Page 54 of That Last Carolina Summer

“Globally, it is usually the male bird who begins the intricate and fascinating courtship display to give females a way to assess who is the fittest and most vigorous mate. Admittedly, after not too much research, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is not that different from the human mating process, although the courtship displays seem to be more prevalent from the female camp. ”

Excerpt from the blog The Thing with Feathers

Phoebe

I HEADED DOWN the stairs, wearing a red sundress with a high-low hem and a matching pair of espadrilles, both from Addie’s closet.

Addie and I had always worn the same size shoe, but the dress fit, too, with just a stitch here and there to take in the bust and tighten the straps so they wouldn’t slip off my shoulders.

I’d considered using concealer to cover my scar, but decided against it when I recalled Liam’s words.

I think scars are good for us. They remind us of what we can survive.

His finger had traced its lines as if it were a beautiful piece of jewelry and I knew he wouldn’t want me to hide it.

Without Addie there to assist with my hair and makeup, I did the best I could, helping myself to Addie’s supply of cosmetics on her dressing table.

She’d left the chain with the black pearl charm on her nightstand, and I knew it would look perfect with the neckline of the dress.

I hesitated before justifying that if she’d wanted to wear it tonight, she’d have it on now.

I clasped it around my neck, making sure it was securely fastened, then took a dab from one of her perfume bottles on my way out.

I returned briefly to borrow a clutch purse I’d seen on her closet shelf.

I’d apologize when I saw her in the morning, even though I was fairly certain she’d be more amused than annoyed.

Growing up, she’d always offered to lend me clothes, and I’d always feigned disgust, imagining the damage I’d cause by wearing them to go fishing or bird-watching deep in the marsh.

Liam and Will were in the foyer with Celeste when I came down the stairs, and Will let out a wolf whistle when he saw me.

Celeste closed her eyes and sighed heavily. “Will! I don’t know where you learned that, but I never want to hear it again. Is there something you’d like to say to Phoebe?”

Liam nudged him in the back. “I’m sorry, Miss Phoebe. I meant to say that you look very intelligent tonight.”

“Thank you, Will,” I said trying very hard not to laugh.

“We’ll have a talk later, son,” Liam said with a stern look before turning to me. “You ready?”

“Sure. I just hope Celeste’s sewing skills are as good as she claims, or this dress will fall off if I make any sudden moves.”

“And that would be a shame,” he said with a strangled voice.

My mother walked in from the dining room where she’d been going through the albums. “Phoebe? What are you doing here?”

I pushed my feeling of disappointment aside, not willing to let it ruin the evening. “I’m here for a short visit.”

She nodded slowly, a rare smile lifting her face. “You look pretty.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling suddenly awkward. I didn’t remember my mother ever saying that to me. “It’s Addie’s dress.” I wasn’t sure why I thought I needed to clarify.

Her gaze drifted to the necklace, and her smile disappeared. She walked to stand directly in front of me, then jabbed her finger at the dangling pearl charm. “No.” Her lips moved as if trying to remember the correct shape of words. “No,” she repeated with growing agitation.

“Okay. I’ll take it off.” I reached behind my neck and unclasped the chain.

Celeste held out her hand. “I’ll put it back in Addie’s room.”

“Thank you,” I said as I placed the necklace in her palm.

My mother’s fingers patted her own neck, and I noticed the frailness of her hands, the spidery web of veins that reminded me of the marsh, the parchmentlike skin like the briny water.

I leaned down to kiss her soft cheek, smelling the soft scent of her fragranced bath powder that brought back years of memories of my mother when she was whole and our relationship fractured.

But the scent reminded me, too, of times when I’d sat on her lap while she read a book to me, or as she bent down to tie the sneakers she would sometimes allow me to wear to church instead of the patent-leather Mary Janes that matched my sister’s.

I wanted to grasp it, to hold it in my hands as a reminder that our relationships evolve over time like the colored feathers of a bird, constantly shifting to accommodate the changing seasons.

We said our goodbyes before Liam led me outside to a vintage red Mustang convertible. “Where’s your truck?”

He held open the passenger door. “On the off chance that you might be wearing a dress and heels, I thought this would be easier for you to get in and out of. I can put the roof up, too, if you don’t want to mess up your hair.”

Having no skills with a curling iron or hot rollers, I’d opted for a high ponytail that I’d coated with several layers of Aqua Net. “Definitely down. I don’t think a hurricane could move my hair.”

“Good to know. I’ll be careful not to light a match too close to your head.”

After sliding behind the wheel, he started the car and put it in gear. “You look beautiful, by the way.” His cheek creased in a smile. “And intelligent.”

I laughed, suddenly glad I’d said yes to tonight. I wouldn’t think about the dream that would inevitably creep into my sleep. I was going to pretend, at least for one night, that I was just a girl going out to dinner. I would deal with the fallout later. “Thanks,” I said.

The wind blowing through the car was too loud to talk over, so I relaxed in my seat for the short ride to downtown Charleston.

Heavy clouds had moved in, pushed along with a growing offshore breeze.

A storm was coming, but I wouldn’t let it dampen my mood.

Things at home were far from perfect, but they were so much better now than they had been when I’d arrived.

I could almost begin to think about returning to Oregon without a sense of dread.

I embraced the timeless view of the iconic Charleston skyline with its church steeples marking the highest points as we traveled across the Ravenel Bridge.

It reminded me of Addie’s ill-fated VW Bug, lime green with a cream-colored convertible roof.

By the time Addie got her license, the bridge was still new and exciting enough for her to make any excuse to drive across it.

When she couldn’t find a friend to go with her, she’d bring me for company, and so I could be the DJ, constantly digging through the CDs on the passenger-side floor to find the one song she wanted to blare out of the car stereo.

We exited onto East Bay, our journey slowed enough that we could feel the strong breeze on our faces that smelled of rain.

“It’s not far, but I can still put the roof back up if you’d like,” Liam suggested.

I leaned back in the seat, turning my face up toward the sky. “Nope. I’d forgotten how nice it feels to be warm all the time and not need a sweater in June. It will be hard to go back.”

“Then don’t.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I closed my eyes, drinking in the heat and the warmth of the air and the scent of salt that I could still smell no matter how far I went.

After parking in a nearby garage, we walked the two blocks on Meeting Street to Fig where Mary-Simms and Andrew waited for us in the crowded bar.

“Phoebe,” she called out, her voice carrying over the hubbub of conversation.

I spotted her immediately, despite her being at least a head shorter than everybody else.

Maybe it was the bright red lipstick or just the force of her personality that turned all heads, making it easy to pinpoint her location.

She hugged me tightly and then hugged Liam, too.

Andrew, a slightly less gregarious personality than his wife, grinned broadly and offered his hand to Liam but hugged me.

Mary-Simms held up her highball glass filled with a clear bubbly liquid and lime wedge and an umbrella stuck in the top.

“I’m pretending there’s gin in here. Just promise me that you’ll drink enough for both of us, because it’s your birthday! ”

Before I could say anything, she reached into her handbag and pulled out an elaborately wrapped gift.

Handing it to me, she said, “It’s just a little something to mark the occasion.

I had to get you something—I mean, we were at each other’s birthday parties from age five to eighteen. We’ve got a lot of making up to do!”

“I’d love to see those pictures,” Liam said.

“I’m sure I could find them if you’re serious,” Andrew said with a wink. “I bet we could come to some kind of arrangement.”

The men laughed while Mary-Simms and I shared horrified glances, no doubt remembering the awkward hairstyles and gap-toothed smiles of our shared schoolgirl years.

As we were led to our white cloth-covered table, Liam placed his hand gently on my back, his thumb grazing bare skin and sending heated flares throughout my body. I found him watching me, and I wondered if he’d felt the same thing.

After placing our drink orders, Mary-Simms pointed at the gift. “Go ahead—open it now.” She looked at me with anticipation.

I ripped into the paper, being careful not to ruin the bow, then slid out a small leatherlike box with a hinged lid. “It’s just a little something I saw at a shop on King Street and immediately thought of you.”

I pulled out the slim silver chain with the enameled bluebird charm dangling from it. I glanced up with surprise. “It’s identical, I think.”

“I thought so, too, when I saw it. I was at your tenth birthday party when your aunt Sassy gave you the first one, and you never took it off after that. And the day I came over and we went for our walk, I remember Ophelia wearing it, and that’s what reminded me. I hope you like it.”

“I love it,” I said, giving her another hug. “It’s perfect.”