Page 41 of The Beachgoers
fifteen
— Now —
THIS IS IT.
This is the moment that will change the evening. Elsa knows it. She feels it in her beating heart. In her shaking hands. Before walking straightintothe moment, she takes a few quiet seconds in her bedroom.
“Breathe, Elsa,” she tells her reflection as she stands in front of a full-length mirror.
And she does breathe—one long breath, then another. She glances to the window, too, where the murmur of her guests drifts in on the salty air. There’s a buzz in that air. An electricity.
Which makes what she’s about to do all the more hard.
The announcement she’s about to make on her inn’s lantern-lit lawn all the more dreaded.
But it’s time now.
Elsa gives one last look in the mirror at her favorite jumpsuit with its sheer lace neckline and fitted lace sleeves. Her gold star pendant hangs on a long, double-layer gold chain. Her honey-highlighted brown hair is in a loose chignon held back by a gold-bead headband. Thick gold hoop earrings finish the ensemble.
Here we go.
Another breath, a quick press to smooth out her black jumpsuit, a nod of her head. Elsa walks with a determined step now, straight through the inn and out the door to the veranda where—thankfully—Jason is standing right there, leaning on the railing.
* * *
“Jason!” Elsa says, hurrying over. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to you before.” When he meets her halfway and gives her a hug, she whispers into his ear, “This is it.”
She notices, too, that while some guests linger on the veranda, many spill onto the sloping lawn of the inn. Elsa sees them mingling there in the early evening light. Her guests sip drinks; some hold plates of hors d’oeuvres. The talk is fun and laugh-filled as people easily chatter. Which is a problem, because she needs them all in one place to hear her announcement.
“Youlook smashing, Elsa,” Jason is telling her. He motions to the crowd then. “And deserve every bit of this.”
“Wait.” She grabs his arm before he turns back to Maris waiting behind him. “Jason! Can you give me a whistle? I need everyone gathered close.”
“For you, Elsa? Anything.” Jason walks to the veranda stairs and faces the guests on the lawn. Glancing at Elsa, he waits for her nod, then hooks two fingers in his mouth and gives a sharp whistle. It cuts through the air.
When the voices quiet and people look over, Elsa taps a microphone set up special for the evening. “Please, everyone! Thank you for coming tonight. If you could gather ’round, I’d like to welcome you all and begin the festivities.”
She steps back then as couples, and families, and Nick, and Cliff all join her on the wraparound veranda. Some guests sit on the half-wall. Some lean against the railing. Others sit on wicker chairs and the settee. More sit on a blue-cushioned rattan sectional. A few gather at a rattan table.
As Elsa takes her place at the top of the stairs and faces them all, Celia moves closer. When Elsa glances at her, she notices the evening’s sunset beyond. The horizon out over Long Island Sound shimmers pink and lavender. A slight mist rises off the sea.
“Aunt Elsa!” a voice suddenly calls out.
Elsa turns to see Eva approaching. She’s dressed in a flowing navy tunic over skinny white cropped pants. Her auburn hair is freshly bobbed, with wide, streaked-blonde strands visible in a deep side part.
“Aunt Elsa,” Eva says again, stepping closer. “Do you want a group picture before the ribbon-cutting?”
Elsa shakes her head. “Not right now, dear.”
“But aren’t they set up out front?” Eva persists.
“Who?”
“The town dignitaries,” Eva says. “I love those oversized scissors they use to cut the ribbon.”
“Boss,” Nick tosses over to Cliff—who has also moved closer. “Be sure to get a good ribbon-cutting shot for the newsletter!”
Elsa waves them off and turns to the crowd quietly watching her now. So she clears her throat, taps the microphone and, well, she begins. “Okay, everyone! I’m so glad you’re all here.” Her voice carries on the salty air. “By the good grace of God, we made it… together. And it’swonderfulto see you all. My nieces Maris and Eva. My nephews-in-law. Neighbors. Mitch and Carol. Loved ones and friends.” She notices a man off to the side, near Jason. “Trent, too! Welcome one and all.”
