Castle Cay Read Online Free PDF Page B

Julie in a rush of breath.
She bent forward, pushing her dress and panties to the floor, her
hair cascading over her shoulders as she stepped out of them.
    Suddenly, the dark night sky was filled with
crackling explosions and a dazzling display of colors. Julie stood,
bathed in the golden light, looking up at the sky in awe.
    Dan was in awe, too…but he was looking
straight ahead.
    * * * * *

Chapter 12
    O n the way to the beach the following
week, Marc introduced Julie to Alan, which explained a lot. She
could tell that Marc was anxious about “coming out,” but Julie
truly didn’t care about his sexual orientation. She figured that it
was his business, and it had no bearing on their friendship. Well,
perhaps it did. There was no doubt in her mind that, somehow, it
made Marc a better friend.
    The weekend weather was warm and beautiful,
part sun, part clouds. Thanks to an erroneous forecast of rain,
they had no trouble finding a space to spread out their blanket. It
was high tide, and frothy whitecaps dotted the sea here and there
like bits of snow after a thaw.
    Alan took their drink orders, and went off to
the snack bar at the end of the beach, leaving Julie and Marc lying
side-by-side on the blanket, enjoying the salty air. Marc sat up,
hugging his knees, looking down at Julie.
    “Well…what do you think of Alan?”
    “Isn’t he a little old for you?” she
said.
    And that was that.
    Julie was actually delighted to see Marc
relaxed and happy. They talked about his progress at the Art
Institute in Brookline.
    “It’s fabulous, Julie. I’m learning so much.
I’m using all different mediums: pastels, oils, watercolors,
acrylics, inks…and different surfaces, too. I’m working on a
sculpture; it’s okay, but drawing and painting, that’s what I want
to do.”
    Shielding her eyes from the sun as it emerged
from behind a cloud, Julie looked up at him. “How are things with
your parents? Any better?”
    “Not bad. My mother’s okay with the gay
thing, but I don’t think my Dad knows. I don’t think my brother
does, either…but he might.”
    “Your brother?” said Julie, wide-eyed now and
sitting up. “You have a brother? I can’t believe you never
told me! How come you never mentioned him?”
    ”I just don’t like to talk about him. We
don’t get along. At all ,” said Marc. “He’s three years older
than I am. You’ll probably be seeing him at the dealership. He just
finished school. He’s an accountant.”
    “Oh, my God, I think I met him. Is his name
Avram? Dark hair and eyes, tall, kind of…brooding? “
    “That’s him. He looks more like my father. I
look like my mother.”
    “He asked me to lunch…”
    “Did you go?”
    “No. I was too busy at the time,” said Julie.
She stared at Marc. “I can’t believe you’re brothers.”
    “Yeah, sometimes I can’t believe it,
either.”
    They sat for a moment, watching some teenage
boys riding the breakers while the gulls swooped and squawked
overhead.
    “Not to get too personal, Marc, but who else
knows you’re gay?”
    “Well, my friends at school and some
teachers, and …you’ll never guess who else, Jules.”
    “A sister you didn’t tell me about?”
    “No. I don’t have any other siblings. Give
up?”
    “Yes.”
    “The Divine Dan!”
    “Really…How did that happen?”
    “He just asked me. He’s very straightforward,
you know. Actually, I like him a lot. He’s a terrific guy. Too bad
he isn’t gay.”
    Just then Alan came back with their drinks,
and Marc quickly changed the subject.
    “So, Julie, did you enjoy the Pops Symphony
and the fireworks?”
    “Oh, yes…especially the fireworks…”
    * * * * *

Chapter 13
    September 18, 2007
Salem, Massachusetts
     
    “ J ulie. Wake up, Julie.” said
Joan.
    “Hmm?” Dreaming, Julie tried to orient
herself. It’s not Marc; he’s gone. It’s Joan.
    “I’m sorry to wake you, hon. It’s late; you
must have needed the sleep. There’s a phone call for you. It’s