by Nancy Isaak
“I’ve never heard of them doing that,” I acknowledged. “I mean, I’ve had dolphins surf alongside me, but nothing like that.”
“It just felt so—amazing, you know! I just feel so stupidly grateful to have had it happen to me.” Miley stopped for a moment, pulling down on the end of her wet suit’s zipper. “Phew...it’s really kind of hot for October, isn’t it?”
I tried not to notice how the curves of her ample breasts were now suddenly exposed. Instead, I focused on the two figures who were coming down the road toward us.
“Crap,” I groaned, when I realized that it was Jude and Kieran; they were moving quickly along the road and they didn’t look happy.
“Isn’t that, like your brother?” asked Miley. She leaned into me as she spoke, her right breast brushing up against my arm. “I don’t think Kieran likes me,” she whispered into my ear. “Like he always frowns when I walk by.”
“That’s because my brother has a massive stick up his butt.” I spoke loud enough, so Kieran would hear my words as he and Jude neared us.
“Better than having my head up my ass!” Kieran snapped—just as loudly.
Ignoring Miley completely, Kieran stopped in front of me and put his hands on his hips. “So—me and you are gonna’ have a little discussion, big brother.”
“Something going on I need to know about?” I asked—uncertain whether I should be worried or not.
“You think?” This came from Jude, who came to a stop beside Kieran—her arms crossed—looking very unhappy.
Unlike my brother, Jude did take notice of Miley.
With a dismissive flick of her wrist, Jude motioned for Miley to continue walking down the road. “The compound’s back that way, little girl. Now, you’ll have to excuse us big kids, because me and Kieran—we kind of need to have some private time with the husband of my best friend.”
Then, Jude leaned forward, right into Miley’s face. “By the way…did I mention that Jacob is my best friend’s husband?”
Miley’s face became pinched at Jude’s words.
For a moment, I worried that she might actually talk back—a very bad idea with Jude. Luckily, Miley knew her limitations; she tucked her board up under her arm and—without another word—slowly began jogging away.
“Very nice, guys.” I shook my head—irritated by their rudeness. “Like could you have been more obnoxious?”
At that, Kieran reached out and grabbed at my surfboard. “Like—could you?!” he barked, tugging it right out of my hands.
“What the hell, Kieran?!”
“Take a chill pill, Jacob,” Jude ordered. “Kieran’s just putting the board on the ground—so we can talk.”
“What if I don’t want to talk?” I growled, glaring at her. “What if I want you two to just get the crap out of my way, so I can get on with my day? What then, huh?”
Jude shrugged. “We’d still be talking,” she said, her tone ominous. “It’s gonna’ happen, Jacob. So, let’s just get it over with, okay?”
I sighed, frustrated. “I don’t see any smoke signals and I’m not hearing any trumpets. So, what’s so damned important that you knuckleheads need to come stomping down Grayfox like you’re mom and dad and I’m out past curfew?”
Kieran gaped at Jude. “Like he’s calling us knuckleheads!”
“Dumbass!” Jude muttered under her breath.
“Is this about Miley?” I asked. “Because there’s nothing going on there. I mean, I like the girl, but I haven’t touched her or anything like that. I just like talking to her…that’s all.”
“Of course you like talking to her!” said Kieran. “Because the chick’s an easy relationship. Because she doesn’t require you to really think. Because she’s not your equal…not like Kaylee.”
“Don’t say chick.” Jude told Kieran. “It’s sexist.”
He gave her a look as if to say—are you kidding?
“You can call her the conniving bitch,” suggested Jude. “That’s not sexist. It’s just being honest.”
Kieran turned back to me. “The conniving bitch isn’t your equal…not like Kaylee.”
At that point, I probably should have defended Miley.
But the truth was—Kieran was right.
I wasn’t stupid; I had known all along what Miley was doing. And I had willingly gone along with her little games because—honestly—I had needed my ego stroked. I had needed someone to tell me how great and wise and wonderful I was.
Sadly—I had needed Kaylee.
Except that I had turned her away.
And instead—like the idiot I was—I had turned to Kaylee-lite.
* * * *
“She’s not my equal.”
“Of course not,” said Kieran. “Miley’s not even a close second.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I said, earnestly. “I wasn’t talking about Miley. I was talking about Kaylee—she isn’t my equal.”
Both Kieran and Jude looked shocked.
Then—Jude became angry.
As she took a threatening step toward me, I held up my hand. “Kaylee isn’t my equal…because Kaylee’s my better.”
Jude immediately stopped advancing on me, the tension in her face dissipating.
“Because she’s everything that I, like aspire to be,” I tried to explain. “Except that I just can’t seem to get there. I mean…like I thought I was a good leader. But Kaylee…it’s just that Kaylee is a completely different animal, you know.”
“Girl has saved a lot of lives,” admitted Jude. “But, dude…you have, too.”
“But it’s different with Kaylee,” I insisted. “It’s like she’s so high up there, I just can’t reach her level. Like there’s no way I’ll ever measure up to her as a leader…to what she’s doing for the tribe.”
“And that’s a bad thing?!” Kieran looked utterly disgusted with me; he shook his head, disappointed. “God, bro…you really are an asshat, sometimes! I mean, look at me—I’m living with Cammie and, without a doubt, that girl is my better and I thank god every day for that. You certainly don’t hear me whining. Because you know what—Cammie makes me want to try and be more, dude. And that’s what you have with Kaylee…and like you’re throwing it all away…and for what?!”
“I swear, I’m not doing anything with Miley.”
“I’m not talking about that conniving bitch!” yelled Kieran.
“There you go,” Jude murmured.
“I’m talking about you not being able to forgive anymore,” Kieran continued. “And I don’t understand it because—when I was being an idiot with Brandon—you forgave me. So, why not this time…why?”
I was confused. “But Kaylee hasn’t done anything I need to forgive her for.”
Kieran let out a yell of frustration. “You dumbass! I wasn’t saying that you should forgive Kaylee! It’s you that you need to forgive!”
That didn’t make any sense to me.
Which made Kieran even angrier.
“Mom would be so ashamed of you right now! You know, everyone always thinks that you’re the smart one in our family. But you’re like such a massive dumbass sometimes, even when it comes to Mom and Dad.”
“What does any of this have to do with Mom and Dad?!” I asked—totally confused.
“Duh…like everything!” insisted Kieran. “Like, sure Mom gave up her career to bring up us guys, but that didn’t change her character, did it? She might not be out in the world anymore—saving kids’ lives or writing about evil and stuff—but she’s still the one in charge of our family, isn’t she? She’s our leader…our boss.”
“I have absolutely no idea what you’re getting at.”
Kieran gave a big sigh of frustration. “Then, let me ask you this, Jacob. Let’s just say that bad guys break into our house. They’ve got guns and knives. Of Mom and Dad, who would you most expect to save us?”
“Mom, of course. She’s always been over-protective that way. But what does that matter here?”
“Is it be
cause Dad is less than Mom? Is he a coward? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, of course not! Dad’s just…different…than Mom. It’s not that he wouldn’t protect us…”
“…it’s just that Mom would do it quicker.”
“Because she thinks differently,” I said. “But Dad would still be there. Mom might figure out how to take the bad guys down, but Dad would still be right there—fighting beside Mom.”
“But it would still be Mom who came up with the plan—because Mom is the better leader in our family. And the thing that you don’t seem to get—that you’ve never really gotten—is that Mom’s so strong because of Dad. He’s like…her rock. He’s her constant—the thing that binds her to the world, that keeps her grounded.”
I finally got it. “You’re saying that I’m like Dad.”
Kieran nodded. “Not a coward, not a bad leader…”
“Just not as good as Mom…as Mother.”
“Is that a bad thing?” asked Kieran. “To be the man behind the power…to be the constant…the rock?”
I suddenly felt very tired. “No…that’s not a bad thing at all.”
“And it doesn’t mean that you’re less,” said Kieran. “It just means that you’re a different kind of superhero than Kaylee.”
I had to smile at that. “Meaning Kaylee’s Wonder Woman and I’m what…the guy who shines her bracelets?”
“More like Kaylee is Xena the Warrior Princess,” Jude corrected. “So, sorry, dude, but that would make you her Gabrielle—but without the lesbian undertones, of course.”
She was referring to an old television show, one that Kieran had obviously never seen since now he was the one looking confused.
“Whatever,” he finally sniffed. “Just choose your own origin story. The point is, bro…when Kaylee gets back, you seriously gotta’ get down on your hands and knees and do whatever to make it up to her. Like kiss her feet for how she’s been leading this tribe and keeping all of us safe. Because, like it or not, we need Kaylee…this tribe needs her…and Kaylee’s just not all she should be without you.”
“She’s less,” muttered Jude.
“We’re serious, Jacob,” Kieran continued. “Like, do you really think that Kaylee would have left on this stupid expedition if you hadn’t been breaking her heart? So, this emo-thing you’ve got going, this punishing Kaylee stuff…it’s all gotta’ stop! For all of our sakes.”
I won’t lie—I felt like crap.
Then, Jude decided to make me feel even worse.
“For what it’s worth, Jacob” she said, “the chick would give up her life for you, Kaylee loves you that much.”
Kieran reached out and gave my shoulder a brotherly squeeze. “Look, bro…I’ve got a girl who’s so far out of my league that I’m happy just holding onto her purse while she’s kicking ass. But that doesn’t make me a lesser man. That just makes me a hell of a lucky one. And my girl kicks metaphorical ass. Like, dude…yours does literal!”
“Dammit.” I rubbed a hand across my tired eyes. “You knuckleheads are right.”
“Of course, we’re right,” sniffed Jude.
“I’ve just felt so…” I stopped, shaking my head, making my mind up. “You know what…it doesn’t matter anymore, because I’m gonna’ fix this…I promise.”
“You better,” warned Kieran.
“I promise.”
“So, this Miley-crap is definitely over?”
“Never even began,” I told him. “Honest.”
It looked like Kieran finally believed me. Jude, however, moved right in front of me; she was frowning, her hands tightening into angry fists.
“I’m not lying, Jude,” I insisted. “There’s never been anyone but Kaylee.”
“I believe you,” she said—still frowning.
“Then, what is it? You look like you’ve got something else you want to say, something you need to get off of your chest.”
She sighed—a big release of air and tension. “I’m sorry, Jacob.”
“For what?”
“For Kaylee,” she said. “Because this is for her.”
And Jude cold-cocked me!
A right jab to the side of my face that knocked me to the ground
Stars twinkled in front of my eyes, and I swear that I heard the chirps and tweets of tiny birds as they flew invisibly around my head.
When my sight finally cleared and my mind returned, it was to Kieran yelling at Jude. “It wasn’t necessary…he’d already agreed!”
“I didn’t hit him because of that,” insisted Jude. “I hit him because it’s Kaylee’s birthday and like the dude didn’t even realize!”
Crap—I had forgotten my own wife’s birthday!
* * * *
It’s humbling—having your younger brother hand you your ass on a platter.
But Kieran is right. I do have to forgive myself.
All this time, I’ve been holding some sort of imaginary grudge against Kaylee, because she’s been so much better at leading the tribe than me. For a time, I’ll admit that I even wondered if I hated her.
Now, I realize the truth—it was me that I hated.
I just took it out on Kaylee.
Part of me wonders if she’ll ever forgive me for being such an ass. But—and here’s where it gets ironic—the other part of me has absolutely no doubt that Kaylee will forgive me.
Because, ultimately, that’s who she is…Kaylee is good.
And thankfully—she loves me.
* * * *
It’s now my turn to stand on top of the knoll in the Nature Preserve, scanning the northern coastline—searching for any sign of my amazing Warrior Princess returning from her expedition.
Yesterday, Kieran and I took a couple of horses and rode as far as the Point Mugu sentry station, hoping to find Kaylee and the others along the way—slowly moving along Pacific Coast Highway.
But there was no sign—which is making me worry.
Even though Kaylee said not to send out search teams until after Halloween, now I’m wondering if maybe we should.
Because—I’m starting to get a bad feeling.
A really bad feeling.
I just thank god that Nate and Erroll are with Kaylee’s team. They’re both strong kids and will fight like madmen if something comes down. It gives me a certain amount of peace knowing that they’re with her.
Wyatt, of course, would be useless in a fight.
And, hopefully, Kaylee’s team didn’t go anywhere near the hospital in Oxnard...or try and take down any Crazies that they came across. Please let them have just kept their heads down—not go off on some stupid, heroic mission like Rhys and I did.
And—above all—please don’t let them have gone anywhere near the Conejo Valley!
Damn…I’ve got to stop this.
Just because my expedition went to hell doesn’t mean that Kaylee’s will.
Seriously, though—what was I thinking? I should have gone along with Kaylee. Or at the very least, I should have sent more guys with her.
And now that I’m thinking about it…four people on a team heading north—I mean, does that number really make any sense? Kaylee, herself, wouldn’t have sent out a team with that few people on it.
Which has to mean one thing—Kaylee must be up to something.
Oh god…
* * * *
Halloween is tomorrow...if Kaylee and her team aren’t back by supper, I’m going to head out and find her. I know that Kaylee said that she was heading up into the Oxnard and Ventura area, but now I don’t believe her. Personally—after really thinking about it—I think her team was headed up into Crazy-territory.
It’s the only reason that I could think of for Kaylee taking Wyatt with her. She must have needed him for some tattoo-thing—so they could cross some checkpoint or something.
I’ve asked Jay and Jude if they know what Kaylee’s up to. They both claim they have no idea.
At least—that’s what they claim.
N
ow, Florenza…
Something flickers behind that girl’s eyes every time I mention Kaylee. I get the definite feeling that Pauly’s girl just might be in the thick of it. Unfortunately, that little razor-blade wielding, big pregnant-belly firecracker is too street-smart and wily to let anything slip. Every time I ask her if she knows what Kaylee is doing or where she went—Florenza just shrugs her shoulders.
So, all I can do now is wait until Halloween is over—and then head out and find my wife.
Although—I can’t shake this feeling that something really bad is happening.
And that feeling is telling me that I shouldn’t wait.
That I should simply grab the nearest weapon and a horse and head straight up Encinal Canyon.
That feeling is telling me to go get Kaylee…go get my wife.
And to do it right goddamn now!
HOW IT ALL ENDED – Kaylee
It was—without a doubt—one of the worst mornings of my life.
Ironically, I had actually managed to get some sleep the night before, collapsing into my bed after three hours of sparring in the backyard, followed by another two hours of going over every detail of the plan with all the various and assorted players.
When I had finally placed my head upon my pillow, it was with a certainty that both I and our amazing scheme would actually succeed. In two days’ time, I had no doubt that I would be on my way back to Point Dume—the challenger who had actually won—carrying peace and security for all alongside me.
Then, I woke up and it was suddenly Halloween—the day of the Arena.
And I became scared.
And I realized that our plan was ridiculous and that I was about to die.
* * * *
Cherry eventually found me in one of the guest bathrooms. I was on my knees, white as a sheet (such irony), and puking my guts out into a dry, stinking toilet bowl.
“Okay, now…that’s disgusting!” Cherry knelt down beside me and pulled my hair back. “I can see why you didn’t make it out to the dining room for breakfast.”
