The Last Song Read Free Page B

neither family had ever spoken
     to him.
    “You think so?” he said.
    “Hello? It’s right on the beach. What else could you want?” He motioned toward the ocean. “Can I go check it out?”
    “Sure. But be careful. And stay behind the house. Don’t wander off.”
    “Deal.”
    Steve watched him jog off before turning to see Kim approaching. Ronnie had stepped out of the car as well but was still lingering
     near it.
    “Hi, Kim,” he said.
    “Steve.” She leaned in to give him a brief hug. “You doing okay?” she asked. “You look thin.”
    “I’m okay.”
    Behind her, Steve noticed Ronnie slowly making her way toward them. He was struck by how much she’d changed since the last
     photo Kim had e-mailed. Gone was the all-American girl he remembered, and in her place was a young woman with a purple streak
     in her long brown hair, black fingernail polish, and dark clothing. Despite the obvious signs of teenage rebellion, he thought
     again how much she resembled her mother. Good thing, too. She was, he thought, as lovely as ever.
    He cleared his throat. “Hi, sweetie. It’s good to see you.”
    When Ronnie didn’t answer, Kim scowled at her. “Don’t be rude. Your father’s talking to you. Say something.”
    Ronnie crossed her arms. “All right. How about this? I’m not going to play the piano for you.”
    “Ronnie!” Steve could hear Kim’s exasperation.
    “What?” She tossed her head. “I thought I’d get that out of the way early.”
    Before Kim could respond, Steve shook his head. The last thing he wanted was an argument. “It’s okay, Kim.”
    “Yeah, Mom. It’s
okay,”
Ronnie said, pouncing. “I need to stretch my legs. I’m going for a walk.”
    As she stomped away, Steve watched Kim struggle with the impulse to call her back. In the end, though, she said nothing.
    “Long drive?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
    “You can’t even imagine it.”
    He smiled, thinking that for just an instant, it was easy to imagine they were still married, both of them on the same team,
     both of them still in love.
    Except, of course, that they weren’t.
    After unloading the bags, Steve went to the kitchen, where he tapped ice cubes from the old-fashioned tray and dropped them
     into the mismatched glasses that had come with the place.
    Behind him, he heard Kim enter the kitchen. He reached for a pitcher of sweet tea, poured two glasses, and handed one to her.
     Outside, Jonah was alternately chasing, and being chased by, the waves as seagulls fluttered overhead.
    “It looks like Jonah’s having fun,” he said.
    Kim took a step toward the window. “He’s been excited about coming for weeks.” She hesitated. “He’s missed you.”
    “I’ve missed him.”
    “I know,” she said. She took a drink of her tea before glancing around the kitchen. “So this is the place, huh? It’s got…
     character.”
    “By character, I assume you’ve noticed the leaky roof and lack of air-conditioning.”
    Kim flashed a brief smile, caught.
    “I know it’s not much. But it’s quiet and I can watch the sun come up.”
    “And the church is letting you stay here for free?”
    Steve nodded. “It belonged to Carson Johnson. He was a local artist, and when he passed away, he left the house to the church.
     Pastor Harris is letting me stay until they’re ready to sell.”
    “So what’s it like living back home? I mean, your parents used to live, what? Three blocks from here?”
    Seven, actually. Close. “It’s all right.” He shrugged.
    “It’s so crowded now. The place has really changed since the last time I was here.”
    “Everything changes,” he said. He leaned against the counter, crossing one leg over the other. “So when’s the big day?” he
     asked, changing the subject. “For you and Brian?”
    “Steve… about that.”
    “It’s okay,” he said, raising a hand. “I’m glad you found someone.”
    Kim stared at him, clearly wondering whether to accept his words at