“Like old times,” Hope said.
“Yes, exactly, except no backseat boat driving.” Keith pointed that statement at Libby.
She responded by swatting him on the hip.
They seemed easy together. It was sweet. Hope was glad J.J. was also solo on this little trip. It saved her from feeling like a fifth wheel with these two.
“What’s been up with your life?” Hope asked Keith. “I can’t believe how long it’s been?”
“These days,” he replied, “two of my sons run Steve’s Marina with me.”
“Wow, you bought the Marina, nice. Does it still have a restaurant?”
She remembered getting burgers on the water at Steve’s Marina back in the day.
“It’s there but not opened. We’ve got docking and repair and winter storage. Maybe someday we’ll get the restaurant going if this one has her way.”
Libby was always working to make plans, take charge, and clearly, she had a million plans for their old stomping grounds.
“Downtown first, let’s meet that deadline,” Libby said. It was almost like she was telling herself to hold her own horses.
“And then the world,” J.J. announced.
Deadline? Hope meant to ask about that, she was aiming for the holiday week. But that was a goal, not a deadline.
This wasn’t a work meeting. These were old friends, ancient friends, trying to bridge the gap of decades. And doing it pretty well. Hope was glad to see. They were comfortable with each other, even though so much time had passed.
She turned to J.J. Her friend was so totally herself; she hated the phrase spunky, but, well, J.J. was, then and now.
“Where’s Dean tonight?” she asked her.
“Working. He’s traveling to Flat Rock and said he needs to get some wiring stuff, so we’re all set for the inspections next week.”
“I hadn’t even asked about all that,” Hope confessed.
“You worry about health department inspections. I’ll worry about building ones,” Libby said.
Keith took them slowly around the lake. They’d set up the food in the center of the boat. J.J. generously filled her glass with wine.
The sun had burned bright yellow all day, but now as it set, it mellowed into a beautiful gold. The light turned everything the same color as the white wine they were sipping.
She caught up with J.J’s life story as best she could. From her work at the salon to marrying Dean and becoming a mom to catching Hope up on J.J.’s mom.
J.J. told Hope that her mom was living in Florida but on the way back for the summer.
“Michigan, beware. Jacqueline Pawlak is headed back. We stock up on cigs, red licorice, and patience when she’s here. She also insists I pull her hair through a cap. She’s the only one who I still do that for, but no other way will do for mom’s frosted highlights.”
“Oh, and you remember J.J.’s brother Jared?” Libby added. “He’s good to know these days. He owns the Peck’s Hardware.”
“Oh, that little pudding. Oh, wow, that sounds mean now. Did we scar him for life?” Hope said. That was their nickname for J.J.’s little brother.
“Still a pudding inside,” J.J said.
“But buff on the outside. He’s saved my bacon for the million repairs I needed to do at Nora House,” Libby said.
The good wine and good company prompted Hope to share the good story of her scandalous meeting with the next-door neighbor.
“Well, just so you know, I’m likely to get arrested for indecency,” Hope said.
