Her grandfather simply nodded. He knew Marlowe often visited the seaside and always came back unharmed.
He turned back to his task. “There’s food in the pot. Go change into something dry and eat,” he suggested without looking up.
Marlowe nodded, changed into dry clothes, and made her way to the kitchen to eat.
She sat down and started eating without really paying attention to her food; her thoughts were on the man she had just saved.
He appeared to have injuries. Would he be fine?
They were not on a deserted island. There were fishing boats around.
If the man waved one down, the people on the boat would surely help him. And with fishermen
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nearby, he would be alright.
Marlowe tried to convince herself, but a nagging worry taunted her.
Just then, an elderly woman from the neighboring house came over to chat. Spotting Marlowe, she greeted her with a smile. “Oh, you’re back. What have you been up to lately? Are you really working in show business now?”
Marlowe really didn’t feel like chatting. She focused on her meal instead. Noticing her disinterest, the old woman approached and said, “I think chasing the dream of stardom is a stretch for a young girl like you. You should just find someone to settle down with while you’re still young.”
Upon hearing that, Marlowe’s grandfather, Granger Bates, who had been fixing a watch, set his tools aside and looked at the old woman.
“Marlowe can marry whenever she chooses. She’s still young. She can pursue her dreams. If she wants to be a big star and that makes her happy, let her do that. We shouldn’t interfere too much in her life.”
The elderly woman merely offered an awkward smile.
In response, Marlowe grinned at the woman and said, “When I become a big star, you’ll be the first one I sign an autograph for.”
The old woman gave a forced smile, shook her head, and left without another word.
Once she was gone, Marlowe held Granger’s arm, smiling brightly.
“Grandpa, you’re the best. I promise you’ll live well once I make it big.”
Granger just smiled. “You don’t need to be famous for me. As long as you’re happy and safe, that’s all I need.”
Marlowe chuckled softly, touched by his words. She sat beside him and helped with the watch. Noticing his faded collar, she remembered how he always refused when she offered to buy him new clothes, insisting it wasn’t easy for her to earn money. Determined, she silently vowed to become a star and earn enough to ensure her grandfather wouldn’t have to be so frugal.
As evening came, darkness settled over their little yard.
Granger was aging and needed to get to bed early each day. Marlowe made sure not to disturb him once he was asleep. She would return to her room.
Typically, she would sit by the window with a book or turn in for the night around this time.
But tonight was different. She couldn’t focus on her book or fall asleep. Restlessly, she turned over in her bed, her thoughts lingering on the man she had seen at the seaside.
When she had gone to help him, she had noticed his clothes had been stained with blood, and it had appeared he had been injured.