Bill found Matty sitting at the top of a set of wooden stairs that led down to the rocky beach. He took out his cell phone.
"Matty?"
When she looked up, he took her picture.
"Delete that."
Bill shook his head.
"You almost look like you were smiling," he said, as he put the cellphone in his pocket.
He sat on the top stair, next to her and passed her a can of beer.
"Thank you," she sighed, as she opened it.
"I was just thinking about when I was a child here in the Bay."
"Good memories?"
Matty nodded. "The best."
She turned her head to Bill.
"So. I guess you are about ready to leave the Bay again and get as far away from this broke loser as you can."
Bill put the remaining four been on the step between them.
"No. Not yet."
He sipped his beer and stared out across the ocean.
"Henry and the others told me about your financial situation."
"Yea I figured they would. There are no secrets here in the Bay."
Bill chuckled.
"I kinda like that. I like things up front."
"Then you must really hate me."
Bill shook his head.
"I don't think I would use that term."
"Thank you."
"A strong dislike maybe," Bill laughed.
Matty hit him playfully.
"Again, thank you. But I wouldn't blame you if you did leave."
She drank a mouthful of beer.
"Now all I have to do is try and get myself out of this mess."
"And then what?"
Matty turned to Bill.
"Then I start all over again. I still have time."
"Haven't you given enough?"
"Not until I win."
"You know some of the older residents are going to stay, right."
Matty nodded.
"I know. But that still won't save the Bay. It will just be a forgotten place where a few crazy people live. I want it to remain a vital place, filled with families and love."
She finished her beer.
"May I have another?"
Bill just stared at her as she took a beer.
"Now all I need to do is pay back Harry and Henry and then get another loan."
She turned to Bill.
"Would you be interested in loaning me some money?"
Bill never looked at her. He just continued to stare out over the ocean.
"It was just a joke," Matty added, sadly.
"I paid off your loan with Harry and Henry and your bill at the General Store."
Matty stood up.
"What? No. Tell me you didn't do that."
"Okay.
I didn't do that."
"Fucking liar."
Bill looked up at her.
"You sound mad."
"I'm fucking pissed. I didn't ask you to do that and just what do you expect for doing that?"
Bill smiled.
"A simple thank you would be nice."
Matty glared at Bill.
"No?"
He finished his beer and opened another one, as he stood up.
"Then you are really gonna be pissed when I tell you what else I did."
He started walking down the stairs to the beach.
"What did you do?" Matty screamed at him.
"I authorized Dave to release the rest of the money into your bank account."
Bill turned and raised his beer.
"Congratulations. You are a millionaire."
Matty hurried down the stairs and stood in front of Bill.
"Why the fuck did you do that? Who the fuck do you think you are?
Do you think you are something special?"
Bill started walking along the beach.
"Don't you walk away from me. I am not finished yelling at you."
"Well I am finished being yelled at."
Matty ran after him and grabbed his arm, spinning him around.
"I didn't ask for your help."
"I know."
"And I am more than capable of looking after myself."
"I know."
"And ...."
Bill looked at her.
"Finished?"
He started walking away from her.
"I hate you," she yelled at him.
Bill laughed.
"No you don't."
Matty ran after him.
"So that's it. You think that giving me all that money is going to make me like you?"
Bill shook his head.
"Not at all. I was just paying off the lighthouse, as per our agreement."
"And ... and ... what about the loan?"
"That was a gift."
"I don't need no gifts from you."
She pulled out her cellphone.
"Give me your email. I will transfer you the money right back."
Bill looked at Matty's cellphone.
"You know we have shitty reception here. Besides, I won't accept your email."
He started walking away again.
"Will you stop fucking walking away from me?"
Bill stopped and turned around.
"Will you stop fucking yelling at me?" he yelled at her.
Matty took a step forward.
"I will if you will."
"Well, I will if you will," Bill barked back as he walked to her.
Matty's eyes were filled with tears.
"I hate you."
"I know."
Bill put his arms around Matty.
Matty hugged him tightly.
"I really don't," she whispered.
Bill smiled.
"I know."
He kissed the top of her head.
"Now. Just stop being such a pain in the ass."
Matty started laughing and hugged Bill tighter, then quickly let him go.
She wiped her eyes and took several deep breaths.
"Ah, I need another beer."
She turned and quickly started walking away.
"You coming?"
By the time Bill caught up with Matty again, she was sitting at the top of the stairs again.
She passed him an open beer.
"You didn't spit in it, did you?"
Matty wiped her eyes again.
"I thought about it. But I didn't."
Bill smiled as he took a mouthful of beer.
"Hmm. It does have a peculiar taste. You sure you didn't spit in it?"
Matty smiled.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome."
Bill held out his can of beer and Matty clinked her's on his.
"Friends?"
Matty laughed.
"Well, I don't know. I'm kinda rich now, so I don't need you."
A sad look came to Bill's face.
"I know."
Matty reached up and squeezed Bill's hand.
"I am joking."
She stood up and kissed Bill on the cheek.
"Yes. Definitely friends."
Bill leaned forward to kiss Matty, but she quickly sat down.
"I'm sorry."
Matty shook her head.
"Don't be. Let's just try out this friend thing first."
"Well. Its just as well anyway."
Matty looked confused.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Bill walked up the stairs and back to the main path.
"You are way out of my league anyway."
"What?" Matty screamed behind him, as she jumped to her feet.
Bill stopped and turned.
"I really don't think I need to explain that to you."
Matty walked to him.
"I think you do."
Bill laughed and kissed the top of her head.
"You like me," he shrieked, as he walked away.
"Matty likes me."
He started to skip.
"Do you realize how silly you look right now?"
Bill stopped and turned around.
"I don't fucking care."
He started skipping again.
"You are crazy," Matty yelled at him.
"Still don't care," Bill yelled back.
Matty smiled.
"And I so like you," she whispered.
"What was that?" Bill yelled.
"I said I hate you."
"Hate you too."
Bill stopped in front of the door to his new house.
"Can I interest you in some dinner?"
"What's on the menu?"
"I was thinking pork chops and baked potatoes and some nice red wine."
"Sounds great," Matty smiled.