The returned to the bay house a little after ten and Alex helped pack everything up while her parents docked the boat and took down the rigging.
"How about Patsy's for dinner," Jed suggested.
"Sounds great," Abbey said. "Zoey?"
"Works for me," she said. She had no idea of what 'Patsy's' was, but as long as they served food, she was up for it.
Patsy's as it turned out, was a local place. She ordered a bread bowl full of clam chowder. According to the menu, it was restaurant's specialty. Judging by the place, the chowder wouldn't be coming from a can.
When they had arrived, the placed was almost deserted and they had been seated in a secluded part of the restaurant. She suspected this usually happened when the president was in town.
"Did you enjoy the sail," Abbey asked.
"Yeah, it was great. Beautiful sunset," Alex responded.
"Tomorrow, I think we may go for another sail," Jed said, "Was there anything you wanted to do?"
"I was going to get up and look around some of the shops," Abbey said, "If you want come."
"I'd like that," Alex replied, "What time should I be up?"
"Around eight," she replied, "We can get lunch afterwards."
"Great," Alex said.
They're food arrived and Alex ate hungrily. She had never tasted anything so good in her life.
After dinner, Alex climbed the stairs to her bedroom and changed for bed. She lay in bed, facing the window that overlooked the bay. She figured the glass was bulletproof, as it had a thick appearance to it.
She heard the door to her room open and turned to see Abbey walking towards her with an extra quilt. "It's supposed to be cold tonight," she replied, "I brought you and extra quilt if you need it."
"Thanks," Alex said, watching it as she spread it over the bottom of the bed.
"Get some sleep," Abbey said softly, "I love you." She kissed Alex's forehead gently, brushing the hair from her eyes.
"I love you too," Alex said. She smiled up at the older woman and rolled on her side to hide the tears. Abbey turned off the light and closed the door behind her.
Tears fell slowly down Alex's face as she closed her eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.
The alarm went off the next morning, startling Alex into waking up. She turned it off and climbed out of bed to get her shower. She found the bathroom down the hall, to the right.
She took her shower, relishing the warmth of the water. It was something that she would never again take for granted.
Half an hour later, she was dressed in a white long sleeved shirt and baggy overalls, her hair braided. She had lightly brushed some makeup on and was eating a bowl of cereal when Abbey came downstairs, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt.
"You ready to go," Abbey asked.
"Yeah," Alex said, placing her bowl in the sink and rinsing it out. Abbey raised her eyebrow at the sight of the teenager eating breakfast. Zoey rarely ate breakfast.
The walked down the main street of the local town, flanked by Secret Service agents on both sides. They looked at various stores, with Abbey picking up a few things for Liz's birthday.
"Are you hungry," Abbey asked as they walked out of the last shop.
"Yeah," Alex said.
"In the mood for anything in particular," Abbey asked.
"Hmm…a hamburger sounds good," Alex replied.
"I think that we can do that." She smiled at her daughter and they crossed the street to the restaurant.
"You've been awfully quiet. Anything on your mind," Abbey asked as they sat down.
"No," Alex replied, "Just glad to spend time with you and dad."
"It has been nice, hasn't it," Abbey said. "When are you going to come to the mansion for Thanksgiving?"
"Probably that Tuesday," Alex replied. She didn't know when Zoey's school would get out for the break.
"Okay," Abbey said, seeming to accept the answer. "Liz and Ellie are going to come down then as well."
"Great," Alex said with a bright grin. She had enjoyed meeting Zoey's sisters at the president's birthday party.
The weekend came to a quick close and before she knew it, they were back on Air Force One, headed back to D.C. Two limos waited for them on the airfield. Alex hugged both of Zoey's parents goodbye, then climbed into one of the limos.
She keyed into Zoey's room and set her things on the floor, not even looking around. "How was Nantucket?" Alex screamed as she turned around to see Zoey sitting on the bed.
"Jesus, you scared the crap out of me," Alex said, "How long have you been here?"
"About half an hour," Zoey stated.
"It was fine. Your entire family suspects something, though," Alex said, pulling off the fleece she wore.
"Why do you say that," Zoey asked with a smirk.
"Ellie thought I was up to something at the dinner," she said, "Your mom kept asking if I felt alright because I was quiet."
"I'm never quiet. No wonder she suspected something," Zoey said.
"Yeah, well neither am I, but I didn't know how to act around them. For God's sake, he's the President of the Free World," Alex exclaimed.
"Kind of intimidating, huh," Zoey said. "How'd it go with Adam?"
"Fine," Alex replied, "He didn't suspect a thing."
"Then you did well," Zoey said. "Thanks." She handed Alex an envelope full of money.
"I don't want that," Alex said, pushing her hand away.
"Why not? We agreed on it," Zoey insisted. She held her hand out, shaking the envelope.
"Because it feels wrong," Alex said. "I've gotta get back to the shelter." She picked up her backpack and began to leave.
"Can you do this again next weekend," Zoey asked.
"No," Alex said, "I don't ever want to do it again." She put her hand on the doorknob, but was stopped by Zoey's hand.
"Why not," Zoey asked. "My parents that bad?"
"No," Alex said, "I just feel bad lying to them."
"They're not your parents," Zoey said. She crossed her arms over her chest, challenging the girl in front of her.
"No, but for one weekend, it felt like it," Alex said. "I'll see you around." She opened the door and began to walk out in the hall. Zoey let her leave, tossing the envelope onto her desk.