She squints and reaches out to touch my chin, “What’s that?”
I push her hand away and measure out a cup of soap and pour it in the machine. “What’s what?”
“Looks like a rash.”
From Justin’s beard.
“Probably just from the sand or something.” I turn and exit the building. Anita follows me back to the camper.
“Sure, that could be it, or you know, face rash from making out with Justin last night!” She says this loudly, too loudly for being in the middle of the campground and surrounded by nosy neighbors.
Sibley giggles and says, “Jusssstin.”
“Shhhh!” I frown, looking around to see if anyone heard. Mr. Walker waters flowers in front of his camper but I doubt he heard me over his radio. I lower my voice and ask, “What’s your problem?”
She has the good sense to look guilty. “Nothing. I’m just glad you’re having some fun. And I like you. And I love him. Is it wrong to be happy that the people I care about are happy?
“Whatever,” she says following me to my camper. “I noticed you got home pretty late last night—way later than the rest of us.”
“Are you stalking me?” I ask, but I know she can see the entrance from her house. “I dropped him at his house and he showed me around.”
“Beautiful, huh? Just think—that could have been my life,” she sighs. “You know, if my mom and Richard had stayed together.”
“What and leave all this?” I glance around the campground. It’s Sunday afternoon and the grounds are starting to come to life. Mr. Walker is mowing the five by eight patch of grassout front, while some lady in lot #17 prunes her flowers. “I’m kidding, you know, it really is pretty fantastic here—in its own charming way.”
“I think so,” she nods, letting a squirming Sibley out of her arms to see the tiny dog one of the residents is walking.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I check to see who’s calling. “It’s my friend Catherine. I should take this.”
“Keep me posted on the boys, I need details. I got married young, you know, I need a little excitement.” Anita waves and follows after Sibley.
“Hey,” I say into the phone.
“Hey girl! How are you?”
“Pretty good,” I tell her. I’m at my camper and sit down on one of the orange canvas chairs my mother has placed around our ‘patio’. “How are you?”
“Just packing and trying to get everything ready.”
“That’s right,” I say. “You leave in a few weeks.”
“Yep. It’s been crazy but I think I finally have it all together. I had to get a couple of new dresses. It’s cooler there.”
“Good,” I reply, hoping the jealousy isn’t evident in my voice. “You guys will have a lot of fun.”
“Not as much as we would with you.”
“Cathe…”
She sighs into the phone. “I know you’ve made your decision, but you can still change your mind! Mason really wants you to come. We all had dinner the other night and he told me he’s been trying to contact you.”
“Yeah, he’s been trying.”
“You should hear him out,” she says.
I look out at the water. It’s already warm and I want to get in my bathing suit and hit the beach. Not deal with this drama. “I’ve heard what he has to say.”
“He and Nicole broke up, did you know that?”
