Chapter 49
Amy walked into Keeley and Ben’s house without knocking, as was their habit. In fact, if she found that Keeley was using the bathroom and she really needed talk to her, she’d simply stand outside the door and talk through it. There was nothing that the other could do that would make them feel awkward or embarrassed, no need for politeness or privacy. All that had left long ago, before they knew each other’s every quirk and tic. Even each other’s bodies were well-known territory, having skinny-dipped together regularly since they were children.
Hannah was right: there were no barriers between them. For Amy, who often felt overwhelmed with holding up her authoritarian crack-the-whip roles of mother to three young boys and trainer to each puppy that entered their home, being with her three best friends was like slipping into her favorite love-worn pajamas after a long day. It was just so relaxing and comfortable.
Amy walked through the polished Ralph Lauren Home-decorated living room that she was still having trouble accepting, it being Captain’s, not the Hamptons, and found Keeley leaning against the kitchen counter holding a wall calendar in front of her and staring into space. As Amy entered the similarly stylish stainless steel decorated kitchen – everything powered by their generator instead of the island’s typical propane and gas - Keeley jerked her head and looked at her.
“Whatcha doin’?” Amy said, stopping in front of her friend and gesturing at the calendar. Keeley had said they’d meet at Amy’s house after she did a quick check and bed-making at her own house so they could make up the guest bedroom for Zo together, but she never showed. Amy made up the room herself, feeling a little put-out, and went to find Keeley.
“It’s the full moon tonight. I didn’t realize.”
“So?”
“I told Zo we were going to talk to Hannah today.”
“Uh huh…and?”
“It’s the full moon! Do you know what craziness that brings out in people? We can’t tell her today. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Talk about crazy, that’s crazy, Keeley. You’ve waited so long. Too long, really. I should have said something. Well, no, it was up to you two. But still, it’s time. You’ve already told Zo, you can’t back out now.”
“I’m not backing out. We’re just talking one day here.”
“Because of the full moon.”
“Your tone is a little insulting. I’m serious about this. This is nature we’re talking about. The whole world is sensitive to the moon’s phases: tides, menstrual cycles, animals – not just people. Every time I go out and do things socially on the full moon, I end up regretting it. Honestly, I’d love to hide out here until tomorrow. I know, I know, obviously I can’t. But I want to.”
“Holy macaroni,” Amy said, shaking her head. “You’re serious.”
“Yes, I am,” Keeley said, put the calendar on the counter and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Are you stalling because you’re afraid?”
“I’m not stalling, and that’s a pathetic question. You know better.”
“You’re right, fear stopping you? That’s a laugh.” Amy raised her hands in the air, palms out. “Okay, I’m sure it can wait another day. I’m just worried about Zo.”
“Zo? Why?”
“She just seems…fragile, lately. I think Neil’s getting to her. You should have seen them go at it in their driveway the other morning.”
Keeley shook her head sadly, her arms dropping to her sides. “Poor Zo. She had the worst luck of all of us.”
Amy cocked an eyebrow. “And the best, at least when it came to money.”
In unison, they said in singsong voices, “And money never bought happiness.”
“It did buy me some pretty nice digs here, though, huh?” Keeley added, gesturing at her top-of-the-line designer kitchen.
Amy shook her head. “Ben is so obviously not from the island. This was his idea, wasn’t it?”
“Yup, he wanted a showplace.”
“Honestly, this house is an affront to everything Captain’s is about. Look at it!”
“You bitch every time you visit. I’m starting to think you’re jealous,” Keeley said, smirking.
“Jealous!” Amy barked out a dry laugh. “No, Keeley, far from it. You can have it. I like the way things usually are here, hand pumps on the toilets, bucket showers, gas lamps. Down to basics.”
Keeley shrugged and smiled. “Okay, it’s true, I kinda do miss that stuff.”
“Gotcha! I knew it!”
Keeley smacked Amy’s arm. “Come on, smarty. Let’s take our Barefoot Baby fishing!”
Amy looped her arm around her friend’s and they walked together out of the kitchen and through the living room. “In this fog?” Amy asked.
“How many times do I have to tell you?”
Amy smiled, loving her friend’s encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world. “Fish bite more now, on foggy days?”
“Cloudy days, rainy days, foggy days. Unfortunately, we have a full moon, though.”
“And?”
“Awful – new moon is best.”
“Do you like sounding like an earthy-crunchy flake?”
Keeley nodded. “Yup, that’s me and you love it.”
“I’m not denying it.”
“Good, because that would be embarrassing for you.”
Outside the front door they paused while Keeley locked up. Keeley stopped and looked around. “Really? Should we lock up? It’s just so strange, so non-Captain’s.”
Amy shrugged. “Well, then, don’t.”
Keeley sighed. “No, I will. It’s just weird, we never lock doors. As if someone’s here, waiting for us to leave our innocent houses unlocked.” She locked the door and then turned around.
Amy wiggled her fingers in the air at her and in her best Bugs Bunny accent said, “Did you ever have the feeling you was being watched? Moi ha ha ha ha!”