Page 50 of Romantic

“I guess so.”

“Is he any good?”

“I have no idea.”

I can’t explain it, but I’m a little nervous. I don’t want Brandon to embarrass himself. As he plays the first chord, I hold my breath. But the more he plays, the more I relax. Pepper wasn’t kidding when she said he could play guitar. I already knew Brandon was a decent singer, but when he begins to sing in his strong familiar voice, I feel a little thrill. “You fill up my senses . . .” His eyes rest on me. “Like a night in the forest . . .” The fire pops and a shower of sparks swirl into the night air.

The camper who requested this song called it by the wrong name. The song’s title is actually “Annie’s Song,” and I know it by heart. Brandon’s voice has the faintest rasp, like the sound of waves pulling pebbles on a rocky beach.

“Like a sleepy blue ocean . . .” His eyes meet mine across the fire, and I cannot look away. What is happening here? Why, when I have finally made up my mind and can see my way clearly, does he have to come here and start singing and looking at me for all the world like a man wholly devoted to my very messy soul? I must be imagining it all.

Meanwhile I have Jack, objectively my perfect match, sitting next to me. He showed up this evening just in time for campfire with the good news that everything is set for us to set sail Monday morning. I take Jack’s hand, reminding myself of his presence.

It doesn’t help. Brandon’s performance isn’t as polished as Jack’s last week, but it’s so full of raw emotion, I am completely entranced. When he sings, “Let me always be with you,” I feel like he’s singing right to my heart. This coming from the man who said he would never date me—and why is he looking at me like that?

I’m so confused.

He finishes to a huge round of applause. People ask him to play more, but he politely says, “Sorry, that’s all I’ve got. Thank you.” He hands his guitar to another guest who wants to play, then returns to his seat next to an enthusiastic Pepper. “That was amazing, Dad!”

A middle-aged woman plays “Fast Car.” She’s actually pretty good. Brandon stares at the fire and occasionally glances at Pepper, but he never looks my way. He has to know I’m watching him. He’s purposely avoiding eye contact. And I’m having none of it. He can’t just sing to me like that and not even look my way. I’m so tired of his mixed signals.

“Just a minute,” I say to Jack. I slip my hand out from under his, realizing I’ve been giving some mixed signals myself. “There’s something I need to do.”

I don’t really wait for Jack’s reply. I edge around the perimeter of the campfire to where Brandon is sitting on a log next to Pepper. I tap him on the shoulder.

He has an apprehensive look upon seeing me, like a kid being called to the principal’s office. “Annie?” He keeps his voice low to not interrupt the performance.

“We need to talk!” I whisper urgently.

“Okay?” He gets up and follows me around the corner and down the path a little way from the light and singing of the campfire.

When we are finally alone, I can’t wait any longer, “What was that?”

“What was what?”

“Oh! You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. You can’t just sing to me like that . . . while I’m with Jack!”

“Like what Annie?” His voice is so harsh. I swallow what I meant to say, Like . . . you’re in love with me. He runs a hand through his hair. “Are you seriously dating that guy? What could you possibly see in him?”

“Oh, I don’t know . . . maybe that he’s smart and handsome. He loves poetry and books, and he’s not afraid to say that he loves me.”

“Jack loves you?” Brandon gives a mirthless laugh.

“Yes! He tells me he loves me every single day.”

“And you believe him?” His words hit like a slap.

“Why are you doing this?” I gulp back a sob. “Are you trying to make me miserable?” I can’t believe that Brandon is being this harsh.

“What? No . . . I . . .” Brandon’s eyes dart away. Something behind me has caught his attention. He stalks off.

“Wait! You can’t just walk away!” I spin around, and . . . I’m not sure what I’m seeing. Brandon marches toward Jack and . . . Pepper? The two are in the side alley by the cafe arguing or fighting over something. It’s hard to tell what’s happening, because Brandon is moving fast toward them and partially blocking my view.

“Keep your hands off my daughter!” Brandon bellows before he punches Jack squarely in the face.

But I thought of her, I believe, every moment of the day. —Sense and Sensibility.

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