Page 166 of These Summer Storms

“Oof. You drive a hard bargain. What if I take you to dinner or something in Manhattan? Like, near the subway to Brooklyn.”

She lay back on the dock and stared up at the blue sky. “I’ll take you up on that now that you’ve got a thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket.”

He shook his head. “Seven hundred, thirty-eight.”

Shielding her eyes from the sun, she looked back at him. “What’s that?”

“That’s how much is left, after I write Sila her check.”

“Oh my god. One-third.” She laughed. “I’m sorry, it’s not funny. But it…kind of is?”

“You won’t be laughing when I make you pay for dinner.”

Spreading her arms wide in a magnanimous gesture, she said, “I will pay for dinner.”

“Thank you. I accept.”

“Unfortunately, you have to come to Brooklyn.”

He groaned and Emily popped into Alice’s field of vision, bright smile on her face. “When are we coming to Brooklyn?”

What a strange conversation. It had only been a week, and these people, who Alice had always thought were lost to history, had reappeared and they were…here. Talking about dinners. Visits. Like family. Weird and messy, but family, nonetheless.

“You can come whenever you like,” she said. “Everyone is welcome.”

“Hang on, Emily should buy dinner,” Sam said, turning to face them as Emily dropped into lotus position near Alice’s head.

“How’d I get stuck with the bill?” she asked.

“Well, you lost one father last week,” Sam pointed out. “Very sad, et cetera, et cetera.” Emily looked to Alice as Sam pressed on, “But you alsofounda father recently, one who just happens toalsobe a billionaire. And one with no children, so if you think about it…”

Emily groaned. “Don’t sayinheritance.”

Alice laughed. “I think he might be asking for a loan.”

“Yeah, no,” Emily said. “I barely know the man. And unfortunately for all of you, I’m Storm, through and through. Which is why I say this with all love, Samuel…you’re going to need to get a job. A real one.”

“I don’t love that.”

“No kidding,” Alice said. She returned to staring at the sky. “Speaking of people who no longer have jobs…how do we think Greta and Tony are doing?”

“I think they are doing fucking great,” Emily said. “Finally.”

“I bet they are,” Sam said, all innuendo, and the sisters groaned.

“You’re going to have to stop acting like a teenager if you want to parent two of them, Sam. Has that occurred?”

“Vaguely,” he replied as Alice sat up, and looked to her watch. “Three forty-five.”

“Longing for the golden days of Sam not being able to speak during odd-numbered hours?” Emily joked.

“I will never not long for them,” she replied. “Unfortunately, though, I have to go. Idohave a job. And I have to work tomorrow.”

She said it like it was normal. Like they hadn’t just spent the week in chaos and grief and emotion, like they hadn’t just begun the tumultuous work of walking a new path without their father. Of mending whatever this was. And all three of them seemed to notice it.

“Did you already say bye to Mom?” Emily asked.

“I did.” Elisabeth hadn’t lingered on the farewell. “I’ll call her tomorrow. After the first day of school.” Alice turned a worried gaze on Emily. “What about you?”