Page 49 of The Beachgoers
“Congratulations, dude. Really happy to see this.”
“Yeah. Me, too. And hell, I needed my best man here.”
“Best man?” Jason squints through the evening mist at Kyle. “Your brother’s here, you know. Want me to get Shane?”
“Heck no. What do I always tell you?” Kyle asks, putting his arm around Jason’s shoulders and walking back to the podium. “Once a best man,alwaysa best man.”
Jason glances to the crowd taking their seats on the sand. “You really okay with that?”
“Shit, yeah. You were my best man ten years ago, and are again tonight.” Kyle hitches his head to the spot just beside him. “Take your place, bro.”
Jason does, still amazed at the turn of events. As he stands there, fairy lights out on the water flick on. The tiny bulbs outline a wooden rowboat floating not far off the beach. Two people are seated in the boat. When Jason looks closer, he sees that it’s Lauren being paddled to shore by an older man.
“Who’s that with your bride?” Jason asks, nudging Kyle beside him.
“Her dad.” Kyle is riveted to the sight. And maybe getting a little nervous now. Perspiration beads at his forehead as the rowboat is slowly paddled in. The oars lift dripping from the salty water, then drop back in with a quiet splash.
But another sound gets Jason to turn to Celia. She lightly drags a pick across her guitar strings, then adjusts the shoulder strap. Sitting with the guitar on her lap, she begins playing a soft tune just as Kyle and Lauren’s two children walk down the aisle between the rows of white chairs. Evan and Hailey each hold a basket and are spreading hydrangea petals, sea glass and shells on the sandy aisle before them. When they reach the front row of chairs, they turn in and sit between Lauren’s mother and Shane.
With everyone seated now, all eyes take notice of the approaching rowboat. Gentle waves splash at its wooden hull. Seawater drips from the paddles. Except for the sound of that water, there’s only Celia’s strumming guitar. She has a way of bringing sweet emotion to the music. It happens when her fingers skim the fret, and the sliding noise of her moving fingers works right into the song.
As Jason watches, it strikes him that you wouldn’t even know time has passed. That only three weeks ago,thiswas what was supposed to happen. Happiness. Kyle and Lauren’s ten-year vow renewal. They were always meant to be.
That night three weeks ago, the ceremony wasn’t supposed to be called off.
There wasn’t supposed to be an estranged brother showing up.
Or a distressed groom.
Or a teary bride.
White chairs weren’t supposed to be snapped shut.
Suits and gowns weren’t supposed to be left on hangers.
Boutonnieres weren’t supposed to be tossed out to sea.
Tempers weren’t supposed to flare.
It was supposed to be, like Maris told Jason, the summer of love.
Jason looks at Kyle, then Lauren arriving in Sal’s old wooden rowboat. Three weeks later, three weeks after that disastrous night, didn’t it go and happen.
The tide has turned, again.
* * *
When lobstering, you never know when a wave will knock you over. Knock you right off the boat. Because it’s the Atlantic Ocean that decides—not you. Shane’s lost track of how many head counts were done aboard ship after particularly rough waves.
And just like the sea, Stony Point shows no mercy. Sitting in a white chair and watching his brother wait at the water’s edge for his bride, Shane can’t help but think this. Damn beach decides your life’s turns. You never know when a wave will knock you over, righthere. Hell, Stony Pointbarreledhim over more than once in just these few short weeks—with things Shane never saw coming.
With a hard-earned reconciliation with his brother, Kyle.
With Celia.
And tonight, with the Ocean Star Inn not even opening its doors.
So he wonders now ifthatturn of events is what knocked Celia over today. Lord, he prays it isn’t still him. All he knows is her whole life had to tip with the inn’s postponed opening. He looks at her playing her guitar. Sure, she’s happy now—for her friends. But Shane saw another side earlier. The darker side. The worried side. The,What am I going to do?And,What about my job?And,How will I earn an income to take care of Aria?
