Page 17 of That Last Carolina Summer

“Your mother has an appointment this morning,” I explained. “Your car has two flat tires so Phoebe has gone to my house to retrieve my car.”

“Oh, crap. How am I supposed to get to work?”

“Watch your language, Adeline,” Elizabeth admonished.

“I’m sure there’s a bicycle somewhere you can use,” I suggested.

Addie regarded me for longer than necessary, as if waiting for me to offer her the use of my car. “I guess I will,” she said, heading toward the coffee maker, the scent of stale beer following her. As an afterthought, she turned to look at me. “And who are you?”

“Celeste Fitch. I know Ophelia from volunteering at her school. My grandson and I were walking my dog this morning and—”

She cut me off. “How do you know Phoebe?”

“We ran into each other two days ago while she and your daughter were having lunch at the Gala Bakery, and then we decided to take a walk so Ophelia could spend time with my dog.”

“Hm.” She regarded me closely. “I feel as if I should know you for some reason. Maybe Ophelia has mentioned you.” She grabbed a dirty mug from the sink and rinsed it under the tap then let out a heavy sigh when she saw that the coffeepot was empty.

“We’ve never met.” I stood then helped Elizabeth from her chair. “I’m going to get your mother dressed for her appointment. I used to be a nurse and I worked in a retirement community, so I think I can handle it, but I would welcome any help.” I looked at her expectantly.

Addie turned toward the coffee maker, avoiding my eyes.

“I’ll come up in a bit to do her hair and help her with her makeup.

But first I need coffee.” She leaned against the counter, the sun coming through the window spinning her hair into gold.

A blue jay squawked, and Addie lifted her head to peer outside, her perfect profile visible.

“Then I’m going to call a friend of mine at the local garage. He owes me a favor.” She grimaced.

I began leading Elizabeth away, not wanting to speculate as to what kind of favors Addie Manigault used to barter or how Addie and Phoebe could have come from the same family. We passed the round table in the foyer, its surface filled with photographs of a little boy.

“What’s your name? I think you forgot to tell me,” Elizabeth said as we began to climb the steps.

“Celeste.”

We continued to climb and had made it to the upstairs hallway when she turned to me. “I knew a Celeste once. A long time ago.”

“It was. Now, let’s get you dressed so Phoebe can take you to your appointment.”

She nodded then led me to her bedroom. “Phoebe. I named her after a bird, you know. My husband named our first two, but I insisted on naming our last.”

“It’s very pretty.” The closet door stood open. I walked in and flipped on the light. Grabbing two summer dresses near the front, I held them up. “Which one would you like to wear today?”

She pointed toward one, and when I went to return the other to the rack, I spotted an opened purse, its strap dangling on the adjacent hanger, a wallet visible inside.

I closed the purse and placed it on a shelf.

I’d tell Phoebe where to look, hoping the errant health insurance card was somewhere inside.

I thought about looking for it myself but was worried I’d already crossed too many boundaries.

I was helping Elizabeth into her slip when Addie appeared in the doorway, holding a steaming cup of coffee. She hadn’t brought another for either her mother or for me.

She leaned her head against the doorframe. “I figured out how I know you.”

“Did you?” I asked, adjusting the thin shoulder straps of the slip.

“Yeah. Your married name was Simmonds, wasn’t it? And then you and your grandchildren began using your maiden name after the lawsuit.”

“Yes. But—”

She held up her free hand, palms out. “I’m not accusing you of anything. I would have done the same thing.”

“Arms up,” I said to Elizabeth. She complied, and I slid the dress over her head.

“Does Phoebe know?” Addie asked.

I shook my head and began to fasten the buttons on the front of the dress. “Not yet. But I need to tell her. I don’t want her to think that I’ve been withholding information from her.”

“But isn’t that exactly what you’ve been doing? You could have told her when you met her.”

I looked up sharply, but she was taking a sip from her cup, her eyes focused demurely on its contents.

“No. I fully intend to tell her.”

“I’m sure.” She pushed off from the doorframe. “You ready for your hair and makeup, Mother?”

Elizabeth smiled. “That would be lovely, dear. Thank you.”

I turned to leave as Addie picked up a silver-backed hairbrush.

“Celeste?”

I stopped.

“Even though it’s been years, I’m sure you remember that after the accident, Phoebe became known as the girl with the peculiar talent .”

“It’s a hard thing to forget,” I said, keeping my voice even. “And I wouldn’t call it peculiar , either. I’d call it a gift .”

Addie shrugged. “Yeah, well. It was a long time ago, and it was the main reason why my sister moved away. My mother and I would like to see Phoebe come back home because this is where she belongs. But that’s not going to happen if you bring up that psychic business.”

“I’m sure you have her best interests at heart.” A car pulled up in front of the house, and I moved to the window to peer outside. “That’s Phoebe now. I’ll let her know that your mother is almost ready to go.”

I’d made it to the door before Addie spoke. “Thank you, Celeste.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.”

When I’d reached the top of the stairs, I heard Elizabeth ask, “Who is that? Is that a friend of yours?”

I didn’t stop until I’d reached the front porch.

I watched as Ophelia, Will, and Annie greeted Phoebe while I filled my lungs with the thick, humid air.

Swollen clouds rolled in over the marsh, chasing a flock of screaming black skimmers.

Phoebe focused on the sky, her features tightening with something that went beyond fear.

Like a wide-winged stork gathering its young, she flapped her hands and herded the children inside.

A storm was coming. I could only hope that we might all find a shelter that would protect us from the deluge.