Barefoot on the Beach

Greer returned with their sodas and dropped two paper straws on the table.

Renee found it hard not to strain herself to listen to the conversation, pretending not to care. Cait’s posture straightened as if their mother was sitting next to them.

“I sent you a text,” Cait said, glancing at Renee, then at the table. “Yes, sorry. I can text you the details later. I’m having lunch with Renee right now.” A pause. “Uh-huh. Okay, bye.”

Cait cradled the phone in her hands. “Mom said hi.”

Renee mustered a smile.

Cait swirled her straw in her soda and sipped from it. “She wanted to know what’s going on with the wedding. I had texted her to check the website.”

“It’s not up yet.”

“Yeah, she wanted me to tell you that.”

“Why doesn’t she know any of the details?” Renee already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from Cait.

Cait sighed. “She hasn’t been a part of much of the planning. Work is busy, I guess.”

Renee didn’t want to get into whatever her mother was up to but had the feeling that Cait was trying to bridge the gap between them. It wasn’t the first time. Cait hadn’t noticed the strained relationship between Renee and their mother until about five years ago. At the time, Isla was seeing some guy almost half her age and going out every night to bars and clubs. Her distance from Cait forced her to catch on to their mother’s ways.

Cait had experienced a part of Isla’s selfishness when their mother had abandoned Cait at the airport, leaving her youngest daughter stranded. Renee had to send her sister enough money to cover the two-hour ride home. It was the first time in a long while that Renee had voluntarily called Isla. In that same fashion, it went right to voicemail where Renee unloaded on her mother to the recorded line.

Miraculously, Cait had received a new car several weeks later as a graduation present from Isla.

Renee hadn’t mentioned it since.

“What’s she doing now?” Renee asked, to keep the peace. She didn’t need Cait to worry about how she’d react at the wedding when Isla arrived. Renee wasn’t even sure what that would look like. Though, she had time.

“A temporary job. But I’ve been helping her look for something more permanent.”

Renee pushed away from the thought that Cait had that same carefree spirit as their mother. No matter what environment Renee hoped to give her, there was always that genetic link between her and Isla. While Renee had stressed safety and independence, Cait sat in front of her with no career aspirations and getting married before twenty-five.

A dark cloud started to form over her head as it always did with the thoughts of her mother.

“I hope she’s not upset that I came here early to ask you for help.”

“Why would she be upset?”

“I think she wouldn’t mind helping me, but West Cove isn’t exactly her first choice.”

Greer appeared at their table and plopped two plates of food in front of Cait and Renee.

Cait opened her mouth wide. “Wow. This is a lot.”

“Eat up,” Renee said, sensing the conversation about Isla was over. Good riddance.

***

The photography studio, Sullivan Meeks Productions, was at the edge of the downtown area, sharing space inside of a large Victorian house. Sullivan had been a transplant of the town about two years ago. He was in his forties yet could have been mistaken for older with his thinning hair and shortness of breath from walking down the stairs. “You have a great face for the camera. Have you ever modeled before?”

Cait’s nostrils flared. Renee sensed she had given the guy on the plane a similar look. But at least Sullivan kept his gaze at eye level.

“I’d like to see some of your samples,” Cait said, lifting her chin defiantly.

Sullivan smiled at her. Even annoyed, she disarmed him. “I have a stack over here. But first, tell me what you’re looking for. Sometimes my brides want candid. Some want more formal. Well, the mothers and mothers-in-law do.” He chuckled and lifted a red handkerchief from his pocket before swiping it across his sweaty forehead. “I can also do a mix of both.”

“I think more candid,” Cait said, glancing at Renee.

“Have a seat.”

Cait and Renee sat on the leather love seat opposite the desk. It yawned under them as they sunk into the thick cushions. Renee adjusted herself until her butt was on the edge to keep it from swallowing her whole.

Sullivan stacked two albums side by side in front of them, before grabbing three more. “You can have them matted or flush-mounted. I’ll give you some time, and you can let me know your thoughts.”

“Thank you.” Renee opened the one in front of her. The albums weren’t like the wedding photos from her parents’ wedding. Theirs was a three-ring binder with clear plastic slots for the photos. These were certainly the more formal type of portraits. The one in front of her was exquisite. The pictures were embedded in the thick page. She smoothed her hand across the smiling faces of the bride and groom and their wedding party.

Cait had the matted one, and she seemed equally enamored.

As she had done at the florist, Cait fell into her vision for the wedding. Sullivan took notes while regaling them with stories of some of the weddings he’d photographed.

Renee wasn’t sure about his boastful nature, but he did good work.

When they left, Cait seemed as energized as she had before she had spoken to Isla. On the way home, Renee noticed a change in her attitude as well. At least her influence was helping Cait. She hoped to keep that up for the remainder of her visit and during the wedding. No matter what antics Isla came up with.

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