Page 89 of Songs of Summer

Who was she kidding? She cared what everyone thought of her.

She stopped to order a seltzer, intent on making a sober second impression to counter Thursday’s train wreck. Maybe she could change Chase’s narrative from Veronica-Silver-still-has-issues to Veronica-Silver-had-one-very-unfortunate-night.

As she approached the bar, she caught sight of Maggie and her brother having words in the foreground, before storming off. It left her curious.

“A seltzer with a splash of cranberry and a lime, please,” Veronica ordered, as if Chase were a stranger.

He seemed happy to play it that way too. But curiosity got the better of her, or was it nosiness?

“Sibling squabble?” she asked Chase, gesturing to Maggie and Jason in the distance as he mixed her drink.

She had come at the right time. A line was forming behind her.

“More like a lovers’ quarrel. She’s two-timing him.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m a bartender. I know everything.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t know this. That’s her brother.”

Veronica took her drink and continued on her way. She slipped out to the open back deck and rummaged for her phone. It was a beautiful night with a full moon rising over the water. Maybe she would FaceTime Larry. Since noticing the appearance of fine lines around her eyes and those threatening jowls, moonlight had become her best filter. Two guests from the party were kissing in the corner, making the prospect of FaceTime feel voyeuristic. Then the couple broke apart.

It was Maggie and Jason.

“Oh my God!” Veronica blurted out, loud enough to wake the fishes.

Track 45

Poker Face

The Party According to Matt

“That doesn’t soundgood!” Matt reacted to the loud “Oh my God!” coming from the bow of the boat.

He had been fielding a lengthy inquisition from Dylan that had begun on the dance floor and ended up at the bar. He was happy for a subject change. The subject had been Maggie.

“What’s wrong?” Dylan had prodded.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m good,” he’d told her with a smile.

“A good liar,” Dylan rebutted.

“Stop. Let’s just get through the night, send Maggie and Jason off on the ten a.m. ferry, and be done with this whole charade.”

“About that. She’s going to leave a letter for Beatrix and take off?”

“Yes. We thought it would be better that way. Let Bea digest it all and then they could meet up another time in Ohio, if Bea’s even still interested.”

“If she’s even still interested? She’s been dreaming of this day for thirty years, and now Maggie is leaving you to hold the bag.”

“Wow. That big sister pill you swallowed was fast-acting!” Not that Dylan had ever needed a pill to be protective of Matt, or him of her.

“I’m serious, Matty.”

“It’s OK. I’ll handle it. Let’s please drop it tonight and enjoy our parents’ wedding.” He laughed as he said it, before adding, “This is all so much bigger than me and my crush.”

“I knew it. Did you—you know?”

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