Page 30 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
The restaurant’s sign glowed red in the night, lighting up her face. She looked nice, with the fixed makeup and her hair curled in a new way. It was a waste to run away now.
“I’ll walk in behind you and act like I’ve never seen you before,” he said. “It’ll be fine.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She shook her head. “I can explain what’s going on.”
He held up a hand. “Believe me, this will be fine. I prefer hiding in the shadows. You can tell him about me later – if you deem him worthy of knowing about your life.”
“Deem him worthy.” She repeated slowly. “How do I decide that?”
“That’s all of life, isn’t it? Deciding who can be trusted, whoshouldbe trusted with details of your inner life.”
“Is that why you don’t tell me anything about yourself?” she asked. “Am I unworthy?”
“Exactly, yes. You’re unworthy.”
He popped his door open. Adelaide erupted into another bout of manic laughter, doubling over as she tried to open her door.
Rick jogged to her side of the car and opened it. “Mrs. Ashbourne? This way. They’re expecting you.”
She stepped out of the car. “I don’t think I can do this, Rick.”
“Of course you can. You’re already doing it.” He nodded toward the restaurant. “You’re halfway there.”
She sighed and walked to the door.
Rick trailed behind, walking in a few moments later. The restaurant was poorly lit, the small tables scattered like marbles. Warm candles glowed on each one.
Straight ahead was a bar. The bottles were illuminated by a purple glow. A man spotted Adelaide and stood up.
She walked over to him as Rick took a seat at the bar.
“Adelaide?” The man said.
“Hi, Corey?”
She went in for a hug, he went in for the handshake. They danced for a moment before landing on a side hug.
Painful.
Rick sat at the end of the bar. He picked up a menu and pretended to study it.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” he said. “Patty told me you’re her… granddaughter?”
“No, not her granddaughter,” Adelaide said with a laugh. “I’m her ex-daughter-in-law’s sister…” She paused. “Which is more confusing than it needs to be.”
“Ha, yeah.”
She took a seat, and he sat next to her.
“I’m starting to wonder if Patty misrepresented me.”
He took a sip of water. “Misrepresented?”
Rick looked up. The guy’s mouth was open, his eyes wide. Deer in the headlights.
“I’m sure she was coming from a good place,” Adelaide said. “But I am in no way young enough to be her granddaughter.”
The guy laughed. “Oh, right.”
