by Angela Blake
“I’m leaving. There’s enough there for the meal and an Uber. See you around Livy.”
Livy opened her mouth to say something, call him back but he was already striding out the door.
Chapter Twelve: Marine Biology
Tane sat cross legged on the second hand couch in the middle of his modest one bedroom apartment. It was situated smack dab in the heart of the city's down town core and a healthy walk from campus grounds. In an effort to recharge himself after poring over his textbooks after a longer than anticipated study session, he'd made a break for the shower, put on the comfiest of all his lounge clothes, and opened a long forgotten pint of Ben & Jerry's he'd found shuffled to the back of his freezer. An episode from a season of Game of Thrones he'd yet to finish played across his TV screen as he dug spoon into sugary confection and brought it to his mouth repeatedly.
Settling back into college life had proved more of a challenge than he’d thought. For one thing, he was a lot more popular now. His new status as heir apparent to his grandparents’ fortune had made the late night news in Honolulu and his classmates were looking at him in a new light. In the preceding three years of study he’d managed to fly under the radar, being friendly but distant with everyone. Now everyone wanted to be his best friend. It was exhausting. What was even more tiring were the girls trying to get in his pants. Their predatory attitudes really gave him a new appreciation for Livy.
He pushed that thought away, not wanting to dwell on her. They hadn’t spoken since the night he’d walked out on her in the restaurant. Tane did not know what to do about that. His father’s words kept echoing in his head.
‘There are no what ifs, no exceptions. We do not tell humans about us.’
“But what if the human finds out on their own?” Tane mused aloud to himself. He knew it was no answer because she just hadn’t found out…he’d been the idiot who was careless enough to leave clues strewn all over like cowrie shells.
For a minute he wondered if it had been deliberate on his part. Had he needed someone to know?
The abrupt ringing of his cell phone made his jump a few inches off the cushion, and as he peered at the caller ID he was reminded it was Sunday.
“Shit,” he said to the empty air before hitting the button to accept the incoming call. “Hello?”
“Hi baby.” His mother's voice carried down the line and Tane instantly picked up on the tinge of worry he heard in it. “Are you all right? You forgot to call me today.”
“Yeah, Mum, I'm fine. I'm sorry, I was studying.”
On the day he’d left for college, his mother had tried to talk to him about Livy. But since he had to keep the secret not just from Livy but from her as well, he’d fobbed her off. He knew she’d felt hurt by it and maybe that was one reason he’d gotten into the habit of calling her every Sunday, just to chat. That and he really didn’t like her being all alone at home. She made sure to mention Livy every time they spoke, incorporating her name into some story or other but she didn’t ask him again what had happened and for that he was grateful. Perhaps she had asked Livy.
He sighed inwardly, making a note to call his dad just as soon as he was through with this conversation. It was time he knew that Livy knew. What the consequences were, Tane dreaded to think.
“You're all right, though? Really?”
“Yes, Mum,” he sighed. “Absolutely.”
Mere months had passed since the new chapter of his life had begun, and the realities of life wasted no time in their assault. But he had been raised well, had several stellar examples to follow and pieces of wisdom to pull from, so he would be all right. Someone who regretted very little and tried to learn from everything, he'd always find a way. On the days he felt he couldn't, he'd pretend he knew what he was doing and only ask for love and about the happenings of the small world he'd left behind when he made that phone call home.
“Livy misses you,” she said softly right on cue. “She doesn’t say anything but I can tell. She’s really miserable.”
“I miss her too,” Tane blurted, surprising even himself. “This campus is full of sharks.” Laughter escaped the depths of his throat and he heard his mother chuckling, too.
“Serve you right for being so mean to her,” Nikora mused. “Did you really tell her that you were just with her because she was here and you needed someone to pass the time?”
His heart constricted, and he put a hand closest to the area where it lay deep inside. He really hoped that wasn’t really how Livy felt “Mum,” he said, “I’m not that kind of guy.”
“I know,” she said, sniffling. “Which made me wonder what the hell man? Why are you pushing her away?”
“Have you talked to dad lately?” Tane asked, as much because he was genuinely wondering as he was looking for a way to change the subject.
“Yeah, he's all right. And don’t think I missed you evading my question young man. Whatever is going on there, you fix it.”
“I will try.” He felt himself breathing just the slightest bit easier. “I should call him, too. It's been a minute.”
“You be sure you do soon or he'll start to worry.”
“I know it,” he conceded. Silence hung between two worlds for a while, heavy and just the slightest bit awkward before he decided to pierce it. “I should go.”
“Okay, you take care of yourself and I'll talk to you next week. Don't forget to call me next time.”
“I won't,” he promised, feeling guilty for having done so.
“Oh, and Tane?” he heard before he pressed the button to sever the connection.
“Yeah?”
“Don't get too independent on me now. I don't need my only kid forgetting about me.”
The smile he felt cross his face reached the corners of his eyes and stayed there for a long time. “I couldn't ever,” he said emphatically, as he hung up and put his phone down. He took a deep breath.
Dad next.
***
On his first try, he got dispatch on the phone.
“Hey Tane. Your father is the slightest bit occupied right now. Could you call him in like half an hour?”
“Uh yeah. Is he above ground or in the water?”
“Above. Just a department meeting. Nothing to worry about kid.”
“Uh yeah okay.”
Tane wanted to remind the guy that he wasn’t a kid but they’d gotten used to calling him that from years of familiarity. He knew he wouldn’t change that now. Sergeant Mills was one of his dad’s close friends in the Navy and for sure to him, Tane would always be that fresh faced curly haired kid running to meet his father as soon as they docked on shore. He sighed, hanging up the phone and pondering on whether to go out to get something to eat or order in.
He was saved from further rumination by a knock on the door. His brow furrowed wondering who it could be. His neighbor Keith was a DJ, worked all night and slept all day. Their closest interaction was when they both took out the trash at 6am and they exchanged a few words. So it was unlikely to be him.
He stepped to the door and opened it, not at all surprised to find Sandra, one of his most persistent suitors, leaning on the jamb in a most seductive pose.
“Hey,” he said stretching his lips in what he hoped looked enough like a smile for him to get away with.
“Hi. I was just in the neighborhood and I thought I’d come see if you wanted to get dinner.” She said.
Tane hesitated. On the one hand, he was hungry. On the other hand, he didn’t want to give her the wrong idea.
“Hey listen Sand-” he began to refuse.
“Relax Tane, I’m not oblivious. I got the message that you’re not interested in me. I just wanted to have a friendly, no strings meal. What’s wrong with that?”
“Umm, nothing I guess.” Tane said. If she was telling the truth that is.
She smiled, showing all her artificially white teeth, “Great. I know the most precious hole in the wall place
. You’re gonna love it.”
“Uh huh,” he said grabbing his keys and closing the door behind him. He was hungry and what harm could a meal do anyway?
***
“I miss him,” Livy told her sister as they ate dinner.
“I know you do,” Gill replied.
Livy stopped eating to look up at her sister, “You do?”
“Please. You’ve been moping like Eeyore himself since Tane left.”
Livy sighed, “I guess. I’m a pathetic piece of shit.”
Gill laughed, “No you’re not. You’re just in love.”
“And how do I cure myself of this disease.”
“Stay busy. Very busy. Don’t give yourself time to think.”
“Solid advice. Now if only my job kept me all that busy.”
“What? Sorting out the Wilkin’s personal effects not exciting enough for you?”
“Not really. I need to go sky diving or something. Shake things up.”
“There you go.”
Livy huffed a laugh, “Gill you know I’m scared of heights.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why it would be shaking things up.”
Livy reached over, and plucked a piece of chicken off Gill’s plate so Gill retaliated by stealing her piece of Shepard’s pie. Livy raised her hands in surrender.
“Peace!” she declared, grinning at her sister. Her sister grinned back and then sighed wistfully.
“We should totally go for a walk to the beach this evening and relive our childhood.”
Livy’s brow furrowed, as she glared at her sister, “Thanks. Just when I was managing to forget about Tane.”
“Oh sorry honey. I just miss us sometimes. We don’t get to hang out as much as we did.”
“Too true. It sucks,” Livy replied despondently putting her head in the palm of her hand.
“So let’s change that. No more waiting till one of us has a crisis. Let’s touch base more often.”
“Sleepovers on Friday,” Livy said.
“Brunch on Sundays,” Gill countered.
“Both,” they both said together then smiled at each other conspiratorially.
Chapter Thirteen: Surprise!
Three weeks later and Livy still hadn’t quite managed to rid herself of the nagging ache in her chest every time she thought of Tane.
“Why don’t you go up to Honolulu and see him?” Nikora suggested.
Livy shook her head, “He very definitely told me to get lost.”
“I know for a fact he didn’t mean it.” Nikora wheedled.
Livy avoided her eyes, wondering if she knew about…well. It was all really speculation really. Maybe there wasn’t even anything to know and she was just being a paranoid delusional jackass. But then she remembered his reaction at that last fateful dinner. Nope, he was definitely hiding something.
She remembered the day they’d gone out to his cove for the second time. The one with the tire swing. Livy had declined to swing again because it really wasn’t her favorite thing to do to be suspended above ground with nothing between her and certain death but air and a strong grip on a rope. Tane had left her sunning herself on the shore while he took a swinging jump from his tire swing and jack knifed into the water. When he hadn’t come back up after a minute, she’d sat up in alarm, wondering if he’d hit his head or something. She’d waded in the water, looking anxiously around for blood or something to give her some direction. There was nothing, the sea remained serene, and sedately sending tiny waves to wash up at her feet. She waded in further until she was submerged almost to her neck.
“Tane!” she’d called again and again but there hadn’t been an answer.
She was just starting to panic, wondering if she should call the coast guard when she’d seen him swimming toward her from much further away than where he’d dived in.
“Where were you? I was worried,” she snapped as he came within earshot.
She’d wiped his face placidly saying, “I went for a swim like I told you.”
She had looked to see if there was any hint of a…well…a tail or fin. Maybe a flash of silver or purple like last time. But no, there were just his strong tan legs wading out of the water as he grinned at her.
“You were worried about me,” he said, “You love me.”
She snorted and only now did she realize that he had distracted her, again. Every time she came close to confrontation, he distracted her. And she realized that the argument they’d had at the restaurant was another distraction. He clearly wasn’t ready to tell her about whatever was going on with him. Maybe she didn’t have a right to insist.
“You know,” she told Nikora, “On second thought, I think I will go out to Honolulu and see him. There’s some records the Wilsons’ tax lawyer had asked for anyway. I can drop them off.”
“Oh clever. And now Wilson Enterprises will have to pay for your trip,” Nikora said with a wide grin.
Livy opened her mouth to deny vehemently the implication that that had been her intention but then saw that Nikora was joking.
“Maybe they can just pay for my transportation?” she said with a grin of her own.
“Fine. You can stay at the house in Honolulu anyway so no need to look for accommodation. Remind me to give you the key before you go.”
“Oh no Mrs. P no need for tha-”
“Just take the key Livy,” Nikora interrupted.
“Okay,” Livy said quietly, her excitement building. She was going to see Tane again.
***
“Huh, the pizza got here fast,” Tane said to Sandra as he went to answer the door. She’d taken to coming by a lot and despite his misgivings about her intentions, Tane was beginning to enjoy her company. She was smart, funny and very beautiful. She also didn’t ask any awkward questions. Also it’s not like she had tried anything underhanded. They just hung out a lot.
He placed his hand on the door and only when it was halfway open did he think to check who might be on the other side.
Too late.
“Liviana!” he exclaimed in shock.
“Hey.” Her voice was very small like she was expecting him to chase her away.
“Well this is a surprise.”
“I know. I…er, I was afraid to tell you I was coming in case…well.”
“Uh, come in,” Tane said stepping back from his doorway. It was only as she stepped past him that he remembered Sandra was in the living room.
‘It’s no big deal,’ he thought to himself as he heaved a nervous breath, leading the way to his living room.
“Er, this is my friend Sandy,” he said gesturing with his hand to where she had ensconced herself in his favorite leather chair.
“Hey,” Livy said with a small wave, her voice even lower. She turned to Tane, “If this is a bad time I can-”
“It’s not a bad time,” Tane interrupted just as Sandra said, “Actually it-”
They exchanged glances, Tane narrowing his eyes, “We’re supposed to go for that movie remember?” Sandra said.
Tane’s brow furrowed. As far as he knew, all they’d done was discuss maybe possibly catching the latest Avengers movie. Nothing was written in blood.
“Uh…” he said.
Livy turned away, “I’ll er, just come back,” she said hurrying to the door.
Tane hastened to follow her, calling her name. she stopped, waited for him to catch up but did not say a word.
“Er so Sandy’s not…” he began then hesitated not knowing how to finish, “We’re not…” he continued.
“Congratulations,” Livy said, “I’ll see you sometime when you’re less busy.”
She reached for the door, opening it and disappearing down the hall before he could say another word. He could feel his heart pounding with a combination of adrenalin and trepidation. Everything had happened so fast, he hadn’t had any time to process. What did Livy want? How had she just appeared at his doorstep, no warning, nothing?
He was saved from answering by the bell. He hurried forward, thinking that Livy had come back, but this time it was actually the pizza guy. Too bad he wasn’t in the least bit hungry anymore.
***
Livy stumbled out onto the street, vaguely hoping that Tane would come chasing after her to tell her how this was all a big misunderstanding, he was so happy to see her and that girl was just…some girl.
She’d seemed so at home in his space though. Like she was used to being there with him. She wasn’t an old friend, Livy knew that. If she had been surely she’d have come for the funeral. Tane would have mentioned her before. Something.
So maybe she was a new friend and nothing more? But Livy had seen the look in her eyes when she’d asked Tane if it was a bad time. Definitely not just a friend.
“Wow, you moved on fast,” she murmured to herself hand held unconsciously over her heart that seemed to want to disintegrate into pieces. Livy scoffed at herself.
“You are so overdramatic.”
“What?” a voice said from the side, startling the hell out of her. She looked up to see a tall blonde man in a hoodie and a parka, blue eyes staring at her expectantly from his tan face.
“Sorry?” she asked.
“You said something?” he asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry I was talking to myself,” she said taking a step away from him as her pale cheeks flamed with embarrassment. He took an equivalent step toward her.
“Hey, if you need someone – apart from yourself – to speak to I’m here. How about we go get a coffee?”
Livy opened her mouth to say ‘No thanks,’ but then closed it again. What was stopping her from having coffee with a handsome stranger? She glanced behind her hopefully – certainly not Tane.
“Uh sure okay,” she said and he pointed across the road at one of those independent coffee shops.
