Page 52 of That Last Carolina Summer

“In Druidic fables, three blackbirds perching in the World Tree sing a magical lullaby that can put the listener to sleep, enabling the sleeper to travel to the Otherworld in their dreams. I find this to be a sweet sentiment, but horrifying, too. What if we don’t wish to travel in our sleep?

What is wrong with being satisfied with a comfortable bed in a still, dark room that remains stationary throughout the night? ”

Excerpt from the blog The Thing with Feathers

Celeste

ELIZABETH AND I sat in lawn chairs at the end of the dock, each chair with an attached umbrella—something Phoebe had picked up on one of her frequent trips to Target.

We wore wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves, drowsily watching Phoebe teach Ophelia how to check the crab pots without getting pinched and the best way to hold a fishing rod.

So far, Ophelia had caught two redfish and a speckled trout, and I was already thinking how I’d prepare them for supper.

Will lay on his back, reading the second book in the Narnia series, holding it above his head as a shade from the sun.

Every once in a while the silence was broken by Elizabeth asking me to go get her hat because she didn’t want any sun on her face.

I’d reassure her and help settle her back in her chair, then wait for her to ask again.

Addie’s easel sat in the middle of the dock where she’d left it earlier that afternoon before heading to work.

She’d been painting out here every morning for the last week, her comings and goings on a predictable schedule.

She’d make breakfast for Ophelia before Phoebe or Elizabeth got up, and the two of them would sit on the screen porch to eat and talk.

We didn’t see the man in the rust-colored Camaro anymore, and Dale was a more frequent visitor on evenings when Addie wasn’t working.

They’d gone on a few dates, but most of the time he included Ophelia in whatever plans he and Addie made.

When I’d asked Phoebe, she’d told me that Dale had never spent the night.

I didn’t want to analyze the sea change in Addie, choosing to believe that it was directly related to the approaching date of Phoebe’s departure.

But there was something else, too. A wariness I hadn’t noticed before, and an almost fierce sense of protection over Elizabeth.

She paid more attention now to everything Elizabeth did and ate.

Everything she said. Phoebe had noticed and commented how relieved she was about Addie’s new attitude.

I was more reserved in my opinion, knowing from experience that drastic changes never occurred simply because of a change of heart.

“Phoebe,” I called out, “would you please take Addie’s painting inside when you go in? I don’t want it to get ruined. It’s not supposed to rain tonight, but she’s been working so hard I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Got it. I might actually do it now, since all the fish seem more interested in Ophelia’s worms than mine.” She smirked at her niece, making the young girl laugh. Phoebe stood, brushing off the bottom of her shorts.

Will sat up, lowering his book. “How much longer before I have to go back to Nevada?”

“You have about two weeks left of your summer vacation.”

He made a face. “But it feels like I just got here,” he protested.

“It feels that way for me, too. Every summer seems to get shorter and shorter.”

“My mother used to say the same thing when Addie and I were growing up,” Phoebe said. “She used to say she wished she could bottle time and open it at the end of summer so it wouldn’t end so fast.”

Phoebe cleared her throat and glanced over the edge of the dock where the tips of the spiky cordgrass emerged from the dark water like swimmers searching for air.

Placing her fists on her hips in a pose I’m sure she used a lot in the front of the classroom, she turned her attention back to Will and Ophelia.

“Extra credit question, kids—why is today special?”

“Do we get a prize?” Will asked.

I laughed. “Learning something new should be a prize in itself.”

Will rolled his eyes.

“It’s July twentieth,” Ophelia said.

“That’s right. Anything else?”

“It’s a full moon,” I offered. “Or am I disqualified because I’m not a kid?”

“I should have clarified kids of all ages ,” Phoebe said. “But what else is today?”

I heard footsteps approaching on the dock and turned to see Liam. “The day after July nineteenth?” he asked, bending down to kiss my cheek.

I smacked him playfully on the arm. Liam had become a frequent visitor to the Manigault house, no longer bothering with an excuse to explain his presence, but no one, including Addie, had complained.

I wasn’t sure what was going on between him and Phoebe, but there was a tension there, a taut wire that soundlessly vibrated whenever they were in the same room together.

But that didn’t stop me from hoping that Phoebe would realize that whatever was keeping her away from this beautiful place would never be stronger than what brought her back.

“It’s International Moon Day,” Elizabeth said.

“That’s right, Mother.” Phoebe’s voice showed her surprise. She gave Elizabeth an assessing look. “And a full moon in July is known as the Buck Moon since that’s when male deer will start growing new antlers. Anything else we should know about July twentieth?”

Elizabeth frowned, seemingly annoyed to be asked such an easy question. “It’s my daughter’s birthday.”

“Which daughter?” Phoebe asked.

Elizabeth thought for a moment. “My youngest.”

“Right again. It’s my birthday today.”

“Oh, Phoebe,” I said. “Happy birthday! I would have baked you a cake and put out balloons so we could celebrate properly if I’d known.”

“That’s all right. I almost forgot myself. Mother usually calls first thing so that she can wish me happy birthday before anyone else, and that’s been my reminder since I left home.” Her smile dipped. “This is the first year I didn’t get that call.”

“I’m so sorry, Phoebe,” I said. To forget someone’s birthday was as much of a sin as not having fresh baked goods in the house for drop-in visitors. “I’ll make sure to put it on my calendar for next year so this won’t happen again.”

Phoebe’s brittle smile reminded me that her stay here was temporary and that there were no plans for a return visit the following summer.

“No worries,” she said. “I’m getting too old for birthdays, anyway.”

I barked out a laugh. “Trust me, birthdays are a blessing, and they certainly beat the alternative. I think each time we can celebrate something by eating cake is a good day.”

Her laugh was cut short by Liam’s approach. I wondered if special glasses were required to see the sparks flying from both of them because I definitely felt them.

“Happy birthday, Phoebe.” He leaned closer and kissed her gently on the cheek, his lips lingering slightly longer than Will and Ophelia thought was necessary.

“Ew!” Ophelia threw her hands over her face to cover her eyes.

“Get a room!” Will shouted, using his book as a shield.

“Will!” I shouted. “I don’t know where you heard that, but it’s not appropriate.”

Phoebe stepped back in embarrassment but was saved from responding by a text from her phone.

The sound of fireworks exploded as she swiped to answer it.

“It’s from Mary-Simms wishing me a happy birthday.

” She grimaced. “She wants to know if I can join her and Andrew for dinner, and she says to bring Liam.”

“I’m available, if you’re asking,” Liam said.

She glanced at her mother. “I don’t know if I can. Addie’s working until nine o’clock tonight, so I need to be here.”

“Don’t be silly,” I said. “I’m happy to stay until Addie gets home, and I know Will won’t mind sleeping over, so there’s no need to rush back. I’ll make popcorn, and Elizabeth and I can watch a movie. So, see? Problem solved. Tell your friend that you and Liam would love to join her for dinner.”

Liam shrugged and forced a straight face when he turned to Phoebe. “I guess it’s settled, then. Where are we going and what time should I pick you up?”

“Fine,” she said. “Let me find out.” She tapped something on her phone, and when the reply binged, she smiled then quickly hid her screen by shoving it into her back pocket. “She’s made dinner reservations for four at Fig for seven o’clock.”

“How did she get a reservation at such short notice?” I asked. “I heard that you need to make them weeks in advance.”

“Mary-Simms is an enigma,” Phoebe said. “She doesn’t take no for an answer and will sweet-talk and charm you until you say yes, and she leaves you thinking that it was your idea in the first place.

It’s just her nature. She also knows everyone in the state of South Carolina, including the governor, which helps. ”

“Well, then,” Liam said. “Let me take Will home, get him showered and changed, and I’ll bring him back when I pick you up.”

“I don’t need a shower,” Will insisted. “I can just jump off the dock here.”

“What about soap?” I asked.

“Ophelia can toss me a bottle of shampoo.”

Liam tried not to smile. “Good try, but no. Get in the car, please. I’ll have you back in a couple of hours.”

After Liam and Will left, Phoebe said, “I guess I’ll need to make myself presentable, although I have no idea what I’m going to wear.”

“I’m sure Addie won’t mind you borrowing something from her closet. Assuming she owns clothing that isn’t too short or low-cut?”

Phoebe smirked. “I won’t tell her you said that.

For the record, Addie has excellent taste in clothes—something she got from our mother and the pageant scene, I guess.

I’ve always wondered if that’s the reason she tried so hard to get kicked out of Ashley Hall, so she wouldn’t have to wear a uniform anymore.

So, yeah, I’m sure the back of her closet is full of nice things. ”

I winked. “Go look in the back of her closet, then. I’m sure you’ll find something.”

She shook her head. “I highly doubt any of it will fit me.”