Page 24 of Waves of Time
“We’re going to perform again,” Thaddeus said, speaking of his band. “We have another new song.”
Aria turned to look at Violet. “What do you think, Vi?”
Violet shrugged. “It’s getting close to the end of summer. I guess we have to use it for all it’s worth.”
“That’s the spirit,” Thaddeus said, clapping his hands. “What can I help you with to get you out of here sooner? Can I take out the trash? Mop the bathroom? What?”
Aria laughed as Thaddeus stormed to the kitchen to remove the trash bag from the large bin, flinging it over his back like Santa Claus. When he disappeared into the alley to throw it out, Aria hissed, “Do you think he was lying about what he was doing with those tourists?”
“I don’t know!” Violet said. “But thank goodness he’s taking out the trash. It looked extra heavy tonight.”
Thirty minutes later, Aria, Violet, and Thaddeus stepped out of Robby’s Crab Cabin, locked the door, and headed toward the parking lot, where Aria’s and Violet’s cars were. Thaddeus strode along with them until they reached Aria’s car, at which time he shrugged and said, “Why don’t you just come with me?” His eyes were focused on Aria’s, as though, yet again, he’d forgotten about Violet.
“I’ll take my own car, thank you,” Violet said, pretending she hadn’t noticed Thaddeus’ question was only for Aria. “Meet you there?”
Aria’s knees swam beneath her, threatening to drop her to the ground. After a dramatic sigh, she said, “I don’t see why not,” then waved to Violet and followed Thaddeus to his car.
“The band equipment is already set up for tonight,” he explained as they got into the Sedan, which was cleaner than Aria would have guessed, with a CD collection heavy on seventies’ rock and an air freshener. Thaddeus seemed to guess what was on her mind and said, “I drive Uber sometimes, and I have to keep it nice and clean.”
“I didn’t know you drove an Uber,” Aria said.
“That’s another way that I meet so many tourists,” he said as he turned over the engine. “And sometimes, when you meet someone who wants to talk, I hear the most interesting stories. Like, the other day, this older woman told me she was born on the island way back in the fifties, I think, but that her father sent her away after she got pregnant at sixteen. On top of that, she thought her parents forced her baby into adoption.”
“That’s just awful?” Aria was shocked. “I can’t imagine any sane parent doing something like that.”
“I know. But apparently, now that her parents are dead, she came back to the island to reunite with her sister and also found out that the father of her baby managed to fight her father about that supposed adoption and raised her daughter, after all. Now, they’re all trying to get to know one another.”
Aria’s jaw dropped. “That is better than any soap opera.”
“Right? And I heard it all right here in my Uber,” Thaddeus said proudly.
Aria watched the way Thaddeus drove so confidently, one hand at three and the other at six. The radio played oldies, but neither of them bothered to turn it up, as finally, after so many shy interactions, it was like they couldn’t shut up.
“You would love San Francisco,” Aria gushed. “I mean, everyone says that it already had its heyday and everything, but there’s a magic to the air of that city, I swear.”
“I’ve always wanted to go,” Thaddeus said. “Come on. Look at my CD collection.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Aria teased, “when is your sixtieth birthday party?”
“Ha ha. But seriously, Aria. Have you honestly listened toDark Side of the Moonall the way through before?”
Aria’s smile widened. “Why would I do that?”
“Because it’s one of the single-greatest music experiences of all time,” Thaddeus said.
“I don’t even know people who buy CDs,” Aria joked.
Thaddeus eyed her mischievously. “I have a hunch you’re making fun of me.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” Aria said, her smile widening.
All the way to the house near the beach, where the party was set to begin, they spoke all over one another, enamored, their hearts opening. Aria remembered when she’d first met Thaddeus, when she’d been only fourteen, and that his smile had taken her breath away, even then. That had been seven years ago— an impossible amount of time.How had she gotten so old?
Outside the party, Thaddeus parked, and as they got out, the people on the front porch howled and screamed his name.
“I guess everyone else started drinking a while ago,” Thaddeus said as he gathered his stuff from the trunk.
“That’s the thing about the end of summer,” Aria said. “People think partying harder will make the summer last longer.”