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Looking out over the grounds of Rushmore Hospitality HQ toward the residential areas of the city surrounding downtown, I orient myself. I know where she lives. I look in that direction. Her own neighborhood is not far from my lake house estate. I stare in that direction, willing her to text me back a reply. I can almost feel the pull. I know it’s silly and this isn’t a vampire love story, but god help me, I feel the universe pulling me toward her.
Just then, Miles phones and I answer.
He has good news.
“The board has agreed to Ford’s terms. He just came in to sign the paperwork. Tonight there will be a special meeting of the school board to make it official, but it’s practically a done deal.”
This is an enormous weight off my shoulders. One thing, at least, I can tick off my to-do list for today.
“Good work, Miles.”
I hang up and stare at my blank phone screen once again.
No, I decide. This can wait. I pocket my phone and head home for the day.
I text my daughter. In her reply, I find out that she is at the house today with her girlfriends and swim teammates?one last pool party before swim practice begins.
As I drive home, I realize the timing is perfect for me to make the announcement to the bulk of the swim team. It also occurs to me that Hunter might be there as well.
Hell yes! What started out as a shit day is turning into something quite remarkable.
7
Hunter
I stare at my phone and wonder if I’ve done the right thing. But something compels me to keep going, to answer his questions and let him get to know me.
It’s getting hot out here by the pool in my backyard, and I’m soaking up the last few rays of sun before the business and drudgery of senior year begins.
A hummingbird buzzes around my mother’s flowering shrubs lining the concrete pool deck. I watch it as I think about what to text back to Rushmore. My mom planted those shrubs herself and yet she’s hardly ever here to enjoy them.
This is a weird conversation to have over text. I don't know if I fully understand what he is asking me. This man doesn’t know me…and I don’t know him at all. Yet he brought me flowers and now he’s offering to help me do what? And for what in return?
The tiny bird zooms over to the other side of the pool. I’m starting to sweat and consider taking a dip to clear my head.
I nearly leap out of my skin when I hear the sliding glass door open and my dad bellow, “Got a text from the athletic director. Big changes coming to the swim program! Will let you know as soon as I know anything.”
“Great,” I say blankly.
I go for a swim and think it over.
As I towel off, I examine the card from Rushmore again. I turn it over and read the words he wrote there. “Every bit of you is lover-ly.” His reference to one of the songs I sang in the show still gives me a little thrill. The lyrics dance through my head.
“…warm and tender as he can be, who takes good care of me…”
Oh god.
It’s a clue.
I wrangle up my courage and finally, after probably an hour since his last reply, I text him back: Seems like a conversation to have face to face.
His reply comes immediately.
Good. Are you at Ridley’s party?
Excuse me?
Ridley’s pool party, happening now.
