Chapter 23

Joan had prepared a light and easy Italian dinner, and now the three of them sat in the living room before the fireplace, finishing their wine while the boys played a video game in the den.

Julie was mulling over Joan’s earlier account of her job as payroll manager at Solomon Chrysler, especially Avram’s nasty, unwarranted rebuke to a perfectly sensible suggestion. Not that Pete didn’t deserve it, but the timing of his promotion to GM in Lynn was bothering Julie, because it had also removed Joan from the payroll department.

“Joannie, I was wondering…while you were there, was anything else going on at the Boston dealership that struck you as odd?”

“No, not that I can think of,” said Joan. “Avram was just so arrogant, you know?”

“I can think of somethin’,” said Pete. “Milton Solomon was a sharp car dealer. He was a negotiator. He came up from sales, you know? Avram, on the other hand, doesn’t know his ass from his elbow when it comes to this business. He’s a friggin’ bean counter, and a lousy one!”

“Pete, quiet down…the boys will hear you,” said Joan.

“Okay. Sorry,” said Pete, lowering his voice. “It just burns me that Avram makes all the decisions.”

“What happened to Milton Solomon?” asked Julie.

“He comes in every once in a while, but Avram’s in charge. The ol’ man thinks Avram’s a genius. What a joke! Avram does the stupidest things I’ve ever seen! I don’t know about the other two stores, but there’s barely any profit in mine because of that…jerk. Our costs for advertising, uniforms, wiper rags, floor mats, parts, paint…you name it…is sky high! And I can’t do a thing about it; it’s all handled by Avram in the Boston store.”

“How long has that been going on?”

“For years,” said Pete. “Not that he isn’t rollin’ in dough. And he likes to throw it around, too. Women, gamblin’, a goddamn Jaguar! That’s right. He doesn’t even drive one of our cars.

“He isn’t foolin’ me with all his society connections and charity shit. We’ve expanded from one store to three, and I can’t see where the money came from to do it. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were washin’ more than cars.”

Pete leaned forward, pinching the bridge of his nose, while Joan unconsciously rubbed the back of her neck.

Julie knew at once that they’d had this conversation many times. Pete was clearly conflicted about his job, and Joan was stressed to the max, afraid he might quit.

“Well, I’ve got some thoughts on all of this that I want to look into,” said Julie. “As much as I appreciate the hospitality, you guys, it’s probably best if I leave here in the morning and spend tomorrow night in Boston. I’m planning to call Conner, Castle & Mann and make an appointment to see Marc’s uncle. And, believe me, I’ve got some questions for Avram, too, before I leave.”

•

Julie arose early the next morning, so she could say goodbye to the boys and Pete before they left for the day. She had expected to have breakfast with them. Wrong. It was strictly grab n’ go in the Soldano household on weekdays.

“Phew!” said Joan, as Pete, the last to leave, went out through the garage door, mobile-coffee-cup in hand. “What a zoo, huh?”

“They could use you at Starbucks,” said Julie, waving goodbye to Pete as she entered the kitchen from the garage.

She had just come in from walking Paul and Pete, Jr. out front to the street. She had carried her coffee with her. Warming her hands on the mug, she had leaned against the Malibu and watched the boys as they walked down the steep little hill to their bus stop at the bottom. Julie could see the river through the trees, sparkling in the sun. When the school bus picked up the boys, she’d gone back in the house.

Now the two women settled down in peace at the kitchen table.

“It’s so good to see you, Julie. I’ve thought of you so much over the years.”

“I should have called,” said Julie, looking down at the table. “I’m sorry, Joannie. There’s really no excuse. In the beginning, after Dan died…”

“Julie, it’s all right,” said Joan, interrupting. “I understand. You don’t have to explain anything.”

“No. I want to,” said Julie. “It’s time I did.” She took a breath and continued.

“After Dan died, I couldn’t bear to see anybody or talk about it. I couldn’t face his family, our friends. If Marc hadn’t been so dogged…so persistent…I probably would have cut him off, too. Over time…well…it was just easier to keep it that way.

“The truth is…I’m responsible for Dan’s death.”

“But that’s absurd, Julie! From what I know, you nearly drowned yourself trying to save him!”

“No. Dan drowned because I didn’t get to him fast enough.” To Julie’s chagrin, a tear spilled over and ran down her cheek.

Joan reached across the table with some napkins, and took her hand. “Honey, here… listen to me. It wasn’t your fault.”

“It was…it was,” said Julie, sniffing.

“Sh-h, now,” said Joan. “Something you should know, Julie. I’ve been to that island.”

Julie looked at her, surprised.

“That’s right. It was after you moved to Florida. Milt and Miriam offered it to Pete and me for our honeymoon. The fact is we were broke, so we took it gladly.

“Anyhow, what you need to know is that we rode over to the eastern shore. We stood on that very point! And I’m telling you, Hon, we could see that rip current clearly. Pete threw a branch in, and it took it out in a flash! It’s a wonder you didn’t die, too, jumping in there after him like that.”

“I dove in right away, but I didn’t swim, Joan. That’s what I did wrong: I didn’t swim. The current was so fast; it seemed faster than I could swim. I thought it would take me to him, but it was moving Dan at the same speed! I should have been swimming as strong as I could, like walking fast on the moving walkway at the airport. I did the wrong thing.”

“Julie…honey…how could you possibly have known what to do? It was a freak situation, a split second decision. Besides, have you ever considered the possibility that Dan drowned before you ever dove into the water?”

It was a simple thought:

Dan was dead the whole time.

Julie had suppressed that horrible, simple thought during her rescue attempt. Afterward, she had blocked it to make sense of her foolhardy action. It was crystal clear now that she had run away from anyone who might make her face the truth about it. But time had done its job. In fact, Julie felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

“Julie?”

“Yes,” she said. “You’re right, Joan. Dan was probably dead when he washed out of that cave. I just couldn’t face that years ago. You’re a good friend. Thank you for being so direct.”

Okay, enough, thought Julie, emotionally spent. I can’t talk about this anymore. With a final sigh, she squeezed Joan’s hand and changed the subject. “I apologize for my absence all these years, Joannie. I promise to be a much better friend in the future. Speaking of the future, have you guys decided where the boys are going to school? Are you thinking U-Mass, Boston College, or what?”

Her awkward segue worked.

The two of them went on to talk about the boys and the University of Massachusetts, about local politics and tennis. Their conversation was easy and enjoyable. The years melted away.

All too soon, it was time for Julie to leave. She wanted to get checked into the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston before noon. Her plan was to see Matt Castle shortly after that and she didn’t want to miss him.

Joan walked her to her car and they hugged.

Julie turned the ignition, waved to her friend, and released the emergency brake.

The Malibu started forward…too fast. Julie put her foot on the brake and it went all the way to the floor. She stamped on it, futilely.

What the hell?!

The car hurtled down the steep hill, headed straight for the river.

* * * * *