The sun splashed like fine gold around Sinclair. Rain from last night had come and gone, rinsing the island clean and leaving behind the crisp scent of newness. Sinclair lay on her blanket in the sand. Coconut trees rustled nearby in the breeze, their subtle music almost drowned out by the shrieking children running along the beach, playing tag with each other and with the waves galloping up on the sand. A few people lay on towels or sat in beach chairs a few feet away. Their presence was welcome; their conversation a soothing counterpoint to the clamor in Sinclair's head.
In a week she would leave, pack up her American clothes, and go back to where she came from. The thought hurt. She would miss her family. Their cooking, their laughter, the feeling of belonging. And she would miss Hunter. Sinclair rolled over and pillowed her suddenly wet face in her arms.
"Is there room on this blanket for one more?"
Lydia stood next to Sinclair looking down at her through amber-tinted sunglasses. Surprised, she wiped at her eyes and sat up.
"Sure." She curled her legs under her and moved aside so Lydia could sit down. Her sister faced her in silence, sliding her sunglasses to the top of her head.
"I wasn't sure where you'd be today."
"Papa and Nikki usually know where I am."
"Yeah. Nikki told me where to find you."
"So now that you have..." Sinclair looked at her in expectation.
Her sister actually blushed and fidgeted. A sigh escaped her. "I came to apologize."
"Why? I thought you were pretty clear about what you were feeling last time we talked."
"I was clear, but I was also being stupid. I'm sorry about what happened at the restaurant and I'm sorry about what I said when you came to see me. I don't own Hunter. I never did."
Sinclair nodded. "OK. If you don't mind me asking, what brought on this change?"
"I thought Hunter would have told you what happened."
"Whatever went on was between the two of you. I was just... unhappy that you chose to confront the situation in such a public place and on a day when I was feeling really good."
Lydia winced and looked away. "I'm sorry. The liquor I had before I got there was working on me and I didn't show the best judgment when I raised my voice at you in front of all those people. My conversation with Hunter made me realize that." She looked fully at Sinclair. "It also made me realize that I had no right to be angry because the two of you found happiness with each other while I..." Lydia shrugged. "Anyway, I messed up."
"You said some awful things to me. It's hard to forget that."
"I meant them at the time, believe me." Her mouth twisted with bitter humor. "But I was wrong. My motives were wrong."
"Apology accepted." Sinclair drew her knees up and rested her chin on them. "Thank you for coming to find me."
Lydia stayed with Sinclair for a little while longer, chatting about nothing in particular then later promising to get together for a drink before Sinclair left for America. Then the younger woman drove away, leaving Sinclair to bask in the slow burn of the sun.
