It was just eleven in the morning； and the beach belonged to kids and their caretakers。 Vanessa
studied her peers； the army of au pairs； wondering if maybe she？d strike up a friendship。 Did the
rest of these babysitters have bosses who undressed in front of them？ She imagined the Hamptons
must be filled with people like Ms。 Morgan； and she wouldn？t mind having someone to s
bizarre employer stories with。 But looking around； it didn？t seem too likely that any of these lithe
creatures； with their perfect tans； over…size sunglasses； and manicured nails； would want to have
anything to do with her。 Or vice versa。 Basically； it was like being back at Constance Billard； the
school that had tormented her for the last three years。
Vanessa stared out at the endless ocean； suddenly fighting the urge to cry。 She kicked her
sneakers off and crossed her legs； looking in the mess of things around her for some…thing to drink。
She found a tiny box of apple juice and opened the cellophane…wrapped straw； stabbing it into the
little hole in the box angrily。
？There you are！？ Nils skipped toward her across the sand； taking a shortcut over their neighbors？
blankets and towels。
？Don？t do that；？ she scolded him。 ？Or do and get yelled at。Whatever。Where？s your brother？？
？Don？t know。？ He dropped to the ground and rummaged through the stuff that was strewn all
over the blanket。 ？Vanessa； you