Page 49 of Homecoming

“So if Keith was a dick to Kirby, why would Kirby pick him up after a night out?”

“That’s who Kirby is,” Kendra said with a sigh. “He’s the one who comes when no one else will because that’s what he does. Keith knew if he called Kirby, Kirby would come. So of course he took full advantage of him.”

“Is it okay to say I really, really admire Kirby, and I’d like to punch Keith in the face?” Dan asked.

Kendra raised her wineglass in a toast to Dan. “Welcome to our world.”

Chapter

Eleven

The next day,Kara met Renata and their friends Ellery and Jessie for lunch in town. Since it was another bright, sunny autumn day, they took advantage of the opportunity to eat outside.

“I need a lobster roll,” Kara said. “I’ve yet to have one that’s as good as the ones here.”

“Is lobster safe during pregnancy?” Jessie asked. Her curly brown hair was piled into a messy bun, and her enviably long lashes were fully mascaraed, as always. Jessie said she felt naked without her mascara.

“Yes, thankfully. It’s actually good for me and the baby.”

“I ate it when I was pregnant,” Ellery said. “It’s hard to avoid around here. I heard someone say it’s like chicken is in other places,” Ellery added with a laugh as she tucked a strand of shoulder-length blonde hair behind her ear. Her infectious laughter had been one of the best things about Kara’s childhood.

“That’s funny and true,” Renata said. “Look at how many people we know who make a living off of lobster.”

Ellery raised her hand. “Half of our income.”

Renata raised her hand. “All of mine.”

“Representing my grandmother, uncle and brother.” Kara raised both hands to register her vote. “I need a foot, too.”

“Don’t attempt that while you’re seven months pregnant,” Renata said.

“Yeah, good call. I’d end up in the ER.”

“You’re a very cute prego,” Ellery said.

“I feel like a beached whale.”

“Nah, you’re slaying it, as always,” Jessie said. “You’re unfairly adorable.”

“I forgot how good you guys are for my ego,” Kara said.

“We’re always here,” Ellery said. “That’s never changed.”

“I know, and I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long. I hope you guys know it had nothing to do with you.”

“You did the right thing for you, but we’ve missed you,” Ellery said.

Despite her friend saying the right things, Kara picked up an undertone of… something. “I’ve missed you, too. I wanted to be here for you after Pete’s accident.” Her husband, a lobsterman, lost a finger on the job a few years ago. “Before now, that was the closest I’ve gotten to saying to hell with it and coming home.”

“I felt your support from afar. Feels like a long time ago now that he’s gotten used to it. The hardest part afterward was that he sort of lost his nerve for the job for a while.”

“It must’ve been hard for him to go back to it after such a terrible injury.”

“It was, but it’s all he knows, so what choice did he have?”

The waitress came to take their order. Kara and Renata ordered lobster rolls, while the other two got salads.

“How’re things at the inn?”

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