This was more than just me swimming in the ocean.This was about my mortality and the fact that I was all she had.
We reached the top of the driveway, and I glanced over at her.“Nothing’s going to happen to me.It’s a safe, calm little bay by the school.There were some tide pools and rocks, but also sandy parts.I didn’t see any great white sharks, rockfish, or lion’s mane jellyfish.I think I was safe.”
Teenage side-eye hit me with full force.“Something still could have happened.”
“Is that why you went to Danica and Tom’s today?Do you not feel safe at home?”
Her exhale was loud and dramatic.I turned right to head back toward our house.“I don’t know how I feel.I just knew I didn’t like that woman snooping around the house and knocking so much.It freaked me out.It’s not right.It’s not polite.”
“You’re right.It’s not right or polite.What she did was wrong.”
I pulled over to the side of the road and brought out my phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“Just hang on.”I shot off a text to Tom.
(Me):Hey do you know where Jolene lives?
(Tom):I think I know what you’re planning.4450 Willow Way.Buona fortuna, amico mio.
(Me):Thanks.
I punched the address into my GPS, which had me turning around.
“Where are we going?”Mabel asked.
“We’re going to deliver Mrs.Dandy a dose of her own medicine.”
“I’m not getting out of the truck.”
“You don’t have to.”
With conviction and my papa bear rage fueling me, I raced across the island to Willow Way.Jolene Dandy lived in a big, old, white, four-story house with turrets and balconies on every level.It looked like something out of Charleston or some other fancy part of the South.It certainly didn’t mesh with the rest of the island homes I’d seen.
The gardens were pristine, and I doubted a weed dared to take root in her lawn.Big weeping willows lined the driveway, and the biggest one of all sat in the center of her circular driveway.What she didn’t have, I noticed, was an oceanfront, or even an ocean view.For some reason, I found that interesting.Surely someone who liked to talk as much as Jolene did would have pushed to have the best view and property on the island.
Two vehicles, including the sedan she was in the other day, sat in the driveway.The other was an old, fixed up, single cab, cherry-red Ford pickup truck with vintage plates.
I parked behind the truck and turned off the ignition.“Wait here.”
“I’d like to see you try dragging me out,” Mabel replied dryly.
I snorted at her humor and climbed out, marching across the stepping stones with the red and yellow tulips lining either side to the wide porch stairs.I kept my steps light to not alert them and opened the screen door.Then I grabbed the brass knocker with the ornate hummingbird on it and started to just rap on it like I’d never rapped anything in my life.“Jolene!Oh, Jolene!Jolene … Jolene … Jolene, Joleeeeeeennnne.I’m begging you!”
Then I started ringing the doorbell, and tapping on the etched glass window panels on either side of the door.
“Jolene!”
Footsteps echoed on the other side of the door, and a moment later, a very irritated, very flustered Jolene Dandy stood before me.“What in the name—”
“Not so nice when it’s done to you, huh?”
“Mr.Paul, this is—”
“No.You listen.I asked you politely and kindly the other day to respect mine and my daughter’s right to privacy.To leave her alone and allow her to meet people from the island on her own timeline.Then I get a call from her, while I’m at work today, that you showed up to my house and walked around the entire perimeter, peering through windows and knocking, calling out for her.How is that okay?”
“You’re hiding something, Mr.Paul.And I want—nay, the island—deserves to know what.What is so wrong with your child that you don’t want anybody to meet her?We are a very accepting and welcoming community.If she has a lazy eye or inherited your cleft lip, nobody will make fun of her for it.I can assure you.But your secrets have no place here.”
