope and was dialing Karen Parker's telephone number when Suzanne interrupted me.

"The changes seem to agree with you. I hope you like the new carpet," she said, coming to me for a hug and a kiss, not on the lips. I lifted her off the floor and heard her squeal. "You're as feisty as ever!"

"I like what you've done with my room," I said to be polite.

Suzanne pulled away from me, obviously pleased that I would mention her handiwork.

"I'll let you get organized. We're going out to dinner. Be ready in an hour," she ordered.

I gave Marcie a short call to let her know I was home and then I talked to Alice while I was unpacking the few things I would need while I was home...

"How are you?" I asked.

"Uncomfortable," she said, a mischievous tone in her voice.

"I guess that means you don't want to come over for a swim tomorrow?"

She laughed. "Doctor's appointments are the only reason I go out of the house."

"I understand. How about your daughter? Would Brenda like to come over tomorrow afternoon?"

"I'm sure she would love to see you. You're always thoughtful, Sammy," she said and we made arrangements for Carter to bring Brenda over.

I was in the garage, making sure my car would start, when Mr. Oldham came home.

"Ned's been taking good care of it," he said, showing he could see what I was doing.

We shook hands, and as we walked toward the house he began asking about the new building, like he hadn't seen my reports.

"Patti has the tenants' build-out plans ready and I believe Neill will be able to pick up the days we're behind."

He looked at me, skeptically. "There're two things certain in construction, Sam. You can bank on something going wrong and tenants to change their minds about the plans," he said, patting me on the back as we entered the house.

Surprisingly, Suzanne was ready to go. She had changed into a dark blue sleeveless blouse, an off-white short skirt and shoes to match the skirt, all very smart and expensive. I considered asking if she had lost weight, but changed my mind at the last second. "Being engaged seems to agree with you, Suz."

I may as well have been talking to a flower pot. "You'll need a tie," she reminded me.

I looked at Mr. Oldham and seeing that although he was dressed casually in a summer suit he was wearing a tie. "Summer dress codes are stupid," I objected, before heading for the stairs. I found an ugly tie that definitely didn't match my blazer. Suzanne's only reaction was to grimace.

We got a table that overlooked the swimming pool and I played a little game, trying to remember the names of the girls in the pool from three years before when I was home for the whole summer.

Mr. Oldham was interested in hearing more about the building and Suzanne wanted to know what I had done for entertainment while in Atlanta. I told them about meeting Patti's friends and some of the funny things that happened, like the way Sandy had coaxed Smyth to make a personal visit to the Italian restaurant.

I was sorry that I hadn't taken more care choosing my tie when Suzanne introduced me to the people at the next table. "Sammy, this is Gordon and Stella Harvey," she said, just as my salad was being placed in front of me. I turned to nod to the Harvey's and found myself face to face with a red headed angel.

"This is our daughter, Kelley," Mrs. Harvey said for the benefit of all three of us.

Kelley grinned at me, probably because she was amused at my open mouth. "It's nice to meet you, Sammy," she said before turning her head to acknowledge Mr. Oldham and Suzanne.

I moved to another chair. It obscured my view of the pool, but I was able to keep an eye on Kelley while we ate. All during dinner she talked to her parents in a low voice. I was unable to pick up any of their conversation except when she exclaimed about something. After dinner, while our parents were having coffee and brandy, I asked her to dance and she accepted.

"How come I haven't seen you here before?" I asked.

"I've been away at school," she said grinning, showing a dimple in her left cheek.

"Even in the summers?"

"I've been away during the summers, working for my father."

"Me too, but I come home for a week at the beginning of summer and again for a few days before school starts."

"I do that too. I guess we missed each other."

Kelley was a good dancer. Although she kept her distance, her body responded gracefully to my directions. "What year are you in?" I asked.

"I finished," she said smiling. "What year are you in?"

"I'm going into my junior year."

"You're taller than your parents," she said, disregarding my admission that I would be a junior.

"You are too," I said, doubting that she was taller than her father, just her mother.

"I'm adopted."

"Me too," I said and watched her look skeptical for a second, before nodding.

"I believe you."

The music ended and the other couples were leaving the dance floor. I decided I liked her serious manner and I certainly liked the way she looked. Like me, her adoptive parents had treated her well.

"I'm having some friends over tomorrow afternoon for a swim. I'd like to talk to you some more if you can make it," I offered as we walked back to the tables. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey had moved to our table. When she didn't answer I took it to mean, 'Not interested'. We took seats across the table from one another.

"Sammy, your dad was telling us you've been in Atlanta for the summer. Did you enjoy yourself?" Mr. Harvey asked.

"Yes, Sir, I learned a lot about the building trades."

"Kelley was in Denver, working in her father's office," Mrs. Harvey said.

"I've never been to Denver," I said, and Kelley, her eyes, pale green, actually glistening with glee, exclaimed "Finally, I've discovered something different about you."

Laughing at me, she turned to her parents, "He said, 'me too, ' to everything I told him while we were dancing."

As the older couples talked about business, the club, politics and Suzanne's wedding, I watched Kelley's eyes follow the speakers. I didn't contribute anything, but twice her eyes landed on me, briefly, looking serious before the dimple indented her cheek. I smiled back. I completely lost track of the conversation and I believe she did too.

We were following our parents to the cars when Kelley stopped walking. "What time tomorrow? Are you sure I won't be intruding?" she asked.

"You won't be intruding. It's not a crowd, only a couple of friends from the neighborhood. There's no set time; come whenever you want," I said, remembering that I hadn't said anything to Penelope about Josh and Jeannie coming. I didn't even know if she worked on Sundays.

"I'll try to come as soon as I can get free. You know how it is with parents."

"Me too," I said and felt her jab me in the ribs, laughing.

I broke the news on the way home that I was expecting company the next day, apologizing to Suzanne for not mentioning that Josh, Jeannie and Brenda were coming for a swim. She said not to worry. She was delighted to hear Kelley Harvey had agreed to come.

"She's a red headed beauty," Suzanne said and Mr. Oldham agreed with her.