Wait for the Rain (17 page)

“How could you not be happy if you were rich?”
he would say. She’d never really challenged him about it, but looking back now, she saw the comment for what it was—a reflection of his immaturity, of his relatively shallow values.

Come to think of it, she’d never challenged him on most of what he said.
I used to think he was wise just because he was five years older, but he wasn’t even thirty when we met.
Oh, how her perspective on age had changed.

She turned around to look out at the ocean. A memory of Skylar’s comment from earlier flickered to life: she’d described Daphne as
vanilla
.

It had stung to hear Skylar choose that word to describe her, but Skylar was right. It had been gradual, but over many years of pouring her energy into her daughter’s activities, of struggling to calm the waters with Brian, of smoothing the way for everyone
else
to be happy, Daphne had lost track of what made
her
happy. And it wasn’t money.

When she and Brian had met, she’d loved dancing and traveling and taking chances. She loved staying up late and drinking wine and laughing over lively conversation. She loved exploring and wandering and wondering. All the seeds for a picture-perfect future were there, but then everything started to change. Daphne began to wonder what their marriage would have been like, what her
life
would have been like, if he’d jus
t . . .

She balled her hands into fists.
Stop thinking about it. It’s over.

She glanced up again at the extravagant house, then picked up a rock and hurled it into the ocean, farther than she had yesterday. As it sailed through the air, she was surprised to hear herself repeat the thought out loud—as a shout. “It’s
over
!”

She watched the rock hit the water, making a small splash that quickly disappeared. Almost immediately the sea regained its smooth veneer, leaving no trace of the rock or its impact. Daphne stood there for a few moments, then checked her watch and decided it was time to head back to the beach house. She took a deep breath and felt a jolt of buoyancy as she exhaled.
It’s time for more in my life. No more vanilla.

Skylar would be proud.

“Hey, woman, how was the walk?” Skylar greeted Daphne with a broad smile. She was still sitting at the desk in the living room, her headset now dangling around her neck.

Daphne pointed outside toward the new swath of beach she’d just explored. “Gorgeous. I think we’re at the tail end of a ritzy neighborhood. Some of the houses that way are unbelievable.”

Skylar closed her laptop, then removed her headset. “So I’ve been told. That’s a glimpse into how the other half lives.”

Daphne laughed and looked around the expansive living room. “Like we have it so bad. This place is amazing.”

“Hey, I’m not knocking it or complaining in any way. I’m just speaking the truth, which is that I’m well aware that our current digs are hardly extravagant. Some of the estates along that part of the island have their own helipads.”

“Well, for
me
, this place is certainly extravagant. But I agree that it’s just because I haven’t been exposed to the lavish things you have. You’re pretty much the only high roller I know.” She knew Brian’s parents were well-off, but she couldn’t imagine their flying all over the world like Skylar did. They were too reserved to actually
enjoy
their money.

Skylar shrugged. “Extravagance is relative. Trust me, my life in New York is far from the upper echelons. You ready for a drink?”

Daphne glanced at the kitchen. “I don’t know if I can do alcohol yet. I think I need some coffee, to be honest. I should have followed KC’s lead and taken a nap.”

Skylar waved a finger at her. “Don’t even think about pulling the rip cord early again tonight. You promised, remember? And if there’s one thing I admire more than your vocabulary, it’s that you never break a promise. It’s hard to get you to
make
one, but once you do, I know it’s golden.”

“I know, I know: enough with the guilt. I’m well aware that I told you I would rally tonight, thus the suggestion of a caffeine infusion. Is KC still passed out?”

“I think she’s in the shower.”

“When do we need to leave for dinner?”

Skylar glanced at her watch. “In about an hour. Just enough time for you to shower and change and have a cocktail with us on the deck. After your caffeine infusion, of course.”

Daphne nodded. “Got it.”

“Did I hear someone say something about a cocktail on the deck? I feel like a new person after that power nap.”

Skylar and Daphne both looked toward the hall. KC was standing there, her wet hair pulled back into a ponytail. She wore a pair of cutoffs and a bright teal T-shirt that read “St. Mirika!”
in white lettering.

Skylar held up her forearm as if to shield her eyes. “What in the name of Holy Jesus are you wearing?”

KC glanced down at the shirt. “Isn’t this great? I bought it when you two were in that jewelry store.”

“Why is it
shouting
at us?” Daphne asked.

KC laughed. “I have
no idea
, but I love it.”

“What happened to that adorable white dress with the flowers?” Skylar said.

“I thought that was for Daphne’s birthday dinner.”

“Then what about the dress you brought with you?” Skylar asked.

KC shrugged. “I can’t find it in my suitcase. I must have forgotten to pack it.” She glanced down at her shirt. “No worries, though. I’ll just go with this.”

Skylar covered her eyes with her palm. “God help us.”

KC grinned and raised a hand in the air. “So what about that cocktail? I’m in!”

Chapter Eight

“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” KC sipped her rum punch, then set it down as the waiter handed her a dessert menu. “And you’d better not say shopping. I already paid those dues.”

Skylar gave Daphne a look. “What is wrong with her? Who doesn’t like shopping? It’s like not liking chocolate. Or sleeping. Or breathing. It’s just not natural.”

Daphne smiled and took a sip of her drink. “Don’t ask me. I gave up trying to understand what makes her tick about a week after we met. It was easier just to watch her run around like a wind-up toy.”

KC rubbed her hands together. “
So
, what’s on the docket? Doug told me about some gorgeous cliffs on the other side of the island. Should we go check them out? Or maybe go zip-lining? Do they have that here? Or parasailing? I’ve always wanted to try something high-flying like that.” She turned toward Daphne, her eyes bright. “Any of those would be a killer way to celebrate your birthday, don’t you think?”

“I guess so,” Daphne practically mumbled, not wanting to let on how much the idea of anything
high-flying
frightened her.

“I’m exhausted just listening to that list,” Skylar said. “Did you know that some people go on vacation to relax?”

Daphne was grateful for Skylar’s objection. When she was younger, she hadn’t been so scared of heights, had she? She didn’t think so.

“Well, we have to do something adventurous to ring in Daphne’s fortieth,” KC said, then leaned over and patted Daphne’s arm. “Maybe we’ll kick it off with a nice run on the beach.”

“Can we call an audible on that?” Daphne asked. “After today I’m afraid to find out how much my body’s going to hurt when I wake up. I’m already feeling it.”

“A little soreness is good,” KC said. “It’s like a receipt for your hard work.”

“We’ll see,” Daphne said.
Is this what it feels like to get old?
She glanced at the dessert menu, wondering how much time she had left before she’d be reaching inside her purse for her own pair of reading glasses.

Skylar tapped her fingernail against her drink. “If
I
have anything to say about it, your muscles won’t be the only thing hurting in the morning.” She gestured to the waiter for another pitcher.

“Oh no,” Daphne said. “More rum punch?”

“Oh yes,” Skylar nodded. “More rum punch.”

“Oh mama,” KC groaned.

“Oh shush,” Skylar said.

KC looked at Skylar. “Anyhow, back to tomorrow. What are we doing? You still haven’t told us the plan, but I know you have one. You
always
have one.”

Skylar paused to let the waiter set a fresh pitcher on the table. When he was gone, she refilled their glasses, then picked up her drink and smiled. “You are correct. I’ve made arrangements for us to spend the afternoon at the nicest spa on the island.”

Daphne’s ears perked up. “A spa?” She hadn’t been to a spa in ages.
I could use some pampering.

“There’s a pretty famous one on the island called Serendipity,
and from what I’ve seen, it’s gorgeous. I booked us each a facial and a massage, my treat.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Daphne said.

“Please. I
want
to. I’ve been itching for a fancy spa trip myself lately, so it’s not like my motives are purely altruistic.”

Daphne smiled. “Okay then, you can treat.”

“Where is it?” KC asked. “Will it take all day?”

“It’s at the Four Seasons on the north shore, but God forbid you spend an
entire day
relaxing, so I thought we could stop at the monkey forest on the way. How does that sound?” Skylar said.

KC pumped her fist in the air. “Now we’re talking!”

Skylar pressed a palm against her forehead. “Only you would be more excited at the idea of seeing a monkey than of getting deluxe spa treatments.”

KC grinned. “Come on, even
you
have to admit that going to a monkey forest sounds awesome.”

Skylar shrugged. “Okay, I’ll take that. Who doesn’t like a good monkey?”

“How does it work?” Daphne asked. “Is it like a zoo?”

Skylar shook her head. “Not at all. The monkeys run around completely free, no cages or anything. You can even feed them bananas if you want. They sell them right there. I’ve been to the one in Bali, and it’s pretty cool. But you have to be careful with your sunglasses, because the monkeys will jump on your shoulder and take them right off your face.”

“For real?” Daphne asked.

“Oh yes. They’re not afraid of humans at all. In Bali I saw this guy holding a yellow-and-orange-striped Popsicle, and a monkey ran up and stole it right out of his hand, then bolted up a tree. The monkey must have thought it was a banana.”

KC clapped her hands together. “I can’t believe we’re going to see real monkeys! I might not be able to sleep tonight.”

Skylar shook her head slowly. “Once again, I don’t know how to respond to that.”

KC pointed at Skylar. “Hey, city girl, if you’re allowed to dream about having someone travel with you just to make your hair pretty, I can get excited about seeing some monkeys.”

“She has a good point,” Daphne said to Skylar.

Skylar laughed and touched the sides of her head. “I have a lot of hair. It’s hard to deal with.”

KC did a little dance in her seat. “Monkeys! Woo, I’m so excited!”

Skylar looked at her askance yet again, then picked up her dessert menu. “Okay Curious Georgia, let’s order something sweet, then get out of here. We need to change venues so you can re-create that move you just did on an actual dance floor
.
The night is young,
we
are young, and the Castaway is awaiting.”

The Castaway was hopping. As the trio approached the entrance, they were greeted with the unmistakable music of a Jamaican steel drum, whose sound Daphne had always thought had the mystic ability to elevate the mood of everyone within earshot. The inside area of the bar was long and a bit cramped, especially near the front door, but the entire backside of the structure was open, leading onto an expansive deck area off the beach. A dance floor front and center was surrounded by cushioned chairs and love seats, the talented three-man band tucked away in a corner. A string of white paper lanterns lined the inside walls and also framed the outdoor area, wrapping the entire place in a warm, festive glow.

“I already love it here!” KC snapped her fingers and began to bob her head from side to side.

Daphne inconspicuously glanced around to inspect the demographics. The place wasn’t packed, but both the inside and outside areas were quickly filling up with revelers. Inside, most people were tucked up close to the bar, chattering loudly over cocktails and rows of shot glasses. On the deck area, some couples and small groups of friends were already having fun on the dance floor, while others huddled together and watched from their seats. Still others stood by themselves or nestled in small groups, and nearly everyone swayed gently to the music. The Castaway was inviting and friendly, and as Daphne scanned the crowd, she saw faces smooth, wrinkled, and somewhere in between. She was also hard-pressed to find one that didn’t have at least a hint of a smile on it.

Including hers.

Skylar ran her hand over KC’s ponytail. “I completely agree. The vibe is groovy, and I don’t throw that word around lightly. Now, who wants a drink? I’ve heard this joint has the best rum punch on the island.”

KC raised her hand. “I’m in. I’m not gonna lie. I’m loving the rum punch.”

Daphne shook her head. “I’m good for now.”

“You sure?” Skylar gave her a look that asked,
Are you doing okay?

Daphne smiled. “I’ll have one in a little bit, I promise. For now I’ll take a water.”

“Okay, be right back. Why don’t you grab us a place to sit if you can find one.”

Skylar squeezed her way toward the bar, and as soon as she was gone, KC pinched Daphne’s waist. “All good with you? You look a little uncomfortable.”

Daphne smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in a scene like this, but I’m fine, really. I’m just a little tired. I should have been smart and taken a nap like you.” She thought it ironic—and somewhat humorous—that her friends were now worried about her state of mind when she was finally feeling a little better about it.
I should have opened up to them a long time ago.

“Power naps are the fountain of youth,” KC said. “Twenty minutes and I feel like a new person. Sometimes, when I
really
need one, I don’t even make it to the bedroom. I just lie facedown on the living room carpet.”

Daphne laughed. “What?”

KC pointed to the floor. “Yep. Facedown on the carpet. Max thinks I look like a corpse, but I swear it works like a charm. You should try it sometime.”

Daphne laughed again. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She looked out at the deck. “I can’t remember the last time I went dancing. Maybe our girls’ weekend in Chicago? I used to love to dance.”
I used to be pretty good at it too.

“I hear ya. Seems like I only dance at weddings these days, but I’m feeling the urge to shake my booty tonight.”

Daphne put her arm around her. “Are you going to do one of your trademark moves?”

KC snapped her fingers in the air twice. “It is not beyond the scope of possibility, my friend. I guess we shall see.”

“We shall see what?” Skylar returned, carefully holding three glasses of rum punch. She handed one to both KC and Daphne, then took a big sip of her own to keep it from spilling.

“What’s this?” Daphne asked.

Skylar batted her eyelashes. “I’m sorry, did you not want one? I don’t have the best hearing.”

Daphne laughed and shook her head. “You’re evil.”

Skylar shrugged and lifted her drink in the air. “I’ll take that. To the Three Musketeers, back together at last.”

“To my last night in my thirties.” Daphne raised her glass too. “Tomorrow it’s all over.”

Skylar rolled her eyes. “Oh please. We’ve been over this like a thousand times. It is
not
over. In fact, it is
far
from over. Mark my words, ladies. Forty is the new black.”

KC coughed back a laugh. “Huh?”

“You heard me, Peppermint Patty.”

“I thought the expression was
life begins at forty
,” Daphne said.

“I like to be original,” Skylar said as she pointed to KC’s glass. “Now, consume.”

KC lifted the glass and studied it. “What exactly is in rum punch that makes me love it so much?”

“Rum,” Skylar said. “That’s all you need to know. Now, what were you saying? Something about we shall see?”

“Remember those random dance moves I used to do at parties when I was a bit, um, inebriated?” KC asked.

Skylar cocked her head to one side. “Is that a fancy way of saying when you were
schnockered
?” She elbowed Daphne. “What’s the SAT word for a more agreeable phrase?”

“Euphemism,” Daphne answered immediately.

Skylar snapped her fingers. “Yes,
euphemism
. Is that a euphemism for when you were three sheets to the wind, which by the way is a euphemism for
drunk
?”

KC grinned. “Whatever the word, you know I’ve never been much of a drinker.” She took another sip of her rum punch. “This is the most alcohol I’ve had in a long time. And I’m not gonna lie. It tastes pretty darn good.”

“That’s like the third time you’ve said a variation of that exact same thing,” Skylar said.

Daphne smiled. “I love how entertaining KC gets when she’s tipsy.”

Skylar sipped her own rum punch. “I love it too. Remember the time she did a full-on
backbend
at the SAE formal?”

“I’d pay to see that again,” Daphne said.

KC laughed. “I’d probably get myself thrown out of here if I pulled that move. I’d probably throw my back out too, come to think of it.”

Skylar gestured toward the young couple making out in a corner. “I beg to differ. While watching you get punted from a bar at age forty would most definitely be the highlight of the trip, I suspect the threshold for what’s considered appropriate behavior isn’t very high here.”

“Why exactly did we choose Chicago to celebrate turning thirty?” KC furrowed her brow. “I remember wanting to go to Vegas.”

Daphne felt her face flush. “Um, that was me. Emma was so young, and Vegas was so far awa
y . . .
”

Skylar put a hand on Daphne’s shoulder. “Methinks it was Brian who put the kibosh on the idea, but that’s water under the bridge now, correct?”

Daphne gave her a grateful look. “Correct.”

Skylar winked and pointed toward the back. “Let’s check out the deck.”

They wandered outside and surveyed the landscape in search of open real estate. For a few minutes it was standing room only, so they were forced to sway with the crowd, but soon Skylar noticed a couple getting up to leave a cushioned bench. Like a seasoned pro, she pounced the moment they were gone, somehow managing to look dignified as she did so. She took a seat and gracefully crossed her legs, then smiled and patted the open spots on either side of her.

“The view’s much better from here,” she said.