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Cameron
Once I step out of my car behind my grandmother’s beach house and smell the salt air, I feel less jumpy. Before unloading, I jog up to gaze at the ocean. It’s a crisp day in autumn—my favorite season at the shore and a time I rarely spend here because of teaching. The sun warms my skin despite the cool breeze. Some people are sitting in beach chairs and lounging on blankets. The lifeguards are gone for the season, and no one is swimming anymore. A group of laughing gulls circles above. Their black, feathered heads are turning white, and they’ve lost the red breeding color on their beaks. I’ve learned these specifics because of Shirlene.
I glance in the direction of her labyrinth. The dune blocks it from view, but the thought of it makes me tighten my jaw. I hope a high tide has washed it away. I plop down in the sand. In so many ways, it was the best summer of my life. With Shirlene, Arlene, and Hattie here, I had a family. Once Hattie had to leave for her trip to Ireland, things began to unravel. No. That’s not accurate. Shirlene and I made love. We were getting closer until my brother showed up. That’s when it all began to go to hell.
My throat burns with bottled-up tears. I have to let this pain out, so I let them fall. It’s the real reason why I’m here. I haul myself back across the boardwalk, wiping my eyes. Ignoring my stuff in the car, I go directly into the beach house. It’s always been my respite. I can sense my grandmother’s supportive spirit here. I go upstairs to what was Shirlene’s room for the summer. I collapse onto the bed and cry myself to sleep.
I wake up to darkness. Wondering how long I’ve been asleep, I check my phone. There’s a text from Shirlene. She sent it late this morning telling me she’s having lunch with Tristen to break off the engagement. Great. I’m two hours away, and she met this asshole for lunch. I wonder how things went and why she hasn’t texted to tell me.
My stomach growls. There’s nothing in the house to eat. I need to go food shopping but not tonight. After a shower, I wander toward town for a burger or whatever I’ll find appealing. I decide to take the boardwalk.
A fair number of people are wandering the boards. Things are open, not like years ago when the shore shut down after Labor Day. Rehoboth Beach is pretty much a year-round resort now. Kids are carrying ice cream cones, and the bells and lights of the arcades are ringing and flashing. Zoltar, the animatronic fortune-telling machine, catches my eye. I’ve gone past him a thousand times, but I haven’t bothered to stop since I was a kid. I saunter over, hoping no one I know sees me. Zoltar’s yellow shirt, paisley vest, and gaudy jewelry seem to glow behind the glass.
I stare at his face. What do I want? There are so many layers that I have no idea where the hell to begin.
I’m startled when the fortune teller’s hands move over his crystal ball, coins, and cards, and his voice says, “What are you waiting for? Let Zoltar tell you of your happy future.” It costs a dollar now to receive some silly card. What do I have to lose except one buck?
“The Great Zoltar here with a word of wisdom for your fortunes. Remember, it is a great deal better to do all the things you think you should rather than to spend the rest of your life wishing you had. No, do not be leaving this place with regrets. Live it up, my friend, and start by giving me more money for more wisdom, no?”
A card slides out of the machine. It reads Zoltar Speaks on the front. I flip it over: You are a strong believer in fate. You feel you have no control over your destiny. You’ve had trouble this year.
No shit, Sherlock. I wasted a dollar for confirmation that my life sucks. Although it hasn’t pinged, I check my phone again. I’m right—no word from Shirlene about how her lunch with Tristen went earlier today. I can’t believe Aimee would be involved with this jerk, let alone engaged. As I search the boardwalk for the greasiest burger I can find, I consider texting Shirlene to ask how she handled Tristen, but I don’t want to be in touch with her until I figure myself out. I loved Aimee for a long time. Loving Shirlene in Aimee’s body is really bothering me.
I kill my phone. No contact until I get my act together.