ʺYou remember how terrible it was for me last summer, when I couldnʹt remember things — when everyone else thought Iʹd tried to kill myself, when I couldnʹt explain how Iʹd gotten to the train station. You were so good to me. You believed in me when nobody else did. You took care of me. Guy has no one to believe in or care for him.ʺ
ʺThe difference is,ʺ Will said quietly, ʺI already knew you. I knew the kind of person you were.ʺ Ivy nodded. ʺYes, yes, youʹve got a point. I admit… I acted irrationally.ʺ She didnʹt add that, given the chance, sheʹd do it again.
Will walked over and sat on the sofa next to Ivy. He put his arms around her, pulling her close to him. ʺSometimes, Ivy, you scare the hell out of me.ʺ
ʺDO YOU THINK GUY WILL COME BACK?ʺ BETH ASKED, a half hour later as she and Ivy walked through the fruit trees along the path to the innʹs parking lot.
ʺI donʹt know.ʺ Ivy looked over her shoulder at the cottage swing, where she had left Guyʹs backpack. After exchanging apologies with Will, she had checked the laundry room. Guy, his money, the angel coin, and all his wet clothes had disappeared. The red towel had been left on the washer, and the backpack in the cottage.
ʺHeʹs staying at Nickerson State Park, which is a long walk from here,ʺ Ivy told Beth.
ʺWe could take his pack and bedroll to the visitorsʹ center. Maybe they have a lost and found.ʺ
Ivy shook her head. ʺGuyʹs not the kind to check it out He pretty much stays out of sight.ʺ Bern looked at Ivy sharply. ʺWhy?ʺ
ʺJust does.ʺ Beth frowned, but she didnʹt say anything more. Ivy was sure that Will had told Beth about his meeting with Guy. Beth had relayed to Ivy Willʹs excuse for not joining them in Provincetown, claiming he was anxious to work with his new watercolor paper. But Ivy knew how much Will had wanted to see the town, an artistsʹ haven. Despite the apologies, he was still upset.
The hour‐long ride to the end of the Cape was uncomfortably quiet. Ivy changed CDs several times, as if she could find the right music to regain the easy connection she usually felt with Beth, and was glad when they finally pulled into a parking space.
Provincetown was as colorful and quirky as advertised. Ivy and Beth strolled in and out of the small shops and galleries that crowded its narrow streets. On the surface it seemed as if things were returning to normal between them, as they pointed out to each other the paintings they liked, the odd pieces of sculpture, and handcrafted jewelry made of mystical sea glass. At about five thirty Ivy and Beth bought two raspberry iced teas and carried them to the breakwater at the end of town. Its black boulders, flat on top, stretched a mile across Provincetown Harbor, making a rocky footpath to Long Point beach on the curling fingertip of Cape Cod. Just beyond halfway, the point at which most walkers turned back, they sat down on a smooth rock. Behind them were the crescent of Provincetownʹs low buildings and the tall needle of Pilgrim Monument. Ahead were the lighthouses of Wood End and Long Point.
Ivy played with her straw, then dove into the conversation she felt they couldnʹt avoid any longer. ʺI guess Will told you about the fight.ʺ Beth glanced sideways at her. ʺYeah.ʺ
ʺI was surprised at Will, the way he acted toward Guy.ʺ
ʺHow did you expect him to act?ʺ Beth asked. Ivy heard the prickliness in her friendʹs voice. ʺUnderstanding. Guyʹs in a really bad situation.ʺ Beth didnʹt reply.
ʺHe doesnʹt know who he is or where he belongs. He tries not to show it but heʹs scared. You can understand that, canʹt you?ʺ After a moment, Beth nodded.
ʺGuy has no idea what happened to him. Beth, I need a favor. Would you use your psychic gift like you did last year for me, and touch the clothes Guy was wearing when he was found, to see if you could access clues about what happened? Would you help him?ʺ
ʺHelp him?ʺ She sounded angry — disdainful— not like Beth. ʺYes, him. Beth, you canʹt automatically adopt Willʹs view of others.ʺ
ʺ1 donʹt,ʺ she snapped.
ʺIʹm sorry,ʺ Ivy replied, ʺbut in this case, you are blindly accepting what Will says. How can you judge Guy? You havenʹt even met him.ʺ
ʺHow can you trust Guy?ʺ Beth countered. ʺYou donʹt even know his name.ʺ
ʺBut I know his. . heart,ʺ Ivy said. ʺIʹm not psychic like you, but I can sense the goodness in him.ʺ
ʺWill told me that you helped Guy sneak out of the hospital — skip out without paying bills, and worse, leave without understanding why he was there. Ivy, he was in a violent fight — Will saw his bruises and the cut along his throat.ʺ Ivy looked away.
ʺFor all you know,ʺ Beth continued, ʺGuy could have killed somebody.ʺ
ʺWhat?!ʺ
ʺIvy, this isnʹt like you,ʺ Beth said, ʺto turn your back on Will—ʺ
ʺIʹm not turning my back on him!ʺ
ʺ—and take up with some guy who is obviously using you. I don’t know what is going on, but you havenʹt been yourself since the accidentʺ
Ivy turned to her friend. ʺI could say the same thing about you.” Beth ran her hand along her gold chain with the amethyst and fingered the stone. Letting out a long breath, Ivy gazed at the sea lapping against the breakwater.
ʺIvy, listen to me,ʺ Beth said, her voice pleading rather than angry now.
ʺSomething is very wrong. I canʹt shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.ʺ ʺLike what?ʺ
ʺI donʹt know.ʺ Bethʹs voice quivered. ʺBut you must be careful. This is no time to trust strangers.ʺ Ivy laid her hands gently on her friendʹs. ʺI know what Iʹm doing. If s time for you to trust me.”
WHEN THEY ARRIVED HOME, IVY SAW THAT GUYʹS backpack and bedroll were gone. Beth regarded the empty swing with a look of apprehension and peered through the screen door before entering the cottage, as if Guy might be waiting inside.
Following her in, Ivy was surprised to find Will there, sitting on the sofa, working — the puzzle. ʺHey, Will.ʺ
ʺHey. Have a good time?ʺ he asked. ʺYeah! The art is awesome,ʺ Ivy replied, hoping to sound upbeat and easy with him. ʺYouʹd love it there.ʺ
Will studied her, as if trying to tell whether things were ʺrightʺ between them, then said, ʺThereʹs no way you can see it all in one trip, so maybe youʹll want to go a second time with me. How about it?ʺ
ʺOf course!ʺ Ivy sat in a chair facing the coffee table. ʺAnd this time, with plenty of cash. I saw about ten sets of earrings and an armful of bracelets I liked. I could do all my Christmas shopping there.ʺ She leaned forward and pushed a puzzle piece into place.
ʺBeth, come sit down,ʺ Will invited. ʺI have an idea I wanted to talk over with both of you.”
Beth had reached the kitchen and turned back reluctantly. ʺIʹve been thinking about next Sunday,ʺ Will said as Beth perched on the edge of the sofa.
ʺTristan’s anniversary and how to honor him. They allow bonfires at the National Seashore. And thereʹs a beach called Race Point, which seems right for him. What do you think?”
Ivy knowing how hard Will was trying, felt tears rising in her. ʺItʹs a great idea.”
“I was thinking of picking up the permit Tuesday afternoon at the visitorsʹ center.ʺ Will looked hopefully at Ivy. ʺHow about that and dinner in Provincetown?ʺ
She smiled at him. ʺPerfect.ʺ Beth rose silently and returned to the kitchen. Will turned and gazed after her. ʺBeth, are you okay?ʺ
ʺFine,ʺ she called back. Ivy leaned close to Will. ʺSomethingʹs really bothering her.ʺ ʺI think itʹs the anniversary,” Will said, reaching for Ivyʹs hand. ʺShe went through a lot with us. You canʹt just erase memories like that. Things will be easier for all of us after the twenty‐fifth.ʺ
Ivy looked down at her hand resting in Willʹs and nodded silently, wishing she could believe that the way he did.
LATE MONDAY MORNING, SPLASHING THROUGH A puddle in the innʹs lot, wondering whether Guy had found shelter during a late‐night storm. Ivy threw a bag with a beach towel and music books into the backseat of the Beetle. ʺHey, just in time!ʺ
Ivy jumped at the sound of Guyʹs voice. ʺYou sure are easy to sneak up on,ʺ
Guy observed, emerging from the shrubs surrounding the innʹs parking lot.
ʺWhat were you thinking about?ʺ
ʺMusic,ʺ she lied — no point in feeding his ego. ʺIʹm headed to practice.ʺ