Surfside Sisters(41)
Keely watched the minutes on her watch tick by as she listened to Isabelle cry. She said the usual worthless platitudes, but nothing would help Isabelle, not now. She absolutely wouldn’t tell her about her novel.
“I’m coming home tomorrow,” Isabelle sniffed. “Will you meet me at the boat?”
“I can’t, Isabelle. I have to go off to, um, Boston, dental appointment. But should you come home? You’ve still got a couple of months at the colony.”
“I don’t give two figs about the damned colony! It’s all ridiculous, I haven’t gotten anything published. I’m on my fifty-third draft of my hopeless novel. I want to come home and stay. I need my friends, my family, my life. I need to rethink everything.”
“So how long will you be here?”
“Forever. I’m not going back to the colony.”
“Isabelle, listen to yourself. The colony has nothing to do with the fact that Gordon broke up with you. The colony is about your writing.”
“Well, you’ve been writing, haven’t you?” Isabelle demanded.
“Um, yes.”
“So I can do it, too. I can write at home. And be with all the people I love.”
They talked for an hour. Isabelle calmed down. “I’m going to pack now.”
“Okay. If you’re sure. I still think you should talk to someone in charge at the colony. Someone wise.”
“Wisdom isn’t going to bring Gordon back. I don’t need wisdom. I need comfort.”
“I’ll see you in a couple of days,” Keely told her.
* * *
—
Keely texted Tommy and he came to her house at midnight. He smelled of beer and the cigars the guys smoked at their poker games and he was slightly tipsy. Keely met him outside on the porch so they wouldn’t wake her mother.
Tommy ambled up toward her with a big grin on his face. “So why the urgent message?” He put his hands on her waist, pulling her toward him.
Keely put her hands on his chest, gently pushing him away. “I’ve got something enormous to tell you.”
His eyes lit up. “You’re pregnant?”
“Tommy, I sold a novel. I’m going to have my novel published and they’re going to pay me and I’m flying into New York tomorrow to meet with Sally Hazlitt, my agent.”
“How much money are you getting?”
Keely hedged that topic. “Money’s not even the point—”
“We could make a down payment on a house.”
“Maybe. Maybe we could. But, Tommy, listen, this is a very big deal! I’m going to have a novel published!”
“Yeah, I’m happy for you, babe. I get it. So how long will you be away?”
“I’m not sure. Two days, maybe three.”
“When you get home, I’ll take you to dinner at the Chanticleer to celebrate.”
Tears sprang to Keely’s eyes. “Oh, Tommy, thank you! You don’t have to do that, but I’m so glad you want to do that.”
“Crap, Keely, don’t you know I want you to be happy? Just because I never read many books doesn’t mean I can’t understand about you writing one.” He pulled her close again. “I’m proud of you, babe. I’m glad for you. I just wish you didn’t have to go away.”
“I won’t be long,” Keely said.
“Tell me when your flight is. I’ll take you to the airport.”
Keely wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him thoroughly. She was grateful for his understanding, and she was high on her fabulous news, and right then at midnight with Tommy’s arms holding her close, she thought she was the luckiest woman in the world.
* * *
—
The next morning, Keely wheeled her roller suitcase into the hall.
“You look lovely,” her mother assured her.
“Thanks, but I don’t want to look lovely, Mom. I want to look professional. I want to look sophisticated. I’m going to New York.”
Tommy knocked on the door. “Your chariot, my queen.” He did an extravagant bow and gestured toward his car.
Eloise came to the door. “Isn’t it wonderful news, Tommy?”
“It is. I’m really proud of my girl.”
On the way to the airport, Keely chattered as she double-checked everything in her purse. “I know I’m babbling,” she said. “Sorry.”
“Babble away,” Tommy told her, laughing.
When they reached the airport, Keely grabbed her computer, purse, and suitcase.
“Don’t come in,” she told Tommy. “I’m sure the plane is boarding in only a few minutes.”
“I’ve got to get to the office anyway,” Tommy said. Leaning over, he kissed Keely passionately, but Keely only wanted to get out of the car and on the plane and into the city.
The JetBlue direct flights from Nantucket to LaGuardia were all booked. Keely had to fly to Boston and from there to New York. JetBlue was also booked at Boston Logan so Keely had to trek over to Delta’s terminal, a hike she didn’t even mind, because she was floating, really.
She had just passed an Au Bon Pain when she heard her name called.