The Shore Read Online Free PDF

Avery explained.
    Curt rolled his eyes and put down his empty beer. Then he opened the refrigerator, grabbed a new bottle, and twisted the cap off. He tossed the bottle cap onto the counter and took a long swig. Avery watched uncomfortably and didn’t say anything. Meanwhile Polly stared at the bottle cap and the empty bottle and then back at Curt.
    It was obvious to Avery that Polly wanted Curt to clean up his garbage. Frankly, it seemed a little anal that she expected him to do it right away. And, anyway, Curt didn’t appear to notice. Polly let out a big sigh, grabbed the bottle cap, and tossed it in the trash. Then she picked up the empty bottle withtwo fingers and rinsed it out in the sink before setting it aside, presumably for recycling.
    Curt smiled ruefully, and Avery felt embarrassed. “So, uh, what exactly do you propose discussing?” he asked.
    Avery knew he was being sarcastic, but Polly mistook it for genuine interest.
    “Recycling, for one,” she said. “We should ask Fred where the recycling bins are.”
    Curt glanced at Avery and smirked. Avery braced herself. Sometimes when he drank he could get a little mean. Especially when he was frustrated with the band.
    “And we need to discuss care and upkeep of the house,” Polly continued. “Divide up chores. We need to all pitch in to keep the place neat and clean as a courtesy to others. We should also establish rules for the kitchen and food sharing. I figure we can each get half a shelf in the fridge for our own stuff, and community stuff can go in the door.”
    Curt opened the refrigerator and gestured toward the six-pack sitting in the middle of the top shelf. “Me and Ave’ll take the top shelf.”
    Avery winced. He was starting to sound a little drunk. What a great way to kick off their summer.
    “Okay, good,” Polly said. “I’ll take the left side of the middle shelf.”
    “Wonderful,” Curt said with feigned enthusiasm. “I’m so glad we got that out of the way.”
    A door closed, and they turned to see Lucas come out of his room. He’d put on a bright yellow T-shirt with a picture of a surfboard on it. He saw Curt in the kitchen and came over to shake his hand. “Lucas Haubenstock,” he said.
    “Curt Wilson.”
    “I’m glad you’re here, Lucas,” Polly said. “We’re just having a roommate discussion.”
    “I’d really like to stay, but I have to get over to the surf shop,” Lucas answered. “My shift starts in ten minutes. Maybe someone could fill me in later?”
    “Gnarly, dude,” Curt said facetiously.
    Lucas scowled at him, then waved good-bye. “Catch you guys later.”
    Polly looked disappointed, and Avery felt sorry for her. She was trying to do something good for all of them, but not getting very far.
    “Go on. What else?” Avery said, giving Polly some encouragement and ignoring the dirty look that Curt fired her way.
    “I think we should also discuss parties, noise levels, quiet hours, that sort of thing.” Polly had to raise her voice because of some sort of commotion outside—shouting and laughing. It sounded to Avery like a group of rowdy guys out on the street—maybe getting an early start on their partying. They didn’t pass by, though. Instead, they got louder as if approaching the front door.
    The front door swung open, and in walked a guy wearing a white Abercrombie polo shirt with the collar turned upand khaki cargo pants. He had dark brown hair, a beer in one hand, and seemed to be leading the group, gesturing grandly and waving his arms around as the others filed in behind him. Suddenly there were a dozen people in the living room all talking and laughing.
    “These your new digs?” someone asked him.
    “Is right,” he answered as he surveyed the living room.
    “Hey, nice,” said someone else.
    “Where’s the stereo?” asked a third.
    “There a CD player anywhere?”
    Polly, Avery, and Curt watched from the kitchen.
    “You know any of these people?” Polly asked Avery and Curt,