They walked to Sandy’s bar, which was only a stone’s throw away from the shore. The outdoor area was large with dozens of benches, tall tables, and stools. The setup was reminiscent of warmer European countries, with an outdoor bar installed to be used at the height of summer.
Inside was half-filled with an older crowd. A girl younger than Laurence and a bright-eyed woman with a chin-length bob and a stern set to her chin worked at the bar.
Sandy laid eyes on Connor.
“You little devil,” she said.
Next to him, Laurence drew up, tensing until his shoulders were near his ears. Connor grinned. Sandy came out from behind the bar and engulfed Connor in a hug. She was taller than him, and with the stern look her features naturally rested in, many people found her intimidating. Connor knew her sternness was for trouble-makers alone. Besides, she’d always had a soft spot for him.
“Took you this long to see me, did it?” Sandy pulled back. She put her hands on her hips, and her gaze darted over Connor. “Marty was rubbing it in my face that you’ve been to see him.”
Connor exhaled, amused. “I hardly saw him an hour ago.”
“He said you got bigger,” Sandy said. “He’s right. And look at that mess up top. When’s the last time you cut your hair?”
Connor pressed a hand to the back of his head. The curlsweregetting a little unruly…
“It’s nice long,” Laurence said, defensive.
Connor smiled faintly. Having someone ready to jump to his defence wasn’t so bad. So long as it was about hair cuts and dietary choices, not bigot-related defence. “There you have it, Sandy. It’s nice. Think we could grab some lunch off you?”
“Sure thing. Sit where you like. I’ll bring down some menus.”
They claimed a window table that overlooked the water. Laurence cast icy looks in Sandy’s direction until Connor nudged his foot under the table. “Don’t be at that,” Connor warned him.
“She insulted you,” Laurence said back.
“She suggested a haircut. And she’s going to be fussing about me eating more and asking am I getting enough sleep later,” Connor said.
Trevor glanced at the bar where Sandy was digging through the shelves. “I’m guessing she’s known you since you were young?”
“Since I was a toddler,” Connor confirmed. “She’d mind me a lot,” he said. “And as I got older, I’d bring a lot of business in.”
“How?” Laurence asked.
“I’d invite the people I went on the water with here afterwards,” Connor said. And given that he’d be on the water with rich kids and big spenders, it was a boost to the bar. Not that they needed it at the height of summer when things got crazy busy. Though Connor had made himself scarce last summer. The novelty of watching people get drunk while he stayed sober had long worn off.
“Can I come with you?” Laurence asked, eyes wide and expectant.
“Trevor might cry if I turn you into a bad kid,” Connor said.
Trevor snorted, and didn’t notice Edith’s frown. She saw it as a threat, not a joke.
“Can I get you any drinks?” Sandy asked, arriving at the head of the table. She distributed menus and flipped Connor’s to the back page. “New section,” she said.
An array of fish and vegetarian dishes lined the page. Way too many, in fact. And it certainly wasn’t bar food. “How will you keep up with these in the middle of summer?” Connor asked her.
“We’ll manage,” Sandy said, dropping him a wink.
Connor went still. At the top of the page in a big bold font was:Happy 18th, Connor!
Laurence flipped straight to the back page as Trevor, Nick, and Edith gave their drink orders. He read the titled section with a grin. “Dad, you should take some dinner pointers from Connor’s page.”
Trevor leaned over, reading where Laurence pointed. His eyes softened. “Connor said you’ve known him since he was a toddler?”
“Practically raised him,” Sandy said with a laugh, resting her hand on Connor’s shoulder and giving him a warm, affectionate squeeze. “Someone had to do it.” She laughed again. “I’ll get those drinks for you while you read the menu.”
Connor didn’t turn his head. Laurence’s frozen expression was enough. Sandy’s bomb had struck home.
