Page 102 of Room to Breathe

“We just got back,” Dad said. His skin glowed with a tan, making it apparent how much time they spent outside these days. Dad had been right about how the trial and his testimony in it would affect his business. Even though he wasn’t the one on trial, it had an impact on all the partners. People didn’t trust them as much. They weren’t getting as many clients.

So Dad left. He started a research position with the countywhere he didn’t have to go to court. He now researched case law and precedent. It didn’t pay as much, but sometimes money wasn’t the only benefit a job could provide. When he’d first gone over, I could tell he thought it was some sort of failure. But now we all knew it was the best thing that had happened. We had more time together; he was less stressed.

“You still beating the old people?” The league they played in was mostly retired people.

“I mean, if we weren’t, it would be embarrassing,” Mom said.

“They’re not that old,” Dad said. “And they’re really good. We had to earn our spot at number one through sweat and blood.”

“And tears?” I asked.

“Only a few of those,” he said.

“Whatever makes you feel better,” I said, walking toward the stairs. “Beau’s pool party is today, so I’m just here for a sec.”

“I still don’t believe his mother let him throw a pool party,” Mom said.

“I know.” His mom had many gatherings at the house—Thanksgiving dinners and charity events and brunch. But she’d never let Beau have a party before. I wasn’t sure if she had changed or it was just that Beau was asking more for what he wanted. Maybe it was a little of both.

I made it to the bottom of the stairs when Mom said, “Wait, tell me your schedule for the week. We need to go back-to-school shopping.”

My senior year started in two weeks. “I have the next few days off. So whenever you have time.”

“Have you figured out why they call that place you work the Purple Starfish yet?” Dad asked.

“I guess Mrs. Patel found a purple starfish the first time she went to the tide pools by the rock.” At least that’s the story the employees told. Mrs. Patel had never confirmed it.

Mom lowered her brows. “Then why aren’t your uniforms purple? Or the starfish on the sign?” Nothing in or around the diner was purple.

“One of life’s mysteries, Mom.”

As I walked into the backyard at Beau’s house, “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift was playing over the speakers.

“Indy!” Ava called from where she was sitting on a float in the pool.

Caroline and Luca were on lounge chairs. Beau stood at the grill flipping burgers or something. I’d never seen Beau at the grill. His dad had always been protective of it. He looked good there in his board shorts and grown-out hair.

There were other people at the party too—sitting on blankets in the grass eating or at the table on the back patio. There were more people in the pool too, and a few throwing a Frisbee.

I walked to the grill and greeted Beau with a hug. “Look at us, being all social and popular.” I was usingusin the collective sense again.

“Hey,” he said. “Missed you.” He kissed my cheek first, then my lips.

“I was just here yesterday.”

“And?” he asked.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and turned my attention to the grill. “These look good.”

“I forgot the cheese in the house.”

“I’ll go get it,” I said.

“No, I have it.” He started to put down the spatula.

“Rule number two,” I said.

“What was rule number two, again?” he asked.