Tides and Tidings

Chapter 10

Charlie

“A re you ready to go?” Blythe called from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yeah, just making sure I’ve got everything.” I shuffled through my sock drawer to find the last item I needed to pack. I shoved it in my backpack for safekeeping and headed down the stairs.

“Do you have everything you need?” I asked as I pulled the front door closed.

Blythe ran through her mental packing list, “I think so. Do you have everything?”

“Sure do.” I tapped my backpack. “Ready to head over to Sandy’s Shores?”

“Do you mean am I ready to get a little buzzed on mimosas and have the best breakfast burrito of all time?”

She had the best responses for everything. “That’s exactly what I meant.”

“Then yes!”

I loaded everything into the truck, and we drove to one of the local brunch places. Usually, I would take the Jeep, but our bags wouldn’t fit because Blythe packed her whole closet ‘just in case.’

A Saturday in December meant our normally quiet little town was packed because of the Christmas lights. Every year, from November 1 through January 31, the city is decked out in Christmas decorations. So, for three months straight, our town becomes a fresh hell. The locals know of smaller spots on the island that we flock to as a safe haven. Sandy’s Shores, in the middle of the island, was one of them.

This was the first place I went after Wren’s mom walked out on us. I didn’t know what to do when I woke up and she was gone. I had to raise a child alone. Then Blythe entered the picture and changed our lives. She raised me from the dead. In my darkest hour, she showed up and burned through the clouds. She gave Wren the mom she deserves.

By a stroke of luck, we parked on the street right next to the restaurant. Blythe was texting with my mom, so I had enough time to get out of the car and open the door for her before she noticed. She was very much the “I can do it myself” woman, but this weekend, she would be spoiled.

“Oh, thank you,” Blythe said, getting out of the truck.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

I closed the door behind her before opening the front door to the restaurant.

“What a gentleman,” she joked.

“Only the best for you.”

Something about this place made me feel both at home and at ease. I had been coming here weekly since they opened nine years ago. The owner, Sandy, bought this place from an older couple that operated as a diner for thirty years and turned it into a nice spot. The walls were shiplap painted a pale blue. The booths were a deep brown with small marble tables and nice chairs. The floors were light wood. The vibe was coastal but homey. Today, though, the place was decked out in Christmas decorations, which made it feel homier than usual.

“Mornin’, y’all. Just the two of you today?” Sandy called from behind the counter.

“Yes, ma’am,” Blythe confirmed.

Sandy strolled over before ushering us to a booth by the front window. “Where’s the sass queen?”

“With Grammy and Pops.” I motioned between us, “We’re having an adults-only weekend. Even pawned the dog off on them.”

“Good for you kids. With how hard you’ve both been workin’, you need a break.”

Blythe sighed heavily, “You’re not wrong, Miss Sandy.”

“Well, I’ll give y’all a few minutes to look over the menu unless you’re both getting your usuals.” Sandy cocked an eyebrow at us.

Blythe and I made eye contact across the table, “Our usuals, please.” I answered for both of us.

Sandy walked over to the kitchen to put in our order and returned a moment later with the drinks. Blythe always gets the breakfast burrito and mimosas, while I get the Meat Lovers omelet with a large coffee.

Blythe took a sip of her drink and I could see any residual stress leave her body. She held up her glass, “There’s nothing like chasing the hair of the dog with a strong mimosa the morning after having a bit to drink.” She gazed out the window at the people walking by, “You know, when I moved here, I never thought this is how my life would look.”

“I hope that’s a good thing…” I interjected.

“It’s the best thing. Truly, I didn’t know life could be this amazing. I didn’t know my life could have this much meaning.” She extended her glass halfway across the table, “Cheers!”

I clinked my iced coffee against her glass, “Cheers to an amazing weekend.”

“May I ask a question—after this one—about the overnight trip?”

I held back a laugh, “You may.”

“How far is the drive?” Blythe tapped her chin, “I need to know how much liquid I can consume to have the fewest bathroom breaks.”

Fair question. Blythe and Wren are one and the same because they always had to pee. Anytime we went on a road trip, there was an “I need to go to the bathroom” within the first hour of being in the car. It’s a toss-up of who brings it up first—half the time, it’s Wren, and the other half (and dare I say, potentially more than half) is Blythe.

“It’s only an hour away.” That was all I was going to give her.

I watched as the wheels started turning in her head. “An hour, huh? So that means we could drive north, south, or west.”

“You sure we can’t drive east?” I joked, knowing damn well we would end up in the freakin’ ocean.

She playfully rolled her green eyes, which made me weak in the knees. “Either we’re staying in Georgia, or we’re going to end up in Florida…”

“Again, a very keen observation.”

“You’re not going to tell me anything else?” She jutted her bottom lip out and attempted Wren’s infamous pout.

Saved by Sandy.

“Here you go. Breakfast burrito for Miss Whitlock and an omelet for Mr. Hannigan.” She placed our food down in front of us. “Y’all need anything else before I leave you alone?”

Blythe and I shook our heads, “We’re good,” we said in unison.

“Fantastic. Wave me over if you need somethin’. I don’t wanna keep bothering you.”

Blythe patted Sandy on the arm, “You could never be a bother.”

Sandy’s laugh bellowed through the restaurant, “You tell your boyfriend that.” She turned towards me, “He’s shooting daggers in my direction to leave y’all alone.”

Blythe gave me a pointed look, “Don’t revert to Grumpy Charlie. I worked so hard to get rid of him.”

Sandy walked away without another word.

We dove into our food, and it was as delicious as usual. It was odd being able to eat quietly. Wren is well-behaved, but not having to cut her food, answer a million questions, or wrangle her was incredible. We were able to eat in peace.

After a few minutes, Blythe broke the comfortable silence, “I don’t know what you have planned for the rest of the day, but I don’t even care. I’m just looking forward to spending some quality time together.”

I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, happy Blythe couldn’t see. “I think you’ll have a good day.”