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Linda and Joshua headed back to the dock. They walked with three feet separating them as the colossal winds rushed against their winter coats and ripped into Linda’s hair. She felt so tired, as though all her years of improper nutrition had waited for this moment to take her down.
About fifty feet from the dock, Linda lifted her eyes to catch sight of two familiar beauties standing at the far end of the dock, their heads bent as they conversed. Janine Grimson and Maxine Aubert. It was as though they’d stepped out of the pages of a tabloid magazine, becoming a kind of mirage. Linda stopped short and gaped at them, which led Joshua’s eyes toward them, as well.
“Don’t tell me that’s her,” he whispered.
“You see her, too?”
“The blonde one. Right?”
Linda nodded, unable to find her voice enough to speak. She spread her hand over her heart and suddenly envisioned Maxine as a younger version of Linda herself— frightened of whatever else awaited her in middle age, especially as her depression became like a great ocean, threatening to overtake her. Joshua lifted a hand to wave toward the two women, which caught Janine’s attention almost immediately. Linda wanted to scold him for this. She wasn’t sure she was ready. Perhaps she never would be.
Janine placed a hand over her brow and gazed out at Linda and Joshua. Her lips formed a round O of surprise. Maxine followed her gaze, looking stricken. After a strange moment’s pause, she hustled forward, so that her blonde hair swept back behind her. She ran toward Linda, her legs long and whipping out behind her and the sand kicking up. Linda’s heart thudded with fear and longing.
Years and years ago, Linda had watched, captivated, as her daughter had taken her first steps across the living room in their apartment in the nineteenth arrondissement. She’d hobbled and then fallen onto the pad of her diaper. Her eyes had glowed with pure joy as Linda had told her, over and over again, just what a big girl she now was.
Maxine stopped her wild sprint about five feet away from Linda and Joshua, who stood with bated breath. Maxine slid a strand of hair behind her ear as she gaped at Linda.
How was this possible? How had Maxine figured this out?
“Is it really you?” Maxine whispered as her eyes welled with tears.
Linda tightened her hand over her chest. How could she find the strength to speak? She’d dreamed of this moment for years and here it was before her. Would she mess this up, too? How could she trust herself?
“It’s me,” Linda finally murmured. “It’s really me.”
Maxine looked frozen with shock. Janine appeared behind her, similarly wild with confusion. Far behind them, Maggie stood with another young woman and Nancy. Both watched, captivated.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Maxine whispered as she stepped closer.
“I was terrified,” Linda answered truthfully. “And I’m still terrified.”
Linda shivered so frantically that her teeth clacked together. She stepped ever-so-slightly toward her daughter, which made her knees nearly collapse beneath her. Maxine leaped forward and gripped Linda’s arm to keep her upright.
“We’d better get her to a warm place,” Joshua said in that booming voice. “She’s been outside for a long while.”
Linda placed her head upon Maxine’s chest and allowed herself to be led toward the docks. The stress and the chill had created a strange, muffled noise within her head. In many ways, this all seemed like a dream. She prayed she wouldn’t wake up in her New York apartment a few minutes later. She prayed this was real.
Voices continued above her head as she shuffled toward the parking lot alongside the docks.
“I can make up the guest bedroom,” Janine offered.
“She’ll be comfortable with us,” Maggie said brightly.
“I don’t know...” Maxine doubted, her voice heavy with doubt. “It might be overwhelming for her. All those people in one place...”
A car door opened as Maxine’s voice coaxed Linda to slide in and buckle her seatbelt. When she did, she peered out the door to find Maxine, Janine, and Joshua in a line, all peering down at her. She felt like a little kid.
“You’re going to be all right, Linda,” Joshua said firmly. “You’re with family now.”
Linda blinked back tears as Joshua leafed through his pockets and dragged out a little yellow pad of paper. He waved it around like a flag and said, “I don’t have my cell phone on me. I never got used to it, but if I give you my number, will you give me a call? Just want to make sure you’re all right.”
Linda’s heart jumped into her throat. When was the last time a man had asked for her phone number? This wasn’t that; there was no flirtation in his asking after her, a genuine crazy person.
Or was there? Linda couldn’t figure out anything any longer.
Joshua scribbled his cell phone number onto the pad of paper as Maxine, Nancy, Maggie, another young woman, and Janine all jumped in the car. Janine revved the engine as Joshua handed her his number, and closed the door behind her, tucking her in safe from the howling winds.
“Looking forward to seeing you again soon, Linda. I hope you enjoy the holidays here on the island. If I had to guess, I don’t think you’re headed back home any time soon.”