“Nonsense, dear. You are not on vacation. Surely, you’ll need things for the summer. I insist. I would take you myself, but my week is jam-packed with events. Charlotte will take you and show you around the island. It’s where everyone in town hangs out.”
I think that’s the third time she’s mentioned an “island,” and I’m just now questioning it. “Are you talking about an actual island? We’re on the bay coast. There aren’t any islands around here.”
Rose’s eyes light up like a million bulbs switched on at once. “Well, then I insist you go today and see it for yourself. What do you think, Charlotte?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Charlotte says.
I take a peek over my grandmother’s shoulder at Charlotte, who is giving me one of her comforting smiles.
“It will be fun, I promise. I’ll show you around. We’ll look in a few stores, grab some lunch, maybe get our nails done. Just a girls’ day out.”
It feels rude to reject their offer any more than I already have. With a quiet sigh and a forced smile, I agree to the plan.
“Well, that’s settled,” Rose says before rising from the table. “I’m afraid I must jet off again. Let’s have tea tomorrow, shall we? There’s something I’d like to show you.”
I’m starting to see why the town is so intimidated by Rose. She’s as fierce as she is kind, as assertive as she is observant, and as understanding as she is convincing. It’s strange, but even after going my entire life without knowing my grandmother, something about her feels familiar to me. And it’s as if she’s known me my whole life.
“I’m ready whenever you are,” I say to Charlotte when I touch down at the bottom of the staircase.
After the nerve-racking morning with Rose, I’m not as opposed to getting out of the house as I was initially. In fact, I could use the distraction from my thoughts. It seems distractions are all I have these days, and it’s all starting to feel a little dark. My mom would want better for me. I want better for myself, even if that means stepping outside of my comfort zone.
We walk out the main door and down the front steps then hop into the white Escalade. I don’t know what it is about the sight of the tiny woman climbing into a giant SUV, but a light laugh pushes up my throat.
Charlotte looks at me with amused curiosity. “What’s so funny?”
I shake my head then wave around the vehicle. “It’s just so… obnoxiously big, isn’t it? Like Rose’s home, and—” I start to wonder if I’m being rude and let out a sigh. “I’m just not used to all of this. I don’t feel comfortable letting Rose spend her money on me. It must already be such an inconvenience having me stay here. But I’ll be eighteen soon and then—”
“Stop.” Charlotte turns her full body to face me and holds my gaze for an intense few seconds, enough to tell me that whatever she’s about to say is serious. “You are blood, Katrina. You are a Summer. You have no idea what that means today, but you will. Whatever happened with your family in the past has nothing to do with you. You’re here because Rose wants you to be here. She’s always wanted to be a part of your life. I agree, the circumstances are unfortunate, but in no way are you a burden. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
I shake my head, refusing to believe it.
“It’s true,” Charlotte says firmly. “I’ve never seen Rose like this. So lively, so… happy. It’s like she’s found her passion again.”
I frown. “What? How?”
“Ever since George died, her responsibilities to this town have become her life. She stopped remembering why she started all this work to begin with. She doesn’t even leave Apollo Beach anymore. I have a feeling your presence is already changing that. So enjoy today, will you? If anything, do it for me.” She winks, resetting the mood. “I could use a fun day out.”
Tension releases from my body, and I lean back into my seat. “Fine. But I’m looking for a job while we’re out.”
“Now, there’s a great idea.”
With a satisfied smile, Charlotte drives us out of the Summer Estates gate and goes straight to where we had taken a left at the T last night. From what I can tell, this is the entire town, a T-shape with carved-out inlets that make up waterfront housing developments. We drive past the public beach, where a long rock structure juts into the ocean. Huge waves crash over the end of it, sending water spraying high into the air.
Past that is a row of large coastal homes that appear dated compared to the ones in Summer Estates. In fact, the farther down the road we travel, the older the houses seem to get. One house in particular sticks out like a sore thumb. It looks completely abandoned, with chipped paint, angled shutters, boarded-up windows, tall weeds for grass, and overgrown pathways. Yet, I can see past the distress and visualize the beautiful landmark it once probably was. But even as it is, I’m strangely comforted by the sight. To know this town isn’t the immaculate storybook land I initially thought is enough to ground me back into reality.
My eyes are still focused out the window on Charlotte’s side as we pass another public beach, this one clearly not as well cared for as the one near Summer Estates. It’s completely deserted, save for a man dressed in all black. It’s him.
My pulse takes off racing. From the T-shirt that stretches around his muscles, to the cap he wears low enough to cover his eyes, and to black slacks that make me desperately want to know where he’s headed, there’s no question that it’s the jogger from last night—the older guy with the unforgettably harsh glare.
I’m relieved he doesn’t look at me this time as we pass. Letting him catch me staring the first time was almost too embarrassing to handle. I don’t think I would survive it again.
“Here we are.”
Charlotte’s voice cuts through my racing thoughts, and I look forward to find the landscape changing before my very eyes. As we escape the last of the worn-down section of the neighborhood, we start to pass over an arched one-lane stone bridge. Its rails and end posts are sculpted like Greek pillars with a statue of Apollo and his bow perched on each one.
Beyond the end of the bridge sits a castle-sized black iron gate with “Summer Island” written in metallic gold above it. A matching gold Greek sun with an S separates at the middle when the doors begin to open.
“Summer Island? You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter. “My grandparents developed this too?”
Charlotte’s light infectious laughter floats through the air. “Your grandparents’ parents, yes. Rose and George just added all the embellishments.”
I don’t even notice the guard house to the side of the gate until Charlotte slows the car and rolls down her window. “Hey, Herk. Meet Rose’s granddaughter, Katrina. I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of her.”
They exchange a wink, then he leans over to smile at me. “Well, well, well. She does exist,” he exclaims. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you, Katrina.”
“It’s just Kat.” I can’t help but smile back at the charming and animated man.
“Of course, of course. Well, I’m Herkle. But the people around here call me whatever they want. Herk. Herkie. Hercules.” He holds up an arm, pushes up his massive bicep, then winks as if it’s some inside joke.