Page 8 of Picking Pismo

Pointing, Alexis said, “It’s green.” Claire drove through the intersection. Alexis continued, “And besides, I’m sure you aren’t the first mom to make a move on him.” Alexis reached out, changing the radio station again, one playing the newest hits. “Dr. Clark is probably used to all the attention, so I don’t think he’ll give your invitation a second thought.”

Sighing, Claire said, “You’re probably right. Now I’m like all those other desperate single moms throwing themselves at him.” Her voice faded while her heart sank.

“Stop beating yourself up over the whole thing.” Alexis’s fingers slid across her cell phone screen. She didn’t look up. “There’s no way he’ll come anyways, so you’re in the clear. And you have a whole month until you see him again. Plenty of time for Dr. Clark to forget about the entire interaction.”

Suddenly defensive, Claire pushed wisps of hair behind her ear. “Why do you think he won’t come?”

As much as she was embarrassed by the conversation with Dr. Clark, Claire did hold out a tiny bit of hope he’d show. Who didn’t want to spend the evening cuddled up next to a smoking hot orthodontist? Geez, her mind was already to cuddling.

“Like you said, he was only being nice.” Alexis slid her phone into her pocket then lightly rubbed her hand across her swollen lip. “Is it okay if I invite Juliet? She said her mom can drop her off.”

And the conversation about Dr. Clark drifted out the car window with the light ocean breeze. This was the first time Alexis mentioned any of her friends. A few came to the funeral, but Claire, in a full grief-stricken haze, didn’t remember any of them. If Alexis wanted to socialize and see her friends again, Claire wanted to encourage it.

“Sure, you can invite Juliet,” Claire kept her voice upbeat, “tell her seven o’clock near the pier. We can go straight to the store and pick up some snacks to share.”

With not a hint of sarcasm, Alexis said, “Great, thanks Claire.”

Claire smiled. For once, she thought, she had managed to make Alexis happy.

* * *

Later that evening, with lawn chairs in hand, Claire peered around the sectioned off area of the beach set up for the outdoor movie. It was showing an old romcom, You’ve Got Mail, one of Claire’s favorites. On the other hand, Alexis wasn’t thrilled, because she wanted to see the latest blockbuster hit.

“Where should we set up?” Claire surveyed the sand, looking for a spot big enough for them. Hiking up her purse, she attempted to juggle the bag of snacks and lawn chairs. Pointing at a place midway back, Claire nodded her head in the direction. “Does that spot look okay? Do you think Juliet will be able to find us?”

Alexis nodded. “Looks good to me. Here, let me help you.” She reached out to take some stuff from her.

Help? Claire’s jaw dropped. “Thank you.” Claire passed some items to Alexis.

Shrugging, Alexis replied, “You were carrying too much stuff. I should’ve offered to help back at the car.”

Claire couldn’t believe the change in Alexis, only this morning she growled at her in the car, but with the prospect of seeing her friend, Juliet, Alexis’s entire demeanor changed. Their entire afternoon together, Alexis, was downright pleasant. Next, Alexis offered to help, perhaps the dark cloud looming over them for the last month was starting to lift.

Reshuffling the remaining items, Claire’s arms no longer screamed from the weight. “Are you excited to see Juliet? I should’ve realized you’ve missed seeing her and your other friends.”

“I haven’t seen Juliet since the funeral.” Alexis walked toward the empty spot. “I think Monday… I should go back to school. It’s time. I can’t stand sitting around the house any longer missing Mom and constantly being reminded she isn’t alive. I miss being around my friends. And I’m sick of doing all the classwork from home.” Alexis stopped at the designated place and opened her chair, setting it down on the sand.

For the past month, Alexis had kept up with her schoolwork from home. Claire wondered constantly when it would be a suitable time for Alexis to return to school. Luckily, Alexis came to the decision on her own. Claire placed her stuff down on the sand too, arranging her chair. Promptly, she plopped herself down next to Alexis.

“I think it’s a great idea for you to return to school.” Claire rubbed her hands back and forth over the top of her jeans to try and stay warm. Thankfully, last minute, she threw on a royal blue sweater Mom had knitted for her. Mom said the color always brightened her face. With the sun nearly gone, the salty ocean air nipped at her skin. “Once your lip is healed, you can start back at the dance studio next week too.” She pulled out a blanket from her bag and threw it over her legs.

Some soft music played while they waited for the movie to start. A few minutes later, Juliet arrived, being dropped off by her mom. Soon the two friends chatted to themselves, clearly missing one another. On a whim, Claire dug some cash out of her purse and gave it to the girls to go get some ice cream at the edge of the pier. Claire could see the shop from where she sat. Excitedly, Alexis and Juliet left for the ice cream shop.

With a moment to herself, Claire stared out at the waves crashing on the shore. A wave of happy memories flooded her mind. A mix of memories from her childhood, all were wrapped around the ocean and Pismo Beach. Her finger ran over the tight stitching of the blue yarn of her sweater. Last time she wore it, Claire had gone for a walk with Mom on the beach. Tears tickled the corners of her eyes and soon streamed down her face. Her heart ached and loneliness engulfed her being. She wondered if or when things would get easier. Though she believed Mom was in a better place, Claire still struggled to make sense of everything.

Swiping at her eyes, Claire didn’t want Alexis to see her in this state. Luckily, the previews started to play on the big screen, distracting her mind from missing Mom. Halfway into the previews, Alexis and Juliet returned, happily licking their ice cream cones while the rest of the previews played.

Lost in her own depressed state, Claire didn’t hear any of the dialogue or music during the previews. Instead, she tuned into the soothing sounds of the ocean. To her surprise, when Claire turned her attention back to the movie screen, the opening credits sprawled across the screen.

Then a hushed whisper called out her name. Claire peered toward the sound, slowly her eyes adjusted from the brighter movie lights to the darkness of the night. Her gaze landed on Dr. Clark, searching the crowd of moviegoers. Reaching her hand up in a wave, Claire locked eyes with him and smiled. Eagerly, he strode the rest of the distance to them. Dr. Clark arrived and crouched down next to her.

Leaning in, Dr. Clark whispered, “I’m glad I found you. I was afraid I wouldn’t.” He placed his hand on her arm rest, pointing with his other to the empty space next to her. “Is that space taken?”

“Uh, you…” Claire shifted in her seat. Her gaze skidded over his perfectly proportioned frame. Dr. Clark had changed into jeans and a baggy sweatshirt. His dark hair practically glowed under the light of the moon. Her middle pooled with warmth. Oh, dear. With a sudden dry throat, Claire forced herself to swallow and pushed out the words, “You came. I didn’t think you would.”

Dr. Clark’s gaze bore into hers. “I hope that’s okay.” He blinked, and time stretched into an eternity.

Her heart hammered, sounding in her temples. Instinctively, Claire smoothed out her hair, hating how it flapped wildly with the cool night breeze. “I— I,” she stammered.

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