“Good idea.” Theo thought Beth was like Tinker Bell, light and glowing and brightening everything she touched. He didn’t tell her that, though. She probably wouldn’t appreciate the comparison.
They stepped outside. Beth locked the door and together they walked up the street to Bennett Hall. Dark clouds were rolling in from the northeast, and in the small harbor near the Steamship Authority, waves were beginning to dance in the wind. The wind whipped her skirt against her.
“Nor’easter on the way,” Theo said.
“I know. I love it. The drama!”
They stepped off the curb and Beth slid her hand around Theo’s arm. He almost fainted with happiness.
“So how’s it going, working for Mack?” Beth asked.
“It’s good. You know what, it’s really good. Your father is so organized, and quick to respond if a problem comes up. I haven’t seen him lose his temper yet.”
“I have,” Beth joked.
“How are you doing with your ocean group?”
“Okay, I think. Your sister got a fabulous website set up. I’ve started a Facebook page and an Instagram account. Of course the other environmental groups have pages on Facebook, so we’ve liked each other and already a lot of people have become friends on our page.”
“I hear Meghan Trainor’s coming for the fundraiser.”
Beth sighed. “Maybe. She’s interested and she’s going to get back to us, but we haven’t pinned her down for sure. I’ve found a date in early September that isn’t booked up for another event, so I’ve claimed it, but I can’t send out invitations, put out publicity, all of that, until she’s confirmed. Honestly, it’s a lot of work.”
“But you’re enjoying it.”
“I am enjoying it. A lot. Especially working with Juliet. Plus, it’s the right thing to do.”
Theo looked warmly at Beth. “You’ve always been the right thing girl.”
She flinched. “Well, that sounds like an insult.”
“God, no, Beth, I didn’t mean it that way at all. I mean, like in high school you got all A’s, and you chose Atticus over me because he was the better guy.”
A long silence stretched between them.
“Chose Atticus?” Beth looked away. “That’s not the way it felt. Besides, you went with so many girls.”
“Yeah, I was kind of uncentered back them. But I was interested, Beth. I mean, if you and I had ever, well, if I’d ever had a chance with you, I’d have been so loyal.”
Beth burst out laughing. “No, you wouldn’t have,” she shot back.
His mouth twisted in a smile. “Yeah, no, I probably wouldn’t have.” He looked into her eyes. “But I’d like to try, now. The moment I saw you in the café…well, couldn’t we have a couple of dates and see where it goes?”
Beth stopped. “My father…”
“Beth, Mack likes me. He’s hired me. I’m a good worker. I’m reliable, I’m strong. I’m learning a lot from him.”
“What about surfing?” Beth asked. “Don’t you want to go back to California?”
“No. I’ve had enough of that life. I’m glad I did it. It will be with me forever. But no, I’m not going back to California.”
“Tell me about surfing, Theo. Surfing out in California.”
Theo nodded. They started walking again toward the theater. “Wow. California surfing. Okay. Well, it’s terrifying. Exhausting. Challenging. And a rush like no other. Beth, when you’re really in the green tunnel, it sounds like thunder is chasing you, and it is. The whole orchestra. Kettle drums. There’s a circle of light in front of you and the collapsing wave behind you and it’s all about you and the wave, you and speed and control and this amazing connection with the wave.” He almost stopped walking, caught in his memory. “It’s profound, Beth.”
“Won’t you miss it?”
“Sure I’ll miss it. But when that last wave slammed me into the ocean floor, okay, it hurt like a mother, but it also frightened me. Like it was warning me. Like it was personal. Like the ocean was saying, ‘Don’t mess with me, little man. Go away. You’re nothing compared to me.’ ”
Beth said, “That’s amazing.”
Theo thought maybe for once he sounded like someone with a brain in his head. He continued, “Some people are saying that the ocean, the entire planet, is going to wipe human beings from the face of the earth because it, the planet, is so angry at us for our disrespect.”
“I know,” Beth agreed somberly. “I’ve read that, too.”
They had arrived at the theater now. Theo put his hand on Beth’s waist to guide her into the line for tickets. The buzz and chatter of other people was exhilarating.
Beth suddenly turned, stood on tiptoes, and quickly kissed Theo on his lips. “Thanks for this. Just what I need!”
“Yeah, me, too,” Theo replied, reeling from her unexpected kiss.
They got their tickets and showed them to the usher, who led them to the middle row in the back. The theater was full, everyone expectant. They flipped through their programs, pointing out people they knew from the island who were doing the lighting or the costumes. And of course Laura McGinniss, who had starred in high school plays. Then the house lights went down. Music filled the air. People settled back in their seats, watching the stage, and the show began.
The story of a good girl and a greaser in love was classic, and the songs had the audience cheering. The cast might not have been Broadway material, but it didn’t matter, because the singing and dancing were so much fun. When it ended, there was a screaming standing ovation.
“Oh, my God,” Beth yelled in Theo’s ear, “would you please get a black leather jacket?”
“Anything for you,” Theo told her, and it was easy to say this in the theater where the atmosphere was pure adrenaline and sugar. He wanted to pick her up and kiss her thoroughly, but he had to move so people could exit the row.
They laughed and talked as they headed for the lobby, and there they discovered that while they’d been completely immersed in the play, the weather had decided to become dramatic. Rain streamed down and wind shook the bushes and trees. Other people pulled their jackets over their heads and raced out into the storm.
Theo turned to Beth. “If you wait here, I’ll run home and get my car and come back for you—”
“That’s a very courteous offer, Theo, but let’s just walk to my house. It’s not too far, and if we get wet, we won’t melt.”