by K. K. Allen
“Whoooo.” I scream into the night, feeling my exhilaration from just the smallest use of energy. I let out a giggle once all traces of my yell finally die. The sky is beautiful this time of night. You can clearly see the reflection of the stars glimmering on the water.
A loud rumble sounds from below, shaking me from my comfort. I hear gears grind, and the engine of the Ferris wheel roars to life. The lights of the ride flicker to life before illuminating the Island. I jerk forward unexpectedly before moving forward and then downward at a slow speed. What is going on?
My senses alert the hairs on my arms and my hands shoot out on either side of me to steady myself, but it’s not balance that I need. Why am I out here so late and alone? After all that’s been happening with the Equinox, I should have listened to Rose and gone straight home. I’m frantic as I creep to the edge of the car, careful not to call too much attention to myself. Once the car circles down closer to the ground I ready myself to jump out and start running as fast as I can, but before I can even stand a figure is hopping into the car with me. My breathing stops. I slam my eyes shut and know that this is my end.
“Mind if I join you?”
My eyes fly open and I gawk at Johnny who is all grins. He makes himself comfortable in the seat beside me but I’m speechless. I let out a choked breath of air. We circle through the night and my pulse slows but not much. Having Johnny so close to me in such an intimate setting—I can’t seem to focus clearly until I soak in some of the moon’s energy.
“You scared, the crap out of me,” I say finally.
“Wait, quiet. Look,” he says forcing my eyes to face front.
I gasp at the breathtaking view before me. The moon is out in full tonight; hanging powerfully above the bay. It reminds me of the children’s story that my mom used to read to me before bed. Goodnight, Moon. I want to reach out and touch the moon. If only I could just get a little bit closer.
“How did you know I was out here?” I ask once we’ve dipped back down, so the bay isn’t visible anymore.
“You left the restaurant so fast. I wanted to talk to you, so I followed you. I’m not even going to ask you why you thought to climb this thing.”
Something in his voice reeks of anger, annoyance, and maybe even a little worry. He wanted to talk to me. My cheeks lift and I turn to him. “I take it you don’t hate me anymore?” Abrupt, I know.
I can see a smirk emerge from Johnny’s face. He’s obviously pleased with himself. “I never hated you—well, maybe a little. I misread you.”
He turns and looks me straight in the eyes. His eyes, I notice now, seem to be honest and genuine—and excruciatingly forgivable.
“That gives you no right to be rude to people for no reason.”
He nods in agreement. “You’re right about that. But in my defense, I thought you deserved it.”
I’m not sure if he’s serious but the comment throws me, sending a bubble of laughter up and out of my throat.
He continues. “I’ve since changed my mind.”
The laughter finally dies and I am curious now. “Can I ask why?”
He remains forward-facing. “No. You probably shouldn’t…but look,” he holds his arm out to me; the arm that was cut during the earthquake at Trisha’s party. There’s barely a mark left.
“You heal quickly,” I say, touching the faded line on his arm.
The touch must surprise him because he pulls and shrugs. “I guess so.”
I didn’t use much magic on his arm, but I suppose I could have accidently healed it. I did touch it. Surely, my touch alone has some healing powers.
“You make it a habit to climb tall structures late at night?”
I’m grinning now. Back to this. “Just tonight. I wanted to get away; to think. This seemed like the perfect place.”
“It is.”
Silence briefly bonds us. I can feel our once-uncomfortable meetings fade into the past as we sit here now. I’m reminded of the comfort I had once found in Alec. My friendship with Alec felt natural from the beginning, but whatever it is I thought we had is gone, like the blink of an eye. His betrayal may never make sense to me but after watching him and Ava walk away after the earthquake, I don’t hurt anymore.
“Have you ever wondered what happens when people die?”
Johnny’s question rattles me slightly, but his tone doesn’t sound anything but curious. I suppose he’s thinking of the recent deaths in Apollo Beach. I can’t help but think about them too—and I’ve asked myself this question before.
“I think that a lifetime of our energy—the good, the bad—all gets recycled into the earth. As we die, we create new life through that energy.”
He shuffles a bit. I hope I haven’t made him uncomfortable.
“Wow,” he says. “You’ve thought a lot about this.”
“Death hasn’t been my friend lately. My mom died recently and I came close to death, not so long ago…”
“What? You?”
“On the Fourth of July,” I say. “There was a horrible accident that led to my near drowning. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it.”
His eyebrows raise. “I did. I guess I didn’t know you almost died. I heard you were rescued in the water.”
“I was, but before that…” I don’t want to think about it anymore. I shudder.
“So you moved here because your mom died?”
“It was either Apollo Beach or foster care.” I shrug now.
“But your grandmother’s here, why would you have to make that choice?”
I turn to him, happy to know he wants to learn about me, but curious as to why. “Rose and I were never introduced while I was growing up,” There. Simple. “I wasn’t introduced to any of my family. I’m not sure if I have much family out there. Rose, or foster care—” I shift my hands, pretending to measure weights. “Either way, I’d be living with a stranger. So I chose Rose.”
He smiles. “Rose seems to be a nice lady. I always had this animosity toward her because of some stories my parents told me. Your grandparents were always the high and mighty authorities around here—but Rose creates jobs and takes care of this place. My opinion of her has changed.”
I choose not to ask him when his opinion changed. I’m certain that when I first met him, he was not a fan of Rose.
“Good,” I respond. “She deserves more credit for what she does around here. People want to turn this place into something it’s not, and she’s just trying to protect that—but the beauty is here in everything nature offers. You tear that down and we take another step back in preserving the earth.”
Johnny makes an interested noise with his throat. “You feel the way about the earth as I do for the ocean.”
I look at him and our eyes meet for the second time tonight. My heart catches a bit in my chest as I realize that we have a lot more in common than I thought. “You said your parents knew Rose? Didn’t you just move here a couple years ago?” I flush when I realize he never told me that. “Trisha mentioned it.”
He doesn’t seem to mind me knowing. “My parents and I lived here for a long time. We moved when I was eight or nine and practically lived out at sea until my parents passed away.”
A decade ago. That’s when the Equinox terrorized the town, which is probably why his parents took him away.
“How old were you when they passed away?” I word this as carefully as I know how.
“Fifteen. I spent a few months at sea alone trying to hunt down the man who killed my parents.” There’s an unsettled resonance in his voice.
His parents were murdered. My stomach churns. I feel sick. Who would kill the parents of a young boy and leave him alone to fend for himself? I look at Johnny. He’s done well for himself, but it’s obvious now where he gets his caginess.
“Wasn’t it lonely out there? Living by yourself?” I ask, pleading for my voice to hold it together. Why would anyone choose to live out at sea by themselves?
“That’s why I wanted to come home�
��well, the only home I’ve ever known. We still have a house here but I can’t live there either. I tried. It’s too empty. I prefer my boat.”
I tilt my head. “Do you live at the marina?”
He smiles. “I do.”
“If you were only sixteen when you came back to Apollo Beach then how could you live at the marina alone? Without guardians?”
He smiles. “I didn’t live on the boat when I moved here. Roy took me in. He was a good friend of my parents and he cared for me, but he gave me my space. As soon as I turned eighteen I moved out of his place, sold the old boat, bought a new one, and started living at the marina.”
Johnny is not the person I thought he was at all—okay, so maybe he is a loner like I imagined, but he’s got a past that provides more than enough explanation for why he eyes others so suspiciously. And Roy—I would have never guessed for myself that they were so close, but now that I think about it, I can see it in the responsibility that Johnny holds, and his loyalty to the Island Grille.
“You think you’ll start scheduling your hours so that we’re working together again?” His question gives my chest a little thump and I blush.
“You noticed that?”
He laughs. “I think everyone noticed it. There aren’t that many of us. How you got around working with me for an entire two weeks is pure talent.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Can you blame me? You were rotten.”
He shifts. “I don’t blame you. I was trying to get you to quit at first—but you are one resilient girl.”
My eyes widen. “What? You wanted me to quit?” Maybe I already knew this, but this makes it official.
“Well, if it makes you feel better, after a couple of days, you not being around only made me want to see you more.”
My blush deepens. “You are one confusing guy, Johnny.”
He chuckles lightly.
I resist the temptation to roll my eyes. “I’m helping you set up the food booths this week. Not my choice,” I add quickly. “Rose put my name down for all tasks involving food, and you just happen to be in charge of setting up the booths. So, it’s completely against my will, but I am working with you.”
Johnny grins at me now. He knows I’m lying, and I don’t care. “Well, whatever the reason you got stuck with me, I’m grateful.”
I look away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing how utterly gorgeous I think he is, and he just gets better looking the longer we talk.
A buzzing in my pocket disturbs us. I see that it’s Rose, so I pick it up while cringing.
“Katrina Summer, I see you up there in that Ferris wheel. Get down now and come home. It’s too dark for you to be out. You know that.”
Guilt washes over me. “Okay, I’ll be home soon.”
“And get that boy to walk you. I want to have a word with him.” A click sounds on the other end of the line and I turn to Johnny with apologetic eyes.
“I’m sorry. You’re going to have to walk me home.”
* * *
Johnny leaps out of the Ferris wheel car first and stops the machine before helping me out. The touch of his hands on mine is electrifying; I don’t want him to pull away but he does. He’s got a cloud of confusion wafting over his features and I hope it’s not because of me.
He walks me home by way of the beach. The water is calm as we move our legs slowly along the shore. Rose may want me to be home in a hurry, but I’m not in one.
“So what’s your story with your parents?” Johnny finally breaks the ice.
It’s refreshing when I get a chance to talk about my mom, and now I can talk about her without choking up. “I’ve never met my father, that I can remember anyway. My mom died six months ago,” I tilt my head. I have to think about that one. It feels like an eternity. “Most people already know, so I’m not used to talking about her anymore.”
Johnny peers down at me, a look of understanding crosses his face. He knows what I know. It’s good for the soul to remember the dead.
“What was she like?” He asks.
“She was—always right,” I smile as I think of the look she gave me when I dared argue. “She always dressed up like she had someone to please, yet, she never really went anywhere. We spent most of our time together. She encouraged me to study, to laugh, to play—she taught me how to love—and she was a great cook,” I close my eyes and try to imagine the smell of one of her dishes. I was always a sucker for her spinach and feta pita bake. She made it just right; tasty, full of flavor, and crunchy crust. “Not even Charlotte’s cooking compares to my moms.” I smile at the thought of Charlotte trying to mimic my mom’s recipes, failing purposefully every time.
“Charlotte seems to really care for you and Rose.”
I can only agree. “It was so strange at first. Charlotte has always been kind to me but here I was, alone, practically forced to move in with two strangers. They were so patient with me—and very understanding.”
“So you don’t know why your mom kept you away from them?” Johnny sounds puzzled. He has no idea.
I let out a sigh. “My mom wanted to keep the world away from me, I guess. I’m not sure why. I find bits and pieces out as time goes on. Rose isn’t exactly forthcoming.” This is enough information to divulge without lying.
Johnny surprises me by shaking his head. “Your mom was wrong to keep you away from who you really are. I’m sure she was well-meaning, but it’s a parent’s job to raise their children to one-day spread their wings confidently. Your mom must have been holding onto something.”
It’s like he knows exactly what I’m talking about—like he understands me. What’s Johnny’s story? How did he become so wise?
We’re walking through the back patio entrance when we’re greeted by an anxious Rose with crossed arms. Charlotte is not too far behind her holding a smirk of happiness on her face. At least one of them is encouraging me to experience life.
“Rose, hi. This is Johnny. Johnny, meet my grandmother Rose. And that’s Charlotte.”
Johnny shakes Rose’s hand but I can see in his face that she’s overpowering him. I glare at her. “Rose,” I say harshly. “Johnny was nice enough to accompany me on the Ferris wheel and walk me home.”
She lets up and drops her hand to her side. “Well, I suppose that was kind of you Johnny. I do believe we’ve met before.”
I desperately want to rescue Johnny from the wrath of Rose, but he’s smiling back at her. He handles her well. “Yes, we have ma’am. I believe you knew my parents as well. They grew up in Apollo Beach and own a home on the other side of town.”
“Oh?” Rose raises an eyebrow. “What’s the name?”
The wind picks up and I know this is Charlotte’s doing. I give her a grateful look. She winks.
“Pierce.” He takes a few steps back. “I better be heading home. Have a nice night. I’ll see you tomorrow, Katrina.”
Katrina? Did Johnny just call me by my full name? For Rose’s benefit most likely. I smile at him before he turns and jogs off down the stairs leading to the beach.
Johnny Pierce. The name is fitting, and sounds just as handsome as he is.
I turn my focus on Rose and narrow my eyes. “Could you be any more unfriendly, Rose? You could have thanked him kindly for walking me home. He’s not the reason I’m out late.”
Her thoughts seemed trapped though as she ignores me. “Pierce. Why does that sound so familiar?”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “He said you probably know his parents.” Rose can be so frustrating. “I’m the one you should be mad at, not Johnny.”
Rose shakes her head, as if allowing the questions to disperse. “Okay then,” she says, her eyes challenging me. “I’m angry at you. You know what’s out there. I can’t protect you if you don’t listen to simple rules. No one is to be out this late, especially alone, and especially on the Island. Do you want to be next?”
I gasp and so does Charlotte. Charlotte comes forward quickly and takes Rose’s arm. �
�Rose, we should get to bed now. Kat is safe. We can all talk in the morning.”
Rose looks exhausted. I notice this now as her expression sags along with her shoulders. She is worried about me. I immediately feel the guilt rush through my body.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly, before she has a chance to turn away. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking being out there so late. I promise not to do it again.”
Too tired to appear grateful, Rose just nods her head and allows Charlotte to take her to her room.
Meanwhile, I take a seat on the patio and muse over the night I’ve just had with Johnny. Usually, I try so hard, but can never shake him from my mind—tonight, I don’t want to.
Chapter Fifteen
The next afternoon I search the food booths until I find Johnny on the far side of the Island. He’s already there stocking cabinets and shelves with napkins and plastic ware. He looks up briefly to greet me. “Hey Kat.”
My name rolls off his tongue naturally. It takes me back to last night when he called me by my full name. I kind of liked hearing him say Katrina. I lift myself up onto the counter and peer into the booth. Empty boxes and plastic containers cover the floor as if they’ve been flung in all directions.
“You like doing this? Running all these events?”
Johnny peers up at me without lifting his head from what he’s doing and I swear I glimpse a smile forming. He shrugs. “I’ve got nothing better to do. You going to help or just sit there asking questions?”
I grin. “I’m here on volunteer business. You can’t boss me around today.”
He laughs lightly. “I don’t boss you around ever.”
I lift my eyebrows. Is he serious? Does he not remember the many times he’s told me what to do—or rather, what not to do?
