Page 17 of Summer Light on Nantucket
Ordering took some time, because Daphne considered herself a vegetarian except for bacon, and Holly didn’t understand what bluefish pâté was, and Teddy ordered scallops wrapped in bacon for an appetizer and salmon for his entrée, and Daphne added the scallops in bacon to her order but told everyone she felt guilty. Miranda wanted a dish that had no meat or pasta, because, she whispered to Blythe, she felt bloated, so finally she ordered three side dishes of vegetables, and added, at the last moment, the scallops wrapped in bacon, because as she said to Blythe, scallops had no calories. She didn’t mention the bacon. The dining room had three walls of long, wide windows overlooking the slope of lawn to the dock and the harbor. It was still light, so they could see the American flag and the yacht club burgee flying from the flagpole at the end of the lawn. Only a few boats were moored in the harbor because it was June, and tonight the wind was calm, so the outside looked cool and serene compared to the warm buzzing conversation in the dining room.
Celeste was in a serious discussion with Holly about sea gerbils. Miranda was pretending to listen, which was good of her. Daphne and Teddy were discussing the cast of a new sci-fi show. Blythe leaned back in her chair and took a deep breath. They were here. They were all here, and no one had left her mouthguard or bathing suit back home, and how fortunate she was, to have an evening like this. As she glanced around the room, Blythe saw several summer friends, mothers who had children the same age as Blythe’s.
A handsome white-haired man wearing a navy blazer and white flannels approached the table.
Celeste sparkled. “Roland! How nice to see you.” Reaching out, she took his hand.
“Everyone, this is my friend Roland.”
Introductions were made with all the children, and under the table Daphne knocked her knee against Blythe’s knee and wiggled her eyebrows at her mother.
“Can you join us?” Celeste asked Roland.
Daphne bugged her eyes out at Blythe. The children considered thistheirnight with their grandmother.
“I wish I could, but I’m here with Henry Manning, and I’d rather not leave him alone. But some other time, I hope.” Roland smiled at Blythe.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Roland,” Blythe said. “I hope we see you again soon.”
Daphne knocked her knee against Blythe’s again.
As soon as Roland had walked off, Holly said, “He’scute,Grandmother!”
Celeste twinkled a bit. “I certainly think so.”
As her children gabbled away with each other about their grandmother’s friend, Blythe reminded herself that her life was full. She was happy, and aware that now was the time for her to let her children grow up while keeping them safe. She didn’t have to have a boyfriend as well. Still…
“Madam?”
Blythe looked up. The gorgeous Andrew was bending toward her, a dinner plate in his hand.
“Oh, thank you.” Blythe leaned back so that he could place the plate in front of her.
She’d been distracted from the bright, buzzing world she was living in, and she wanted to “be here now.” They were on Nantucket. Tonight was the beginning of summer.
“Mmm,” Celeste hummed. “This looks delicious. Bon appétit, everyone.”
The dining room, especially Blythe’s table, grew quiet when the meals were served. Tender filet mignon, delicate cod, risotto with carrots, green beans, and broccoli for the vegetarians, salmon with a mint sauce. Ernest, the club’s chef, was adept and obsessive and his meals made the diners moan appreciatively. Other clubs in the country had tried to steal him, but he was loyal and had been the yacht club chef for nine years. Bob and his friends used to joke that they all hoped they died before Ernest did.
Holly interrupted her meal to ask, “Grandmother,isRoland Wilson your boyfriend?”
Celeste smiled mischievously. “Darling, I think I’m far too old to have aboyfriend.”
Daphne, who would probably be a lawyer like her father, asked, “Well, then is Roland Wilson yourlover?”
Holly giggled with surprise. “Daphne!”
Miranda’s head whipped toward Blythe to see if she would correct Daphne. Teddy stared at his older sister with wide eyes. Daphne held her head high. Blythe wondered if she should say something or let Celeste handle it.
Celeste smiled calmly at Daphne, but her eyes were sharp. “I’m not certain that’s a question I’m obligated to answer.”
Daphne was like a terrier. “I’ve actually spent some time trying to find synonyms for the word ‘boyfriend’ and the most appropriate ones are ‘suitor’ and ‘beau,’ which I think are outdated. The other suggestion is ‘escort,’ which I think has tasteless connotations. Is there a word you would prefer I use?”
Blythe shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She didn’t think Daphne was being insolent, but she was overstepping the line, some invisible, unwritten line, with her grandmother.
“Why don’t we simply call Roland my friend,” Celeste said gently, and returned to her plate.
The rest of the meal passed without incident, and after dessert, the four children were allowed to leave the table and roam the club, finding friends from last year.
