“We were ahead three games to two when suddenly Leonard-the-bastard excused himself to get a drink of water and never came back.” Steffi stubbed out her cigarette in the sand. “Can you beat that? Never came back. I was so embarrassed I thought I would die.” She sounded choked up.

Steffi told Merilee how her ex sent alimony checks with a P.O. box return address. The money just covered her rent on the condominium she shared with Nicole on the other side of Pacific Coast Highway; a two-bedroom with laundry facilities and a partial ocean view. Steffi lowered her voice, which made me know she must be talking about Nicole. I strained my ears to hear.

“…driving me crazy…sent her to my sister’s…”

Nicole seemed not to hear a word her mother said. A little tune buzzed at her lips as we dug in the sand.

Then Steffi’s voice returned to normal. She went on to say she and Nicole had parked just outside the Malibu Colony gates and pretended to the guard they were scheduled to look at a house for sale. Steffi told Merilee she was “on the prowl.”

“I know of a coupla cute ones.” My mother winked. “None in the six-figure range, though.” She reached into her beach bag and took out a prescription pill bottle. “Migraines,” she explained, popping two in her mouth. “They run in the family.”

“Divorce runs in mine,” Steffi’s voice slurred. “You gotta pill for that?”

By sunset, Nicole’s and my tunnels crisscrossed the beach in front of my house. The temperature had dropped, and we huddled together, wrapped in my towel to keep each other warm. Our feet stuck out, our toes still digging involuntarily like sand crabs. Our mothers, in their vodka-and sun-soaked state, stared blearily off into the distance, oblivious to us and the cold. Their chatter had slowed to an occasional mumble and as the sun disappeared over the horizon, Steffi held up her empty tumbler signaling time to go.

“It was nice sharing the afternoon with you.” Steffi handed the glass to Merilee and perched on all fours, steadying herself before pushing up from the lounger. She pulled her stretched-out bikini bottom back in place. Reluctantly, Nicole rose out of our shared mantle and walked shivering to her mother’s side.

Steffi took Nicole by the hand and pulled her down the beach. I ran after them holding out the towel.

“Thanks.” Nicole reached, but Steffi spanked her hand away.

“Nicole Ann, you do not take what does not belong to you,” Steffi snapped, continuing down the beach unsteadily.

Nicole shrugged her shoulders in a what can you do? gesture.

“See you when school starts,” I called after her.

“Come back again sometime,” my mother said drowsily, her eyes almost shut. I’d need help getting her to the house. I hoped my father was home.

INT. MALIBU COLONY HOME

MORNING

FEBRUARY 1976