The High Season(6)
Adeline swiveled and regarded him, then looked at the painting again, as though comparing the two. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were a painter.”
“Seems like the rest of the world feels the same,” Mike said.
“Let me show you the laundry.” Ruthie turned the corner into the stairwell. She waited for them on the stairs, trying to follow the murmured conversation, but the overheard word “transactional” propelled her the rest of the way downstairs to check her emails. It was going to be a long day. Spork was the first summer fundraiser for the museum, and she had a million details to take care of.
A text twinkled in from the vice president of the board, Carole Berlinger. Can you come out later this afternoon? Deets for the house plus a chat. 3pm? Carole would also be her landlord for the summer. She’d offered her guesthouse to Ruthie for a discounted rent. For once, Ruthie and Jem would have a luxe summer rental. The “plus a chat” was mildly worrying. Chats, for Carole, always seemed to involve the latest Mindy maneuver.
She texted back Sure just as Mike and Adeline came downstairs. “Lucas is a bit put out that I didn’t take a place in the Hamptons,” Adeline was saying. “That’s where his crowd is. Orient is a little too slow for him.”
“We pride ourselves on that particular quality,” Mike said. “We take our time.”
“Well, that’s what I prefer, but…I think it will be good for him. He likes a scene. He’s decided he wants to be an actor.” Adeline gave a little laugh. “Don’t they all.”
“We can give you quiet if you want it,” Ruthie said. “But there are some events you might enjoy. Lots of artists, dealers, architects…of course you know Dodge. He’s right down the road. Everyone basically is right down the road. The Belfry picnic is tomorrow, everybody goes. The official name is Summer Fork, but we all just call it Spork.”
“The Belfry…”
“The Belfry Museum—I’m the director. You drove by it on Main Road, right before the turnoff into the village. The white building with the barn in back.”
“Oh! I think you told me, didn’t you. Must be fun to run a little museum.”
“We’re small but scrappy.”
“Frankly I came out here to avoid as much as I can,” Adeline said.
“Well, if you change your mind, just drop in. I left a couple of tickets for you in the kitchen.” As the director of a nonprofit, Ruthie knew how to go a half step beyond politesse without venturing into pushiness. “Is there anything else you’d like to know?” she asked. “My brain is a colander. I forget everything. I tell myself it’s either hormones or a tumor.”
Adeline didn’t smile; she looked concerned, as though she were casting about for the name of a good specialist. Please like me, Ruthie thought desperately.
Adeline crossed to the window and looked out at the sea. “It’s like I’ve stowed away on a ship. I can be myself here. In the Hamptons, summer vacation is an oxymoron.”
Ruthie was confused for a moment. Her hesitation was part surprise that Adeline had made a joke, and part relief that Adeline had not just called her a moron. Then Ruthie was afraid that Adeline thought she didn’t get her joke. She wondered how she could work oxymoron into a sentence again, just to prove she knew what it meant.
Adeline moved a bowl just a quarter inch to the right, then placed her hand on a chair in a proprietary way, her fingers stroking the back. Ruthie felt a sudden, sharp irritation. Stop caressing my wood, she wanted to say.
“It’s just adorable,” Adeline said. “This is such a delightful surprise.”
“In my life, that’s always an oxymoron,” Ruthie said, and wanted to kick herself.
3
JEM’S PHONE
From: Jemma Dutton To: Meret Bell, Saffy Rubner, Kate Summerhall Momsta said no to pedicure r u still heading to spa? Meet up later?
Hellooooo-ooooo-, my day sucks …
there is the hottest guy I’ve ever seen in my driveway right now no joke …
He is amazing I think I can’t breathe …
OMG just looked him up on Instagram check it out @LucasClayNation From: Lucas Clay To: Jemma Dutton Thx for your number landlord From: Jemma Dutton To: Lucas Clay
Technically I’m not your landlord my parents are From: Lucas
To: Jem
But can I call you if there’s a leak I might need help From: Jem
To: Lucas
Try a plumber dude From: Lucas
To: Jem
Harsh
What’s there to do here anyway maybe you can show me where the action is From: Jem
To: Lucas
No action Orient is all about the chill From: Lucas
To: Jem
I don’t do chill
4
FIRST, DOE POSTED the juiciest portion of the Gus Romany video on the Belfry Instagram account. Then she turned to her anonymous account seekrit-hamptons and posted the Daniel Mantis photograph (hashtag #justgoodfriends). Most important tasks of the day accomplished in ten seconds. Good omen. Then a bird flew into the sliding glass door. Crack. The small body lay on the concrete.
She took a moment to grip the edge of the table. Then she walked over and eased open the door. A tiny shudder went through the bird.