Page 49 of The Summer Club

Andi stood back, as everyone had their turn.

“Find a cute boy and send me a photo,” Sydney told her niece with a wink.

“Don’t forget to call your mother,” Martin said.

“Oh, honey, have fun!” Cora told her granddaughter as she slipped a twenty-dollar bill into her hand. “Buy yourself something cute.”

Charley gave Molly a bear hug. “They have some great deep-water fishing around the island. See if your dad will take you.”

Hugh was last. “No sex, drugs, or rock and roll.” He looked at Andi. “Your mother said.”

Molly turned five shades of scarlet but laughed.

Finally, it was Andi’s turn, but with it came the sudden crunch of tires on the shell driveway. “They’re here!” Molly cried, grabbing her duffel bag. Andi’s stomach lurched.

“Wait, honey.” She’d wanted to say something bright and cheerful. Meaningful but not mushy. As Molly swiveled with an impatient look, instead Andi said, “Remember your sunscreen.”

Molly was already halfway down the steps toward the gleaming black Escalade as Andi chided herself.

“Whoa.” Martin let out a whistle. “That thing’s a beast.”

“So.” Hugh elbowed Andi. “That’s why he can’t pay more alimony?”

“Shut up,” Andi hissed. But he was right. George’s new car was ridiculous.

George exited the beast first and Molly rushed her dad like a linebacker. This is good, Andi told herself. They need father-daughter time together. All good.

Then the passenger door opened.

Camilla stepped out like she was arriving at the Academy Awards, one open-toed heel (did she not know she was about to get on a windy, rocky ferry boat?) first. She was dressed in all black and she remained planted by the car as she took them all in, sliding her oversized sunglasses down the narrow bridge of her nose.

“Ferret-like,” Hugh had once commented when Andi showed him her Instagram page.

Well. Andi would be the bigger person. “Hello, Camilla. Nice to see you.”

Camilla didn’t budge. “Andi.” Her smile, if that’s what it was, didn’t quite reach her cheeks.

By then, George had come around to the front steps. “Hey, Andi.” He waved sheepishly at the rest of her family, who Andi realized were lingering on the porch in one nosy, obvious huddle. “Hi, everyone.”

Andi’s dad rescued them all, heading down the porch steps and extending his hand. “Good to see you, George. Molly sure is excited for this trip.” And everyone followed Charley’s polite example. Andi appreciated all of it, her eyes on Molly. It was important for her to see that they could all behave themselves and get along.

“New wheels, huh?” Hugh asked, which delighted George.

Andi couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Camilla, standing in the driveway like a dark omen, at the edge of it all. She smiled at her. “You’ve had a long drive. Would you like a glass of water? Or maybe use the restroom before you go?”

Camilla’s nose wrinkled. “I’m good.”

As if suddenly remembering his “true life partner,” George peeled himself away from the car tour to introduce her. “I’d like you to meet Camilla. She’ll be traveling with Molly and me this week.” He paused self-consciously. “She’s my—”

“Life partner,” Camilla interjected.

Andi resisted the urge to add “true.”

This triggered a few obligatory nods and faint mumblings, followed by a long uncomfortable silence standing in the hot sun. Andi wondered how hot Camilla felt in her all-black attire.

“All right then, off you go.” It was time. She handed George the little sandwich she’d secretly packed, despite Molly’s protest. “Lunch. And extra Dramamine.” She could feel Molly’s eye roll across the driveway. “Remember, she gets seasick?”

“Oh right, yes, of course,” George said, accepting the bag, but Andi could tell he did not remember at all.

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