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“Larry was a young one,” Doug continued. “At ninety-eight, it’s strange to see such young men pass. You wonder what the rules of the world are.”
Rebecca eyed him. “Then again, you were in World War II. I imagine you’ve lived with those thoughts for eighty years.”
Doug continued to watch the water. “Every war is senseless. The men who fought valiantly beside me should have returned just the same as me.” He tilted his head toward Ben to add, “There’s no reason we should still be alive. But since we are, we have to live with the consequences of being veterans. It’s not always easy.”
Ben’s eyes were clouded. Again, Rebecca remembered the emails the Sutton Book Club had received from veterans across the island, anxious to return for Veterans’ Night.
She was a chef, and the Sutton Book Club had a working kitchen. The key was underneath the front mat.
What was she waiting for? Why couldn’t she host a Veterans’ Dinner by herself?
In turn, wouldn’t that prove to Esme how much Rebecca still cared for the Sutton Book Club and, subsequently, the Sutton family?
“Do you have plans tomorrow afternoon?” Rebecca asked.
Doug bucked with laughter and sipped his beer.
“He means to say we never have plans,” Ben joked. “What did you have in mind?”
Rebecca furrowed her brow. “Veterans’ Dinner is back on. I’ll send an email out. Make sure anyone who doesn’t have email gets the message. Okay?”
As Rebecca fled home, her heart lifted into her throat. Seagulls cawed overhead and swept low to the earth, casting their shadows across the sands. The ground no longer threatened to swallow her up. Instead, she ran with what seemed like endless power.
Chapter Fourteen
Rebecca returned home to find Bethany on the back porch with a book. Her hair fluttered with the sea breeze, and her relaxed face remained stoic. As Rebecca leaped up the back steps, Bethany stretched her arms over her head and said, “I haven’t had such a relaxing morning in years. Decades, even.”
Rebecca smiled and removed her hair tie. Her hair dropped along her arms and back, and sweat lined her back. Euphoric from the run, she said, “I’m just so glad to see you again, Bethany.”
Bethany placed her book on the table and smiled gently at Rebecca. “What’s gotten into you?”
Rebecca laughed and collapsed into the chair across from her. She explained her plan for the Sutton Book Club in a few sentences. “On the run back, I planned the whole menu. It’s the first time I’ve been excited about cooking since Fred passed away.”
“Then we have to do it,” Bethany affirmed. “Tell me how I can help.”
First thing, they had to return to the Sutton Book Club to send a mass email to the veterans Esme had listed on her computer. Next, Rebecca inspected the kitchen, which she found subpar when compared to the kitchen she’d left behind in Bar Harbor. “It’ll have to do,” she said.
Before they headed home, Rebecca checked the computer again. Already, four veterans had RSVPed.
Rebecca and Bethany walked home, chatting gently about the groceries Rebecca needed to shop for. Bethany mentioned that Victor had told her about Rebecca’s “impeccable” cooking skills, and Rebecca blushed. “Dad seems to be telling that to everyone around town,” she said. She then explained she’d run into Ben. “He ran into Dad at the bar last night.”
“You’re kidding.” Bethany bowed her head. “This island is something else.”
“I think it turned out to be a good thing. Ben was able to watch out for him.” Rebecca noticed how eager she’d been to bring Ben up in conversation. His name burned on her tongue. “Ben is around our age, I guess, but he lives with that very old veteran named Doug. Do you remember him?”
Bethany’s jaw dropped. “He’s still alive?” She then snapped her hand over her mouth, ashamed.
“I know. He seemed so old when we were kids,” Rebecca said. “I have a hunch neither of them is doing so well. Ben mentioned the Veterans’ Dinner is a very important event on their monthly calendar.”
“Strange, isn’t it? We’re told the troops are the most incredible blessings, but so many of them struggle after they serve.” Bethany shook her head. “Remember how Mom used to talk about Grandpa? He always slept-walked, and Grandma was terrified to wake him up because he always thought he was back in the war.”
Rebecca had forgotten. She stopped at a crosswalk and allowed the story to sink in. It seemed incredible that so many people still remained on earth with memories of World War II. She’d just spoken to Doug that day, watching as he’d engaged with yet another day in a long history of his days. Was he still grateful for each of them?
Back at home, they were surprised to find Victor Sutton in the kitchen. Dark shadows were beneath his eyes, and he wore a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He’d filled a glass with water, and he searched their faces curiously, as though he’d woken up without memory of the few days before.
“Hi, Dad.” Rebecca smiled.
Bethany was quiet.
