1.

"Short of what you need, but close.
Strong in belief, but growing weary."

Standing quite above it all, Peg leaned back into the breeze and looked straight at the full moon. Standing near the low wall of the bedroom terrace of her Saint Thomas house, she studied the clouds and stars as one might a map. The moon was low in the sky, directly above the glittering line of light that split the scene in half, that shimmered on the water from the island to the horizon.
She picked up a round drink tray from a small plastic table. Pacing the wall, she shifted the tray from hand to hand. The moon drew her eyes. "Come on," she said out loud. She looked down at the scattered streetlights on the road that led up from the main town, Charlotte Amalie. Several cars were coming up her hill.
When one of them made the turn that led up to her house, she replaced the drink tray and turned to face the sliding glass door and her reflection. Her long straight blonde hair was spread wide behind her shoulders. She wore a deep-blue cotton dress and a white island hat with a wavy rim. She opened the door, went inside, and lifted a brown leather handbag from her bed. In darkness, she walked down the stairs and out the front door.
Blaring the horn twice, Alec pulled into her driveway. She walked to his Jeep and climbed in silently. He put the Jeep in reverse and backed out quickly over gravel.
Peg spoke first. "Where'd you get the new shirt?" It was black with neon lightning bolts and short sleeves.
"In town," he said.
She reached into her bag for a cigarette. "I heard Sam's back on the island. I just called work. Lou saw him."
"Wonderful," he said. "He's back soon. The last time I saw him he was drunk off his ass. Completely out of control."
She found her lighter and lit the cigarette. "Was I there?"
"He was going on and on about all of us residents being lazy bums and how we're all stuck on hold in vacation mode."
"That sounds like Sam."
"Yeah well it's a load of shit."
They came to a stop under a street lamp. Litter was scattered around pale plants, grass, and sand. A little girl was leaning against a wooden fence and a busted-up mailbox. She was looking down the road. Alec turned right and Peg watched the little girl recede in her visor mirror.
"Sam probably started having rum punch withdrawal." She flicked her cigarette at the road. "Come on. It'll be good to see him."
"Sam's a jerk."
Peg breathed deeply and stood up in her seat. Holding the windshield she said, "It's beautiful tonight, the sky and the bay." She was talking loud over the wind. "Don't you think?"
"Where do you want to go?"
She fell back to her seat. "Oh, I don't know. The Coast?"
"We're not going to the Coast."
They entered Charlotte Amalie. Groups of people were walking along the concrete between the road and harbor. Boats were moored to wooden docks. Some were lit up inside. Others were black against the reflected light on the water.
"Okay. Let's just go to the Greenhouse."
"Not the Greenhouse."
They slowed to a stop. Cars were trying to park along the road.
"Whatever you want, Alec."
"The Wreck."
She closed her eyes. "What makes you think she'll be there?"
Alec looked at Peg. "What is your problem?"
Peg looked away. A man in a business suit was crossing the street in front of them. She thought he looked odd, out of place. She recognized him. "Sammy!" she yelled.
The man stopped. He looked in all directions, then turned to see Peg. Recognition washed across his face as a broad friendly grin.
"Hello, you bums."