Reunion By The Sea

“I don’t think she’ll care.” Jade nodded toward the activity board. The two looked pretty cozy already. “Come on, I’d like to see Sam’s now that I’m legal.”

Harlow and Ginny both laughed.

“What?” Jade’s voice was the epitome of innocence.

Harlow snorted. “As if being underage ever stopped you.”

After they settled the check, Ginny led the way to the beach. Being outside was a relief. It was hot, yes, but the ocean breeze coming off the bay felt like heaven.

“I got dibs on anyone who remotely resembles the bartender,” Jade said.

Harlow stopped so suddenly Ginny almost ran into her. “Are you nuts? You can’t have dibs before we even walk in.”

“Who says?”

Harlow towered over Jade, but there was fierceness in both their eyes. They’d had enough challenges in their lives that Ginny already knew they could hold their own against the rest of the world. She’d always envied their gumption. Cricket’s too. Ginny had been more of a follower in the beginning. It was Meg who’d made her believe she could stand her ground. Always before, she’d been cowed by her father, who’d had a knack for finding her weak spots and exploiting them.

Meg had had his number from the first time she’d come over to Ginny’s. If it hadn’t been for her friend’s unwavering belief in shy little Ginny, she’d never have had the courage to leave Juilliard and care for Tilda despite her father’s vehement disapproval.

“Okay, fine,” Jade said. “We get to the table and if we like the same guy, I’ll arm wrestle you for him.”

Harlow laughed. “You little pip-squeak. There’s no way you’ll win.”

“Oh, really? We’ll just see about that.”

Ginny had clearly missed some of the conversation, but the two of them were now speed-walking to Sam’s. Ginny had to hustle to catch up, anxious now to see the outcome of this World Wrestling Federation mash-up. She giggled as they went up the few stairs to the popular hangout, while Jade and Harlow egged each other on.

“Wow, this place hasn’t changed a bit,” Harlow said as she glanced around at the funky decor, with hanging piñatas and bikini tops dangling over the tables and wicker chairs, assorted bric-a-brac like Hula-Hoops and license plates hung on the walls and from the ceiling. Hula girls bobbled in the center of every table. Even the uniforms—short denim cutoffs and cropped T-shirts with the bar’s logo—hadn’t been updated...ever.

“Hey, you guys.” Jade had already slipped into the thick of the crowd. “I’ve got a table. Come on.”

The place was packed with tourists, and it took Ginny a minute to get through the crowd but she finally took her seat.

Jade signaled the waitress. “This was a genius idea. We’ve hit the mother lode. Check out the guy by the jukebox.”

“I’m pretty sure half the bar heard you.” Ginny leaned in, keeping her voice low.

After Harlow ordered a pitcher of margaritas, Jade put her hand over Ginny’s. “Sweetie, it’s okay to loosen up every once in a while. You’re not seeing anyone, am I right?”

“With Tilda around? I don’t even remember the last guy who asked me out.”

“Well, don’t you worry. There are plenty of men here this weekend. We’ll fix you up.”

“I don’t know. I think you guys are bad influences on me. I was always stuck behind a piano, remember?”

“And the night of the junior prom when you were out until one in the morning? Your father almost sent you to a nunnery.”

Ginny groaned. “Jade, you know perfectly well we really did have a flat tire. It was you and Harlow who kept staying out past curfew.”

“Oh, girl, what you’ve missed out on. Tonight’s your chance to make up for lost time.” Jade watched a far-too-cocky golfer sashay past their table. “I promise I’ll find you someone decent.”

“Oh, I don’t need any help,” she said, “I already have someone in mind.”

Both women widened their eyes. “Who?”

Ginny was instantly sorry she’d teased them. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Too much was going on, and she’d been completely caught off guard after Parker had shown up. Maybe she should meet up with him before the dinner. Get it over with. Send him on his way.

But something about him was making it hard to do the smart thing. It didn’t seem possible that they could still have the chemistry they’d shared so long ago. Too much water under the bridge. Surely he had another woman in his life. Besides, nothing meaningful could come of the two of them. Not with Tilda in the picture.

“Ginny? You okay?” Harlow stared with concern.

“I’m fine. I’ve been thinking about Meg a lot, and it’s distracting, you know? I haven’t heard from her in a while, and I feel like we’re losing touch.” She’d never tell her friends anything about Meg’s real situation. That even if she were alive, she must be in hiding, or under Danny’s thumb. She knew Meg wouldn’t want her to share that information.

“Yeah, you guys were close,” Jade said. “I always liked her, even though she could be crazier than me. I kind of figured that we canceled each other out. It was that, or we’d end up driving each other nuts with our...eccentricities.”

Harlow let out a laugh. “That’s one way of saying you were a lunatic.”

“Gee, thanks.” Jade took a very large drink of her margarita, then dabbed her lips with a napkin. “You have to admit, the two of us made that uptight school a heck of a lot more interesting. Meg sure did have some great moves, aside from getting Miss Piano Practice out from behind the keyboard more than I could.”

“Miss Piano Practice?” Ginny hadn’t heard that one, and she didn’t like it one bit. “Did you guys really call me that?”

“Not until today,” Harlow said. “And that was all Jade.”

“We love you, Ginny, you know that.” Jade grinned. “We’d never diss you. Even when you had to cancel all the time.”

“Well, yeah, I did. Which wasn’t easy. But I might, and I stress the word might, be touring with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.”

“What! Are you kidding?” Jade rushed on. “You waited this long to tell us?”

Harlow’s mouth dropped open. Then she started firing questions—when, where, how they could get tickets.

“It’s not happening right away,” Ginny said, shushing their exuberance. “I’m not going on tour while Tilda’s still at Roger Williams. She still comes first.”

“But that’s fantastic. See? Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?”

Ginny smiled, still carrying a bit of doubt about sharing the news. Normally, she preferred to remain cautiously optimistic, knowing all too well that the best-laid plans could turn on a dime. “I hope it turns out. I’ve been working with them, doing a couple of guest spots.”

“Of course it’ll turn out.” Harlow lifted her glass. “To dreams coming true.”

Ginny clicked her glass to theirs. “Maybe it’s turning out that we’re all getting what we need instead of what we wanted.” Ginny smiled, even though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Parker showing up out of the blue was the last thing she needed.